More FO's

I've managed to finish a few more projects -



PATTERN: Scarf of my own design,
YARN: Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre, 1 1/2 balls of Brew, 1 1/2 balls of Cassis.
NEEDLES: 4mm

I knitted this to use up left overs from my Origami Bolero but I ended up needing more yarn than I had and now have the same amount left over from this project - have to come up with something else to make!!

PATTERN: Origami Bolero from Knit 7 by Jo Sharp.

YARN: a huge selection of Jo Sharp yarns

NEEDLES: 5.5mm

SIZE: A

A really easy knit and I must admit I got a bit bored with it. Sewing in all the ends was painful and I actually had the knitting finished a while ago but only just got around to this step yesterday. It looks better on than the photo shows but its hard to take a photo of yourself :), before knitting it I liked the look of it as a jacket better (worn 'upsidedown') but now its finished I think I'll end up wearing it the bolero way around more.

PATTERN: Hat in Fisherman's Rib from Handknit's to Wrap and Adorn by Cleckheaton

YARN: Bendigo Classic 8ply

NEEDLES: 4mm

SIZE: 6-8 years

Knitted for Knit4Charity CoTM - Knitting for Brisbane's Needy. I'm a bit disapointed that I only so far have I thing finished for this - though I'm going to try and make a bit more over the weekend. I did start another hat but frogged it as I wasn't happy with the way it was turning out.

It feels good to have a few more things finished and to work through some of the stash.....

Bushfires

Just wanted to bring to peoples attention an appeal a ravelry member is doing (the following is a direct copy from the blog of Serendipity found at http://passionfruit.typepad.com/serendipity/)

"By now most of you would have heard of the devastating bushfires that have ripped through my state of Victoria.

To date 173 people have lost their lives and we have just been informed that the death toll could top 300 people. 750 homes have been lost and thousands of people have escaped with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The Victorian hospitals are also stretched through having to treat burns victims.

Animal rescue shelters have been rescuing and treating pets and wildlife which have also been caught in the flames.

The area of devastation surrounds Melbourne and it has been likened to "Hell on Earth". You only have to google Victorian bushfires to be confronted with the terrifying images.
In order to put the strength of these bushfires into context I will quote something that appeared in one of our daily newspapers today. "Bushfire heat is measured in energy - the number of kilowatts per metre of firefront. Country Fire Authority crews won't send anyone to fight a fire over 4,000 kilowatts per meter. The Kinglake fire was 20,000 kilowatts per meter. This is the equivalent to 10,000 electric radiators. DSE spokesman said sending firefighters to a blaze this hot would be 'suicide'."


I am one of the fortunate ones as I am nowhere near the fires and all my loved ones are safe. However I have friends who were surrounded by fires before managing to somehow keep them away from their homes and another friend has lost a young niece and nephew who died trying to escape.


In times like this we often ask what we can do? Well the knitting community is known for its generosity so I decided that there must be a way I could help coordinate efforts. I have been in contact with a number of yarn stores and designers who have all contributed something towards a raffle.


Basically how it works is you need to go to the Australian Red Cross Website and make a donation of AUD$10 or above to the Victorian bushfire appeal. For every $10 you donate you will go into the draw for a knitting/fibre related prize. Now the Australian dollar is so pathetic at the moment that for some of you $10 will hardly be felt at all! ;-)

Email me a copy of your receipt to this email address or knittershelpingvictorians at gmail dot com"

I urge everybody to join this campaign - she has been updating prizes as she receives them, so go to http://passionfruit.typepad.com/serendipity/ for more information. I've donated one of are popular "Flat Feet" along with some 3mm Clover Bamboo needles.

Shop Talk

Last month saw a lot of magazines enter the shop -

For some reason Vogue/VK International has changed its name to Designer Knitting. The publishers are being very vague as to why, anyway the content is exactely the same just a new name and cover.

I had an order place with Kaalund Yarns for new colours in Enchante, some scarf and wrap patterns and a new line - ClassicTwo which is a hand-dyed verigated 2ply wool. Somehow it got lost on the way......anyway it is being replaced and should be here by next week. (fingers crossed, I'll be nervous until it gets here).

I'm also taking pre-orders for The Knit Kit (due end March / early April), this kit is designed for travel with all your knitting knick knacks together in one kit.

I think thats all for shop talk.......

FO's

Some finished items -

A Bolero for the bubba girl



Pattern: Perfect Pollyanna from Simply Knitting, Issue 33

Size: 2 fits like a jacket, she still should be able to wear it next year as a shorter bolero.

Yarn: 4 ply Bella Baby Sugar 100% wool used double- picked up for 50c a ball from Spotlight a while ago

My first toe up sock (I think I perfer top down but its something for my firsts list), notice I said sock - still needs a friend.

Pattern: Leyburn Socks found on rav.

Yarn: Moda Vera Socks, 75% wool 25%

Polyamide

Size: me