Titirangi Markets

At 3 months old my blog is already getting worryingly behind in newsy stuff! Today's mantra is I must update more regularly but I'm having camera/PC relationship problems.

Since I last wrote I've been to Fiji for a week - knitting and reading in the sun on banana lounger. Very relaxing but I didn't get as much knitting done as I thought - too many distractions like cocktail hour, sunscreen application and eyelid study!

I started 2 new bag designs for the stall in Fiji and am sewing up the lining this week. Knitting Daily had great ideas on lining knitted bags and I'm trying these out this time.

Over lunchhours, morning teatimes and any moment I'm easily distracted I have reverted back to studying the wonderful crafty blogs around the world. Heather Bailey has yummy stuff, the colours and patterns I want to marry. I've made up a few of her Bitty Booties over the last 2 weeks which were really fun and quick gifts. I'll give some to a friend at her baby shower this weekend and some are going with Captain M to her new nephew.

I'm getting through my large mish-mash of unfinished projects. 2 x scarfs for Captain M. I've used an acrylic/poly sparkley red wool for the first scarf and knitting in basket stitch. It's really pretty which will suit Captain M but it's pilling!!! So I'm tempted to change it into a neck wrap with a massive black button. The second scarf is using this almost suede-like yarn - like the first I picked it for colours. It's not knitting up very well and I'm tempted to mix it with another textured wool, add beads or try another stitch.

When I went to the Papakura Knit-Out last month this woman was showing a wonderful idea for recycled knitting. A scrooge at the best of times and try-hard/mainly fail eco-girl I love this idea of knitting plastic bags and old t-shirts. So I had a go with the T-shirts aiming to make a bathmat. It turned out well but was very hard to knit - I actually got arm ache after every 10 rows!! So I think next time I will try much larger needles - like 25mm instead of 15mm. I also bought T-shirt tubing from the fabric store - my old T-shirts were not great colours!! So much for recycling :)

I was invited to a 'K' party last month and spent many moments pondering Kermit, KGB, Kylie & even KKK! Eventually I agreed on 'knocked-up' with KAD - but then she piked on me once we found out single men had been invited!! So I ended up going as a mad knitter which everyone loved but I felt like I was going in everyday persona - they just don't understand me!!!!

I had the best Sunday yesterday. I spent the morning with LW in Titirangi markets - such a great market with piles of bargins and gorgeous expensive handicrafts. LW and I had magpie-eyes that day with all the jewellery tables and a couple of good bargins were had. I would love to get into this market but it's very hard to get a stall, you are basically waiting for a cancellation on the day. Titirangi is a lovely area and I'm looking forward to living out that way once we find a house to buy. And the day didn't end there as I went to Knit Rangers yesterday which was just what I've been looking for - a group of crafters willing to sit in public and yarn! Ladies it was lovely to join you and I'm looking forward to next time already. The final good point of the day was Captain M cooking a big, big lamb roast!