A 1st birthday

When it comes to kids birthday presents around here my first thought is always what can I make? I will almost always ask the parent if there is anything they need or would like and when the answer is usually "No idea" (I have to admit we are no different with our little man) I start brainstorming what to make. Sometimes I know instantly and other times I will dwell on it (and often too long and it becomes a night before job lol). This time round I decided to go with a full autumn outfit, which all started with wanting to make corduroy shorts for a gorgeous little girl who was turning 1.

Lets start at the top shall we.

Beanie:
Pattern - I heart cables by Justyna Lorkowska.
I cast on the toddler number of stitches but knitted the child size number of rows to give a more slouchy look. It kinda failed a little as the yarn seems to be a bit firm for the idea. It was an easy to follow pattern and though it was originally cast on for my little dude his big head meant it would become the perfect complimentary head topper for this outfit.

Yarn: Tivoli Emerald Aran 100% wool.
This yarn was lovingly purchased as a gift for me in Ireland by the lady's Aunt and Uncle some 3 years ago. I love the natural tweed colour and that they thought of me while travelling around one of my favourite countries in the world but if I was to be honest it was a little course to work with and I wouldn't be keen to purchase more. Oddly though it seems to knit up quite soft which makes it totally wearable.

Cowl:

Pattern: Toddler cowl by Delia Creates

Using the same yarn as the beanie held double and a 10mm hook I whipped this up in the space of about 40mins. I did add an extra 10 chains to the start and only did 5 rounds. It was simple, quick and a satisfying project.

Top:

Pattern - self draft based on pattern C in the Japanese pattern book Happy Homemade vol2.

Fabric - upcycled skirt I had made in Vietnam that I had worn maybe twice but couldn't part with as I loved the fabric!

This was the first time I had ever done a planket and I am pretty proud of my efforts! This top turned out better than I thought it would and I loved that had cute buttons to match already on hand.

Shorts:
Pattern - Self draft based on the Kid Shorts pattern by Dana Willard.
Fabric - Corduroy and floral cotton I've had in my stash forever.
For the shorts I added a cuffed bottom and a separate waistband to the top and to get a gathered look added about 4 inches to the front and back pieces. By using the floral cotton fabric on the inside of the waistband and cuffs it took away the irritation of having corduroy straight on the skin, plus it added an awesome pop of colour.

Tights:
Pattern - Self drafted.
Fabric - Upcycled wool/acrylic cardigan. Soooooo soft.

Last but not least these tights, with just 2 pieces and the rainbow elastic, were an awesome make. Total sewing time about 10mins!

Making a whole outfit is certainly more time consuming than just making a single item (obviously) but the results definitely made it worth it! Cuteness overload that's for sure!

Giving Back

Instagram, gahhhhhh, I love you, maybe a little too much, but sometimes that is a good thing. A couple of weeks ago I was doing the usual scroll through my feed when the lovely Shelley over at Spin Cushions (want to learn to crochet? Shelley has an awesome tutorial series to get you going!) posted a picture about a project she was helping out on and I thought “now this is something I can do!” The project is called Days for Girls and Cath from My Bearded Pigeon put a shout out into the instagramming world for people to help out. Days for Girls is about providing girls in impoverish communities with sustainable feminie hygiene products – reusable pads and washcloths, to keep them in school and work.

As their website states – Imagine if not having sanitary supplies meant DAYS without school, DAYS without income, DAYS without leaving the house? Girls use leaves, mattress stuffing, newspaper, corn husks, rocks, anything they can find……but still miss up to 2 months of school every year. Worse, girls are often exploited in exchange for hygiene. It turns out this issue is a surprising but instrumental key to social change for women all over the world. The poverty cycle can be broken when girls stay in school.

Now anyone who knows me well enough (and well all of you now to) would know if it wasn’t for the wonders of modern medicine a couple days a month would result in a lot of crying, screaming and withering around on the couch in agony for. While that stills happens, once those drugs kick in I’m back to normal, so I hate to imagine going through that with no access to feminie hygiene products. This was an easy project to get involved in, for about 2 hours of my time I was able to provide 2 washcloths and a carry bag that will help some girls out once a month for up to 3 years! 2 hours = 6 months extra school or work over 3 years. It’s definitely a worthwhile investment to me.

I didn’t need to buy a thing as everything was in my stash, beautiful soft cotton yarn and some nice bright cotton fabric. As the girls use the bag for everyday use I reinforced the tops of the side seams where the drawstrings goes to hopefully give it more strength! Hope the Days for Girls organisers don’t mind! Want to help out? – jump over to their website and find a local branch and enquire or there is still time to send stuff to Cath as she is collecting till Easter.

It’s definitely good to give something back!

Time

Time is funny thing. It can feel like it moves oh so very slow at times and other times you blink and a new day is upon you. In just a moment it can stand still and a moment later change you forever. It heals wounds and makes memories. It is always moving and never stops, even if you want it to. It defines your first and last breath and ages you before you know it. It is a constant in everyone and everything’s lives. To some it seems meaningless but to others they would do anything to stop it, go back or fast forward through it. Time is so many things but ultimately it is nothing more than a measuring tool. Something that defines how long or short something or someone is here or there or everywhere. So why talk about time? 4month, 13 days. That is how long it has being since I posted here. I have wanted to, I really have. There has been so much I have wanted to share with you, teach you and experience with you. But things have got in the way. There is always a way to use time more wisely I know, but I didn’t have it in me. For 4 months I didn’t want to add something else to the day, when there was just days of wanting to get by and nothing more. I know this makes it sound like 4 months of sadness, but it hasn’t been. It has been awesome at times, plenty to celebrate and rejoice in, but there was sadness, much sadness.

 

In this post I mentioned a tiny little fighter. She was so strong and fought so hard but at 3 months her little body grew tired and she never got to go home. She was a gorgeous and cheeky little one who has left a massive footprint on this Earth. These were the hardest and some of the most beautiful days I have ever been part of. There were tears and hints of laughter, there was reflection and reminders of how fragile we really are. But most of all there was support. We supported each other and our friends and held out our hands for her parents. Parents who will never stop grieving and know all to well how time does not discriminate.

 

There were happier times though. My lady secured another ghost writing gig (I will reveal about the 1st ghost writing gig real soon I promise), which came with an all expenses paid trip to Bendigo, VIC. I wasn’t keen on being left behind so I tagged along as I really wanted to go to the Bendigo Woollen Mills. I have only been once before but this is like yarn Mecca! So worth the trip. While she spent her days interviewing and writing I took in the town – the architecture, the parks and of course the Mills (no pic sorry). 

 

   

Another big time consumer was I participated in my 1st, 2nd and 3rd triathlons and joined an awesome local training group. Doing a triathlon was always something on my bucket list but I never felt I had the “body” for it. Now I have never really suffered from body image issues but having only seen women running along in swimmers competing in triathlons I always thought “I would knock myself out within 5 metres of running in just swimmers”. But upon doing more research sports bra under swimmers is the done thing so when my friend asked if I would compete in one I was quick to jump at the chance. Result? I’m hooked! These are the pics from my last triathlon, the first the lady was able to attend. She wasn’t too pleased about the 5am wake up but she took awesome pics – she even spotted me swimming the harbour – that’s me in the centre on my own! I having another one coming up in just under 3 weeks and can’t wait! (Oh check out the man in front of me in the 2nd pic – his swimmers are inside out. It cracked me up the whole way to the swim start lol)

 

       

Last but not least. Master B’s parents have gone their separate ways. My lady has been a tower of strength to her best friend and I have looked after Master B so she was able to return to work. He is such a funny kid and though not yet 2 (almost) he natters away to you in full sentences, counts to ten and will point out his colours. I am loving the time I am spending with him and when it comes to nap times at “Nomi’s” house he gets to sleep on the big bed. He gets pretty excited lol.

 

So these are the big things (there is one more thing but it will get a post on its own shortly) which took away time but there was also a few other things along the way. Before I go any further – MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Better late than never right? lol.

 

In brief -

• I gave it an earnest go at trying to get full time work. No joy there.
• The lady’s grandma passed away. While unexpected at the time she had been unwell for sometime.
• I took the lady to her first live cricket game in Sydney.
• I had a pressure test done on my calves for compartment syndrome which all came back negative.
• A trip to Coffs Harbour for a week.
• Sewing, knitting and crochet which I’m giving its own post shortly.

 

Lastly, I want to say a huge thank you to a lovely lady who emailed me to ask how I was and if I was going to revive this blog. I was in two minds about whether I was going to not because I didn’t want to, but more so I wasn’t sure people actually read it. So thank you. I am really excited for what’s to come and time is no longer going to be an excuse I need this blog. It is my connection to a world of awesome people who don’t live nearby.

Winter

       

Winter is here and is my favourite season. Don’t get me wrong I love summer and the things it brings – swims in the ocean, long days and shorts, but winter is just me. The short days, the crisp air and the comfort that comes from days curled up on the couch with a hot chocolate, blanket and my latest crafty project.

Winter is the blankets I have made and acquired over time. Snuggling under them alone or together, keeping warm and remembering why I made them in the first place.
Winter is hand knitted beanies and cowls. Quick projects and the ultimate winter accessory.
Winter is hot water bottles with hand knitted covers. Warming your toes as you climb into bed or just to hug at anytime.
Winter is flannelette sheets. Warm, cozy and extra fluffy softness as you climb into bed at the end of the day.
Winter is jumpers and jackets. Comfort is the key and in winter you can always be comfy in a big oversized jumper.
Winter is Ugg boots eagerly awaiting your arrival home in the afternoon. Warm toes = happy me.
Winter is the heater as I dream of a fire. Our heater is wonderful and keeps us warm all winter with barely a blip on the electricity bill, but a fire is better. Its smell, warmth and nature.

Winter is more than just these pictures it is trips to the snow, hockey season, slow cooked food and baking for the soul. It’s knitting and crocheting, its gloves and scarves, its an angry ocean and wonderful rain. It’s the lazy season where you can regroup, collect your thoughts and gear up for the warmer months ahead.  Winter is well, just perfect.

A confession & some cowl’s!

I know day 6 & 7 of Kids Clothes Week never made it to the blog. Initially the explanation was simple I had to work….a lot. As someone who only works casually it was a good thing for the bank balance but for me as a whole it was exhausting as I wasn’t even close to use to it, however looking at the bank balance it was totally worth it! After that I finally got the chance to edit my photos, nothing major just making them square and small and adding a bit of text, but then it just started falling apart – the numbers weren’t looking right, the photos seemed to glitch when saved, and I was getting frustrated. I digitised my first ever pattern (albeit not perfectly) and tried to upload it and that didn’t work and by this point it was now weeks not days since the challenge ended and I was then too disappointed in myself for not getting on here in time to care. But it goes one step further, I was also ashamed for promising something I failed to deliver and was too scared to do another post (stupid I know), but alas here I am back on the blog to say sorry and that the pants pattern will come but for now it has bad ju’ju so I am leaving it behind for awhile!

 

I know that was all serious and I have one more bit of serious news before I actually share some pretty cool cowl’s I knitted! The other serious news is my casual job lost 1 of its contracts to private enterprise, so my hours while sporadic as they were have now become sparse as well as sporadic, I’m talking probably about 2, yes that is TWO shifts a month. So not cool, but plus side I might get some more stuff made, actually I probably won’t as I tend to work better with structure, loads and loads of structure and the more time I spend at home the less structure I seem to have……..ahhhh I really am sure there is bigger problems in the world, so on that note lets move on!

 

Cool project??? Burton Bear Cowl’s!!! This pattern is awesome and is available HERE and HERE if you want to knit your own (don’t knit? There is also a crochet version available HERE and HERE!) I was asked way back in February if I would make beanies for the 2 daughters of a lady I play hockey with and this was the perfect opportunity to use the Burton Bear Cowl pattern!  After asking Miss D and Miss J what colours they wanted I ordered THIS awesome yarn from the UK and eagerly awaited its arrival to get started! These were really quick knits maybe 2 days each, and are super warm! I love the little details, the button flap and the ears they just make it look so adorable!!! Best part? The girls LOOOOVVEEEDD them!

   

 

Thanks for modelling Miss D & Miss J and to mum for letting me use your pics! The pics certainly aren’t anything artsy but taking photos after running around a hockey field for over an hour was a little sketchy hehehe!

I’m Back!!! + A new pattern

So it has clearly been awhile. I don’t really have an excuse, I have just being lazy really. So what has been happening? Well, 1 week ago I had another surgery on my wrist (the original surgery was 10 months ago) to release the tendon to my index finger which was stuck in scar tissue from the previous surgery. So far so good and I have more movement than I had when I went in!

 

Last weekend my partner became a God-Mother to our good friends little boy. It was a cute ceremony and they combined it with his 1st birthday party (he is 1 next month), so it was filled with extra presenty goodness. We also caught up with friends we haven’t seen in 3 years, lets hope it isn’t another 3 years till we see them again!!!!

 

Ok, so I am sure we have had a lot more going on, but I’m sure that is the main things so the new pattern. A few weeks ago I posted a pattern on Instagram and now I’m sharing it with you all here. It is another dishcloth pattern, and very similar to the essential dishcloth pattern. So it is  - The Heavy Duty Dishcloth Pattern.

 

SUPPLIES

4 balls of 4ply cotton yarn

6.5mm hook

 

Stitch Abbreviations

ch – chain

dc – double crochet

 

Pattern

1. Using all 4 balls together ch 20.

2. 1dc into 4th ch from hook. 1dc into each chain to end. Turn (17dc)

3. Ch 3. 1dc into each dc of previous row. Turn (17dc)

4. Repeat step 3 7 more times. Fasten off yarn & sew in ends.

 

This is a super quick project and is great for using up the left over yarn from making the essential dishcloth’s!

Christmas wrap up

A belated “Merry Christmas” to you all. Hope you all had a fantastic time with friends and family, ate great food and received some wonderful gifts. Christmas for us was small this year which was a little odd (we usually spend Christmas with all my partners family, we are talking 20+ people) but a wonderful day all the same, followed by Boxing day with good friends. In the lead up to Christmas we also hosted our first Christmas party for all our friends. It was a wonderful night and worth the 3am bed time and something we hope to do every year.

Christmas for me is all about giving wonderful gifts. I think long and hard about what to get each person and if I can make it, I will. This year I made personalised pillowcases, a cushion, babysitting vouchers, jute and yarn coasters, tablerunners (with help from my lovely lady), dishcloths (pattern here), Christmas pudding (recipe here) and reindeer noses. (Hence the lack of posts of late.) The presents were wrapped in twine with beautiful labels made by my partner on her typewriter.

 

     

         

And it wouldn’t be a Christmas wrap up without me sharing with you what I was grateful to receive……….pic below!!! I was one lucky girl and this is the first time I have turned the desktop on since before Christmas as I can now access the net from the convenience of the couch (my laptop died about 18months ago and we had not replaced it, till now!)