Happenings

I've been all over this country side in the past week. Well, not entirely, but it sure can feel like it when you travel nearly 800kms back to my home town and then another 200kms further to visit our family farm.

A little distance never stopped me.

I absolutely LOVED getting back to my home town last week to see my friends and family. It was the best week, and I managed to cram as much as I could into almost seven full days.

A few snap shots of what has been happening with me lately.

Firstly, I finished off Kate's Mary-Jane's which no longer resemble the typical "Mary-Jane's" but are adorable and comfy none-the-less.

I also managed to whip up a squishy cowl neck warmer for my dad on Tuesday afternoon. Dad spends some mornings on the motorbike on our property and it can get mighty cold this time of year. I hope this warmer will do the trick. I felt so at peace sitting and knitting in my parent's garden. I miss it just thinking about it. Sitting on the patio with our family dogs beside me and the sun going down over the yard is pure magic to me.

[Both project details can be found on Ravelry here.]

Also pure magic - visiting our family property. A few friends and I headed [further] west and spent two nights 'roughing it' in our swags in the bush. I love camping and it is becoming a tradition with our friends now. I love every bit of it. Even when my hair starts to smell of smokey campfire. I love it.

Seeing my horses was definitely a highlight. I miss them so much.

I can't wait to get home again. If we lived closer I feel like I'd be there all the time. There really is no place like home.

E, x

A little ruffle

Yesterday amidst 'trying' to get some uni work done/ relax/ spend time with my BF, I managed to finish (and salvage) a scarf that I have been knitting for quite some time!

I posted about the 'Little Ruffle' scarf way back here and yesterday I completed it!

I didn't think I would get this scarf done as I had accidentally broken some of the yarn off when I was attempting to un-do some of the knitting that I had already done because I wasn't happy with it (big mistake!)

When the yarn broke, I threw the project into the 'I'll never get this finished' pile even though I am in love with the yarn and the colour and I really wanted it to be done.

Last week, my mum and I were sorting through my yarn stash and I found it again and having looked at it with fresh eyes, it didn't seem so ruined after all! I confided in my 'knitting guru' friend and she told me how to finish it. I was so excited, I got my needles fired up and got it done last night.

Its a good thing I didn't give up on this baby because I love it, even with its ruffle imperfections and a few boo-boos here and there. Its snuggly, soft and beautiful. I can't wait for the weather to cool down so I can officially wear it.

I have a few knitting and crochet 'WIP's (work in progress) that I need to get to since sorting my stash. I find knitting and crochet so therapeutic and right now my life is so hectic and at times overwhelming that I need a bit of therapy here and there.

I'm off to try and do some uni homework now, wish me luck!!

The k1 p1 bulky scarf WIP

Ah I love some good knitting sanity. This little beauty is a treasure to knit (oh, and so easy I can even watch TV while I go - gotta love that!)

I'm whipping this up for my Graphic Design assignment, it is to go with a theme of "Country Road" clothing's' winter line. Bulky, warm knits are in this winter so I think it is quite fitting. I love it. I decided to go with a very simple design of knitting one row and then purling the next, so simple but I love the simplicity of it.

I was cruising along with this knit this morning but realised quickly that I should have checked the yardage of the skein because I needed to order more! (Doh!) Anyway, my last little parcel only took a few days to arrive from WA so I'll hopefully be back on track and finished by the end of the week!

I'm loving the feel of this Spud and Chloe Outer yarn! Ooh its gorgeous and works up really nicely! I've ravelled my progress here.

More knitting news soon friends!

Yarnin'

Brrr Winter is really starting to set in down here in the South of NSW. I've dragged out my winter woollies and my hot water bottle has made many a nights appearance! The chilly months always motivate me to get back into the crafts that I love and are still learning about; crochet and knitting.

I have been crocheting for a few years now and knitting for a little less time but haven't really found my full stride with knitting just yet but I am determined to get into it again and at least see some improvement by summer time!

I have been working on some simple patterns lately to ease myself back into it all. At the moment on the crochet front I am working on a hex-y blanket for my couch. I wanted to use some bright and happy colours so I am using 4 different colour-ways of the Cascades Heathers. They are lovely and soft and really easy to work with!

Its coming along nicely. In amongst my busy schedule I have been attempting to keep up with Kate over at Fox's Lane with her "motif-a-day-in-may" pursuits. She is attempting to crochet a small motif a day all throughout May which inspired me to get on board and attempt a hex-y a day. Of course I am slightly behind but determined to catch back up and have 31 nicely made hex-y's by the end of the month! Check out Kate's motifs on her blog, they are GORGEOUS!

(lots of ends to sew in!!!)

On the knitting front I was very excited to hear the postie pull up at my house this morning with a special yarn delivery! I ordered some Spud and Chloe Outer yarn last week in the colour-way "Peat" and it showed up today and is divine! I'm in love! This is my first time using Spud and Chloe yarn so I am even more excited to get cracking!

This lovely yarn will be transformed into a chunky knit scarf (possibly cowl - still deciding) for a Graphic Design assignment I have at the moment. Its hard to explain but will work in fabulously with what I have planned! :)

More crafty news to come soon hopefully with progress piccies!
What are you hooking or knitting at the moment?

Its been waaay too long!

For those of you that have been following my blog for a little while now you may remember that in 2010 I quickly became addicted to crochet and knitting. Well, after a very looooong break from the needles (and hook) I have finally  picked up a project that has been patiently waiting for me to show it some tender love and attention!

Knitting - I'm back!!!! (lol)

This little number is the soon to be finished (hopefully) "Wurm Cowl", and you may remember me posting about it way back here.

Here's hoping I can get my crafty mojo back! I am hoping to get this little cowl finished and I want to tackle an easy pattern for a knitted blanket. I have an old couch of Mum and Dad's that I'll be using at my new flat for uni so I want to knit a gorgeous throw blanket for it.

If you know any good patterns or have seen some on Ravelry comment below, I'd love to hear about them so I can soon get a wriggle on with it!

The Wurm...

This week I cast on Cat Readings version of "The Wurm Cowl" that I have ravelled here.

I've decided that this pretty project will be for my Mum.

Mum does so much for so many people she doesn't even realise it. So I'm making this for her as a gift! Everyone deserves a gift everynow and then to say thanks!

It's an easy going pattern, made with yummy Malabrigo worsted. If you've ever checked out The Wurm pattern before you will know its an easy combo of knitting and purling. I love it.

As you can tell I've hardly done anything (only 3 rows of garter, 5 rows of purl and 1.5 rows of knitting to be exact!!) but I have a feeling this will be a quick knit and I love that!!

You might also be wondering about my Little Rufflte. Don't worry, I haven't lost motivation! I actually ran out of yarn (don't you hate that!?) so I managed to pick up some more Malabrigo and will hopefully have it done and dusted soon!

More knit-news to come soon.

I'm playing along with Kootoyoo's creative space here. Whats in your creative space this week?

Ellie..........x

My Creative Space - This here mess...

In amongst all of the mess that we have to deal with everyday I feel like no matter how bad we feel and how bad we think we hate everything there are some things in amongst it all that still make us smile.

I've been trying hard to do this lately. For a couple of weeks now I've been happy to wallow and be sad and deal with a crummy situation (and sometimes I still do feel happy to do this) but I can't deny that there's at least a couple of things that have helped me feel good.

I've been plodding along with this "Little Ruffle" for about 3 weeks so far (sad I know, I'm a bit of a slow knitter hey?!) but I am slowly getting the bulk of it done. I hope by this weekend to have the ruffle part started and then I'm on the home stretch!

This is one of the things making me smile. It mightn't look like much now, but stay tuned!!

I think sometimes it's important to acknowledge the things that are making us happy - no matter how small or silly they may be.

What's making you smile today??

I'm playing along with "my creative space", come play along over here.

Ellie........ x

In my garden...

Today in our town a storm was brewing.

Thunder was rumbling off in the distance and the sun was barely peaking through the overcast clouds. It was a typically chilly autumn day but there was a special feel to the breeze that enticed me to get out of the warmth of the house and explore outside & the garden.

Autumn can be such a pretty time in the seasons don't you think??

Now is the perfect time to be knitting. Its chilly and sometimes dreary outside and all I want to do is stay in and knit. (My granny status is rising!!! hehe Just kidding, knitting is SO not only for grannies!)

At the moment I am busily working on my "Little Ruffle" scarf that I am so excited to be making. What a gorgeous pattern, but very time consuming! It is taking me a loooong time to get the bulk of the scarf done and lots of continual knitting and purling rows (47 inches to be exact. At the moment I've done about 34 inches and counting...)

I am trying so hard to hold myself back from starting a new project until I cast off on the Ruffle because I don't want to lose interest because I really really want to be able to wear my Ruffle before the end of winter!!

Next up on my "to-do" list is this gorg number, made with yummy Malabrigo Worsted of course!

I can't get enough of Malabrigo yarns at the moment. Luckily for me Jodie at Jellywares has PLENTY of Malabrigo to purchase in her shop so I am stocking up when ever I can before she sells out!

My Ruffle is being whipped up in the beautiful Malabrigo Silky Merino and I am head over heels in love with this yarn. I think I love this yarn even more than I love the Malabrigo worsted. Its silky and shiny and soft! I definitely reccommend if you can get your hands on some - do it!!!

Okay, enough lusting over yarns, I'm off to bed. I can't believe that the weekend is over already, where did it go? Time doesn't seem to stand still for very long anymore!! I think its a sign that I am getting old! LOL

Good night Blogland.

Ellie..........x

An Old Fav is a New Craze...

I haven't been knitting for all that long (in fact, I learnt to knit when I was little by an old babysitter but never followed through with it until I was inspired by this friend to pick up the needles again early last year!!)

I'm sure it's been a love for a lot of you out there for a reaaaaally long time.

Lately online I have been noticing that more and more people are following the trend of hand-making gorgeous knits and it is becoming a "trendy" craze again!

(I think it's been trendy all along... but thats just me!! hehe)

Check out the popular Sportsgirl drive to get like-minded crafty peeps to start their love (or re-vive their love) of knitting by creating "Knitting groups" in major cities around Australia!!

Who would have thought that Sportsgirl would jump on the band wagon!

(All pics are from Sportsgirl online)

I noticed when I was in the city a week or so ago that Sportsgirl are also using the "Make-Do & Mend" slogan as part of their new Winter line. It seems that everybody is getting back to the "old" way of doing things - personally I LOVE this! I think more people should embrace handmade goods!!

Check it out at their site here where you can read more about their craft-kick!

Who do you think might jump on the knitting wagon next??

Ellie......x

Knitting for the soul...

Hi Bloggy Friends,

I am so sorry to have kept you hanging without any word of my where abouts lately.

I've been going through a hard time at the moment and am dealing with some tough life stuff so I have been hiding out for a while to get myself back together.

(image)

During this time I've been slowly doing some knitting, I think its good for the soul don't you?

I hope to be back to normal soon.

Ellie........ x

Make what you would buy!

I LOVE being a crafty person and I love being able to share it with friends and people that I care about.

While out tonight for a dinner date (at the chocolate shop!!! hehe) with my good girly friend Heidi, we went into one of her favourite retail stores Witchery to browse (since we both currently cant afford a mega shopping spree lol)

Whilst scoping through the store "Ooohing and Ahhing" at all of the cute things we wished we could buy tonight she pointed out to me a gorgeous mega chunky and mega long khaki knitted scarf that she LOVES!

Much like this one...

(image from here)

Oooh it was yummy, but at a price of $79.95!!! Whoa!

I reassured Heids not to worry, there was another way to get the pretty scarf and that would be for me to make one (and at a fraction of the cost!!).

She was stoked.

So now on my ever growing "list of things to make" is Heidi's "witchery-knock-off" scarf. I can't wait to cast on!! Isn't it an awesome feeling knowing you can make garments you'd lust over in big expensive shops?! I think so!

Ellie..........x

Purls of Wisdom

Ah, it is so nice to be in a town (for the short term) and be able to go into a bookstore to buy books (rather than what I settle for most days and buy online!).

Yesterday Roger and I did a big stroll around Wagga checking things out, shopping and browsing and as soon as I saw the bookstore I jumped and raced in to see what I could find.

(As I've previously mentioned in other posts), some of you may know that I have a terrible habit of buying gorgeous books and never getting around to reading them, or half reading them and never finishing. Well I committed the crime yesterday of buying yet again another book but this time I am convinced that I'll use it!!

I am slowly and surely falling into a deep love with knitting and it's sad because my skills aren't that great. Never fear though, I am determined to be a master of this gorgeous craft and "Purls of Wisdom" is going to lead the way!!

I was so exited when I opened this book and took a quick "pre-purchase squiz". I haven't found a book yet that explains knitting so well like (the author) Jenny Lord does! There's so many little helpful hints, how-to's and tips that will help me overcome those knitting obstacles. She teaches the basics like how to cast on/off, how to make an i-cord, how to increase etc etc.

She also includes some cute patterns that help put into practice the learning's from the book! I'm in love with this book already and can't wait to get home to my local yarn supplier (Jellywares) and stock up on some yarns to tackle a new project with my new found knitting confidence!!

I think I'll give these little hand warmies a go now that the weather is feeling chilly!!

I hope you all have a great week, I'll be back to normal and home again this coming Saturday (I cannot wait!) Hopefully I'll have some new knitting to share with you!!

Ellie..........x

Must have patience

So some of you may be wondering... what the heck happened the Ellie's "Lady Kina" cardi?!

Well folks, despite being hugely overwhelmed and bogged down by chemistry experiment reports, tonight I decided that I needed some "down time" from study and added a couple of extra rows to my cardi.

So here's a sneak peak of the (almost finished-but not quite) cardi.

(PLEASE PLEASE excuse and ignore the grey sweater shirt I have on under the cardi, I've been hanging about in comfy clothes all day at uni and was so not bothered to change into a nice singlet that would have looked better under the cardi to take pictures in! LOL)

I'm thinking at the moment that I may have made the "collar" part of the cardi a little too big (around the neck) but I'm sure it shouldn't look too bad once it's done and sitting right.

All that is left to do now is finishing knitting the garter stitch edging and then sew up the arm seams!!! How exciting!

Not far to go!

I'm off to do some more study.

Keep smiling :o)

Ellie..........x

Kina progress...

This week in my creative space I have been slowly making progress on

my Lady Kina cardi.

It's growing ever so slowly, as I add another purl row here and another knitted row there. No matter how long this little number is going to take, I'm very much in love!

I'm about 2cm off casting off for the sleeves and I'm guessing that once this is done its pretty much more smooth sailing of the stockinette stitch right to the end... perfect!

I'm determined to get this cardi finished because I have a nasty habit of starting gorgeous projects and not getting around to finishing them!

Not this time folks!!!

What do you think of the colour?? I'm feeling very much into blue at the moment... in case you couldn't already tell! lol

Whats been happening in your creative space this week??

Ellie .......... x

Ooooh I'm loving....

Do you scroll through the pages and pages of the amazingly inspiring patterns on Ravelry and dream about sitting at home in a comfy spot knitting or crocheting all of your loves?

I DO!! I'm guilty of this on many occasions and today is no exception!

There seems to be so many awesome patterns popping up all over the place and it makes me want to buy yarn and hooks and needles and bury myself in craftiness! LOL

One pattern really caught my eye today, and I am loving it to bits! Sadly I think it may be a little too difficult for my "beginner-ish" knitting skills, but I'm still going to dream of making this pattern anyway!

The Cowboy Cowl by Pam Powers

Oh I love!

I think its so cute and perfect for winter. I love cowls and I can see myself wearing this pretty in the coming cooler months.... Ah a girl can dream!

What pretty patterns or projects are you dreaming about??

Ellie x

Oh, P.s If you haven't heard of Ravelry yet... (I'm pretty sure most of you would have!) definitely check it out! Its a whole database of knitting and crochet patterns for crafters EVERYWHERE!

:o)

My creative space

This week in My creative space I am casting on and knitting my Lady Kina cardigan.

I'm loving this pattern and can't wait to be able to wear this cardi for this coming winter!

I'm using some gorgeous Cascades Heathers yarn in a to-die-for blue. I love this blue and think its sooo pretty! I'm really loving blues at the moment!

Here's a piccie of what it should look like once I'm done...

Hopefully this blue beauty will fly off the needles. More to come soon!

Ellie x