Brr Winter Is on Its Way

Very cold this morning but lovely and sunny, there is something I like about going for a walk on a cold winters morn, although generally I am not a fan of the cold in any shape or form. Been very busy knitting up a storm doing lots of Milo's for MiloMay 2013, a KAL on Ravelry. I am currently on number 6!! What I like about this patten you can so make it your own in many different ways. Cables stripes fair isle embellishments, this puts your stamp on a very clever pattern. I have also purchased the Bloom pattern another of Tikki's and have done a couple that just have to have the finishing touches put on a very versatile and practical pattern and i do like practical!!This pattern grows with your child or baby which is great, I see many more of these. I have started hand dyeing yarn which has been a lot of fun it is exciting seeing how things turn out, have tried different methods, crockpot, steamer, painted on and microwave. Have had trouble getting the dye out even when it has exhausted. Trial and error I think. I also had a lovely surprise the other week when I won a competition on a KAl on Rav with the Natural star group.I made the Flower Hat pattern and won some lovely Olive and Emma hand dyed wool. I also had some luck in scoring some Addi fixed circular needles off of Trademe for such a good price. My knit picks interchangeable were needing to be replace bit by bit so I was delighted to get these. I had purchased some of these when we were in Auckland a couple of years ago and loved them. They came in a lovely case with few extras.There were about 16 pairs, It sure makes my life easier when I can just get the right size needle without screwing and unscrewing cables etc. Well I am freezing sitting here so must get another layer on. Keep warm all. Janet