and the winner is ...

Julia from Hand Knitted Things! Congratulations! So the giveaway yarn will be on its way to Scotland very soon, and I hope Julia finds it useful for one of her projects, perhaps one of those cute owls or a beret. Thanks to everyone who joined in for this giveaway draw and I'm sorry that you can't all be winners. The comments suggest that most of us learnt to knit at a young age and have continued to enjoy this craft ever since. Long may this continue...

 

Made these teddies last week when we were away and they will soon be travelling north to Queensland where they will be popped into back packs with clothes and other gifts to be given to children who are going into foster care. What a good idea!

Morning in the tree house

morning melody

tree ferns in our gully behind the house

view from the corner of the street looking into the Jamison Valley

banksia ericifolia in flower in the winter

seed pod with some pods open

old seed pods collected for the fire in winter

We have spent the past few days at our cottage in the Blue Mountains (1 and 1/2 hours from Sydney) enjoying the company of the birds and the peace and quiet. Because of the altitude (1000 metres) it is usually about 10 degrees cooler than the coastal plain so is always pleasant in summer. An old banksia needed lopping so the seed pods were collected to be used as fire starters in the winter. This mountain banksia flowers in winter and honeyeaters migrate to the area in large numbers to feed on the nectar. Unlike some other banksia varieties (of which there are about 50) the seed pod does not require a bushfire for germination but opens spontaneously.

(Giveaway! - last chance to be entered in the draw for the free skein of yarn - to be drawn on Friday)

Kokeshi Doll

Thanks to Miss Aine for sharing the pattern for this delightful and whimsical Japanese Kokeshi Doll. I made her Obi sash from a burgundy ribbon instead of yarn as I wanted a contrast with the wool of the garment.

(Don't miss out on the yarn giveaway to be drawn next Friday 27 January !)

Giveaway!

What better way to celebrate Australia Day on the 26 January than with a giveaway of some Australian made yarn. This is a 100gram skein of hand dyed mohair boucle from Mollydale in warm earth colours. Make a hat, make a scarf or anything you fancy with this lovely soft yarn. 

1. To be included in the draw for this giveaway you need to join this site as a follower by clicking on the blue tag on the right that says 'join this site' (if you have not already joined), and leave a comment about when you first learnt to knit, who taught you and if you can remember, the first item you made. That's it!


2. Remember to include your name and your email in your comment or a link so you can be contacted. I can't reach you otherwise!

The name of the lucky person who wins the draw will be announced on Friday 27 January and contacted by email. This giveaway is open to all Australian and International followers who leave a comment and will be posted by airmail to the winner. Good luck!

Summer in Melbourne

Most of Australia is hot in January, but the past week in Melbourne has been very hot with temperatures climbing from 36 - 40 degrees C for several days. So just had to stay inside and watch the Australian/Indian Cricket Test on tv and do some knitting in air conditioned comfort... Returned to Sydney yesterday by car after two weeks holiday with the family. 

Planning a giveaway soon so watch this space!

cloud formations from the plane

James & his wall hanging

lunch stop driving back to Sydney