Its Been Awhile

Well feeling motivated today to getting back here again. Ive been at Linds for the past few days babysitting animals while they were away. They had to go later as Great Granny (Mons) passed away on Friday, she was in her 98th year and was a lovely lady and will be sadly missed. Ive been inspired to make some Cardies for myself just lately as I haven't been doing the markets. I had been drawn to this pattern Criollo designer is Justyna Lorkowska. From the first time I saw it I have had it in my queue on Ravely. I made one then I made 2 perhaps there may even be a No 3 I love the construction, fit, everything and I really love cardies made with 4 ply especially as I dyed it up myself which was challenging to say the least, to try and get the skein's the same, of course I didn't but not too noticeable and I didn't feel like alternating skeins esp with trying out a new design. Of course now I want to try out more of her designs as the fit is fantastic

Had trouble capturing the colours I was dragging the model that Georgia so kindly gave me all around the house must find a name for her!!. The lovely little project bag I won in a competition held by Laura from The Dyers Notebook podcast and the prize was from Little Skein on etsy. The bag which features The Little Velveteen Rabbit is so well made with lovely quality fabrics I am so pleased with it , and have several WIP hidden away in it. It has inspired me to make some of my own so you may see yet some sewing related articles on my blog now that would be different wouldn't it!!! I am excited to add that I have now lost 10 kilos mainly eating healthy and exercises walking and Hula Hooping I borrowed my granddaughters hoop an have lost about 5-6 ins from my waist so if you have one handy go try!!!. Oh I have dyed some wool but not much, I am mainly dyeing what I need to knit as I have loads put away, hopefully will try the markets when it gets a little cooler to sell some. I must admit I will concentrate on the dyeing as I love it so much. Well its come over cold here and raining so must put another layer on, pleased that I got up to the shops early before the rain. Good old Metservice!

It's About the Cross - Christmas Music Video (+playlist)

Tree Time Again

Well its that special time of year again with me decorating the tree with the grandchildren. We have done the tree had lots of treats, treasure hunt and now a Christmas Movie!!! This tree must be more than 25 years old it was one of the first trees that were not real and it has done us proud it looks lovely each year. Sad thing is here in New Zealand we cant put choc decorations on because it is too hot sweltering today, but I am not complaining. Yesterday picked the first raspberries of the season,

there really is nothing nicer.

Christmas With a Capital "C"

Worth It

I decided I need to do more exercise and walking is the best option for me, and uphill walking is not my fave but need the cardio!! It is all worth it though when I get to end my walk by going through this lovely park. Isel Park

Hope you enjoyed your walk with me!

Dyeing and more Dyeing with a little Knitting!

Where have the last 2 months gone? It has been a busy time with several birthdays, mine included. Before we know it Chridtmas will be here and I am not prepared!!!I have been doing more dyeing and have made myself a lovely top Elfe is the pattern on Rav and have been wanting to make this for ages. Now I can dye my own wool it makes it easier to choose the right colours. I decide to go for a dark navy/black nd bright cerise pink and they look great together. I would totally recommend this pattern its do easy and effective like others have said next time I would do the jogless stripe down

one side.

I realize that while taking these pics I do need a new camera just cant capture the colours correctly. I have also done some baby knitting. I made three Marjie little shrugs this is a new pattern by Julia Stanfield, very quick and easy and takes very little yarn 50 gr for the smallest but I was using DK instead of 10 ply.

I also made a sweet baby cardi type shrug in 4ply merino that i hand dyed. I love this it is called NB vertebrae and is so cute and one again takes a bout 50 gr yarn. This is by Kelly Brooker. I have just finished my SIL a pair of plain socks in VP yarn that I over dyed (sacrilege I know) to be a more male colour they came out a lovely chocolate brown. Well Linds is just on her way to pick me up to go to her house then perhaps for a coffee. Have a good week wherever you are. From sunny Nelson!!!

IT'S SPRING!!

These came out of my garden just in time for the first day of Spring. I am home after nearly 5 weeks away. Lind's and Josh had the opportunity to stay a extra week at the Wilson Home because he was coming on in leaps and bounds! The kids were great had no problems at all, they both got their own school lunches and breakfast each day they were very organized!! It was lovely to be back though even though its just a few mins away. I had ordered some new dyes and couldn't wait to get started on experimenting with them. It's a lot harder than you think to get what you want, but really there are no failures as all can be over-dyed, or used in my 10 stitch blanket I am making. I really didn't do much knitting while I was a way except on the blanket which was mindless knitting which is what I wanted. I started on a lovely hat pattern by Tin Can Knits, 'Barley' its free and so easy. In fact I made a hat similar to it years ago and have been looking everywhere for it as it was a great pattern. I am making it in Skeinz Naked 10 ply which I dyed purple colours, its looking good! Hope you are having a good weekend wherever you are and enjoy the first of Spring if in this part of the world.

Spring Greens

Well one week is done at the Tolmie household. Apart from Joel getting sick things went okay. I came home for the weekend and managed to dye these skeins of wool a lovely green the first attempt was too light so did the same over-dyed and came out pretty much how I wanted. Trying to dye 3 + 200 grams the same shade provided a challenge and it means I have to go looking for a bigger dyepot! Lovely weather for dyeing got to 19 deg! Today back to rain and colder. The colour is somewhere between the two photo's. I also started a Beyond Peurperium in my handdyed merino and it is BRIGHT!!!! quite like the way it is pooling. Well Josh if you are reading this on your laptop in Auckland hopw you have had a great weekend and have another good week, keep up the good work!!

Filling In

Well Josh and Lindsey are off to the Wilson Home in Auckland today for 3 weeks of therapy. The other 2 will be staying behind this time and I will be staying to lend a hand, Dan will still be at home. They will all go up in the middle for a few days so that will be something nice to look forward to.

Joel and Georgia are busy doing some crafts with me as they are a bit sad. I have also been dyeing more wool and have been having some good results. The kids and Dan came round the other weekend and cleared out my little shed and now it is my designated dyeing space yay!! I have also been knitting a few things a Pebble Vest Benji Hat and many others. It was a shame I couldnt get to the Richmond Market the other week as it was blowing a gale, its a shame its only once a month! Josh also requested some socks for Auckland and only told me Thurs night (no pressure aye Josh?) He provided the VP sock yarn which he is a fan of. Turned out lovely here on my Ravelry page Well better go and pack things and relish the quiet while I can ha ha!!.

So Much Fun

I have been having so much fun dyeing wool. Its lovely seeing all these colours appear not knowing how they are going to turn out but hey that is half the fun!! I have also been entering in a couple of KAL (knitalongs) In the knit for boys group on Rav I finished Alec a pattern by Sarah Ronchetti. I have knitted a couple of Sarah's patterns before and they are great and easy to follow.I was lucky enough to win the Alec pattern thanks to Sarah. Another was in the Budding Designers Downunder Group.I made a few things in NZ yarn. Well it is lovely and sunny today so I am in the middle of dyeing some yarn ....show you next time!

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

New Things

Ive been quite busy since the last post with my knitting (of course) I also had a market at the end of last month and did quite well. Exciting news is that I am now licenced to knit for sale the fab Milo pattern by Georgie Hallam aka Tikki on Ravelry. At the moment Tikki has a KAL with her group on Ravelry so if you are not a member go along and join, you will not regret it. At the moment I have made 2 Milos for May and I seem to be drawn to stripes.