The end of romance

Remember this project I started back in December 2009? Well after many, many uninspiring hours of knitting and one long hiatus just before the finish line, I finally finished it.

Do I love it? Unfortunately not. You could say the romance ran out of this marriage long ago. I'm happy with the knitting (apart from one blaring mistake where I forgot to knit the lace pattern and just knit rib right in the middle just below the neckline!!) but it is a little too red, a little too big, and a little too long for my body shape.

I have learnt a few things along the way though. Like how vintage pattern might look cute but aren't as well written or constructed as modern ones. This should so have been knit in the round, and I'm sure a more experienced knitter would have made the mods themselves.

Also, a little while after I started this project I came across the knitwear designer Amy Herzog and started ready her fit to flatter series, and through her I also got into Trinny and Susannah (as much they often annoy me) and learnt a few essential tips for knitting and dressing for my pear shape. If I were to knit this pattern again I would knit a tighter cropped version, with the bottom edge finishing at my waist, to accentuate my smaller bust and waist and draw attention away from my bigger hips (and now post-twins tummy!).

You know you have a problem when...

...you wake up in the middle of the night, turn on the bedside lamp and demand that your husband pass you your knitting needles so that you can "pick up stitches".

I'm starting to think that sleep deprivation and knitting are not the greatest combination!

How do they make green wool?

The other day my three year old daughter asked me how they make green wool. I tried to explain that they dye it - "you know, like when we dyed the eggs at Easter time". As often is the case, she wasn't 100% satisfied with my brief explanation. So I was thrilled when I discovered this picture book at the library a few days later.

Woolly Jumper: The Story of Wool by Meredith Hooper is a great book that describes the process of how wool is made, starting with the sheep in the field and finishing with the knitted jumper.

The main part of the book illustrates each step of the process and gives a simple description, but there is a more detailed explanation of certain areas and terms - like how the wool is "scoured" and "carded" on the inside back cover. This is written in very clear, kid-friendly language and answered most of the questions my daughter had asked me whilst I was attempting to read her the book for the first time.

I think it's a great book for both children and their parents. I learnt a few things myself and Nina is now keen to visit a sheep farm.

Rebel Knitter

I should be finishing this...


...but instead I cast on this!


I do have a problem finishing things and in the case of baby blanket #2 I have hours worth of ends to weave in before blocking and then knitting on a border. But I just haven't been able to get this project out of my head and knew the only way to do it would be to get it on the needles. Now I just need to put them down again! In my defense, this project has been on my queue for a year and I've only got a few months left before it gets too humid and hot in this part of the world to wear wool.

I had grand plans of going paperless on this one and using my iPad to view the pattern but I just found it easier following the chart using a good old fashioned magnetic board and a pen (love my new pen which I recently purchased at one of my favourite shops.) More about the iPad and knitting apps later.

Where did the year go?

I am very excited to be the proud new owner of an iPad and think it could breath new life into this old blog. So to kick things off I thought I might fill you in on one of few things that I did finish knitting in the past year.


The last thing I knit before I gave up the needles due to morning sickness was this Aestlight Shawl by Gudrun Johnston.


I made it for my dear friend Rebecca and now wish I had one for myself. I didn't love knitting it - after getting off to a raging start it felt like the edging took forever! - but I love how it turned out and love the colour (Malabrigo's Impressionist Sky).