The family is getting bigger

Nick proposed to Holly (my eldest) at Cardrona overlooking Queenstown, on his knee, in the snow.

The ring is beautiful, handmade with a champagne diamond - they are a darling couple and I know they will build a beautiful life together, they are young - but Holly has always been one to grab life with both hands and wring exciting experiences from it - she won't be stopping anytime soon.

and she's wearing my hat

Updating

Some of my patterns use techniques that you may not already have in your knitting toolchest, so I have a page on my website devoted to explaining these, I have just added "applied i-cord" feel free to have a look, you never know what you may find useful.


I'm working on more pleats and tucks, they help to give the garment a rounded organic look that is difficult to find usually when you are working with straight edges.

and the applied i-cord makes for a very nicely shaped neckline.

Aviatrix Baby Helmet

Here is the pattern for those who have not yet joined Ravelry (you know you really should...)

download now

a few notes:

- work more rows at the back for a snugger fit

- thinner yarn smaller hat, thicker yarn bigger hat - adults have made these for themselves!

- 2 buttonholes mean the strap will fit longer

- knit the wraps or don't knit the wraps, I really don't care, it is your preference (btw, I didn't)

Rainy days

are great knitting days - no guilt at the vege garden not being weeded, the pool not being cleaned.

The Baktus and The Ruffle scarf they are finished!

The Ruffled scarf is not Blaise's despite her pleas, she is free to knit one for herself.

the pain of denial was cushioned somewhat by Tiramisu cupcakes, the latest in the Uni holiday cupcake trials.

The recipe is from Martha Stewart - we implore you to make them mini-muffin size, regular cupcake size is just too much! and definitely make the espresso-marsala syrup, we did half and half with vanilla syrup and while still good it lacked the oomph of the coffee.

Busy busy

WIP update:

Flash's vest is 20% finished - not certain if he will get it this winter, we'll see!

I started a Baktus this morning, using my hand dyed handspun superwash merino (above) in the "60 seconds" colourway (you know the ad - lichen, moss and mildew - just spray and walk away!) I blame Ailsa for this - her Baktus was so lovely and versatile, I just had to make one for myself. It is racing along, very addictive and great tv knitting.

and this is a version of the Ruffle lace scarf I cast on 200 sts and am working in garter st, increasing every 4th row, using 2 skeins of Madil Kid Seta in the the 681 colourway...love this yarn despite the imaginative colour description, it makes other Mohairs feel like a brillo pad.

I'm also working on a mitred square baby blanket - no photos yet.

I have finally finished most of my secret projects - phew! I can start sharing my work with you again soon.

New pattern

the free pattern for the Tasman summer tunic (aka swirly dancing dress) is now available on Ravelry or you can download the .pdf from here: download now , it isn't on the website yet - a bit of work to do there and far too much work on my desk right now.

It has beads, pointy decreases and a ruch-able bodice everything your princess needs in a summer dress!

100 kinds of good

he IS a squishy! Inigo and I talked about birds and water and kids, he loved the books I brought with me from New Zealand, and we all enjoyed listening to Donna reading "Willie wants to wee wee" by NZ author and creator of Footrot Flats Murray Ball (isbn: 1869436717)and I was so happy to finally meet him and squeeze him.

I can't list all of my lovely friends who were amongst the 80 people knitting in the sun at Darling Harbour, but these two (and the squishie's gorgeous Mum Lara) made me cry the most - these are the people I didn't want to fall in love with because I knew I would have to leave Oz one day, but I couldn't help it, Donna, Ailsa and I are knitting soulmates and luckily we have adorable husbands who think our conversations and passion for our craft are endearing. I'm afraid I took next to no photos - I was too busy catching up. I have noticed though that Ailsa and I have very similar hair, and they are luckily a lot more organised than me - having better photos on their blogs.

I'll be back soon with Flash, and I'll definitely be at Knitting Camp next year - make mine a mojito!