kuaka wrote:

Well you could always do some squares for charity - Lets (or Letz as I thought it was originally) Wrap up NZ on fb. Make a few squares and send them to someone to be sewn together to make blankets for those less fortunate. I've got 14 squares ready to send - they have to be 8 inches square.

To get the 8 inch square how many sts and rows do we need?

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-18 19:40:00

40 st doulbe knit size 4mm needles

carolev - 2014-05-18 19:46:00

grandmasue, depends on your tension - I knit mine diagonally, starting with only one or two stitches, increase at the beginning of every row until the row ends (not the stitches across the needle) measure 8 inches, then decrease beginning of every row till you are back to only one or two stitches. I increase to about 52 stitches - using dk yarn and 4mm needles. I prefer to do it this way so there is no possibility of the cast on or cast off edges distorting the square.

kuaka - 2014-05-18 19:58:00

Thanks both of you. :)

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-18 21:04:00

foggy morning to you all. housework today

carolev - 2014-05-19 07:26:00

Morning everyone... That's how I do mine too Kuaka. And they don't feel like a long haul to knit either. I get to 52 stitches as well but it can also depend on the wool. Im using two diff 8plys in a crochet square at the mo and one is heaps thinner than the other.
Last night was an absolute mess lol... couldn't remember to increase on my sleeve so I put that down. Started a crochet square and kept forgetting the second lot of trebles in the corners lol... My brain obviously wasn't in gear at all lol. Gave up and watched the Topp twins and went and read .

Overcast here. not too chilly. Lawns due to be done this morning.

MrP said it was nice to walk down the footpath pushing the recycle bin and not be half on and half off the footpath cos of the ferns. Gave them a really good haircut.

Nothing too exciting planned today. So lets hope my brain works and I get the needles working lol

Have a good day all

popeye333 - 2014-05-19 08:19:00

morning :) Have an appointment in town today so will get organised for that. Son is still home until Wednesday :). Have washing to hang out when the fog lifts. I'm going to have a good blat at my cross stitch for a while, need to get it finished.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-19 08:39:00

Having really beautiful days at the moment following frosty mornings, ideal for getting outside.

knitting some fingerless gloves so can knit in bed in the mornings as rest of me is very snuggly but hands freeze.

There is always little ones out there who need wrm clothes Carole I take a bundle to a health centre when I get a supply, I think every baby should get something new to start life with.

That's my favourite way of doing a square too Kuaka, will do some as soon as I get a few things off the needles.

jayemtoo - 2014-05-19 08:45:00

morning all, a bit cool this morning but looks like being another good day. Kiwimade, I saw the pic of your blanket over on fb but it wouldn't let me comment on what a fantastic job you've done in producing a family heirloom 'cos we're not "friends" on there.

I have a package of 14 squares to send away, most are crocheted and just one colour, so probably a bit boring, but I'll do some more in the next few weeks and experiment a bit with different patterns, I just wanted to get some in the mail as I think it's a fabulous idea and wanted to contribute.

Might find time to mow the little lawn today and pull a few weeds, see what happens after we've been for our walk.

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-05-19 09:01:00

It is a beautiful blanket isn't it Kuaka.. Maybe Kiwimade could put the picture in here too.

Doesn't matter if squares are plain Kuaka, it helps spread out the fancy ones. Ive done another one this morning. In an old purple I guess I could describe it.
It has cleared up here too.

Some wool arrived this morning that I got via FB. And my Prezzy card arrived too. Have to register it and its all sorted.

Time for a play and then back to the knitting needles

popeye333 - 2014-05-19 12:08:00

thank you kuaka :) I am really pleased with it and so is son (which is more important!). I wanted a non-fussy pattern for a guy in a neutral colour and was lucky to find this one online. Can't believe we aren't 'friends' on FB...hmmm.... must fix that!

For you popeye :)

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/316976373.jpg
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/316976345.jpg

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-19 12:27:00

Truly beautiful Kiwimade.. Have you given it to your son with washing instruction? or is he going to bring it home for your care?

Whats the yarn? it almost looks like Ecru cotton

popeye333 - 2014-05-19 12:38:00

Fabulous blanket Kiwimade. I am making poppis for the 5000 poppies ANZAC project and knitting banana bed socks for the residents at work

vivz2 - 2014-05-19 12:58:00

Thank you vivz2, someone else here is making the poppies too I think. Lovely of you to knit for the residents at your work, I bet they appreciate the socks too.

lol @ cleaning instructions popeye, I have no doubt he will bring it home. Believe it or not it's the cheap acrylic you buy from the Warehouse! He itches with wool so it's acrylic for him. It's a soft fawn colour, almost ecru. Not girly lol which makes a nice change.

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-19 15:26:00

Wow Kiwimade it looks like ecru cotton... Good that he will bring it home tho. A lot of work there so being able to keep it looking good is Important.
All my blankets are acrylic, for ease of washing. And I don't like the itch

popeye333 - 2014-05-19 15:42:00

popeye, I've been tempted to make a blanket for my son but he can't stand wool either, so if I do it will have to be acrylic. I can just imagine how it will get treated with the cat and the dog both loving it to bits - bits being the operative word!

kuaka - 2014-05-19 18:41:00

I just realised that one of my granddaughters has a blanket my grandmother gave me about 60 years ago and it was not brand new then so maybe close to 100 years old. They last & last. :)

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-19 19:32:00

I have a blanket that I remember my grandmother crocheting when I was about 5, so that would be around 60 years old - it's in pretty good nick considering but it does have a couple of little holes in it where the wool has disintegrated - I could fix it if I could find the time and the motivation.

kuaka - 2014-05-19 20:57:00

morning all lovely foggy morning, did 2 squares where do I post them to?

carolev - 2014-05-20 07:48:00

carolev wrote:

morning all lovely foggy morning, did 2 squares where do I post them to?

Yes...I'd like an address as well, please....

matuq - 2014-05-20 07:59:00

kuaka wrote:

grandmasue, depends on your tension - I knit mine diagonally, starting with only one or two stitches, increase at the beginning of every row until the row ends (not the stitches across the needle) measure 8 inches, then decrease beginning of every row till you are back to only one or two stitches. I increase to about 52 stitches - using dk yarn and 4mm needles. I prefer to do it this way so there is no possibility of the cast on or cast off edges distorting the square.

Definitely going to give that a go ... sounds really sensible.

matuq - 2014-05-20 08:03:00

morning ladies :) yep matuq, I've been knitting my squares that way for years and years and it works well. If you and carole can find us on Facebook (Let's Wrap NZ) send a request to join and the addresses are all there.

I've started knitting a pink puerperium cardy - don't get excited lol I'm not going to be a nana again ( :( ), school friends of our sons are expecting a baby anytime now so I'm knitting it as a gift for him to give them. Just need to get the sleeves done and embroider some pretty flowers on it to jazz it up a bit.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-20 08:25:00

morning ladies, when I got up it was lovely and sunny with just a hint of fog at the top end of the harbour, but by the time I'd brought the Herald in, opened the curtains and made a cup of tea it's thick cotton wool type fog, can't see a thing.

I didn't get as far as doing any lawns yesterday but I did do some weeding and my back is telling me all about it this morning. I really don't mind doing the gardening, but Mr K doesn't like me being out there on my own and him sitting indoors on his own. He's not going to enjoy this afternoon as it's my afternoon out - I enjoy it.

Not sure if we will get a walk in today - have to wait and see if the fog clears. I have a parcel to package and send away, so will do that next. I've started a "mile a minute" blanket (pattern is on ravelry) and am going to have a quick go at the motifs for a "jelly mould" blanket (I think that's what it's called - it's another beautiful creation by Frankie Brown - she is so talented). See how that goes and I might make some for the Let's wrap up NZ effort, just have to make them bigger I think. I also did a few rows on my zig-zag blanket last night, but I struggled to see what I was doing so I will have to use my "daylight" lamp when I'm working on it.

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-05-20 08:36:00

Morning everyone
There is a list of stitchers on the fb page. Im one of them.

Some good ages for blankets.. I don't remember either of my grandmothers crocheting.. Im pretty sure Mums mum didn't crochet, cos Mum had to teach herself. And Im not even sure if Dads mum even knitted. Cos I don't remember seeing her knit.

I have a crochet blanket I made for my stepfather. I started making it from the left over wool, that Id been making bunnies for all my friends having babies. So it is 30 years old this year. We used to travel around a lot and Id take my crochet with me and do it in the car. Buying wool from places we went to.
Also have the Magic square blanket that Mum knitted. The only one, she said she would never make another, and didn't. It must be 8plus years old I suppose.
I will have to think of someone in my life, that in future years will look after it when Im gone. .I might not have met that person yet.

I had a rotten headache yesterday, so I googled and found a bit about warfarin causing horrible headaches. So going to make sure the dr knows.
Cant come off the warfarin but there might be something he can give me. Limited with painkillers too cos of the warfarin...
I went to rest for an hour, I got a text, just nodded off and the phone rang, just nodded off and the fire siren went, just nodded off and all the cars arrived to pick up kids at school.. I gave up lol

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-05-20 08:49:00

I have a crochet babies blanket my Aunty made me for my first daughter. Given that I was a norty teenager and Mum said the rellies would disown me it made it even more special. Ive used it for all 8 of my kids and 37 years later its still lovely

vivz2 - 2014-05-20 16:03:00

Well the sun chased the fog away, we went for our walk and I realised I had taken my wool to do some crochet while we sat in the park, and then realised I'd forgotten to take the hook, so I had to just sit, as in sit and do nothing. Not something I'm used to. Have to make sure I do some tonight instead of nodding off in the chair.

kuaka - 2014-05-20 18:34:00

*kuaka* I really do understand the need to get away 'alone' sometimes.
I did it today and although I hate shopping I needed a new pillow and I ended up coming home with 4 pillows, a nighty, lollies, a deep fryer, some oil and 1 doz bluff oysters....but I did feel less cranky. :)

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-20 19:15:00

grandmasue, I have Tuesday afternoons out and an hour or so on a Wednesday morning when I go to the knit and natter session, other than that, we are fairly well joined at the hip.

kuaka - 2014-05-20 21:07:00

Oh...we are joined by a small trolley and with matching recliners :) Actually his is of necessity bigger than mine and they are both risers, occasionally if I decide I want to go for a walk he tags along on his mobility scooter. No knitting done again tonight :(

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-20 21:41:00

morning :) gosh the fog is thick this morning! The Furry One is snuggled on my lap so he must be cold. He is not a 'morning' dog lol until around 9.00am and has his routine every day.

We have Mr K's family coming for lunch today so have a ham hock on for pea and ham soup. A perfect day for it. I should finish this wee cardy today so I can post it off to son.

I also like my time away from MrK, I would go stark raving mad if I didn't get time out.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-21 08:01:00

It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who needs time out. Mind you I have every evening on my own as Mr K always goes to bed early - which is just as well because we have very different tastes in tv programmes and he likes to channel hop with the remote which drives me insane. At least I get to choose what I watch in the evenings (or don't watch).

It's not foggy here, but it is cold and overcast. The cat hasn't gone out yet, she snuggled up on the bed beside me all night and kept my back warm for me, and although she's got her collar on (with a bell to warn the birds) and the cat door is open, she's sitting beside Mr K while he's reading the paper.

Was planning on changing the bed this morning and doing the washing, but I might just check the forecast first.

Knit and natter this morning, I'm taking bits of a blanket which is crocheted in narrow strips of colour, then the main colour is crocheted around those strips then the strips are crocheted together. It's really easy, really quick and I'm enjoying it.

Have a great day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-05-21 08:21:00

no fog here lovely warm sun shine. have not been doing much

carolev - 2014-05-21 08:38:00

Morning everyone.
We too are joined at the hip. The only time out I have is if I nip up the road for something. Or if I go to the library to print out patterns, so half an hour or so.
Im used to it. But there are some days, and today is one of them. Where Id simply like to go out and wander around the shops, instead of ducking in and out. Cos if he doesn't come into the shop, I don't get to have a look, I go in and get what I want.. I know Im in a disagreeable mood today, and that I don't wan to hear his constant chatter to bob. and If I pretend not to hear he does it louder.
Didn't sleep well again last night, which might have something to do with how Im feeling. Ill take a pill tonight lol

Has anyone here read Luminaries? I finished it last night. And after a long read full of descriptive stuff I felt the ending was a bit lacking...

I can smell the rain, it cant be too far away.

Working hard on my sleeve. Ill try and get that finished today. Since we will be out tomorrow.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-05-21 09:02:00

Only posting because it is 7 hours since somebody did. :) will pick up my knitting and do four rows, I have 140 sts on board and pattern is in blocks of four rows.

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-21 16:00:00

Can take a while to do with that many stitches eh GMS. The top pf my sleeve was 115 and I thought that was bad enough lol.. But I have Yay finally just cast off for the armhole. Soll Ill have all the main pieces finished in three weeks. Along with making squares and mittens. not too bad an effort for me.
Now just got what will feel like about a mile of frill to knit lol.. but Ill do some more squares for a break too

popeye333 - 2014-05-21 16:04:00

one more sleeve to do on this wee puerperium cardy, am not happy with the wool, it just looks lumpy and makes my knitting look uneven. Definitely needs something to cover up those bumps lol so I'll embroider some roses when it is all finished and blocked. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Had a call from our daughter today, she sees the specialist tomorrow morning to have her gall bladder out so looks like I'll be staying with her soon to help with our wee grandy. She won't be able to lift anything heavy for six week. And most exciting of all... our grandy is crawling! Wooohoooo lol, now her mum will be kept on her toes!

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-21 16:45:00

morning ladies :) just need to sew on buttons and embroider flowers and the wee cardy is finished. An outside day for me first though, the garden is calling... weed me!..... weed me!.... WEED ME!! lol

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-22 08:12:00

sunny morning here and like you kiwi the bulbs are calling plant me. Tania keeps for getting to plant them shopping today

carolev - 2014-05-22 08:39:00

kiwimade, I tend to have deaf ears when my garden calls me!

Much milder here today, sky is clear and the sun is shining, so I suppose I should make an effort and do some gardening later today, after our walk.

Almost finished the 'mile a minute' blanket. Will put up a pic when it's done.

Happy knitting.

kuaka - 2014-05-22 08:50:00

Morning everyone...
Ohh Kiwimade your Daughter will feel great when shes got rid of the gall bladder.
We have an Jonquill flowering.. Im going to pick it later

I finished the body parts of the cardy last night.. 3 weeks to the minute... So now just have the frill to do. didn't want to start that last night as its a thinking job.
So I crochet 3 squares instead.

Off shopping today. Will get some things for Poppys arrival. And need knickers, a pillow and some slippers.. That will all be covered by the Prezzy card I won, so its like free shopping lol.
MrP was maccas again for lunch. Ill get a wee kfc pack for me. I don't eat burgers unless I make them.

Have a good day Everyone

popeye333 - 2014-05-22 08:53:00

Have had a lovely time shopping. Got a few things for the new kitten and Bobcat.

Hes stabbed his paw at the new bed, but ignoring it now.. He will wan tit if she gets on it. lol
Her current Human Mummy gave birth very early this morning, and even tho I am not a mother, I don't fancy giving birth to a 10lb 4oz baby.. Ouchies....

Bit long in town for MrP and I mad him walk a fair bit too. so he said don't stop at maccas just go to kfc.. So that was yummy. Haven't had it for a while.

Still have tpo put the groceries away but my back needs a break first.

Hope all are having a good day

popeye333 - 2014-05-22 13:36:00

Just finished my Slouch Hat and knitted one square.
I had my annual diabetes review this morning all is good. A1C was 46. Cholesterol, excellent. Kidney/Liver function fine. Weight? I had gained 5 kgs :( However it was all better than expected, because I do know what I have been eating etc :)
I thought that because I have been on these meds for 19 years they might change me to Insulin , but the nurse said no, I am doing fine.

Just had grand-kids in after school. Miss 10 came in very flustered and upset over her little brothers lack of co-operation and lack of consideration for her headache.

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-22 16:00:00

Well guess who broke her little toe this afternoon? Well, at least it feels broken, and when I whacked it against the corner of the hearth, I heard quite a loud "crack", so I'm picking it's broken. Poor old Mr K says "I don't need you injured, who will look after me now?"

Almost finished the "mile a minute" blanket. Should finish it tonight, and I will put a pic up if I do.

kuaka - 2014-05-22 17:25:00

Great work GMS with your bloods etc... Well done for not heading towards insulin

Ouchies Kuaka.... I feel for you, sadly it will probably happen again as we normally whack the toes twice.
Don't you just love what the Mr"s say, cos they worry about their own care if we get sick.

I cant wait to see the blanket.. I haven't googled it. I should look. but Ill wait to see yours.

I haven't knitted or crochet anything today. Have just relaxed since we got home. Finally put the groceries away. I don't normally leave them on the bench but needed to rest the back.

I do hope Miss Poppy isn't fussy cos shes got a lot of food to pick from in the cupboard.

But we will have to buy another bed. There's no way in H*ll Bob can leave enough room for Poppy, and I don't think he is interested in sharing it at all lol
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/317444450.jpg

popeye333 - 2014-05-22 18:06:00

Thanks for that popeye - I know I broke the little toe on my other foot years ago and it was agony for a week or so, and then it eased off, until some twerp at the supermarket stood on it for me - I thought I would pass out. Turned out I had no less than 3 fractures on my little toe. Didn't think it was big enough to have that many fractures. Tonight my toe is throbbing like crazy, and it's red and very very hot. Good excuse to put the feet up and knit (or maybe crochet).

kuaka - 2014-05-22 19:40:00

sound like we all have had a bad day, I got some bad news well kind of sad news. got a phone call from the salvation army letting me know my husband had died. well I have not seen him in years and been apart from him since 1981.told Mr t he said well he won't bother us again

carolev - 2014-05-22 20:01:00

I guess it signifies the end of an era. It is good that they let you know Carolev seeing as it was 33 years ago . Did his children have contact with him?

My day was fine really. :) Especially as my diabetes review was a good one.

grandmasue1 - 2014-05-22 20:31:00

morning all. taking the car into garage this morning for a serives , then home to sew may be.

carolev - 2014-05-23 06:34:00

morning ladies :) Sorry to hear about your husband's passing carole, it was nice they let you know so you can tell the kids.

Ouchies about your toe kuaka. I did a similar thing a few weeks ago and then a week later again with the same toe on the other foot! Both feet were bruised and battered and ommgggg it hurt! So you have my full sympathy!

Our bank changed our VISA cards so they are linked into our mortgage interest rates so today we need to go in and change PIN numbers over. Also have to buy buttons for the pink cardy I knitted, forgot to take it with me yesterday so couldn't match buttons. And I didn't have enough of the same button in my button jar to use.

I knitted two and a half squares last night so will have some more to post off soon.

Happy knitting.

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:25 am, Fri 23 May

kiwimade64 - 2014-05-23 08:24:00

Thanks for all your sympathies, yes, it flipping well hurts like mad. I took painkillers last night and managed to sleep all night, and Mr K didn't manage to kick it so that's a plus.

Kiwimade you didn't seriously expect to find enough buttons for that cardi in your button jar did you? I reckon there never is enough for what you want and regardless of how many buttons you have, you just never find what you want. I think murphy's law of buttons goes something like this "the chance of finding what you need in your button jar reduces as the amount of buttons in the jar increases" (it just takes longer to search through them all to discover you haven't got what you want)

Was going to mow some lawns today but not sure that I will now.

Happy knitting.

kuaka - 2014-05-23 08:46:00