Stash Busting

I'm on a determined mission to use the weeny bits of yarn that clutter my stash at the moment.

Felix Cardy in Ashford Tekapo Wisteria:

Rainbow Dress in The Wool Company Utiku Gems:
One Skein Baby Bolero in Paton's Washed Haze Aran:

Not a bad effort in the last week and a half in which one small family member had an ED visit head injury and all of us suffered a tummy bug.

Sock it to me!

Cable Footies from One Skein

Handpaint Highlights Socks from One Skein Wonders

I really need to learn how to knit two socks at once. These have been cursed by Second Sock Syndrome for far too long but I triumphed over them during Easter.

Still Knitting

Truth be told, I've been in a bit of a knitting funk since going on our camping holiday.

I finished these before going:

Placket Neck Sweater from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

(I also did a matching cotton baby hat)

Smockie based on Second Little Sublime Handknits pattern

Matching Basket Hat from 101 Designer One Skein Wonders

Baby Hat from One Skein, Baby Booties from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

Since our holiday I've only managed to finish off the baby hat, knit a couple of dishcloths, stare blankly at M8's half finished second sock and daydream about the things I'd like to knit for myself. I'm hoping a bit of wet weather and a cooler temperature this weekend will get the knitting juices flowing again. I really need my preggie friends to start popping out little girls now.

Work

"You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours." Psalm 128:2

I'll quickly note that we are not proponents of "prosperity theology" at our place. I simply like this Scripture about enjoying the results of your hard work. I was stimulated to think about "work" when Jen tagged me. My paid work career began at 14 years old when I got a job at our local dairy to start saving for university. I worked part-time in a supermarket later in high school and did summer work at the aluminium factory my grandad worked at. While at Uni I did part-time work in the ragtrade which turned into a full-time job when I finished. I was made redundant after 6 months and went on the dole. Six months later I got a job with an international aid and development organisation where I stayed for 9 years, with a bit of part-time study thrown in for good measure. In the middle of that time I left and did social research for a department at the University of Auckland Medical School. I went back to part-time work with the aid agency when my first baby was 5 months old.

I finally quit paid work when 3 months pregnant with #2. Since then I've had the privilege of choosing to be at home learning with my kids. Honestly, I still struggle with many aspects of this choice but I'm grateful for this opportunity!

There are so many intangible aspects to unpaid mothering work that I revel in the tangible achievements of craft. This weekend...

Cotton Baby Bolero from One Skein.

Quick and easy re-useable fabric shopping bag that's been claimed by I5.

A bit'o'knittin'

My lurking Work In Progress...a half crocheted market bag in a hemp 8ply. I really want the bag but I'm finding the repeat rounds a little tedious. Next time I'll knit one as I find that so much faster (if only I could remember where I saw a pattern for a knitted one recently!).

My poor Cable Footie (in Naturally Sensation) from One Skein is suffering Second Sock Syndrome! I can see the wisdom in knitting both socks at once on circulars. I will have to make myself cast on the partner tonight while watching The Corporation.

Yeah, not great photos but the sun was shining on my bed so I quickly took advantage. Here is a wee bit of knitting I did for a friend in The Wool Company "Gems" 8ply. I did a Little Turtle Knits Soaker, Picky Pants and the rolled brim hat from Alterknits.

One Skein Projects Update

It's official. I love the projects in One Skein!

These hats were very quick and fun to whip up. Now to find a newborn recipient for the small one and post the bigger one to England.

Yeah, I can do cables! Oh chunky yarn, how I love thee. A2's scrummy hat took one day.

The one problem I have with US knitting books is getting the appropriate yarn. I got this one wrong as my Ruffle Cravat is a lot bigger than the one in the picture and took TWO skeins. Still nice and fast though!

My current W.I.P is Daphne's Baby Cape from Knit 2 Together.

One Skein Projects

I love my two new knittings books I got for Mothers' Day. One Skein and Knit 2 Together (thanks for loaning me your copy to peruse, Andrea) arrived on my doorstep this week.

I wondered why I couldn't find a park outside my local yarn store and was most gratified to discover it's because they have a sale on! Clever me for having One Skein tucked into my handbag.

Now, I'm all set to try these three projects:

I need to get a-clackin'!