Fitknit

Yes, I have been knitting

2009-05-22T19:43:00.002+10:00

and laughing. You must check out this site. Link provided by one of the wonderful members of otf on Ravelry.

On the knitting front, I'm still finishing off socks for the CFA volunteers. Nearly 4 pair done. My goal is to send 5 to Victoria so I'm very close.

Brand Spanking New Mag

2009-04-10T07:49:00.002+10:00

Warning! Actual knitting content.

I took the lovely 'I'm on school holidays can't I just relax?' children out for lunch yesterday. Wasn't hard for the waitress to pick which meal was mine. (The one without fries) Had a great time but, more importantly, made a discovery.

Now being on the Gold Coast means I'm probably about 3 months behind the rest of the country in finding this little gem. However, I will plough on. The magazine is called The Knitter and I purchased the first issue.

Featured designers include Louisa Harding, Teva Durham and Belinda Boaden. There are 15 patterns covering jumpers, cardigans, tops and a coat for adults, a cute little Argyle child's jumper, and 2 bags plus 3 cushions.

I think I will be adding quite a few of these little numbers to my Rav queue.

I Probably Should Have Knitted These

2009-03-27T07:06:00.001+10:00

unborn twin, originally uploaded by fitknit.

A friend of mine, let's call her Miss D, has recently been diagnosed with having a foreign body residing in one of her sinuses. Miss J thought it was a alien tracking device, implanted so when they were ready, she could be recalled to the mothership.

I have a different opinion. It is her unborn twin. I know this because not only have I done a Senior First Aid course, I also have the Girl Guide First Aid Badge. Virtually a Doctor. Really.

Anyway, I wasn't prepared for this baby (a boy) to arrive without a gift.

Can't Bear a Square

2009-03-26T12:55:00.002+10:00

can't bear a square, originally uploaded by fitknit.

I really don't like joining squares and I don't know why. I'm always pleased with the result and I love the finished object, so why the reluctance?

Recently I have ironed, vacuumed, pulled weeds and done anything in preference to running a small amount of yarn between two squares.

At least I now understand from where my children's procrastination originates.

The World in Alphabetical Order

2009-03-25T10:01:00.002+10:00

I try to live an ordered life. Doesn't always happen that way. I once read a quote that not many of us live the life we thought we would. Very true.

But does my life have to be in alphabetical order? My computer recently died. Actually, I have killed off a number of them. Apparently I have sexy fingers (everything I touch gets ....). Mr Fitknit being his helpful self arranged for a new computer for me to destroy/use. I wasn't home when the data was transferred from the dead to the living and was surprised to find my life had a whole new order. My favourites list is now in alpha order. All of it. Every single linky.

Then I shouldn't really be surprised. The person who did it has their dvd collection in the same order. Yes, I do occasionally move the dvds around when I visit! Wouldn't you?

Balance

2009-03-24T10:20:00.001+10:00

ses hat, originally uploaded by fitknit.

What is it and how do I get some? I'm talking about trying to balance charity and non-charity knitting. There are so many projects I would love to make for myself but I keep pushing them to the back of the queue. It isn't that I think I'm not worth it or any other self-confidence issues, I just feel the need to make for, well, those in need.

So, what's a knitter to do? I'm wondering if I need to alternate projects, one for me, one for you. Or do I allocate my knitting time? Or do I have one of each on the go at the same time.

Or am I over thinking it? Hey, at least I blogged two days in a row!

Whoops!

2009-03-23T18:08:00.001+10:00

cfa sox, originally uploaded by fitknit.

Time certainly does fly, doesn't it! I can't believe it has been so long since I've blogged (thanks for the not so gentle reminders Miss J and Miss Lilypily).

So much has happened and every time I felt like blogging, it was all bad stuff and I couldn't face writing. Well, that's my story! Here we have a pair of gorgeous socks for the wonderful CFA vollies. They are going to someone who helped during the recent tragedy. I used EZ's Woodsman's Socks pattern and it was a breeze. Particularly when using a 10ply yarn.

There's a group of us on Ravelry trying to make items for the CFA and SES, plus Friendship Blankets for those who lost so much during the fires.

I will blog more often.
I will blog more often.
I will blog more often.

There, that should make it happen.

2009...Sparkles!

2009-01-01T08:11:00.001+10:00

2009 sparkles, originally uploaded by fitknit.

Happy New Year to one and all.

Here is hoping 2009 is everything it can be for you and yours.

(Knitting tranmissions will resume shortly. Management apologises for the mugglefied interruption)

Late post but FO!

2008-12-12T10:59:00.001+10:00

shrug back, originally uploaded by fitknit.

Yay! After completing nearly 30 mini stockings, I finally finished off something adult size!

My Dream in Colour Shrug is done and I love it. I added an extra pattern repeat and didn't turn back the cuffs. When sleeves end at my elbows, I find I have Popeye issues (large forearms) so prefer shorter or longer. I will probably whip up another of these as I can see it will be very useful in sub tropics.

I had a bit of a dummy spit regarding the mini stockings(MSs). Now I know people who craft understand the value of hand made, and those who don't...well, don't! That's ok. I didn't expect the MSs to have a huge price tag on them, but was disappointed when I spotted them at the market. I was there at 9am and just felt the $2 was a little low.

I accept the seller must meet the market buyer's price and this was the last chance before Christmas to sell them. Also, it wasn't a craft market as such, which I think makes a huge difference. Anyway, I will definately be re-thinking any further handmade donations.

Yo Ho Ho Ho

2008-11-13T12:27:00.001+10:00

yo ho ho ho, originally uploaded by fitknit.

What a lazy blogger I've turned out to be! I'm absolutely disgusted with my recent form. No excuses...but at least I've got some knitting done.

This little beauty is one of about 30 I've made for charity. The pattern is a Jean Greenhow freebie (gotta love those) and made on 2 needles. It is extremely quick, each one taking only around 20 minutes, subject to decoration.

Anyway, I've stuffed them with lollipops and bagged them up so hopefully, they'll appeal to the children.

Holiday YS!

2008-10-07T10:22:00.001+10:00

sublime, originally uploaded by fitknit.

It was a bit like Spotty, but without the rude service. My quest to visit a LYS while on our holiday took us to a quaint, little village. The advertisement had read 'largest range' so I was keen to get there.

I soon discovered how they made that claim. If you ever have need for Magnum acrylic from the 1970s shade card, let me know. Lime green worked with brown and orange. An acquired taste in most circles, particularly if you've already lived through it once.

I've never seen so much Magnum, all lovingly displayed in family groups of colour. Actually, the families were so large they had second cousins visiting. I worked my way through the crocheted poncho display and onto the covered coat hangers and boottees.

By this stage I was hoping I hadn't dragged the family all this way simply to visit the resting place of 20th century yarn. Hang on...what was that? Right up the back in wooden stalls. Yarn. Sure, there was even more Magnum (who knew this much was ever spun?) but you must stock what you can sell.

There was also Bamboo, Jet, Country and Inca. Square wooden bays with an occasional piece of chipboard on the diagonal to split the colours. Did that look classy? No, I don't believe this train stopped at Taste Station. Yet, here was yarn, in the flesh, available for a squeeze.

Too many times I've chosed based on a 2cm sample and a few clicks of the mouse. I remember my fave yarn store in Melbourne. The entrance was more a hole in the wall rather than a door way. There was a narrow staircase leading down to what I always thought was the good stuff. Beautiful yanrs spun in Italy before it was fashionable. I can still recall making myself the most gorgeous jacket from a neutral yarn with a single red ply. Short rows formed the Mandarin collar. A single, leather button held the garter stitch creation together. Every where I wore this, I was asked where had it come from, did I really make it and was it difficult. I think I'd kill to find that pattern again.

Back to the yarn store. I check out the wooden stalls and discover 25% off all yarns. Then I spot the three tiered display of Sublime. Only a few shades left but I spin that sucker like a giant, calorie free cake stand with yarn dumplings as my cupcakes.

I did want a special yarn as a holiday souvenir and I'll certainly remember buying these little beauties. Do I know what I'll make? Not yet...but then, isn't that what Ravelry is for??

Sorry, I can't take your call right now...

2008-09-20T15:41:00.005+10:00

be sure to leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I return from my holiday!

Yes, school hols have arrived yet again and don't we just love the chill factor?!? We saw WALL E last night and that was a fun movie. Today it was haircut time, then tomorrow we pack. Can you tell I'm really looking forward to this break?

On the knitting front, I've decided it is very important to make things for myself now and then. Things were running at 80% to charity, 15% to other people, and, well, you can guess the rest. I might even adopt the 'knit one, give one' mantra. I started working on Shalom but realised I was going to run out of yarn. So, I've switched over to Liesl and am using that scrummy yarn from Dyelicious.

This is a great little pattern, with heaps of variations written in the instructions. Well worth the cost. Unfortunately, I think I'll be a fair way through before we leave. Which leads me to that age old problem...knitting project packing selection!

Spring is sprung...

2008-09-10T16:27:00.001+10:00

locust plague, originally uploaded by fitknit.

...the grass is ris,
I wonder where the locusts is?

Actually I know exactly where they is. I've just picked them up from school and brought them home for another round of 'how much food can we eat?'.

Spring is a time of reflection, a time to celebrate new life. I've come to realise I didn't give birth to children. Rather I hatched locusts and the plague has arrived. I wanted to shop less often and buy in bulk. I thought I'd purchased enough for a few weeks.

How wrong I was. The boys merely looked on it as a challenge. I believe their goal was for me to continue shopping weekly, but to purchase more items.

I wanted to check which species I have in residence but when I looked up the locust identification guide, there were my children's photos instead. I did a bit of research and discovered that experts believe this swarming behaviour is a result of over crowding within the group.

Maybe I just have too many children?!?

August Challenge Met!

2008-08-27T16:50:00.001+10:00

Chemo Caps Done, originally uploaded by fitknit.

26 chemo caps done with a few days to spare.

Stats:
1. Goal - 26 caps. Result - 28 caps. Made 2 extra because they were too small.

2. Number of new needles purchased - 3

3. Number of callouses - 1

4. Number of caps that fell apart right at the end due to a single dropped stitch - 2

5. Number of muppets sacrificed - 12

6. Number of patterns used - 5

7. Number of times I was asked what I was making - 6

8. Number of trips to the doctor with sick children - 2

Now my next challenge is to see if I can still knit straight.

Trolley Love

2008-08-23T10:19:00.001+10:00

containers, originally uploaded by fitknit.

Ever had one of those really good shopping trolleys? You know the type. After you've emptied your shopping into the boot, you want to hitch it up to the car and take it home. That way you've got it for the next time and know it is going to be a smooth ride.

Maybe it is just me but I really appreciate a good trolley. Wheels aligned, chrome still sparkles, no rust spots..no rubbish!

You can probably tell I've recently had the pleasure of driving such a vehicle. It was at KMart. I prefer to use one of their baskets but needed something larger for my new stash holders. (Stash not new, just the storage.)

There they are, artfully arranged. Or randomly placed so their little numbers can dry. I'm hoping this means I'll be able to find what I'm looking for. Yarn wise, not meaning of life. We all know the answer to that one is 42.

So now as I catalogue yarn in Ravelry, I can note its box number. I'm quite motivated to sort the stash Recently we had some work done that involved climbing into the manhole located above stash central. The Muggles thought they'd do the right thing and move part of the stash.

I never knew just what a frightening experience that could be. Plus, how much had the stash multiplied?!? I half expected them to find a couple of disoriented backpackers. I know there's alot of bags, they're just not 'sleeping' bags.

Guanaba South Coast Country Music Club

2008-08-18T05:54:00.006+10:00

Guanaba Country Music Club, originally uploaded by fitknit.

How appropriate! 'The Warranty with a difference' banner above the beautiful, classic car. Couldn't have planned it better..pity I've only just noticed the layout.

Yesterday we had arranged to visit the Guanaba South Coast Country Music Club's social day. Held the third Sunday of the month, this is a great place to listen to music or, put your name on the list and perform. There is also the option of singing. We didn't take up either offer and that's probably a good thing for the audience. We met up with a couple of other families and had a very relaxing afternoon.

Prior to that, and to insert some knitting related content, we called into the Pimpama Strawberry Farm. There I was able to see some mohair and a lovely pile of fibre. Unfortunately both items were still walking around on four legs, waiting to be spun.

Chemo Cap Count: 20/26

SQIB

2008-08-15T17:40:00.002+10:00

Short Quick Information Bullet(in).

I've set up another blog for all my charity knits. Well, it's easier for me :) Over here if you're interested. And if not, don't go there! Easy, peasy.

Chemo Cap Count: 16/26

Ouch!

2008-08-13T13:43:00.001+10:00

Button beanie, originally uploaded by fitknit.

Well it has happened. My index finger is now pixelated and looks like a relief map of the moon. Knitpicks interchangeables I love you, but our time is up for the moment.

Those pointy points have taken their toll. I'm moving on to blunty points and changing to Addis.

Ahhh, that's better. I'm also down to a 40cm length which makes for very quick rounds. Enjoy the latest cap.

Chemo Cap Count 14/26

Odessa Done

2008-08-11T11:31:00.002+10:00

Odessa c, originally uploaded by fitknit.

I'm a bit pleased with myself and really, I shouldn't be. This pattern is a piece of cake, so why all the fuss? Truly, I don't know where I get off sometimes.

Anyway, Odessa is off the needles and I think she's a beauty. I love the swirliness and the colour changes work at right angles to each other.The visual interest is very high...or have I just been sniffing way too many yarn fumes?!?

The lovely Miss D also whipped up another 14 caps to add to the collection. I'm not going to count them as part of my efforts...yet!

Yes, the blog does have a new look. I thought it was time for a change and I've tidied up too.

Chemo cap count: 12/26

Fantaseas

2008-08-07T12:19:00.002+10:00

Fantaseas
Originally uploaded by fitknit

How gorgeous is this yarn? PDG (Postal Delivery Guy) dropped this bundle of yarny goodness off yesterday. I love it. Almost too good to use.

See the shimmer of the silk...the texture of the merino...mmmm heaven. Deliciousness supplied by creative Kelly of...Dyelicious.

Don't Drink and Knit

2008-08-06T13:07:00.002+10:00

Odessa WIP
Originally uploaded by fitknit

If doing the same thing over and over while expecting the result to change means you are insane, then sign me up, laminate that membership card and email me my first newsletter.

During my quest to make 26 chemo caps, I 've found I get bored very easily. Actually, way too easily for my liking. I decided to take a break from knitting Muppet Eyelashes and cast on Odessa. Thought I'd get all my jobs done, have a quiet drink with dinner, then gracefully retire and cast on.

I'll give you a brief, censored (language removed for the faint hearted), summary of the results:

A. Cast on 110 stiches, using circulars, finished the band, looked too big. Frogged

2. Cast on 80 stitches using circulars, did the band, started pattern rows, messed them up (missed a YO or two). Frogged.

iii. Cast on 90 stitches using DPNs. Looks ok and pattern under control.

BUT the pattern says work 2 plain rounds, 1 beaded, then 3 plain. I've done my 2 plain rounds and I'm over it. Already. Maybe I'm like my knitting buddy Marg who just 'gets a licence to drive' a pattern then has had enough.

Or perhaps I'm totally insane with a pinch of KADD (knitters' ADD) thrown in for good measure. Seems to me there is a fine line between persistence and pass me the scissors.

Chemo cap count: 6/26

Do Ya Feel Lucky, Yarn? Well, do Ya??

2008-08-04T14:05:00.002+10:00

I went a bit Dirty Harriet with some yarn yesterday. Turns out it didn't feel so lucky.

The yarn was patchy. Supposedly 10ply, but in places would struggle to be a decent 4 ply. I'm certain it was just a rogue ball as I've used this yarn before and not had a problem. However, a price had to be paid and I'm guessing the deposit was my sanity.

I took my small swatch and placed it on the bench. Then I got the rest of the ball and made sure it watched while I cut up my sample. I wanted it to learn a lesson. Similar to the one in that old joke about the naughty parrot who gets put in the freezer for bad behaviour. One look at the chook in there and voila, reformed parrot.

Anyway, back to the yarn (hehe). Mr Fitknit moved to the other side of the bench and asked ever so nicely if I wouldn't mind keeping away from sharp implements. I dumped the sliced swatch in the bin and looked at the remaining ball. I'm sure I saw it wince.

That evening I cast on with the remainder. You will be pleased to hear the yarn is now behaving.

Chemo Cap Count: 5/26

June's Charity Haul

2008-08-03T06:12:00.002+10:00

Charity of the Month #1
Originally uploaded by fitknit

Thought I'd share a pic of the June Charity of the Month collection. I was lucky enough to grab a spot on the Knit 4 Charities calendar when another charity found it no longer required knitted items (how good is that?!?).

I collected items for Bonnie Babes and in this photo there are hundreds of blankets, baptismal gowns and burial wraps. The work that has gone into these is just amazing. Knitters, and all crafters for that matter, are just the best in my book.

On the home front, Mr Fitknit took DS3 off to a hockey tournament up north. DS3 is particularly excited to be going on a road trip without certain other brothers. They rang last night and are having a great time. Hope they wear their beanies (hand made by Fitknit) today!

Chemo cap count: 3/26

Chemo Cap

2008-08-02T06:54:00.002+10:00

Chemo Cap
Originally uploaded by fitknit

After yesterday's outburst, I decided I really would try to blog more often. So here goes.

It is Remembrance Month over at Knit 4 Charities and I'm on the chemo caps. It is three months tomorrow since Teresa passed away yet feels like the blink of an eye.

To honour her courage, strength and life, I'm going to try and make a cap for every year she was here. That's 26. I've made 2 so far. This one is my own pattern. It is acrylic and we all know how much I would prefer to run a marathon rather than use this yarn, but it's not about me!

Guess I'd better go and knit now. Hopefully I'll be back soon :)

Shouldn't you be working?

2008-08-01T11:19:00.002+10:00

Felted Hat
Originally uploaded by fitknit

I hadn't planned on blogging today but the pressure (yes, you Miss J) got to me. I certainly know I'm under the pump when a 'friend' says she needs for me to update my blog on a regular basis because when her work annoys her, she clicks and has a momentary escape over here.
Happy?!?

I could leave it there but won't because I'm not nearly as p*&%d off as that reads! I whipped up this little number for my boys' school sports. This is always, without fail, held on the coldest day of the year. Field events require a walk across the oval to the area where your child will attempt to remove heads with a discus.

So I made my hat, felted it, wore it, loved it. I believe there was a lot of hat-envy going on. The pattern is from the wonderful Sarah Bradberry's book, The Any Yarn, Any Hat. I got the downloadable version and love it!