Good Morning from Sunny Napier. Washing out and everything is dry underfoot here.Just may have our lawns mowed today.
A rough day yesterday not great news I wanted to hear from my Medical Team. No driving. BP is still up and down. Have to go for more tests next week.

Have some family and friends coming for the weekend as its our 45th Wedding Anniversary this Saturday.It be good to catch up with everyone.

Glad I am not the only one who has to undo my knitting. Knitting a hat in the round and its been an on going knit now for a few weeks.Enjoy your day at the Sat Market Kuaka.

Have a great everyone.

sunflowers28 - 2017-04-07 09:37:00

Good morning all - not a great start to the day - went to peg the washing out arrived at the line and the washing is still in the machine - then decided I would cook some new chicken bacon my son brought me to try - put it in th air fryer - cooked an egg and a tomato in my pan -haven't had cooked breakfast for ages - ate these then remembered the bacon as I put my plate in the dish washer - will teach me to sit up half the night watching tv - started watching Kurt Seyut and Sura on Netflix - it's set in the time of the tsar and the costuming is absolutely stunning - problem is it is subtitles so I can't knit and watch
Am off today to help sew together squares a friends mum left not completed when she died - it is her own homespun wool so needs to be done
I have ordered a few balls of the acrylic wool for the Tides of Change -I just can't find the popping colours it needs in any wool and I know it needs to be light weight as neither of my grandaughters like anything heavy - I am absolutely open minded but have never used acrylic since my kids were babies 40 years ago so am sure it will have improved since then - it used to go all nobly
Well better get cracking dog is nagging

gerry64 - 2017-04-07 10:32:00

time for a cuppa, have mowed most of the lawn - what a mission! Wet lawn that was mowed on a higher setting last week. Oh well, will be finished soon.

Gerry, I had a big time gap with my knitting and noticed a huge difference with acrylics. Some brands are better than others though. I knit both wool and acrylic, it depends on the project, cost etc. I'm not a fanatically 'it must be wool' type of person. I think there are some who can be a tad over the top at times.

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-07 10:56:00

Kiwimade - any brands I should avoid in your opinion ? It's too much crochet to not consider what I use carefully
Done the dog walk thing now off to the joining job - it will still smell like sheep - her wool always does - back in the day she won the supreme NZ Wool award for an outfit - a mini skirt long coat and a sort of Russian hat - she spun and knitted the outfit - wonder if I have a photo somewhere
Sunflower just read your post that's no good about your BP - take care - hopefully by next week it has settled

gerry64 - 2017-04-07 12:53:00

gerry - popeye uses nothing but acrylic I think from memory, so she will be able to advise you. I use a fair amount of it, and for softness I like the James C Brett baby double knit, ones I'm not so keen on are Marvel and Olympus.

kuaka - 2017-04-07 14:28:00

I'm not too fussed on the Marvel and Olympus brands either and I also like the James C Brett brand from Deramores. The 'Stallion' brand at Spotlight is lovely and soft but sometimes can be too soft for some projects. Even though it is doubleknit, it can feel a bit lighter. Popeye should be able to add to the list.

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-07 15:24:00

Yep I nearly always use acrylic.

James c Brett Top Value is my top pick. But Stylecraft Special Dk, King Cole Pricewise and Hayfield Bonus DK are all very nice too.

You can get them on Deramores and Loveknitting .

I agree with Kiwimade, the Stallion that Spotlight has, is lovely and soft, but so soft it doesnt really hold its shape.

Have joined a 1/3rd of the blanket now. Yay

popeye333 - 2017-04-07 17:42:00

Thanks Popeye - the colours of the sea are all in the paint box range - the pattern is 10 ply - will have a look now at the brands you use

gerry64 - 2017-04-07 19:02:00

morning ladies :) There is definitely an autumnal feel to the air this morning. Even yesterday while having a cuppa outside in the sun you could feel the longer shadows.

I've finished one front of the wee cardy and will start the other one today sometime. Doesn't take long to knit for babies. Michael is now rolling so won't be long before he is up on his knees and crawling.

Housework today, have an awful lot of cluster flies to vacuum up. Hopefully this is their last hoorah for another year.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-08 07:52:00

Morning - chilly and dull here this morning - won't be in a rush to head out this morning to the park- would be a good day to bake if I was that way inclined
Have done all my doll bits so might start putting her together today - then will decide what colours to dress her in - the Mum is a country girl so will avoid the brights
The flies have been terrible here this year - seem to be immune to every spray in the supermarket
Coffee machine is beeping its ready so better use it before it switches itself off again

gerry64 - 2017-04-08 08:35:00

Morning everyone.
A beautiful day here. A little wind but I think thats good cos it might get terribly hot otherwise.
We are getting our new neighbours. They were there last night for a wee while. but a trailer has just pulled up. MrP said it looks like older people so fingers crossed.

Our house lady came yesterday. Was a hard day for her as one of her ladies had passed away. Well in her 90's. so I gave her a long hug. She brought us two of her apple pies, which are devine. I cut them up and put them in the freezer.
She text later and thanked me for the hug, usually she is the giver of them not the receiver.

Will bag up all the pie this morning to use up a bit less room.

Going to the optometrist this afternoon, I shudder to think what it will cost. but not something I can go without.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2017-04-08 09:26:00

Gerry some of Frankies paid patterns are on special for a few days. Finally got some sunshine here today but inside trying to finish a sleeping bag for a newborn. The pattern is Sleeping ceders and lots of new techniques in it, the picture looks simple but the pattern calls for double pointed needles for sleeves and kitchener stitch and several other things that I have managed to avoid over the years

raej2 - 2017-04-08 11:55:00

Cheers raej2- I am looking forward to starting it when I finally decide on the yarn - don't usually dither - can hear the old boy in my ear telling me to make up my mind and get going
The double pointed needles take a wee bit of getting the hang of especially if it is in the round with not many stitches
Went out to the park was lovely but is clouding over quickly now might just watch another couple of episodes on Netflix of Seyit and Sura

gerry64 - 2017-04-08 13:32:00

Afternoon ladies, well the market was very quiet, I don't think anyone had a hugely successful day, but some of us (me included) didn't manage to sell anything. I can't do the next one as Paul will be here, and then there's a country rock festival on in May but of course, at the moment no spots for me on the market - but as the organiser says, "that could change".

raej2 - I have had terrible trouble trying to do kitchener stitch until I discovered that you can knit it. Google "how to knit kitchener stitch" - I find it much easier than trying to do it with a sewing needle.

Going to put my feet up and have a cup of tea and decide what to cook for tea. Been invited up to the neighbours for dinner tomorrow night, so I think I will try to make a lemon meringue pie to take for pud. Haven't made one for years but they always used to be good.

Enjoy your evening.

kuaka - 2017-04-08 15:50:00

Lol yes Gerry finding the double pointers a challenge. Thanks Kuaka found a you tube video for the knitting one and there was also one for a crocheted version, since I have 2 of these to make will try it on the next

raej2 - 2017-04-08 17:09:00

I am looking for someone to knit me tunic like large jumper does anyone do knitting for others?
Cheers deb 0278251164

debso65 - 2017-04-08 22:13:00

morning ladies :) Hopefully someone here can help you debso65 :)

Arggg Kitchener stitch, I have no idea why I struggle with the concept of this stitch. It's something I need to keep working on. And DPNs.... sigh... I guess I've been spoilt with circular needles and need to go 'back to basics' with them. My grandmother used to whizz round her knitting with DPNs, loved watching her knit.

Today I'm going to have a go at baking hot cross buns. I've found Jamie Oliver's recipe so will use that. If all else fails, the birds will have an Easter feast.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-09 08:13:00

Morning everyone
I cant help Debso65, I cannot knit any more, but hopefully someone will help you.

On the one pair of socks I knitted MrP I did the kitchener stitch. Found a good tutorial and I quite enjoyed it lol.. My sister in law is always knitting socks, on DPNS but I cant for the life of me remember who she does the toes lol.
The new neighbours are youngish ones. Must have been parents helping that MrP saw. Id say in their mid 20's or she is anyway. And they must have kids cos they had strollers sitting in the garage. Havent "met" them as such
Have two bags of pig trotters to bag up this morning. looks like about 8-10 per bag and they were only $2-99 bag. So cheap meals. Also got some big ben pies ina 6 pack, they dont have them out here often. So have to sepoarate those, pack up some ham and put the blackberries in the freezer. So thats most of my morning gone.

Plan to crochet this afternoon.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2017-04-09 09:37:00

Morning all, second sleeve to do today so may try the circulars. Good luck with the easter buns, I made some last week with Chelsea Winters recipe. Do you use the trotters for soup?

raej2 - 2017-04-09 10:11:00

thanks raej, never thought of Chelsea Winter! I've made a few of her recipes and they have always been successful. The bun dough is sitting on the windowsill rising, just waiting for the sun to come out again to warm it a bit more :) My dad phoned and invited himself out for afternoon tea, how did he know I was making hot cross buns lol. Every so often he drives out to see us.

I'm knitting the bands for the wee cardy, I had partially knitted them as I cast on the band amount of stitches when doing the front's ribbing. Doesn't take long to rib nine stitches.

The farm across the road has some little calves, omg they are so cute lol. We've been watching them play on the grass for the first time since being penned. So funny watching them 'skip' and play. Doesn't take much to make us smile.

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-09 11:14:00

Afternoon

I like knitting socks but do tie up so avoid doing Kitchener stitch also use circular needles and magic loop, I always seemed to be stabbing myself with double pointed needles.

Have started doing the teeth for the shark, will have to sew them on later. It's such a lovely day I think I will go for a walk even though the weeds are calling me too.

jayemtoo - 2017-04-09 12:14:00

raej2 wrote:

Morning all, second sleeve to do today so may try the circulars. Good luck with the easter buns, I made some last week with Chelsea Winters recipe. Do you use the trotters for soup?

No Raej2 MrP likes them in boil up with cabbage.. But we forgot to get the cabbage yesterday lol.. so they will be plain.. He likes them cooled down for tea, so Ill give them another half hour and take them off.

Have packed everything up for the freezer. 4 lots of trotters which does tea and lunch the next day , for $5-98 so 1-45 per two meals... Very happy for that and its something he loves and I dont mind the price lol

popeye333 - 2017-04-09 12:39:00

morning ladies :) dad visited yesterday for his hot cross buns lol, all good, they were baked to be eaten. I have most in the freezer for Easter now. While he was here he was talking about the documentary on TV1 the Sunday before last about Sister Aroha, the kiwi nun who joined now St Theresa's order. Turns out she is Mum's cousin. I would never have known this if it hadn't been for the doco. Funny how you find these things out.

Just the sleeves to knit for this wee cardy and to find (meaning buy lol) some buttons. MrK has asked me to help him move some of his timber stash into this new lean-to thingy today. And we think we have stashes.... his is huge!

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-10 08:05:00

Morning
Another nice but nippy day. Must sort out the electric blanket as think I might want to warm up the bed before getting in soon.

Haven't had trotters for years, my dad loved them, they are something best eaten at home as lots of bones to nibble on but yummy if you like them.

The shark is finished except for the eyes, think I will see if I can find some biggish ones to sew on, nearly to the tail on the smallest tail then can have a change. Have quite a lot of left over wool so will make some vests for charity as winter obviously not far away.

Have a good day.

jayemtoo - 2017-04-10 08:10:00

Morning all -yes it is chilly Jayemtoo - little dog is certainly feeling it - time to start him on his deer velvet to keep his arthritis under control
Didn't get the doll assembled yesterday - so that's definitely on the agenda today - not sure what else -will decide after the dog park is over and down with - there were so many families out there yesterday - they are painting little rocks and hiding them - great to see - great excitement when the little ones found one - one Mum told me it is the thing at the moment everywhere
It's funny when names pop out of a family tree -I remember all through high school I couldn't stand this girl called Patricia - we seemed to annoy the heck out of each other - she rang me years after we left school and told me we were actually fourth cousins according to the family tree !
Have a nice day

gerry64 - 2017-04-10 08:51:00

Morning ladies, I had a lovely evening yesterday at the farewell dinner for the lucky neighbour who is off overseas and not back till September. The host and her daughter had gone to a lot of trouble and everyone took something to eat, there was roast veg, roast lamb, roast beef, salads, and brownies for afters and my lemon meringue pie and cream, lots of chat and laughs. They really are an awesome bunch. I feel very lucky to have such lovely neighbours - just a pity that although I live in the same street officially, I'm actually down on the main road, they are all up above me.

Work at the op shop this morning, so I had better get cracking. I've said I will do Thursday afternoon there for another of the neighbours (she is actually the one I met through the op shop and introduced me to all the other neighbours).

Right, must get cracking.

Have a super day everyone.

kuaka - 2017-04-10 08:59:00

Morning everyone

Note to oneself, Do Not ring winz early in the morning lol.. Been on hold for 34 minutes lol.. All sorted now tho.

Fine here,very few clouds in the sky, but there is a wind I think looks chilly lol.
Have to pop up the road for a couple of things this morning and the day is my own.
Weeded the front garden yesterday so a little creaky. But managable..

MrP told me before I went out to do it, dont complain to me when your sore.. I have a sore Tongue from biting it, I resisted temptation to say well who else is going to do it. lol

Have decided to do some more cushion covers, thinking grey lemon and an teal blue/green . Will post pics later as to my choices, I appreciate opinions.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2017-04-10 09:51:00

The grey and lemon sounds very retro popeye and in at the moment and they pair it with black and white don't they.

mndy1 - 2017-04-10 12:45:00

This is what I want to make

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/578104049.jpg

And the colours

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/578103612.jpg

popeye333 - 2017-04-10 13:42:00

Yes the painted rocks are very popular at the moment. We kept happy painting some last holidays and put them in the gardens in Hastings. Apparently if you find one you take it and put it somewhere else. I've seen them in a variety of parks around Napier. Some we had last holidays had come from Wellington, Palm Nth and Whanganui and Napier ones went back to Wellington and Auckland. There are Facebook sites about them and really surprising who makes them.

Those cushions are great Popeye love the yellow and teal but would use either the grey or brown but not both but that is just my opinion, others probably have more colour sense than I do lol.

Edited by jayemtoo at 2:14 pm, Mon 10 Apr

jayemtoo - 2017-04-10 14:13:00

mndy1 wrote:

The grey and lemon sounds very retro popeye and in at the moment and they pair it with black and white don't they.

I'm slowly doing up a bedroom in grey and lemon, didn't realise it was trendy until recently lol. I like the colours you have chosen popeye, any combo of them would work I think. blue/white, lemon/grey, grey/white, blue/lemon for something a bit brighter. It all depends on where they will be used and what other colours are in the room.

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-10 15:44:00

Yeah I like the colours too. The pattern has five different colours in it. Might even them out cos one colour is only 2 rows and might stick out like a sore thumb.

We need the furry one here Kiwimade. For the first time since we have been here we have a resident Mouse... It obviously knows that Missy is not in this end of the house at night.
So have cleaned and placed some mouse traps down. And the cheeky little beggar has already had a feed of peanut butter without getting a headache lol...

Half of the blanket is joined now. Yay

Have a good night all

popeye333 - 2017-04-10 16:44:00

Just messaged my friend in Sydney who had the market stall this weekend -she sold all 12 chickens and took orders for more so is flat out getting them finished for Easter - cushion covers had moderate success as she went for too many multi colours but has orders for specific two colour ways - but her market is in a very trendy wealthy part of Sydney - I guess that's the thing with cushions it depends on the colours in your room

gerry64 - 2017-04-10 17:08:00

Lemon and grey would be my choice, here is the sleeping bag https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/578214598.jpg
Don't like how some things turned out, picking up the sleeve seemed to make the stitches too loose and decreasing round the neck came out weird as well.
There is an icord as well for the bottom.
Hows the spinning going kuaka

raej2 - 2017-04-10 17:41:00

Oh, the spinning - haven't actually touched the wheel since I brought it home - naughty I know, will try to do some in the next couple of weeks.

Forgot to mention that last night at the farewell dinner, I managed to choke on a piece of meat, cough, cough, cough, and eventually one of the men asked if I was okay, and I shook my head. He came round and stood behind me and gave me a couple of quite serious thumps on the back, nothing, so then he did the Heimlich manouvre (sp?) and the meat disappeared down my throat. I guess I'm lucky to still be here.

kuaka - 2017-04-10 19:16:00

Morning
Scary for you Kuaka, good that the fellow was able to help and you are still here.
Raej that sleeping bag looks great and no doubt will be very useful.

Dull here at present but need to get going or will be late to Mainly Music,
Have a good day

jayemtoo - 2017-04-11 07:55:00

morning ladies :) I like that sleeping bag raej, something a bit different from the sleeping bags I have seen.

omg kuaka, you are lucky! Thank goodness he knew what to do.

lol@ your mouse popeye, they are cunning little beggars. I put a piece of dog kibble on top of the peanut butter, they can't resist that. We had a mouse once who would help himself to the doggy kibble at night. We would hear him scratching around the Furry One's bowl and find little piles of kibble behind doors or the fridge. So the Furry One's kibble is no longer left out at night. You'll catch it eventually.... or let Missy loose down that end of the house.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-11 08:01:00

thanks guys, I liked the look of it as well, but it is huge, way to big for twins. I will start another one and cut out one repeat plus crochet round the neckline, so today will have a play at working out numbers. Cat has been bringing in a mouse a day, the dog usually lets it go. Looks like the weather is turning again. You were lucky kuaka

raej2 - 2017-04-11 08:38:00

Morning all - yes it is dull looking but warm so not complaining - have been slack not having my daily lemon and have a touch of gout - ouch
That is so scary Kuaka - once happened to me eating something ghastly at a Japanese dinner -
Funniest mouse encounter we had - at the time it happened we were looking after a friends great big Rottweiler - cat brought a mouse in - dog grabbed the mouse - then walked round for ages with it in its mouth - just the tail sticking out wiggling away - we thought at the time the poor old dog couldn't figure out what to do next !
Have a good day everybody

Rae j that is lovely knitting

gerry64 - 2017-04-11 08:56:00

Morning everyone.
Oh kuaka Im soo pleased the guy was able to help you. one of my friends fears is to be choking and cos she lives alone she worries no one will know.

We got one mouse last night. The traps were both still set this morning when I got up but one had been emptied by the time I came out to do breakfast. So will be an ongoing mission.

Have to pop up the street again this morning. Go to winz to get help buying glasses.. Take my camera into the electrical store. The memory stick is stuck.. argghhhh and pick up our repeats.

Am working as fast as I can on the blanket, so I can get onto the cushions for the market, which I still havent heard from them yet.. Sounds a little unorganised to me.

Have a fab day all

popeye333 - 2017-04-11 09:04:00

morning ladies :) Looks like Cyclone Cook is about to sting us, typical as I need to sort out mrK's medical stuff for WINZ. They are querying a $14 prescription payment we made and asking what it was for and if he could have had a generic medication in it's place. And they want the reply in writing from the chemist. So I will go early before the chemist gets too busy. The way I see it, if our doctor had wanted to use generic medication, he would have. Oh well, will get it sorted. Seems a lot of running round for $14.

I have one sleeve to go on the cardy and will buy the buttons while in town today. Then it will be finished in time for our daughter to take it home after their Easter visit. They are staying the four days so it's going to be busy here with some early starts to the day.

Popeye, if you don't manage to sell the cushions, they can always be birthday/Christmas pressies.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-12 07:37:00

Morning ladies, yes, looks like we are in for another downpour and everywhere is still sodden from the last lot. I want to get out and mow the little strip of weeds along the side of the driveway but it's very wet. Think I might use the mower with the blades set higher than normal, I will make an awful mess if I try to use the weedeater, and I think it's almost out of petrol and I would have to go and get more.

Knit and natter this morning, so I had better get myself organised. If I am going to do the strip beside the driveway I think I need to do it before I go out as it will probably be raining by the time I get home.

Kiwimade, that does seem like a lot of faffing around for the sake of $14, haven't they get anything better to do, like more serious fraudsters to chase after. Ridiculous!

Have a super day everyone.

kuaka - 2017-04-12 08:05:00

Morning all - can sympathise with you kiwimade - had a real kurfuffle with Winz over a prescription for Mr G - I didn't ask the doctor to prescribe it of the chemist to dispense it but the $16 charged has only just been cleared up - they even asked for a copy of our bank statement dated the day he passed -in the end I got so peed off I asked for a copy of the regulations covering my problem - never heard another word - methinks some people just make work for themselves!
Our forecast is not good but so far it's dull and warm so will head off early - cleaning lady comes today so will have a quick tidy up and head off -
Still haven't sewn the doll up - need the old boy to motivate me - should have read the pattern before I bought the very expensive wool recommended by the pattern designer - only used it for nine rows for the hands and 20 rows for the face

gerry64 - 2017-04-12 08:52:00

Morning everyone, a grey day here too , we have had a wee sprinkle of rain. Humid too.

Wow what alot of fuss over $14. I went to get help with getting my glasses and I must say it was easy. Theres a new lady doing the senior side of things, which was great cos the woman that used to do it was a sour old puss who wouldnt even great you with a smile or a good morning either. So will go over and chose those tomorrow. And get some pork from the Mad butcher. $4-99 for soulder roasts...

I have four rows to do on the blanket, and have booked today to do them. MrP has said he will do the dishes. yay.
The market is fully booked so I have missed out. Finally heard late yesterday.
We dont buy presents for many, and I have the main two sorted already. so maybe the cushions can go on here or fb.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2017-04-12 08:55:00

Well it's done and dusted although the WINZ guy who does the Super only comes in Tues and Thurs, so I left the info with a lady in the office to pass onto him. We have a new guy and I really miss the other chap as he made everything so easy for us.

I bought some lovely buttons for Michael's cardigan, love our haberdashery shop. They still sell buttons in the tubes so you can buy as many as you want.

MrK is pottering about in the kitchen making more chutney from the last of the tomatoes.

Will finish the sleeve to this cardy today and have it ready for Michael to wear over Easter if he needs it.

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-12 11:17:00

Unbelievable delivery time from Love Knitting - ordered it last Thursday in my letter box today - sent for just one of some colours thought might work - have a couple more coming I saw later before I make the final call - one ball is patrons baby smiles Aran - feels lovely I see it is made in Kosovo the other is paintbox - that is Turkish -

gerry64 - 2017-04-12 12:09:00

This might be too late Kiwimade, but I should have suggested you get a copy of those papers, made in the office and have it stamped so you know you have handed it in. if they lose it, its your word against theirs.

What colour is the cardy?

Love knitting is fast eh Gerry..

I got some iron on patches this morning to repair a dress I ripped on the stands where the fog lights are meant to be on the car. After id asked mrP countless times to take them off. Knowing full well it was a job i could do, but I knew he would feel good about doing it.. but noo i had to rip mydress on it. So I did it myself.

Have joined two rows and sewn in ends. Will do the other two this afternoon and then they wont take long to add to the main piece. Just cos I booked the day to work the texts have been flying in lol

popeye333 - 2017-04-12 12:21:00

Hope you guys in the Thames area are doing ok. Stay dry

raej2 - 2017-04-12 17:32:00

Morning everyone.

Up and about early today so we can fit everything in. Have to go chose my glasses, come back here for a diabetes app, do the shopping and our house lady will be here todat rather than tomorrow.

I finished the Blanket YAYAYAY... put a 1/3rd of it together yesterday.. so a few days off before I go back to doing squares.

Havent seen any news so I hope everyone is ok weather and waterwise.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2017-04-13 07:15:00

morning ladies :) Our creek has overflowed but we're OK. Some homes and businesses in Matamata and Te Aroha haven't been quite so lucky though with flooding.

I thought I had finished the cardigan last night, even sewed on the buttons, only to see I had mucked up the neckline on the left front. So I'll unpick it today, won't take long. Have no idea what I was thinking at the time I knitted it and I usually check things before I move on to the next bit. Just as well it's going to be a wet day lol. It's a dusty fawn colour popeye, a good colour for when he starts crawling.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2017-04-13 07:33:00