THE VERY FIRST CARDI

.... that might almost work out.

So I'm doing this plain cardi but I've changed yarns completely. I dropped my needle size down 1cm but still couldn't reach gauge so after reading the pattern through I decided I would just recalculate the pattern taking into account that my gauge is 0.5cm/3 st longer and 1cm/6 st wider.

If my gauge had just been longer then you can easily substitute the pattern where is calls for knitting X rows to measure Xcm - ie you just knit to the Xcm keeping count of the rows so you make sure the other pieces fit. This and working the smallest size has worked for the front and back pieces - although admittedly the armpit is probably going to fall forward a little.

All this was great logic until I hit the sleeves and in particular the shaping of the shoulder to meet the back/front pieces. I am knitting both sleeves at once so I can copy identical "re-calculations". My problem now is that I'm likely to not decrease enough - ending with a long, round shoulder.

Readers I have no answers yet and whilst you may fear this will be a long WIP resulting in final frogging, even though I've got effectively 10cm to go - it shall be finished! Even if I can get to the point of pinning it to see how badly it fits - actually to be honest I already have another project lined up for the yarn from the DK Smoothie book!!

And not sure how many have been using DK Smoothie but I spent ages re-adjusting how I hold my yarn and needles as I kept getting this weird pattern - left side of stitch is a long, skinny line and the right side is normal - like half a heart or an odd rib?

Luckily Rae went down to Mascoes keen to try some DK Smoothie and found out this happens for a lot of knitters - something to do with how it's spun. Ah a taste of normality in my knitting!

Knitting Fearlessly

I bet Kirstie at KR ages ago that I would knit an adult project. Well after 1 failed shrug attempt I cast on over the holidays for a cardi. This cardi. And I'm actually getting it!

I'm using this Panda pattern book (pictured below) which has some pretty patterns (I'm already thinking of the shrug) but I hate the yarn - Starshine - I made a scarf for Capt Mich last year and it pills badly.

So I am trying Patons DK Smoothie - OMG love it, want to marry it! I'm very excited to say I am just finishing the sleeves before a preliminary stitch-up but will need to write another post with photos to show some of the problems I'm coming up against - let's just say GAUGE people!! GAUGE!

But in the meantime I shall rejoice in my fearless knitting of one adult project. You know, it doesn't even seem that hard to follow a pattern for once!!

Zucchini Eats Cat

Never leave a zucchini plant alone for 10 days ....

Thank goodness we left PJ in the cattery, it might have eaten her too ...

Actually I think she's coming round to her new vege brother, Zak the Zuc ...

Did I mention the beans? Where's Jack?

My 2009 Holiday

Sounds like a school project! Well I've been trying to get round to telling you about my holiday at xmas but work seems to be mad - if 2009 continues like this I'll need triple the holiday time next xmas!!

We headed over to Great Barrier Island - about 60miles out of Auckland and 25miles off the tip of the Coromandel. We stayed at CH's friend's new bach which is set way back into the bush - really remote where birdsong is the radio, fire warms the water and sun charges the lights.

We had amazing weather which meant loads of time for swimming AND body-surfing (which is my new favourite thing). I'm not a confident swimmer and in addition to the pretty rippie seas around West Auckland, over the years I've been shrinking back from the depths. Well, teach me some hand-surfing skills and I might just swap PJ for Flipper! I hadn't spent so much time in the surf since I was a teenager.

There were a few rainy days but that gave plenty of time for gingernuts (Griffins of course!), cups of tea and loads of knitting. It was so cool in the rain and cloud stocking up the fire, boiling the kettle on top and drinking cuppas all day.

There is very little on the island to spend your money on other than a few cafes, petrol station and the odd post office but a New Years Picnic market landed me with this handbag - over-priced for a second-hand leather bag but I have coveted one for ages and it's now my holiday momento.

New friends were made and some were prettier than this fellow! Lots of food and drink all week - the bach had a huge garden of fruit trees and veges (life on Barrier has to be pretty self-sufficient) so we had freshly stewed plums and rhubarb all week. And we had the freshest fish - snapper, hapuka, crayfish - I've ever had. Best hint from the fishermen - only ever wash fish in the sea. I ended up with 2 foodies all holiday which was so good - chatting endlessly of recipes, food stuffs and restuarants.

And talking about vege gardens - the best thing about going back home is seeing the state of your own vege garden. What do you do when the zucchinis are bigger than your cat!

Why Hello There '2009'

Well 2009 sashayed itself through the door with much flamboyancy and flair, and is firmly settled in now. I'm back at work, the holiday routine seems a distance memory and I'm already avoiding the current knitting WIP in favour of a new sewing project. And finding the gingerbread recipe. And ooh - that stuffed zucchini recipe.

PJ enjoyed her holiday in the cattery, returning with many accolades: "best cat", "just lovely and so friendly" and a "joy to take have" (NB. competition was 89 other felines). She also came back 1kg smaller which is healthier for her size. Wish I could say the same after my break!

I hope you all had a grand chrissie and NY, celebrating however you do with much merriment. Looking forward to another year of blogging with you folks!