Catch up

So, since I finished Oblique last weekend, I've started something new. Something for Emily, which she has been asking for for a while, and no doubt something that will be worn once and tossed aside.

Lets hope I'm wrong!

It's Petal by Kim Hargreaves from the "Misty" book.

I'm knitting it in Bendigo Woollen Mills 4ply cotton in "New Ochre" that I picked up while we were down in Bendigo for the Sheep and Wool show. Once again, I'm knitting the front and back at the same time, and so far it's coming along nicely.

Speaking of Emily, she's smack in the middle of her final exams for school. This is how she looks most days.

Including the look on her face. This time next week, her high school career will be over. Can you believe it?!? Me either.

So we've been housebound while she studies, and I've been at the sewing machine.

This was going to be a sneak peek of the Dick and Jane collection that was supposed to be now available in the shop. But most of it's gone already! There's still DPN roll there, and there's one more interchangeable holder going up in a week or so when more lining fabric arrives. I've ordered some more fabric, so there'll be more in the future. The pretty polka dot linen needle rolls are up, though!

And in fun stuff, Kris introduced me to the Bieber Hair app for the iPhone.

No one is safe!

Oblique

From lunchtime on Wednesday until lunchtime on Thursday, I was glued to the television. I abandoned it for around 7 hours to go get some sleep, and two brief trips to deliver/pick up Emily from dancing, but apart from that, I sat in front of the television, watching the Chilean miners be rescued after 69 days underground.

I'm such a softy. I cried every time I saw one of them come up. Em and I cheered and applauded (and cried) for every single one of them. It was so inspiring to watch. Such good news, and such an awesome outcome.

And it ended in another great outcome, one a lot closer to home.

Oblique is finally finished - hooray!

The marathon television event caused a marathon finishing event!

Specs:
Pattern: Oblique by Veronik Avery from Knitty Fall 2007
Size: Small (39 inches)
Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12ply in "Radiant" 5 balls
Needles: 4mm Knitpicks Nickel interchangeable
Buttons: Wooden, received in a Secret Santa swap last Christmas - and perfect!
Mods: None.

The colour is most accurate in this picture, I think.

Knit exactly to the pattern, and I'm pretty happy with it - although I do think it's a little big. I wish I'd knit it a size smaller, but there's no way I'm ripping it out and starting over! Apart from that, it's a great pattern. It's not too bad to knit, although the heavier-than-I'm-used-to yarn dragged it out a bit for me. I especially like the short row shaping on the neckband.

I finished it thinking I wouldn't get a chance to wear it this year. Thursday was a beautiful day, hot and sunny. Today? Freezing. It's back to winter weather, icy winds and low temperatures. Perfect weather for this cardi, in fact!

Although, I'd really like it now if I didn't get to wear it again until next year. I'm more than ready for some nice warm weather!

And I did!

So I actually managed what I set out to do in my last blog post. Well, kind of.

The needle rolls are all sewn up, but I couldn't find the linen tape, so I've ordered more, and have to await it's arrival.

Sophie is finished.

I love all of Ysolda's toys! They make such cute baby gifts - I don't have to worry about whether they'll fit, or the season, and everybody seems to love them.

Specs:
Pattern: Sophie by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk
Needles: 2.75mm DPNS
Mods: None! Although I stitched the eyes instead of French Knots, because my french knots kept sinking into the head.

Like I said, I love these toys, they're all great fun to knit, and she writes such great directions that are easy to follow. Except for one thing.

The ears are an almighty pain in the butt. Those first few rows are torture. But they work so well and look so great when they're done, that it's worthwhile!

I also worked on the Oblique sleeves!

Up to this point I was doing both sleeves at once, but I've run out of one of the balls of yarn, so I'll finish them off one at a time - I'm starting to feel like there's an end in sight now!

Rainy days...

Today is gloomy, rainy and generally pretty blah. So I'm going to sew. Turning these...

Into needle rolls for the shop.

Then I might finish (another!) Sophie.

(As requested by Em for her *very* pregnant year advisor at school)

And maybe I'll even work on the neglected Oblique sleeves.

Ironically, after declaring it too warm to wear Oblique now, this week has had some perfect days for it. And I probably could have had it done if I hadn't ignored it!