Windward

This pattern by Heidi Kirrmaier  is one of my very favourites. For some reason it evokes special memories for me. I don't know if it was the yarn, the colour, the pattern or all of that but it was always very enjoyable to work on this project. I love the ragged edges and although I am usually ordered in my psyche and have a passion for things to be neat and even the weirdness of this pattern is what drew me to it. A clever construction and interesting to knit.

The yarn is from Moseley Park and it's a wool and bamboo sock yarn which gives beautiful drape to the scarf. I chose the colour with the thought of the rough, ragged cliff faces around some of Australia's coastline. The asymmetrical and ragged edges of this pattern bring to mind the very scenic rugged sandstone cliffs that yield to the forces of the ocean creating spectacular jagged rock formations.

It is also at home here among the Autumn leaves.

What to knit now? So many choices!

Cheers,
Lynda

Wordless Wednesday What a sticky beak!

Photos by Marnie

Cheers,
Lynda

Sock Update

The Longitudinal Socks that I have been working on are finished. .My tootsies will be warm! The socks are bright and colourful and it will be interesting to see how the Wisdom sock yarn stands up to the wear. It looks as though it would felt in the washing machine but it is 75% super wool so I guess it won't felt. I didn't start each sock with the same colour. I think the randomness adds to the effect of the longitudinal stripes.

It's definitely getting cold enough to bring out the woollies.

Cheers,
Lynda

Longitudinal Socks

There is just one at the moment but the second sock is on the needles and I hope to have it done soon. I really do need some lovely warm handknit socks for Winter. Now that I have experienced the beauty and warmth of handknit socks I don't want to go back to store bought ones.

I decided to try the Longitudinal Sock pattern by Nicola Susen for something different to try. The yarn is Poems Sock Yarn. The colour is Vista. It was a good technique and fast to knit up although I did push the knitting aside for awhile to enjoy the last of the hot weather.

Instead of using the magic loop I used two circular needles. I found that easier and quicker than pulling up a loop especially at the beginning.

I knit using the English method but I used the continental method for these socks as garter stitch works up easy and fast using the picking technique and it made for a change. I don't think I would ever purl that way though. I guess it would get easier with practice.

The contruction was interesting and I very much enjoyed doing the kitchener stitch for garter stitch to close the seam.

There is a lot of give in the fabric due to the garter stitch running vertical so I omitted a couple of rows in the middle of the sock to make it narrower. I am glad I did that as they are now a perfect fit with no creases or wrinkling over the instep.

All up a fun knit and a good wearable sock.

Cheers,
Lynda

Meet Hugo

Marnie and Shan are going to love riding Hugo. He's an 8 year old big chestnut thoroughbred gelding with a big heart to match. He loves pats and cuddles.

Cheers,
Lynda

Autumn

 “Fall colors are funny. They’re so bright and intense and beautiful. It’s like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary.”
Siobhan Vivian, Same Difference

After the long, scorching heatwave of early March, Autumn hit with a blast during the last week. The cooler weather is much welcomed. The landscape is slowing turning green again and the showers of rain have settled the dust and revived the garden. Today is particularly horrible with a gusty North wind but more often the early Autumn days are sunny and warm and give me good reason to love this time of year.

It is a fun season to do art activities with the little ones. Lachie and I spent an afternoon recently doing leaf rubbings with crayons and watercolour paints and other art projects inspired by the Autumn leaves that are beginning to fall.

 

Using art as a learning activity for children is one of my favourite things to do. I don't know who had the most fun, Lachie or me.

Cheers,
Lynda

Cheers to you, dear friend

Sending birthday wishes across the miles to our dear and very special friend Erin. Hope your day is perfect.

Having tea and macarons this afternoon my thoughts are with you and wish that one day we can gather around the kitchen table and eat cake, birthday cake or otherwise I am not fussy! Hope you used your birthday wishes wisely! Hah!

You brighten every day with your uplifting, encouraging and inspiring ways and I am blessed to have your friendship in my life. You deserve all the best things to come your way and I hope this is an awesome year for you.

♥❄♥ ¸.•*´ ♡♥ ❇ ★ ♡♥ ☆ `*•.¸ ♥❄♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥❄♥ ¸.•*♡
♥ ❇ ★ ♡♥ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN ☆ *•.¸ ♥❄♥
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥❄♥ ¸.•*´♡♥ ❇ ★ ♡♥ ☆ *•.¸ ♥❄♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Much love today and always,
Lynda & family
xox

Silver Linings Cowl/Scarf

This project is easy peasy and quick to crochet. The pattern is Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf by Tamara Kelly from Moogly and it is free. I appreciate the designers who provide free patterns. The yarn is Moda Vera Ambrosia which has a silk thread running through it that gives a lovely sheen. I bought the yarn on special at Spotlight for $2 per ball and I used two balls of yarn so this made a very economical accessory. It took just a few hours to complete.

It is long enough that it can be worn in a few different ways and I think it is one of the most wearable and gorgeous projects I have made.

My original attempt at this pattern was using Cleckheaton Artisan 12 ply but the yarn when crocheted is so cratchy that even the beautiful rustic colour runs will not save it from frogging.

Cheers,
Lynda