I'm going to the local "stitch and bitch" around 11 for a coffee, knitting and a natter. I don't go every week, but have decided to today. Sometimes I walk to the cafe, sometimes I drive. Today hubby is going to drop me off and he will go and do a few things in town, then he will pick me up again. It's a beautiful day here, so I might have to do some gardening when I come home, then I think the rest of the day I can relax and do some more knitting. There's so much wool I want to buy but I daren't until I've used some of my stash.

the critic, hurry up and get that leg of yours better, it's beginning to worry me.

I hope everyone has a lovely day.

Edited by kuaka at 9:50 am, Wed 13 Mar

kuaka - 2013-03-13 09:50:00

***Sighs****** Alas no parcel yet....

Have knitted 2 golf clubs this morning. Weird to think of the different things you can now knit.
And as I do more different things it is making me realise with adaption you can just about knit what ever you want.
Only one courier left to go past today.. so I think it will be a few more days....

popeye333 - 2013-03-13 12:07:00

Don't dispair popeye. I leave for work at 3:30 and sometimes my parcels are dropped off then, other times it's 8:30 in the morning

whiskey13 - 2013-03-13 14:16:00

I put in an order on Monday, and was wondering why I hadn't heard anything from them. I went in to the website and there it was still sitting in the card waiting to be sent. I was very angry with myself, not only did I miss out on the 48 hour special, but I will have to wait til next week for it to arrive now.

richard92 - 2013-03-13 15:25:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/258688265.jpg
Here is my Sleep Fairy, I have made her for my friend who has problems sleeping. I have stunk here out with french lavender. I had such trouble with the eyes, ended up buying some from Hands. I tried to make felt eyes but she looked so evil. Amazing what a difference the eyes can make. I am new to this face making, how do you experts make eyes?

armin59 - 2013-03-13 15:32:00

Ohh Richard92 that would be annoyng. Mines been processed so hopefully it wont be long. Looks like I have to wait for 2 balls which is fine.
Had a book delayed last time and it was only a few days. I think I still had it all within the week.
Armin eyes are hard. To me harder than the rest of the face. I use felt, which , if you had to make them that small out of felt youd almost go crosseyed yourself.
I er on the side of caution if I know there are little ones in the house. And I also try to make toys as washable as possible.
But she is soo cute. im sure your friend will love her.

popeye333 - 2013-03-13 15:55:00

Armin, she is gorgeous. Lovely knitting.

Popeye, maybe to morrow for your parcel. Fingers crossed.

The Critic - hope your leg is improving.

I started the fingerless gloves twice now. Both times when I finished the rib and started the stocking stitch - circular needles - when I knitted, the 'purl' was on the outside and it shouldn't be. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I suppose I can just turn them inside-out maybe, lol.

pats3 - 2013-03-13 19:30:00

My first pair of socks were inside out. All I had to do was turn it all around, easy once I figured it.

armin59 - 2013-03-13 20:03:00

Well I've just unravelled an entire baby beanie, which I did on five needles, as it was only when I was casting off that I realised it was enormous, checked the pattern, and I'd done it with 8 ply on 4.5mm needles and it was supposed to be done in 4ply on 3mm needles. It would have fitted me.

kuaka - 2013-03-13 20:38:00

Oops.

armin59 - 2013-03-13 21:52:00

Yes, it was a real "oops" - it was for Beanies for Babies, would have been a ginormous baby that fitted it.

kuaka - 2013-03-13 22:10:00

Morning all..

Ohh dear Kuaka.. Thats a big oops.. Such a waste of knitting tho.

I did the little golf shoe sprigs last night. The things you end up knitting is amazing really lol... Started an arm since I have the red..

MrP isnt too lively this morning. Still in bed. I have to go out for shopping so hopefully he will hear the coueir if it comes..

Have a productive day everyone.

Absence of the Critic I hope that leg hasnt put her in hospital or anything...

popeye333 - 2013-03-14 08:28:00

I hope thecritic is improving too, but if she's not, then she might need some serious medical attention to get her on the road to recovery.

My other half is still in bed too, I can't say much as I haven't been up very long. Just on my first cup of tea. Going to try to do some gardening today as I didn't get round to doing any yesterday, when I came home from stitch and bitching I just sat and knitted. Didn't knit anything very exciting, a dish cloth (because I'm sick of those things you buy that just disintegrate after you've used them a few times) and a "beanies for babies" beanie which I've done just over half of, so will finish that this morning.

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2013-03-14 08:57:00

YAYAYAYAYAY my order arrived 11-40am... Still a couple of balls to come, and I cant think what colour they are lol.
I wont have to go to spotlight for the teal. I have a lighter version of what I wanted and Ill be happy with that.
Means I can start saving for my tablet I want for my birthday lol

I finshed one sleeve before, will start another after my reading later. very pleased with what im getting done now..
And cutting the time on the internet has made a difference , and pleased MrP too. He finds it very relaxing to watch me knit.

Hope everyone is well.... have a good day all

popeye333 - 2013-03-14 12:53:00

ohh good popeye :) I hate feeling all inspired to make something and then have to wait lol.
Finished my wee V neck cardy and the back of the rugby jersey for baby as well. Red and black of course! Just starting the front... I had forgotten how much I hate knitting stocking stitch, thank goodness the stripes break it up a bit. Can't wait to start knitting something 'fancier' :D
I hope thecritic is mending, I'm worrying too about her.
Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2013-03-14 13:44:00

OOops lol... I brought a book from deramores I already had. Lol.... Forgot to take it off my list when I got a bargain on TM.. Guess that means its not a bargain anymore lol.

Have finished the second arm today. So will finally start the main body piece of Frisken aka Binky Bunker , the golfer...

popeye333 - 2013-03-14 18:36:00

I am pleased you are all coming in here....although many are on FB...I must remember to check in here too now that I have been a few times.
I dragged myself into TWH today for some wool ( no other place in CB...) and that had moved everything around and I was so tired I couldn't be bothered looking.... I hate shopping .

grandmasue1 - 2013-03-14 21:27:00

Morning all...

Yeah I dont do facebook much so still come in here.

GMS I should have answered your email. Thats an impressive pic... I can see why it would slow you down too...
I have to admit I dont do change in shops very well. Id have asked a staff member, if there had been any around that is.. I think Warehouse has a sale on wool at the mo too. Would have to check that.

Started the main body piece last night, finally. Have found that the butt is completely hidden. mean tto be in white, but the James C brett white I buy is too soft to support the weight. So Im going to use some odd bits of firmer wool. so that frisken can stand up unaided. bertie has to lean on something cos his legs have white stipes and too soft.

Have to duck up the road and buy a birthday and bag for my cleaner friend/.
So have a good day

popeye333 - 2013-03-15 08:55:00

Morning All.
Well for those that don't have facebook I have finally finished writing the pattern for the larger sized cap and here is the completed product
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/258868684.jpg
It is to fit 12-18mths and an easi-yo container makes a brilliant hat block LOL. My leg is healing very slowly but I am able to keep it rested while I knit. The community nurse is visiting on Monday and will re-evaluate my meds as well. Miss 10 gets back from school camp today and I am so looking forward to hearing about her adventures. Well I will go and knit another cap, would like to try it with cables this time.

thecritic - 2013-03-15 09:10:00

Hi everyone, nice to see the thread is still ticking along.
grandmasue how annoying about TWH, such a nuisance when they change everything around. I hate shopping and get a lot of my craft supplies online, it's so much easier - and cheaper.
popeye it sounds as though you are getting on well with frisken, good idea about the firmer wool for his butt - I wouldn't have thought of that.
thecritic it's good to hear your leg is healing slowly, we were all getting worried. You did an awesome job with the cap, it will be lovely with cables too.
Have a lovely weekend everyone take care and happy knitting xoxo

maible - 2013-03-15 10:06:00

Hi Ladies
I am wanting to convert patterns for babies jackets from back, and 2 front but knit them all together until the arm decreasing, do any of you know the amount I decrease, so there are no seems in the body? Hope this makes sense

katie381 - 2013-03-15 10:57:00

wouldn't you just put on the number of stitches needed for two fronts and the back?

richard92 - 2013-03-15 12:14:00

The member deleted this message.

richard92 - 2013-03-15 12:23:00

Hi All... The Critic, good to hear the leg is improving... Love the Cap... Id wear one like that myself.. I love hats.
I have to admit now, that if I need something for my knitting, my first thought is deramores. If its not urgent it goes on my list for the next order. I must look up the longer stiitch holders...

Id agree with Richard, Katie.. it would be the total number of stitches from each part added together wouldnt it?

popeye333 - 2013-03-15 12:42:00

If you wanted to be really picky, you could take off two stitches on each side to allow for the lack of seams, so that would be one stitch less on each of the fronts and two stitches less for the back, but personally I wouldn't bother, I doubt the four extra stitches will make much difference.

Edited by kuaka at 1:22 pm, Fri 15 Mar

kuaka - 2013-03-15 13:15:00

Thanks so much for your advice will give it a go without taking the stitches out and see what happens when I put it together, (as I thought that I would take the stitches off to allow for no seams)

katie381 - 2013-03-15 13:49:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/258995481.jpg

Thought you might like to see Big Ted (made by my late Mum) modeling a star shaped sleeping bag made for my latest Great grandaughter by *maible* I am rapt with it. It does have a hoodie but Big Ted has a big head. He is about the size of a chubby 8 mth old . I will be meeting baby for the first time this weekend, she is now about 10 weeks old.

grandmasue1 - 2013-03-15 14:02:00

I picked up a pile of rewound wool, buttons, double ended needles and circular needles at the op shop today and a back pack to put my knitting etc in when I go out as these days I am walking with a stick.

grandmasue1 - 2013-03-15 14:06:00

Thanks for the pic grandmasue, it will be plenty big enough for baby if Big Ted can get into it lol. At least it will last her for a while! Your mum did a nice job making Big Ted, he's very cute. I make teddy bears but have only done a couple that big, prefer to do smaller ones.
Good score with the wool, buttons and needles from the Op shop, and the back pack is a great idea.
Have a lovely weekend and give that special wee baby a cuddle from me xoxo

maible - 2013-03-15 14:52:00

The member deleted this message.

maible - 2013-03-15 14:59:00

maible wrote:

... good idea about the firmer wool for his butt

O.K. i'll be the first to say it....
no-one wants a saggy (soft) butt lol.

Sorry. i couldn't resist. I've got the evening off so MrW and i can finish tidying for EQC on Monday. The painter came round this morning to get our colour choice. He seems very nice. We just have pictures off the walls, curtains to take down, the shelving in the laundry to take down... those sorts of things to do and we are done. I've set the bed (our old queen sized one) up in the sleep-out. The super king size we bought a few weeks ago can stay in the master bedroom as there is no work being done in there. My Deramores order arrived today. A day earlier than i had worked out so popeye we must have had our orders sent out at the same time.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend. Catch you all later.

Edited by whiskey13 at 3:11 pm, Fri 15 Mar

whiskey13 - 2013-03-15 15:07:00

All the best with your EQC repairs whiskey, I'm so pleased ours are all finished and really happy with the colours I chose. I still haven't unpacked much since our furniture came back. Was waiting for hubby to help move some of the bigger pieces of furniture last weekend and have not been well all this week. It will get done eventually, I'm happy with the furniture layout now so can begin refilling my china/display cabinets.
Jealous about all you ladies and your Deramores orders, have managed to hold off so far but did buy some hand dyed wool online a couple of weeks ago, and some 10 ply off TM this week lol.

maible - 2013-03-15 15:28:00

Lol Whiskey I have one hahaha.... too much sitting gives a baggy butt lol..

So pleased all the EQ repairs are getting done.

GMS oppies are good for wool etc. I find they are increasing their prices a little tho...

Have to take MrP to the renal clinic on Wednesday so I will do the oppies on the way. Well two anyway. Althought Im trying to be good with my money.
Have decided to get him a Blower vacc thingee for his birthday,. even tho he will complain. But it will make it alot easier to blow the cabbage tree leaves off the front lawn, than trying to rake them. The council are finally regularly coming to clear them off the yard etc. but sadly usually about 4 days After the lawn has been done. So of no use really.

Fingers crossed some listings go and that will help the birthday funds lol

popeye333 - 2013-03-15 15:59:00

popeye, I bought myself a blower vac a month or so back because we have a huge totara towering over our concrete driveway and it "rains" golden brown leaves all day and every day (I hate it - almost as much as I hated the huge pohutukawa which towered over the driveway at our previous place and did the same thing). So far I've only used it to suck up a few leaves on the deck because both times I've decided to do the driveway, we've had a sprinkle of the wet stuff and I decided it was better not to use it when it's raining as it's an electric one. Mind you, the rain was really a bit of a non-event. We are keeping our fingers crossed for rain this weekend, then I can relax knowing the garden is getting a good soaking, and I can sit and knit and not feel guilty about the weeding.

kuaka - 2013-03-15 18:18:00

I was surprised that for an electric one they are quite cheap. We have a long lead so we dont have to worry about that.
It will make thigns alot easier for MrP, he will actually feel better for being able to do something I think.

popeye333 - 2013-03-15 19:01:00

katie381 wrote:

Thanks so much for your advice will give it a go without taking the stitches out and see what happens when I put it together, (as I thought that I would take the stitches off to allow for no seams)

If you don't take out the stitches to allow for no seams it could make the sleeve to the body join a bit too 'stretched' looking, and may even make adding the sleeve difficult as it is a baby gament and already very small.

nannymaid - 2013-03-16 08:26:00

nannymaid wrote:

If you don't take out the stitches to allow for no seams it could make the sleeve to the body join a bit too 'stretched' looking, and may even make adding the sleeve difficult as it is a baby gament and already very small.

Well I've never done it so I'm only guessing, but to avoid what you are suggesting, wouldn't you need to cast off one or two stitches less when you do the cast off bit for the sleeve shaping, because the "gap" where the sleeves join in would otherwise be a bit wider than it should be.

kuaka - 2013-03-16 08:36:00

Morning All,

On a bit of a go slow today.. Blood is too thick. So having a flat battery day.
Will most likley just sit and knit. Its a warfarin thing.. sometimes you just feel like you could lay in bed all day. or doze in chair all day. But Ill try and stay up and hope that it goes away later.
Have a good day all

popeye333 - 2013-03-16 08:39:00

popeye333 wrote:

Morning All,

On a bit of a go slow today.. Blood is too thick. So having a flat battery day.
Will most likley just sit and knit. Its a warfarin thing.. sometimes you just feel like you could lay in bed all day. or doze in chair all day. But Ill try and stay up and hope that it goes away later.
Have a good day all

Pasue has the oposite problem...blood too thin, tested friday and retest Monday...in the meantime no activities that could cause a bleed....lol....I will avoid prodding him with my needles .

grandmasue1 - 2013-03-16 10:27:00

There is a lovely photo and article about a Te Aroha lady who knits toys in this mornings Waikato Times. I don't know how to post the link but the paper says......... >> Watch the video
waikatotimes.co.nz

I haven't tried yet.

grandmasue1 - 2013-03-16 10:34:00

kuaka wrote:

Well I've never done it so I'm only guessing, but to avoid what you are suggesting, wouldn't you need to cast off one or two stitches less when you do the cast off bit for the sleeve shaping, because the "gap" where the sleeves join in would otherwise be a bit wider than it should be.

I'm getting lazy about seams so do most of my baby/children knitting fronts and backs together and just cast on the number of stitches given for front and back in the pattern it doesn't seem to make any difference having a couple of stitches not used in the seams and the sleeves fit in as usual. ind you have tried it on basic patterns so far if the pattern has a lot of shaping it might make a difference.

jayemtoo - 2013-03-16 10:35:00

Good 'just turned' afternoon to you all
Well my leg is infected again (damn thing doesn't want to heal). I will spend the day knitting while cautiously supervising Mr Critic while he cleans the fish and turtle tanks. So nie to have Miss 10 home but by golly there is a lot of washing to plough through today. Happy crafting all.

thecritic - 2013-03-16 12:04:00

Hi The critic... do you mind if I ask what happened to the leg in the first place? not good being infected again eh. Mum used to get ohhh a bad rash type thing which was actually bacteria under the skin. Cant think of the name of it. Was ghastly. and only take sa wee knock to the skin, it doesnt even need to break the skin either...

Lol GMS I get to prick MrP 4 times a day hahaha

popeye333 - 2013-03-16 12:36:00

hi everyone, I've finished all the knitting for the baby's rugby jersey. Am feeling quite chuffed with myself as the left front plaquet needed two pieces (in different colours) knitted seperatly, then sewed together but I knitted the two pieces in both colours together. It gives a much nicer finish.
Will get a few things done then start sewing it up.
Thecritic I hope your daughter is doing her washing for you :)... I remember what it was like coming home from camp lol. There was three of us (I was a Scout Leader) in Scouts and we would often all be on camp together... there was load after load after load after load...
Popeye MrK is the opposite of you (like PaSue)... his warfarin levels skyrockets. SInce having prostrate cancer 7 years ago it's been damed hard to keep his levels nice and even.
Happy knitting everyone.

kiwimade64 - 2013-03-16 13:23:00

Im lucky in a way when it comes to INR... One I never have eaten alot of green veges so that doesnt bother it too much.
Im on a 3 week break at the mo.. INR was perfect last time 2.5 , Im on 6.5mgs...
I am feeling better after a quiet morning knitting

Edited by popeye333 at 1:32 pm, Sat 16 Mar

popeye333 - 2013-03-16 13:32:00

I hope everyone is enjoying this Beautiful wet day, its been raining about 8 hours now I would guess.
Been Miss domestic today.. I seem to get stuff done on the weekend and do my crafts etc through the week lol.
Up to the shoulder of Frisken. So only the head part to go and then back to the smaller parts.
Having a friend over for morning tea tomorrow. It was her birthday yesterday, and they are moving on friday. So its a birthday and farewell morning tea. Just going to do pikelets with jam and cream. Nothing too heavy.
I will miss her , she was great when mum got sick and died...

Hope everyone has been productive.

popeye333 - 2013-03-17 18:00:00

Hi popeye, you have been a busy girl.
Haven't been very productive here, finished one crochet bootie and started the next. Have also been rearranging the furniture so I can begin unpacking my precious china during the week. Think we have the layout sorted now!
Too much stuff and not enough storage space is the main problem....
We only got a little bit of rain here in Christchurch so hoping there is more on the way.
Have a lovely morning tea with your friend tomorrow, it's always sad when friends move away though xo

maible - 2013-03-17 18:50:00

Star baby in the star and some other knitting I delivered to great grand-kids today. I really do like knitting in varieagated (sp) wool. or occassionaly two strands of 4ply as dk.

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/259316490.jpg

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/259316351.jpg

It will fit her for a while...her Mum was totally rapt with it !

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/259315933.jpg

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/259315791.jpg

grandmasue1 - 2013-03-17 19:49:00

So glad they liked it Sue, the photos are lovely. I am liking the variegated wool too and have plans for some vests once I get a stack of baby knitting done. Love the items you knitted xoxo

maible - 2013-03-17 20:18:00

I think I am going to do a sleeveless hoodie for Mr. nearly four next.....but I have a little pink one to finish first. Not getting far tonight and I am also having eye problems......I have an urgent appointment at eye clinic tomorrow, after seeing an optomotrist Thursday.

grandmasue1 - 2013-03-17 20:40:00