076knits: Kille

If you've been reading the blog, you might have seen the pictures. I can't get enough of Bubs running around and doing anything but standing still to have his picture taken.

It all started when Bubs had only just joined us. I wanted to knit something for me, instead of the pile of baby knits that had gone before. I had a really (really) nice skein of Ripples Crafts Assynt Storms, a circular needle, and a naptime to gather my sanity before the next round of nursing, nappies and cramps. A new mom needs a bit of pampering, and that hank of yarn was just the trick.

One thing led to another (ever so slowly) and with help from two lovely professionals (hello Dutch Wool Diva and Yarn and Pointy Sticks) I can now present you my first ever pattern, Kille

Kille is a cowl with lots of nice and easy stitches, not a lot of counting and lots of pretty colours if you pick your yarn carefully. The sample shown is a new colourway by Dutch Wool Diva, Strolling through the Woods, and it's perfect for matching the Autumn colours out there right now. The sturdy Sock Star is perfect for sharing the cowl with your little one, especially when they like chewing on your knitwear, and soft enough to be worn against the skin. If you don't have a little one or like to live dangerously, go wild with your yarn choices! Be careful though, changing the gauge means changing your yardage! The pattern is carefully tech edited, but if you find a problem, please let me know!

You can wear Kille inside out and upside down, but not twice around your head.*
You can even try it on your other person, but I would keep it. It's a selfish treat, remember?

You have to knit it first, and you can do so after going right here: buy now (you don't have to be a member)


Love,
J



*definitely not twice around a little head so that pulling on it doesn't pull it tight

RSVP: Otherwise Engaged

You might be confused about what I've been doing for the past two years, if all you had to go by were my most recent purchases....

As a matter of fact, I've not touched dear neglected Bea in two years. I've spindled a whopping 50 grams of adorable fluff since the beginning of the year.

There's no rational reason to purchase these, or is there? Well, Juno Fibre Arts appears to end business soon, if not already. Catch it while you can, that's what I say.

This one contains camel. Camel fluff. You heard it. Camel in this fluff. It's for research and learning purposes. 

There'll be no irrational spending here!

PS. Exciting times ahead. Soon, soon!

On getting things done (with Little Spare Time)

So I finished another thing, this time including buttons! Lovely quiet day of nothing and a bit of knitting. As you can see, Bubs was in a hurry to get things done though! 

The pattern is Little Spare Time by Terry Kruse (link to Ravelry) and the yarn is Cascade Elysian which I purchased in a Tardis slash home-away-from-home and not-quite-Local Yarn Shop called Fibre Circle in Farmersville, Texas. Buttons, a shawl collar and pockets, this pattern has it all. It was a quick knit, a lovely pattern and I really recommend it. Bubs decided he needed to wear it and wouldn't stand still for a picture just in case I'd take it from him...

Nanowrimo, Nanoswemo, Movember, Wovember, Whateverember you wanna call it

It's all about the challenges, isn't it? Getting things done, without looking back or forwards too much. I sent a thingy to my wonderful tech editor. I'm working on being proud of that. Gimme a minute ;)

In the mean time, I knit a hat! It just needs buttons, and I have those ready to be put on. Just, you know, need to do it. Pattern is Lexie by Woolly Wormhead, Yarn is Warm Hearted Aran by  Helen of Ripplescrafts, colourway Carnations. 

Sneaky sneaky... on how to get to where you want to be taking baby steps in secret

I never imagined that writing would be the most difficult thing to get back to after the fog of sleep deprivation lifted. Mind you, that fog lingered like nobody's business and it doesn't need much encouraging to return.

It's not wonder that the Big Plan was put into hibernation for a while, at least that's how it would seem. In the very early hours of sleep deprivation (otherwise known as the beginning of motherhood) I was in desperate need of some comfort knitting.

Fortunately, I had some one-of-a-kind hand dyed sock yarn on hand and no idea what to do with it.

You can always knit a pair of socks. You can, but no new mom should be forced to make 2 of a thing, not unless she really wants to. It can be a struggle to juggle a tiny little babe, no less than 4 tiny little dpns or a tiny little circular needle for magic looping, a ball of yarn as well as keeping track of where your sanity disappeared to. And then have to repeat the process because not many people only need one sock. Trust me on this.

There isn't a bag hidden away with two different socks and 2 balls of yarn in it. (It's in plain sight, mocking me and my cold feet)

So what to knit?

It had to be a luxury item compatible with grabby hands and unfortunate spillage. Luckily, I had some gorgeous yarn at hand that's also easy to wash.

And that, as they say, was only the beginning. The Big Plan?

Baby, it's on...

5KCBWDAY2 Dating Profile

Introduction
Hello you! I'm Tomten V, fifth in line of a strong family. Over the generations, we've become bolder and I'm considered the largest of my line. Even though I'm considered to be a classic, my colourful appearance and plethora of Snoopy buttons show off my playful character. Made of the softest baby merino, I will keep you warm and cosy but I won't make a fuss if you spill something on me. I'm a practical guy and that's what washing machines are made for.

 I love going for long or short walks on the beach, driving around on narrow mountain roads and playing outside. Just slip me on and we're ready to go!

Dislikes
I'm not a great fan of rubbing against myself or other items of clothing as that is likely to make me pill. Sharp pointy things will pull my stitches out of proportion and I'll need you to mend that. Best avoided, don't you think? I think my buttons are the cream on the cake when it comes to my looks, but boy is it stressful to button them all up when I'm keeping a Little One warm. Sometimes there are unexplained knots or breakages in my yarn. I do my best to hide them, they do so distract from my appearance. Cover me up in heavy rain or I'll never regain my shape and if you intend to bring me moths, you better think again.

The Future
I'm certain I'll be around and about next autumn. My current Little One is a slight of a thing, so I'm not worried about that. I hope to hand this Little One on to one of my descendants, and for me to keep another Little One warm some day. As long as I'm cared for properly I can last a long time so I'll be around if you're looking for me!

5KCBWDAY1 A Day In The Life

Oh, hello....

There's a little bit of an echo in here. Please ignore the dust bunnies, I have no idea what Judith's been up to in the last months. I assume she'll tell you she's been busy or tired, or both. 

By the way, she hasn't completely lost the plot (yet). It's the annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, organised by Eskimimi. Today's brilliant idea was this: Describe a day in the life of a project that you have made or are in the process of making. It's nice to get a word in, let me tell you (she doesn't shut up). 

I'm her newest cast on, a bit of a comfort thing, just like when she bought me from Helen because I was the best of the lot. I've got so many lovely colours you wouldn't believe it. Caked up I'm even more impressive than in the skein! 

She's getting on nicely though, for someone who's always busy thinking how busy she feels, if you get what I mean. She's even thought up a name for what I'm supposed to be so from now on you can call me All cowlkerchief. I know. I told her that's not a word, and it's quite embarrassing when I hang out with the unfinished cardigans and socks. They have a proper name and a given name, but I'm just the cowlkerchief. 

It's a good thing I'm this gorgeous or I'd get a complex from that name thing. Check out those ripples! Those daisy stitches! The colours (that are awfully bleak in these pictures, I do apologize)!

I'm supposed to be part of a selection of nice things for mums (or not mums) which can deal with tiny tots or other challenges and still look pretty. I'm one of those specials skeins you only have one of in your stash, too pretty to hide in shoes, but sturdy enough to survive daily life in a situation that doesn't appreciate the most luxurious of yarns. Maybe, one day, Judith'll get around to writing us down. You know, what she's been planning for years. Until that time I'll just sit here and look pretty.

It's nice to see something new here, however silly it may seem. Who knows where it leads... Thanks for stopping by!