audrey in unst

So I finally knitted a complete garment that (a) fits perfectly and (b) I will actually wear (in fact I've worn it to work twice already)!!
I got kind of disillusioned with garment knitting about a year ago and stuck to shawls, socks, and other general accessories. Admittedly it was mostly my fault, for either choosing the wrong colour, wrong pattern or failing to do a gauge swatch and assuming that size small would just automatically fit.

Then I made Audrey in Unst!!



And it turned out PERFECT!! I'd say this was due to a number of factors all coming together like some sort of divine knitting planetary alignment:

(1) I actually did a gauge swatch and took my measurements and worked out which size to knit
(2) The pattern is EXCELLENT. Gudrun Johnston is a brilliant designer. Small touches, such as the I-cord neckline and the short-row shaped set-in sleeves really make this garment look amazing
(3) The yarn is beautiful - Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk blend. yummmmm.
(4) The buttons cost me $1 from St Vinnies!
(5) Zero seaming meant that it didn't languish in my "finished but needs seams" pile which contains items stretching back approximately 5 years

My only regret is that I didn't actually finish it in time to wear it that much, as it is now spring in Sydney, I will be spending the summer living in the Blue Mountains, and then I may be moving to Darwin for 4 months. But I will definitely be wearing this at any available chilly opportunity!!

ALSO NOTE: IT'S NOT BLACK!! Yet I still love it!! Don't worry, normal black knitting will resume shortly.

midnight maniac

well well well, here we have an actual unadulterated blog post with a finished knitting item!! Has the world gone topsy-turvy?!

I have a strange knitting habit, wherein I like to try and match projects to yarns in a thematic sense. For example, for Midnight Meadows I was looking for a pattern which reflected both the name and the colour of the yarn. So for ages I had Vinnland queued, due to its pagan influences (apparently inspired by the Green Man) - although it's quite possible I was just mesmerised by the Type O Negative references. I had grandiose visions of knitting these socks and becoming some sort of cavorting druid. Sadly it was not to be, as I realised that (a) I am unlikely to become a druid, not being within easy access of a henge, and (b) it was likely that the Vinnland pattern would be obscured by the dark murkiness of this yarn. So I went through my sock knitting books and chose a simple rib sock from one of my favourite designers, Nancy Bush.



Pattern: Spey Valley Socks by Nancy Bush (from Knitting on the Road)
Yarn: Sundara sock yarn in Midnight Meadows
Needles: 2.25mm

So I'm still striving for that magic thematic connection of pattern and yarn. I have another skein of Sundara yarn in a colourway called Deadly Nightshade. Perhaps I'll design my own sock pattern and call it Belladonna.

outlandish plans of varying degrees

The Southern Summer of Socks is back on again this coming 2008-09 summer. My achievements vis-a-vis last summer's version were nothing short of a failure (albeit a quite spectacular one), and for lack of a better scapegoat I'm going to blame it on the fact that I didn't set any goals for the project.

So in keeping with my approach to tasks and life in general, I feel it's time to set some mildly outlandish and completely unrealistic goals!

• I plan to knit 10 pairs of socks between October 2008 and April 2009
• All of the socks I knit will be with yarn from my sock stash
• some patterns I plan to knit up include Garden Gate (already started!), Twisted Flower, Lissajous, Vinnland, Baroque and Ornette. (Do you think I can be bothered linking all those?? check Ravelry, but trust me they're all HOT)
  

Right! All that remains now is to sit back and wait for the entire plan to fall apart in my face as I get distracted by something shiny (par example - watching endless episodes of Never Mind the Buzzcocks on YouTube).

ALSO, this needs mentioning. Plans (no doubt of an outlandish nature) are afoot to make American Psycho into a Broadway musical. Has the world gone mad? (Hmmm...don't answer that). The only possible way this production could work would be if it starred Troy McClure.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra Begins
Originally uploaded by miss_reecie

Is it possible that I can finish this beautiful stole in time for 9 October, which is when I'm seeing The Pearlfishers? Now that the weather has finally started to warm up, I'm envisioning wearing it with a beautiful draped Grecian-style black dress which I bought last year at the end of summer and haven't worn yet.

ch-ch-changes

In big life news, I have to move in eight weeks time!! So I'm plunging head-first into the apparently terrifying Sydney rental market, and looking for a semi-decent studio apartment somewhere in the inner city. I plan to wear elaborate headscarves and sunglasses when I put out the recycling so that the other occupants of the building think I'm a faded film star.


In knitting news, I'm at a bit of a standstill with my projects in the sense that nothing is finished, nothing new has been started, am just plugging along with the same projects. The Mystic Light Shawl is nearing completion, I now have about 350 stitches on my needle and just 6 rows to go! But I have been buying lots of vintage yarn from Ebay. Loppem in bright orange (I'm talking 1970s orange) vintage Patons Jet - insane or hot? Or both?

Dickensian Urchin Mitts

Fingerless Mitts
Originally uploaded by miss_reecie

When I was growing up in England my Aunt Sue used to baby-sit me on Saturday mornings when my parents were working at the Petticoat Lane Markets in London. We used to play lots of board games, but our favourite was The Dickens Game. I used to read a lot too and she had a beautiful first edition of A Child's History of England which I always admired. Years later I finally managed to find this wonderful edition in Berkelouw Books.

It seemed a fitting match for these mitts which I whipped up over the weekend in between essay writing. They're the Garter Stitch Mitts from Ysolda Teague. I used Grignasco Tango (the poor woman's Rowan Felted Tweed) in grey for added urchin-ness, and still have about a third of the ball left. The concept of grafting 42 garter stitches quite frankly terrified me (i hate grafting) but it was surprisingly easier than stockinette grafting, and looks really neat.

So now I'm off to beg for pie. "I'd kiss you but doctor says I'm sick".

Pass the Laudanum

In my ongoing quest to become a Victorian urchin, for my next knit I'm going to whip up some of these Garter Stitch Mitts which will no doubt be useful to wear while begging for pie at people's windows on my way to the workhouse.

Also I'm making a mad dash to Kinokuniya in my lunch break tomorrow to pick up some recommended steampunk fiction. It's in the young adult section, but lately I've been enjoying young adult stuff a lot, perhaps because my poor little brain can't really take in much else after days reading High Court cases. Anyway, the books I'll be purchasing are: -

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick which is about an orphan living in a Paris train station, featuring automatons and mad scientists or something, as well as being an homage of sorts to Georges Melies (woo!)
  
• Mortal Engines (Vol 1 of the Hungry City Chronicles) by Philip Reeve, which is set in post-apocalyptic Victorian London and features lots of zeppelins and mad explorers.

Any steampunk aficionados out there? Has anyone read these, or have any other steampunk recommendations? It has rapidly become my new favourite subgenre.

Selbu Mittens

Selbu Mittens
Originally uploaded by miss_reecie

Pattern: Selbu Mittens from Folk Mittens
Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills/Heirloom 5ply Easycare in Brown and Mushroom (1 50g ball of each).
Needles: Set of five 3.00mm bamboo DPN.
On Ravelry here.
The following disasters (of varying disastrousness) befell this knitting project since I started it in 2006(!):
1. After leaving the first mitten semi-complete for approximately 2 years, due to change in gauge/tension one of the mittens is slightly larger than the other. It's not really noticeable or aesthetically dodgy, just that one mitten fits my hand PERFECTLY and the other is a little baggy around the wrist.
2. All the stitches fell off the needles at least three times while languishing in the knitting basket for said period of 2 years
3. On the second mitten I forgot to put the waste yarn in for the peasant thumb. I realised this when I was almost up to the top of the mitten. This mistake may or may not have had anything to do with concentration issues due to extended viewing of Mighty Boosh episodes. I frogged back and valiantly re-knit pretty much the entire second mitten.

Melodrama aside, I'm actually really glad i finally finished these. For once it appears I chose the right colour scheme, and they're really warm. I left out the bit where you put codfish gall bladders inside the mittens (to cleanse and strengthen the wool) because I'm not a mad 19th century seafarer (more's the pity).

horror crochet

I'm not normally a fan of fiddly littled crocheted/knitted items, eg sushi and cupcakes etc. they're incredibly cute, but I just don't normally have much time to spend making stuff that's not really very practical. HOWEVER, an exception shall be made for the items I just discovered in the new issue of the AntiCraft: a crocheted chainsaw and axe!!

I have some photos of the Opera in the Domain knitting extravaganza which I'll put up shortly, most probably after I've had an opportunity to listen to the latest Sticks and String podcast and freak out about how my voice really sounds. That's right folks, David interviewed me while we were swanning around waiting for the opera. No doubt I've managed to cackle insanely and/or scream excitedly at some point during the broadcast. tee hee.

The Road to Homebush...

Close up of centre knotwork panel
Originally uploaded by miss_reecie

is littered with cable stitches......
This is the beginning of Kilronan (on Ravelry here), which is my entry in the Royal Easter Show Arts competition this year.
I was debating whether or not to knit this jumper for a while, considering
(a) I don't live in the wild heaths of the Aran Isles (yet...)
(b) I don't own a horse and fetching riding boots
But on the other hand, I think it will look nice in winter paired with some leggings and hot boots.
So in order to have this finished by the time it needs to be delivered to the Show people, which is around early March I think, I'll need to knit my little heart out. Can i do it??? Not to mention I have some top-secret gifts to knit for next month as well. Also not to mention my seemingly incurable obsession with starting new projects, particularly hot berets at the moment.
At least I haven't bought any yarn so far this year. Money in the bank kids!!!! (Well except for the $7 I spent at JB Hifi the other day buying a copy of Serial Mom, but i figure that's the best $7 I'll spend all year. That movie is HILARIOUS!)

grand prix

I'm planning my entry/ies for the Sydney Royal Easter Show which is coming up in March/April of next year. I've liked the Anne of Cleves design from Tudor Roses for a while now but have always been afraid to knit it because it's HUGE. But my devious plan involves some minor calculations to knit it with a fingering weight yarn and 3.25mm needles, thereby reducing the size considerably. I'm thinking of keeping the length though and wearing it as a sweater dress. I don't particularly care if i get a ribbon or not, it's just fun wandering around the exhibits and pointing out to random strangers things you've made. haha. Last time i had an embroidery piece on display and I literally loitered in the area (minus a raincoat) for about 3 hours waiting to hear if anyone was going to say anything negative about it, at which point i planned to spring out from the shadows and abuse them.

anyway i have yarn already, so will start plotting as soon as i've finished my tea cozy swap items and seamed together my minimalist cardigan.

Retro Redux Shrug

Retro Redux 2
Originally uploaded by miss_reecie

aha! finally a hot piece of knitwear which I can wear this spring/summer. I chose the colour and the pattern specifically to go with this dress, which was gifted to me by Fashion Assassin for some work I did for them earlier this year. But it's such a lovely shrug I can see it being worn with a lot of things this coming spring.
Now all I need is :
(a) weather to clear up and start looking more like spring
(b) invitation to a garden party
(c) wealthy gadabout to invite me to a picnic in the botanic gardens.

more photos on flickr.

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

yay! this is my first time doing a secret pal thingo. i love the idea of getting surprise packages in the mail. it will be a sad day indeed if the postal service becomes extinct and replaced with some weird computerised system.
anyway, the questions!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I tend to prefer soft natural fibres, such as merino or alpaca. Am also partial to a bit of cashmere and kid mohair. I prefer lighter weight yarns, usually in the fingering to DK range.
I have a very bad tolerance of novelty yarns. I've used them about twice and each time it was a hideous nightmare.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My storage system is pretty craptacular. All my circular needles are higgeldy-piggeldy in a cloth bag, and my straights (which i very rarely use any more) are in an old vase. l

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting seriously for about 10 years now. My mum first taught me when i was about 8, and I insisted on trying the largest, most complicated project in the book. Needless to say, it was never completed. I picked knitting back up again when I was in high school, and haven't stopped since!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
My Amazon list is not very well-kept. There's some knitting books on there, I think.


5. What's your favorite scent?

I love vanilla and coconut.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I love candy! Especially gummi!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I used to do a lot of embroidery, but that has taken a back seat lately due to my sock knitting obsession. I also do a bit of crochet, and have dabbled in quilting. I have a spinning wheel but currently don't know how to use it. I keep threatening that every summer holidays i'm going to go to the Spinners Guild beginner's workshops, and i think this summer might be the one!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love love love old jazz and blues, like Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman et al.
Lately have been listening to Josephine Baker singing in French about Haiti - so wonderful!
Also like indie stuff, especially Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, Bjork, and old school stuff like Sonic Youth. For me, the 1990s never really ended music-wise.
Computers all systems go re MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Favourite colours are probably black, red, pink, brown. Not a huge fan of cream/white/beige type stuff.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live at home with my mum, my Cornish Rex cat, and two poodles.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves and mittens i wear a lot. Not so much hats and ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks!!!!!! Absolutely love love love knitting socks!!
Have just recently gotten into lace knitting and have been enjoying it a lot, making scarves and stoles etc.
Also, you can't really go past a good cardigan.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Currently on the needles are two pairs of socks, a lace scarf, a children's jumper for Mongolia, and a black shrug in fingering alpaca (obviously these are not all on the same needles!)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Not really.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Definitely circular. I love Addi needles and bamboo needles. Not a huge fan of plastic.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I have a winder, but not a swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I dont' really have any UFOs (shock, horror!). Instead of letting things sit around, i tend to rip them out and declare i'm not making it any more!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I don't really get into the major holidays all that much. Probably my favourite would be Halloween, even though it's not celebrated that much in Australia. But it usually means some good B-grade horror flicks get screened on cable TV!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Apart from sock yarns (!), I do love anything associated with lighthouses.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I'm desperately in love with Cookie A's sock patterns, like Twisted Flower etc. Also have been trying unsuccessfully to snap up some Yarntini sock yarn.
Books - craving Knitting on the Road (Nancy Bush). can't think of any others right now, but i'm sure there are more. oh, i know, the new KnitKnit book!
I have a subscription to Vogue Knitting magazine.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Steeking! Still haven't gotten over my dreaded fear of chopping up my precious knitting with scissors! But i have some Alice Starmore projects in mind, so that might be a good starting point.
Also would like to attempt toe-up socks.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes!! Love socks!!! My feet are teeny, about 8" around, and about 8.5" from heel to toe.

23. When is your birthday?

22 April.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Not yet, but apparently there are only 324 people ahead of me on the list. so maybe i'll be on in about a week or so? fingers crossed. (like i need any more reasons to procrastinate from doing homework).

Worldwide Knitting in Public Day

Worldwide Knitting in Public Day, Sydney
Originally uploaded by miss_reecie

So yesterday myself and Erin braved the insane weather to go to knitting in public day down at the Sidewalk Cafe near the Opera House. It was good to meet other knitters and see lots of exciting projects on the needles. tragedy struck, however, when two of my lantern moon ebony sock needles snapped in half during transit from Petersham to Circular Quay. luckily i had a spare set of knit picks with me, which i have now decided i like better anyway. we probably would have stayed longer if the weather wasn't so awful, but we bailed and went and ate some sushi.
then i had a quick trip to kinokuniya, and snapped up a copy of Knitting Lingerie Style. it's a gorgeous book. i think i'll make the trumpet flared skirt first. i've always wanted to knit a skirt.

Now with Pictures!

ok. i need to actually start using this thing. starting things is hard. finishing things is hard. i want to be permanently in the middle.
BUT i did finish something! a baby's matinee jacket. calm down. it's a commissioned piece.


Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in antique pink (i used approx 3.5 balls for the smallest size)
Pattern: Matinee Jacket from Baby Cashmerino 2 book
i knit it exactly to the pattern specifications as requested. the picot edge is cute.

am desperately trying to finish the other commissioned pieces so i can knit more socks!!!