Kattwings Knits

Oh my it's been awhile!!

2010-04-24T11:15:00.011+10:00

It's not like I have been short of projects to blog about. Far from it really. It's more my Health has been all over the place.

After the months of coughing and feeling crap I saw a doctor and got that dealt with.

Then recently I got struct down with Tonsilitis! Tonight is my last dose of a 12.5day load of anti biotics and frankly I am beyond sick of them!! Let's hope that it won't come back!!

Yesterday was my 32nd Birthday and I got totally spoilt rotten including curried scallops for lunch (made by Adam) and then taken out for dinner last night with family and best friend. I got heaps of lovely gifties!!

But I have been working very hard since last post on a lot of goodies. So let's go through all the piccies and see what things I have been up to!

Above. My best friend put in a request for some lovely handwarmers for her mother's birthday, so I designed these. Planning on writing up the pattern to sell once I get free time.

Above. My little emo/goth wanted a jumper to suit her. She loves this very much. Was a super quick knit too!

Above. In a fit of being sick of HEAPS of UFOs. I finished up this Rastacat!! It's lovely and soft.

Above. More of my fit to finish UFOs!! This one was sold to a friend within the week of being finished. And it's just gorgeous!

Above. This was MEANT to be Adam's Valentines Socks!! GORGEOUS pattern! Some of my fave handdyed yarn (by myself) but even though I went up needle size by 1..They STILL fit Harley perfectly!!!

Above. My best friend saw this purse pattern as I was going through Patterns in Rav. How could I resist making it for her for her birthday which is Monday?? Handdyed wool for both flower and purse by me. It's lined and all! Hoping she loves it! Drove me bit nuts making it but turned out great!

Above. I have ordered size 7 kids Jumper. This is the first one finished. I am up to the yoke of the second one. Handdyed wool, colourway Eggplant. Love how it turned out and so does the buyer.

Above. And lastly. Something for Moi! Love this beret to pieces!! Wear it heaps now in the cooling down weather.

I have a few sewn things I will show you next time. As well as Rachelle made more craftie stuff for another friends Birthday that I have to show you all aswell! But I think all these piccies will do for now!!

Take care all and Happy Knitting!!

Katt

A Childs Craft

2010-01-27T13:15:00.004+11:00

Finally have the finished product piccies up of Rachelles handmade gifts (with very little help from mummy) for her friends birthday. We ran out of time before getting the knitted item made because I introduced her to Ravelry (Rav name TassiePiglet) and she became so addicted she forgot to get back to knitting!

I am so proud of the things she did made though. We even made little "Made by Rachelle" labels for them all before she wrapped them.

Her little card is just the cutest. We decided it was best to Sew the teddy on so it would stay on well. And then she did the drawings all around it (she did one on the inside after colouring in the stitch outline of the teddy too). She was so proud of her work. And her little friend ran off to show her mum what Rachelle had made her when she opened the present at the party. So I think it all went down very well.

We went off to St Helens over the long weekend for Australia Day. Had a lovely time, caught up with a friend and her family down there and all the kids played together. Would love to get back down there before the school holidays are over but I don't see it happening.

I have been doing some knitting. Working on a little Birthday gift for my best friend who's birthday is in April. Finished the knitting part now have to work out the rest.

Also have to get out the sewing machine and fabric to take care of another few birthdays that are at the end of this month beginning of next! Looking forward to the middle of the year when all the birthdays slow down a little!

Yet to work out what to do for Adam for Valentines day, and am a part of the Tasmania Valentines Day dash (which i started last year in Launceston and it seems to have taken off!). Many people are going to leave flowers, hearts and other Valentine things all over Tassie and maybe even Australia! how wonderful is that? I am very grateful and proud that something I started looks to take off in such a big way!

I am starting to seriously crave motorsports!! WSBKs cant start soon enough for me next month (END of next month at that!!) luckily Nascar starts in a few weeks so hopefully I won't keel over and die from being deprived before then!!

I hope you all have a lovely week!

Katt

how DAAAAAAHLING-AAA

2010-01-21T17:38:00.009+11:00

More of my crafted pressies for this year I have finished a mini version of Dahlia in girls age size 8-10. One thing that drives me nuts about this pattern is how the neckband rolls outwards. Will have to try and steam/block that so it doesn't do it anymore.

Learnt the new sewn cast off with this pattern to and I have to say I LOVE it!! Will try doing it with more patterns from now on. It's flexible and has good stretch. Great for ribbing!

It's for my besties eldest child for her birthday in early March. I am hoping she will look lovely in it. First pic is best example of the grey purple colour. This colour and yarn was picked out by little miss C so I know she will love it.

Stats:

Pattern: Dahlia (Rav Link) (Knitty Link)
Started: 18th Jan 2010
Finished: 21st Jan 2010
Yarn: Panda Woolbale (colour 103)

Modifications: Well apart from the obvious downsizing of an adults pattern. I also made the sleeves 3/4 length.

I love this pattern, which is great considering both my girls have put their name down because they want one each!

Now that I have finished that and gotten the small luxury of NOT using itty bitty needles with itty bitty wool I will get back to the second pair of socks which I have cast on and done the ribbing for and that's it!!

It's getting that time of year again when I am starving for motorsports to watch!! I have to wait til late next month (if not beginning of month after!!). Why do they all stop at the same time!?!?!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! We plan on heading away either over weekend or beginning of next week to the coast to visit grandma for a few days.

Katt

1 of 12 in 12 for 2010

2010-01-16T19:11:00.007+11:00

I have finished first pair of socks for my 12 in 12 for 2010!!

I have to say I am in love with this pattern! It's fantastic, quick, keeps you from boredom and looks purdy!!

Details:

Pattern: No Purl Monkeys (RAV link)
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton Print
Started: 1/1/10
Finished: 15/1/10

This pattern too up almost all of my 2 balls that I used.
I honestly have no idea why these socks don't look exactly the same!! I knitted them both at once (doing 11 rounds repeats of each pattern at a time, 1 sock then other sock til I was up to heels). So both tensions would be the same. Yet the pattern is completely different!! Still these socks are great! :)

I have now cast on socks number 2. using the GliB pattern (Rav link). I am doing them in Patonyle.

Rachelle has almost finished her little gifties for her friends birthday party this year. She has made the Scrunchies, she has made the jewellery and she has made the card! All she has left that she wants to do is knit a little toy. Will post piccies when they are all done.

In other news I made a purchase the other week of LUSH. And it arrived yesterday! OOOH its divine!!! nami!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Happy knitting

Katt

Have your Cake and eat it too

2010-01-12T20:24:00.006+11:00

Tonight I decided to make the girls a little something for dessert. I came across THIS recipe online and though why not give it a go!! so here it is for you. I upsized it so they got 1 big one each..next time I think I will follow recipe and divide it.

batter ready to go into the microwave.

soon as it came out of microwave

add a bit of custard (which kept sinking and absorbing into the cake at the bottom)

Recipe as follows:

Chocolate Cake in a mug

4Tbsp SR Flour
4Tbsp Sugar
2Tbsp Cocoa
1 egg
3Tbsp Milk
3Tbsp Oil

Mix dry ingredients
Mix wet ingredients
Mix both together.

Put into 1 large coffee mug or 2 regular sized ones.
Microwave on high for 3mins (for 2 regular sized mugs) or 4mins (for large mug)

Serve with icecream, or custard, or cream!

Socks are up to feet! Hoping to have them finished by Friday at the latest.

Rachelle has been busy making birthday present for a friends party which is in a few weeks. Will show piccies when she is done!

Happy knitting all!!

Katt

The Highs and Lows

2010-01-09T20:42:00.018+11:00

2009 ended with a BANG for us.. Or more.. With a Bill and an extra housemate.

My best friend left her husband (second case of them separating in 2 years..Let's hope this one is permanent!!). She came to stay with us for what I THOUGHT would be only a few days but ended up a few days shy of 4 weeks!! I love her to pieces but damn I am glad to have my house back and the privacy that comes with!!

Gizzy got himself into a brawl that ended up with an abscess on his hind leg and a trip to the ONLY open vets in town. Which scored us a $300 bill (there went the Chrissie money for our BBQ area!) and while we were at it we punished him for wasting our money with getting him desexed (teach the bugger).

This school holidays I have been keeping the girls entertained with teaching them crafts (and letting them play with the crafts they already know).

So firstly over the Holidays we have sat and made jewellery that they have decided to keep some of and some they decided at the time to make for friends.

Harley's Memory Wire Bracelet

Harley's anklet (which will fit as bracelet as she gets older)

Harley's Bracelets to give to school friends.

Harley has earrings she made too to give to friends but at time of photography the child didn't put them out to take piccies of so it didn't happen! I only remember them now as I do this post and it's too dark to take picceies of them now.

Rachelle's Memory Wire Bracelet

Rachelle's Anklet which will be a bracelet as she gets older

Rachelle's bracelets (blue one is hers, pink one is a school friends)

Rachelle's earrings. clip on, put in sleepers (which are hers) and real ones

The next craft the girls and I did was learning to sew with needle and thread. Harley had done a bit of this at school but not this sort of level.

So we made Scrunchies, in which I cut the fabric, folded it the right way and started the sewing that they did. Then they turned it in the right way, I sewed one end of the elastic to the opening, they pulled the elastic all the way through then I secured it all and sewed it closed.

Rachelle's Scrunchie

Harley's Scrunchie

We also made wheat bags (which I am yet to buy wheat so we can finish them up). The top green one is Rachelle's the bottom pink one Harley's.

This years big 12 in 12 for 2010 for me is 12 pair of socks in 12 months. So 1/1/10 I was a good girl and cast on the first pair of socks. I have gotten them both up to the heel today and hoping by end of weekend to be up to the gusset (if not started it).

Specs:
Pattern: No Purl Monkeys (RAV Link)
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton Print
Needle Size: 2.5mm

It's damn hot here at the moment and even though I really want to be busy designing things it's far too hot to be doing anything more then socks really.

Went swimming earlier this week and got so sunburnt I have small blisters on my shoulders and my face is starting to peel!! I won't be forgetting sunscreen next time now will I!! Yikes!

Ok everyone I hope you have a lovely weekend!! And now that my house is my own again I wont take as long to do more posts to you all keeping you updated!!

Happy knitting!!

Katt

few of my favourite things

2009-12-28T11:26:00.007+11:00

Christmas has been and gone for another year. I had a lovely time at my parents place. Ate heaps and talked lots. Was lovely. I don't see my family anywhere near as much as I would like to. Hoping with Adam going to Uni this year that we will have weekends enough to do things that we never were able to do before because of his work.

Below is something I acquired from mum while I was over there. This is GORGEOUS pure wool 5ply she says is from Patons when they had the building here in Tassie. It's beautiful and HUGE!! Mum had already made herself a jumper from it and it's still massive!! I have grand Shawl ideas for it.
Below is a modelling piccie of a newly finished (well several days ago) Rastacat hat with a flower on it. Doing a few knits here and there for the MIL to put into her gallery when the new shop opens up.

Below is first lot of Harvesting from my garden!! Taken over several days. The snowpeas and little capsicum (which was a firecracker I tells ya cos it was HOT) was used in some Risotto for dinner last night.

And a recent (taken today) piccie of my garden. I have a few closer piccies but will do a post on all those later in week. I am rather happy with how my little garden is growing. And my patience (as hard as it was) has paid off now I am getting tomatoes and beans and peas coming. Not as many I would like but I will do better next year I am sure! Still very happy with what I am getting so far! Lettuce is close to picking, Pumpkin is still growing slowly, Carrots are there somewhere growing slowly, Potato plants are getting HUGE so better be producing lots of tattas!! I have tomatoes growing on all my plants, some cherry red ones are turning slowly red. I am very impressed with it all now (apart from the capsicum still damn it!! and my pumpkin is really slow too)...

So that's a few things I have been up to of late.

I have grand plans for next years Chrissie. Most people will be getting handmade items. The girls and I will be busy all year learning how to make things like Soap. I will be teaching the girls how to make candles and sew things. We will be using as much things as we have around the house already stocked up (I have several things needed to start things like soap and candles just not everything). Will test run making toys and Harley (being 10 now) is old enough to learn to use my sewing machine if she is careful.

That's all for today. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Katt

Beware the Kangaroo!!

2009-12-20T21:13:00.007+11:00

Beware of the mighty Tasmanian Kangaroo!!! Its strong enough to lift a car!!

This past week has been busy with Harleys 10th Birthday party (where everyone had a fantastic time and the hats and cheesecakes/pink muffins went down a treat but I didn't get freaken piccies of either kids in hats or the goodies!! sigh).

I can't believe my eldest baby is 10 already!! Where did the time go?

Then Friday we went to my MIL (yes..MIL not standard BIL I normally refer her too. Since I had a major go at her last year just before Chrissie she has been actually good since! There is more to it then that but it's not my place to put it here). Had a good time there though it was very loud with one very full on little Niece.

Saturday we headed to the coast to visit FIL and that side of family, for weekend of Chrissie lunch and catch ups.

Below is Harlz (the eldest Great Grandchild for Grandma) and the youngest Great Grandchild. 10years Vs 1month. cute huh?

Grandma with all her Great Grandchildren. There is FOUR 2 year olds in this shot!! I have to say I am so very glad I am the mother of the 2 eldest grandchildren. I don't miss all the things involved with wee little ones. lol

I have been doing some knitting of late. As well as some baking (just cos I have spent 2 nights in a cabin doesn't mean I haven't baked!! Made biscuits today as well soup for dinner tonight).

I have been doing a little knitting and have a few little demand things left to go.

Have been living with a house guest for past week. It's been good to have someone around to help out and talk to, but at same time I miss just the 4 of us in our little home.

I hope everyone has been having a lovely weekend!!

Happy knitting!

Katt

Witchie poo

2009-12-11T20:21:00.007+11:00

Tomorrow we are heading down South for the Wedding. And where I had been all planned for what we would wear, yesterday in a lapse of sanity I decided I wanted to sew Rachelle a dress to wear (since Harley has a newly bought dress to wear herself down there). and since long ankle length flowing dresses are all in fashion at the moment I got busy. After a visit to Spotties to get some fabric home I came to get sewing. I also got the lace to sew around the bottom of it.

I had one plan in mind. A great little striped dress that looked a little witchie and a little different but was still fashionable and let her match the rest of the family for the wedding. I also wanted a dress that wasn't going to be "special times only" cos frankly we just do do enough of those! I wanted a dress she could wear every day and have fun with it.

So last night I got all the tiers sewn together and all the ends overlocked. Then I sat and pondered the bodice. The pattern is originally a 5 tier skirt!! I wanted a dress though. And the fabric to make the skirt part didn't stretch at all. I wanted low maintenance for me to sew and wash. So away it went and of to bed I went to sleep.

Today back to Spotties I went and picked up some stretch jersey material in matching black, some twisted ribbon sort of thing to do the straps for the top and home I came. I had to wait til Rachelle was home from school to try it on her and work with her as I went along.

Once I got the bodice sorted out how I would do it the whole thing finished up quickly.

I must say I am VERY happy with the results. So is Harley (who wants a pink and black one) and Rachelle is over the moon!! I am planning on making more. Many more. Probably will look into where I can sell a few of them because they are much fun and so in fashion and pretty :)

Rachelle is planning on wearing it to her sisters fancy dress birthday party next week too as a witch (if you can't tell from the piccies).

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Katt

New Design Up!!

2009-12-10T13:16:00.007+11:00

I have a new design up on Ravelry for sale (and will be popping it up on Etsy before the end of the weekend). You will be able to find the pattern HERE on Ravelry. 8ply great little hat.

I seem to be running a major theme on brim hats at the moment with my designs. Probably because I love them a lot (even though they don't suit me at all).

In the new year I plan on tossing some more of my designs into text form and getting them up for sale. I have so many I want to do just have to find time and get past the busy Chrissie knitting time to get it all together. Will still be in need of some lovely test knitters if anyone wants to volunteer (most will be kids knits).

I am about 10 rounds off being up to the toes of my 4ply pair of socks (that's 10 rounds each sock not total). Will be glad to have them finished. Then I have 1 whole sock to knit in the 8ply socks and I am finished for all of my Chrissie knitting. Then I have to buckle down on those Hamsterbeans!!

This week has been a busy one. Tuesday mostly so. The girls had their School Concert then. Both girls did fabulously. I must say that their music teacher had put a LOT of effort into it all! The woman deserves an award or 10!!

This weekend we are heading down South of the state (well on Saturday) for a wedding. Looking forward to it. Hoping to get to Salamanca Market to have a peep around.

The garden is growing very well. Extremely proud of the fact I haven't killed it off yet!! But wishing it was bigger!! My best friends garden has grown heaps compared to mine!! Next year I plan on moving it to a more sunny spot and getting it in at lest a month earlier (if not two).

As for last post. I am very happy to share any of the recipes with people if they are interested! Please just leave a message letting me know what ones you are interested in and I will include them in future posts :)

I cannot believe there is only 9 days until my eldest child turns 10!! Where has the year gone? Seriously!! Wasn't it just January last week??

Ok everyone I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! Take care all

Katt

Baking Business or "so what have you been up to this weekend?"

2009-12-06T19:22:00.011+11:00

Since every weekend (or 90% of them) I end up baking I thought might as well make a post about this weekends adventures!

It started Friday night when just before the girls went to bed we made some White Christmas! It turned out rather well. We have decided to make some more close to end of term for the girls teachers (and perhaps some rumballs).

Saturday I decided to try out a new recipe I found in a food magazine Friday. So I made some the Lemon Loaf (next time I will make it plain on top and put some Lemon Icing on it).

And my weekly standard baking of biscuits for the girls for school the following week. Here we have my nan's recipe for Chocolate Cornflake biscuits and my mum's recipe for Rock Cakes!

By sunday I was ready to test out my Chrissie test cooking! I plan on making a Pineapple Passionfruit Cheesecake to take to my mums. And so I test made it. Sprinkled some Vanilla Powder ontop and Voila! It's very yummy and will certainly be made for Chrissie Desserts!

And lastly what do you get when you mix Vanilla Ice Cream with S.R. Flour?

You get bread!! Its rather nice actually. I was pleasantly surprised when I made it today after finding the recipe last night. The person who made it said it's more of a breakfast bread with Jam or Honey Butter. And I tend to agree. Still..2 thumbs up what a surprise!!

So from Friday night until Sunday evening I have made all the above. It was a funfilled weekend and All ended up perfect and tasting very nice!

I also got both of one of the Chrissie socks up to turning the heels (which I hope to finish tonight as well as picking up gusset!).

Hope everyone else had a funfilled productive weekend too!

Katt

Mad Hatter

2009-12-04T15:26:00.010+11:00

Party bag hats are 100% done. I ended up deciding on doing 13 instead of 15 because frankly only 11 are invited and assuming all of them turn up then there is 2 spare hats left.

I started with doing 2 of each kind I was doing but in the end went for variety and did 1 of the last 5 just to mix it up a bit. Hopefully they will go down well and I am hoping to get piccies of each of the kids in the hats they pick to show you all after the party (which is the 16th of Dec).

I am not too far off finishing first sock for one of the Chrissie pressies..Then just the second sock to knit and 1 more pressie will be done.

I still have 1 pair of socks and 30 Hamsterbeans left to knit but frankly the Beans can wait til after Chrissie I think. I don't feel pressure at the moment that I wont get everything done which is great.

My garden is growing more every day which I am happy about (all except those darn capsicums!!!). One of my pea plants has a flower on it so looks like I will get at least ONE pea pod this year. My butter beans seem to be about ready to flower too. My snow pea plants are MASSIVE. One or two of my potato plants are flowering. And my cherry tomatoes all have either flowers or little tomatoes growing (actually ALL my tomato plants are doing that except my Black Russian one). So it looks like my garden is slowly going the right direction. I am so impatient I want to harvest now!! lol

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend to come. Its the last weekend for me that will be a quiet one until New Year. Between weddings in Hobart, Family Chrissie lunches all over my end of the state I won't get a quiet weekend for a long time!! But it's all worth it to see family members and the girls enjoy it.

Take care all and enjoy your day :)

Katt

Much to do

2009-11-27T17:01:00.008+11:00

Knitting has been slow. Partly because of the weather..Partly because my allergies have been robbing me of full nights sleep and causing me to be lethargic and feel horrid. But with less then a month til Chrissie and still one hell of a list needing to be done I better get my butt wiggling!!

To reply to those that asked me what "Hamsterbeans" are, I suggest you look HERE (Rav link). They are quick and cute and i am gonna end up having to do a bundle of ears/tails/feet at the end.

My chrissie list is down to the following:

5 party hats for Harley's birthday (now I WILL get away with only make 3 more really cos there is 11 kids there and I have made 10)

finish 2 pair of adults socks (both are 25% done) now really only ONE has to be finished I have a backup pressie for the other person they will just end up with socks for their birthday, they were a last minute thought sock knit anyway).

32 hamsterbeans (these can be done for after Chrissie really if needed).

My garden is coming along nicely! I am impressed how MOST things are growing well. I am having issues with the fact my capsicum isn't growing!! the one that was on the plant when I bought it has grown and is changing colour but the plants themselves aren't growing or showing signs of producing anything else.

This month hasn't been the best one. There has been 2 deaths of people I know, people I wasn't "friends" with but I am close to people that were close to them. Both people were young (under 30), both were unexpected and took all involved by surprise. RIP Matty C and Steve I, you both will be missed by many.

I will leave you all with a piccie of the biggest nut in my walnut tree, Harley. Have a great weekend all.

Pictures say more than words.

2009-11-18T16:43:00.007+11:00

Productive

2009-11-12T17:08:00.003+11:00

I feel so productive of late with my garden happily growing. It's finished now. I don't think I can fit anything else in it!! I now just have to water and weed and seasol and wait to see how much I will end up with after all my hard work.

I will take another few pictures of everything later this month (or next month) when things have grown more.

Today while getting groceries the local supermarket had their seedlings marked down to $1. They didn't look overly happy (all in dire need of planting and watering!!) so I grabbed up a punnet of Broccoli and decided I will plant them and hope for the best! Also now planted my Potatoes.

So to date my garden has planted and growing (most established trees): Strawberries, Lemons (which is constantly producing fruit and is happy now to be regular watered next to veggie patch so is flowering and making more), Apricots, Greengages, Red Apples, Peaches. That's all my fruit (next year will have to get my Raspberry patch on the way). And my Veggies are (all planted this year): Broccoli, Carrots, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Corn, Peas, Butter beans, Snow peas, Capsicum and Butternut Pumpkin. Also have my Walnut Tree (all of about 70 years old so no credit to me). Yesterday while out being busy in the yard I happened across a few little Walnut Babies!! so i have planted 4 in little pots (will move them to bigger ones when I can or find them new homes once they show signs of being happy to grow still), and 1 has been planted in a large pot where it can stay for years. I need to find them homes, no room here!!

I have also been knitting (but not as much as I should really be). Below are 2 more hats for Harley's party bags for her Birthday. I finished another one last night (different pattern) and started yet another one still.

My list of knitting for this year to be done before Dec 10th is

Finish 2 pair of socks for Chrissie pressies (both are at about 25-30% done)
Make 7ish more hats for party bags.
Make 33 more Hamsterbeans (waiting on eyes to arrive in mail).

So this year as you can see I only have a small list which I am very glad about, one less stress in my life for the moment makes me happy.

The weather has been damn NASTY of late!! I mean honestly who's bright idea was it to make it THIS hot before summer??? It's only going to get worse isn't it?

Okies all have a great weekend to come!! Happy knitting all!

Katt

Bakers Dozen + One

2009-11-04T18:37:00.017+11:00

FINALLY!!! The piccies of my 12 in 12 jumpers! Which, ended up being a bakers dozen plus 1. Actually there is 15 but I am not 100% sure what to do with the 15th one just yet so it's sitting in limbo.

Some you will have seen on other posts. All have been posted on Ravelry. But here they are all together on my blog!!

All of my jumpers this year have been seamless. Mostly top down. I have to say it's my new addiction. I don't think I will knit in pieces again unless it's finishing up old UFOs.

Jumper number one Finished Feb 16th.

Jumper number 2 Finished March 6th.

Jumper number 3 Finished March 16th.

Jumper number 4 Finished March 18th.

Jumper number 5 Finished April 13th.

Jumper number 6th Finished April 21st.

Jumper number 7 Finished June 17th.

Jumper number 8 Finished July 26th.

Jumper number 9 Finished July 28th.

Jumper number 10 (yes I know it's a cardigan!) Finished Aug 3rd.

Jumper number 11 Finished Sept 24th.

Jumper number 12 (yes another cardigan) Finished Oct 11th.

Jumper number 13 Finished Oct 13th.

Jumper number 14 Finished Oct 24th.

So as you can see I have been really busy with jumpers. I have also made a child's jumper 15th. I have made a Cardigan for myself and a Jumper for Adam. Many many hats of different shapes and sizes. Legwarmers. Socks. Scarves. Gloves. Baby Devil Pants. Shaloms. Roses.

It's amazing how much I have done this year!! I am very impressed with myself.

I have now planted my yellow capsicum in my garden and have my corn to plant within next few days.

I have impressed myself in many ways this year so far with baking, knitting, weight loss and HOPEFULLY gardening! I am enjoying many achievements.

Happy knitting all! Hope your hump in the week sees you all well.

Katt

Home Grown

2009-11-02T21:08:00.008+11:00

Have been busy of late with the garden. Wanting lovely home grown Fruit and Veg by summer time.

Having always grown up with my parents having veggie patch for as long as I can remember it's time I get my A into G and get one going that wont drop dead!

I don't have the greenest thumb (I think flower gardens are pretty but hate doing them, probably due to a whole life of suffering from Hay Fever).

But I am NOT allergic to fruit and veg!!

Above is my great use of the old Recycle tubs we had here (now wheelie bins). Thought it would make a very pretty and very useful Strawberry patch!!

And above are our Apricot, Peach and Red Apple trees (seen through our DEAD thanks to landlords sheep Green Apple tree).

And these are the Greengage trees (2 of them, 1 far better then other obviously) seen past another slowly getting healthy Peach tree and another dead something tree that has been dead since we moved in).

This is our very large Walnut tree. From what I have been told our house was built in the 1940s and the tree was there then. This is taken pretty much from where the cement joins the grass. And YES that's ALL our backyard all the way up. That dividing fence our Landlord put up to run his sheep in.

This is our new little Veggie Patch. Put in mid/late last week. You can see my 7 Tomato plants (6 different kinds), my Cherry sized red capsicum, my butternut pumpkin, my snow peas, my butter beans and my peas.

This is our Lemon Tree (or more..the sapling that came off the Lemon tree that was already hacked off before we moved in). The Lemon Tree and I have had a love/hate relationship. For first 6 years of us living where we are it rarely produced anything. So I got permission from the landlady to chop the bugger down. I came home and told it of it's grim future. Within months it turned on the charm and now we get a good little supply of lemons (we don't need many!!). And in the background Sir Gizzy (hasn't he grown??? Big 1yo now!!).

This week I am planning on digging up the last little side bit of my veggie patch (where the rake is) and planting my Corn. I also have plans on planting some green beans and a normal sized yellow capsicum. Also in the plans is planting some Raspberries too. I also have plans for the little triangle patch where Gizzy is in the Lemon tree piccie to plan some herbs. And I am considering where I can plant my Potatoes.

Not much knitting is getting done due to gardening and this years Major Spring clean out. But I have done a little here and there.

Next post I will pop up all the 12 in 12 kids jumpers that are not only FINISHED but have a few friends to go with them!!

I have also been cruising through my Chrissie knitting. From 6 things I have 2 partially started already things to go. I also have about 5-6 kids hats for Harley's Party bags for her birthday and some extra little "gifties" to finish up as well.

Happy knitting all and have a great week!

Katt

7 Days

2009-10-21T09:55:00.005+11:00

I have been busy the past 7 days. Working on knitting and making plans for a small get together for tomorrow (Thursday). I have finished 2 brim hats and a mans pair of socks in this 7 days. As well as cast on another pair of mens socks.

Harley has decided for her party bags for this years birthday she wanted knitted hats. So I have set about doing that. Have gotten half way done with 5 make. Below are 2 Rastacat [rav link] (my design) hats in unisex colours to cover if the boys coming wish to have one of those.

Rastacat Hat done in Moda Vera Attraction (grey) and The Wool Company Utiku Multi Colours.

Above are part of my Chrissie knitting I am doing this year. These are socks for Adam's pop. 4ply Patonyle back when it was 50g balls. Gorgeous and soft that stuff!

I am half way through my Chrissie knitting, which I am so glad about! No stress for me this year on that matter!! Being organized is great! lol

Finances here haven't been the best. But I have to keep remember there are far worse people out there. I have great friends!!

Gotten a long way through Chrissie shopping too thank goodness that I have been working on it all year!! Only a few here and there left to get for (and work out). Over half way done on that matter.

Hoping to free up some more time to get back to designing a few more knits soon. Or at least writing up a few that I have already decided to share but yet to write out patterns for.

Looking forward to little get together of friends tomorrow! Very relaxing and laid back it will be. Place where kids that coming along can run riot. Will be fun I hope! Will see.

Hoping in the next few weeks to get a veggie garden started and fully in. I haven't gotten any seeds started so going to go for already grown from garden shop plants. Wanting Tomatoes, Capsicums, Pumpkin. Though thinking will have to grow the Corn, Beans, Carrots and Peas all from scratch. Still hopefully it's not too late for them! Also planning on turning the old Recycling bin tub (which is a sexy pinky purple) into a Strawberry patch.

I have finished other things, and will be eager to show them off once I sort out piccies for them!!

I hope everyone has a great week!! Happy knitting to you all.

Katt

New Design

2009-10-05T14:58:00.005+11:00

I have finished item number 11 of my 12 in 12 kids tops!! This one is for a friends daughter. I went to high school with this friend. She has many kids so hopefully this will help her out next year with keeping at least one warm!!

I have also started working on the last of my 12 in 12. Rachelle has put on her birthday list that she wants a knitted jumper for Christmas. So I am knitting her a cardigan. It's inspired by the Shalom. I am almost finished the body of it so far! Which is good cos I will then have to knit Harley something for Chrissie too.

Also for Chrissie knitting I plan on knitting 2 pair of socks.

Speaking of Chrissie pressies! I am happy to say I only have 10 people left to buy for (well 9 cos one of them is me!!)..Still have the girls to do.

I have designed a new pattern as well. Its a cute little rasta style hat that fits children 5yo to adults. I have made one for each of my girls (both pictured on Rachelle below).

You can find the pattern HERE (Rav link) or HERE (etsy link).

Rachelle wearing Harley's Rastacat playing her Leapster (yes she can
see she has it pulled down really low and to side though).

I am considering writing up the cardigan pattern I am doing now too and making it available. I will have to knit it again to work out correct ply and everything first.

We have been slowly spring cleaning/dejunking our way through our house again for this year. Thought so start earlier this year then last year so we don't have to battle the heat as well. Today we have sorted out my linen closet (which we didn't do last year). Hopefully we will have time to get to finishing our bedroom tonight too. We will see though. We are rearranging some rooms as we go through them as well to add to it all.

The weather is fining up nicely here as well. Perfect weather..Not too hot, not too cold! LOVELY!

Hokies folkies!! Hope you are all doing well!!

Happy knitting

Katt

more lovelies!!

2009-09-22T19:49:00.007+10:00

I still have a billion and one knitted items yet to show piccies of. They are all up on Ravelry for those on there. Search for Kattwings and you will get me.

First up in piccies. On the way home from Grandmas Friday of the first week of school holidays we went through to my parents place for lunch (after breakfast at Grandmas) and on way from my parents (on way to mother in laws for dinner) we stopped at Ledgerwood to take piccies of their memorial carvings in trees for those left behind and went away and died at war. They are just gorgeous to look at.

Above is my hair vs Adams hair. His hair is the original colour mine was. Look at how red it is now!! I love it :)
Finally finished my Finnish best friends sockies!! Told him I will mail them for his birthday next month with a few other goodies! I hope he likes them and that they fit.

Above is my best friend in her beret that she is soo in love with!! I am so happy she likes it. She saw the one I made for Harley (exactly same wool as hers smaller size) and requested one. Who can say no to their best friend with something that they are obsessed with knitting at the moment anyway!?!? So took me a few days but she got one too!

I am designing a new hat pattern at the moment. I am hoping to get it up real soon after I get some test knitters to play with it. I need to sit my butt down and write out my other patterns I have had made and wanting to put up too. I need time to re knit them and write it out as I go then send off to test knitters to get it all final!! I need time and another billion sets of hands!! sigh.

I hope everyone is having a great week! The weather here today is gloomy and cold and windy and perfect if you ask me! I love this sort of bleak weather.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last lot of piccies!! Yes Sue I am a shocking enabler I have been told many times!! But I do it with love really I do!! lol

Happy knitting all!

Katt

yikes!!

2009-09-15T11:47:00.010+10:00

ok so i have been a bad little bunny rabbit and not posted of late. but i have heaps of knitting i have been doing and some piccies. would have more but my sisters laptop somehow ate the most recent piccies off our new digi!!

So the knitting i have done. with the weather fairing up long enough for me to get the legwarmers finished i got that done in a hurry!! i can say i started off not to fussed with this pattern but then came to realise it was working in the black during winter that was the problem and once i got into the swing of the pattern i found i totoally loved it! Rachelle wants a pair done in black cos they ended up looking great on her!

Pattern: Mosey, downsized to fit child (Rav Link) (Knitty Link)
Wool: panda 8ply machine washable crepe
Started: June 2009
Finished: August 2009
to say sorry for taking so long due to crappy winter weather and black wool i made the above beret. which i called the "Je suis désolé beret" after maing this beret i fell madly in love with the pattern. its so easy and fun and turns out a gorgeous beret!!!

Pattern: Feather and Fan slouch Beret (Rav link) (Pattern link)
Wool: Lincraft Cosy wool (which is a 10ply not an 8ply)
Started: Aug 2009
Finished: Sug 2009 (knitted in under 24hrs)

I have since made this beret for each of my girls (had piccies but got eaten off digi) and another 2 just for the hell of it (Harley wants berets for her party bags in her Dec birthday). I am now knitting one for my best friend who fell in love with Harley got. Then i have to knit another purple one for a birthday pressie for the little 3yo girl next door. after that I will have made 7 of them and MIGHT just be over knitting them for awhile..lol

Last week we went down and visited Adam's grandmother for 3 days. it was a love trip. on the way home after breakfast at Grandmas we went through to my parents for lunch then continued on for dinner at the BIL (who has actually been behaving a lot better since i blew up at her at chrissie). so we ate 3 meals at 3 different places before getting home at 8:30 in enough time to put the girls in bed!! it was a big day and the new car is a total treat!!!

The friday before school finished we gave the girls the day off to take them off on a trip to Devonport. On the way we stopped at the Cheese factory and bought some cheese and tasted heaps of them..Then we continued on to the Chocolate factory (tasting more and buying more), before we made it to Devonport. had a small time around there (got the girls a top, considered going to the movies down there to see a 3D movie before school finishes) then we were off to Sheffield (the town of murals). We had lunch there (probably should have gotten it in Devonport!!), i picked up some alpaca fleece and we were off again on way home. We stopped at the raspberry farm on the way home (bought some chocolate coated raspberries..damn they were good!!) had a hot drink (they have hot raspberry, its raspberry syrup in hot milk) and a snack.

So as you can see we have been very busy these school holidays. The girls had a sleep over Sunday night of my bestfriends eldest child, all had fun and was very loud. Its good to keep them busy in the holidays but they certainly have been fighting more often past few months then they have when younger.

Happy knitting all! Take care and hope you have a great week.

Katt

Few things

2009-08-22T20:10:00.005+10:00

Posting a merriment of new piccies on my Blog and on Ravelry. I HAVE been knitting even though I have been silent as well. We got a new Digital Camera Thursday. Didn't see any point in doing a post before then because I have noticed a rather big lack of comments when I don't post piccies.

Firstly is Pussycat Doll Harley modelling an ordered Cable and Rib beanie (yes I know you cant see the cable but shhhh you get the best view!!! lol). Will be mailing this off Monday now that its been paid for.

And below is a newborn jumper for a friend of mine in WA who gave birth to her 4th child (and third daughter) just a few weeks ago. I also made a rather cute little baby hat to go with it. This is number 9 of my 12 in 12 (and the hat was done so it didn't seem like I was cheating with a newborn jumper, which I know I am not, its still a jumper!! But its not a very big one).

Below is another of my 12 in 12 for 2009 finished items. Number 10. Another newborn piece, but Cardigan this time. This is for next door neighbours 4th child (and third son). Who is almost 2 months old but was a tad prem to begin with. Did a beanie for this one too so it didn't seem like I was cheating with another newborn item.

I also have finished the body of 11 of 12 in 12, gotten almost half way through friends sock, and cruising through the legwarmers (which I then have to make a beret to go with). So see I have been doing heaps of knitting!! lol

We finally took the car for a long trip. Thursday went down and saw the BIL. Yes I was desperate if it meant taking a voluntary we suggested trip to see that woman. But she has been good of late (rare I know) so it wasn't that bad.

Okies folkies. Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Happy knitting!!

Katt

well lookie there

2009-08-05T19:26:00.005+10:00

Found out today that our new car has better features then I first thought. LOOK!! a yarn holder so my wool doesn't go all over the place on me while I knit (yes center pull ball..would also take hand wound balls really well too)!!

I really do have my knitting mojo back with a vengeance!!! Now that the newborn jumper is finished and the newborn cardigan, I am working on matching little hats for them (doing the hat for the cardigan at the moment). I have also finished one of the Finns socks, I have gotten half way through two orders. I finished the main part of my hoodie. I am cruising all over the place (and stopping myself from getting bored).

We are all in different stages of being sick. Getting over it all now I hope and lets hope none of us have backwards steps.

Had parent teacher day today for both the girls. They seem happy with them so far with progress. Harls teacher thinks she is a delight and a lovely child. Piglets teacher is very happy with her and we can see no problem with her education at all (she is 2 above the standard for English-Lit and 3 above the standard for Numeracy). Harls needs some work with her English-Lit but we always knew that was never going to be a strong point for her.

Okies folkies..I promise next time there will be more knitting related piccies! I have heaps to show you all.

Happy knitting, hope you all have a great rest of week and weekend.

Katt

Rolling

2009-07-31T20:00:00.004+10:00

So my mojo seems to have returned with the vengeance. Which I am very grateful about. I knitted the Mojo Fixer jumper in exactly a week. I loved the yarn, I love this pattern (my own design, will get it up at some point I hope). You cant see the cables the best in this wool but will be making sure next one you can.

While I am on a total Mojo fixing bender I have churned out a baby jumper for a friend in WA for her meant to be born by now baby girl (no piccies yet) and am up to the sleeves of a cardigan for next doors tiny man who was prem and has only been home 2 weeks from the Hospital.

So as you can see my 12 in 12 for 2009 is almost complete!! Once I finish this cardigan and get back to my design prototype for Rachelle that just needs body and top done I will have finished all 12 of my challenge this year (and with only 3 for under 1yos!!).

I am almost finished some of my orders as well which makes me happy and very regretful that my dead mojo has delayed them being done but I plan on making it up to the legwarmer order by making something extra for her daughter to add to it for free.

The new car is still well loved and we are waiting for SOME chance to get it out on the open road to travel further then shops, work, school!! driving us nuts.

So that's a quick post for you all to let you know I am still alive and kicking and what I have been up to of late. Been so busy hardly had time to scratch myself!! But always find time to knit!!

Hope you all have a great weekend and happy knitting!!

Katt

Long time no see!!

2009-07-18T22:27:00.005+10:00

Been awhile since I have posted thought I would stop in and get you all updated.

I havent done much knitting of late. Lost my mojo for awhile. But it seems to be back now!!

I still have all my orders to do, and my designed jumper to work on (up to the body of that before the yoke). But I have cast on a new childs jumper to try and jog my mojo again and its worked!!

I have to get my arse into gear and get back to those orders and get them going.

Other things we have been up to? Well we are now proud owners of a brand spanking new car!! First NEW NEW car we have ever owned. And we are loving her!! Kia Cerato 2009 Model (came out in January)

I love some of her bonus features like if you go over 40kph the doors all lock. If you are in a car accident they all unlock. It has 6 different airbags (including the curtain ones). It is a PRETTY PRETTY metalic blue (all shiny shiny). CD player (our ford didnt have). Spot to plug in iPod..

To say we love it is an understatement!! Though hubby has been warned..I take no blame for this car!! I wanted a little hatchback!! This was all him picking it..

Orders

2009-06-26T14:17:00.004+10:00

So having had a small time free of orders to get some much needed UFOs finished I find myself again in the grip of orders to fill. I am far from complaining!! Very much happy to have them. I am just amused that they all come at once instead of a slow steady flow.

I am currently working on a pair of leg warmers for a 7yo girl who's mother I went to high school with. I am hoping to get them done quickly. The pattern is going to be time consuming and need concentration (runs 2 different cables at same time) and it's also in black so going to be a "work in light only" thing (which ya know, is damn near impossible in winter in Tasmania!!!)..

My other order is for an adult woman's jumper for winter as well as a beanie for same person. I am looking forward to doing these. They will be nice mindless knitting while watching TV because they are very much round and round stocking stitch so no worry. It will be done in BWM midnight tweed which is a gorgeous colour that I have also for myself to knit a jumper at some point.

I currently have no piccies to show you all. I am waiting on an sms from the little girl who received the 7th in 12 child's jumper, I hope her mummy hasn't forgotten. It was handed over 2 nights ago and it seemed little Jasmine loved it very much. No one else was allowed to touch it. She danced around the room with it. And then tried to put it on over the top of her jacket and jumper she was already wearing. And her mum loved it too and thanked me a lot.

The weather here has been sooooo lovely!! Nice and cold, some rain (would love more!!). Perfect winter weather.

Happy knitting all! Hope you all have a great weekend! It's a double header for me. Saturday night is Moto and Sunday night is Superbikes! So whooohooo!!

Katt

Productive

2009-06-19T18:11:00.006+10:00

Since finishing my cardigan I have been productive and working my way through my UFO list.

First up I finished Rachelle's School Convertibles to match her school hat. I have plans on writing this pattern up and making it available because I honestly think they are very useful for children on cold school mornings.

Then I finished up my 7th child jumper out of my 12 in 12 kids jumpers for 2009. It's much smaller then the pattern claims it would be. I am not sure if this is a pattern fault or a Katt fault because I didn't use cotton like the pattern calls for. But its gorgeous and soft and now I need to find a little 2-3yo to fit it (I have one or two in mind). I made the sleeves longer then the pattern called for so it would at least suit our winters in Australia.

I am now going to be working on my Finnish friends socks for winter. It seems their summers aren't so warm either (though its big Finnish "mid summer" celebrations this weekend with bonfires and drinking. Antti is off to his friends summer house for fun).

I have also started work on my new pattern design. Child's jumper (which will be 8th of 12 in 12). Hoping it comes out even close to how I have it visualized in my mind. We will wait and see I guess.

With my carers allowance recently that came in I got my Wii and Wii Fit! I have been working out 1hr each day hoping to see signs of it working SOMETIME soonish!! Feeling it in my calves though!! Yikes they hurt..Lets hope its all worth it in the end!! Oh and the girls are loving using it too.

Happy knitting all

Katt

are...you...ready!!?!?!?

2009-06-16T15:38:00.005+10:00

And now time for what you have all been waiting for!!!!

Mr Green Jeans! Purple style. Excuse the wrinkles on the sleeves. (I think

hubby needs to weed the cement a tad too)

My Skull and crossbone buttons.. *LOVE*

Cables across the bottom of the back (oh wrinkles!!)

And a better view of the colour of my hair. Its faded a little since when first done. Have to give it another go again soon I think.

So now you have seen my first BIG project for me. In the end I took the single button off. Sewed close the button hole. Added 2 big studs inside and put the button (and the spare one I had) on the outside. I am much happier now. If I make this again I will be making it with 2 button holes to start with.

Okies folkies! Take care! Happy knitting. Have a great week!!

Katt

Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup

2009-06-15T18:05:00.006+10:00

1 baby butternut pumpkin (peeled, gutted and chopped)
1 medium sweet potato (peeled and chopped)
1 medium onion (diced)
800ml of chicken stock
curry powder to taste
1 can of coconut milk

Put cut up veggies into a pot with the stock. Simmer til veggies are soft. Add curry powder to taste. Simmer another 10 minutes. Mash with a potato masher til mostly smooth.

Add coconut milk and simmer another 15minsutes.

While at end of cooking make your own croutons to add to soup.

Cut up Bread into 5cm cubes. Place cooling rack on baking tray. Lay pieces of bread on tray and bake @ 100C til bread is dried.

Serve in bowl with croutons.

Regular postings will resume soon with piccies. Had to share this, girls and I had it for dinner tonight.

Its done

2009-06-13T21:40:00.004+10:00

Yet to be photographed but was worn today to the WWKIP day Tasmania edition (held at Ross). I have made something BIG for me! And I love it mostly (I can now see other modifications I would have done if known). Wore it out tonight while grabbing dinner and ooooh so warm!!

I notice the knew Knitty is up. Nothing overly thrilling as far as I am concerned though I will be making a pair of Outside In socks...And its very good to see a pair of Vulcan friendly handwarmers (inner geek in me there screaming to get out).

But best bit is now I am past the demand knitting. I can relax and finish up UFOs and cast on new things and enjoy knitting at a casual pace again. I have to get my butt into the 12 in 12s again finish up number 7 and keep going (plan on using these to work on a design or three).

While at WWKIP day I splurged out and got myself some very lovely hand spun, hand dyed wool from Jo. She is soooo talented I hope to be as good as her one day (if I learn to spin! lol) I am yet to decide what to do with them. I got these (Rav links!!) Puddle Jumping and Warm Autumn Days. I am considering doing the girls a jumper each with a complimenting colour for main part and Jo's work in either cuffs of a pattern of some sort. Will have to think about it.

I also picked up 2 balls of Cascade 220 Heathers I am yet to work out what to do with.

Okies folkies that will do for now. Next time piccies for sure!! Have a great weekend and Happy knitting.

Katt

FIN!!!

2009-06-08T18:24:00.005+10:00

Fin!! And I dont mean the nordic kind. I have finished the ordered lil devil sets!! I am soooo glad to see the end of them too. As much as I love making them, I am sick of them because I have done so many hats and pants in the past 2 months. But I am happy with how they ended up. Even the light pink set which I was a little wary about but finished I am impressed with and think it will look very cute next to the twin in the red set.

So now I can get back to other things that need to be finished before Friday (which is when many from all over Tassie are getting together for our WWKIP day get together).

I am going to have to organise what I plan on knitting next Saturday too.

I would love to get my 7th of my 12 in 12 kids jumpers finished..I so want my beret done before it gets much colder. And my finnish friend has made mention of wanting his socks cos it seems to be cold in Finland at the moment (even for summer).

I have a new pattern design swimming around in my head I would love to get free moment to get my hands into getting on the go. A childs jumper which if it ends up like my vision will look great!! But time is not my friend at the moment. Though I think it will be one of my free jumpers I will be giving out when done (that helps with testing and the challenge..lol).

It would seem that hubbys cousin is out of hospital. If anyone reads the local newspapers for Tasmania she was the "ambo driver" that was in hospital (the only Tassie to be put in hospital for it). I havent heard anything about how the baby is doing though.

Ok everyone. Stay safe. Take care and happy knitting to all!

Katt

A few on the go

2009-06-04T15:03:00.006+10:00

Finally we are getting rain here!! I love rain! Best is laying in bed listening to rain fall on the windows at night while going off to sleep. Winter is certainly coming! Which is great. I love this weather..

Hubby has been working a lot of late. Not many people at work with 2 of the office people off on holidays so he is pulling 7 days this week. By Sunday he will have worked 11 days straight!! Bet he is going to be a moody male by then.

The girls are on school holidays at the moment. Have entertained them as much as I can with no transport and bad weather (Taxis cost a bit of late). Planning on taking them to the movies next week I think. Would have loved to have gone to see Grandma this holidays but unless Hubby gets days off next week its just not going to happen.

Today I thought I would show you a few of the project I have on the go currently (almost full list is on Ravelry for anyone interested).

Firstly is the socks for a dear friend of mine in Finland. I have a while to get these finished because its only just gone summer in Finland. He likes the colour so far so thats all that matters. Using 2 balls of sock wool held doubled, no point in making sock weight wool socks for someone in Finland. I want his feet to be WARM.

Below is the 7th childs jumper of my 12 in 12 for 2009. I just have the sleeves to go, which I will be making long sleeved with ruffles at the bottom. This is meant to be a size 3-5yrs. I think it will be lucky to be a 3yo. Currently it looks lovely as a size 1 dress.

Below is a rather long on going scarf I am making for myself (started several months ago and not very far into it). Its the Yarn Harlots 1 row scarf. Being done in Malabrigo Igot for myself. I have hardly touched this in weeks/months. I really should work on it sometimes to get a few more rows going on it. Maybe..I have no time! The beret I made out of same wool I ripped back and have restarted into a new beret for myself (which I am finding the small rolled brim is not looking big enough. Only done 11 rounds might rip back 6 of them and do a few more for a bigger roll).

Today I am finishing up the second hat of the little devil sets I am doing. Then just the pink set to go and I am done. To say I am rather over this order is an understatement. I have enjoyed doing them. But I so wish to be knitting other things. I want to finish up UFOs..I want to cast on new things. I just want to be doing something else. But they will be done soon I hope and then I can get back to other knitting.

Got a phone call today from the BIL. Hubbys cousin has been diagnosed with Swine Flu. She is in hospital. Make it worse she is in second trimester of her first pregnancy. We are just hoping both her and the baby are ok. Havent seen K in a long time. Will be holding off on knitting for the baby I think til I know her and it is ok.

Okies folkies..Quick post for you all to see what sort of things are going on in my life at the moment.

Happy knitting all!

Katt

Drowning in knitting

2009-06-01T15:09:00.006+10:00

I am still working my butt off on knitting projects. Working through projects on the go and filling orders.

Yesterday I cast on and finished an ordered brim hat (to break my bordom of the devil sets). While at it I wrote up the pattern and tossed it up on Ravelry for everyone to enjoy the use of. I have made this hat before and have one for sale through my etsy shop (the one pictured below is that one for sale). I finished up Trevs black version of it yesterday only several hours after starting (the joys of chunky knitting).

I have gotten down to 1 leg needing to be done on the second set of baby pants (oh and the tail and icord tie), then the hats and the second set is done.

FINALLY my bendigo wool has turned up!! Adam picked it up on the way to work today so I have to wait til he gets home. took them 11 days for it to turn up mind you!! Shocking considering it doesnt have to travel very far!

I have also worked on the 7th of my 12 in 12 jumpers (wouldnt mind getting the body finished today before getting back to the baby pants). Would love to get the sleeves for my cardigan started soon. Oh, and I have been working slowly every so often on the gloves for Rachelle for school.

The weather is lovely of late..I just wish it would rain a bit!!

The other day I made an apple cake and a banana loaf. They were both all gone 2 days later! No sooner had the cake come out of the oven had we cut big slices off it whacked cream on it and ate it warm!! Soooo good!! And the apples grew in my own backyard!!

Currently the house is in different stages of snuffles. Mine started out as a sore throat over a week ago and now i a snotty and congested a little. Its amazing how slow its moving. But I have no urge to snuffle for truffles so that's good!!

Tomorrow (or day or two later) I will try getting few piccies of knits I have been working on. And a good piccie of my hair!! Every time we have tried getting a good piccie it shows it as more brown then it is now.

Okies folks! Have a great week! Happy knitting

Katt

little bit of everything

2009-05-28T16:31:00.004+10:00

I have been busy knitting a lot of late. I have a lot on my plate to knit.

The first set of lil devil sets is finished, I have started the second (and larger size) now. I am still waiting on Bendigo to get their thumb out of their butt and get my order to me (been over a week already, by two weeks I will ring to complain).

I have finished the body of my cardigan for me aswell. Very pleased with it so far. I sooooo want it finished for 2 reasons 1) I want to wear it!!!! 2) i want to cast on a jumper for me and I wont do it til the cardie is done.

I have gotten up to the heel of my finnish family members sock (I have lots of time for this, it's almost his summer, there is no rush just yet).

I have started Rachelle's convertible glove for school. Their school holidays start tomorrow, I would love to have both sets done by time school goes back but it wont happen. Harley still has her old set I did so she can wait if needed, but Rachelle needs a new set.

I have been cotacted by someone who has seen my lil devil set and is interested in purchasing one for her baby. I am waiting to hear back from her on what size she needs.

I also have an online friend putting in a request for a brim hat in black because he likes my designs.

I am a busy in demand gal..

I need to get back to and finish my next 12 in 12 childs jumper too so I dont start falling behind (yes I know I have til end of June finished but there is no point knitting winter jumpers when Aussie winter is finishe now is there?).

I finally have a piccie of Voldmort (Adam's hoodie). I think it;'s a suiting name for it because it was the knitting that could not be mentioned. Thanks to Cindy for naming it!!

That's all for now folks! Take care. Have a great weekend!!

Happy knitting

Katt

All Up

2009-05-23T13:04:00.004+10:00

Well I now have all my finished paterns up on Ravelry. I would love to thank all my test knitters who have spent time sorting out mistakes and wording with my patterns. You are all a treasure :)

Latest pattern up is Leap Frog (rav) or Leap Frog (etsy to all my patterns), unisex childs sock pattern, sizes 3 to 10 years old. Rachelle loves these to pieces. Harley wants a pair. My test knitters kids adore them. And there has been several compliments all round. I guess that means they are a success.

I am almost finished the first set for my order too. I have ordered more wool in to do the pink set at the request of the buyer just waiting for that to arrive.

I also spent my birthday money and have bought enough from Bendigo Woollen Mills to make me to jumpers/cardigans. I wasnt happy with the fact I wanted the Denim blue in the new Luxury and was informed that wasnt coming in til next month did I still want to pay for it and wait til it comes in, well..no actually I dont. I got black instead. Will get some of the Denim Blue at tax time.

I have done a little more on my cardigan too so am now 3/4 of the way through the body of that.

Its getting to the point where I am going to have to work on a 12 in 12 childs jumper soon cos I am getting close to being caught up again (even though I have all of next month still, I like to stay waaay ahead).

My deadline is creeping closer and for once I am going to fail. sigh.

Happy knitting folks

Have a great weekend!!

Katt

Pattern Up!!

2009-05-21T17:27:00.008+10:00

After several years of sitting around sorting out what needs to be done, procrastinating and working out since I dont have time to do this again I need more testers. I have finally got up my Spiral Handwarmers (which are more arm warmers as well). I am very proud of this pattern. I love it. I plan on making more if I ever get time.

So I have gotten a tester to do a close up piccie of the pattern of what she has done so far. I am going to need a piccie of the hand end when finished from her too. But I was so impatient I wanted them up now!!

Ravelry Link on buying the pattern can be found HERE, and from etsy HERE.

My testers are almost done with the child's sock pattern too, hopefully I might have that up by the weekend :)

I am working through my order, finished the first pair of pants, working on the first hat, waiting for the pink to arrive for the other littlest set. Will be casting on the second red set (bigger size) by this weekend I hope.

I have been working on my cardigan too, I am about 3/4 through the body of that.

I am loving this weather!! It's perfect for knitting. I just wish I had more time and hands and didn't need to sleep!!

Okies folkies!! Have a great weekend

Happy knitting

Katt

Testing...testing...one..two

2009-05-17T15:33:00.003+10:00

At the moment I am playing the patient waiting game. I have 2 patterns with my testers. One is fully 100% being tested from a pattern i finished just the other day. The other is a pattern I had tested years ago. But am getting new piccies taken with clearer viewing of the pattern. I am not good at being patient or with the waiting game. But I am getting there.

I have cast on my recently paid for order of the 3 lil devil sets. Working my way through the first pair of pants. The person that ordered has had moments of being a right pain in the rear, from taking a month to pay, to changing sizes of what he wanted then in the end he wants one of the sets in pink not red. I am happy to do it though, I was going to have to buy more red for the third set anyway so might as well get the pink he requested.

Starting to get a bit wary about if I will make my deadline for June 13th. If all else fails my cardigan wont get finished. I am itching to start something else for me anyway, terrible as it is I have a mad case of startitis when it comes to making me cardigans/jumpers!!

No piccies this post sorry to say. Hoping to have a few next post. This is just a little update one for you all :)

Happy knitting..and I hope you all have a great weekend

Katt

The Pressure is on

2009-05-14T15:37:00.006+10:00

The things I put myself through!! It seems I work best under pressure anyway so really it's not a bad thing.

Currently I am trying to finish up a design to send off to test knitters, find test knittes that can knit superfast and take some great quality pictures for another pattern that's been finished for years. Knit up 3 sets of ordered lil devil sets and get my cardigan finished all in just under a month. Think I can do it? I am not so sure myself, guess time will tell.

Fuzzy piccie above of the pattern I am designing (better full pic when its all done and released). I have to say I am happy with it so far and so is the person receiving it when its finished.

Getting hair trim tomorrow! Need it!!! We are all going in for a chop.

Spoilt myself to some lovely merino silk wool recently from my birthday money (Adam gave me half back saying it's part of my mother's day pressie). I am hoping to get a nice jumper made for me out of it. I just have to finish up everything else!!

I have a double header this weekend. Superbikes and MotoGP are both on at the same time!! YIKES! Good thing I can tape them both cos I am going to need to!!

Okies folkies!! have a lovely rest of the week and a great weekend!! :)

Happy knitting

Katt

knitting ahoy!!

2009-05-11T19:16:00.007+10:00

I hope everyone had a lovely mothers day and remembered to call your mummy/nana.

I have been busy with knitting. I have finished Harley's school hat, and from the piccie you can see she loves it! Wore it all day at school today (even during class). So both girls school hats done, just gloves to go!!

Below is piccie of the 7th child jumper of my 12 in 12 for this year. Still working on it. Not 100% sure its going to fit the child its aimed for but will wait til its finished and see if I need to find it a new home and start again.

Below is MY knitting for moi!! Yessum it's purple. A nice dark purple. I am hoping to get the body part finished by this weekend then onto the sleeves..Just have to actually sit and pay attention to it. I have so many things on the go and still suffering from startitis, and I am so distracted..lol

Below is the yarn I got for myself today!! Half is paid for out of my birthday money, other half is my mothers day present. It's Merino/Silk blend. I am going to knit myself a jumper out of it. Have to work out what though.

I have put my patterns I have done on Ravelry to buy now (through Rav as a pdf file). I also finally got my free pattern for childs rib sock finally up for people to download. I am yet to get my handwarmers pattern up but will get to that very soon. And I have got to get my butt into gear and find time among everything else to cast on and knit/work out more patterns I have rattling around in my head to get up available.

If you have twitter..ADD ME (or follow me or whatever it is..lol)!!!

Okies folkies just a quickie from me for today..Hope you all have a great week!!

Happy knitting

Katt

aMUSEing...

2009-05-05T20:34:00.005+10:00

Decided since the weather is getting cold that I better get my butt moving on knitting the girls school woollies..Rachelle already had her hat made and I was still deciding on what to do Harley for her hat. Just plain beanies didnt cut it, they have plenty of those that I have knitted. So decided to try out Sharons "muse" hat pattern, but didnt want it adults size, didnt want it in 12 ply..so I did a trial with some of my hand dyed wool (in pitter colourway). And it turned out great! I love it..its a great pattern :)

And to boot it suits Harley well. So I have now cast on hers in the school colourway I dyed up for the girls (its NOT their actual school colours though, but a colourway I made up that is bright and cheerful and will be matching over gloves and headwear).

Below is the must hat test run. I now have to find this fine friend a home because like most hats it looks terrible on me!! The girls have more hats then you can poke a stick at so it has to leave our house for a new home.

I just love how the colourway worked so well on the decreasing at the top to make it look like a dartboard right down to the bullseye!!

Photos framed in the background of the above photos were taken by Harley last year during a school competition. The one on the left of Rachelle got among the most mentions of all the photos the class took. The whole class went into a competition against grade 6 children from many schools (while they themselves were in grade 3) and they won!!! It was a very proud moment. Below is that piccie while it was still in colour. All the photos we put into black and white for the competition. Not a bad pic for a almost 9yo hey? No help at all from anyone.

To answer Sues question on what yarn I used on the lil devil hats last post. It is Bendigo Woollen Mill luxury (was then baby wool) 4ply in red held doubled to give me a good weight and softness in a colour I wanted. Highly recommend this wool! DIVINE

I am cruising through my cardigan for me. Past the sleeves being seperated off (its a top down pattern). Almost up to the patterned section of the lower body!! I am hoping to get this done before the end of the month.

Also have seperated off the sleeves and working on the main body part of the 7th 12 in 12 jumper. So am cruising along well with my knitting.

Havent touched the socks I am making since Thursday though, might pick them up tomorrow or something.

I pulled a muscle in my neck on Saturday morning. And where as that side is now feeling fine the other side is giving me hell on and off. I have stretched it til its cracked 2 times today but doesnt seem to be helping (or hindering) it any.

Mothers day is looming..I have no idea what to give my mother (shame the muse hat wont suit her!!)...I will have to work something out, I dont know when I will be seeing her either for that matter to give her a pressie. Tomorrow the girls school is having a little get together mothers (and fathers, grandparents) can go to, so will be popping in for that just before lunch time.

Okies...Happy knitting all!

And if I dont post again before next week. Have a wonderful Mothers day to all mothers of non-fur babies and fur babies. :)

Katt

Knitaholic

2009-05-03T14:13:00.005+10:00

I have been busy knitting of late, the weather is perfect for knitting at the moment.

We have a huge cold snap that suddenly came overnight it seems and surprised a lot of us. But its not so bad again now.

I have finished 6th child jumper in 12 in 12 for 2009. The new owner seems very impressed with it. He gives his mother hell when he cant wear it.

Specifications:
Size: 2yo
Pattern: my own still working what I like before I finish it up and make hard copy.
Wool: Palette collection #006
Start/Finish: April 13th to April 21st 2009

For more info on jumper read here on Ravelry (and more pics).

I have also filled an order of 2 of my lil devil hats in newborn size for Adams cousin who asked me for some. This time I tried some new wool for it and was happy with the outcome so will be sticking to it. Its soft and the right colour red.

I have started jumper number 7 of 12 in 12. I have something on the go for me (I know rare thing but happening more often). I have a pair of socks on the go for a friend (8ply ones) and I have finished up a hat but I havent taken a piccie of it as of yet.

I bought myself some gorgeous yarn too just for me as part of my birthday present for myself. So to spoil myself I got some Malabrigo Silky Merino in Nocturnal colourway (ravelry link). I have plans on making myself some lovely handwarmers.

I have been eyeing off my queue on Ravelry of all the jumpers/cardigans I want to make myself and with my birthday money I plan on buying up some wool from Bendigo to make up one or two for myself. I will be getting some Rustic 12ply and some Luxury 10ply.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Catch you all again soon with more piccies of finished things I hope!!

Happy knitting

Katt

its creeps up on us again

2009-04-21T10:07:00.005+10:00

The weather has been wonderful here of late. Getting nice and cold, perfect knitting weather.

I have almost finished jumper 6 of my 12 in 12 kids jumpers for 2009. So almost half way and not even 5months into the year. I am hoping to get all 12 done before the weather starts to warm up again, otherwise I am going to have to find kids on the otherside of the world to knit for!! lol

Its coming up on that time of year again. Where did the year go? How are we almost into the 5th month? This year I turn 31, I didnt think 30 would be a huge change to me, but it was subtle. I found myself liking more girlie clothes which in the previous 30 years I would never touch. So I wonder after this thursday, when I am 31, will I notice any difference?

A few piccies for you all to enjoy. Three finished knitting projects and 1 of our furbabies.

The furbabies of the house. Drew (the white one) is 10 this year in about October. Gizzy my baby who is 6months old now! LOOK at how huge he is!!! He is gonna be a big boy!!

Friend of mine is going through chemo again for breast cancer. Her birthday was recently and I decided soon as I saw this that it would be perfect for her for her birthday. I am yet to see her but hoping to next week. I got it knitted in one day out of a single 50g ball of Bendigo wool. noice!!

Jumper 5 of 12 kids jumpers in 12 months. Harleys downsized Wicked jumper :) She LOVES it. And I am glad to now have both girls covered for new jumpers for this winter. YAY for mum.

Harleys Buttons Socks. She loves these. And they are super quick. 1 ball of Buttons yarn (8ply 50g ball) is enough to make a pair of sock for Harley. I had like 2g left over!!

Hokies Folkies..I am off..enjoy your week!

Happy knitting

Katt

Busy gal

2009-04-14T18:16:00.007+10:00

I do hope everyone had a lovely and safe Easter. Chokers with chocolate and much love.

Tomorrow we are going to have BBQ with my family for Easter. Then its dinner with the "BIL" (those of you who are long time readers know I am not referring to Brother In Law).

I have been doing heaps of knitting of late. Some I have pics of some I am yet to pic (like Adams jumper still...I have decided I have to add more length to the sleeves for him, then I will be taking piccies of it).

Onto the knitting piccies of what has been done.

First finished knit is Harley's Shalom. After the minor dilemma of the other one not fitting her. We picked out more yarn that she loved. The buttons were picked by Adam once we were finished and took it into local place that sell buttons. He laid his eyes on them and went "they match" and he was right. She loves it..Its super soft...And I am glad its done! lol

I dyed up some wool last month to do up hats and gloves for the girls for school for winter. Well I have finished Rachelles hat, a little cloche that she loves and looks great on her makes her little pixie face look very cute.

I have also finished up Jumper 5 of 12 (yet to be pictured) and a pair of 8ply ankle socks for Harley (yet to be pictured). I really gotta get my butt into gear and take those piccies.

Today we went and saw the new mother of the "lil devil set" bubby...he is sooo cute!!! Hoping he gets to wear them a bit in winter, she loved them.

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments about Superbike weekend.

Not to plan

2009-04-05T17:43:00.005+10:00

Sometimes things dont go to plan. Nothing can be done, nothing can change it.

This weekend was Aussie Superbikes, my little family went along to enjoy it. It didnt end that way.

Just before 11am first supersport race..3 laps in a rider went down at the front of the pack. In tight groups there is very little time to think and avoid. All I saw was the massive fireball that went up, biggest one I have ever seen and I will never forget it. I got out of the car. HOLY FUCK. I knew..the moment I saw that rider I knew. I wasnt wrong. His name has not offically been released so it is not my place to say it here. After 3 hours of police going over the scene and cleaning up a meeting was held by riders and higher ups. The rest of the day was cancelled. I just hope he didnt suffer. To read more go HERE.

Knitting has been done, I have started over weekend a "wicked" for Harley. Its coming along.

Katt

better the devil you know

2009-04-03T11:20:00.012+11:00

So I have finished yet another project that I have been working slowly on.

This is for someone that works with Adam. She is due any day now. Though we all thought she was going last Saturday when she had a small water leakage. She is still pregnant though, will be induced next Tuesday if she doesnt go before. So I really have just gotten this finished in time (finished it up last night).

My own patterns inspired by others that are out there. My version of the lil devil hat and pants. I so love this will make it again for other babies (probably even make some up to sell). Though I doubt I will use the yarn I used for it again.

Specifications:
Pattern: my version of the lil devil hat and pants
Yarn: Panda Heath
Size: Newborn
Start: sometime in March 2009 (cant remember)
Finished: 2nd April 2009

I am very impressed with the pants (as you can see by all the pics). I was worried about the turning out well. I do plan on making more of these.

The pants are the true colour of the set (taken different location in better light).

Tomorrow instead of sitting around laughing and having fun with my knitting group I am off with the family for the start of the loud weekend of Superbikes! I am sooooooo looking forward to it! Love it each year.

Current knitting on the go is a pair of 8ply socks for Harley. I am yet to start something else, debating what to do.

I have got to take a piccie of Harleys Finished Shalom (she is at school currently so cant do it). Glad both girls will have theirs to wear over weekend for cold mornings at Symmons Plains.

Yesterday I bought myself some lovely cotton/soy blend yarn in a pretty teal colour. I have to find something to do with it for myself.

Okies folks. I got housework to do and organise what snacks/food go what day for weekends adventure..oh joy.

Happy knitting all. Have a great weekend!!

Katt

Much Knitting

2009-03-30T10:05:00.006+11:00

I have done lots of knitting since I last posted on blog. I have finished item 3 and 4 of 12 in 12 children jumpers for 2009. I have also made Rachelle a Shalom (working on Harleys now). These three things I have taken pictures of to show you all. I also have 2 other things finished but I havent taken pics of one of them and other I am keeping secret until I have finished the set.

So as follows some knitting for you to lookies at.

Finished 3 of 12 for my 2009 plans. This little lovlie is going all the way to the USA to its new home.
Specifications:
Wool: Vintage Hues
Pattern: My own which I am still working til I get it perfect.
Size: 6-7
Started: March 3rd 2009
Finished: March 16th 2009

Finished 4 of 12 challenge project for 2009. Rachelles thats so 70s Jumper which she beyond loves and has plans to "wear it all winter and only take it off to wash when really really dirty" I told her she will be taking it off more often then that. lol

Specifications:

Wool: Kitty Knits 8ply hand dyed Blueberry Muffins

Size: 7-8

Pattern: Still my own working ever endlessly fixing

Started: March 5rd 2009

Finished: March 18th 2009

Rachelles Shalom. This was meant to be for Harley but lack of swatching means it ended up a tad smaller then planned. So it ended up being for Rachelle.

Specifications:

Wool: Cleckheatons Country Silk

Size: 7yo

Pattern: Shalom (ravelry link)

Started: 20th March 2009

Finished: 23rd March 2009

So thats the things that I have taken piccies of. I have 2 more things (hoping 3 by end of today).

This coming weekend is Aussie Superbike weekend here in Tassie! Whoohooo!! I am so looking forward to it. I have to work out some mindless knitting to sit and do while there.

F1 has started again, Moto starts in a few weekends, and World Superbikes has been going for weeks. I am in motorsport heaven!!

Weather is turning cold which is lovely. I am looking forward to the family being nice and warm in my woollens this year. I plan on making Harley a jumper or cardigan next once I have finished up a few things.

I am hoping to get a jumper/cardigan knitted for ME before winter this year!!! thats the plans anyway!

Okies folkies! Have a great week!

Happy knitting

Katt

Twas a dark and stormy day...

2009-03-14T13:37:00.009+11:00

Today is my sort of day, dark..wet, thunder, i love it!! If it was just cold it would be perfect. I love dark, moody weather.

Knitting is working along well. I am currently working on Rachelle's jumper (part of the 12 in 12) and onto the last leg of a pair of baby pants for someone at Adam's work. I have almost finished the body of Rachelle's jumper. Its looking good. She loves it so that's the most important part. And its knitted from my own yarn I dyed so it makes me happy.

On the finished knitting front. I have made a beanie for my friend in Finland at his request (second one from me) and I finished a baby jumper to swap for one a baby outgrew before he got to wear it.

So jumper 2 of 12 in 12 for kids is now finished. I have the sleeves left to go on number 3, and Rachelle's is number 4. I am ahead of time..which is good..cos I have so much knitting to do!

Made soup for the girls and I for lunch today. It was very nice. Recipe below.

Pumpkin Veggie Soup

1 can 420ml of Cream of Pumpkin Soup
1 can 400ml of red kidney beans, drained
1 stick of celery, diced
1C of frozen peas
1C of frozen corn
as much diced bacon as you wish
pepper to taste

In a pot put soup, refill can with water and add to pot, mix til blended well. Dice celery as you wish add to soup, add bacon, peas, corn and drained kidney beans. Add pepper to taste. Cook til celery is just soft. Serve.

This was enough to serve girls and I for lunch in our soup bowls.

The girls love this..and it was so quick and basic but full of good stuff!

The girls got their hair cut yesterday, or more, Rachelle got a trim and Harley got a restyle. She loves it, its slowly growing on me. I guess she is of that age where I have to accept she will make her own decisions some of which I wont like. Mind you, the hairdresser didn't make it like it was in the book that she had chosen!! its "mostly" like it..

Okies ladies, I am off. I plan on cooking a casserole for dinner and superbikes is on tonight..BLISS my season has started again..*sighs happily*

Happy knitting all!!

Katt

Much to do about knitting

2009-03-01T11:43:00.004+11:00

I am happily working along with set child jumper #2 and #3 of the 12 I have to do. I am actually enjoying it very much. As I am working I am designing away on a child's jumper, getting it perfected to get the pattern all written up and all.

Still no pic of Adam in his jumper. He has worked all week and when he gets home he is stuffed.

Speaking of Adam. He went to regional poker finals yesterday. Made it to 7th place. Is now in the State finals, again.

I'm happy my bike racing has started again this weekend! Currently on tv is World Superbike in Phillip Island in Australia. Sad that Troy Bayliss who I have followed for years has retired but at same time grateful he has retired with himself mostly still in one piece.

Apart from the challenge children's jumpers I am also working on baby pants for someone due to have her bub in April. So lots of knitting is happening here!

I am hoping to find some time to get some sewing in at some point, I have some lovely fabric I want to make up into a child's top, debating whether to make it a normal windcheater or work it into some PJs.

Thought I would show you the finished skirts I did for the girls back in January, you all saw Rachelles but not Harleys.

Harleys has a larger white ruffle at the bottom then the pattern called for to give it extra spin when she turned around and around.

Okies folkies, race 1 WSBK is about to start and Im going to kick back and knit and enjoy it! Happy knitting, hope you all have a great weekend!

Katt

1 of 12 done

2009-02-21T15:28:00.008+11:00

Valentines Day this year I wanted to surprise Adam with something special, something different, something I had never given him before and would would have meaning.

So I knitted him a jumper. Last time I knitted an adult size jumper I was about 14 years old. So I started 1st January (with fear of secret knitting and not knowing how long it would take me that I might not get it done in time). I chose the Hackey Sack Hoodie from Son of Stitch'n'Bitch. I did it in Patons Soft Haze in really nice blue. The yarn alone drove me freaken insane!!! 1 ball out of 13 1/2 didnt have knots..the rest had at least 1..some had up to 3!! I wrote to Patons and complained. They sent me 20 balls of Zhivago in a lovely variegated blues as well as a Zhivago book for nothing to say sorry.

It took me exactly a month. I finished 1st Feb. And it fits Adam..And he loves it..He also told me off for knitting something for him instead of for myself. (am yet to get piccies of it on him to sho you all..SOLLY!!)

I have finished 1 of the 12 in 12 childrens jumpers. I am very proud of it and so plan on making more.

I decided to try my hand at a childs version of the Hackey Sack Hoodie (I am that smitten with the pattern). So where the pattern calls for 10ply wool on 5mm needles I downsized it to 8ply wool using 4.5mm needles.. I made the smallest size (using exact stitch counts and increasing exactly as the pattern calls for) thinking I might get something that would fit either my 6 1/2 or 9 yo daughers. I was shocked when the finished producted fit my best friends just turned 3yo son!!!! looking at it its a size 3-4yo jumper. I had to choose the length of body and sleeves when knitting it. And its perfect for him! And he looks gorgeous! I so plan on making many many more of these jumpers for kids trying different sizes, and weights of yarn.

Below are some piccies of Cridda in his Hackey hoodie.

I made the sleeves a little longer to have the cuffs turned up this year and hoping next year it will fit him still too with the cuffs turned down.

Will try and get Adam into his Valentines jumper real soon to show you all. It was hard to keep it all from you but he reads my blog and I didnt want him finding out before hand!! Have to admit the damn heatwave that hit Australia for a few weeks was a killer and I wasnt sure I would get it done (12ply big male jumper knitting in 38C heat???). Which is why we ended up at Adams work for 2 days in aircon for me to get some serious knitting on it done (he was working downstairs and was none the wiser). He claims he had no idea about me knitting this jumper. lol sly bugger I am!!

Okies folkies! Thats all for me today. Will try and get more knitting done and more posting. I have done stuff all knitting since I finished 1 out of 12 of my kids jumpers.

Happy knitting!!

Katt

Valentines Day

2009-02-13T22:39:00.001+11:00

http://knittedrose4u.blogspot.com/

I hope everyone has a lovely Valentines Day.

Great Sadness

2009-02-10T12:25:00.003+11:00

The shocking sadness that comes with all these horrid bushfires that are hitting Victoria is enormous at the moment. Feeling helpless is something I hate.

There are a few things coming forward for those of us that are too short of cash that want to help out.

COLES supermarket is having it so all money spent there Friday 13th will go to the bushfires, so PLEASE hold off getting groceries and shop at coles this Friday!!!

There is a Ravelry group that are collecting 12inch (30cm) squares to make blankets for those in need. Please go HERE and join up. Every square helps..and lets face it..If you were in need YOU would want someones help, dont be selfish, give just a few hours to make a square or two.

It can pretty much be said that if you live in Australia you must know of at least one person who this has affected, even if its only a friend of a friends friend..its still so close to home. This could happen to any one of us.

Digital camera has been found..Piccies have been taken..Normal posting (with pics) will resume soon.

A Break

2009-02-04T13:05:00.005+11:00

I have decided in mostly to give shop knitting a break for awhile. Sales are low with the lack of money around the world anyway.

I have decided instead to try and aim for 12 childrens jumpers in 12mths (Jan gone so have to work double time at some point). These jumpers will be gifted to people for their kids (my own children included of course have to knit for them). Be it for their kids birthdays or just to say "you're a great friend". I am hoping this also will be a great stash busting event and bring out some great tv watching knitting in me.

I am still yet to get piccies of the lil devil hat I made for the ex co-worker of Adams as well as my grandmothers feather and fan scarf..The camera is still missing in action.

I have finished knitting myself a beret in my mmmmmmmmmalabrigo (will have to get a pic of it) and started a scarf for myself too...I think I just heard several long time regular readers of my blog fall over..because (1) i knitted for ME and (2) i am knitting a SCARF...lol

The evil heatwave that hit Australia and attacked Tassie in a very mean way seems to have past and I hope it never comes back. Hitting almost 40 degrees Celcius is just not on for here! And having late 30C temps for a weeks is shocking and uncalled for..TASSIE IS A COOLER STATE!! There were running jokes on radios on how to survive with Tassie heatwave include "buy ticket and go to Qld/WA" two states that are usually hotter then Tasmania but at points were cooler.

Jan and Feb are shocking birthday months for my, there is 5 Birthdays to deal with among 3 families (two of which are my parents and 2 are my bestfriends sons). Evil expensive time of year with school going back on 10th Feb too.

Apart from working on my Malabrio Scarf I am also working on the first of my 12 jumpers for 12months jumpers. Its for one of my bestfriends sons and will be a late birthday present for him (I am giving him something small when I see him next to deal with the delay).

Tomorrow (Thursday) I am catching up with an old friend who I havent seen in about 2 years. Hoping it will be good and that my girls enjoy playing with her youngest.

And to answer Amanda's question on my middle name..it's Rachelle ;)

Okies folkies that is all for the moment..Happy knitting and enjoy your upcoming weekend!!

Katt

Tagged

2009-01-28T12:42:00.009+11:00

The lovely AmandaJ tagged me so here I go

Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules.
Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that let’s them know they’ve been tagged.

1. I have never worked, I have gone from high school, looking for work, to TAFE a few years, to college, to having children.

2. I had my first born childs name picked since I was 14 years old. She is named afer a song by an Aussie band NOT after the motorbike. (Black Sorrows song "Harley and Rose").

3. My middle name was a revenge name because one of my mothers friends stole the boys name (my mum had for if i was a boy) for her child who was born only a few months before me. So mum took the name the friend would have called her son if he was a girl and gave it to me for a middle name. I like the name so much I gave it to my youngest for her first name.

4. I hate summer. I love cold weather where you can rug up warm and lay in bed all snuggled and listen to the rain on the windows.

5. Past 3 cats I have had are ginger cats. I love ginger cats, they have such personalities. I also dont usually give my cats "petsie" names. I give them real names, Michael, Zander, Anna. Gizmo is the first cat I have had with a "petsie" name.

6. I am the only one of my parents 3 children that doesnt live at home anymore.

Okies who to tag!!! Jen, Karan, Bugsy, Rachel, Kylie, Michelle

Normal posts resume soon..still on hunt for camera!!

Ah choo

2009-01-22T19:27:00.007+11:00

Well I have done a few things of late.

I made Harley a skirt like her sisters. Been slowly working on a lil devil hat for a baby of a former work colleague of Adams. Planned another little knitting project for another colleagues baby due April.

It would seem I am developing a cold. Hoping to get over that real fast.

My children are odd creatures. Today they stopped me from cleaning the kitchen floors so they could do it, including with the scrubbing brush on hands and knees. They played that they were Cinderella. I fight to get them to clean up their room, but vacuuming, washing floors, cleaning fronts of cupboards and washing dishes? That's a barrel of fun. Warped kids..lol

I became new happy owner of some mmmmmmmmalabrigo yesterday!! I am pretty sure what I am going to do with some of it. I got 4 balls. I dont think I will need much over 1 ball for the first thing planned. And you guessed right if you think I am using it all for meeeeeeee. Colour Cuarzo.

Summer took a turn for the wet today. It was very windy too. Few people I know had their manhole covers in their house blow up into the roof. THATS windy!!

Yesterday we made super yummy Banana Caramel Muffins. I also made a veggie lasanga.

And if anyone has seen my Digital camera..Please return it to me..

Happy knitting folks!!

Katt.

Something different

2009-01-10T11:44:00.004+11:00

I have been doing hardly any knitting of late. But just for something different I have been doing other things. Well 1 other thing. And here is an example of the first thing I did, I plan to make Harley one (not sure of colours) and then will see where I go from there.

To say Rachelle loves it is an understatement..lol

I made the skirt. all 6 tiers of it. It was a bit of a pain in the arse doing it but the end product looks great. I will have to take a better pic of more of this (this was just with my mobile phone).

My girls better be enjoying this busy week they are having. I havent had a quiet full day at home since Tuesday just been. And wont be til probably Wednesday coming.

Tomorrow we have a family get together for Adams mothers side of the family. Not sure if I can honestly say I am looking forward to it. I will survive, but huge groups of people I barely know never thrills me...

We went putt putt golfing Wednesday. It was great fun and we will be going back for sure!!

Weather is starting to heat up. and proof of this is my chest got a little sunburnt yesterday while we were out having picinic for lunch (that will teach me for forgetting to put sunblock there..its not bad..but pink for sure...lol).

Okies folks..Have a great up coming week.

Katt

erk summer!!

2009-01-06T15:56:00.006+11:00

It would seem evil summer has befallen us. Today is a warm one. But I know it will get hotter. Have 4 windows open and the fan on in the lounge for the first time this summer. Glad I dont live in the mainland Australia.

Knitting has been happening. And below is 2 items that now reside on the SHOP. Imust get my other handmodel back. Do prefer her piccies..Just dont see her often ;)

First is my take on the Fetching Handwarmers. I redid them to a different sort of pattern, twisting cables and adding more of them and offsetting them. I rather like it.

Second area a pair of chunky very warm and kitten soft (and I should know) handwarmers that I am probably going to make myself a pair for winter.

Below is the newest member of our family. Came into our home 26th Dec. I said I would never own another ginger cat after Zander..But this little bugger took my attention as soon as I saw him. And his name (although far from what I normal would name a cat) came to me when he looked at me and seems to have stuck.

He is a goreous little longer hair ginger monster who loves boobs (it's getting little warm for him to sleep in my top between them though!!)..

So everyone..welcome little Gizmo. He is about 9-10 weeks now.

Okies Folkies I think that will do for a quick update. Still thinking about that new turn for my etsy shop. Will let you all know once I have decided!

Happy knitting all

Katt

A New Year

2009-01-03T10:35:00.005+11:00

Some how I was hoping that the change over from 2008 to 2009 would go without any drama unlike the change over from 2007 t0 2008. Well..It changed with far less effected drama for me, but not really less drama for the whole area I live in.

There was no shot neighbours unlike LAST YEAR. But the nearby dry cleaning service did get held up (oh the joys). I walk my girls past that place to go to the little supermarket nearby. I dont know if the "baddies" are caught yet (I dont watch news programs often).

Knitting has been steadily going along at its own pace. Now I have 100% finished all Chrissie knitting (yet to take piccies of my nans blue feather and fan scarf that I have to mail to her since the family bbq was cancelled due to crap weather in all areas BUT where I live).

I am working on things for the Etsy Shop again. I need to restock it with some recent fun things. I am thinking about giving the shop a complete overhaul of what I sell. Though I am not sure to what point what I will do to sell.

Now I have all Chrissie knitting over and the demand on me and my knitting time is a bit more lax I think I can now set up my sewing table in the playroom/yarn storage room. It must be the time of year but I am crawling to get my hands into some good fabric and some sewing patterns.

I do hope everyone had a safe change over of the year though. 2008 was an interesting one. Lets see what 2009 has in store for us all.

And as a final note. Last piccie taken of my girls for 2008 by my younger sister. These were taken before Chrissie. Love her camera!!

Okies folks..Happy Knitting and stay safe!!

Katt

Pictures for my Darlings

2008-12-24T14:37:00.010+11:00

Pictures pictures everywhere!

For you all. A piccie of the Birthday girl throwing down..She had great fun! And she wants another one next year too.

My darling girls and their haircuts..With Adams grandmother. The girls Great Grandmother, who turns 80 in Feb next year. This pic was taken Chrissie Lunch Sunday at Grandmas over weekend just past.

Above is Grandmas Feather and Fan scarf she got for Chrissie. She loved it. Which is great. I hope she gets good use out of it when winter comes.

Above is dad's Chrissie fingerless gloves. Mum had commented that they had hunted high and low for a pair and couldnt find any. So Katt to the rescue ;) I hope he wears them often in winter when it comes. (they are being modelled by Adam).

Above are mums Fuzzy Feet I gave her for Chrissie. I loved these. Loved knitting them. Loved felting them..and certainly going to make myself a pair and a few more pairs for Chrissie pressies for others..They DO have puff paint on the soles ;)

So now I am knitting my nans Chrissie scarf (that I dont see for a few more days so I got time) and I am back to knitting for the shop.

I have a few more things I did for Chrissie to show pics of but am waiting on my younger sister to take pics cos I didnt get time to before Adam wrapped them!!! lol

My yarn diet is OVER!! To celebrate I bought some on sale Patons Jet the other day. YAY

Thank you everyone for your comments last post. I know I shouldnt let my evil inlaw get to me. Just hard at times. Hate it how she has to get center of attention and ruin Christmas for everyone.

I would love to wish all my lovely readers a VERY Merry Christmas (Or Super Happy Holiday Season if you dont celebrate Chrissie) And a safe and fortunate New Year. Thank you for another year of reading my blog.

Katt

aarrgghhh 4 SHORT!!

2008-12-21T23:52:00.004+11:00

well crap it!! i am 4 smidgen grams short of reaching my 1kg diet where i can buy more yarn!! I am at 996g!! sure I will get that last 4g done in no time!

I have done all Chrissie knitting (YAY) taking piccies slowly. Still waiting for piccies from my Rav Secret Santa person who I gave things to but hoping soon.

So in the end the Chrissie knitting ended up being (knitted between the 1st Dec and the 18th Dec):

Feather and Fan scarf for Adams Grandmother
Fuzzy Feet for my mum
Hobo glove/mittens combo for Tanya (my older sister)
Cable earflap hat with a difference for Megan (my younger sister)
Fingerless gloves for my dad

I am mighty proud of myself. I got it all finished by Thursday night. So I even finished them all in the time frame I gave myself. :)

I finished all Chrissie shopping last Wednesday too. So I had a very productive week last week getting all done so I can relax as Christmas rolls in.

We all got haircuts last Wednesday. Some of us more extreme then others. But I think we all look good now :)

I have to say (and its been awhile I think) I am SO OVER my damn mother in law!! I wish the woman would just go blow up or something. She has been a selfish bitch expecting Adam to drive us down to see them Chrissie day (1hr there), put up with her abusing him like she always does over lunch, then drive back ALONE (1hr back), THEN have to work in reception putting up with obnoxious customers and all on Chrissie day. I dont like the idea of driving on Chrissie day for that distance at speed of 100km where there might be a drunk driver around then next corner going faster then that with some "Christmas spirit". So she has been a bitch about it. Thursday we all went to get girls from school so she can take them out and celebrate Harleys birthday (which was Friday). And she did nothing but try and make a scene at the girls school!! I bit my tongue. After all its their school for christ sakes!! But after she bought them home and Harley and I was in the kitchen and I asked what they got up to while out with granny to have Harley say to me "Granny wishes we lived with her, Granny asked us if we wanted to live with her" I snapped..Rang her up (lucky for her she didnt answer her mobile) and laid into her message bank. Told her she was selfish to expect Adam to do all that driving then have to work. Told her she would be LUCKY to see my girls again after asking them if they wanted to live with her especially if I dont get a sorry from her. Bet I dont. of course she will make it like she is the victim to all relatives that will listen. Can I please trade SOMEONE for a nicer inlaw? Actually. All his side of the family is getting to the point where I wouldnt mind only seeing them once a year if that.

Harley turned 9 on Friday last week. Had a little fun bowling party. Loved it all. Then we went to to coast for the weekend at Adam's grandmothers for her "Chrissie lunch" that she does the last Sunday before Christmas. 18 people (plus 2 mini people) were there. Was good but I am glad to be home where I can relax and have peace and sleep in my own bed.

I will include piccies next time. I have to get them all organised and take more piccies and all.

Going to head to bed now. Hope all had a great weekend!! Happy knitting

Katt

Wooohooo for me

2008-12-10T09:55:00.003+11:00

Seems I am semi famous..lol

One of my yarns made it to a treasury on etsy...Dont know how long it will last so go gander quick now!! HERE go look.

Have been knitting like the devil (well at least he knits..lol). I have several thing finished to show you once I get pics and some I forgot to photo that I am hoping the receiver takes piccies for me. lol

Will post about that all soon promise!!

Katt

Oh My!!

2008-11-29T16:03:00.008+11:00

Well today I thought I would give you a view of just how much yarn I really have. But since I dont really have the space to spread out ALL of it in one place. I thought I would just show you my stash in box form (note, this doesnt including the little box I have in the loungeroom, or the plastic bag worth of stuff I also have in the lounge..lol). So for your viewing pleasure.

First two pics show you the boxes so you get a rough working out of the size of them. Now I will say that the base two boxes (one each side) is full of fabric. One box (closest to the window) is full of acrylic. The rest of the boxes are full of wool, wool blend, bamboo, cotton, and other blend yarns.

Next to my boxes is my sewing table which I am about to move my brandnew overlocker and my sewing machine onto.

And on top of all that next to the boxes is stuffed ziplock bags full of fleece to spin when I learn to spin (and the girls rollerblades and the girls travel cushions that you plug mp3 players into to listen to music).

We have included Harely (my (9yo in Dec) for size comparison, she comes up to the third box out of 6..lol

So do you all think I have an addiction problem?

We have been working through the house dejunking it. There has been so many bags of clothes that have been sitting around for years that the girls have grown out of that I keep meaning to sell on ebay, and toys they just dont play with and things Adam and I have had since we started living together. Well now its all going. We have taken about 4 huge garbage bags full of things to a local opshop. We have another 2 full to go. We have like 5 big garbages full of rubbish to take to Adams work big bin (which is being done tomorrow). We arent even ooooh..half way through cleaning!!! Lets just say we hoard too much..lol

So to say Chrissie knitting has been suffering is an understatement. Well I have done some but nowhere near as far through as I want to be. But then I got a few weeks in Dec to get it done. We have only 5 more pressies to buy too so that's great! I'm glad we are almost set!

Okies folks have a great weekend!! Catch you another time. Take care and happy knitting!!

Katt

So close

2008-11-25T22:31:00.007+11:00

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas..1 month away a lot like to be exact!!!

I can proudly say all my Secret Chrissie knitting is fully finished!! I am glad to have them all done over a week early so I can kick back now and concentrate on Chrissie knitting that needs to be done before Christmas.

I have also done some other knitting so I do have some piccies to show you all.

So they are my two new Berets for sales. And get this..THEY SUIT ME!!! Especially the black/white/purple one! Which makes it even better that I have enough wool left to knit myself one for next winter!! Whoohooo!! Never thought I would find a hat that suited me, and it makes me laugh that its a beret.

I have finally had to start taking medication for my hayfever as today it was totally driving me insane. It worked which is good. Lets hope I dont have to take too many more of them this season.

Okies all just a short one for me for today. I have to start on my Chrissie pressie for my father!

Happy knitting! Be good all!

Katt

Back to norm

2008-11-16T12:24:00.009+11:00

This has been a long weekend for us. We gave the girls Friday off and took them to Scotsdale to the regional show there. They had GREAT fun!! and $90 later we feel rather broke. But it would have been a hell of a lot cheaper then going to the local show so we don't mind.

I also borrowed my younger sisters limbs as a model for me while we were there (we went to the show with my family and Adam and I stayed with my parents while the girls had great fun with their aunties).

So included for your pleasure some piccies from the Show and my latest able to post about knitting..

Bamboo/Wool hand warmers selling HERE

Girls with Poppit the balloon maker. The girls LOVED her she was funny and nice.

The girls showing off their tough tattoos. I actually LOVE Harley's (if i got a real one it would probably be what she has!! lol).

So as you can see they had fun. Mind you they are both sporting war wounds. They went down a HUGE blowup slide together and gave themselves friction burns on opposite elbows (you can see the padded bandages St Johns stand gave them).

I am like 85% finished all my secret knitting group knitting! How excellent is that?? I feel like I have done well this year no madly running around knitting at the last minute.

I am equally doing well with Chrissie shopping. Just the adults left to buy for and all done there too (oh and collect 2 laybys for the girls).

Adam collected my overlocker last week. So now I have to be good and strong and NOT touch it til probably after Christmas cos I have so much Chrissie knitting I still have to do that if I DO touch it I will probably never get it all done!! lol

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend. The weather here has been all over the place. Friday I got sunburnt. Saturday is was damn cold and wet!! Today it's sunny but with wind.

I have been returning some Karma on etsy of late (hoping it comes back in return for me too). I have bought a gorgeous Strangeling picture for the girls. And some headbands for them too. And one headband for me.

My heels are feeling a lot better now. And my sinus infection is all gone. So seems I am back in one piece, though hay fever is attacking again..sigh.

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments about my sales, and for well wishes for my heels :)

It's scary that Christmas is 1 month 6 days away isn't it? What the hell has happened to the year?

Ok my dears. Hope you all have a great week.

Happy Knitting

Katt

Have NOT!!

2008-11-12T11:53:00.006+11:00

Before you all think I have gone back to my old blogless ways of almost never posting I haven't. But I have had nothing really to post about.

Secret Chrissie Knitting does make for impossible blog posting!! I have almost finished the knitting group Chrissie knitting. Should get it finished by today if I am a good knitter. Secret Santa knitting is sorted and I will be casting that on tonight or tomorrow.

I have yet to finish the "are you sitting down? Is Katt really knitting that??" knitting so won't be talking about that or showing you all just yet.

I started yesterday a pair of hand warmers to take along to knitting group. I had nothing else I could take that didn't involve telling everyone to look away!!

While at knitting group the lovely 2Paws was knitting a pair of socks for her friend..I am constantly amazed at just how BRIGHT my rainbow sock wool is..and I am the dyer!! She is knitting them into a gorgeous pair of socks though.

The hand warmers I started at knitting group yesterday were inspired by fetchings (with the only thing same is they have cables...and the rib look when no cables..lol otherwise its different stitches amounts, different ply, different needles, and cables go differently). I plan on selling them when they are finished as well as make others to sell.

I have had a great week on my shop!! I sold a hat to USA...As well as 9 skeins of sock wool and a sock pattern to NSW...YAY!! I am thrilled to say the least. I also privately sold the hand dyed blue and green baby jumper I had up on my shop too, that's going to SA.

I am on my second lot of Anti Biotics for my Infected Sinus and happy to say that its fully gone me thinks..When these Anti Bs are gone I will be one happy little Katt!! Down side to it all..Hay Fever has kicked back in..So there is something in that I am sure scientists can look at to find a way to stop hay fever!! Whole time I had a cold/infected sinus my hay fever didn't play up at all.

The girls and I went for a walk Sunday. It was a lovely day. I wore my summer shoes..and TOTALLY regretted it!! You should see my poor heels!! both have 2 blisters (a MASSIVE one and a little one on top)...they are sore as hell. I have big bandaids with pawpaw on them both just so I can walk!! I can't wear shoes apart from moc crocs...Thursday (tomorrow) I have bowling in the morning and I am meant to wear their shoes! I asked yesterday while the girls were there if I could bowl barefoot...I got a no..bugger it..The shoes have been hardly worn at al (just this walk) and I dont think I will ever wear them again! Love them..but they Hate me!!

No pics again for you folks..sorry about that but haven't taken any really.

My 1kg yarn diet is going slowly. I have had people ask me if I can count previous things to make it go faster..Noooo!!! I am only allowed to count things I started since telling about the diet on my blog. And I am going to weigh everything I finish so I have exact....No guesstimating..

Okies my dear readers..That is all for me for today..Take care all! Happy knitting! And hope you all have a great upcoming weekend!!

Katt

its ALIVE!!!!

2008-11-05T23:24:00.004+11:00

Lappy is working again!!! I lost a LOT of files in the process but its working again. Yes I am happy. We saved some files (well I hope we did..we haven't looked yet) before having to go all the way back to factory settings. But still lost a lot of important ones (including pics of the girls).

I officially have a sinus infection (and the horse tablet sized anti-biotics to prove it). If you have never had a sinus infection think yourself lucky, the SMELL of it is bad enough....I wont horrify you with the details of it running down your throat...It's not something you would even wish on your worse enemy.

Lappy still boots net if I try to do a post..BUT I have saved the "posting" page to faves so I can bypass actually going to my blog..so lets hope this means more posting from me!!

I seem to be still making private sales of knitwear..but not much is moving on the shop. I just wish I could work out how to MOVE things on shop!!

My ordered red scarf made it to its new home as a birthday present. It's new mummy loves it greatly so I am a happy gal :)

I have been working on a new thing for the shop..Something that will surprise a lot of you. Something that is not normally a ME thing to knit...Do I have your attention? Its halfway done.

OKies..I thought I would just update you all and let you know Lappy lives. Seems like it might have been a Windows update error for Vista...Though we may never really know.

Happy knitting all!! Enjoy the rest of your week..

Katt

Small Bonus

2008-11-03T15:55:00.005+11:00

Small bonus of lappy being dead is I am able to post on my blog more often. SO here I am again today! lol

Lappy still hasn't been taken in because Sunday Adam went to work before the shop opened and got home from work after the shop closed. Today its a public holiday here. Another thing is we are gonna try something first (recovery of Vista) BEFORE we take it in and have the bugger of a thing missing for weeks.

I have picces now of recent finished hats. They will follow. I plan on making them with different colours, different blends (or even just pure wool). See how they go. These ones are made out of the lovely Patons Jet.

I have also made a new banner for my Etsy shop. Please go have a lookie..Let me know honestly what you think of it. I tossed it together in like 15-20mins. I just wanted to get rid of the old one!! It has been bugging me for MONTHS!! I might change it over in a few weeks, or months or whenever, depends on my mood. I also today tossed together 3 for a friend of mine who has an Etsy shop and said she has no banner. She hasn't checked her email yet, I hope she likes them!! :)

My cold is playing around getting better or worse, it hasn't made up its mind. I hope it plans on GOING AWAY!!

Weather has been all over the place here of late (which probably is why the cold hasn't gone). I like it..I want it to stay lovely cold weather for longer!! not looking forward to horrid summer.

Moto and Superbikes have finished for another year. Troy Bayliss has retired now from racing, left with a fantastic double win after pole position. I'm happy he has retired mostly in one piece (minus most a little finger).

Going through my mammoth stash today I actually surprised myself with how much Vintage Hues I actually have!! Even after ALL the knitting I have done. I was able to find 108 UNTOUCHED balls!!!! Yes you read right..108 balls that I haven't even started yet. I have several partially started balls..and LOTS of used balls with many knits. I have worked out I would have bought/swapped about 150 balls of Cleckheatons Vintage Hues over all 5 colours they have. I have decided I won't be buying anymore unless Cleckheatons comes out with a new colourway next season (or I actually run out and NEED to buy more knitting).

I am also going to try and NOT buy anymore yarn and try and work my way through my stash. I will try and aim to use 1kg before i consider buying more (now this is where I say I WILL buy yarns for orders!! Be it yarn to hand dye or to knit). Think I can make it? I have fallen off MANY yarn diets of late..I will work 1kg at a time and let you know how I go..Would be easy if it wasn't for the fact I am knitting such LITTLE things at the moment!! If I was knitting jumpers it would be a different story!

My Secret Chrissie Knitting has been going well I am mostly finished with my set Group Knitting pressie. Pretty sure I have picked the yarn for my Secret Santa knitting too. Will have to test knit see if its the right gauge (no I DON'T mean swatch!!) and go from there.

Happy knitting all! And enjoy your week

Katt

Worst then that its DEAD Jim...

2008-11-01T21:05:00.004+11:00

I am muchly in a DISPLEASED state today. My laptop (less then a year old) decided today would be a good day to go tits up (die for those non-Aussies). I am having to take it back to Hardly Normal (Harvey Norman) I think then have to wait the ATLEAST 2 weeks for their idiot to ferret around with it (he better not lose my precious pics or I will show him where my boot can go) before I get it back.

This all wouldn't be half as bad if (a) I had at least EMAILED myself those precious pics to keep safe or (b) the desktop computer wasn't slower then a half dead turtle...Also doesn't help that the computer chair causes me neck pains. sigh..

I am getting over a cold too. So snot and sore nose are my friends at the moment.

I would have pics for you..but those are on lappy (see my problem??)...And I either FORGOT to take pics of parcelled off order (lovely blue/orange Vintage Hues Jumper size 2/3) or they are secret Chrissie knitting (never easy to take pics with spying eyes around).

I have this month to get my Secret Santa knitting done in for my Ravelry knitting group. I have worked out what I will be making (good start) I have to work out WHAT yarn I will be making it in (harder effort) then I have to knit the bugger (even HARDER still with lappy dead and I usually sit with pattern in front of me knitting on lappy)...

I have designed a new hat for the etsy shop to sell (now I cant blame dead lappy for no pics of this..cos .....I havent taken any yet)...I hope it sells well. I love it (another evil case of WHY DON'T HATS LOOK GOOD ON ME???? cos if they did I would knit myself a million!).

I have put my etsy shop on facebook. I am on facebook (have been for awhile) for any of you that care to add me look for Katt Walker (glasses booby looking chick with dark hair) include a note saying I sent you from my blog otherwise I might just ignore your invite. I also have my etsy shop on facebook. If you want to become a fan of that just click HERE (or even to just have a look).

Okies folks..best be off..Have knitting that won't do itself (I swear the knitting fairies are on strike like the housework ones...I need to stomp on their union boss)...All wish me luck that letting the battery run dead then recharging it MIGHT save my lappy (I WILL email myself those pics if it does save it!!)...

Happy Knitting all!!

Katt

Busy Me

2008-10-09T15:04:00.011+11:00

Well I have been a busy girl of late. Finishing up some projects, starting and finishing others.

I have finished the ordered scarf, and once the money has cleared into my account it will be on its way. Pic below of it. I have to say, I did actually like knitting it...for a SCARF!! I plan on making a few of these for my Etsy shop I think.

Below is a Midnight Rainbow Skullcap I currently have up for sale in the Shop. I love how gorgeous this looks. I hope it sells well. If hats suited me I would have kept this one for me!!

Below is a size 3-4 Vintage Hues child's jumper also up for sale in the Shop. I love how these look and they are so warm and soft!

Below is a cable skullcap I have up for sale in the shop. I enjoyed making this and plan on making a few more in VH and other yarn to list.

So that's been some of my adventures into knitting land. I have been enjoying the quick WIZZINESS of the skullcaps. I also love the look of them. I just want to start getting some SALES!!!

Below for your lovely pleasure is FINALLY a pic of my rainbow wool I do that I know some of you have been dying (no pun intended!!) to see. This one is currently up for sale, its DK/8ply. Only 1 skein (enough for a plain beanie or two). I have ordered more wool in to do some more. I even have a worsted/12ply weight order of rainbow to do.

Evil hay fever has set in early for me this year, so most days (ok..ALL days) of late I have been dealing with itchy eyes and sneezing and itchy throat. At the moment its not bad enough to need to dabble into medication for it, I like to put that off for as long as possible cos as soon as you start you are stuck on it for the rest of the season.

I cant believe its only 2 1/2mths til Chrissie! Our Ravelry knitting group have swapped named for Secret Santa already. So we have just under 2mths to get everyone done. I have been working on my Tuesday knitting Chrissie Pressies too. I don't think I will have time to do it for Saturday group as well. So I am still debating whether to move those over to the Saturday group since its a bigger group and most go there anyway (just give it to the few Tuesday folk that don't visit the Saturday lot).

Okies enough babble for me for awhile! Happy knitting all and enjoy your weekend!!

Katt...

time flies

2008-09-26T14:20:00.010+10:00

lordy where did this month go??

i have been busy knitting my butt off with secret sock knitting for Adams birthday (which was Sept 23rd) and finishing up a few other projects.

i have also started working on my HUGE pile of Chrissie knitting i have to get done in just under 3mths (yes people..JUST UNDER THREE MONTHS!!).

i have kicked the butt with some of my list too! lets redo the list for us all (old then new shall we).

Baby raglan jumper FINISHED!!!
Hat to match baby raglan jumper RIPPED (was gonna be too big for jumper size)
Cable and Rib kids jumper (still have to do the sleeves on this one)
Childs vest (still to finish the shaping of front and back chest area and all the extra to go with)
Ribbed handwarmers (1 down started second one)
Ordered Vintage Hues childs jumper FINISHED!!!
Buttons wool socks for Harley (rip back gonna do a different pattern)
A Star Is Born girls jumper (finished the back, so about 1/4 way there)

ok and now the new list

Ribbed handwarmers (1 down started second one)
A Star Is Born girls jumper (finished the back, so about 1/4 way there)
Childs vest (still to finish the shaping of front and back chest area and all the extra to go with)
Cable and Rib kids jumper (still have to do the sleeves on this one)
Secret Chrissie knitting for Tuesday Knitting Group (1/5 done)
Ordered Scarf (half done)
Secret other Chrissie kniting for family (inlaws included)

see i have been working on stuff...but uuum..adding more..lol but still its one project less then what it was before..and i am onto things that need to be done for Chrissie.

okies..i guess you all wanna see pics now? suuuure why not..

on the school holidays we went to visit grandma at St Helens on the way we stopped at Scamander and check out those waves behind the girls!!

our new dining table. cute and little to fit into the little dining alcove in our kitchen.

size 6 girls Vintage Hues jumper. will be put up for sale on ETSY

bamboo/wool hand dyed in my rainbow baby jumper also will be up for sale on ETSY.

size 1 Vintage Hues boys jumper. will be up for sale on ETSY.

womens Vintage Hues beanie (already up for sale on ETSY)

and lastly the mans birthday sockies. he LOVES them. I am glad. i love the colour

hokies thats all the piccies caught up for you all. so what do you think? i am actually back to enjoying knitting again. and damn glad to have those socks finished!! fully knitted on the sly he had NO idea! tell you what..as much as i love the colour it was a devil to knit in artificial light at night!! and the brand (hotsocks) tangled terribly with center pull balls!!

i am still trying to work out where this whole year has gone..i cant believe its end of September already!! time to pull out the serious Chrissie knitting..and panic that i wont get it done..well not this year thank you!! hitting it hard now so i DONT have another year like the past several! i have also been buying Chrissie pressies to keep on top of them.

ok now i have bored you with a huge long post. lets hope i post again before a month is almost up..i hate how blogger is still being a pain..and i still cant find my digi so having to use phone and transfer across..thank goodness i have a good camera on my phone!!!

happy knitting all!!

Katt

That time of year again!!

2008-09-01T10:43:00.011+10:00

It was that time of year again over the weekend!!! Aussie Superbikes hit Tassie again! We haven't watched it all season but there was NO WAY we were going to miss going to it! The sounds of bikes roaring around the track (I itch to go watch Moto or World Superbikes at Phillip Island). There was ONE Ducati among all the rest in the Main Superbikes (there were others in other levels mind you)..and you could tell when this BEAST was approaching you...DAMN I love the sound of Ducatis!!! I fell in love with them all over again! The weather mostly held up well for the event. Windy as hell at times but the sun was mostly there and warm (when the wind wasn't up). Only a little rain in the Sunday.

someone did their street bike up to look like Troy Bayliss race ducati (love this I want one!!)

Ok..if you made it this far past the ramblings of Bikes you have done well.

Thursday last week an indoor kids play area did something with the local radio station to raise money for the children's ward in our local hospital. Having had both our girls there due to illness (mostly with Harley and her epilepsy) we know how boring it can get for kids (they were raising money to buy fun things so kids don't get bored). So off we went to give money. The girls had GREAT fun (as you can see above Harley climbing the wall, she is right near the top there). It was a late night for them but they loved it!!

I have been knitting, I have even been finishing projects. I just don't have any pics to show you of knitting yet (haven't taken any, the battery is flat on the Digi Cam and we haven't fixed that little problem yet).

I finished Rachelle's shrug of doom, I swear this thing took FOREVER!!! I honestly don't know why it took so long!! And I have made mental notes before I cast on Harley's to make the hood deeper in the hoodie (its not deep enough in Rachelle's but looks good anyway). I am debating making a little tie up for Rachelle's cos its a loose fit (its for her for a few years) and keeps falling off her shoulders (the hood probably pulls it down). At the moment I am keeping it closed at the top with a Kilt Pin.

I have also finished a Vintage Hues (you didn't think there would be a post without mentioning that wool did you? lol I am not hired by them to mention them every chance I get honest!!) jumper for the Etsy Shop. I have sleeves to do on two more then I will have 3 to list. I am working on the sleeves for one of them now (hoping to get finished today).

And lastly I have finished the bamboo/wool baby jumper in my hand dyed rainbow colourway. its gorgeous and soooo soft!!! (it's another one for the etsy shop). This was one of my LIST items (yes I know I haven't mentioned the list in ages. Will next post). Glad to get something off it finished.

Well today is the first day of spring for Australia. And even though all last week we had lovely spring weather...the first REAL day..Is crappy winter weather!!! That's Tassie for you!

With all the misbehaving of my Blog with the Lappy (yes folks its STILL doing it..Adam has to send me the posting page from the desktop so I can post still) I totall missed my 4year blogiversary back in June! Oh well...will hopefully get it next year for my 5th one and do a prize up for that.

My stash is still having mad cases of explosions too!! I really must STOP buying!! I am out of room to store it all in the boxes (almost to the roof) that I have!! I must start knitting more and buying less, before Adam disowns me!! Mind you at least I can say my stash enhancing will either clothe a family member/friends child or make us money..He cannot say the same about his PS3 games!!

Ok think that's everything for this time. Hope everyone had a great weekend!! Til next time (I hope with knitting content pics..All pics here were done with Mobile Phones).

Happy Knitting!!!

Katt

Just a Quickie

2008-08-17T14:36:00.003+10:00

Seems I might have a cold...I am debating whether to blame my best friend for it since she had it the week before I got it..But I didnt see her while she had it (can I still blame her though?)...

No piccies today this is just a quickie post.

I counted up all my Vintage Hues the other day..See exactly where I stand with this obsession..And I was a tad dissapointed when (including what I have knitted and what is on its way in the mail)..I only had/have 90 balls!!! I even said to Adam I thought I would have had more (he asked if I checked under the couch the cheeky bugger!!!)...And yes I know to some that is still a lot of wool..But Damn it i am obsessed with it!! lol and over the 5 colours I will have them all once my lovely parcel arrives!!

I have been knitting but still havent finished anything from my UFO list. I am terrible..Why am I having problems finishing these other things? I want them finished..Really I do!! I think its the tempting other new yarn I have been buying of late that begs me to knit it into lovely forms of lushness...

Okies..my brain is mush..I am going to knit nice little rows of mindless stocking stitch.

Happy knitting all!! Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Katt

mirror mirror on the wall

2008-08-09T16:39:00.013+10:00

What did I ever do to blogger?? I am having to have Adam sign into my blog on the desktop and send me a link via msn to the laptop to the post page JUST so the damn thing doesnt boot both computers off the interenet!!!

Okies..some piccies for you all!! Better pics of the girls berets (ON the girls)..a baby jumper I did for someone I went through school for (for her unborn unknown sex baby)..pair of 8ply socks for Rachelle (erm..yes thats a little grub on the bottom..she wore them since last night moment they were cast off they havent left her feet..she even wore them outside with school sneakers and everything..she LOVES them)...and I am yet to take pics of Chloe's Vintage Hues jumper which is also finished..but pics of other things.

The jumper for the baby was well received..I was told by L that she had been looking for knitwear for the baby and this was the first..which of course means now I really want to make more for her bub!! lol

I have to say I am extremely biased but my girls are GORGEOUS!!! (and I just noticed in those pics both are wearing furry collared demin jackets today!!).

I have done some other red knitting too as you can see above..I hope its well received by the new owner of it..I am sure you can all guess what it is..I had a VERY red day that day..I knitted the above item up in 5hrs..and finished the red baby jumper all the same day..

Chloes jumper is the ONLY thing from the list I have gotten finished still..I am really doing badly with the list getting it back down..I keep on casting on new things and finishing them!! And I still have an urge to cast on more now but I am pushing the urge down and trying to get some of the things on the list finished!!!

I better go do some knitting and sort out dinner! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Happy Knitting

Katt

All over the place

2008-08-04T15:55:00.011+10:00

Well I am all over the place with knitting at the moment. All my UFOs seem to be getting ignored to start new projects that are getting finished before the UFOs are.

I have 3 finished objects to show you that never were on the UFO list. And another 1 that is half finished (that wasnt on the UFO list)..and a little bit pic of the ordered jumper that just needs me to do the collar.

So we have a merry collection of knitting!

First two things are the girls berets to match their jumpers (top, rainbow one is Harleys, second, blue one is Rachelles).

Next is a close up of Chloe's Vintage Hues jumper just needs the collar knitted and then it is fully finished.

Then we have a baby raglan jumper (for unknown sex baby, well I guess the unborn baby knows). Still debating if putting a hood on this is a good idea for a newborn and all.

Lastly we have my coffee cosy for my Hudsons Coffee (mmmm Hudsons Coffee!!!).

After I finished the baby jumper I really should get back to my UFO list and try and get some of them done to get it all down!! I gotta be good..I gotta kick this startitis in the arse!!!

I have sold some wool and a pair of baby pants in the Shop of late too. Hoping to sell more things on there soon, have listed a few more things and still have more to list.

Okies well I have dropped in and caught you all up on my knitting of late. i have been doing a heap..Just not from the list..

Yarn diet has still gone to hell with me buying MORE wool on sale (including more Vintage Hues one lot in a colour I havent had yet to try!)...I am starting to wonder if I should just give up. My mum said today to me "Have you thought about not buying wool and starting to knit it?" when she saw my HUGE stash..lol. I can rest easy knowing if they ever make yarn currency I will be rich!!!

Happy knitting all!!

Katt

Grand erruption of a UFO nature.

2008-07-22T11:15:00.004+10:00

Well I should be able to tell you all with great work over the past month of my 9 items big UFO list I had finally gotten it down to 4 back on the 20th of this month..SADLY with the mad highly infectious case of Startitis..I think I am back up around the 8-9 mark again!! *sighs*

Lets take a look at the damage shall we. NEW list needed I think (public shaming again!!)

Baby raglan jumper (just the sleeves to knit)
Hat to match baby raglan jumper (almost half way)
Cable and Rib kids jumper (still have to do the sleeves on this one)
Childs vest (still to finish the shaping of front and back chest area and all the extra to go with)
A Star Is Born girls jumper (finished the back, so about 1/4 way there)
Ribbed handwarmers (1 down 1 to go)
Ordered Vintage Hues childs jumper (just started this last night not far through)
Buttons wool socks for Harley (almost 1/2 way through first one)

I refuse to think any harder to see if I can find a 9th one cos I really dont want to know!! lol

If I put 3 days aside I could get the baby hat and matching raglan jumper done as well as the other handwarmer. So I might just have to do that later in the week to remove 3 things from the list.

Anyways I have finished the ordered socks!!! I am so glad to have them done and out of my hair! Now I am just waiting to be paid for them so I can ship them off.

I will be eagerly starting to watch my mailbox soon in ready for all my lovely yarn diet ruining wool to turn up from the mainland. I am like a kid waiting for Christmas waiting for it to turn up.

OKies i better go. I have knitting group starting in 30mins better make sure I got all I need packed :)

Happy knitting all!!

Katt

Startitis

2008-07-19T13:29:00.008+10:00

Does anyone know of a cure for startitis? My UFO list which had gotten down to 5 items..Is now back up to 7 items. Though 2 of them are only little things that I could get finished in a day each item.

I have to start my ordered item for Demz. And then there is the two beret I want to make my girls matching their jumpers. The list goes on and on!! It really never does end does it?

Adam is off at the state poker final today. I hope he does well. He has made it to the first break so that's a good sign. Down side is I am left with the girls all day!!! No transport to go anywhere. They are behaving though (unlike the last few state finals Adam has been to).

On the UFO front. I am further through a few of my items I have on the list.

The "A Star Is Born" girls jumper now has the back fully done.

I got the baby jumper that wasnt on list but I started up to needing just the sleeves done (and then the collar).

Oooh a dear friend of mine decided my yarn diet needed to be ruined more. I got an sms (text message) from her earlier this week. Telling me about this HUGE yarn sale on up in her state. She tempted me with colours and prices and I was weak..WEAK I tell you!!! Soooo it ends up I have 75 balls of pure wool on the way (in 4 colours)...And at a great bargain price of about 77c a ball (including dividing up postage costs)!! Its in the mail. And I am soooo looking forward to getting it. Now I just need to grow another 2 sets of arms so I can get through HALF of the yarn I have in my stash and half my list of things I want to knit! Not even sure if this new wool is going to fit in the new yarn box I got..lol

No piccies today. Though I do need to take pics of a hat I finished. My aim today is to get the Handwarmer I have on the needles done (got one fully knitted one to go) or maybe work on the ordered socks I NEED to get finished..That might be a good idea too!! Tomorrow I will start the ordered jumper by Demz.

Hope you all have a great weekend!! Happy Knitting!!!!!!!!!!

Katt

i have good reason!

2008-07-15T12:58:00.006+10:00

I'm alive but only just I swear! I have a cold though. And feel a little like crap but apart from that I am alive!!

Rachelle turned 6 on Sunday. My baby is a big girl!!! We had her birthday party on Saturday. It was a shared party with Little Miss 6 (Cathys Daughter). And on Sunday we went around to their house and had dinner. The girls (and Cathy's grandson who was there) had a great time. And the food was YUM!!

I have been busy though. I finished another item on the UFO list. It's Rachelle's Vintage Hues jumper. She LOVES it and wanted to wear it to her birthday party (which she did). Harley decided SHE wanted one to wear to the party TO though..Sooooo with FOUR days til the birthday party on Saturday, I cast on and moved my butt making Harley a Vintage Hues jumper as well. Below are the finished products (yes I made it..finished it up Friday night).

Rachelle in her blue and orange Vintage Hues Jumper

Harley in her bright coloured Vintage Hues Jumper

Both girls really love their jumpers (which I am very glad about). As I was knitting up Harley's jumper at Demz place she fell in love with how it was looking and put an order in for one for her daughter. So I have to cast that on real soon.

The UFO list WOULD be down to 4 items now..If it was for the fact I cast on another item in some newly dyed yarn by me...I am almost half way through that too..But no pics!!

I have some wool to list on the shop today too. Gotta get that stocked up more the sock wool is dropping down an bit. I also have to dye up some more wool to sell at some point.

I am glad I made it with all my ordered wool and sold them off to the people who ordered them (ordered wool, my wool and some for the shop ended up being a day of 2kg dyeing!!).

I had to buy a new tub for storing my wool in yesterday cos it had been getting out of hand and I was having zip lock bags sitting up everywhere with no room in the big plastic tubs I have. So another 120L tub and all wool away now. The stack is well taller then me now. I haven't got them all on top of each other the moment if I did I would need Adam's help (and i am not short people!! I am average woman's height 165cm or 5foot 5inches). Can everyone say "yarn diet"?

Okies I have to get ready to go out to a meeting. Thought I better drop a line and let you all know I hadn't fallen off the face of the earth just been super busy with knitting, parties and being sick...Take care!!

Happy knitting

Katt

churning them out

2008-07-02T14:28:00.010+10:00

Well I am churning through my UFO list!! I have finished another 2 items off it bringing it down from the original shameful 9 to a much better 5.

Even those 5 left to do 3 of them I have worked on heaps and gotten them closer to being finished. The two items I have not touched since starting this grand UFO attack have been the Cable and Ribbed jumper (just the sleeves) and the Girls A Star Is Born jumper. (still only a little on the back done).

So lets look at the old UFO list then the cleaned up NEW UFO list.

OLD LIST

ordered beanie (almost up to the shaping then its done)

fetching handwarmers (just the thumbs to be done on both)
baby brim hat to match pants for sale (up to the shaping)
ordered 8ply socks (onto foot of first one)
cable and rib jumper (just needs both sleeves and seaming and collar)
charity scarf (only about 1/3 of the way through)
raglan child jumper (doing the body which is in the round only about 1/3 of the way up)
childs vest (not far through this at all also doing in the round)
girls verson of the Star is Born jumper (part way up back)

NEW LIST

Order 8ply socks (1 complete 1 to go)
cable and rib jumper (just needs both sleeves and seaming and collar)
raglan child jumper (just the sleeves sew them in and collar to go)
childs vest (just finish front/back shaping for armholes, do armhole edge and do the hood)
girls verson of the Star is Born jumper (part way up back)

So I am half way through the Vest and two of the three jumpers, i am also half way through the socks. Feeling MUCH better about the list now. 5 is much more appealing moreso when the things on them are all almost half done.

I am really glad to get the charity scarf finished. Its a weight off my mind for many reasons (one being I HATE knitting scarves).

Little hat to match denim tweed baby pants for sale in the shop.

Above is the lil she devil hat I made for two of my poker friends little baby to be (later this year she is born). I really hope they like it.. Its going to be a total surprise for them both (as well as the little things I have bought and sent as well).

I havent been feeling 100% since last night. Hoping its nothing but guess I will wait it out

Last week I went out 2 nights in a row (ok so one was just to a friends place while Adam was off playing poker) Thursday we actually used a baby sitter and Adam and I went out alone without the girls!!! it was going. Going to do it again this Friday.

My blog and net connection are still being right buggers. And it seems its also disconnecting the desktop computer too. SIGH...Wonder why its doing this?

Okies that was a bit more of an update for you..Now off to put these things in Rav and then list some things in the shop to sell :)

Happy knitting!!

Katt

Shrinking!!!

2008-06-29T15:13:00.009+10:00

It would seem that Blog and Laptop are struggling to be friends again!! This is the first time in several days I have been able to get INTO my blog so i could do a post without the whole thing disconnecting me from the internet (and its only my blog and one friends facebook page that seems to do it).

I have also finished two items from THE LIST!!!! Below are two things that an online friend ordered from me to gift her best friend. She paid for the cost of the bamboo/cotton and postage only. I was only to happy to knit them up for her :)

The lovely Fetching handwarmers with matching Fetching hat. I love this bamboo/cotton, its so soft and lovely. The friend's friend is allergic to wool so this is perfect to have something lush that is more then just old cotton.

So the LIST is down to 7 things now. This week I have plans to finish the charity scarf (it needs to be done by Saturday), and fingers crossed the ordered socks I have to do (aiming to get the first sock finished today).

I also cast on something new during the week but that is almost fully complete. Its a lil she devil hat for poker friends who bought the baby socks from my Etsy shop (its a married couple I play with expecting their little girl end of this year). Its being done in HOT PINK and I only have the horns to go and its done!! :)

I need to spend more time churning through my UFOs because I have an itching to cast on new things!!! I also have an itching to pull out my sewing machine and sew things, but I have to wait til tax comes back so I can buy myself an overlocker.

Okies off to knit! its perfect knitting weather..so cold and cloudy!

Happy Knitting

Katt

when UFO's attack

2008-06-20T15:07:00.003+10:00

was talking to a ravelry friend (hi Jen!!) when i listed my UFOs i have on at the moment, she told me hers..which reminded of MORE i had forgotten and i worked out somehow...my UFOs had become a problem again.

So in an act of public shaming to make me get through them and only start new ones if they are orders i shall list them below.

ordered beanie (almost up to the shaping then its done)
fetching handwarmers (just the thumbs to be done on both)
baby brim hat to match pants for sale (up to the shaping)
ordered 8ply socks (onto foot of first one)
cabe and rib jumper (just needs both sleeves and seaming)
charity scarf (only about 1/3 of the way through)
raglan child jumper (doing the body which is in the round only about 1/3 of the way up)
childs vest (not far through this at all also doing in the round)
girls verson of the Star is Born jumper (part way up back)

ok there is the list of my shame on public display for all to see now..NINE things on the go at once!! apart from the cable and rib jumper all of them have been worked on in the past week.

ok so now to make me feel better can people please list their UFOs so hopefully someone has as many on the go as me and i dont feel as bad!! lol

spotlight in australia this past week had Cleckheaton Vintage Hues for half price. i have been eyeing off this lovely yarn but not interested in paying the price for a ball for awhile. so when it came up half price i went nuts and bought a heap (by heap please read almost 50balls of it) in 3 different colours. the raglan jumper i am knitting is being done in the vintage hues blue/orange colourway. so far i am loving it and i havent even finished the first ball (though only a few rounds away from doing that)!!

finally sold a sock pattern on etsy!!! yaaaaaaaaaay!! hoping its the first of many many pattern sales.

no pics again today folks, digi batteries are flat! hope everyone has a great weekend!!

happy knitting

Katt

Oh how I wish to go down with the Sun *

2008-06-13T12:51:00.006+10:00

Knitting has been slow here, too many late nights and far from enough energy. But I have been doing some here and there where I find the time/energy.

Tomorrow is WWKIP day (World Wide Knit In Public). The Launceston branch of Ravelry are meeting outside the Inveresk Museum. Starts at about 10:30am if anyone in Tassie is up near my end of the world to make it there =)

I ripped back the little beanie I was working on with left over blue from the A Star is Born because I have other plans for that blue. Hoping once orders are taken care of I can get back to knitting for the shop and I am itching to do some non-shop knitting too!!

Bamboo/Cotton. Divinely soft.

Katia 100% Merino. Soooo soft!!

Wool/Acylic/Nylon blend. Smooshy and soft.

Happy knitting all and have a great weekend!!!!

Katt

*lines from a fantastic song by a Finnish band, one of my fave songs at the moment.

Oooops I Did It Again

2008-06-07T16:59:00.007+10:00

Those who know me well know my rather large...erm...sock stash..64 adult pair of socks and 7 childrens pair..

WEEEEEEELL after a trip to an Aussie internet site that sells sock wool and was having a free delivery anywhere in Aus for all of May..i am now the owner of another 3 pair of adult socks...so that brings the total up to 67 adult pair and 7 children....sheesh...I think I have a problem...

My panda cotton..which is cotton/bamboo/elastic nylon.. yummy

my maizy which is corn/elastic nylon earthy colours

and my FAVE!! Panda wool which is wool/bamboo/nylon is metallic like colours

I am so in love with these yarns!! I plan on using the Panda wool to make myself some handwarmers I think, my pattern, its too gorgeous for feet!!!

I am dying to cast on something in them!!! But I have to be good and fill all my orders before I can cast on anything else.. MUST BE GOOD GIRL!!!

I have heaps of wool dyeing orders to fill too..down side? Having to buy more YARN first! YIKES they all jumped on me at once in a big surprise!! So once wool comes in (I have ordered it earlier this week) I have to get moving and get dyeing.

Winter has hit here for sure. Its getting so nice and cold. For me to hear yesterday from my dear finnish friend that he had 32 degrees (C) in Helsinki and felt like he was melting.. Poor guy, not sure if they are use to it being THAT hot there so early in summer.

Okies I am off to work on my orders! Happy knitting all and have a great weekend!!

Katt

a star is born

2008-05-30T22:32:00.008+10:00

Ok so those promised pics will follow on this post!

I have finished up 3 things for the eshop (2 are already listed all three are now in my ravelry).

Its good to have several things finished up but I have a million and one things I still need to do! I have orders coming out my ears for both wool and knitwear (though none through the etsy shop!).

Okies to the piccies! Firstly we will start with the baby socks (3-6mths) in my new colourway (Pink Grapefruit). I plan on dyeing up some of this soon to sell :)

I love this new colourway :) and I have enough of the little ball of wool I dyed to make another little pair of socks to sell too!!

Next up is the camo chunky beanie that I finished at knitting group Tuesday. I sold one of these in shop late last year.

And lastly what I finished up tonight. I started this almost 3 weeks ago on a Saturday, I needed something easy to carry to the ravelry knitting group I was going to so I started this. Tomorrow we are having second get together of the ravelry knitting group so I want to take this to show all. And YES the aqua is meant to be marbled looking. Thats how I dyed it :)

Toddler size 1-2 raglan star jumper.

Okies that is all three things to show off to you :) Will have to take better piccies before listing that jumper they are all from artifical lighting tonight using camera flash so the burgundy isnt as dark and the star is a little darker..lol

Happy knitting all and have a great weekend!!

Katt

I'm back...

2008-05-25T13:02:00.004+10:00

Hi guys and dolls!! i am back! Been awhile but still alive and kicking (and knitting)...

Been working on a few projects of late.

Did some test knitting for the lovely Fuzzy Mitten. Her farm yard animals pattern is cute :)

Also slowly working my way through a chunky beanie (I can knock these off in one day dont know why I am taking so long!!)..

Started the star on the front of the jumper I am designing/doing for the shop..once front is done I just have seaming and collar then its finished.

Also have dyed up some small lots of sock wool to do baby ankle socks for the shop (first one almost finished and loving it in new colourway!!).

Sold some wool on Kattwings. Have to dye up more (including new colourway).

Have put a request in for a new banner over on Kattwings. I want to change the name the shop has over to the name it SHOULD have (being Kattwings). I have a few offers I like. Going to look into them a little more then accept one.

I have several more things I need to list. Including some baby knitwear, some sock wool and some more earrings! Just getting time to do it around everything else.

I had hit a mini knitting wall where what I HAD to do I didnt want to which meant that I lost little interest in it all. BUT that demand knitting is now done so I can get back to things I WANT to knit!!

My friend in Holland got his socks (and other things in his birthday parcel) exactly a week after i sent it (damn that was fast!!)...And he LOVES THEM and even better they fit!! I am so happy that he likes the socks! I got a sms (text message) on my mobile from him telling me he had warm feet in blue socks :)

My best friend is going through minor marriage hell at the moment :( Having to help her with that as much as I can. Never fun. I am really lucky to have Adam. He is a gem (even if his mother is the devil). I wouldnt trade him in for anyone (though I might for a whole house full of Katia 100% Merino...but thats a different story).

Anyways folks :) I am going to finish up this baby sock so I can cast on its partner!

Happy knitting all!!

Katt
(p.s. piccies next time ok?)

THEY ARE DONE!!

2008-05-14T21:07:00.005+10:00

The birthday socks are DONE!!! And by the deadline of his birthday tomorrow..Downside..well... he lives in netherlands!! They arent going to get to him for 2 weeks once I get them in the mail tomorrow.

They are ribbed topped (they will fit..I have made Adam pairs this size before and they fit his feet) with ribbing top of the foot and st st on the bottom.

But he knew they would be late, I did tell him that..But my deadline of getting them done by his birthday I achieved :)

So here is a crappy piccie taken for you (with my mobile, the batteries in the digi are dead). I hope he likes them..

So now I can get back to the little jumper I was working on (doing the sleeve decrease now then just the front to do).

I dyed up some wool the other day for the shop and for an order. So once I get those all pretty I have those (skeins) and some knits to list for sale. Will show them off to you all as well of course!

Okies..am off now. Happy knitting all and take care

Katt

So you knit hey??

2008-05-12T09:58:00.008+10:00

Well the list has changed and been reshaped. I have been kicking the butt of knitting of late..

So lets have a look at the knitting list and then the new knitting list shall we?

St St adult socks 100% ripped back (I was never going to get back to this..so had to be honest with myself..)
Ribbed socks 1 sock fully done second sock 1/3 done
Cable and ribbed child jumper 1/2 done
Baby hat for shop (surprise design) fully done

Ok..that was the list..now clean it up and add the new things to it shall we?

Cable and ribbed child jumper 1/2 done
Ribbed socks 1 sock fully done second sock 1/3 done
Raglan jumper for shop 1/4 done

I have also knitted fully a childs beanie (listed for sale on shop already will include one piccie here for you..more in shop)..and a chunky adults beanie that I am yet to take piccies of to list on the shop :)

That is the childs beanie I have recently done for the shop. Rachelle loves it and wants one for herself (what 5yo wouldnt?).

I hope everyone had a great mothers day! Be it mother of furry or furless children :)

My blog has been giving me hell..Until today if I tired getting on my blog (just loading up the page) it would disconnect not just the laptop but the desktop from the internet!! It did that for the past 2 days but today seems ok. Silly thing.

I have been selling things in the shop too :) am happy that Aussies are buying through me for their winter needs for wool and knitwear. I also have gotten an order or two for my wool of late too which is making me happy. I hope through ravelry I will come across some of the lovely things my wool has been knitted into :) latest order is some sockweight wool to be used as a shawl! I am betting its going to look gorgeous!!!

I am also tossing together some ideas on some deals/sales for the shop. I have one up now for earrings (if you have been eyeing of a few pair of my earrings get in now for a great deal!!). And have one or two in mind for wool and knits too. Just have to think it over some more and find the best way to give best deals to my buyers without putting myself out of pocket...

Okies my dears. I will catch you all later!

Happy knitting

Katt

And now for some pictures!

2008-05-06T16:09:00.010+10:00

Okies so I got some of the list finished!! yay.. what you actuall want to know what and see pics?? ooh you demanding people you :)

Ok so to please you all...first the list.

St St adult socks 1/4 done
Ribbed socks 1/2 done
Baby pants 6-12mths FULLY DONE (pics to follow)
Cable and ribbed child jumper 1/2 done
Baby hat for shop (surprise design) 2/3 done

Baby earflap hat for shop FULLY DONE (pics to follow)

Also got piccies of the ordered earflap hat that went with the other 2 hats (which is winging its way to its new home)..I hope the buyer likes them all.

I have much more I want to knit but I am so glad to get a heap of things finished over the weekend. My list has been cut down by 2 items, I have very little left to do on a third.

I really need to get back to the sock and get it finished (the ribbed one) all this other finishing up has been great but its really jus putting off that damn sock which is a birthday present so I REALLY need to get it done.

the ordered hat. i like this might make a few more for the shop

earflap hat for the shop. size 6-18mths. the matchin pants are below.

baby pants size 6-12mths will be for sale soon in my shop :)

Okies folks..there are some piccies for you for the day. the real colour of the matching hat and pants set is in the distant shot of the pants.

Happy knitting all

Katt

its rainging, its pouring

2008-05-02T12:33:00.003+10:00

My lovely rain has arrived!! I love rain (as long as its not flash flood rain)...

Knitting is progressing well! Though the list has changed a bit (well..been added too..evil startitis).

Ribbed socks 1/2 done
St St adult socks 1/4 done
Baby pants 6-12mths 1/3 done
Cable and ribbed child jumper 1/2 done
Baby hat for shop (surprise design) 2/3 done
Baby hat for shop (yet to decided on finished design fully) 3/4 done

I have also finished the ordered earflap hat that finishes up my whole order for someone. Just have to take a good piccie of it and get it in the mail :)

Adam the bugger has given me his cold he has I think. Either that or I just have a slightly sore throat for my own amusement! Hoping it doesnt turn into full cold, will slow my knitting down.

Needing to dye up some more sock wool for the shop too. And get a good day to take more piccies of the earrings I have waiting to list. Need to work the necklaces out and bracelets and get pics of them and get them listed too. I need more time in my day..and like..an hour of nice weather for pics then I should be right for a little longer.

I have had a few more sales on the shop though which is good. And a happy customer who got her earrings yesterday :) Just hope all the wool I have sent out i the past 2 weeks made it there safely too..Havent heard otherwise so assume it has.

Thats all for today :) a little catch up for you all.. Going to go eat my lunch now and have a coffee. Hopefully there will be piccies next time for you all.

Happy knitting

Katt