Nappy Network Knitters

A-pirating we go!

2008-08-31T22:27:00.001+12:00

Cross post from my blog sorry but I wanna get this thing back up and running!

Some skull and cross bones longies made from my all time favourite knitted baby pants pattern. My first attempt at duplicate stitch. Holy crap it is easy. Advice though, don't try and make the design up as you go along or you end up with some deformed ass bones. Ah well. They'll do.

The front of the pants is rather boringly plain. I'd like to pretend I wanted them that way but reeeeally I wanted stripes. Unfortunately I forgot my white yarn when I started the pants up in Auckland. When I got home I found the frigging yarn in my bag. Most unimpressed.

Awwww and look who the little longies are heading to! Ain't he cute? That's Charlie. I luff him. Coolest baby in the world.

2007-12-20T07:52:00.000+13:00

I had almost finished the embroidery on this soft toy (Happy Critters pattern I printed from *somewhere*) when DS stole it. He has decided that kitty is a puppet and I have given in... I'll add the whiskers one night after he's tucked up in bed, and knit another for my "new baby gifts" I'm trying to get stashed away while I still have time.

Must be nesting

2007-12-10T08:26:00.000+13:00

It must be the nesting bug, I normally leave projects "almost finished" for weeks and here are two projects both finished in the same fortnight, neither of which were urgent... But hey I'd rather knit than clean - what can you say?

On the left we have the minisweater from oneskienwonders (off the website) I'm contemplating ordering in the book/s, I'm thinking they would be good projects for presents, and a good way to get through both Mum's stash of odd balls and a good excuse for rumaging through the end of batch baskets at our local wool shops. The sweater is a little small in length for my liking (probibly because I adapted the pattern from 6.5mm needles down to 6mm) so I might redo the bottom and add a couple more rows...

On the right is a very plain beanie out of inca (using up a left over ball from the poncho I made a few months ago for DS) I didn't have a pattern for using inca so I had to guesstimate it (I've only made one before) based on the pattern I had for zoomy, the first attempt was too small so much to the shock of our guests I unravlled and started from scratch. It was definitely worth it though, DS keeps picking it up and putting it on, and yesterday when he was tired was cuddling it like a blankie.

Now I'm starting some little toys for the abundance of babies that will be due the same time as ours... I figure we will be a bit tight on time and money when baby is due so I might as well get some pressies put asside now! Oh yes and a little knititng for baby although not too much as my Mum and Nana are super-knitters (although I get to do all the circular knitting as they are both scared of DPN"s and Circ's)

Superstar soaker

2007-11-14T12:03:00.000+13:00

In the weekend I finished this soaker for DD, its the punk knitters pattern with kool-aid dyed yarn. More details on my blog:

Way Better Than Magic Mushrooms

2007-09-05T23:29:00.000+12:00

well, i have been a member here from the beginning, and I have commented on other posts, but I realise today I have yet to make a real post on this blog. So here I am :) Back on topic, so what is better? Not that I am qualified to make that comparison seeing as I won't even be able to recognise magic mushroom if i see/smell it - really. It just sounded like it might make for a captivating title. So take it from a self proclaimed nana, if you knit, when you realise how easy it is to do Magic Loop (don't know how to do the cool link thing so you can just click on the words Magic Loop and be transported to the link, so here it is http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/mloop.html ) seriously, you'll experience an exhilirating high. Thank you so much Flower for showing me this technique - now i will be on the look out for all those 80-100cm circular needles in the thrift shops i use to see but never dreamed I'd actually find any use for.

Here is a snapshot of Magic Loop in action.

Go the AB's!!

2007-06-14T14:04:00.000+12:00

I realised I havent posted on here for ages :) So thought I would find something I haven't posted on TNN for this blog
Here is an All Blacks jeresy I knitted for a friends 6mth old. Thanks to JJJ for lending me the jumper pattern. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out in the end, especially the number on the back which I worked out myself from much smaller charts I have. It was a bit of planning to get it centred and sized right but I think it looks pretty neat. Apparently little Gus likes it a lot! :)
~Gabes~'

2007-05-01T10:34:00.000+12:00

Oops...this was supposed to be on my own blog...oops.

2007-04-25T17:39:00.000+12:00

I knitted this from a Patons pattern which does 5, 8 or 12 ply in basic patterns for children. It's in a merino/possum blend and although it's not overly fluffy it is divinely soft! This was in size 6, and I'm now working on size 4 using the round neck pattern for youngest which will use my stash of this wool.
I'm really getting into this knitting thing, even considering getting a book to help me learn cables and lace patterns

All about Simple Baby Knits

2007-04-08T16:44:00.000+12:00

I've been lucky enough to borrow Erica Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies from Claire. I've found the sizing to be teeny tiny though.

Garter Stitch Wrap Top in Cleakheaton's 4ply Cocoon

Classic Sweater in Paton's Bluebell 5ply (which I only bought because the Cocoon hadn't come out yet)

possum / merino shorties

2007-03-05T21:50:00.000+13:00

I finished these today and was rather pleased with them ... hope they are the right size unlike the last pair of shorts I sent which are going to be longies for a few seasons yet!!!

Small and Fiddly but oh so fast.....

2007-01-27T12:50:00.000+13:00

For a NNer's neice as my part of a swap. Nice and quick but a bit fiddly to sew up (never my favourite part). A fab way to use up the leftovers. These are from some ancient pattern books my Mum had (they have pictures of a Farrah Fawcett doll!). Have a few more to do yet but need to get on with some other things so will take a breather from this project for awhile.

Summer Bikini
Winter Accessories
Chunky knit sweater and skirt

Suede04

2007-01-25T12:54:00.001+13:00

Suede04
Originally uploaded by KiwiWonder.

The suede shawl is done! (see my list of 2007 projects :-D ) It's a gift for a friend in Texas, though I think it suits me well. :)

2007-01-21T23:45:00.000+13:00

2007 Knitting Project List

Finish pink triangular shawl (a gift for a friend)
Finish brown / cream baby blanket
Longies for Beck's DD
Finish scarf (Wavy from Knitty)
Socks for myself (first pair!)
Socks for DH (assuming all goes well with mine ;-)
Dress for DD (probably the same one as I did for my SS gift, but possibly a Debbie Bliss Pattern)
Longies for DD
Socks for DD
Moccasins for DD
Afghan / Throw blanket (though I don't realistically expect this finished in 2007, but started would be good)

I'd also really like to do a piece of “real” clothing for me, but so far I'm chicken and haven't found the exact right wool yet – or the money to buy said wool with.

2007 projects!

2007-01-21T13:51:00.000+13:00

Since i've just posted my project list, it made me think....

What is on your 2007 knitting project list?

my resolution & a debbie bliss whinge...

2007-01-10T10:47:00.000+13:00

first, my new resolution- i have decided to establish as part of my routine

The Stitching Hour!

heh heh.. how it works is if i am still up at 10.30pm (which is normal) i have to stop what i am doing (which is usually pottering around tidying..) and knit! i figure it will acheive 3 beneficial things- 1. get some knitting done (duh..) 2. be a good way to wind down, and 3. help combat the insidious feeling that i never get to do any 'me' stuff! :-D anyone care to join me?

second, my debbie bliss whinge... i got Debbie Bliss' Quick Baby Knits out of the library.. but nearly all of it is on 3.25mm needles! >:-( unless you are knitting a nose cosy, anything knitted on 3.25mm is certainly NOT quick! *sigh* anyone know if any of her other baby books deal with real needles, like 4mm+ or even better 5mm?

Seaweed Shorties

2006-12-26T10:57:00.000+13:00

Finally!!

The wee man is decidedly uncooperative for photos at the moment but I got this one before he ran away.

OK, someone else really needs to post something now;-)

Exotic Goodness

2006-12-18T22:23:00.000+13:00

(Copied from TNN because the colours are too pretty to not show everywhere!)

I had me some Postal S.E.X (Stash Enrichment Expedition) today when a lovely TNNer sent me this stunning skein of recycled sari yarn. I'm still gobsmacked by the complete beauty of all those colours. So I'm thinking a wee knitted or crocheted purse? What do you think?

In lieu of my own knitting

2006-12-17T22:05:00.000+13:00

(OK...I still haven't finished Gus' seaweed shorties. I did add the elastic to the waistband today so when I do actually finish the knitting part they're good to go.)

I had to show a picture of this cute little guy (10cm long) that I got from TradeAid yesterday. Yes, he's knitted. From jute!! He's cute. My kids got one and cousin Amelia (6m) is getting one in her Christmas Treasure basket.

my half sleeve...

2006-12-14T18:25:00.000+13:00

I said I would, so here it is.. my half sleeve! lol.. ok, so its more like a quarter sleeve so far... featuring stitch markers by neak! i just like the way the variagations are turning out with the increases in the centre :D

Haven't been knitting much lately...

2006-11-29T15:10:00.000+13:00

But these are kinda knitting related. I got bored and decided that beaded stitch markers couldn't be too hard to make. And then got inspired to do a couple of row markers too (I hate having to tie bits of wool around stitches). I'm sending the purple ones to Pookee for Christmas, the other sets I've put up on TM to see if I can make enough money to continue my new obsession. Am starting on necklaces too, and having so much fun!

Mt First Soaker

2006-11-26T08:43:00.000+13:00

Well I finally finished the soaker a started last week. My first attempt, and I had fun dying it with wilton cake dye gels.

I did make it a wee bit bigger as the waist looked teeny! But then it has come out too big between the legs, but it fits :)

Now to think about trying to knit one in the round.

Got my knitting Groove back

2006-11-18T15:22:00.000+13:00

Well after a little spell of not knitting (gasp) I got my knitting groove back!! It made its return following me writing my TO DO list and getting a bit of a fright about how much I had to get done.

So now I have got quite a bit done:

Med, small, nb punk knitters for pregnant friends.
Little Canterbury hat (requested by DH for his mate)
Not pictured...scarf (still going with that one), swaps set (see pic below) and my SS things (which I wont post in case my SS reads here)

So phew, feel like I've done heaps now and not so worried I wont get them done in time
Gabes

Pom Pom Beanie in Slubby wool

2006-11-09T18:57:00.000+13:00

One of the pressies for my SS.

I had to do a refresher on how to make Pom Pom's.

Stars in their eyes......

2006-11-09T16:40:00.000+13:00

A set made for swaps. The top was requested so I decided to knit the soaker to match :) Hope it fits OK - my own pattern.
Gabes

Finished Soaker

2006-11-03T00:35:00.000+13:00

My tekapo tartan soaker finished. It's a little long in the rise, comes half-way up to her armpits, but it covers the hugest night nappy rather well :)

Santa Pants

2006-11-01T19:09:00.000+13:00

These started out as The Practise Pants because they are my first longies and I wanted to play around with the pattern, so I thought I'd have a go with some cheap wool before making longies with my more pricey wool. They are the tiny birds pattern for the body, downsized to fit in both width and length. For the legs I just knitted them straight with moss stitch cuffs instead of decreasing to ribbed cuffs like the pattern. I am really pleased with the fit of them, I'm quite chuffed with myself that I managed to alter to pattern to fit her *proud beginner knitter moment*.

I added the white trim to make them more interesting, everyone seems to be making gorgeous variegated longies and I thought plain red would be a little boring. Once I'd finished the first legs I realised that they were gonna look rather christmassy! *oops*

I discovered that I'm not very good at sewing, my seams look a little messy. Nevermind, I have addi turbos on their way from Greenbeans! Plus my increasing is a bit ugly (which makes that front seam even worse) because my nana showed me her way of doing it, and it puts a purl stitch in the knit row. I think she does it to make it easy for her to count the rows, but I have been reading a Debbie Bliss book and she uses a tidier way which I will use next time.

Spider's Web Evening Scarf...Gabes' work in progress

2006-10-29T12:24:00.000+13:00

A work in progress...probably for my Mum for Xmas

Here is a close up of the picture from the book (Hip Knits)

You can see how they have threaded beads and sequins on the wool for the beginning and end. I tried a couple of times to knit the wool with beads on it but wasnt happy with the result so have decided to somehow thread them through at the end.

It is an interesting knit. One needle is 12mm and the other is 7mm so the loops are different sizes on each row. Despite such chunky needles the wool itself is very delicate and fine so it is taking a long time to grow and is quite difficult to handle. The wool is lovely and soft and although expensive for 25g the meterage seems to be very long so I only need one ball for the scarf.

After writing my to do list and realising just how much I need to do in the next couple of months it got me going on this. At least I have something started and am trying to knit a couple of rows each time I sit on the couch.

N (13months) has decided her new game is to touch Mum's wool and say "ooooooh" and then laugh as mum says "no". So not much knitting is getting down while she is awake now.....sigh

2 completed projects finally!!

2006-10-24T16:55:00.000+13:00

Punk soaker in Ocean - i love it and it fits. Perfect in my books. LOL

Finally got some more mixed berry to finish this and its not going to last till next winter as its too short. Bugger it all. Never mind, it will end up with a good home shortly. I really must start ignoring pattern measurments and go by my own.

2006-10-24T15:10:00.000+13:00

I finished these longies last night. They are knitted in Super Merino with crochet edging. These are the first pair of woolies where I put in short rows. I am working on my own pattern and will get close to what I like soon..I hope!

I am now working on a pair of short shorties while I wait on some special wool ie. Blue Faced Leicester - very excited!

I spend a lot of money on wool and cotton and have loved to knit since I made my first baby cardigan when I was pregnant with my first child 7 years ago.

Now I am addicted to woolies.....

Thanks Nova for letting me join this blog. I love being able to share my knitting obseesion.

4th Soaker experimentation attempt for Karen

2006-10-24T13:00:00.000+13:00

I have finish my 4th soaker!! But this one is quite different, I'm sick of the punk knitters patterns, it doesn't work for me at all, so I'm knitting with no pattern and using flat needles, which I feel its more easy for me to handle.
I think I have the wrong circular needles, so that could be one of the reasons that Punk knitters pattern is not working for me, another reason can be that I am retarded and have no craft skills at all.
I have cast-on 30 St for the front and a little bit more for the back part, then tried to used kitchener St for the crotch but didn't turn out so well, and I did sew the sides very tight.
It looks quite round and the back its very roomy, now I just need a newborn to wear it and model it for me!

Sharonnz' 3rd Blog Challenge

2006-10-23T09:06:00.000+13:00

Compared to what I have spent in my mind, my actual purchases are quite modest...at the moment! As knitting takes over nappies (as Gus gets closer to toilet training) I'm sure this will change.
* Buying my Addi Turbos seemed extravagent at the time but oh so worth it...I plan to upgrade all my circulars eventually.
* Buying online soaker/longie patterns also seemed way out...but plans for subscribing to overseas knitting magazines will make this pale in comparison;-)
* Starting my knitting/crochet book collection has been an extravagent squeeze on the budget. I only have Vintage Knits & The Happy Hooker but Alterknits and Knitting Rules! will be winging their way home to me in a week!!
* My yarn stash is the epitome of restraint (currently!). The emergent concept of buying yarn without a project in mind has landed me with a wee bit of hemp yarn.

3rd BLOG CHALLENGE....Confession Time!!!!!!!!!

2006-10-21T21:09:00.000+13:00

WHAT'S YOUR MOST EXTRAVAGENT KNITTING/WOOL PURCHASE???

Today I spend $25 on ONE 25g ball of wool! Yikes!

I so knew (see previous post) that the likelihood of the wool being pretty spendy was quite high but I wasnt expecting $25 for one small ball!! However I justified it like this....I only need one ball for the special scarf thats going to be for my Mum for Xmas and I've seen scarves in 'feathers' for about $20 so if I was to buy a scarf it works out about the same.So I'll just keep thinking that $25 for a scarf seems pretty reasonable! I just wont think about the fact that I only got 25g of wool LOL
Its Rowan Kidsilk Haze and to die for. Utterly gorgeous (you would hope so for that price eh!).

Soooooooooooooooooo confession time! What's your most extravagent wool/knitting related purchase?

Gabes TO DO List

2006-10-20T22:58:00.000+13:00

Well I dont feel *quite* so bad now reading everyone elses TO DO's....

Heres mine:

The half completed.........
1 1/2 arms of a 2nd dolly. Gift for a pregnant friend. Have until Jan sometime to get her all finished.
1 arm and the back of a wrap cardy for little DD. Had to go get some wool which I've done but havent actually done anymore knitting on it. Luckily the pattern was size 1-3 so it should fit for next winter (luckily). It seems pretty roomy so sizing should be OK. Its in a hummingbird varigated 8ply, Lovely and soft

The havent started..............
Soaker for SS - size medium I think
Soaker for swapsies- size medium as well
Soaker for DD - was going to do a really detailed one with fairaisle and stuff for under summer skirts but can't see me getting to that now :(
NB size soakers for pregnant friends (getting New Mum to make me some fitteds to give to them so need to make 2x NB soakers)- again have until Jan to do them both

And I really really want to do a special scarf for my Mum for Xmas but need to see if I can find some Rowan Kidsilk - which no doubt will be some astronomical price for 25g

Gave up on the idea of knitting jumpers for nephews for Xmas long time ago

Just not feeling the knitting groove at the moment. Probably daylight saving that did it :( Hoping writing this all down will scare me into picking up some needles again!

Sharonnz' Restrained To Do List

2006-10-20T14:13:00.000+13:00

Haven't posted to a shared blog before so if I've done something wrong please fix it, Nova;-)

My To Do List (kept in check by energy and motivation levels which are running a little low):
- Finish Gus' Seaweed Picky Pants Shorts
- Decide on Secret Santa knitting
- Medium soaker for a swapsie (need to find funky yarn to make this project interesting)
- Newborn & large soaker for a swapsie (need to find funky yarn to make this project interesting too)
- Find yarn to crochet self a cardigan for next winter
- Find yarn to crochet self a handbag
- Decide on Debbie Bliss baby pattern to make something out of my Watermelon for my niece

I'll also show off one of my lovely new stitch markers that Jade/Jgirl made me:
(when I can figure out how to post pics here!)

Cabbettenz- To Do List...Or Should that be wish list?

2006-10-16T07:47:00.000+13:00

My to do list....

On the Needles....
*Wrist warmers for Me....About 1/2 way....hand dyed pink and orange variegated
*About 5 pairs of Longies for Lliam- 3 are 1/2 knitted..
*Jumper for My Niece...Started.....Bust need to finish the sleeves.
*Cotton stripe vest for Lliam to wear this spring.....running a bit late....
*Cotton Wrap cardi for Me....on size 10 needles....should be a quick knit
*Hat and Booties for a fellow TNNer......
*Jumper for Me.....Been on Needles for 6 years.....really hate the yarn...only have the front to finish.

Yet to start....
-Hand dyed throw for in the car....Hence the Koolaid binge
-socks for DH- Boring Black, But thats what he wants.
-Hurricanes Supporters Beanie for DH, and Matching scarf.
-Socks/ Slipper for me. Thinking something Pink or Red....
-Newborn knitting for My sister, Just waiting to know if I should knit pink or blue?
-2 Soakers or shorties for Summer- Ocean and Seaweed Variegated.
-Scarf with hood for Mum
-Pink and Purple wool from the wool company.....to make longies and a matching cardi for Rosemary's 1st birthday...July 2007....
-Stripe jumper for Lliam...Colours- Rust, denim and forest green.

And a lot more wool then I have Projects for...LOL

wahoo! stage one complete!!

2006-10-15T19:15:00.000+13:00

Yay for me!! lol... its only taken me two weeks & i've got the back of the cardi for alexis done!! considering it takes me 3+ weeks to do a medium soaker i reckon thats not too bad 8) the pattern is pretty cool, its got a moss stitch edge & garter stitch stripes through it... it looks like it'll be rather long & thin, which is great, i like the long cardi look.. i was inspired to do this after seeing one that m2m's eldest was wearing at a knittacino!

nova's very short to-do list! lol

2006-10-13T21:16:00.000+13:00

- lol hopefully get my watermelon soaker finished (almost there!) might embroider something on it..?
- my cardi for alexis
- a bigger cardi for alexis cos i don't think the first will fit!
- a beanie for DP
- a new beanie for alexis, cos gabes' one is getting too small waaah...
- maybe a wrap cardi thingy for me if i can find a pattern i like??

:D

2nd Blog Challenge: To-Do List

2006-10-13T12:58:00.000+13:00

Erm. Mine's a bit long. Just a bit. So I've broken it down.

Currently on the needles:
Moss-Stitch Baby Throw (yes, another onhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gife. different colours, for a gift for a friend who's due any day now)
Wavy as a gift for midwife
LTK Flirty Skirty

Stuff I've already got the yarn for:
Secret-Santa gift
Longies for over Christmas (in USA)
Booties (my own pattern, still being tweaked)
Afghan for my mother (making up pattern as I go along)
Dress from one of my Debbie Bliss books (JJJ, we can compare notes!)

Stuff I'm lusting to do but haven't bought yarn for:
Donkey-hoodie from one of my Debbie Bliss books (I think Baby Knits)
Hooded blanket from Debbie Bliss book
Throw blanket for my grandmother
Slippers and/or adult booties for me
Winter bed socks and/or slippers for DH

And, long down the line when I have both the money for a nice yarn for it, and have conquered my fear of cables: Rogue sweater

My to-do-list

2006-10-13T12:16:00.000+13:00

Well for someone who's only onto their 3rd knitting project, I have an awful lot on my to-do-list!
I'm currently working on some tinybird longies, they are a practise because I have amended the pattern. When I am happy with my amended pattern I plan to make (in no particular order):
- longies with a pawprint pattern on one leg & a cat pattern on the other leg, to have a go at intarsia. I've found the intarsia patterns & I have the wool waiting to go, and I did a practise paw-print swatch and it seems fairly easy...
- classic cream treliske merino longies (might make them to fit next winter, I'm a pretty slow knitter!)
- might as well make a treliske merino soaker as well. maybe with a pink intarsia star on the butt if I can be bothered.
- I have pink flannelette with a hello kitty pattern on it to make a fitted nappy, I thought I'd make a pink soaker with hello kitty on the butt to match; I already have the wool for that too. I'll use one of these patterns http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/hellokitty.htm
- I like the little dress in Debbie Bliss Baby Knits for Beginners, I think I will do that (but not in Debbie Bliss yarn at $13 a ball!)
- I also thought I'd try the little singlet pattern thats with the tinybirds soaker pattern. It looks easy, I might do that before the Debbie Bliss dress.

So thats just for starters. But as I am really not very fast at knitting (and some days I only have 10 minutes spare to knit!) this may take a while...

My to-do list...

2006-10-13T00:43:00.000+13:00

Shorties for summer.
This soaker: http://www.dunmani.plus.com/knitting/patterns/soaker.html.
A skoaker for summer.
Longies for next winter.

Boring....

2nd Blog Challenge!

2006-10-12T23:02:00.000+13:00

What is on your to-do list??!

(you can post a reply to this, but if you have a link please post it [using the chain pic in the composer] so we can check it out!!)

Moss Stitch Baby Throw - DONE!

2006-10-08T15:23:00.000+13:00

I feel like it's the end of an era. The moss stitch blanket - started whilst still pregnant (!) with Zamara, has finally been finished, a mere 3 months after I started it. It's sooooo soft, 70% merino, 30% silk, 10 ply yarn.

Blog Challenge...

2006-10-05T17:14:00.000+13:00

For my first post... :)

Tekapo Tartan soaker, my own pattern...

I think the legholes on this one are gonna be huge cos I've changed it a bit from the way I usually knit them...

Please ignore the bits of fluff on the carpet :)

Yes, another pair!

2006-10-05T11:13:00.000+13:00

Small longies in light blue Tekapo 8ply

Blog Challenge

2006-10-03T23:49:00.000+13:00

I'd intended for my previous post to be for the Blog Challenge (i.e., what projects are you working on) but the more I thought about it the less it seemed fair, because that's what I was working on.

So, this has been on the needles for approximately two weeks now, during which time I think I've worked on it two days. It's a scarf (Wavy from Knitty) for my midwife, as I've never seen her without some form of scarf, done in Chocolate Utiku. A bit late, I know, but I figure I'll wrap it and she can call it Christmas if she wants ;-D The picture isn't the best because you can't see the pattern well, but you can in person.

And this is my newest project - a variation of the previous booties. I realised belatedly that the photo is taken of the wrong-side, and the picture really doesn't show the colour well (it's a beautiful sort of plum) but it's what I'm focusing my efforts into at the moment.

And there's still the blanket. Which hasn't progressed at all. Actually that's a lie - I started off last week determined to finishing it - in fact, made a LOT of progress on it - when I realised that I'd gotten quite off pattern and my moss stitch had become 1x1 ribbing and so I had to frog about two inches. Which was at least two days work and I because understandably discouraged. It's nothing I can't handle (and I have progressed a tiny bit since then) but it hasn't been the first thing I'm reaching to pick up to work on, either.

My latest project

2006-10-03T23:17:00.000+13:00

These took surprisingly long to do, because whilst the first one knitted quite quickly, I had to either restart, or unpick, the second one SO many times! You'd think that it would work the other way around!

Generally I'm happy with them. I'm experimenting with the pattern because I have a couple ideas I want to try on booties but didn't really know the first thing about them before this. They're 3-6 month size and do fit Zamara now (2.5 mos), although she's got plenty of growing room :-)

Completed Audrey Doodlepants in Utiku Orchard

2006-10-03T21:55:00.000+13:00

Thanks to Lisa for letting me borrow her 30cm circulars I have finished my first project on circulars. I dont know if circulars suit me as I found them quite fiddley, but I do love the way they create a pattern with varigated wool.

my scrumptious baby

2006-10-02T22:04:00.000+13:00

I was watching some tv program last night and getting a bit bored so thought I'd have a go at knitting my baby a hat. I found this yummy wool on sale in the knitting shop in town so had to buy it but it wasn't really enough to do anything with! Anyway, I digress, there you have it, the hat that I knitted last night whilst watching cracker.....

Dolly-licious

2006-10-01T20:23:00.000+13:00

I have never knitted anything not-clothing before so this was a new thing to try. I had this gorgeous book by Zoe Mellor Nursery Knits from the library and just couldnt resist this so cute knitted dolly.
It was very easy to do and quite quick. Each piece is only 30 sts by 40 odd rows, not to much shaping etc so it didnt take too long to be finished
I used cheap acrylic wool I got for $1/25g (Panda Disco) but this will mean easy to care for and the colours were so bright and funky.
I went to my Mums to stay for the school holidays so made her help me with the stuffing, which was a bit of PITA but worth the effort for such a cute end result.
I am even thinking of doing another one for a pregnant friend....CG suggested I make one for M too so maybe.....

Angela's goods on the go.

2006-09-30T15:01:00.000+12:00

Audrey Doodlepants. Utiku Orchard.

This is my 1st attempt on circulars. I must admit once I got the hang of them they are very easy. Although I have had to stop as was waiting to borrow 30cm ones so I could do the legs.

Hoodie in Utiku Mixed Berry. I only have the hood and 1 sleeve to go but am finding it hard to keep motivated to do this.

Its gonna be fine for DS now but was really wanting it for next winter. Some lucky TNN're will be the recipent of this when I finally get the motivation to finish it.

blog challenge..

2006-09-30T13:57:00.000+12:00

Ok so since it was my idea i suppose i should put mine up.. lol

This is the beginning of a little cardy called Tigger from Knitty for alexis! I did all that in the car going to whangarei & back yesterday, which i'm quite proud of lol.. ok, so i'll admit that i'm using acrylic for it, but it was only $1.50 for 100g! and its my first attempt at something this complex, so call it a practise run ;-)

and this is the soaker i'm doing out of my kool-aid wool.. you just just see the very subtle variations in the colour! lol... i'm up to the crotch, but i've gone & lost my little bag of dpns, mini circulars etc *sigh* thats why i started the cardi...

1st Blog Challenge!!

2006-09-30T13:50:00.000+12:00

Heh Heh Heh... i thought we should start some blog challenges!
So i figured the first one should be....

Show us what you're working on at the moment!!

Post pics of what projects you have underway!! No excuses! lol

Finished felted knitting bag

2006-09-27T14:08:00.000+12:00

Okay ladies - here's the update... the finished product!

And an inside view - pockets for my Denise needle case, circulars, stitch holders, crochet hook & needle gauge sizer, scissors, and elastic holders for pen and tape measure. Yay to be so organised! I've also knitted a little purse to hold stitch markers and will felt another "pillow" to put my wool sewing needles into, both with left over wool. Everything shall have it's place!

It's not perfect, but I'm sure once it's been in use a little while I'll forget about the things that didn't go exactly right - I'm still a little to "close" to it right now.

Gabes Knitting Pictures

2006-09-21T22:04:00.000+12:00

This winter I have been having a go at trying to use different colours in my knitting. Previously I've just been doing plain colour or getting interesting colours by using varigated wool.

Knitting stitch - embroidering detail on afterwards using knitting stitch. NOT a good idea for a dimly lit lounge and black wool!! A bit too fiddly for my liking

Fairaisle - where the different strands of wool are looped behind right across the row.

Intarsia - where you have separate balls of wool for each block of colour. Can get a bit messy/tangly but you dont get distortion of the image because the wool isnt pulled behind it.

Karen's first attempt to knit

2006-09-21T10:03:00.001+12:00

Lucyta's Mum
This is my first ever "real" knitting project, a soaker for Lucy, still has no leg bands and no cord string but is still functional.
I was a bit put off to keep knitting after seen so many wonderful soakers out there.
This blog has inspired me to keep knitting and keep trying to improve this new skill.
I have never been a "crafty" person, however the desire of creating something beautiful with my own 2 hands has awaken a new side of me.
I hope my next projects get better and more creative.

Sour Worms wool!

2006-09-19T14:32:00.000+12:00

Heh heh! My Sour Worms kool-aid wool! I've got two more balls to wind still.. For 200g i used 2x Lemon Lime & 3x Berry Blue, but it has come out more greenish.. I'm not as patient as Claire, so i did mine in the microwave.. folded the hank in two & dipped it half into the kool-aid, thus dipping 2 quarters.. zapped it for 2min, let it sit, zapped it again, let it sit some more, then repeated with the other 2/4 in the other colour 8-) I (duh!) realised that kitchen tongs are really useful for handling hot, wet wool too! lol

Treliske Organic cardi

2006-09-18T16:08:00.000+12:00

Bio-Natur 8ply organic lambs wool from Treliske.
Approx 6 month size (yes it still needs buttons!)

Instructions for Dying Wool with Koolaid- Variegated look

2006-09-18T15:08:00.000+12:00

As requested....

For a strong colour effect-use 4-5 packets per 100g wool
For Pale use 2-3 per 100g

210 mill Water and 30 mil vinegar per packet. (7:1 Ratio)

What to do:
Soak yarn in mild soap and luke warm water for 20-30 min.

Empty your packages of of drink mix [important: use no sugar!] into a pot (or several pots if your doing variegated), Add water and vinegar. Stir to dissolve. Bring water to a simmer, Turn the element off. (or cheat as I did and use Boiling water from the jug and let it cool a bit while the wool soaks)

Add your yarn, leave for 20-30 min OR until the water turns milky white or clear. (Mine only took 2-3min)

~~When using more then one colour, add the lightest colour to the dye first. dye a little more then you would like to show in the final result. (this allows you to blend the colours rather then having white patches). Then repeat for the other colours, leaving the bulk of each yarn in each pot, until water turns clear or milky.~~

Let it cool.

When the yarn has cooled, rinse it thoroughly in luke warm water (the same temperature as the yarn) [shocking wool with cold water could cause it to felt]. Wash the yarn in mild soap, rinse again.
Lay hank of wool onto a towel, fold towel around the yarn length ways. Placing a foot on one end of the towel and gently twist the towel, thus removing the excess water. Hang it the shade to dry.

I think that's it....Let Me know if this doesn't make sense.

my latest project

2006-09-17T22:35:00.000+12:00

its nice to have the knitting bug back.

finished these tonight, they're a present for a friends wee girl. hope they fit.

i loved doing them, so fast and i love all the girly stuff.

i'd love to do a jacket with the frills around the sleeves and bottom too.

now i'd better get onto hubbys blimmin slippers. he keeps harping on about them, going on about his cold feet, yadda yadda yadda.

Liz's creations

2006-09-17T20:53:00.000+12:00

The soaker I knitted for the Fistula auctions on TM.

(using the free Alice soaker pattern from nappycino.com.au with permission)

Lollipop- The Beginnings of a Hat

2006-09-16T20:55:00.000+12:00

Lollipop
Originally uploaded by cabbettenz of WiggleBums

Hubby finally brought the camera back. After I had wound the wool, I Just couldn't wait to see what it would look like, Knitted.

8 Ply NZ Wool, By Wanaka Station.
Dyed with Koolaid, Tangerine and Blue Raspberry

Camera also came back with awesome pics of My wee boy playing at Nana's. So Cute!!

Strawberry Sundee

2006-09-16T20:46:00.000+12:00

Strawberry Sundee
Originally uploaded by cabbettenz of WiggleBums

Quoting Nova: I can't wait to see claires kool-aid efforts!!! (hint hint!)

Well here we are.....

Thanks to Nova for the Awesome Blog......

5 Ply NZ Merino Wool, Dyed with Koolaid- Pink Lemonade, Cherry and Black Cherry...Smells really Yummy!!

....3 pots of dye on the stove, With the vinegar in it.
Did the pink 1/3 first....Next time I will put more of it in, so that I don't have any of the white showing at the end.
Leave it in the pot....even though the colour had all been absorbed in the first 2 min...

Then add the second 1/3 to the cherry mix...and the last to the Black cherry.
Had to move the wool a little to coat the white patch in the middle....

Its really quick.

LTK Soaker

2006-09-16T18:32:00.000+12:00

LTK Soaker made in newborn size for Pookee's friend. Tekapo Summertime wool. I only started knitting again (since my one and only scarf creation as a kid) in about August of 2005. I wanted to make a pair of longies for my daughter so got my mum over to teach me how to knit (I'd already bought 4 balls of Tekapo wool in a co-op). It took me a while to do my first project but I haven't stopped knitting since, I seem to have projects coming out my ears!! The ladies down at the local knitting shop now know me as the cloth nappy lady :D I've only been in there 1/2 a dozen times, honest!!!

Kool-Aid dyeing!

2006-09-16T15:44:00.000+12:00

My first kool-aid dyeing attempt! lol.. We used Berry Cherry & Black Cherry, we spent an hour & a half dabbing it on in stripes trying to get a variagated effect, but once it was 'cooked' the stripes just disapeared! lol.. but it did come out quite a nice watermelon colour with very subtle shade variations.. any suggestions what i should make with it? its only 100g and i don't really have any other colours that go with it..?

I can't wait to see claires kool-aid efforts!!! (hint hint!)

2006-09-16T13:22:00.000+12:00

Hello everyone! Yay for the TNN Knitting Blog! I've been knitting since relearning from my Mum last August. I've progressed from soakers to longies to hats to socks to sweaters to felted bags!

So here's what I've been knitting... my last finished project is a sweater (my first) for DS. It's a cornflower blue merino wool that I picked up in the January Knitworld sale, so have had it a while. I adapted a pattern from a library book so that it's mostly knitted on circulars and upsized the gauge a little so I didn't run out of wool, which was a concern as I only had 5 balls. It was my first project for my Denise needles that DH picked up for me in the States in June. They are fabulous.

I'm now working on a felted bag. I had bought some $1/ball 100% wool at Spotlight in khaki green just because it was a bargin. It seemed ideal for felting. I taught myself provisional cast on from Knitty (very cool, will use again) and made a rectangle base and then knit in the round up from there. The provisional cast on meant I didn't have to pick up any stitches across the wide side of the rectangle, just knit across the provisional stitches. The bag turned out too big after felting (too wide) so today I have cut a 2 inch strip from the centre and am sewing it back together. The join will be covered by fabric. The fabric is satin skirt that I love the fabric of but didn't wear so am recycling. This will be the lining fabric also. Have yet to decide on the closure and straps - probably the same fabric. I also have some matching beads to add accents. I just hope the finished product lives up to my imagination! Thanks for reading!

2006-09-16T13:09:00.000+12:00

heh heh what do you think of how our blog looks now? any ideas of things you'd like? :)

Moss Stitch Baby Throw

2006-09-16T11:29:00.000+12:00

Progress
Originally uploaded by KiwiWonder.

Those who've been to any Auckland knittacino's recently have seen this before. It's the Moss Stitch Baby Throw blanket from the Debbie Bliss book "The Baby Knits Book". I started it when I was about 37 weeks pregnant I believe. Zamara's now 2 months old and I'm still not finished. It is coming along though - the pattern calls for it to be 28 inches, and I've got 18 so far. Only another 2 skeins of white left too... I figure I'll just knit until I run out of wool, and stuff measuring it all the time :-D

2006-09-16T10:12:00.000+12:00

2006-09-16T08:11:00.000+12:00

Hello!
Newborn Aubrey Doodlepants with gussets

2006-09-15T09:37:00.000+12:00

The Nappy Network NZ knitters blog!