I know what you mean kiwimade. When I took my blanket to knit and natter last time, someone asked me how much I would charge to make one for them. Not even going to consider it. My blanket isn't full sized, but it's a very generous knee blanket. It weighs almost a kilo. I started with 500gm of each colour, 5 x 100 of navy and 10 x 50 of caramel. Ran out of navy first, so just did one more round of caramel and still have one ball of caramel left.

kuaka - 2014-08-12 19:19:00

looks great kiwimade love it.

carolev - 2014-08-12 20:20:00

Wow Kiwimade that is so great - the frame is perfect for it.
Love the blanket Kuaka I agree with you both you can never put a price on something made with so much love and patience which need to be family heirlooms.

I'm into socks again this time for friends mother who has very painful feet and terrible circulation, the vascular specialist recommended wool to aid circulation to the feet. Due to her condition the mother has one foot bigger than the other so wears odd shoes but I am hoping that it doesn't apply to socks as I much prefer knitting two at a time, mightn't get the second one done otherwise.

jayemtoo - 2014-08-12 21:19:00

well jayemtoo, if she does need different sized socks, you'll just have to do two pairs of different sized ones, then she'll end up with two pairs that fit.

kuaka - 2014-08-12 21:32:00

kuaka wrote:

well jayemtoo, if she does need different sized socks, you'll just have to do two pairs of different sized ones, then she'll end up with two pairs that fit.

lol now that makes perfect sense!

Thanks carole and jayemtoo :)

I guess we just do what we do for the pure enjoyment and satisfaction of making and creating. Even MrK has problems pricing the wooden picture frames, boxes and other bits and pieces he makes. Someone posted a blog a while ago about pricing hand made things, but if I priced my stitching that way no one would even look at it let alone buy it. So I give it to family and stitch/knit on request.

Edited by kiwimade64 at 10:00 pm, Tue 12 Aug

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-12 21:54:00

so true kiwimade. I recall a few years ago my ex-husbands aunt asked me if I would crochet a baby shawl for some woman who was expecting a grandchild. I didn't know the woman, and so I said no. She said "I'll pay you". I said sorry but no. A couple of weeks later she asked again, and this time she said it was for her grand-daughter who was expecting a baby and I said "of course I will". She said "I'll pay you". I said "no you won't, if it's for Jo, I'll do it happily". (Jo being the same age as my daughter, and who I knew very well). She didn't want to tell me who it was for at first, 'cos the pregnancy hadn't been confirmed at that stage. Once I knew it was for someone I knew and was fond of, I did it without hesitation.

kuaka - 2014-08-12 22:25:00

morning all. I feel the same way kuaka about doing things for strangers, have to meet the person first. well off to see the lawyer and get a wof for Mr T car. . and see Dr and pay for granddaughters 21st present. she wants a clutch for her car,

carolev - 2014-08-13 07:19:00

morning :) Your daughter sounds like me carole, would like to have the practical things taken care of first. And a new clutch will make the world of difference for her to be able to come and go.

Last day with our wee grandy today, they go home tomorrow. The house will seem very quiet and empty without them.

I've caught our daughter's cold and sore throat, it's the first time in years I have had a head cold. It doesn't seem to be as bad as hers though, nothing a panadol won't fix.

Might even manage to do some more to my scarf today :)

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-13 07:47:00

morning
Good on your grand daughter Carole - I like practical presents too and it is always great to give someone something that they really want.

Had thought of that Kuaka but they would have to be different coloured socks lol, i am using up some wool that i had dyed but turned out completely different to what I had anticipated, fortunately it was sock wool that i was dyeing as I don't imagine what I would do with it otherwise ok for socks but not much else.

Another nice day here and just heard the washing machine finish so better get it out to dry.

Have a good day everyone

jayemtoo - 2014-08-13 09:13:00

Morning everyone.
I too hate putting prices on things. But will let friends pay for something if they want it.. They say I have to pay for the yarn so why shouldn't they. So friends get it for the cost of the yarn etc.

Have got washing on but its going in the dryer. My back is a bit better today but I don't want to go stand in the cold wind reaching to hang the washing. And these new dryers don't seem to make any difference to the power.
We were both very down yesterday and learning of Robyn Williams dying broke my Dam, Ive banned watching the news tho, all the horrible stuff happening in the world was just keeping us down. So today I am going to stop MrP from saying negative comments.

Didn't do any knitting or crochet yesterday.. so hopefully back into it today.

Have a good day everyone :)

popeye333 - 2014-08-13 09:23:00

Beautiful blanket kuaka and that frame is so just the right one for your cross stitch kiwimade. Finally finished daughters socks. If anyone is interested they are done on 2 needles. Have previously done one other pair on 2 needles but that was quite a different pattern.

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/328292047.jpg

this is the pattern. http://www.deramores.com/socks-in-sirdar-crofter-dk-9338

kiwicarol - 2014-08-13 13:40:00

Morning ladies :) I love those socks kiwicarol, gorgeous colourway too. MrK is still hinting for another pair of socks lol.

Daughter is staying another night, just to let the weather clear a bit. And our wee grandy has our cold so another day with nana and poppa won't hurt.

Hopefully I can get the needles out today!

Have a good one :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-14 07:55:00

morning all. pissing down with rain here, got sewing classes today them back to the testing staition for a recheak on his car, fail all for a want of a skew so he fixed it last night,

carolev - 2014-08-14 07:56:00

Very nice Kiwicarol, and even got the colours to match on each sock.

Enjoy the bonus day with the little one KIwimade, the needles will still be there tomorrow lol.

Nice day here so will go into town for a hair cut - it is always surprising how suddenly hair becomes so annoying if not cut!

Onto next pair of socks using up some wool I brought a while ago.

happy knitting all

jayemtoo - 2014-08-14 08:58:00

Morning everyone.
What a wild night we have had. Blowing a gale and heavy rain. The sun is shining at the mo, but still windy.
and we have to go out in it lol.
I finally finished the santa hat. Made a terrible mistake tho. Cast on the stitches , the amount for his jacket not the hat, so had 14 extra stitches. I decreased them down cos the whole thing had to decrease down anyway. And there will be a wide seam on the bottom. But it will be ok.
so have the jacket skirt to make and the buckle and hes finished knitting.

Have a god day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-08-14 09:23:00

Got this in the mail today. A lovely thankyou for our blankets. And thought since most of the regulars here have done some squares id put it here too

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/328449078.jpg

popeye333 - 2014-08-14 13:45:00

Thanks for sharing Popeye. I must send off my other squares....

vivz2 - 2014-08-14 16:32:00

morning all. went to bed with strong winds and rain , woke to a good frost and clear sky. what a difference a day makes. knitting slowly up the back just 4 inches to go ,

carolev - 2014-08-15 06:42:00

Good morning all. How are you all? I have not been on here for a bit. Things been busy and been getting over the virus I had.
I did a competition to change my life at the gym not long ago, and they have asked if they can use my before and after pictures for marketing purposes, so I said yes. They are also going to be putting me on the gym tv. It will be strange seeing me on the gym tv while doing my cardio.
Going to call into spotlight today to see if they are having a good sale otherwise I will check out the warehouse, as going to the base.
I have noticed in the $2 type shops they now have wool 50g for $2.50
Have not got any as yet, but would consider it in the future. Has anybody tried it?

healthynz67 - 2014-08-15 06:52:00

morning :) We sure did have a wild night last night carole, was wondering if we would be taking daughter home or not. But it's sunny now so we'll head off shortly.

What a lovely letter from the Women's Refuge popeye, makes it all worthwhile when you get a response like that.

I haven't tried the $2 Shop wool twinklestar, I'd be interested in others replies too. And congratulations on the gym :) Awesome effort!

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 7:48 am, Fri 15 Aug

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-15 07:47:00

Morning ladies. Twinklestar the $2 shop here has 100gm balls of acrylic for $4. It's okay, very similar to the "needles" brand, very limited colour range though, but handy to know that you can pop in there and buy a ball if you need it for a specific purpose rather than having to travel 50km to buy one ball of yarn.

Was absolutely knackered yesterday as we had a load of firewood delivered which meant I had to restack what we had left before I could unload and move and then stack the new lot. I must admit the woodfire is lovely but the heat pump is easier.

I don't seem to be having much luck lately with any of my knitting or crocheting. I started a "mile a minute" blanket recently for charity - the "high viz" one, as it was lime green and white. First I ran out of lime green, I've got 9 strips done and I wanted 10. Then I started off doing the white edges and ran out of that particular white, which seems to be a very thick double knit. I've done five of the strips and joined two of them. I'm doing a little baby top and though the scales said I had 50gm and the first top had taken 50gm, I think I might be a couple of rows short. And I've just done one side of a crocodile stitch tea cosy having finally mastered the stitch, and of course I don't have enough to do the second side. Grrrr. Maybe I will give up crafts and stick to housework! (yeah right).

Have a great day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-08-15 07:51:00

Morning everyone.
What a wild night we had. Had to go outside at 11pm to move the recycle bin that had fallen over and was getting too close to the front door which is glass. Wasn't raining at the time thank goodness.
The wind is in the wrong quarter and hassling MrPs asthma badly. So hes still in bed as he hasn't slept much.
My peg bucket that I tied on yesterday is all on the ground again. Ill pick them up and bring them inside this time lol.

Ohh Kuaka its horrible when you run out of yarn part way through eh.

Twinkle we have a good amount of wool in one of our cheapie shops. its is firm and would be good for toys etc. I find the firmer yarns make the toys stand better
I did a couple of squares while restoration man was on last night. The owners did a lovely job for newbies. Not a posh too flash for me house. I liked it a lot. Some of them can be a little OTT for my liking.

Have to duck up the road again this morning. Then home to get this Santa finished. Feels like its taken ages.

Have a good day everyone. And stay safe on the roads

popeye333 - 2014-08-15 09:20:00

I have been a bit pre-occupied and not getting much knitting done and am also struggling with close vision atm.....can't focus for close work but fine to drive.My bood sugars are also running much higher than normal so wondering if I need to change to insuli. I am o.k about that if it is recommended..

grandmasue1 - 2014-08-15 16:41:00

Not good to hear GMS... Hope you get those eyes and glasses sorted out soon.
And that your sugars settle down. Maybe you have an infection that you don't feel and its upping your sugars.
I often wonder if people become resistant to their insulin and need it changing every so often.

popeye333 - 2014-08-15 17:01:00

morning ladies :) Hope everyone is well today. I drove through snow yesterday, the first time for years.

Housework is on the agenda, I have lottsss of catching up to do lol. Washing machine is spinning away, am going to have a full line today.

Will get some knitting done today - it's been a while!

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-16 08:12:00

Morning everyone.
Did you get Maddy out to touch the snow Kiwimade? I don't like driving on ice, but haven't driven through snow as yet.
My washing is on too but its going in the dryer. sheets are not nice to hang with a bung shoulder.

I have finished knitting Santa yayayayay finally lol.. And did four more squares last night.. I layed the 30 odd out yesterday, they covered two tray table tops and I have to say I love it. MrP asked how many more I had to do. I said How long is a piece of string lol... Ill stop when I think its big enough. I said I want it at least 3 times what it was, at a minimum so Im thinking Ill need 100 for that but I reckon by the time I get it to that big Ill want it bigger lol

Right gotta do these floors they are driving me bonkers. the win is blowing leaves in under the garage door and My Darling Missy keeps bringing them up to the lounge and crunching them up lol

Have a good day everyone

Edit to add I got my pattern book yesterday with lovely plain cardies and jumpers with various neck options. So Ill start one of those at some stage too

Edited by popeye333 at 9:25 am, Sat 16 Aug

popeye333 - 2014-08-16 09:23:00

morning all. lovely sunny day and warm. started the front on jacket last night. going well.

carolev - 2014-08-16 09:32:00

morning all again spent the day sewing and the night knitting well up the front of jacket, had to put a pocket in it, looks good

carolev - 2014-08-17 07:09:00

morning ladies :)

No popeye, there was no where safe to pull over (we were on top of the waituhi saddle) and Maddy was sleeping so we just carried on (very slowly!)

House is tidy and very very quiet! The Furry One spent part of yesterday looking for everyone.

I'm still sick but am feeling better today. Throat isn't quite so sore but nose is still blocked. Oh well. Will muddle on and keep taking my berrocca.

Didn't have any oomph left to knit so had an early night. Will see how today goes.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-17 08:28:00

morning everyone, started out a nice clear sunny day but fog has just rolled in - so obviously no wind so far.

Think I might need to go to the nurse for my third vitamin B injection, my last lot of blood tests showed I was very low and the nurse thought that might be why I'm tired. Can't say that the first two have made a huge difference, but maybe have helped a little. They are quite uncomfortable though as apparently the liquid is quite thick.

I have a scarf to knit, sold a green one but they want it in black, so have to get cracking on that.

Not much else to report at the moment.

Have a great day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-08-17 08:41:00

Morning everyone.
Hope your feeling better soon Kiwimade.

Heaps of bugs going around, have so far avoided them. But we don't go to many places with lots of people, so not at risk so much.

Have to admit sometimes I get very tired, id say without much doubt I would be lacking in iron. But I don't want to go down that track of having to take iron and stuff the Warfarin up big time.

Managed to get a fair bit done on Santa yesterday. Have got the body done, the arms are ready to sew on, then its just the hat. Add the beard which is sewn ready. And his jacket and buckle. Soo it should be near finished today, depending on how long a friend visits for.

Then I will do a couple of baby blankets.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-08-17 09:42:00

popeye333 wrote:

Not good to hear GMS... Hope you get those eyes and glasses sorted out soon.
And that your sugars settle down. Maybe you have an infection that you don't feel and its upping your sugars.
I often wonder if people become resistant to their insulin and need it changing every so often.

Thanks *popeye* yes I am wondering about a Kidney infection that I am not noticing.
I was in Manurewa yesterday, the weather was quite blustery and cold. I was mainly outside., but enjoyed my time out :) and was happy that I had my woolly hat on. Very tired today though.

grandmasue1 - 2014-08-17 18:38:00

Hope you feel better soon GMS. It was a bit chilly yesterday. Today has been beautiful.
A friend popped around today so I haven't done as much as Id hoped on Santa. But Ill get there.

MrP had a 5.0 last night, the lowest he has ever been. so I rang to check if I should alter his insulin, cos I didn't want him going any lower. So we took 5 units off. And he was fine at bedtime.

Edited by popeye333 at 6:51 pm, Sun 17 Aug

popeye333 - 2014-08-17 18:49:00

morning all. what a foggy morning along with a frost. been up most of the night feeling sick,. I work out my insulin by what the reading is if 12. I go 6 units plus 2 units per calarese , so today I will take 8 units as I had a mini apple pie for breakfast.. did more knitting last night,

carolev - 2014-08-18 07:10:00

morning ladies :) Fingers and everything crossed it's not an infection GMS.

I'm on the mend, no more sore throat just blocked nose. So today I'll get outside and spray the weeds around the garage and paths when the frost clears. Maybe some fresh air will clear this 'cotton wool' feeling in my head.

I've found a pattern to knit our grandy a jersey but just twigged I forgot to get her measurements while she was here lol. I told daughter several times 'I must get her measurements' but never did. Oh well, will text daughter and get her to put the tape measure around her.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-18 08:10:00

Morning everyone
MrP takes 115 units morning and night. Never had a reading under 7 until the other night. I need to talk to diabetic nurse for advice on what to do if that happens again.

Ohh Kiwimade hope your feeling better soon. The pollen is out here already so antihistamines added back in.

Did a stupid thing last night. Had Bobcat out on a leed, and while he was eating grass etc I started pulling weeds.. Sooo the back aint good this morning... Its soo easy to forget when your feeling good and do something stupid lol
Have to take my books back to the library today. Havent had much time to look at them Crochet books. But a couple of them have been put on hold for someone else. So Ill take them all back. And get them out again at a later stage.
Will finish Santa today...

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-08-18 08:39:00

Morning ladies, lovely and sunny here this morning, but I'm not sure how cold it is, 'cos Mr K was up first, brought me a cup of tea in bed, and went and brought the Herald in from the bottom of the driveway. That's when I usually gauge the outside temperature. Let's just say it looks nice. I shall find out when I put the washing out.

I've finished the black scarf and now I have to start on the two wretched cabbage patch beanies. I will have to make an effort as tomorrow I will be seeing the lady who has asked for them - they are for her grand-daughter apparently. I think they look dopey with pigtails and curly hair around the base.

I really should make an effort and do a trip to the tip this afternoon with all the recyclables. Life is so exciting at times, isn't it?

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-08-18 09:20:00

morning all. warm but over cast here, I am off out today going to a police meeting, did lots more knitting last night,

carolev - 2014-08-19 07:31:00

Morning ladies. Overcast here too, and reasonably mild, but apparently we are in for rain later and it is supposed to turn cold. Yesterday it was 17 degrees here and my sister phoned from the UK and said it was 16. Summer there, winter here!

I made it to the tip yesterday but not without some drama. I backed the old heap down the steep driveway at the side of the house where she has lain forlorn and neglected since we bought the new car. She started okay and it did occur to me that maybe I should leave the engine running whilst I loaded everything up, but of course I didn't. I had to move her down onto the flat of the driveway otherwise everything falls out the back as I'm trying to load it. So once I'd got her chock-a-block with rubbish, she wouldn't start and here she was parked across the bottom of the drive parallel to the road, so nothing could get in and I couldn't get the other car out. Grrrrr. The only other time I've had trouble like this was our other old van (long since gone) and it was stuck in the same position. We tried the battery booster power pack thingey but that wasn't charged enough. We tried a battery which is waiting to go back to the boat and the jumper leads and that didn't work we tried again on the other battery (it's a 24v starting system) and that didn't work, so in the end we put two boat batteries in and she started. The batteries from the Nissan are now charging. What a hassle, and all my own stupid fault. If only I'd left the motor running. I will know next time not to leave it so long between running the motor to charge the batteries. Must make an effort to tidy it up and try to sell it.

So my quick half hour trip to the tip and back took close to two hours from start to finish. What a waste of time.

That's my moan for the day.

Happy knitting everyone.

Edited by kuaka at 8:26 am, Tue 19 Aug

kuaka - 2014-08-19 08:25:00

Morning everyone.
Ohh Kuaka I hate it when things like that happens... Was the same when our battery was dying.. The old girl is just telling you it needs a run every so often.
Santa is basically finished, just have to cut his eyes out. Black felt isn't good to see at night.
Then Im going to start a couple of Plunket Blankets.. I might start my cardy too if I want a change. Its all plain so can be no think knitting

Comp was having a hissy fit yesterday. But touchwood its going ok this morning.. So far.

Cloudy here I think its meant to rain near lunchtime.

Lol at the temps Kuaka, do the English not know how to do summer lol?

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-08-19 09:37:00

Popeye, cutting out Santas eyes sounds rather nasty lol! I have two quieter shifts at work tonight ( as long as no one falls over) so will take the squares and darning needle to fix the ends in so I can send them off

vivz2 - 2014-08-19 09:53:00

popeye, apparently the poms have had a fantastic summer, but it has suddenly cooled down, and sis told me that they reckon they will have an early autumn.

I also thought cutting santas eyes out sounds very cruel.

kuaka - 2014-08-19 10:40:00

Lol oops Cutting Felt eyes out ....

I needed that laugh.

Just found out my friend does have cancer in the tongue. But they have caught it early. So we will be supporting her hospital appointments etc.

Hate cancer, you get people who don't smoke, drink or hurt a flea and they get hit with it.

popeye333 - 2014-08-19 12:42:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/329140313.jpg

Ta-Da....

popeye333 - 2014-08-19 13:39:00

Gorgeous popeye.

kuaka - 2014-08-19 17:14:00

Popeye he's lovely. Made good headway with my squares tonight. Popeye do you want the wool ones as well as the acrylic ones?

vivz2 - 2014-08-19 22:07:00

morning all. did lots of knitting last night need to so you so will take a photo later, think I will stay home today

carolev - 2014-08-20 07:40:00

morning :) Just having a giggle at cutting out Santa's eyes... sounds like the plot from a horror movie! Santa looks great popeye, just lovely. I must start on my Christmas crafty stuff!

I'm teaching tomorrow so will plan for that today, have some positions to apply for, then maybe some knitting. Will see what the day brings.

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:00 am, Wed 20 Aug

kiwimade64 - 2014-08-20 07:59:00

Grrr comp failing on me.

Lol at the horror movie..

Yes please Viv , if you can bag the squares separately so I know which is wool and which isn't. I think the other joiners must be busy at the mo.

Almost finished a blanket yesterday of big and small squares mixed. Want to put two more rows on the border.

Family coming tomorrow so I probably wont be here as much.

Going to rain soon.

Have a good day

popeye333 - 2014-08-20 09:19:00

Hundy

popeye333 - 2014-08-20 09:20:00