New Cast On !

At last, my new yarn arrived & I am so glad that I bought them (as if I don't have enough in my stash). These are gorgeous - the colors & the smoothness. Oh, how lucky to find these yarn .... & I wonder how they feel when knitted up ... I really have to share this with all of you, so here they are ...Aren't they gorgeous - I bought them from The Knittery - they are the Merino 4 ply sock yarn in Berrybliss but they are not going to be socks although I also bought a set of Brittany dpns. Can't wait to use those needles but for the moment, they have to wait as I have to cast on my new project with those gorgeous yarn.

I did cast on .... the V-neck Vest from Jo Sharp's Knit Issue 1. Although the Merino is a little thinner than Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk, I managed to adjust the size of the vest & I am knitting it in the round, so no SEAMS to sew up - as many of you know how I hate sewing up! So now I have 268 sts on the needle & going round & round & round for the rib & it's coming on beautifully & the yarn is so soft & nice to knit .... take a peek ....

I can't stop knitting this & I love how the colors are turning out. I am sure I will be going back for some more of these yarn. Anyway, this is the vest that I am knitting & I know you (Cindy) are knitting it too !

Unfortunately, I have to put the vest aside & work on my other projects .... finished knitting the green cardigan & it's time for sewing up (any volunteers???) .... & up to the leg portion of Helen's 2nd sock. Will work on the sock tonight & maybe do the sewing up next weekend?

New Home for Lara

Remember Lara - the cardigan that I knitted for my niece, Sharon in Singapore. Well, it was packed & sent off during the weekend to arrive in time for Sharon's birthday on Tuesday. Hope it fits her as I have still not heard from her. Anyway, have a last look at Lara ....

Lara was packed with a hand made birthday (by Lynette), washing instructions (yarn label) and a tag (can't see clearly in the pic) which reads "From the Needles of Ann" - how lovely - maybe I should go into business! Well, I hope it fits her & she likes it !

On another matter - for all knitters in Perth - go & check out this new blog knittinginperth which my friend, Helen started to promote community knitting in Perth & she will be providing information on such events & if you are looking for a group to join, then this is the site! Helen is also very resourceful & does a lot of research into knitting, so again, if you are looking for information, check out her site.....

More Yarn ???

Went thro' my WIPs and yarn stash & guess what I found ... the Branching Out Scarf from knitty.com . I started knitting this scarf with Bette (100% silk) which I bought from Live 2 Knit & the scarf was intended for my aunt's birthday in March but unfortunately could not complete it in time. As I need a change, I am picking it up again but not so sure if this is the project that I am looking for. Anyway, I have used up 1 skein & the scarf is still not long enough ... take a peek .... the yarn is a lovely color & the silk is so smooth!

Also found 2 skeins of another yarn from Live 2 Knit - 100% Superwash Merino - which will be suitable for a pair of socks - but what pattern should I use - this requires more thought so I will have to put it aside for the time being. Anyway, take a look at the yarn & maybe someone can give me an idea !

All this lovely yarn & not enough knitting time. It will be worse tomorrow as another school term starts & this means more running around with school & after school activities ...sigh... plus I am still looking for THE PROJECT ... :(

Sockathon !!!

That's right - I am still on my Sockathon & just finished a pair for Lydia (my younger daughter) using Opal's Petticoat. Agree with you Sharon - Opal is still the best - great colors & easy to knit up. So, here's the socks...... This was a really fast knit - finished both socks within a week. I guess I am getting better in sock knitting & using Wendy's Toe-Up pattern also helps. This pair is knitted plain with a K2,P2 cuff & as Lydia has small feet, I didn't have to knit a lot.

Also finished knitting 1 of Helen's socks & not starting the next sock until I get Helen to try it on for size. Will be meeting Helen this afternoon for a knitting session at the new Borders in the city. Looking forward to it, so I better go & get ready......

Anglicare Knit-In 2006

It was a really cold morning (less than 10 deg.) on Wednesday, July 12 when I went to the Anglicare Knit-In 2006 in Perth with my 2 girls (it's the school hols). It was held in the ballroom of the Government House & we joined about 500 knitters in knitting squares & stripes to be made into blankets. The event was awesome as this is the 1st first time that I was in a room with so many knitters. The room was so charged with activities & it was really a fantastic atmosphere to be knitting away......

.......that's Lydia, me and Helen (left to right).... busy knitting our little squares. Lydia even managed to finish 1 square while we were there. As the event was sponsored by 720 ABC, it was broadcast live in WA! And guess what??? Helen was interviewed by Bernadette Young on Weird Knitting. On top of that, we met & had a little chat with May Hamilton, Australia's Fastest Knitter. May recently won the title when she knitted 170+ stitches in 3 minutes - we even saw her knit - it was really fast.

I was glad that I participated in this event & look forward to attending it again in 2007... & this time I am going to be there the whole day!

Socks & More Socks.....

Yes, I finished my 1st pair of toe-up socks with a feather & fan leg design & I really love them - so easy to knit up, so soft to wear & so pretty too! Here they are (modelled by Lynette again)......

Now for another pair - this time I am using Lana Grossa sock yarn (45% cotton, 42% virgin wool, 13% polyamid) & it's just as soft as Online's. My friend, Helen bought a few balls & asked me to give them a try (now that I am in a sock knitting craze). The yarn is knitting up well but the colors and pattern formation are not as nice as Online's - well, you be the judge .....

So, what do you think? The colors are bright but they are just stripes & no sight of any fair isle. I can't wait to finish this pair of socks & then knit another pair with my new Opal yarn. So sock knitters, what's the verdict???? Online, Lana Grossa or Opal ?

I have just finished the heel turning last night & now knitting the leg...what pattern should I knit for the leg? Rib, lace or ????? Any ideas out there??

Socks Galore!

Now that I am in a sock knitting craze, it's also the right time to acquire sock yarn to add to my ever growing yarn stash. So...I bidded and won 2 lots (8 skeins in each lot) of Opal yarn from silkandmore (ebay seller in Germany). The much awaited 1st lot (they were in quarantine) arrived today and here they are....... Aren't they gorgeous...that's the Opal Petticoat range. I will have a hard time deciding which color to knit the next pair of socks but first of all, I will have to finish off the 2nd fan & feather sock...almost there, about 10 rows to the cuff & then it's done. Will have to finish it off tonight so that I can cast on the next sock!!

Progressing well on the green cardi for Noreen - half-way thro' the 2 sleeves (knitting them at the same time on a circular needle), then the collar & they will be ready to sew up (but really dread the idea of sewing them together but...it has to be done).