KNITTING NIX

Peaches!!

2009-12-05T08:19:00.001Z

It has been a trying week to say the least with personal issues getting the best of my good nature and sick kids to boot. Hopefully all the kids are on the mend and we can look forward to going on holiday next week. 7 days to go...I can't believe how fast the time has gone.

I am trying to wind down on all the knitting projects so have taken on small projects to keep me occupied for the next week. The first of which is Peaches the Wonderous Wonder Elephant. I made her for Kayla in a couple of hours and she is so cute!! Now the boys both want one too.

I also finished Kayla's Baktus which will be great for going under her coat.

This will probably be the last post for 2009, so thank you to everyone who has read and followed my blog this year :)

25 days to go!!

2009-11-16T21:03:00.000Z

Wow - 25 days to go until we go on holiday, how exciting! I have been exceptionally busy since my last post, knitting, sorting things out, knitting, dyeing, did I mention knitting? I finally finished my plain FLS, which although a nice practical knit - was terribly boring to do towards the end

I also finished my Baktus which I wear all the time. It is so much more practical than a scarf, but I seem to have lost the photos. I have also made a pair of mittens for Devon.

I dyed some yarn a few weeks ago and this weekend and came up with some lovely colourways

I love playing with different colour combinations and seeing how they turn out.

Last week Tuesday we also had Devon in the hospital with a suspected appendicitis. 4.5 hours wait later, several urine tests and a set of x-rays, he was fortunately given the all clear..here is a mobile pic of an exceptionally bored Devon at the hospital.

A little history...

2009-10-29T19:53:00.006Z

I cast on last night for a Baktus. Those who are Ravelry related will know exactly what that is, but for others it is a sort of scarf. It is a "kerchief" as such or a very shallow shawl used to wrap around your neck. Anyway, I am getting off topic!

While knitting the first few rows of my Baktus I started wondering about the history of knitting, when did it all start, who were the first knitters, why did they knit, how did they knit?

After a little research I found the most information on wiki and it is really interesting how knitting has evolved over time, for those who are interested you can read all about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_knitting

Then I was wondering about the history of the scarf, it is the item that most knitters knit first so it had to have an interesting history and found an article here (mmm, death by yarn, worse ways to go I guess)
http://dresslikeme.co.uk/scarf.php

Of course then my enquiring mind went further and searched on the history of shawls, wiki again had a good write up about them, and I found it particularly interesting that back in the day they were worn by men and woman! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawl

I think though out of all the research I did, the article in knitty.com really encompasses it all. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEAThistory101.html

Wow - what a great history for such a great craft.

And just to make the post a little prettier - here's a picture of my latest knit for my niece.

More dyeing

2009-10-27T19:35:00.000Z

After a week of this nasty flu, I finally felt better enough to function yesterday, besides this stupid lingering cough, so I decided to do some more dyeing. I have moved on to Sugarflair and I think they certainly provide a bigger palette of colours to work with. I did two skeins of lace

Then I did two skeins of sock yarn. They both turned out beautifully, unfortunately this happened to the first one

What a massive spaghetti mess :( But the second one turned out ok

Then I moved onto a skein of Trekking XXL which I had in my stash but didn't like the colourway so I changed it from this.....

to this......

Happy days. They are all up for sale on my Ravelry stash page, except for the nasty spaghetti mess which is winging its way to America for a lovely Raveler to untangle and hopefully turn into something beautiful.

Understanding South African

2009-10-23T12:27:00.002+01:00

I got this email this morning - bloody brilliant, it makes me a little homesick :)

A special little lesson in Afrikaans language and culture for our overseas
family and friends - See you at a braai in 2010!

Subject: Understanding South Africans - Tips for 2010 Visitors

Braai What is a braai? It is the first thing you will be invited to when you visit
South Africa . A braai is a backyard barbecue and it will take place whatever the weather. So you will have to go even if it's raining like mad. At a braai you will be introduced to a substance known as mieliepap.

Ag - This one of the most useful South African words. Pronounced like the "ach"
in the German "achtung", it can be used to start a reply when you are asked a tricky question, as in: "Ag, I don't know." Or a sense of resignation:"Ag OK, I'll have some more mieliepap then." It can stand alone too as a signal of irritation.

Donner - A rude word, it comes from the Afrikaans "donder" (thunder). Pronounced "dorner", it means "beat up." A team member in your rugby team can get donnered in a game, or your wife can donner you if you come back from a braai at three in the morning.

Eina - Widely used by all language groups, this word, derived from the Afrikaans,
means "ouch." Pronounced "aynah". You can say it in sympathy when you see your friend the day after he got donnered by his wife.

Hey - Often used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the importance of what has
just been said, as in "You're only going to get donnered if you come in late again, hey?" It can also stand alone as a question. Instead of saying "excuse me?" or "pardon me?" when you have not heard something directed at you, you can always say: "Hey?"

Izit? - This is another great word to use in conversations. Derived from the two
words "is" and "it", it can be used when you have nothing to contribute if someone tells you something at a braai. For instance, if someone would say: "The Russians will succeed in their bid for capitalism once they adopt a work ethic and respect for private ownership." It is quite appropriate to respond by saying: "Izit?"

Ja well no fine - This is another conversation fallback. Derived from the four words:
"yes", "well", "no" and fine", it roughly means "OK". If your bank manager tells you your account is overdrawn, you can, with confidence, say: "Jawelnofine."

Klap - Pronounced "klup" - an Afrikaans word meaning smack, whack or spank. If you spend too much time in front of the TV during exam time, you could end up getting a "klap" from your mother. In America , that is called child abuse. In South Africa , it is called promoting education. But to get "lekker geklap" is to get motherlessly drunk.

Lekker - An Afrikaans word meaning nice, this word is used by all language groups to
express approval. If you enjoyed a braai thoroughly, you can say: "Now that was lekk-errrrrrr!" while drawing out the last syllable.

Tackies - These are sneakers or running shoes. The word is also used to describe
automobile or truck tyres. "Fat tackies" are really wide tyres, as in: "You've got lekker fat tackies on your Vôlla, hey?"

Dop - This word has two basic meanings, one good and one bad. First the good: A dop is a drink, a cocktail, a sundowner, a noggin. When invited for a dop, be careful! It could be one sedate drink or a blast, depending on the company. Now the bad: To dop is to fail. If you "dopped" standard two (Grade 4) more than once, you probably won't be reading this.

Saamie - This is a sandwich. For generations, school- children have traded "saamies"
during lunch breaks. In South Africa you don't send your kid to school with liver-polony saamies. They are impossible to trade.

Bakkie - This word is pronounced "bucky" and can refer to a small truck or pick-up.
If a young man takes his "girl" (date) in a bakkie it could be considered as a not so "lekker" form of transport because the seats can't recline.

Howzit - This is a universal South African greeting, and you will hear this word
throughout the country. It is often accompanied with the word "Yes!" as in: "Yes, howzit?". In which case you answer "No, fine."

Now now - In much of the outside world, this is a comforting phrase: "Now now, it's
really not so bad." But in South Africa , this phrase is used in the following manner: "Just wait, I'll be there now now." It means "a little after now".

Tune grief - To be tuned grief is to be aggravated, harassed. For example, if you argue with somebody about a rugby game at a braai and the person had too much dop
(is a little "geklap"), he might easily get aggravated and say.: "You're tuning me grief, hey!". To continue the argument after this could be unwise and result in major tuning of grief..

Boet - This is an Afrikaans word meaning "brother" which is shared by all language
groups. Pronounced "boot" but shorter, as in "foot", it can be applied to a brother or any person of the male sex. For instance a father can call his son "boet" and friends can apply the term to each other too. Sometimes the diminutive "boetie" is used. But don't use it on someone you hardly know - it will be thought patronizing and could lead to you getting a "lekker klap".

Pasop - From the Afrikaans phrase meaning "Watch Out!", this warning is used and
heeded by all language groups. As in: "The boss hasn't had his coffee yet - so you better pasop boet" Sometimes just the word "pasop!" is enough without further explanation. Everyone knows it sets out a line in the sand not to be crossed.

Skop, Skiet en donner - Literally "kick, shoot and thunder", this phrase is used by many South African speakers to describe action movies. A Clint Eastwood movie is always a good choice if you're in the mood for of a lekker skop, skiet en donner
flick.

Vrot - Pronounced - "frot". A expressive word which means "rotten" or "putrid" in
Afrikaans, it is used by all language groups to describe anything they really dislike. Most commonly intended to describe fruit or vegetables whose shelf lives have long expired, but a pair of old tackies (sneakers) worn a few years too long can be termed "vrot" by some unfortunate folk which find themselves in the same vicinity as the wearer. Also a rugby player who misses important kicks or tackles can be said to have played a vrot game - opposite to a "lekker" game but not to his face). A movie was once reviewed with this headline: "Slick Flick, Vrot Plot."

Rock up - To rock up is to just, sort of arrive (called "gate crash" in other parts of the world). You don't make an appointment or tell anyone you are coming - you just rock up. Friends can do that but you have to be selective about it. For example, you can't just rock up for a job interview.

Scale - To scale something is to steal it. A person who is "scaly" has a doubtful
character, is possibly a scumbag, and should rather be left off the invitation list to your next braai.

Ja-nee - "Yes No" in English. Politics in South Africa has always been associated
with family arguments and in some cases even with physical fights. It is believed that this _expression originated with a family member who didn't want to get a klap or get donnerred, so he just every now and then muttered "ja-nee". Use it when you are required to respond, but would rather not choose to agree or disagree.

Over the Rainbow Shawl

2009-10-12T13:13:00.005+01:00

I knit this little shawl for Kayla in two evenings. It can be made as big or as small as you wish. The pattern notes are rough and it can be changed to suit you. Yarn and needle size are not important to this shawl nor is gauge. I used 100% lambswool dyed by myself (approx 330 m) and 3.75mm needles.

Pattern:

C/o 7 stitches, k for two rows

* Increases are on every rs row by doing yo’s after two stitches, one either side of centre stitch and one two stitches before the end.

1. Knit in stocking stitch (ss) for as many rows as pleases you.

2. Knit (garter stitch) two rows, knit one row of yo k2tog, knit two rows (eyelet section)

3. Knit another ss section

4. Knit 4 rows moss (seed) stitch

5. Knit another ss section

6. Knit another eyelet section

7. Knit another ss section

For a bigger version just repeat steps 1 - 7 before the garter section.

8. Knit in garter stitch for as long as you want

Knit an eyelet row, knit one row, knit another eyelet row, knit three rows garter stitch and cast off.

Block lightly and enjoy your shawl :)

Yarn to Dye for!!

2009-09-06T11:26:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I took my first leap into Kool Aid Dying some yarn. What a blast! I can see this becoming a new obsession. I basically mixed the KA with warm water. Soaked the undyed skeins for about 20 minutes. Then I gently squeezed out the water and lay the skeins onto some clingfilm. I also used newspaper underneath to protect the table. Then using a syringe I squirted the dye where I wanted it on the yarn and gently patted it with my fingers to ensure it went all the way through the skein.

Then I wrapped the clingfilm around the yarn and into the microwave it went. Two minutes on high, two minutes to stand, repeat. One last go on high for 1 minute. I took it out of the microwave - and glory is it hot!! Unwrapped it from the CF and let it cool. Then I washed it in some soak and left it to dry. I then wound it into cakes and ta-da... beautiful hand dyed yarn. How on earth anyone would want to drink this stuff is beyond me...bleh!

I can't wait for more supplies to arrive and try different colourways. Total, messy fun!!

At last, an update.

2009-09-01T17:27:00.005+01:00

So much has been happening in my life at the moment. I had an interview today and I have one tomorrow so I could soon be back in the land of the working parent. Less time to knit, boo, more money, yay! I have been knitting my butt off and loving it. I have also opened an ebay shop selling shawl pins and stitch markers which I have made. Let's hope it takes off. I am taking part in my first knit-along on Friday which I am dead excited about with a bunch of fabulous ladies.

I have knitted so much over the past couple of months it would take all day to upload photos so I will just do a few.

My mom in law was here for a few weeks over the summer and it was great to see her and my dad in law arrives on the weekend for a few days, can't wait to see him again. The best news of all is that my tickets are booked for our SA holiday and we only have three months to go!! So exciting. Kids are back at school, happy days!

One year gone!

2009-05-28T09:13:00.004+01:00

I can't believe that I have been a Ravelry member for over a year now. The list of things I have learnt and friends that I have made would go on for an eternity. Back on the home front I have a serious case of startitis and just keep casting on for new projects. Some will get finished, some...probably not!! I joined the gym last week in a last ditch attempt to get fit and lose some weight - so far so good. Knitting wise I recently finished a bolero for myself, a summer top for Kayla and a bunny for a friend.

Knittingnix's first blog birthday...

2009-05-02T16:01:00.002+01:00

Well this blog is officially one year old today. Happy birthday!! The needles have been clicking away furiously since the last post. I have been churning out birthday gifts, dishcloths, secret suprises and gifts for my RAK group ten to the dozen. As some are surprises I cannot reveal them as yet - but all in good time. So in the meanwhile here are some pics of some of the other projects I have been busy with. One is a shawl I recently made for my mom's birthday (another Ishbel) and the other is washcloths I made for the kids. Our bathroom is now full of bright washcloths!!

A month of birthdays

2009-04-13T18:01:00.003+01:00

This month is a crazy month for birthdays and I have been knitting my socks off. I finally finished Kevin's jumper and I have knitted a shawl for my sister with another on the needles for my mom. The shawl is beautiful and even though the lace nearly drove me around the bend it was worth it. Anyone who wants to knit a shawl that only has a small lace portion but looks spectacular should knit Ishbel by Ysolda Teague.

Tollymore Forest Park

2009-03-24T18:20:00.001Z

Pics from our mother's day walk.

Cave Hill

2009-03-15T19:42:00.004Z

This morning the walls of the house felt like they were closing in on me. I just HAD to get out the house for a bit. It wasn't raining for a change, so off we went for a hike up cave hill. I thought at a stage I might die. I am so unfit! The views from up there are magnificent. I was surprised as to how cold it was up there and very windy. I am convinced that tomorrow I will not be able to walk!

It's a work in progress..

2008-05-03T14:42:00.001+01:00

Saturday morning dawned dull and dreary, but at least the sun is out a bit this afternoon - this means kids in the garden and peace and quiet for me to knit as DH is at work. The pullover hoody is coming along nicely. I love the colours in the hood and pocket, so much so that I purchased some more online to make something for my daughter. DH will probably freak out as my stash is starting to take over the world!!
Been scaring the crap out of myself today as my period is a week late AND DH had a vasectomy 5 years ago. Been doing some research on the internet and apparently the tubes can grow back together!! Holy ****! Decided that I am just being overly paranoid about things and have gone back to knitting the pocket of the pullover instead. Until next time...happy knitting!

Sock it to me!!

2009-03-12T14:18:00.002Z

Over the past two week I have discovered sock knitting. Man I love knitting socks. Such fun and fairly quick, not to mention useful and super practical. Yay for socks!

I have also discovered facebook. I have made contact with so many old friends and family members over the last two weeks. It has been amazing to see what people are up to and catch up.

The finished orange variegated socks are mine and the brightly coloured one is Kayla's, I have to finish her second sock.

I must carry on with Kevin's never-ending story now, I am running out of time.

Stash

2009-03-04T12:37:00.003Z

I decided today to have a little fun taking some stash photos. Needless to say I didn't even get a quarter way through my embarressingly large stash, but I did some and thought I would post up my favourite ones. I need to get a better camera and go on a course - taking photos is so much fun!!

Bluebell and Socks

2009-02-23T16:28:00.007Z

I have been a prolific knitter of late. I picked up my copy of Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits and finally decided to knit the Bluebell pattern. It is a top down raglan which is knitted in one piece. I am so pleased with the results that I bought some Cascade 220 to make a winter version.

Once I finished the top I decided to take my knitting abilities to another level and try socks. Millions of finished socks on Ravelry must mean that the rest of the knitting community is onto something!

(Excuse the face I am pulling in the above photo - it must of been due to something my husband was saying) LOL. I cast on the socks on Saturday afternoon with bamboo needles. Not good. Dangerous.

I almost did myself a serious injury with those glorified toothpicks! Changed to metal DPNS and I am much happier. Not as sharp and easier to use. I think I know what I am doing after watching some tutorials on YouTube.

And then it REALLY snowed!

2009-02-09T14:38:00.005Z

Since my last post it had done nothing BUT snow. Unfortunately it melts fairly quickly at home so we took a drive out into the country and got some lovely photos.

Gavin caught Kayla totally unaware with that snowball!

Say ch-ch-ch cheese! Brrrrr!

I got some beautiful photos of the fields covered in snow.

Yesterday we finally got a fair amount of snow in the garden and the kids had great fun!

Snow at last

2009-02-05T09:30:00.005Z

Finally, England's distant cousin sees some snow. About time! Not much has fallen yet and it probably won't last long, but at least we have finally had some snow this winter. Today is also my 8th day of no smoking - very proud of that little achievement!

Despite all the obstacles 2009 has thrown at us, I managed to finish Kayla's cardigan and I really like how it has turned out. Busy with Kevin's jersey at the moment and I am pleased as to how it is turning out.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-05T14:55:00.004Z

Happy New Year! Here's to 2009, may it be a great year, knitting and otherwise. Christmas was a stressful time in our house with loads of house guests and freezing weather, but we all got through it without a crossed word or family argument, which for our (extended) family is good going! The kids went back to school today and I breathed a sigh of relief to have my few sanity restoration hours back in the mornings. The needles have been clicking away furiously and I finished a shawl for my Mom in four days! I have cast on an aran cardigan for Miss Kayla too. In the pipeline for the first couple of months of this year is a comfort shawl for myself to wrap up in while watching tv, a surprise jersey for my step dad for his birthday and finishing off projects that are hibernating away.

New year resolutions? Normally all my resolutions end up belly up, but nevertheless, quitting smoking (yet again) is one, trying to be a monogamous knitter is another, buying less yarn and knitting more from my stash is another and generally being more penny wise. I also want to pursue my yarn store plans this year.

Until next time, happy knitting!

A Love Triangle

2008-12-16T10:31:00.003Z

I am caught up in the middle of a love triangle, well more accurately I am in love with triangles, and rectangles and anything that resembles a shawl or stole. I have finished two shawls in two weeks, a triangular shawl and a rectangular shawl and I am completely smitten! I had no idea when starting them how incredibly addictive they are. I am now casting on a third. My newest project is a lace shawl which is beautiful. I am using Kauni again in a different colourway. I am rather concerned that the pattern is above my meagre ability, but I am giving it a go and hoping for the best. More to come on the saga of my love affair with shawls.... (Oh, I am now looking forward to Christmas!)

It's almost Christmas, but not feeling too merry.

2008-12-04T17:54:00.005Z

Well Christmas is 20 days away, and I just can't get in the mood at all. Money is tight as we have had some really bad luck lately, things are soooo expensive and to be honest, I could just well do without it. I am trying to "suck it up" for the kids sake, but it is exceptionally hard. On a brighter note, much brighter in fact, is my new project. I am making a wrap/stole/shawl for myself from my long awaited Kauni. I love knitting with this yarn. The colours brighten my day. The pattern is great and I am so inspired to knit to see what the next colour looks like. Other projects are all on hold other than a couple of hats, as I can't seem to put this down. I may be inspired to make a proper triangular shawl after this.

So many .....

2008-11-18T18:54:00.002Z

I have been on a bit of a scarf trip of late. I think it is the weather that really sends my scarf making instinct into overdrive. I may be doing some more too!

This is actually a knitting blog, right?

2008-11-05T14:56:00.002Z

The last two posts in this blog have been completely non-knitting related...so back to the knitting. I have been churning out fingerless mitts for the kids, two pairs to go and then all the kids will have a pair. They do get somewhat tiresome to make though ;) My cable cardigan is coming along nicely, I have one and a half repeats left to do on the back before changing to stocking stitch. My one row scarf is about halfway done. I normally knit this while watching tv, not too much concentration required. I have needed another dishcloth for the kitchen for a while so I decided to make the ever popular ballband dishcloth, which I renamed the graffiti wall dishcloth. It is a fun and quick cloth to make with a nice result. I am waiting for loads of yarn to arrive including some Artesano, some Patons SWS from the USA and some Caron simply soft paints yarn also from the US. I am hoping to make some Christmas pressies from this yarn. Right, the needles are calling me....

Breathtakingly Beautiful!

2008-11-01T19:43:00.002Z

Today we took a drive for the first time since moving to NI. Once you get outside Belfast the scenery is magnificent. We drove along the causeway coastal route and even the kids were entertained with the amazing views of the ocean and steep cliffs. We stopped in at Giants Causeway for an hour or two and walked for miles along the top of a cliff, the view was amazing. The rock formations are quite spectacular too. I think it would be really nice to do it again in the summer, as there are some lovely beaches up that side. All in all, a really nice day out ;)