30th September....volume 2

This is the continuation of Spinning Group show and tell for today.

Maree was plying John's yarn, not much left to do now and the knitting can begin.

Maree also had finished a bobbin of variegated blue. I think we might see her wearing this next winter!

Nell was having trouble with the flyer on her electric wheel, creating some extra twist, but what a lovely colour blue.

And her 'spinning pinny' was a pretty flash one!

30 days hath September....volume 1

Tomorrow is the 30th of September, this month seems to have flown by. Actually, the older I get the faster time seems to be able to fly. Hopefully this is an age-related delusion!

There were other things flying at Spinning Group today and involved yarn flying onto bobbins.

Fran came with a half full (ever the optimist) bobbin of beautiful variegated pink and blue.

Before long the bobbin was almost full, and even though the colour in the photo is a little different, the colour in the unspun fibre and therefore the yarn had changed quite a bit too.

Kathy was spinning a lovely natural caramel colour blended with white alpaca.

Cute Slipper Socks and the How To's

Remember those kinky-looking slipper socks that Chris made, the ones that we all thought should have a bell on the toe? Pam brought them to the Group and now she has written the pattern for us and we have several photos to show how they are assembled. So get out the needles and start your own....

Kinky Sox Pattern as written by Pam Rule, the original designer is unknown. Pam recommends the brighter the colour the cuter they will look.
Fits approx size 7. 8ply wool and size 4mm or 5mm needles. These sox are knitted in squares!

With wool doubled cast on 28 sts for foot, and knit 48 rows. Squares should measure 6" square. For one sock knit 2 squares, for 2 socks knit 4 squares.
Cast on 14 sts for top of sock and knit 24 rows. Squares should measure 3" square. For one sock knit 3 squares, for 2 socks knit 6 squares.


Diagram 1
ASSEMBLY DIRECTIONS
*Darn in ends on each square.
*Seams are on the outside of socks.
*Use black wool doubled to sew up socks, use an extra long length so there are not too many stops and starts.

Lay 2 large squares on top of each other, measure 3" on either side and over sew one corner as in diagram 1. Do not break thread. This seam forms heel of sock.










Diagram 2
Open the 2 large squares and lay flat as in diagram 2. Now lay the 3 smaller squares on the diamond as in diagram 2. This gives you an idea of what is happening. Fold in each side of the large squares as in diagram 2. Can you see now how it is all coming together? Begin to sew in the small squares using the long thread, starting at the centre square. Work you way around the sock, sewing as you go.



















Diagram 3
Leave open top section as in diagram 3. Turn back tops.
















'You have now created an interesting pair of slipper/socks.
The original pattern states they should fit a size 7, but I find they have fitted up to size 10, but of course this depends on the knitter,' says Pam.

I can only think of how well they would do 'slides' on the polished timber floor!

Spring blossom

This is the flowering apple tree with blossom bursting out all over, and peacock resting underneath.

There is a saying that you should stop and smell the roses, but there should be a saying about stopping and enjoying the blossom. It is only here for such a short time, and it so glorious and joyful. It really is the allelujah chorus of spring!

Why, only just a week ago it was all these tight little buds, promising to be even more beautiful. Just needing a little rain and lots more sunshine.

It has to be summer's saving grace, the fresh memory of a beautiful spring day, and the blossom bursting forth.

Five Friends

We have Pez, some Tims, Bec and Lys (friends from College)
on their way to a 21st birthday party.
'Say something silly and smile' I told them, and I'll put your photo on the blog. So here it is guys, and very best wishes for end of year exams.

Lightning McScarf!

Pattern--my own.
Using 10mm needles (I only had that size in Denise needles) cast on 12 stitches and knit until the 2 balls of Moda Vera Salome yarn I found left at Spotlight last year are all gone, cast off.
Commenced Monday 22nd Sept 2008 at 2.15pm
Completed Tuesday 23rd Sept at 11am

I don't think I have ever knitted anything wearable in 24 hours before. I procrastinate, get interrupted, find something else I should be doing which has a higher priority rating (such as cooking dinner, ironing uniforms or taking up jeans--that Mum stuff) or I desperately need to finish the office work I didn't get done because I was crafting (it's almost a perk of self-employment to craft during daylight and then work into the wee hours). But here it is: the quickest knitting I have ever done, gracefully draped over my favourite basket with the lovely spring sunshine coming in the window. Nearly all the knitting was done at Spinning Group while enjoying coffee and cake to celebrate Pam and John's golden wedding anniversary. I probably won't need to wear it until next winter, unless I go to Canada again soon! It is so thick and woolly it is reminiscent of double knitting.

...or the egg?

The Silver Creek eggs: blue, khaki, brown and pink.

Georgie and James just LOVE visiting the chickens and collecting the eggs and these pictures are just for them. I think the chickens miss them, and so does Grandad; he has to collect the eggs and put the food out all by himself.

Which came first, the chicken...

The fine Silver Creek rooster with some of his ladies

Fibre Fix and the Golden Wedding Anniversary...

Maree's handspun yarn on the swift ready to be wound into a ball for knitting.

Eye candy! This is your fibre fix for this week courtesy of Maree's spinning wheel

Just in case you thought it was the pink background that made it look so luscious!

Fran is swatching, swatching, swatching.......

Today was our monthly 'something special day' for our spinning group, and we gathered at the local bakery with knitting needles, (a swift) and yarn, to enjoy a special afternoon tea. The occasion was the golden wedding anniversary of one of our own, Pam, and her husband John. Pam has decided to keep him after this test run of 50 years and we thought we should celebrate!
So....Happy Anniversary Pam and John!

Tiger and the Very Special Hat

Georgie loves Tiger, so does James, and sometimes Tiger is very, very good, sometimes he is horrid!

When they last visited Granma's World, Georgie created this very special hat for Tiger and everyday she made him a little gift, something to play with. Tiger is not really fond of wearing anything except fur, but he posed (on Georgie's bed of course) for a photo.

Just a Patchwork Friday in September

This is my WIP, red puffs from the Strawberry Jam Jar.

Pam is sewing the binding on her granddaughter's quilt

The very pretty front of the purple quilt.

Fran's tiny hexagons, 15 down only 165 to go....

Friday is sew and chat day at our local patchwork shop. With the sunny spring weather heading towards 25 degrees C it was very pleasant to sit by the window and stitch.

Riley's Hat

Riley's hat is finished! Lucky guy!
This is a great all-round pattern which fits everyone and is printed here compliments of Mareeknowscraft.

150gm approx of 8 ply (dk) knitting yarn for adult size (less for kids)
3.25mm and 4mm knitting needles, wool needle.
A. Adult size cast on 130 stitches
C. Child size cast on 120 stitches
B. Baby size cast on 100-110 stitches

Cast on required number of sts for size you want, using 3.25 mm needles.
Knit in single rib (1 plain, 1 purl) for A 20cms, C 15cms, B 10cms.
Change to 4mm needles, continue knitting in single rib until beanie measures: with the band rolled up double from your ear lobe to crown.
Commence decreasing, knit two together to end of row, purl two together until end of row, continue these last two rows until 6 - 8 sts remain.
Break off yarn leaving a 50cm tail of yarn. Thread onto wool needle, and pass through remaining stitches from knitting needle. Pull firmly to draw tightly together. Sew seam with remaining tail.
Remember to swap sides when you get to needle change place to allow your seam to be on the inside when you double roll back the band.
Finish with a pom pom, tassle or button if desired.

Show and Tell

This is what was happening at our Group this week.

Photo 1 shows Chris' slippers to keep her feet warm round the house. They are made from 6 squares. We all think that a bell on the toe would be a cute addition!

Photo 2 shows the lovely bobbin full of spun alpaca on Kathy's wheel.

Photo 3 is a good example of how diverse crafters can be. Maree had been at work but she managed to call in when she finished and was able to bring her wonderful scrappy shell quilt top which is growing bigger by the week as she spends a little time adding to it.

My apologies for not being able to show the lovely colours on Fran's bobbin, but I mustn't have had my glasses on straight as the photo is quite out of focus. I'll try again next week so that you don't miss out on those beautiful colours.

John's yarn plied and washed

This is the resulting yarn for John, all skeined up and washed and dried on the niddy noddy. Maree has been busy doing the plying.It will now be off to Conny to knit.

John's yarn

This lovely fibre is from my absolute favourite supplier, First Edition Fibre & Yarn of Euroa, Vic. Our spinning group has been dealing with them for what must be coming up to 20 years now, covering name changes, floods, recessions and droughts. They are still producing wonderful fibre. Maree and I are spinning this yarn for Conny to knit into a sweater for John, one of the partners from FEFY.

The little man's jumper

Isn't he just cute as?

Granma actually does get some things finished, not that they are always on time, and this knitted jumper is a little late in the season. Better start on next winter's now, this little guy does some serious growing. I love these collars, and I think it looks very manly. I have joked that the wool comes with its own pre-made dirty spots just for kids!!