craftyaction

A blog for the Mt Lawley Stitch'n'Bitchers. If you're in Perth, WA, and you like to knit, crochet or just gossip— or if you want to learn how— come down to Exomod in Mt Lawley every Monday from 7.30pm and catch some crafty action! Email Clementine for more info: indienial (at) gmail (dot) com

Thursday, May 31, 2007

With a little help...

Hi all,

Staff in my department at work are doing a knit along type of thingo (sounds technical doesn't it), making blanket squares, scarves, hat's etc. They are going to make blankets (yes I know that's obvious) to donate and sell the other bit's and bob's that they get. The money raised will be donated to the various Winter Appeals around Australia. Being the only person in my department in WA Im using the time on the bus rather than my non-existent lunch breaks.

I was wondering if anyone has any half balls of whatever yarn that I could use to add to the couple I have. I know not everyone likes knitting blanket squares or boring garter stitch scarves but apparently I cant knit my socks on the bus because Im too uncoordinated and keep dropping stitches or dpns :(

I figured I can do something for the community while learning different stitches in small squares.

Oh and I'll buy you a coffee (or what ever your drinking) if you have any yarn for me on Monday!!!!

Thanks

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Ok... time to fess up

Who bought what and how much of it did you buy at the Craft Fair this week????

I got some sock yarn and some other sparkly stuff which I couldn't leave behind. 2 balls of Lang Yarns "Jawoll" superwash sock yarn in a tan and cream which comes with the thread to reinforce the heal and toe. 1 ball of, well actually I don't speak German so I'm gonna say a nice variegated orange - yellow - cream colourway. Finally 3 balls of the stuff I couldn't leave behind because it is all pretty and sparkly and pretty and oh wait I said pretty didn't I. Grignasco "Iris" in the pale pink through pale cream and white with a gold thread stitched into it.

I would show you photos but hubby still hasn't put the software on my new (old) computer.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Eek - too much knitting!

I must firstly apologize for not having shown up to SnB for the last.. Ohhh.. 5 months or so! For awhile I was spending all my free time training as I was headed up to Everest Base Camp, but since then, I really don't have much of an excuse :(

But it's still great to read up on what's happening!

While I haven't been knitting all too much lately, i have been on a crazy "i want to knit everything" spree and I think today marked my knitterly death. I just placed an order for Rowan 41, Rowan 39, Rowan 38 and Rowan 36. In that little basket was also Rowan Classic Summer, and Debbie Bliss Rialto.

There are about 25 patterns in total I want to knit and for some crazed lunatic thought that I have, I figured if I bought ALL the patterns in one go, i could also *start* the patterns in one go.

Anyways, I've placed the order and now I'm kicking myself for not having thought it through :S Because I have no yarn (well, that's my excuse anyway), I have now buy yarn for all those projects. EEK!

Does anyone else go on binges like this - I know we all do yarn binges, but what about pattern binges?

PS. reading back, i realized i do sound like a knitter without much sleep and too much browsing time on her hands :)

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

FOUND Perfect Sub Twinkle Yarn

for whoever's interested.. I've found a merino roving yarn which is exactly like twinkle soft chunky... but you'd need to dye it yourself, it only comes in white..and very soft, it's from this wool farm here.. http://www.virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au/Yarns_Fibres_1.html, just email them to order, ..they come in cones of 500gm and I think 1kg cost $77, they take credit card or direct debit... I also bought some corriedale roving yarn which is thick too and probably suitable for twinkle projects, but a little tighter spun, and not as soft.. but still lovely! I'll bring along the sample merino and hanks of corriedale next week.

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Friday, May 18, 2007

7 Random Facts 'bout jazz

RF1. had appendicitis when I was 6-7yrs, quite bad, they had burst and could've died apparently! I have a faint scar from where they were removed.

RF2. I am a huge lover of the cavalier king charles spaniel. Every time I see one out being walked at a park or something, I just can't help myself, I have to go over to the owner and start chatting with them about their cavalier and of course fuss over the spaniel.. I just love these dogs so much, mum & dad have one, her name's cherie.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jazzyknits/502831169/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jazzyknits/502831173/in/photostream/

RF3. I have way way way too many fashion magazines and cannot bring myself to throw them out.. you never know when you might need inspiration!

RF4. I'm an amateur salsa dancer! It's the best fun, I love it

RF5. I have a birman blue-point puddy-tat, Mylo, he's my baby, I fuss over him way too much http://www.flickr.com/photos/jazzyknits/406291164/

RF6. Been to Melbourne 4 times & Sydney twice.. wish I could live over there for a while

RF7. I learnt to knit at age 11 in school, grade 6, it was a pretty poor attempt at a scarf and I don't think I actually ever finished it.. but I wish I could go back & thank that teacher for at least getting me into knitting in the first place.

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I tag you all too!

I hope I'm following the rules of this properly. I don't really know anyone else with blogs so I'm just going to have to tag you all. I do have my own blog, but it kind of stopped when I stopped travelling...

Anyways, here are the instructions: Each person tagged gives seven random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write on their blogs seven facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and need to read your blog.

Factoid One: I'm from Perth, despite my mixed accent. Why do people still think I sound like a pom after 6 months back in Perth? I have twice before been asked 'Are you American or Canadian?' I've never been to either of those places so what the?

Factoid Two: I like carpentry and joinery. It's on hold at the moment due to living in a flat, but my Dad will let me have a corner of the giant family lockup when it's finally cleared up. I'll have my own workshop!

Factoid Three: I used to be able to speak Indonesian, but I'm waaay out of practice now.

Factoid Four: In contrast to someone else's career wish, I sometimes wish I'd followed a more maths/science career. I did do well enough at school, but chose the arts. I've enjoyed it so far, but since coming back to Perth I've decided I don't want to work for peanuts anymore.

Factoid Five: Yes I've got a criminal record, but you all knew that.

Factoid Six: Since this IS a knitting blog... I've been knitting for 1 1/2 years.

Factoid Seven: It's 7am in the morning. I've been at work for an hour. You really want me to come up with seven?

Thursday, May 17, 2007

I tag you all! Memes for everyone!

Okay folks, you all all tagged! (Lupinbunny and pen&purl are exempt because they've just done it).

Details at my blog: A Geek's Adventures in Knitting

Tag!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

craft and wool shops down south

Hi all,
At the end of May, we are heading down south to a farm in Pingelly. This is near Brookton. I'm not familiar with this area. Any wool shops I need to visit? Alpaca farms? Or orchards, vineyards?

thanks for your help
Michelle

Monday, May 14, 2007

Knitting in the red dust

I hope you all have a lovely evening tonight. I'll be in my donga, and if I've got any energy (I was at the airport at 4.45am this morning) I'll do some knitting. I've brought the long-neglected edging of the giant throw to work on, and as it's the only thing I have to do, I'll get it finished I hope Mum! Next time I come here I'll bring something more exciting, as long as it's lightweight and not white. I'm liking the suggestion to knit in tweed as red-dirt stains won't be so noticeable.

Despite being the middle of a minesite, this place is pretty stunning. I've got a great view from my room, and a rostered day off on Sunday so hopefully will go out and do some sightseeing.

Friday, May 11, 2007

sale at the Woolshack

http://www.thewoolshack.com/sale.htm

looks good
michelle

Thursday, May 10, 2007

this is scary

Clementine, ignore this.
http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/04/felted_cat_hair_balls.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

michelle

Mrs. Darcy Cardigan

cute cute cute!

http://indieknits.wordpress.com/patterns/

Michelle

Twinkle Twinkle I'm a Star

why? I'll tell you why. I have actually:
a) finished knitting a garment (this is major)
b) completed the finishing/sewing bits & pieces (even more major) &
c) made something fashionable that I'll actually wear! (bonus points)


It's the Twinkle Shopping Tunic from Big City Knits and I'm so pleased with it. I'm thinking of dyeing it though to either brown or red or maybe even boring ol' black.. not sure yet

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Wednesday, May 09, 2007

beads for knitting

I just found a nice pattern for a hat in Knitpicks shine
it requires 24 size 4/0 beads for the band.

where is the best place to find such beads?
nice ones?
would Spotlight have them?
michelle

Clementine?

a relation of yours?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18541108/

watch out for your sock drawers now that Clem has that new book.

Can you bring the book back in next week? I would like to peruse it.

Michelle
finished both duck feet, and hat
and the front of Ethan's jumper. Hmm, I think I need to start another project. yeah right

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Anyone going to the Craft Fair?

It's on in a few weeks at the Convention centre & seems to have a bit of knitting-related stuff. More info here:

http://www.craftfair.com.au

Rowan Pattern, A Dress !!


Now when I first saw this pic on the woolshack site I thought it must've been for the top only... but no no no, it's a whole damn dress knit in kidsilk nite on teeny 3.25 needles...hahahahahaha
A future wedding gown perhaps?

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Stupid Sock Creatures

I heart Stitch'n'Bitchers. In particular, I heart Helen, who gave me this fantastic book: Stupid Sock Creatures. So I did not get much knitting done last night, but I am so in love with these little sock creatures that I went home and pulled out every sock I own (I have a bit of a sock obsession, so this is quite a few. A few years ago, my mother visited, and she was horrified at the number of socks... she counted 42 pairs, and 6 odds. That was okay though, it was really only the 60-odd black tshirts she really had a problem with*).

But anyway... you should go and buy this book:


Stupid Sock Creatures
Originally uploaded by indienial.



* Before I am accused of being the Imelda Marcos of socks/black tshirts, I will just point out that these were mostly shared with my then-girlfriend. I guess that's why lesbians frequently end up looking like their partners... in the same way that dogs look like their owners?

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Twinkle Soft Chunky


Arrived the other day and it's oh so soooft but oh so expensive too.. I bought 4 from ebay and cost $100 including shipping, $25 a skein!! I've heard Rowan Big Wool is a great sub which I can get cheaper online from the UK at www.colourway.co.uk

I'm thinking of making this shopping tunic (I'd probably wear this more)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16848087@N00/440799578/in/pool-twinkleknits/

or maybe this cardy, but I think it may 'cut' me off at the middle if that makes any sense?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65589673@N00/414967490/in/pool-twinkleknits/

I've got my Addi Turbo 15mm circs and rarin' to go!

Just for the record: Yes, I am a knitter-aholic and damn proud! I have way too many projects on the go, but, hey, that's the way I like it!

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