acacia

Somehow it seems to have slipped my mind to actually mention that the acacia pattern has been released.

That fact pretty much typifies the crazy-hectic-madness-cloud that seems to be hovering over our house at the moment. Tonight I made the decision to stay home from my knitting group to spend some time with DK (Incredible, I know!). We seem to have been doing that ships-that-pass-in-the-night thing of late, and I was struggling to remember a time we spent a quiet evening together.  Don't even get me started on when we spent a quiet weekend together... that is a very distant memory at the moment.  I'm sure most people know what this is like, it comes with the territory of the lead up to Christmas but for some reason this year seems even more crazy!  So together we went grocery shopping, and then together we cooked a lamb roast chock full of loads and loads of vegetables. Just the way we like it.

anyway back to the pattern,

so yes, acacia was released....oh!... almost a fortnight ago *gulp*
I could have sworn it was a week tops....

Acacia is the third pattern in the Australian Wildflower series of patterns, all interlinked by the gathering.

It is also the first pattern from the e-book Spring Wildflowers; this little e-book will contain three patterns; the acacia, the baby acacia (4ply version for newborn to 24 months) and darwinia (dress and baby doll).

acacia is knit in an 8ply/dk weight cotton and features two petals, or versions.
It is sized from 12 months to 10 years.

Petal one

a gathered bodice finished with a cute little ribbon.


Petal two

a fully gathered singlet. A slightly looser fit.

I love this pattern, and when I look back on its development I can't believe it's actually taken me so long to get this pattern to the finished stage!!  Check out how long ago I actually knit the first prototype of this.  yep, that's right, that long ago!!! And no, I don't believe in rushing things, truly.

So acacia is available for sale right now;

you can purchase it individually for $6 or as part of the Spring Wildflowers e-book for $10. If you purchase the e-book the other two patterns will automatically be added to your library, or emailed to you, upon release (which should be in the next few days...all going well)

As usual, patterns are in pdf form, all sizes are colour coded and are written in the usual concise clear manner. Pattern support also comes with the pattern if required. 

Both singlets are knit top-down and are completely seamless. They are incredibly quick knits, deceptively simple but give a gorgeous results. I'm loving these and am hoping to whip up a few for my nieces for Christmas, time permitting! These really are the perfect Spring and Summer garment, they look great with shorts, skirts and jeans; as a singlet or over a t-shirt. I've knit one in a dk weight wool as well and it makes a gorgeous vest (which I must get some photos of tomorrow).

So if you'd like to purchase you can do so via Ravelry or by clicking these little buttons here:

Acacia $6

Spring Wildflowers $10


Happy knitting!
I'm off to finish off a buttery yellow darwinia :)

just in time for Summer

a couple of posts back I mentioned the acacia pattern and its release. I also mentioned it was part of an e-book which included two other patterns.

Today I am ever so happy that I have finished and added the final pattern to the Spring Wildflowers e-book!! Yippeee!!!

So now along with the acacia the two other patterns in there are:


baby acacia


This is the baby version of the acacia singlet written for 4ply/fingering weight yarns.  It comes in sizes newborn to 24 months and is just as deliciously cute and simple to knit as the 8ply version. If you're lucky enough to have a child that fits in the 19 - 21 inch chest range, this means that you can choose to knit acacia in either 4ply for super summery coolness or an 8ply.  I've done both for my Lily.  It is equally cool and summery in either wool or cotton.

Again, it has two options for the body; the plain stocking stitch and the fully gathered option. There are also the two hem options. You can see a photo of the i-cord hemline on the orange acacia a bit further down.

The photo below shows the small and big end of the range, the orange one is the 3 month size knit in Shepherd Baby Wool 4ply. The mint one is the 24 month size (actually knit to a 5 year length but artfully concealed for the photo ;) ) knit in Bendigo Woollen Mills cotton 4ply in the very popular honeydew colourway.  Mmm, my testers for this e-book loved this colourway. There are quite a few versions in it!

darwinia


This pattern also has two options for knitting. Yes, I do like my options!

Firstly, there is the babydoll version:

which is sort of longer tunic length. On toddlers, it does tend to finish at short dress length, those nappy bums and all that.  I love how the ribbon just finishes off the empire waist bodice!!

There's also the dress option:

A high-waisted a-line style dress.

This is currently the favourite knitted item in Lily's wardrobe. She loves it!

I love the ruffled hem that finishes off both styles.

I am so glad to finally have this pattern finished and out there. It has been a long long time coming!
As always, thanks to all the wonderful wonderful ladies who helped out with the testing of these patterns.  They all produced such gorgeous finished garments and were a delight to work with!


the purchasing options:


The patterns come in pdf format. When you purchase a download link is emailed to you immediately. If you're on Ravelry, the pattern will also add to your library.

They're all colour coded for sizes and are written in a clear and concise manner. These patterns are easy to follow,  and result in a quick knit.

The buynow option takes you to a paypal checkout, which is also compatible with credit cards.
If you wish to purchase by direct deposit you will need to have an Australian bank account, or the ability to deposit into one.  You can email me on tikkijane@gmail.com and I can arrange a direct deposit for you.

Each pattern is $6 individually, or $10 for all three! Bargain!

baby acacia $6


darwinia $6


Spring Wildflowers $10 for the three patterns.

tikki cottage license holders

I'd like to introduce you to my cottage license holders. If you would like to purchase one of my designs ready knit, these are the people to contact. I can attest that they all have wonderful knitting skills!


Please note only these licensed holders can sell garments made from my patterns, if you spot anyone else doing so without my permission, please contact me :)






Australian Stockists


Crafty Desires
Shannnon , a very talented and gorgeous lady, is licensed to knit ALL of my patterns.  She offers both ready made and custom garments.
Currently Shannon is closed for handknits.
While you are there check out Shannon's Ultimate Longies pattern, my personal favourite longies pattern, as well as her other gorgeous patterns and hand-dyed yarns.


StitchyMama Handknits
The very prolific Katherine is licensed to knit both the Rainbow Dress and the Tropical Lily.
Currently Katherine is closed for handknits.
You should also check out her own range of patterns as well.


Woolly Butts
A delightful mother and daughter duo, both of whom are licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress. Sue is also licensed to knit milo. You may also see some of my other patterns pop up as garments in their store, as part of Nat and Sue's wonderful fundraising efforts.
You can find their store on
Wahm Naps


Susanne's House of Wool
Another longtime license holder, Sue is licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress which she does from her own delightful handspun yarn.
You can find Sue at
Susanne's House of Wool or her local markets.


Knits and Pretties
Rebecca is licensed to sell Tropical Lily, Oriental Lily and Bloom through her gorgeous etsy store, Knits and Pretties where she also sells handmade jewellery, handturned spinning supplies, knitting supplies such as stitch markers and handknits.
20 per cent of profits from all sales of handknits will be donated to the Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia.
You can contact Rebecca either via her etsy store or via email at rebecca.evison@bigpond.com  


Jolly Jumbuck
The lovely Irene from Jolly Jumbuck is a great supporter of Aussie indy designers. Not only does she sell the most stunning hand-dyed yarn but she is now licensed to sell bloom.  You can contact Irene via her Jolly Jumbuck store.


Kim Auman
If you're in Adelaide and looking to check out a good market wander down to the Norwood Market for Baby and Child . The lovely Kim will be there selling her handknit milos . Kim is also a rep for Baby Behinds nappies, so while there you seriously should check out these wonderful cloth nappies.  Baby Behinds have served both my children really well in our nappying journey. 


Little Brown Owl
Lori is licensed to sell milo vests. You can find her store, Little Brown Owl  on minicuture where she sells a range of knitted and sewn garments. If you live in the Ballarat area you will often find Lori at the local markets. Go and say hi and check out her wares!
Lori's new partner in crime is the lovely Steph. Steph has knit more Paula's Scarfettes than anyone I know, and she is licensed to sell these delightful little knits.
You can contact Lori and Steph either via the Little Brown Owl  store or via the contact form on their facebook page.


Squeeky Cheeks
The vert versatile Sandi from SSqueeky Cheeks is licensed to knit the milo vest.  Sandi also stocks a wide range of products including nappies and children's clothing.  You can contact Sandi either via her store or by emailing sandisem@yahoo.com.au


Gorgeous Handknits for kids, made by Victoria
Ex-New Zealander and now Tasmanian resident, Victoria, is licensed to knit and sell bloom and cassia.  You can check out Victoria's knits on her facebook page.


tikki
From time to time I will stock my own garments in my store on made it.
You can also purchase all my patterns either there or on Ravelry .






New Zealand Stockists


Little Things
Megan is a delightful lady from the land of the long white cloud, she knits up beautiful little milo vests.
Her stores can be found on
Felt and
Craft Fetish
You should also check out the cute little rockets Megan sells that are knit from her own pattern.


Coco Kids
is a trio of lovely ladies who have joined forces to offer a range of knitted garments from a wide variety of patterns.


Kate  is licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress, milo, bloom and Cassia.  Kate offers both customs and ready made garments.
You can contact her through Coco Kids 
Kate also has her own lovely little store Chev Girl over on Felt


Julia is licensed to knit milo and the Rainbow Dress. She too offers customs and ready made garments.
You can contact Julia through Coco Kids or her blogsite justonewip .


Ali is licensed to knit Cassia.  Just like the other members of this talented trio, Ali will also take customs as well as whip up ready made garments.  You can contact Ali G through Coco Kids  or via her blog 006 Licensed to Knit


All three lovely Coco Kids ladies; Kate, Julia and Ali, are licensed to knit eden, both the adam and eve version.   Drop in and check out their lovely knits, they are great supporters of local designers.  Make sure you also pop over and say hi on their facebook page.


Little Moo Knits
Krissie  is yet another lovely lady and wonderful knitter from over the Tasman who is licensed to knit the milo vest, Cassia, Olearia and all three patterns from the Spring Wildflowers collection; acacia, darwinia and baby acacia.  Krissie offers customs and ready made garments.
You can contact her through her store
Little Moo Knits and also via her blog Knit Not What

A Little Bit of Everything
Rachael has long been a great supporter of my designs, she has knit them all many times and has helped out enormously with testing. She is licensed to knit and sell bloom, Rainbow dress, Oriental Lily, Cassia, Olearia, Paula's Scarfette and all three designs from the Spring Wildflowers collection; acacia, darwinia and baby acacia.  She is a very fast knitter and I can totally attest to her ability to work to a deadline. You can order a custom knit bloom from her blog
A Little Bit of Everything. Make sure you also pop by and check out Rachael's facebook page

The Bird's Nest
Another lovely New Zealand lady, Jacquie, who hails from Auckland is licensed to knit both the Rainbow Dress and the milo vest. You can visit her over at her blog The Bird's Nest as well as her facebook page to check out and purchase her gorgeous knits.

Paws Purls
Genevieve of Paws Purls is also licensed to knit the milo vest. You can check out her wares in her Felt Shop  as well as her blog and facebook page. Keep an eye out for Genevieve at some of the markets in and around the Auckland area.


US Stockists


Katidids
Katie is another long-time license holder.  She knits and sells from the gorgeous Rainbow Dress pattern. You can find her store over on etsy 
Katidids .

Born In A Barn
The lovely Beth is licensed to knit the Oriental Lily. She sells from a hyenacart store
The Merchant Ship
Beth also sells gorgeous hand dyed yarns and longies.


UK Stockists

Pixie Knits
The delightful Ali is a longtime license holder of the Rainbow Dress. She is also licensed to knit Tropical Lily, Bloom and milo. She offers both ready made and custom garments from her store
 Pixie Knits .

Little Treehouse
The lovely Anna from Cambridge is licensed to knit and sell milo.  She also is happy to take custom orders. While checking out her store you must see her gorgeous bunting and jump over and read her delightful blog.
Little Treehouse

and so it begins...

I think I have had too much going on in my life these last few months, so much so that I have officially declared myself on holidays. No matter how desperate a new design playing in my head wants to be knit, it's not getting out. It can be sketched but December is crazy enough as it is without committing myself to new designs or test knits. I still have the finishing touches to put on Darwinia.  So new pattern ideas, listen up! Stay put for just a while longer, please. I'll let you out after the festive season is over. Please play nicely for me.

December is for Christmas crafting. I'm trying ever so hard to create quite a few of my Christmas presents this year. I have a list of what I want to achieve, I'd love to make something for everyone on my Christmas list, but you know, I have a big big big family, and that ain't going to happen.  So far I have two pressies done; one knit, one sewn. Two from two days, so going well and tonight I've started knitting the third in some gorgeous Sublime Soya Cotton dk.

I've been on a challenge this year to buy no clothes at all; neither new or secondhand. Yes, it has been hard at times, but we're nearly there. Usually, the kiddies have new clothes in their Santa sacks, so this year I'm going to have to make them some. My plans are for some dresses and skirts for Lily, some shorts and appliqued t-shirts for Toby (he has a few plain fair trade organic ones in his wardrobe he hasn't worn much as they're so plain that could do with some jazzying up).  They may even score some new knits.  Keeping this secret from Lily is the hard part, Toby is totally oblivious to it all, but Lily doesn't miss a thing.  She noticed the empty package in my sewing room with the belle and boo tape on it. She noticed the red riding hood fabric next to the machine. She noticed me sewing with my organic denim today, so ducked off to put on a pair of her old shorts, as if to say, "yep, I do wear them, Mum! Make me some more!"

Man, she even noticed the subliminal advertising Safeway snuck into their Christmas colouring competition (I love that she coloured Santa's beard brown because white doesn't show on white and Toby artfully snipped around the outside of his picture). By the way, never try to have a discussion about the negatives of colouring in and colouring competitions with a Check Out Operator... let's not go there ;)

Unfortunately, I can't show you photos here of the Christmas pressies, as while the recipients don't read this blog (well, they can't actually read you know) Mums do.  I could ask those mums to look away, but you know, I know them well enough to know that they won't.  They're curious types, a bit like me really. Funny that, being sisters and all.

Are you planning many handmade Christmas pressies?
What are you planning on creating?

ok, off to Christmas knit, the photos I'm leaving you with today are of my new acacia pattern knit in wool (WOOLganics of course, Lotus colourway). While the pattern is designed for cotton is does work beautifully in wool as well.  This will make a great vest for most seasons of the year, it looks awesome under a tshirt.

Friday favourites

Right now I'm hanging out with my favourite little boy buddy while he plays with his favourite trains (my little party animal). I'm sipping my favourite wine watching my favourite genre on TV; Friday night British crime on ABC. Ok, maybe it's my second favourite genre after British comedy (Remember I'm a 'Withnail and I' fan!) but I do so like Friday night viewing.. oh and Saturday night now 'Spooks' is back!!! Love that show!!!!!!!!!  

A few posts ago I mentioned I was finishing, finishing off a couple of long-standing WIPs that were a bit more long-standing than they should be thanks to knitting dangerously.  They're both finished YAY!!! And I think I even managed to finish the required housework, which in itself is a little bit of a miracle.  (When can I justify a cleaner? And where will I find one who will only clean with vinegar and bi-carb? [herbal vinegars acceptable])

I mention this because the darwinia dress, the purple cotton one; Lily tells me is her favourite dress. It's the best thing I've ever made her!!! Such high praise that she wore it to kindy, not once but twice this week!!! And she only goes three days in the week!!!  I so love it when you get feedback like that!

Oh yes, it is possibly one of my favourites too!
And I love how it works both without a t-shirt and with one.

This dress was the first image that I envisaged in the Wildflowers collection; it was the ORIGINAL Olearia. But somehow it got relegated ( read it had to be frogged and reworked and so got thrown to the sin bin) while Olearia, Cassia and Acacia got worked out.

It still needs a bit of tinkering, which should be all fixed with the testing process. Gosh, I have a wonderful bunch of testers!!!

And tonight another one of my favourite things, the Mystery KAL had another clue added.  *eep*
I think I'm even more nervous and well prepared for the handholding some knitters will need through this step.

And remember, no photos until the next step goes up... speaking of clues, here's the calendar for the rest of the steps.

Step one:  Tuesday November 2nd
Step two:  Friday November 5th
Step three: Saturday November 13th (the 12th is Toby's 2nd birthday, so no clue that day)
Step four: Friday November 19th
Step five: Friday November 26th (no clue for Fratello)
Step six:  Friday December 3rd


ok, get knitting!!
then I can post some pics of what it should look like so far, and hopefully your garments all look something like mine.

P.S. you may find in this next step that you wish to move up to the 60cm circular to knit more comfortably.

and don't be scared off by the charts, they're just there for those freakish knitters who loooove charts. I'm sure you know the ones, hell, I might even be one of those chickadees.  Cables really are easy peasy, you're just putting a couple of stitches on another needle until you need them again...so not scary!!!

I know people who are scared of cable but yet knit short rows on some of their first knitting projects. Short rows are tricky chickies, if you can do those, cables are a walk in the park. You know, I actually do walk in the park when I knit cables.

Round by round instructions for those of you who want to ignore the charts, should be clear and easy to follow. Both panel details are easy once you get into it...promise!!

oh gaaaaaaawd, I hope you're gonna like it!!!!

6: Knitting dangerously

My WIP basket is looking like this at the moment:



Two almost, oh-so very close to finished garments, that only have four or five cms left of the hem to go. But unfinished.

All because I knit dangerously. *scoff scoff* *ho ho*
And I NEVER learn from my near disasters not to.

How does one knit dangerously?
Well, I engage in a little game that my fellow designer and friend, Shannon, has termed, playing yardage chicken. I like that.

So what is yardage chicken?
It's pushing your yardage to the limit, flirting with danger and seeing just how far that ball of yarn will go. so why do it? Is it the tightarse in me, not wanting to see yarn go to waste? Possibly.
But you know, there's this awesome little rush of adrenalin you get when you finish a garment and you've won that yardage game and have a couple of metres left. It's a strange sort of kick I'm sure only knitters understand.

I've always played this game. Original rainbow dress, yardage left over mmm, maybe 30cm. Same with the Oriental Lily, and to be honest most rainbow dresses I've ever knit. I've even had to find some matching yarn scraps because I've lost the game and run out on the cast off.

Lately I've had a few near disasters with yardage chicken. At one stage, it seemed every test knit was becoming a flirtation with danger.

the dolly cassia: lost
tobias: lost
acacia singlet: should have lost but cast off a little shorter than it should be (shh)
darwinia baby doll: lost
darwinia sundress: lost

hmm, so with so many losses going on, why don't I learn? Because in every one of these situations, disaster has been diverted.

Dolly cassia and tobias, both knit in WOOLganics, ordered more yarn.
Darwinia baby doll: the dyer is dyeing me some more yarn. She's even had me send her a metre or so of the stuff I have so she can match it better.
Darwinia sundress: Now this could have been a total disaster, BWM have discontinued the colour I'm knitting this in. But you know what, I put a call out on Ravelry, a desperate one albeit, and a yarn fairy is coming to my rescue, so this little baby will be finished.




Lucky? Flukey? Assy?
Who knows.
But you know, until I experience complete and unretrievable yardage disasters, I'm probably still going to flirt with it dangerously. It's just too tempting.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

day 5: testing a new pattern

I've just spent the last little while setting up my little private testing forum and granting all my testers access                                               .   Which all means I'm just about to start testing a new pattern.

This one is called Acacia.  It's a two petal pattern that is part of my Australian wildflower collection. It's a pretty quick little knit that looks like this:

            
or if you're feeling a little adventurous, this:

So far I've graded this pattern from sizes 1 -10, suitable for an 8ply/dk weight yarn. It will work with cotton, wool, bamboos, blends; etc.  Just about any yarn composition really.  At the moment I'm knitting a delicious newborn size in 4ply (awwww, uber cute) I thought the baby sizes would be better in a 4ply as the gathering will work better across the bodice in a 4 ply where I can factor in two sets, whereas with an 8ply only one set. Makes sense?

I was thinking about this cute little newborn singlet and wondering if the baby arriving this month at the pint household will be a girl or a boy. What I will be knitting for this little one all depends on the sex!

Anyway, seen as I'm testing all through this month, I'll probably be updating pretty regularly with the progress of this patterns... I'll probably run out of things to talk about otherwise...

Rockin' Socks

As anyone who as ever been the recipient of any will tell you, there is nothing finer and more luxurious to wear than a pair of handknitted socks.  I look forward to the colder months when I can glide about the house in mine.  Not so very long ago I finished one of the cutest pairs I have ever knitted. Check them out!

Oh, those are not actually my feet though, which are indeed small but not that small.  These are Lily's little munchkin feet and her cute little socks knit out of nothing other than some scrumptious Pear Tree 4 ply in acacia.  Aren't they adorable?

I was so very very lucky to be able to test knit this pattern, it was soo much fun.  A simple easy knit and a lovely clearly written pattern. The lace ribbing is adorable and really easy to memorise. And you know what the best thing about little kids socks is? OMG they are so quick to knit, like almost instant gratification!!!  We're talking like 28grams of yarn.  perfect for sock leftovers, particularly if you have small feet like me. 

This pattern comes from the lovely Sheryl Greenfield of Shortly Stitches. Sheryl is a New Zealand based designer. I have now knit three of her patterns and I love them to bits. 

Did I mention Sheryl has just released this pattern? you should pop over and have a little purchase on Rav ; )

You'll see you can also get the mummy version of these sock s, well they could be the daddy version if the man about the house is not adverse to a bit of lace rib. How cute huh, mummy and daughter matching socks!!!  Lily would insist I make a pair for her doll Jasmine too though. She thought the mini Christmas stockings I made might make her good socks. Unfortunately they were too small and I might have promised her I'd knit Jasmine a pair of socks *what was I thinking!!!!*

Speaking of socks, I didn't show you the finished socks I knit for my FIL for Christmas, so here they are.

They're knit in 8ply and from one of Sheryl's patterns too called Jimmy . I affectionately called mine Jimmy Rogers. hehehe  i think my FIL liked them. I know my husband did and has put in an order for a pair. I love the cast on in this one and the gorgeous rib cabling, very nice!

green

the colour theme continues....

and some more knitting.

This is a cute little kimono jacket for the unborn one. But I have to confess I started knitting this November last year, it's knit from a slight variation of the Clementine Baby Kimono in pear tree 4ply yarn in acacia, which gauges more like a 3 ply I think.  My plan was to knit two as a gift! OMG!!! what was I thinking, all that ribbing on 3.25mm needles was insane and I just couldn't face another one.  Actually, I couldn't even face seaming it up once I finished it so it has sat unfinished since January. I finally got around to seaming it last week and it has been added to the little bub's stash of woollies.

some more green knits. these are going into a parcel that will be sent of to my little nephew Asher this week. 

three pairs of longies for the gorgeous little man; two revamped, with extra leg length added, defluffed and relanolised in the gorgeous sonnet wool care from the yarn cafe.
And one new pair, a belated birthday gift. Beautiful Monsterknits 8ply BFL dyed by the master dyer Lily Rainbow.  He will look adorable in these with his cute little glowing red curls. 

Today we went to a family christening for our darling little niece Emily. Coincidentally, the priest in the church overseeing the ceremony (Catholic) was wearing bright green robes; a very pretty green indeed. Lily asked on the way home, "why was the man at the christening wearing a dress?" That's a hard one to answer in three year old terms, Andy started talking about tradition and stuff LOL 

In the end, she got the simple answer that sometimes for important occasions like christenings, weddings, etc. men like to wear dresses.  She could understand this as there is a photo at home of Andy in a kilt from a wedding where he was a groomsman.