A Few Little Things

Now that the retreat is over, life is slowly coming back to normal & knitting is also getting up to speed - there are still 2 major WIPs waiting to be picked up but just had to knit a couple of little gifts.

Casted off this little hat (it was supposed to go into the package with the socks) for my 1 month old nephew ....

It was actually a quick knit as I used the magic cast on for the top & just increase at 4 points until I get the size that I wanted, knit it straight down & cast off. It's a really cute hat & I like this way of knitting from the top as again, no seams to sew up.

Another little gift is for my 6 year old niece who had asked for leg warmers that she can wear when she goes for her ballet classes, so here they are .....

Again a quick knit as I just cast on & keep knitting straight up until the calf & then do a few increases, knit for a few inches & then cast off. I hope they are long enough. I printed my 1st label .....

Also managed to cast off another project that have been on the needles for a couple of months - the Chevron Scarf .....

The scarf turned out really nice as I love the colors combination & the strips came out so evenly. I just used 1 skein of Mama Llama's self striping sock wool in the Winter colorway which had been in my stash for ages. Although I love this scarf, I don't think I want to knit another as I now remember that scarf knitting is boring & it goes on forever.....

Now I have to get back to my bigger projects (the WIPs). I have picked up the Mystic Light Shawl - a KAL which I joined & is already over & knitters are posting their blocked shawls in the Group in Ravelry. I finished Part 2 of the pattern before the retreat .....

..... and now picked up to start on Part 3 but it took me 2 days of knitting & frogging to do 8 rows & there are still more than 10 rows to go & then Part 4 & 5. I hope I can make it to Part 5 without any more frogging (touch wood!)

..... Part 2

of the Best Times of Our Lives - take a look at more pictures on Helen's flicker album & also Helen's blog .

With the feedback that we have been receiving, I think we are fully booked for 2009 ! This is fantastic & Helen & I have already started making a list of things to do for the next retreat !

The Best Times Of Our Lives .....

... at the knitting retreat - 2 days of knitting bliss in a fabulous environment with a group of fellow knitters. The 2 days went by so quickly as they were packed with so many activities .....

.... a dyeing demonstration by Irene of Jolly Jumbuck

..... Peter cutting his demo steek & we also get to have a try cutting up a sample. It was scary but fun !

...... Helen's stole being blocked & it was great to see the pattern unrevealing compared to the other half which was not blocked - everyone was amazed by the effects of blocking!

.... and of course we can't do without food which was so well done - the vegetable lasagne was the talk of the room as it melts in our mouths & dinner was finished off with the best pecan pie I ever tasted. The pie was baked with fresh pecans grown right next door !..... there was knitting all over the place in favorite spots - out in the front verandah with glorious views all round & a little bit of sun.

....or with a little bit of warmth in the lounge room by the fire place.

.... or in the main meeting room where the lighting was the best & with a tempting view of this ....

yummy yarn which was specially dyed by Zen Yarn Garden for the retreat!

And we also had the opportunities to have a feel & see IRL (in real life) a couple of inspirational FOs ....

..... a christening shawl & a beaded sock !

We really had a great time & were sad to leave but as the response was so positive, Helen & I booked the place for our next retreat in 2009 !

Although Helen & I did not managed to get a lot of knitting time, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the company of all these wonderful knitters & we are already putting a list of do's & don'ts for next year !

That's my sock with a new found friend relaxing in the beautiful outdoors .....

We Are Ready To Go .....

..... to our Annual Knitting Retreat next week. 23 knitters have signed up to go & Helen & I are now in our final stages of preparation. The yarn is on its way from Zen Yarn Garden & Jolly Jumbuck - all specially dyed for the retreat.

The projects for the knit-alongs are also done ....

... me modelling the River Avon Vest (my regular model is away in the Reunion Island on a French Exchange Program) - a seamless vest that I put together for the retreat. I love both the pattern (so easy to knit & fits so well) & the yarn (so soft & light - perfect for a garment)....

...... it's just lovely & the color gorgeous. Love it!

There's also the Upside Down Monkey socks as the branches are flowing in the wrong direction (from the original pattern) as I knitted the socks toe-up. Again, I used the Monkey stitch pattern & Wendy's Gusset Heel - a winning combination .....

...... the yarn is lovely to knit with & after blocking became so soft. Irene of Jolly Jumbuck did a fabulous dye job as I love the Rainbow Trout colorway ......

I can't wait for Friday as Helen & I will be driving up to the homestead after lunch & start the preparation to welcome all the knitters to 2 days of knitting adventures .....