Kuaka it will be nice to have something for yourself. Ages since I knitted anything for myself. I started a wrap last year but Ive never finished it cos I don't like the cast on edge. Its too tight.
I may finish it oneday and on purposely cast off tight so the edges are the same. Its not a wool that looks like it will undo very easy. And I don't want to waste it either.

Whiskey there are always buyers on here. Mum and I sold a lot over the last few years.
Just don't get caught showing us something you have done, and then having it listed. The Nanas that cruise the boards can complain and you'd get in trouble for self promotion.

popeye333 - 2013-04-11 12:20:00

popeye333 wrote:

Whiskey there are always buyers on here. Mum and I sold a lot over the last few years.
Just don't get caught showing us something you have done, and then having it listed. The Nanas that cruise the boards can complain and you'd get in trouble for self promotion.

Yes thats true popeye. Isn't that why we're on facebook?. So please "our" page was started lol

whiskey13 - 2013-04-11 12:35:00

whiskey13 wrote:

Yes thats true popeye. Isn't that why we're on facebook?. So please "our" page was started lol

Yup and its terribly handy lol

popeye333 - 2013-04-11 12:36:00

Wow looks like Beanies for Babies is going to lose alot of our knitters. Alot of the knitting goes to places that you have talked about sending to direct, but of course its entirely up to you, you have to do what you are comfortable with. Thanks very much for all the donations you have sent to BFB in the past.

richard92 - 2013-04-11 13:22:00

I haven't decided yet Elizabeth, but hubby did mention to me a while back that instead of sending the stuff to you to then send out somewhere else, he would be happier if we just took my knitting through to the local hospital and handed it over. I've also thought of just selling it and donating the money to, say, Plunket, less the cost of the yarn. I don't know really. I'd like to think it goes to someone who needs it and appreciates it, but I sometimes wonder if it does. I know years ago my Mum knitted a beautiful shawl for my sister when she was expecting her first, and she used it for both her babies, but then one day when the children were a bit older, Mum was at my sisters place and saw the beautiful shawl in the dogs basket, so she rescued it, took it home and washed it and used it for years as a bed jacket. She was hopping mad that it ended up in the dog basket.

Edited by kuaka at 4:06 pm, Thu 11 Apr

kuaka - 2013-04-11 16:05:00

Fair enough Carol, it would save you the price of the freight to me, thats what Heather and a few others do, but still includes it in our totals. It doesn't matter where it goes, or how it gets there, as long as some one benefits from it. But as I said earlier, it has to be something you are comfortable doing. I used to knit those big toys like Popeye does, I made heaps of them, and always regret I didn't keep them for when I had grandchildren, I gave them all to the local Hospice to raffle, but I still have the photos to look at.

richard92 - 2013-04-11 16:13:00

Morning All... Actually I like the idea of selling and donating the money too. Can still be done locally too.
Richard92 I plan to make at least one toy to give away to raffle. MrP used to make wooden toys and he gave that many away for different places to raffle we couldn't remember them all. His Dolls houses , rocking horses and ovens were always a hit.
We have decided to keep the Frosty the snowman I made. Cos neither of us have any toys I have made. (well other than a tiny teddy I made years ago) so will be nice to add Frosty to our Christmas decorations.

OMG the skirt on Sweetie has 160 stitches. Feels like it takes 5 mins to do one row. It probably isn't but it feels like it lol. Have 25 rows to do then Im back to smaller parts lol

popeye333 - 2013-04-12 08:34:00

160 stitches sounds like something you should be doing on a knitting machine if it's just stocking stitch. I hate having that many stitches on, hate long needles, I would have to knit back and forth on a circular one.

kuaka - 2013-04-12 08:41:00

I can sympathise popeye, the hood I'm knitting at the moment for our grandy's hoodie is 129 stitches using 4 ply and I need 16cms... feels like forever!

kiwimade64 - 2013-04-12 11:42:00

kiwimade64 wrote:

I can sympathise popeye, the hood I'm knitting at the moment for our grandy's hoodie is 129 stitches using 4 ply and I need 16cms... feels like forever!

It will take ages eh Kiwimade.. Mines double knitting on 3mm needles. I did time myself it takes 7 mins (minus checking one text and answering) to do a row lol
Im half way so that's good. I will have it finished tonight. Then I have a lot of small pieces.. about 20 I think. but nothing too big.

Have to ask, My sister in law loves knitting socks. I told her about deramores, so I have to look up and see what wools they have for socks.
Anyone know any brand names I might find there? She has been using Opal and moda vera from spotlight.

popeye333 - 2013-04-12 12:38:00

I had some wool sock for sale on here from the "d" please and no one was interested so I haven't relisted. Would you like me too for you to have a look?

whiskey13 - 2013-04-12 18:42:00

Just realised I had relisted it. Must be having a blond moment lol

whiskey13 - 2013-04-12 19:41:00

Lol whiskey re the blonde moment.. Pretty colours too.. Ive saved it and will talk to sister in law when they get home from their tripping around in the motorhome. I miss having ours and being able to run aay for a few days at a time lol.

I finished the main skirt piece last night., Thank goodness. But it does look pretty in the two greens. My aim today is to get the pockets, bib and straps done at least.
My finger is swollen again today, but funny enough is kinda numb so its not too painfull.
Foggy here this morning. Makes everything calm...wont be too calm over in Pukekohe tho. we made sure we didn't have to go to town for anything this weekend. The V8s will be waking everyone up soon lol

Have a good day all

popeye333 - 2013-04-13 08:43:00

Morning everyone. I haven't been on the laptop much as I hve been rather busy knitting to catch up on orders - it always seems that I feel like the end is near and more get thrown on the pile. I have just finished a little scarf to match one of the caps I knitted and I have to knit another one for the other cap. I have a big task ahead of me as I have been asked to knit a 12ft long Dr Who scarf. Living in a small town with mobility issues meant I had to ring CHCH to order wool, Spotlight was useless wouldn't even go and look on the shelves for me whereas Knitworld bent over backwards to help and now I am waiting for the parcel to arrive. My leg is not healing, the nurses have been very concerned about the swelling and thought I might have a blood clot but I don't have any other symptoms so they are measuring my leg and keeping a close eye on it. The wound is bigger but cleaner and the nurses are visitng on alternate days instead of daily. If nothing else I have to rest so it is perfect for getting loads of knitting done - and another email arrives with a new order. Love seeing all your photos on here and fb.
Tkae care everyone

thecritic - 2013-04-13 09:30:00

finished our grandy's hoodie, not really my choice in colours but it's bright and cheerful and daughter loves it. Will stitch the buttons on, take a pic and post it.
gosh thecritic it has taken ages hasn't it to get to this stage. Hopefully it won't be too long before you can move about more. Thank goodness for internest and phone orders :)

kiwimade64 - 2013-04-13 10:22:00

wow its taking ages for that leg of yours to heal TC.. is it painfull or more just annoying?

Yes one good thing about being laid up, you can plough through the work.
Ive been asked if I can make a clown in a directors chair. And someone else asked about a Cat Clown.. now that is beyond my imagination at the mo lol Need more details as to how they want it.

I haven't done a stitch of knitting this morning yet. I sorted through my knitting needles. I have a pile of odd ones for the oppy. I will list some that I wont use and I still have plenty for me to use. But nice matching pairs lol

Glad you have finished the mammoth effort kiwimade. Only little things for me to knit now which is good lol.

popeye333 - 2013-04-13 12:22:00

Haven't posted for a couple of days. Woke up Thursday morning with a really painful wrist. Don't know what I did during the night, lol. I must have bent it over somehow and perhaps slept on it! Consequently couldn't do any knitting. Had trouble even typing at work.

However by last night all was back to normal and I continued on with my second fingerless glove.

Going over shortly to pick up two great-nieces who want to come and stay. I think they like coming because I spoil them rotten, lol - a nearly 4 yr old and nearly 7 yr old. Am going to go to Spotlight and see if I can get something crafty for the nearly 7 yr old - I see they have little sewing kits of felt animals that I could help her with.

I probably won't get any knitting done until after they are in bed tonight.

Been for a long walk with the dog this morning and mowed front and back lawns *adjusts halo* - lol.

Lovely to see you back thecritic. Gosh I do hope that leg of yours starts improving soon.

Kiwimade - the hoodie sounds lovely. Do you have another project planned?

Popeye - Sweetie sounds as though she's coming along swimmingly!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

pats3 - 2013-04-13 13:16:00

Morning everyone.
Sounds like you were planning a good day Pats. Hope it was fun.

I now have only 11 pieces left of Sweetie, its been a fast knit really. It will take a couple of days to sew her up but Im thinking she should be done for a Thursday walk about , if I put my mind to it.

Need to prune the blackberries with MrP this morning. So that will eat into my knitting time. Have to be carefull not to hurt my stupid finger in the process. Ohh and must trim my nails too or they will get broken.. Bummer cos they are looking good at the mo. Normally one hand is longer than the other lol

Well the faster we get out there the sooner Ill be back.

Have a fab day all

popeye333 - 2013-04-14 08:44:00

yep pats3, I've started a lime green (daughter's choice lol) cardigan in a mock cable pattern. I have two 'frog' buttons and wonder if I could find about another four as i think they would look cute on a lime green cardy :P.
Considering I am knitting acrylic, the yarn is soooo soft. Acrylics have certainly changed over the years.
Has anyone knitted that bamboo wool on the Deramore's site? Am tempted to buy a couple of balls just to try it. And I've noticed there is some yarn made from soy as well... have to give that a go as well!

kiwimade64 - 2013-04-14 10:38:00

Amongst the gardening and listing things on here and cooking. Ive managed 5 pieces, Ok they are small but its still a wee bit of knitting. Lol.

Have to do the mans insulin when his eyes have departed from the Racing then make these Kiwi Cornish Pasties lol.
Mine are true weird ones, Ive got potatoe and lumps of sausagemeat. I have some cube cheese and I break a couple of cheese slices into the mix. Then wrap in pastry. Cos when the two cheeses melt it ends up super runny and yum... Probably burn my tongue but Ill enjoy it lo

popeye333 - 2013-04-14 16:13:00

Yum where's my invite for dinner Popeye. We're having pickled pork with mashed spud and mixed verges. Had to whiz down to the warehouse to buy a potato masher as the old one is packed away somewhere in the sleepout lol.
We only have pickled pork when my sister in law does a home kill as she is a pig farmer. She knows pickled pork is my favourite so we always find 1 or 2 pieces in our box of goodies.

whiskey13 - 2013-04-14 17:29:00

Ohh they were yummy too. Take very little filling tho. Have heaps left.

I think MrP likes pickled pork. Theres not much he doesn't eat. But hes not had any in the last 24 yrs anyway lol.. I often see it and offer to get some but he says noo since I don't eat it lol

Im holding out on the tiny bit or bolar roast I got the other day... And since there is fillings left from tonight that will be another meal at least for me and Ill freeze some of MrPs for a later time. So the roast might happen on Tuesday maybe lol...

popeye333 - 2013-04-14 17:47:00

I went to the supermarket and came home with a small pork roast which his nibbs turned his nose up at - but he ate it anyway! He insisted I had to cut all the fat off it (which means no crackling, but that's okay 'cos I don't really like the crackling) so I sharpened the knife up really really sharp, and cut the fat off. course in the process the knife slipped and I managed to nick my finger just below the nail. Only a tiny little nick, not enough to put a plaster on, but boy did it bleed (luckily not into the dinner), and now it's just a flipping nuisance. I daresay I will live. Take more than a tiny nick with a knife to finish me off - I hope.

kuaka - 2013-04-14 19:45:00

Morning all..

I finished LOL took 7 days and 2 hours, apart from normal life to knit Sweetie. I had done the hands a while back. But I finished last night. she has a lot less parts

Have a bit of garden vines to put in the bag this morning before I can start sewing her up
Ouchies Kuaka, that little cut will be a pain for so many things.. I bet. Id have bled like a stuck pig with my blood thinners lol.

Gonna rain so Im going to dash so we can get it done

popeye333 - 2013-04-15 08:47:00

That is must be a record Popeye for knitting a Sweetie.
Even a small knick on a finger can be oh so sore and don't they bleed like mad Kuaka.
Finally got my slippers finished - I felted them last week and thankfully the weather stayed lovely and hot so they dried in 3 days - they can take about a week to dry in winter so they will go in the post this morning to friends.
I'll get a photo first.
Brought buttons for 7 small garments on Friday and they are now finished a nice feeling to see the pile of things ready to go to new homes.
Off to skeinz this am for more wool as I keep finding patterns that I want to try and am determined to learn the magic loop system of knitting now that I am making most of my baby and children things without side seams where ever possible.
Have a good day all

jayemtoo - 2013-04-15 09:30:00

Hello all,
wow popeye I wish I could knit as quickly as you do - that is very quick work with sweetie.
All your yummy meals sound very tempting, I got quite hungry reading back through the posts!
Ouch kuaka, those little knicks can hurt like heck - I'm not good around knives, have had a few stitches in various fingers....
Well done with your felted slippers jayemtoo, and all the other little garments you have finished.
kiwimade I am quite interested in the bamboo wool from Deramores too but haven't ordered any yet.
Hi to everyone else, hoping that leg heals soon for you thecritic, and that you had a good weekend pats. I am enjoying unpacking and rearranging too whiskey, after our EQC repairs. Still have quite a lot left to do but getting there slowly.
Happy knitting all xo

maible - 2013-04-15 10:24:00

Yeah it is a record, but she has a lot less pieces too. I have stuffed the main body bit.
Morning kinda got busy lol, we did the garden stuff.

I popped up the street to do some banking and found that eftpos was down. I had to go to 3 ATMa before I could find one working. I guess it was the time I took from the first too that I found the third one working. Cos when I went into the bank they said it had just come back on. All the country apparently.
Came home and Cut MrPs hair. Then went and swept the drive and part of the road where someone had broken a bottle. So I wiped the cobwebs off the car too.. For some reason the spiders love our car.

So it was relaxing to sit sew and stuff. My finger doesn't like the stuffing part. Ill get it to the drs eventually. Don't want to go just for a sore finger lol.

Ive decided its time to downsize, starting with my collection of collections lol. We have way too much stuff and its driving me nutty lol.

Hope everyone gets time for some knitting today..

popeye333 - 2013-04-15 12:39:00

Popeye we threw out heaps of stuff before our quake repairs, but I'm still having trouble finding places for everything. Maybe I will have to do another downsize...
I have managed to almost fill 5 china/display cabinets (eeek), but I have a lot of my late mother's things and will eventually pass those on.
I have one cabinet with crystal pieces, a very large display cabinet with my collection of cup/saucer/plate sets and other precious china. Hubby has a cabinet for his dragon collection, daughter's cabinet has odd bits of china, some plates and glassware. The last cabinet has silverware and anything I couldn't fit in the other cabinets lol.
A lot of it has been packed away for some years so it's nice to be able to see it, but I will have to get rid of some before daughter wants her cabinet back.

It's been a lovely day here so I have done lots of washing, been out and sprayed the weeds etc. Just done my nails and now they're dry it's knitting time :)

maible - 2013-04-15 15:19:00

Wow Maible that's a lot of stuff.. Did you lose any in the EQ? It was me that sent a box of china down to Betty (Cant remember her surname) She was on the news. Her son had gotten out of bed to try and save the china cabinet of china for her grand daughters, and when he was out of bed the wall of the house fell onto his bed.
Untill I saw her on the news I hadn't got upset by the quake. But when I saw her crying I bawled my eyes out. Couldn't even speak.
I don't have kids to pass old china onto so I sent some of my grandmothers, MrPs mother and my Stepfathers mothers china. Knowing that it would be given with love. Lisa Davies did the story and I made a dvd that she took to Betty and showed her.
Her grand daughter found me on facebook and sent me a lovely message. Sadly Betty passed away before the first anniversary. She had terrible breathing. I got to speak to her on the phone.
The girls were blown away too.
I still have a lot to downsize but not as much as you have.

I have stuffed Sweeties body and feet. Will attach them later.

Have to do the mans insulin soon and then nuke tea lol

popeye333 - 2013-04-15 15:58:00

Oh that's so cool popeye, I don't remember the story about Betty, but such a lovely gesture on your part. It was a very long time before I could watch anything quake related on tv.
We didn't lose much at all, daughter who lives in another part of town lost most of the china etc., that she had been given.
Yes we do have a lot of stuff - I was quite surprised, but it's lovely seeing things I hadn't seen for a few years. I will have another clear out in a few months though.
Well done on your progress with Sweetie, looking forward to pics when she's all done :)

maible - 2013-04-15 16:04:00

Well I think we can safely say the drought has broken. It's absolutely bucketing down - we need it mind, but it will make those wretched weeds grow along with the beans (we hope the beans will grow), so I don't feel guilty about putting my feet up for an hour and knitting especially as I've just spent an hour or so pottering around in the sewing room, sorting out what I'm going to do with certain bits of fabric - AND I managed to find a pair of pinking shears which have been on the missing in action list since I went to lend them to a friend about last August and couldn't find them!

kuaka - 2013-04-15 16:06:00

Yay for rain kuaka, hope we get some this week! How exciting that you found your pinking shears at last I would have been excited anyway lol.

maible - 2013-04-15 16:21:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/263648741.jpg
Here are the latest batch of slippers - they are so thick and warm. I just make them for family and friends as that keeps me busy enough

jayemtoo - 2013-04-15 17:02:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/263648630.jpg
- and this is the extreme of sizes I make - the smallest size will fit a 2yr old and up to large men's size. I have a bit of control on sizing when felting them and also they mould to fit the foot and quite soon you have a definate left and right slipper.
Have tried to put soles on them made out of vinyl so they can last a bit longer but haven't been very successful with them as so far have not found a tough enough thread to sew the soles with - I'll keep looking.

jayemtoo - 2013-04-15 17:06:00

Your slippers look so comfy jayemtoo, I have knitted for years but never tried felting.would like to try now the hot weather is over might leave it till next summer.

jord37 - 2013-04-15 17:21:00

I would love those felted slippers - do you just knit them and then felt them? or what?

As for the pinking shears, yes I was pleased to find them, but I was actually looking for some bells which I know I have somewhere, but they are still in that "safe place" also known as "hiding" from me.

kuaka - 2013-04-15 17:33:00

popeye - what a lovely thing you did for Betty. I definitely remember the story on TV. I didn't know that she died.

jayemtoo - love the felted slippers. Wish I was that clever.

kuaka - yep, those little nicks can certainly hurt. Hope all good now.

maible - I never lost much either - about half a dozen ornaments.

Hello to everyone else.

Am taking a day's leave tomorrow and going down to Hands Ashford in Ashburton with three others. Will be wonderful looking/touching the wool and maybe even buying some, lol. They have a nice little café there so we will have lunch there as well.

pats3 - 2013-04-15 18:31:00

Finger is healing surprising quickly - I suspect because the knife was so sharp, and it was just a quick little nick - nowhere near as bad as the time I sliced a chunk off my thumb when I was trying out my new mandolin. Hubby asked what was taking so long and I called out from the bathroom that I was doing "running repairs" and came back to the kitchen with a suitable dressing trying to stem the flow of blood. Seeing as I have a fear of sharp things in general, I sold the mandolin a while back, and will stick to my sharp cooks knife, knitting needles and crochet hook.

kuaka - 2013-04-15 21:15:00

and that knitting for "me" has been temporarily put to one side as I have decided to knit a little blanket for a friend whose son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby, and I love doing baby stuff.

kuaka - 2013-04-15 21:38:00

Morning all... Wet warm and just breezy here. not the wind like Auckland is getting.. Yet lol

Hope all the hurt bits are mending.

Glad you found the pinking shears Kuaka. I have mums ones, Ive had them for years and find them every so often. I have an overlocker so they don't get used that much now. But I remember when she got them they cost a fortune.

Jaymoo those slippers are Awesome. Look so snuggly. How do they wear? do they have something on the sole or you just wear them like other knitted socks.
How does it work? I know you knit then wet them, but how does that make it happen?

Lol Kuaka about the running repairs. I am very carefull with my mandolin. For me I can cut hot meat but get me cutting cold meat on a roast the next day and that's when I cut myself.. MrP gets that job.

I remember years ago he was helping a lady with her lawnmowing. He came home with a hankie wrapped around his finger and asked if I could put a plaster on it. I unwrapped it and saw the bone. I said Noo I think we will take you to the med centre.. Luckily the tip of his finger was still hanging on. I asked the dr could I watch he said fine so long as I didn't flake out.
Im excellent with blood so was good to watch him work.

More sewing today and I have an order for a Scottish Bag Piper, so that will be different. hes a little smaller but still has about 20 pieces.

Have a good day all

popeye333 - 2013-04-16 08:55:00

Thanks for the nice comments all. The slippers are knitted on large needles with 2 strands of wool - 10ply is best and I have tried 3 strands of 8ply which made lovely thick slippers. Must make sure that the wool in NOT machine washable or have anything else in it. I have been caught out a couple of times in buying wool which was supposedly not machine washable and then it would't felt so I usually knit a small square first and see how it shrinks.
The knitted slippers are huge and floppy then you throw them into the washing machine and then do everything that you have been taught not to do with wool ie bash it around on a very hot cycle until the wool shrinks and becomes firm. You then shape them to suit and let dry.
They last at least 2 years of inside wear but I am trying to work out how to put soles on them as I know some people are not good about not going outside with them on and I don't want to replace them too often. So far I have knitted 78 pairs just for family and friends.

hope all the injuries are healing up okay - I'm the sort who manage to cut myself of scrape off bits of skin just about what ever I'm doing fortunately not when knitting so far!
Have a good afternoon all

jayemtoo - 2013-04-16 12:51:00

Soo cool Jayemtoo... I bet if you went back to 3 or 4 ply wool you would feel like you were knitting sewing cotton lol

popeye333 - 2013-04-16 12:55:00

Havent done any knitting or crocheting for years and have just retired - knitting stitches have come flooding back but crochet not so sure - bought an online class but it is so difficult to follow - years ago I had a stitch dictionary with really good illustrations - cant for the life of me remember what it was - can anyone help with any idea for a good book for me to get-
cheers

gerry64 - 2013-04-16 18:39:00

gerry64 - I had a look at this one today at Hands Ashford in Ashburton. It looked really good with great illustrations. It was $46.00 there!! Can thoroughly recommend Book Depository. Free postage and fast delivery.

http://www.bookdepository.com/Z-Crochet-Martingale-Company/9
781564779984

pats3 - 2013-04-16 20:11:00

I can second the book depository... awesome site! trouble is everytime I go there it's an hour or so later...
Finished the back of the wee cardy I'm knitting and will start the front this evening or tomorrow. Have placed a largish order at Deramores, can't wait for it to arrive.
I love those felted slippers and would love to have a go at it... will add it to my list of 'must-learn' things.

kiwimade64 - 2013-04-16 21:11:00

Cheers pat have ordered it didn't expect to get something under $18 -I have bought enough wool on eBay to start a wool shop -we left NZ a couple of years ago and I got rid of masses of wool -the old boy is shaking his head in disbelief every time the courier pulls up to see the hoarding starting again -he will get over it -thanks for your help

gerry64 - 2013-04-16 23:16:00

maybe we should start a "wool hoarders anonymous" group. What do you think??

kuaka - 2013-04-17 07:20:00

kuaka wrote:

maybe we should start a "wool hoarders anonymous" group. What do you think??

Yea that sounds like a good idea

katie381 - 2013-04-17 07:46:00

kuaka wrote:

maybe we should start a "wool hoarders anonymous" group. What do you think??

hi, my name is kiwimade64 and I hoard wool and yarn and embroidery floss....

kiwimade64 - 2013-04-17 07:52:00

Hi, my name is Kuaka (named after our little fishing boat) and I hoard wool, fabric, buttons, beads, sewing threads - well most things really! (Oh I forgot to mention patterns)

Edited by kuaka at 8:00 am, Wed 17 Apr

kuaka - 2013-04-17 08:00:00