Ravelry Snobbery

I don't want to be a Ravelry snob, and neglect those that haven't received their invite yet, but it is so damn good that I can't help wanting to update my projects there first, before blogging on here. You really need to sign up if you haven't already.

Here's some of the fruits of my labour recently

Shedir, pattern available here
Yarn: Jo Sharp Wool DK in light blue
All credit must go to Mr KA for this photo, taken on the boys camping trip to the north west of WA. I think the rugged beauty perfectly matches this gorgeous hat.
Mods: I did one less pattern repeat in length and skipped all of the non-decreasing rows in the crown, as it would have been more like a giant sock if I knitted the pattern as written. Perhaps my row gauge was off. It's definitely worth trying on for size before starting the second to last and last pattern repeats.
I love how this pattern turns out and I would love to make another in a yarn with much better stitch definition (a bad tradesman always blames the tools!)

Kate the Kat

The world's worst FO photo
Can you find Kate the Kat?

In other news:
I am LOVING Ravelry
I've moved my baking exploits to it's own blog
Did I mention how great Ravelry is??? Come find me, I'm KnitAnnie.

JB Cushion

Its been so long I've forgotten what its called. I had to look at my own sidebar, to jog my memory of what name I'd given this project.
I give you.....

The Jelly Bean Cushion
Here it is in situ, in a preview of Miss Primroses new bedroom, which marks the move to a big kid's bed and her 2nd birthday.




Pattern: Contrast Bobble Cushion from Handknits for the Home by Caroline Birkett (Conran publishers)
Yarn: Mostly Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Cranberry with some cheap "mohair" for the contrast
An easy knit that went relatively fast when I found time to work on it. I changed the back side, inspired by Yarnstorm's cushions. More here and here and plenty more scattered through her back catalogue of posts.

Buttons from the ButtonQueen in Melbourne.

The Winter of My Discontent

While the northern hemisphere basks in summer glory, I am languishing in the glum of winter, and struggling as a result. Although we are blessed with a scattering of sunny days, enough to take some photos of my latest WIP – green baby blanket…….

Note: my winter blues even prevents me coming up with a more interesting name. Suggestions welcome.

……the remainder of my projects are leaving me despondent.

My Domestic Goddess project (see side bar for an explanation) is testing me. When I began I was endeavouring to cook every recipe, in order, from start to finish. Until now I have achieved that without pains. Now I have reached the savoury section, the ‘in order’ part is causing some problems. Normally I’ll eat most things, except offal and pork pies, and now that I’m pregnant even typing those words is testing my constitution. So it was a test to make this Pizza Rustica All’Inglese with lashings of pork mince, bacon, cottage cheese and egg.

Mr KA and I tried one mouthful each and the rest of this pie went into the rubbish (1/2 a star rewarded for the pastry only). A disappointment since the original Pizza Rustica recipe was a marginal success (photo on it's way:3 stars, a bit strong). However, after several hours spent searching ingredients, preparing, rolling and cooking this seems like a total waste, in more than the obvious sense. It makes me think what’s the point? Am I just going through the motions for the sake of this project, which I have promised only to myself?

My despair is compounded by the fact that the very next recipe is another version of this pie, with a pork sausage and spinach filling (if this blog had sound, there’d be retching).

I feel I need to ask the blogsphere permission in this case, to skip this recipe with the intention of coming back to it when my constitution will allow, and when I am certain there’ll be a recipient who at least likes the sound of it. Do I have your blessing?

Baking update

1. 39 Strawberry Shortcakes, 2. Supper Onion Pies mini, 3. American Breakfast Pancakes, 4. Johnny cakes, 5. Baklava and Lemon and Raspberry muffins, 6. Blueberry Muffins

All Delicious.
I have reached the savoury but already missing the sweets.

Presenting Patti

Yes I am still alive. If anyone is still out there, here is Patti.

Details: Patti by Sarah Hatton.
Yarn: 8 balls of Rowan Felted Tweed in colour 159, carbon.
Size: Small
Mods: I dropped the collar and sewed the pleats together both front and back to reduce the volume.





I think this is a very cute knit and actually quite quick, if you didn't procrastinate as much as I did. I am not sure it's exactly suited to my body type, maybe more for those with flatter chests and less hips. But still very cute.


If I was a way faster knitter with limitless yarn budget I would make it again but knit the front and back without the pleats. I'd also make the seam across the bust an inch or two lower.
I made the smallest size based on my body measurements, and I'm normally a 12 (8 US size) so they are pretty generous sizes

I think this may be the first garment with sleeves I have knitted that I may wear in public. It'll be a great pregnancy cardi.... oh, did I forget to mention Miss Primrose is getting a brother/sister on January 1st (or there abouts). That may explain some of the procrastination.

Not to forget my beautiful daughter, she got a new hat for our camping trip.

Details: Baby Shedir by Something from Nothing
Yarn: 1 ball of Jo Sharp DK Wool in a heathered green, knit on 3.5mm addi circs using magic loop.



I'll definitely make one of these again, the pattern was great 'driving knitting' for the trek to Margaret River, but easy enough to whip up in a couple of sessions. Using exactly one ball of DK yarn, it's also great stash knitting.

There has also been baking progress on the Nigella Project, but I'll save those photos for my next post, which should be infinitely more regular than previously demonstrated.

A special hello to my secret pal if she's reading. I haven't forgotten you!

Lazy sunny afternoon

so here's 7 random facts about me.
Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write on their blogs 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and need to read your blog.
1. This afternoon I uttered the following sentence for the first time ever:
"you just can't eat peas and ride a bike at the same time". Hopefully I never have to repeat it.
2. I cannot even be NEAR you if you like your eggs runny.
3. I was held up at gun point when I worked part time at a post office during university. The robber apologised as he left, how polite!
4. I am currently working very hard to get on Ready Steady Cook here in Australia
5. The best concert I ever went to was Groove Armada at the Brixton Academy
6. My favourite TV show is Lost
7. If there is a magazine near me, I flick through it cover and cover and ignore everything else, even if you try to talk to me. Very bad manners.



Laurie, Katie, Karen, JCHandmade, Laura, Minty and Lomester you're it.