Busy months

Visits from family have kept the house busy recently and next week they are back again but this time we will be in the Blue Mountains staying at our weekender. It is cooling off so there will be lots of knitting done in front of the fire, in particular for a little baby grandaughter that is arriving in a few months. Meanwhile have been busy making and collecting items for the Women's Refuge Resource Centre so they can distribute them throughout NSW. A wonderful response from all the knitters and crocheters at K4C who have been sending me parcels all this month. My work room has piles of beanies, scarves, toys, rugs, ponchos and jumpers stacked almost ready to go... I've been working on ponchos and teddies as these were the two most poular items last year. Just finishing one more poncho and then I'm done.

Also made this pink poncho for little Anastastia who visited this month. What a little sweetie, always happy and smiling. Made a lovely soft scarf for her mum Natasha that she may just need next week in the mountains.

Vest for James

Might call this a cricket vest for James because I made it while watching the cricket on TV. A very simple vest with a cable detail to give it some interest, knitted in Cleckheaton Country 8 ply in navy. He needs this for that changeable Melbourne weather that can be so hot one day and then cool and raining the next. This is to fit him now (size 3 yrs) so easy to make him another one next year. Now back to the girls ponchos for the Womens Refuges collection for next month...

windfall

Have just completed my first knitting project for the new year with an 8 ply bamboo yarn that I haven't used before. Made by Sirdar, it's called Baby Bamboo and is a bamboo 80% and wool 20% blend. Easy to knit, the finish is like a cotton yarn but with a silky sheen. The colour is ecru (beige) but under light it has a silvery look and I chose this because it is a birthday present for F so she can wear it at night over a black dress, when she is playing the flute. It is a vogue knitting free pattern (www.vogueknitting.com) called a sleeveless wrap top and I adapted the pattern for 4mm needles and made it in a small size.

Found this wool at my favourite Vinnies shop last week. It was being sorted on the counter so I was able to buy the lot for 50c per ball! It will be great for some of the charity knitted items in the next few months.

Hope everyone enjoys Australia Day and manages to cope with the heat this weekend. I'm off to watch the cricket again on tv, and to do some knitting for J, in front of the fan.

The new jumper fitted perfectly and looks great and the puppets were a big hit. Managed to knit six teddies for the refuge centre.

Holidays

We flew down to Melbourne a few days before Christmas to spend a holiday with the family, and apart from a couple of very hot days, had a very enjoyable stay. Even managed to catch up with some family members that we haven't seen for years. (Hello Jill)

This is Swampy the crocodile.

Pressies 3

Some more hand puppets and little finger puppets for storytelling.

Pressies 2

Marilyn has been dressed and is now on her way to Hong Kong where she will be living for the present.

This is a clown for little William for his first Christmas. Have finished all the presents now so it's back to making teddies for the NSW womens refuge centre while I'm watching the Australian cricketers win the Test in Perth next week.

Pressies

The Aran jumper is finally finished, just have to sew it together. Not an easy knit but worth the effort.







The Marilyn Monroe doll is a work in progress but she will really come together when I add her white dress and some trimming details. Should be quite a doll...



This tiger hand puppet is a special order from a favourite little boy.

Charity knitting - basket of teddies

Just finished these teddies that are travelling to Tasmania soon for some special children at StGiles http://www.stgiles.org.au/pages/about-us.php They are made with 8 ply wool on 3mm needles with this pattern http://www.teddiesfortragedies.org.uk/Easy knit but take a little time to sew up. Hint: Add features before you fill the teddies.

It's springtime in Sydney- clear blue skies and warm sunny days. All the flowers are bursting into colour again and the birds have arrived to feed on the nectar, and are chattering away in the red callistemons. Mrs Magpie was here for her breakfast early and rewarded us with a very melodic song. She has been collecting food in her beak so has chicks in the nest again.

Trying to finish the very tricky Aran cable knit that I'm making for Svet but it needs concentration and is not a TV knit. Back is finished and front halfway completed, so the sleeves should be a cinch.