down by the seaside

Today I was going to blog about the release of a recent pattern, Tobias, but that is going to have to wait.

Tomorrow we move out of our house while the builders move in, we're having the floating floors in our entire place replaced. This is what happens when your dishwasher has a major flooding incident and they no longer make the floor type you have.

Anyway, the long and short of it, has meant this afternoon was spent emptying our all removable furniture items, like bookshelves, buffets, cabinets, etc. in preparation for the builders. They'll move all our furniture out but we needed to empty them first. All the inners of that furniture is currently residing in the study/playroom, all stacked neatly up... computers have been shut down and are inaccessible.

Before tackling this task we decided to make the most of the wonderful weather and ventured down to the beach for an early morning low-tide snorkel; the first of this season!





We live five minutes drive from Point Lonsdale, and our favourite kid friendly snorkeling is just out the front of the lighthouse. At low tide, it becomes the most amazing wonderland of rockpools and rock platforms with caves and arches to explore. The ocean is part of a marine sanctuary so when you venture out on a flat day, there are plenty of fish to see.





The water is still quite cold, yes indeed. To make the most of it and really enjoy it, full length wetties were essential. Toby is finally big enough for Lily's hand-me-down wetsuit. He's extremely stoked with it, and spent last evening in it. He even ate dinner in it. Lily, I am very pleased to say, selected this lovely blue wetsuit as her new one. What a perfect hand-me-dwon that will be!

It's still only the start of Spring really here. The water is only just starting to warm up, but there's something just so lovely about a morning at the beach.




If you're wondering why Lily and Toby are wearing their sandals in the water, it's because they are Salt Water sandals. They don't rust and designed for use in salt water, perfect for stylish kids who like to rockhop!




We have vowed to go for a snorkel every weekend where possible at low tide from hereon. Let's hope we do! It was so blissful and despite the drudgery of the day's chores I was perfectly relaxed, thanks to the lovely feel of salt in my hair.

How did you spend your day?
Did you have such glorious weather as we did? I hope so!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What I'm working on...

First of all, thanks so much to everyone who left comments yesterday and gave me some awesome ideas for some upcoming blog posts. Every post had some great ideas and I think I  will be working my way through the whole list!  Today I'm a little limited as it's quite late and for some of the posts I have planned I'd really like to snap some photos.... so they'll have to wait until tomorrow. 

By the way, it's not too late to add your ideas to yesterday's post about what you'd like to read about. The more ideas the better!

The idea for today's post came from Annwen, who suggested:

"Perhaps you could do a post about what we can expect (no pressure!) in the way of upcoming pattern releases?"

Today, this really appealed to me for the simple reason that at the moment I don't actively have a design on the needles. This is a rare occurrence for me, and in fact, when I packed our basket for the beach this afternoon I had to really think about what knitting to take!

This doesn't mean I don't have any designs on the needles, heaven forbid! I do. Truth be told there are quite a few in varying states of completion, but most of those have not been touched for quite some time, so they're not what I would consider "active designs". There is some logic there, I promise.

It feels strange but sort of liberating when you're at this in-between stage. I have to decide whether to start something new, something that may have been itching away at me for a while, or to return to one of my half completed design.  This time around I am committing to returning to a few of my half completed designs.

In July, I compiled a list of all those half completed designs. Some had patterns half written, some had prototypes half knit, some had prototypes knit and patterns almost completed.. but something had distracted me and I hadn't returned to it. The list was a lot longer than I thought it would be. So I promised that every time I reached this point, I would work on at least one of these patterns before starting something new. And it has been working!

Following this approach, I managed to get Tobias released, (which reminds me I haven't blogged that release. That's tomorrow's topic taken care of)

and also have both Griffin

 and Gwendolyn

 with the testers.

Griffin is pretty much ready to go, it just needs the final tech editing, etc. That process will begin next week, and the release shouldn't be too long after that.
Gwendolyn is probably still another 4 or 5 weeks off from release, once the full process has run its course.

Next week, I'll also be sending another pattern off to the testers, Olinda:

While this is all happening, I'll be returning to a series of smaller patterns I have in the works. I have a couple of dolly patterns that are so close to being ready to go to the testers, and a handful of accessory patterns that I think I'd like to group as an e-book. We'll see!


P.S. The two knits at the top of this post are Granny's favourite and What Big Eyes You Have! These patterns were part of the Red Riding Hood Yarns Winter Yarn Club and will be released to the general public in March 2013. See, I'm organised ;)

Yarns used in this post were:
RRHY 'Belle' Superwash DK, WOOLganics Organic Merino Knitters Yarn and Noro Kureyon.

October!

I love October! And every year I am so glad to greet its arrival. October really truly means the end of the Winter months. Despite being a month into Spring, it is really October when you can really sense the warming air. Although, a few days ago when we experienced what I think was our coldest day this year I wouldn't have said that. But now it is October and all that is behind us! Bring on the sunshine and happy salad days, I say!

Today we celebrated October by a morning at the beach.

You could just feel that Summer was coming and we're all anticipating the warmer weather arriving in the next few days. Lily was quite disappointed that she couldn't go snorkelling today... not quite the conditions for it really. She's used to seeing this stretch of beach at low tide when it is home to the most glorious rock pools and super super snorkelling fun for kids.

It's a really special spot. This was where Andy and I spent our last day as carefree young DINKs. That evening Lily began her push to this world.

October also means a return of Blogtoberfest! woot! This year it's being hosted by the lovely Kat from I Saw You Dancing. Kat is so lovely that she dropped by my blog to remind me about blogtober. How did she know I was so forgetful!!!! You can click on the pretty image below to get to Kat's blog and join up too.

So yes, this will be my third attempt at BlogtoberFest and this year, I might just make it through to the end. I'm thinking, possibly the same as I did last year, this could get me back into good blogging habits again.

This year, I'm going to be honest and admit I need some help. I need to feel the love to get me over the line, well and some ideas too.

So what I want from you, dear reader, is some ideas about what you would like me to write about. I have another 30 days to go.. so plenty of scope.

Do you want to read about knitting related stuff? (given that's most of my crafting, let's hope so!)
Do you want me to tell you about my stash? What needles I use? What are my favourite yarns? Whose patterns would I knit if I had the time? What I'm knitting at the moment? What patterns I'm working on? Do you want me to review a book, a yarn, needles,  a gizmo or knitting App?

Do you want to know about my other crafting ventures?
Maybe I can do some sewing to blog about? or cross stitch?
Or do yo want me to delve into the often untouched world of my Wholefoods thermomix adventures?

Who knows maybe you just want to see photos of my adorable children?

Give me ideas, loads of them, and if I use yours I shall gift you one of my patterns (except for those under an exclusivity deal) ~ that sounds quite important! in either pdf or printed form.

You can see the full range of my patterns here.  

the diary

For Christmas last year, my sister gave me this beautiful visual diary that she made. Its cover is woollen  and the beautiful design on the front is one of her own that she has screen printed.  It has such lovely little detail, like the special spot to keep drawing pencils, which she included.

Anyway, I'm embarrassed to say it has sat untouched for the majority of this year.  Why?
Firstly because I've kept a visual diary before for my designs but... eventually my kids attack it and take it over. This is despite the fact that they both have their own visual diaries that they use almost daily!
And secondly, well, I don't think my drawing skills are up to par to do this gorgeous diary justice. It was just a wee bit daunting to approach that first page.

I. just. couldn't. do. it.

But then one fine day in August, well possibly not that fine given it's Winter here, I for some unknown reason decided to take stock of my patterns in developmental stages. Gulp!  To qualify, a pattern had to have a sketch (no matter how rough), notes, swatch and have been cast on. The list was longer than I expected. I also found that despite owning an iPad, which is where I supposedly keep my pattern notes, I did have sketches and notes spread over three different notebooks.  As I looked through these notebooks I found many many sketches I had forgotten about. Some showed promise. Some had evolved into patterns already. Some were complete rubbish. Many had little people added to them courtesy of my daughter. There were even a few designs she'd added herself in hope.

So I decided the time had come to open and christen my visual diary.

I started with the words, it's always easier for me to begin with words. They come so much easier than drawing.  And then I drew. I sat with my kids and sketched out some ideas; some new and some from my old notebooks. I coloured and drew with my kids and it was all ok.

My sketches, as you can see, are certainly never going to make it to an exhibition, but they're ok enough for me to know what they are.

So if you're wondering how the design process evolves from that spark of an idea. Or in this case, my friend asking me to write a pattern for a hooded vest that she could knit in Noro Kureyon.

The idea for the mitred neckline came from this blanket that I knit for Toby last year. I see it everyday and I've often pondered how to utilise the mitred look some more. I do really love it!

This is the first of my sketches in my new visual diary that has actually transformed into something. I'm really proud of that. So from sketch to garment, this is it!

Griffin knit in Noro Kureyon.
It took 4 balls, or 440 yards to complete this hooded vest for Toby.

if you want to have a look at some more photos or the details of Griffin, It's ravelled here.
The pattern is currently in testing and will be available in the next few weeks.

sisters, sisters,..

"there were never such devoted sisters...."

I thought it was probably about time that I blogged about one of my newest pattern collections, Anne, which is part of the sisters series.

Then I realised I probably, possibly, may have not actually blogged about any of the sister patterns. eek! That is what happens when the regular blogging thing falls apart. I had a quick look back through my archives and to my relief found that I had managed to blog Jane and Elizabeth. Phew!!

But I'd missed Suzanne. It was a bit scary to see just how little I have blogged in the past year or so, and how many patterns haven't even seen the light of this blog. gah!

Anyway, the three patterns I haven't shared all share a similarity. They all have some derivative of Anne in their name and they all share the same stitch adornment; a beautiful daisy stitch. These are essentially the Autumn and Winter patterns, but you could really wear them any time of the year.

First up is Suzanne, which I released in June.

I love this cardie so much, and am anticipating casting on one for me very very soon.

I had so much fun designing this one, and I love the unusual construction of it. Initially, it is constructed like an old fashioned shrug but knit circularly. Yes, you knit from one sleeve across the back and down the other sleeves. I love getting the sleeves out of the way first! Then the back is knit and finally the edging is worked, bringing it all together.

It's quite an easy knit, with the most difficult aspect being picking up stitches.

 It's designed for 8ply/dk weight yarns and I'd actually recommend a superwash yarn as it will give it a lovely drape, just like this one. I also love that being an open front cardie, it is light on yardage and a quick knit.

The size range covers a 19" chest all the way up to a 30" chest; so will fit from approximately 12 months to 12 years.

And because I know you will ask about this yarn, everyone does... it is such a spectacular colour!!!
Lily's version is knit with Vintage Purls Max, a limited edition colourway called Lime.
I ravelled my version here; but if you pop over to Rav and have a look through the projects connected to the pattern page you'll see a virtual rainbow of colours.

Pattern is available for a mere $6AUD.



More recently, I released Annie.

Annie is, I guess, the caridgan version of Suzanne, for those who like to button their cardies up and keep tummies warm.  I know not everyone likes an open front cardie, and they are not ideal on wee ones as many mums like to bundle their buds up and keep their chest nice and warm.  Hence, Annie was born.

She shares the same daisy stitch detailing, but is constructed top down using a raglan seamless construction. Annie is a super simple knit with no picking up of stitches at all, it's just all knitting downwards.  The pockets are worked into the cardie as you knit. My testers loved this way of working pockets, there's a couple of little tricks worked in to make the finishing of the pockets ever so simple!

This one is sized from 15" to 30" chest, so will fit from approximately newborn up to a size 12.
Again, it's worked up in dk/8ply weight yarn.

The blue Annie is knit in Never Ending Obsessions Kona Superwash DK and the pinkish one is knit in Pear Tree Supersoft 8ply. I don't think this colourway was ever released publicly, I bought it at the store.

Ravelled here and here and the pattern page can be found here.
And you can purchase Annie for just $6AUD.


Following on soon after Annie, came Annabel.

Annie and Annabel share a lot of similarities but there are some distinct differences too.

Annabel is much more of a jacket style, and thus has a longer length and more positive ease through pretty much every aspect of the design; the sleeves, the bodice and the skirt/body. Annabel has an optional hood, her pockets are slightly deeper and her buttonband is knit on afterwards by picking up stitches.

I'd tend to knit Annie in a superwash to give it a light airy feeling, whereas Annabel I'd knit in a gorgeous snuggly handwash only yarn. It is just perfect for yarns like WOOLganics Organic Merino Knitters Yarn, which incidentally this one is knit in. The colourway is Kundalini.

Annabel has been graded for two yarn weights.  For those who want that really snuggly jacket experience; it's graded for an aran weight yarn, whereas for my climate, the dk/8ply weight  version is suffice.

I love this so much, and can see myself knitting one for me next winter!

It's ravelled here and the project page has links to many other beautiful versions of this jacket. Check out the ones in red!!! When I saw those, I had some serious knit envy going on!!!

you can purchase your copy of Annabel for $6AUD.



If you like the look of both Annie and Annabel and can't decide, or think you'll knit both; an ebook called Anne (which is the sister name both these patterns sprang from ) is available with both patterns in it for $10AUD.


Happy knitting!!

Yarn Along Wednesday!

This Wednesday almost came and past me by without me actually realising it was Wednesday. 

We've had a busy day, cycling to school and then into town to revisit Lily's old  kindie and reacquaint Toby with it. The last time he visited he had just turned two. It's hard to believe that he will be attending there next year as a four year old!

It's such a fabulous inspiring kindergarten! You know it's the right place when the teachers are excited to see the kids' visiting and they say to them, "You're welcome to come back and visit and play any time this year!" How special is that!

We've been into the city to buy paint and a new bicycle helmet and lunched in the beautiful Barwon Heads. A wee bit of knitting was accomplished in the car on the way in and out of Geelong, and while waiting outside the bicycle store for what seemed like an eternity, but apparently was only about 30 minutes!!!! 

I have no photos of what I am knitting at the moment, which is not really part of the game, is it? Perhaps I shall be good and add one in the morning. BUT I have just finished knitting my kiddies some fabulous mittens, so I'll share some pics of those instead.

A bit of photo overload but these are fabulous and so fun!

These fabulous little mittens are knit from Sheryl Greenfield's new Leaf Mitten pattern. 

Can you tell I enjoyed this pattern?

Unfortunately for you, it is not available to the general public until January 2013 as it was part of a Yarn and Pattern Club run by Red Riding Hood Yarns.  

But Sheryl has plenty of other fabulous patterns you could try! 

You can find her patterns in her Ravelry pattern store over here

My little mitten knittin' spree helped us brave the cold climate of our mountain country while we spent a few days in the Dandenong Ranges and the kids saw snow for the first time.  My mittens are still on the needles, well one is anyway.

And what am I reading?

I'm reading Gillian Slovo's 'Every Secret Thing'. Gillian is the daughter of anti-apartheid activists Ruth First and Joe Slovo. It's a great read; it's described by one reviewer as a brave book, and I'd agree.  I'm really enjoying it, even though it deals with events and people that were the generation before mine, so not ones that I am completely familiar with. 

Pop on over and join the Yarn Along. (link at the top there)

mittens ravelled here and here

keeping up the pace

I bet you thought I'd slipped away into non-blogging land again, didn't you?
Well, I don't blame you! It nearly happened.

We've been enjoying the start of the Winter school holidays here. I say that quite ironically as yesterday morning the children greeted us with a 6:20 wake up! That's earlier than we normally get up for school!

The wonderful thing about Winter school holidays is that they coincide perfectly with the Tour de France, so there's been lots of knitting into the wee hours, while pretending that I'm watching the cycling. I wonder than my DK hasn't caught on to it. Sometimes he stays up late with me, but often he's in bed first. And then when I go to bed, he'll ask, "So what happened? Who won?" And I'm never really quite sure.

I'm also having a bit of a tidy up of my design schedule, which sounds quite fancy. The reality is that I have no schedule or organised approach what so ever. I tend to just knit what I feel like or what I'm inspired by. I'm quite fickle at times and will often toss aside a knit in favour of something that excites me much more. While this does generally keep the knitting mojo strong, it does mean there are quite a few designs/garments that are yet to see the light of day.  Quite a few. And it's not that they are flawed, just my approach is!

So I have a plan.

I'm going through all my half-knit garments and half written patterns and giving them an order to be tackled. I plan to tackle one here and one there, fairly sporadically so I don't get bogged down in some great catch up of UFOs. That would never work for me.

I also plan to make better use of my visual diary to record pattern ideas and notes, rather than always diving in head first or hoping that I remember. I used to be much better at this, but then the kids started getting into my journal and it all fell to pieces. I have the most beautiful journal that my sister made me for Christmas, I've been wanting to start using it, but to be honest, it seems to nice to write or draw in! Particularly as my drawing skills are pretty, well, let's call my style naive, shall we.

First up in my plan is to get this pattern out there:

I started knitting this in September 2009, when we were on holidays in Tasmania, but ended up ripping out the entire cardigan and shelving it for almost a year. I finished it September 2010. My aim is to have the pattern ready for release before September 2012.

I've looked it over and re-edited it and it's ready for the testers, which I just need to organise.
I'm going to re-knit it in a bigger size in WOOLganics Sangha, the most glorious orange.

Why orange?
Well, this is a leprechaun inspired knit. Leprechauns are one of my favourite small folk, I really adore them, and Toby is about as mischievous as a leprechaun, so it's perfect for him.

In the meantime, I'm frantically knitting away at a sleeve.. Frantically.

Hmm, perhaps I need a list of my designs in waiting to keep me honest.