Holidays

Can't believe that I have been at my full time job for 12 months.  It really does seem like yesterday when I started.  I am on annual leave at the moment, all 38 blissful days.....I decided not to go away this year, so 5.5 weeks at home is quite challenging but I have managed to fill in the first 3 weeks quite easily.

Cooking, cleaning, knitting, coffee with friends, dinner with friends, catching up with family both in the country and by the sea, going to see my football team play, exercising, sleeping.....lots and lots of sleeping, shopping.....lots of shopping, pattern writing and just generally enjoying not working.

I've put together a whole bunch of photos I've taken whilst on hols, some on my DSLR, some on my phone, some snatched from my Instagram account, some snatched from others on Facebook.....thank you Lamb Loves Fox and thank you Kris.

And if you are waiting patiently for Purdey pattern to come along.....your wait is going to be a little longer.  Kris who does all my desk top publishing for all of my patterns, had an early arrival.  Welcome to the world Pippa Mae.  Purdey has been put back till Kris is ready, and I think this little bundle of gorgeousness is a valid excuse, don't you?

Victoria x

Put Your Right Foot In........

Baby Legwarmers as I call these.....stashing these gorgeous little long boots for some gifts for upcoming mothers.....I'm addicted to making them, although I have taken on a couple of international orders and still in the midst of pattern writing so I've had to stop myself from making a second pair.....and I'm mucking around with the sizing as well, want to make some of these for bigger bubs.  You'll find the pattern here and my pair here with some additional notes and amendments I made to the pattern.  What do you think, cute?


Bye, Vx

And Then There Were Four......

Busy knitting prototypes of Purdey bonnets & earflap hats......Subtle sizing changes mean a whole re-knit just to check.....and check again!  Luckily all these prototypes will go to photographers for modelling and sizing checks.  It looks like both patterns will go past my toddler age bracket and should hopefully fit up to or close to a 10 year old which is great for those who have young children & there will be 4 sizes in both hat patterns.

I've contacted my typist, formatter and desktop publisher and she'll start typing up the basic notes of the first Purdey pattern this weekend whilst I start taking the step by step photos.  I don't think we'll be finished by the end of January as promised but I should have the earflap hat well on the way.....that will be the first Purdey pattern as it's unisex whereas the bonnet is more female orientated......it seemed logical to do the hat  that all can use first.

Anyway just a little update for you all, it's back to the knitting for me and all the pretty colours!

Happy New Year by the way, hope you're all well into the swing of 2015.

Vx

2014 The Year That Sort of Was!!

I looked back to the post I did here.  It had some NY resolutions or sort of resolutions.  Thought I should review those and see how I went.

1. No more Not so many yarn purchases. (sort of did ok, but if I had to be honest....I failed)
2. Pilates twice a week. (started off doing it at home once a week and by the time I started in my new job.....all went out the window....fail)
3. Buy that damn bicycle I've been wanting to buy before Summer finishes. (In my quest to save money I am renovating my current bicycle)
4. Lose that last 10 or so kilos.....I managed to get 6.5 off before Christmas, so I'd like to have the remaining 10 off by December....slow and steady. (didn't lose but didn't gain....so that's a win in my book)
5. Finally learn to run and enjoy it.....Couch to 5K, here I come. (Yep can do that, although an Achilles injury in October has put a stop to any running for the time being so it's back to walking)
6. Finish all the woolly works in progress before I start any more. (Big Fail)
7. Have at least 4 more knitted patterns completed before end of year. (Fail, although I have 2 scheduled for the end of January, so almost there....sort of!)
8. Save more money. (Yep, earning more allows you to save more....and I've managed to set up some saving schemes/extra superannuation for my retirement, thanks to my accountant, so that's a win)
9. Don't waste so much food. (Not sure about this, but I know I haven't been eating as much!!)
10. Comment more on other peoples blogs, facebook pages and the like....I know it makes me so happy when someone leaves me a comment, so I'm going to make sure I do it more to others this year.(I started off well, but once I got into the swing of my new job in May.....Fail)
11. Smile randomly at someone in the street everyday. (This one wasn't hard, I just smiled randomly at passengers on my tram.....you smile at someone they'll smile right back, even if it is a half hearted smile)
12. Be HAPPY! (I think I ended up the year a lot happier than I started out, although some people do question this as I'm not one of those people that is outwardly smiling all of the time, more introvert, than extrovert  I've made some new friends, met some wonderful people at my work who make me laugh  on a daily basis, and yeah I'm really looking forward to 2015).

All up I've had a good year.....I love my job.  I was out for dinner with one of my new found friends last week just before Christmas, and I said to him that I never thought I would find a job that I love, and I do like driving trams......who knew!!  It's so nice to go to work every day knowing that you like what you do.....I had a week off before Christmas, and by the end of the 8 days off, I was looking forward to going back to work....so that says something.

I guess the only thing that has disappointed me a little is the neglect of dover & madden so to speak.  My time is now spent focusing on my full time job, it does take a lot of my time....I'm at work for at least 9 hours every day, or 5/6 days a week, and I'm pretty much exhausted still, both physically and mentally when I get home, so d&m stuff now gets left or ignored a lot....although I am pattern writing and it does look as if my next pattern(s) will be out by the end of January.

Anyway I'm off to work now, I guess for the first time in a few years I'll be out on NYE albeit working.  I'll leave you with some of my favourite images from this year.

Happy New Year to you all, may 2015 be everything you wish it to be.

Be happy, be healthy and most of all be kind.


Vicki x

Time keeps on Slippin'

I never intended to stay away for so long......and now it's marching on towards Christmas.  I've been in my job now for 6 months, where has the time gone?

Once again this blog post sees me with no news, or progression on pattern writing.  Full time work is really just that.....full time, with what always seems as no let up.  Trying to always catch up on sleep before catching up with anything, anyone or anybody!

I have made one decision that has turned out to be a good one.....a cleaner.  This has freed up a little bit of time for me and for the first time in what seems like months, I have started to finish some long overdue knitting as well as just knitting items, because I can.  Also a large stash of white Fuzzy Wuzzy came my way via Canada, so I spent a few nights knitting up little Kitty Kat hats....some of which are still available in my Etsy store.....there will be some more to come as I have a lot of this yarn to knit down.

I also spent a considerable amount of what little time I had throwing, donating, gifting and selling off furniture, clothes, books and crockery, as well as throwing years of long held sentimental items.....I just felt it was time to let all of these things go.  I've refreshed some of these items.....new sofa,  bed, chairs, storage for my stuff as well as wool and some new bed linen(s), with a few more things to come, but it is true what they say, you do feel lighter when you're not smothered in stuff and clutter......well I do anyway, and it was a good decision in the end.  Even though it sort of didn't feel totally right at the time.

The only other thing I've done is to put up the Christmas tree......a new 3ft white tree, that sits of the side table filled with beautiful vintage ornaments that I've been buying and stashing over the last few years.....these ornaments weren't cheap but they are so lovely so I figured I needed to get a few extra weeks out of the tree.

Well that's all my news, I promise I won't stay away for too long next time.....fingers crossed the next post will be all about 2 new hat patterns....Purdey bonnet and Purdey earflap......which leads me to say as well how overwhelmed I've been with current pattern purchases.....Clover seems still to be the pattern of the moment, and I just marvel at the beauty of them all when I look at Instagram.....there is literally 100's of them using the tag #cloverearflaphat......so thank you to all who have purchased a pattern or two and I hope you'll all get just as much joy out of Purdey when it's out just before Christmas.

Thanks again


Vicki x

Update, Competition & Hello.......

Hi......it feels like an age since I was last here.  My social media posts have been few and far between as I move into my last week of Tram Driver training with an on board trainer before my last exam next week.  My days have really just been a complete blur of study and concentration on another level, tiredness that I never contemplated.....all brought on by mental fatigue......I don't think I've ever slept so well in my life and let me tell you sleep becomes the most important thing ever!

I've also learnt that eating well and exercise are paramount in a job that requires 100% focus at all times......hopefully that focus may roll over in to my procrastination of all things wooly and stop me jumping from one WIP to another!!.......Somehow I don't think it will.

I continue to knit my way through the last half dozen hat orders.  My days off like today are dedicated to knitting all day to get these completed.....I figure at the moment the housework can wait.....as long as I have a clean uniform for work, that's the main thing.

I've had a few queries already about releasing more patterns.....the answer is yes.  I have a baby blanket or two in the planning for the next patterns.  I just wanted a little break from the hats for now.....fingers crossed the blanket patterns will be completed by mid July.....and then I'll start working on my next hat pattern.

I still continue to be amazed at how well my patterns have been received.  Norwegians, Danes, Swedes and the French continue to knit my patterns at an amazing rate, and looking at so many of your little knitted d&m hats on Ravelry and blogs, makes me smile.

So that leads me to a KEATON competition that I promised......I am quite happy to knit 2 completed KEATON beanies for 2 lucky winners in colours and size of their choice from the colours I have in stock.

Keaton comes in 5 sizes so you are not limited to kids sizes if you win. You may want a beanie for yourself.  You can also have the choice of having it with a pom pom or without.  I'll happily send the completed beanies anywhere in the world.....as the competition is open to everyone.

All you have to do to enter is to either join my blog, like my Facebook page and do one other thing and that is to like one of the great photographers Facebook pages that have assisted me with Keaton photographs amongst others Sarah Brown Photography  and Lamb loves Fox

Jumping For Joy......

Little Lamb from Lamb Loves Fox jumping for joy.....She knows dover & madden's Keaton beanie pattern will be available on Wednesday at Etsy and Ravelry.

Etsy will have discounts for 2 & 3 pattern deals.  Ravelry only has single pattern purchases.  I'll let you know when it's ready to go.

Oh and I'm jumping for joy.....I start my new job on Thursday.


Have a good week.

Vx

Keaton is Coming......

I've pushed forward a new hat ...... Little Keaton should be ready in pattern form in around 12 days.....fingers crossed......Here is a little sneak peek....my first beanie.

There is a little more information here on Ravelry....but stay tuned.


Vx

Popping In.....

Thought I'd drop by and let you know I'm still here......Quite sick with a shocking cold that I can't seem to shake off, but still here.

I've been bunkering down at home the majority of the time with chicken soup and good wholesome hearty food to try and beat this dreaded lurgy.....10 days I've had it for now, and it is showing no signs of leaving!!

I have zip, zilch, zero news of any type so I've just popped up a pretty picture of some knit wear I was packing away to keep nice and clean.....don't you just love, texture and colour, so much love and satisfaction in that little pile of knits I can't tell you.

Anyway I'll be on my way, I've a medical appointment of a different type today, the one where they clamp part of your body in a vice like grip and x-ray.....it's an annual checkup based on family history......always makes me a little anxious though.

Oh and I went and saw The Grand Budapest Hotel last night.....I've heard so many people raving about it, I think I missed the memo, I just fidgeted, looked at my watch and did lots of mind wandering until it was over........But I saw All is Lost last week......bloody brilliant, although I knew there was a reason I hated boats!!

Anyway I'm looking forward to the Easter Break.  For some reason Easter is my favourite holiday, I think it stems from happy holidays as a child.....Happy memories.

Anyway that's it, I'm out of here!!

Enjoy, Vx

African Flowers on a Dull Grey Day......

It's funny that I finished this blanket on such a grey, slightly rainy and overcast day.....the first day that I can really feel that Autumn is on the way.....and I for one am glad to see the end of Summer.....it really was the long hot Summer!!

Anyway the blanket is done....I blocked this like there was no tomorrow, because after completion in the early hours of this morning, it sort of looked twisted, tight and sort of mangled, if I can use that term for a woolly blanket....anyway this blanket I had to wet first before I could even get some give out of it to lay it flat for blocking.....the fibres were sooooooo tight.

Anyway it's now beautiful, soft, drapey and the patterns in the flowers have spread....the seams of the joins have all flattened out.....and now it's the perfect blanket for a baby girl that is coming soon.

Well for now it's back to the knitting.

Have a good week. Vx

Saturday......

Well the 2nd blanket is well underway.  I'm more than half way but I'll save any final photos for early next week.....and the blanket as it is, is in pieces on the floor in the lounge room, and the light is bad in there....and truth be told I just haven't got the energy to pick it all up and move it to photograph it....but I did take one shot this morning before I got stuck into crocheting like a woman possessed.

My sleep pattern is way out of kilter now because of the 3am finish the other day....I've managed to get through today without a 'nana nap' so hopefully an early night tonight might see my sleep or lack thereof get back to normal!

I've managed to get 2 rows completed and photographed.  I'm using this pattern here.  Not only is it free, but it also fits in well with my love of straight edges.....most of you who have been around here for a while, know I hate uneven edging, so I knew I had to find an African Flower pattern in a square.....and this one fit the bill and it's incredibly easy to follow and really well written and the other bonus is there is no half flowers to do!!

I'm joining them together with the right sides facing out so picking up the two inner rows and slip stitching them together, although that has caused a few issues as it means I can't join all the squares together in the other direction in one continuous line. I'll have to join those edges individually.....I'll show you what I mean when I'm done....I did look at this join as you go edging here, and as much as I liked it, for my taste it was too fussy with all the patterning of the flowers, although it is a perfect joining method for a solid square in my opinion....so I unpulled it and went pack to the original join.  If you look here at Epipa's blog I got the idea for my join from hers on this gorgeous blanket she has made.  For mine, I'd rather have a simple join for the squares and something more fancy for the border like the images show.

Anyway the pictures shows, 2 rows, I'm at 4 rows, and I have 3 more to do....it's a 5 x 7 baby blanket, and with a large border it will be a small cot, large pram size.

Anyway off out for a stroll before it starts to get dark.....stretch the legs and get some fresh air.

Cheerio. Vx

Back to the Blankets.......

For some reason it seems like an age since I posted about a blanket....I've been back on the knit sticks for a while and the hook has been put away for a little time.  I have 2 blanket orders to complete, both being for friends so I have a little bit more freedom with these.....in the sense that my judgement is trusted in colour work to get these right......so one got finished last night.....and oh what a late night it was.  I started this blanket yesterday at lunchtime so at around 12pm, noon.  I worked right through with only a few tea breaks, and a phone call and blocked it at around 2.50am this morning....I was in bed according to the clock at 3.06am!! So a baby blanket has taken me around 15 hrs, give or take 30 minutes.  Yes I am tired this morning and have a crazy sore neck.

This one is using my favourite organic merino wool from here.  Oh how I love this yarn....I often talk about it.  The company is back up and running after being taken over by a new owner.  Very happy I was about that. I used my own Squircle pattern, link on the side of this page.  I used all the colours in the organic range except the dark green....I don't know why I didn't use it,  just didn't think it fit in at all....every circle has pink in it, and I also have a touch of navy blue in there, that I had left over before the colour was deleted from the range......the colours in this yarn all just work so beautifully together.....I guess you may have gathered the blanket is for a baby girl, but you'll notice I didn't exclude, blues, browns or grey.....they all blend in so well.

Ok, I'm finished here....I'll be back with the second one when it's done.....little bit excited about that one!

Cheerio!

Vx