I went here while in Melbourne last weekend – it was fabulous. Heaps of things I wanted to purchase, but I was attempting to travel light (only carry on baggage). Above is what I did buy. I plan to make the girls head bands with the ribbons and the fat quarters? Well you can never have too many of those.

I’d love to go to some of their courses … but it doesn’t seem very likely – can’t wait for the online store to be up and running.

]]> http://sewwitty.com/2012/05/11/luccello-haberdashery/feed/ 0 http://sewwitty.com/2012/05/02/knitting-2/ http://sewwitty.com/2012/05/02/knitting-2/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 06:11:19 +0000 SewWitty http://sewwitty.com/?p=1565 According to the Family Circle magazine, you burn 400 kj per hour knitting…

As you know I failed at the February Fitted Pullover – my lace looked very moth eaten, but I was determined to master the lace pattern.

I decided in the round was just too complicated at this stage – I just wanted a simple flat pattern – a scarf!

This is a scarf of my own design (it’s a scarf not too hard!).

I’ve got a border of garter stitch and then four repeats of the gull lace pattern.

For the more pattern minded of you …

 CO 38 stitches

Knit five rows

K5, *K1, K2tog, YO, K1, KO, SSK, K1 , repeat until there are 5 stitches left, knit these remaining stitches

K5, P until there are 5 stitches left, knit the remaining stitches

K5, *K2tog, YO, K3, YO, SSK, repeat until there are 5 stitches left, knit these remaining stitches

K5, P until there are 5 stitches left, knit the remaining stitches

Repeat the previous four rows until the scarf is the desired length

Knit five rows

Cast off.

K2tog is knit two stitches together 

YO is Yarn Over.

SSK is Slip Slip Knit

 and tension is irrelevant (it’s a scarf!). If you use chunkier yarn, then have less lace repeats and more repeats for a lighter weight yarn.

I read about this book here – it sounded lovely, so I ordered a copy from the book depository.

Here is the blurb …

 A Knitter’s Home Companion is an illustrated collection of stories, patterns, and recipes from beloved knitter and essayist Michelle Edwards. This heartwarming title will appeal to knitters interested in not only stitches, yarn, and patterns, but also in the lives of other knitters, the lessons that can be learned from their craft, the ways knitting helps knitters cope during difficult times, and the role of knitting in family life. “Let [this book] keep you company when you need another knitter’s voice beside you,” Edwards writes in her introduction.

Like a good friend, A Knitter’s Home Companion will inspire readers to laugh, cry, remember, be thoughtful, cook, and, of course, pick up their needles—sometimes to soothe, sometimes to celebrate, and sometimes to just pass the time. Divided into four chapters—Motherhood, Home, Community, and Legacy—stories range from “But She Doesn’t Have Any Underpants,” about the challenges of knitting for family to “Home Ec Workshop and the Mystery of the Indian Slipper,” about finding community at a local yarn shop. Projects range from mittens and socks to a baby blanket and afghan.

It is a very quick and easy read full of positive stories. Interspersed amongst the stories are recipes and knitting patterns. I’m not much of a cook, so I will probably never use the recipes, but some of the knitting patterns are quite appealing. For example, the zig zag baby blanket…

or the Updated Ripple Afghan (http://afghanblanketknittingpattern.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/michelle-edwards-updated-ripple-afghan.html).

This book would make a lovely gift for any knitter, but also for people interested in community and a gentler pace of life.

However, I am determined to get to grips on this pattern, so I am going to try a scarf (I’m hoping flat will be easier than round).

Slowly, slowly. The lace pattern is reasonably easy to remember – although the girls are home on holidays at the moment and like to ask me questions while I’m trying to concentrate (I think I managed to fix/cover up this morning’s mistake).

I really want to knit socks though … I am determined to finish.

]]> http://sewwitty.com/2012/04/13/progress-report/feed/ 0 http://sewwitty.com/2012/04/05/february-jumper/ http://sewwitty.com/2012/04/05/february-jumper/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:37:12 +0000 SewWitty http://sewwitty.com/?p=1544 Well my third attempt is faring a bit better.

I’ve made it to knitting the lace!

This is my third attempt at starting this top – I kept twisting it when I joined the round (despite my best efforts). I referred to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop and knit the first 5 cm flat and then joined the round. I think it’s OK now, but this is my last attempt. If this doesn’t work I’m starting something else.

I’m going to make Miss A a quilt using three fabrics (from my stash) – it is going to consist of big plus signs.

I’m still working on the baby clothes quilt (I cut a few more squares everyday) and the knitting project (I’m about to start knitting the lace pattern), but they are both such big slow-moving projects I wanted something else as well.

I finished the easter t-shirts.

Both designs are from here. Miss P’s is crooked, but there was no way I was unpicking it and trying again!