one worried octopus

Another Debbie Bliss raglan sleeve jumper - this time in some random acrylic/wool mix from the odd-ball stash. I was thinking of this pressie for a little new bubba called Alec and put an teal octopus on the front. But then ..... horror of horrors...

.. when I suddenly realised I had sewn the sleeves together instead of the body side seams!!! Darn damn darn and I had done such a solid job of the stitch up there is no way those side seams were going to come apart. maybe I should have done mattress stitch afterall!

Do you think it would still fit a newborn? Maybe I could stitch the GI-gantic flared sleeves into position.... oh dear concentration levels at all time low.

New batch this week

I'm thinking about cooking up a new batch of muesli this week. The last batch was coconut & apricot but it was a bit dry and I've started reading all this talk of sulfites and dried apricots so am looking for another flavor. I'm thinking of cranberry and walnut and maybe a little less bran than last time. Any combo ideas out there for my fruit and nut?

And action!

This was one night well spent - I borrowed Helen's "reeeling machine" aka swift and powered through my hank stash.

While it probably took me 1/3 of the time to set it up and then pack it back into the box (I was a bit technically challenged!) but I can so understand why people spend the money they do on them - combine it with a wool winder and it makes short work of a hank. No sticking, knotting, stuck around a chair messes.

And hanks became skeins. Which at some point will become a knitting project - I'm thinking of some little twin girls who could do with a pink cardi each, and that pile of Donkey Utiku 8ply is for my mitre square blanket which is on umm, oh, it's 2nd year!!!!

Thanks Helen!

yes, occasionally I knit

While the blog seems lacking the knitting subjects it's aimed at - I have been knitting behind the scenes. Loads of babies born in September so I've been using my favourite baby pattern combo: Debbie Bliss Raglan jumper and StitchnBitch beanie. This set is for my new niece Alice, in Manukau Yarns 8ply "Charisma". I added some felt hearts for the lil' pretty thing!

And this little beanie was for the boss's son - it's in Rare Earth alpaca 12 ply yarn in Nightshade, an odd ball from the stash. I was inspired by the soon to be released Where the Wild Things Are. It ended up being a little short but still looked cute.

Go Ted you wild thing!

Let's Go Retro - a shop review

I spent a good sat morn drifting around this cool second-hand shop out West Auckland called "Let's Go Retro" - 717 Swanson Road, Swanson.

I took a lot of pictures of a billion things I wanted to buy ... like wooden pegs ...

... kitsch kiwiana table cloths ...

... amazing art deco lamps for above my dining room table ...

... lovely old jackets - look so cool with a pair of jeans ...

... any good shop has a decent button collection of course ...

So many gorgeous little handbags - I'm really keen to find a pretty one with a long strap for going out. I did end up buying a grey purse instead!

... some choice Le Creuset pots - about $75 each!! ...

and OMG these cool mini-milk bottles - mmm on the kitchen window with a pretty single stem in each.

Knitting in Waipu

I haven't been into Waipu for a long time - but a on weekend trip to Kerikeri, Lala recommended we try this place for dinner.

Now aside from the BEST pub food I've had in ages (yummy vege pizza and CH declared it the best beef burger he has had EVER) - you wouldn't believe the toilet decor:

Yip - they have wallpapered the toilets with StitchCraft magazines. Womens patterns in the ladies and blokes in the mens. SOOO cool. Lala and I spent ages checking out the very clever styles and fabo hairstyles. What a choice place!

(pictures are a bit blurry from my BB sorry folks - but you get the picture)

FO update: yip I'm wearing my FO

CH was kind enough to take some photos of my virgin cardi knit - good excuse to try out his new flash.