Birthday Yarn

Today I turned 34, so to celebrate my birthday I decided to take a trip to Guyra which is about 30 minutes north west from where I live. Why Guyra? Heres why...

This huge wool shed marks the entrance to the town of Guyra, love the look of it! Anyway, situated in Guyra is a lovely wool shop called Black Sheep Wool 'n' Wares, the sole reason for my visit! So after much browsing and umming and arring I ended up buying a garments worth of Debbie Bliss Prima yarn, which is 80% Bamboo and 20% Merino.....

I'm not sure what I will make yet, but I've had fun this afternoon playing around with different stitch patterns, this one I particularly like...

All in all a perfect way to spend my birthday!

Catch Up

I'm amazed at how long its been between posts, life has been so busy with work, family visits and Paul graduation (now officially a Doctor yay!). So now things have quietened down a bit Ive finally got around to taking a few pictures of the patterns I love from the Japanese knitting/crochet book (てあみニットはる・なつ―そでつけなしのくつろぎ服 (Let’s Knit series), Isbn 9784529046787) that I mentioned in the previous post......

...there are so many cute patterns, not sure were to start!

On the project front, I have been mainly working on my Whisper Cardigan (Ravelry link), by Hannah Fettig. I'm now ready to start the short rows and finish off the bottom of the cardigan...

Its a great pattern and very cleaver construction, and as always I love working with the Malabrigo yarn....

I have also cast on for the Featherweight Cardigan, another of Hannah Fettig patterns, Im making this one for my Mum.



On the crochet front, I have started the Hexagon Blanket and have been having heaps of fun crocheting hexagons out of the Morris Yarn Paddington which I brought when I was in Sydney. I love the colours available for this yarn and am really enjoying playing with different colour combinations...

...and yes I am deliberately showing off my new Ravelry bag which arrived in the mail a few weeks ago.

I have been meaning to buy a project bag from Ravelry for some time, I was so happy when I turned the parcel over and saw this sticker on the back...

I even cut it out and kept it:)

And last but not least, I finally joined the NSW Knitters Guild, I have been meaning to for ages but since you cant pay online I kept putting it off.

Cant wait to check out their library!

FO: Aestlight

Pattern: Aestlight Shawl by Gudrun Johnston
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock (1 Skein- colourway Rayon Vert)
Needle Size: 4mm


I finished my Aestlight a little while ago but have only just got around to taking some pictures. I was knitting this as a mini KAL with missfee who finished her lovely Aestlight ages ago, oh well better late than never! The shawl turned out larger than I expected, considering it only requires one skein, and I love the look of the Birds Eye Lace. Such a great pattern.

Had a wonderful time visiting my parents and catching up with family, it was so nice to have a break from work and of course they spoiled me rotten. I visited Morris and Sons in Sydney and brought quite a few balls of their brand yarn called Paddington, which is a 6 ply 80% Bamboo 20% Merino bend. I also visited Kinokuniya and brought these books....

isbn 9784834726503


isbn 9784529046787

...the second book has some very cute knitted cardigans which I will take pictures of and put them in my next post.

My parents live near Bowal, so I was lucky enough to visit Wool Addiction, a very cute yarn shop (I didn't take pics!!!!). It is actually a house with four rooms full of yarns and patterns, certainly worth a visit if your ever down that way.

A Week of T

Last week I enjoyed a visit from a tea totaling gnome named Sir Earl, who is traveling the country with a whole heap of tea and other goodies (Travelling Tea Box....its a Ravelry link).


So I decided to make a couple of tea mats to send along with Sir Earl.....

Pattern: Tea mat and Coasters (Free PDF)by Etsuko Taniuchi (谷内悦子)
Yarn: Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Solids
Hook Size: 4mm

...as well as a couple of Tawashi

Pattern: Amikomo 3-28 Flower Tawashi A by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd) (Free PDF)
Yarn: Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Solids and Lion Brand Cotton-Ease.
Hook Size: 3.75 mm.

I have also been busy dyeing yarn and have just finished the Aestlight shawl (no pics just yet its still blocking).

I'm traveling south tomorrow, have an early flight to Sydney to visit my parents who live in the Southern Highlands area. I'm meeting up with my Mum in Sydney to have a leisurely day of shopping which MUST include a visit to kinokuniya and Morris and Sons (of course!). Cant wait:)

Cowl Swap

Last week I received a lovely parcel from Christabel as a part of the Cowl Swap over on ravelry...


The pattern is one of her own called 'Cupcake Cowl' which she will be releasing soon. I love the crochet brooch, such a cute package! The yarn is so soft and I love the colour. Thank you once again Christabel xx

I sent my cowl off as well to Emily...

Pattern: Thermis by Kris Knits
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted (Colourway Bobby Blue)
Needle size: 4mm
Notions: 2 vintage buttons

Anyway Im still getting over this awful cold, which I passed on to Paul who is at home sick as well. One good thing is that I have done a fair bit of knitting and even some crochet, will post pics soon. Hope your all well!

Spring Colour

I'm in bed with a nasty head cold, so to stave off boredom Ive been playing around with these pictures which I took last week. I so glad its almost spring!

FO: #11 Forestry (Old Penny Cardigan)

Pattern: #11 Forestry (Old Penny Cardigan) by Veronik Avery fromVogue Knitting, Fall 2008
Size: Small
Yarn: Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed (Colourway 879, 7 skeins)
Needle Size: 3.5mm and 4mm
Pattern Alterations: I knitted this cardigan in one piece so there was no seaming except for the underarms which I grafted together once the cardigan was completed. As mentioned on Ravelry, the collar instructions for this pattern are wrong so I followed the advise given by others and had no problems (thank heavens for Ravelry!). I also increased the number of short rows for the collar (another great piece of advise found on Ravelry) and added a button band which I preferred to the recommended sew on clasps.

I'm very happy with my new Cardigan which is so nice and warm!