Just A Quick One

I've got a cold so I'm feeling a bit miserable and sorry for myself but I feel ten times better (at least) than I did when I woke up this morning, so that's good. What a ridiculous time to get a cold!

All I could think last night while I was trying to crochet a bit more of my hankie edge was "would it be wrong to blow my nose on this while I'm crocheting the edge?". I am sure everyone will be pleased to know that I did, in fact, determine it would be wrong. After using up all my tissues and resorting to loo paper, a soft cotton handkerchief just seemed so much nicer. I didn't do much of the edge, I couldn't concentrate...

I worked for a few hours today but my boss sent me home at 11, which I was happy about because I was feeling rotten then. All I wanted to do was come home, strip off and have a shower because I was feeling sweaty and gross but what happened was that I came home and fell into bed, fully clothed (trussed up like a Christmas turkey!), so I woke up feeling rather restricted and even more disgusting but not as sick. I slept for about 5 hours and that seems to have done the trick for me, at least I'm functioning on most cylinders now (and I did about half a row of my Romance project, too).

I posted Spoilee's package this morning, can I count it as "on time" since I posted it in November? It was a bit mean of me to post it late and then post it so she would have to wait all weekend but I am just glad I've got it done. Time runs away from me!

I get to go and pick up another package from the Post Office tomorrow, I know what's in it and I'm very excited! - wire and beads, wonderful beads (I hope).

That's about it from me, I'm going to go to back to bed, I think I'll be feeling even better when I wake up.

Something Unusual

I've had a long day and I will write more later this evening or tomorrow...but I have a few photos to share. They're not the photos one would expect to see here, as they are not crochet related.





I admit I know very little about cars, just as much as I need to know to get from A to B relatively safely. One thing I do know is driving on the motorway can be treacherous at the best of times, add in a blown out tyre during a particularly busy time and with a speed of up to 110kms per hour and matters can become even more complicated...I am just really thankful that it turned out as well as it did. My "eight-hour-working-day" became a "10-hour" one but, believe me, I am not complaining.

I did not make it home in time to pick up my car from the mechanic but making it home safely is good enough for me!

I did get some crocheting done earlier on in the piece...

Hankie Pankie

I was glad to wake up this morning - I kept dreaming my car had been stolen and I was trying to get to work without my car! I checked on Frank and was very relieved to find him safe and sound in the driveway. We got a fair bit of rain yesterday evening and last night, so I was hopeful all the spiderwebs and dust and grubbiness had been washed away but no such luck! I was embarrassed when I dropped my car off for a service after work, it's absolutely filthy.

Another thing I got yesterday (along with wet) was my Crochet Australia order and I'm very pleased - I started my first #30 (European #50, apparently) thread project and it's turning out much better than I thought it would. I'm attempting a hankie edging, just a very simple one but still, I feel enormously proud. #30 thread and a 1.25mm hook.

I'm making the pattern up as I go along and I am not sure when it will be finished - strictly speaking, I could've finished it after Round 3 but it was a bit on the plain side so I wanted to try and jazz it up a bit in the next round. That is an idea I may come to regret but the good news is, I have another three hankies to play with and I only need one really nice one to show. The others I can give as gifts (and yes, I do know people who would appreciate a crocheted-edged handkerchief). It is not turning out exactly as I envisaged it but never mind, I am having fun.

I looked at my edging patterns and there were quite a few I liked but I couldn't make heads nor tails out of the patterns after I read through them. They just didn't make sense to me at all.

Secret Pal, I am really looking forward to seeing your PCB, how exciting - round 25! I do like that pattern a lot, I will start my one soon.

If the weather is alright tomorrow, it looks as if I may be a passenger during a Very Long Drive for work so it's quite possible I can make some good progress on two of my projects. Of course (because I get this opportunity every so often, although not for as long as tomorrow), it's very likely I will make many mistakes because I am not paying enough attention and then when I get home, I will have to undo it all. Note to self: be extra careful!

A few of us from work are going out next Monday night as a pre-Christmas thing, since C will be going away until almost Christmas, so I need to get Sweet Pea washed and pulled into shape (as much as it can be pulled into shape). That is one gift I am really looking forward to giving, I do think C will like it. I haven't finished anything for K yet (just a few stitches for that Crinoline Doll Tea Cosy that I just don't feel like touching) but I have a bit more time for hers. I think I will scrap the doily idea for her, as well - I've come up with something better.

One more order to receive this week and another new technique to try...with lots of projects on the go and no photos, these seem to be very boring blog entries. I'll try and get some things finished ASAP and post photos.

Nothing Exciting

Saturday was a busy day, I voted early in the morning, spent the rest of the day shopping like a mad woman and then I stayed up most of the night watching the election coverage. Yesterday was much quieter - I watched TV, I crocheted, I napped...

Today, I have to work so no TV, no crocheting until I get home and no sleeping until late. I am fairly sure my boss isn't keen on employees who snooze at work, as tempting as it sometimes is!

The yarn I liked at Lincraft is "Romance", more acrylic than anything else (80%) with a bit of mohair thrown in (20%). It's soft and fluffy and I am enjoying using it...of course, as is the way lately, a little frog has the potential to turn into a Big Toad because the yarn snags on itself and breaks easily. The first few attempts of a pattern ended in wrong stitch counts so I just cut the yarn and started again, now I've made some progress I really don't want to do that, so I am being extra careful not to make any mistakes. They are all simple ones, just missing a stitch or repeating the wrong row of the pattern, so there's no excuse for them. I'm counting as I go and double-checking each half of the pattern before I move on, I can undo a few stitches without too much drama, it's undoing rows I want to avoid.

I haven't worked on Second Sock much, I still have a bit to go but I would like to get it finished fairly soon, I have a lot of Christmas crocheting still to do - and time is getting away from me.

I ordered more of the Tapestry in two different colourways - "Antique" and "Moorland". I received two balls less of the Antique than I bought but the seller replied to my query and said she had made a mistake and will send them out to me so I am happy with that. The Moorland has green in it and my boss likes green, so I don't know if I should make her something from it...I probably won't but I'm still thinking.

I should get my order (another one!) from CrochetAustralia today - at least I hope I do, I have ordered a few patterns and some hankies to play with. At some stage I need to get back to the 4ply doilies and also attempt that Crinoline Doll Table Runner - I should've ordered the pink #10 thread from CrochetAustralia but I didn't - I checked at Lincraft and I still can't see any #10 thread there, I am sure it is there but I must be overlooking it. I'm fairly sure next weekend will involve a pilgrimage to Spotlight so if I can get a few things finished this week, I'll feel better about buying stuff again on Saturday.

My Spoilee must forgive me, I have not sent her package yet! I was supposed to send it last week but I didn't so I will have to send it this afternoon - it's ready to go except for the card I want to include so I must get that done today.

But I'm Tired...

I had seven different heart attacks in the time it took me to wake up, get out of bed and check the clock. When my alarm went off, I got up, turned it off and went back to bed! Luckily, I only slept in until 6, which is fine because I could probably stay in bed until about 7 without being late for work.

I was out far too late last night and I regret it now. I'd give up a lot to be able to go back to bed and sleep until I'm not tired anymore - which strikes me as a rather long sleep since the only night I have slept well in the last few weeks was Tuesday night.

I hope my coffee works some miracles.

I haven't done much crocheting the last few days, I ended up with a very sore back on Tuesday and Wednesday which I think was mostly due to spending too much time crocheting. I've had a break from it and my back feels fine. It's voting day tomorrow and I offered to take a friend and her son to vote and then I'll take her shopping so imagine I'll have a busy morning. I think I'll try and ignore the television until the results are in - it might be wise if I hid in my room all evening and got some crochetin done.

Can't Think of One...

I can report that Pineapple Circular Shawl was given to Mother-To-Be and was apparently very well received. I am told PCS will be accompanying Baby home from hospital and I think that's a very nice gesture.

Onto my Show dilemma, I figured if I could just get this first project finished and done well, I would enter it in and then work on some other things but I am having such trouble with it! I have frogged a lot, for more 'minor' reasons than I usually would because I would like it to be as perfect as I can make it. The yarn is very difficult to undo and I feel if I tug at it just a bit too hard, it'll break - and when it snags, I do have to be fairly brutal. As a result, when I undid two rows to correct a mistake (a missed treble), you can imagine my disgust when I re-crocheted one row and realised that while I had corrected the first mistake, I immediately made a new one. I left it in. I couldn't face undoing it all over again. This is why I am just not cut out for competitions.

I do have some time to decide a few things and I will put at least one item in, just to try and see how I go. I am perfectly content with not winning but I think I will put a price on the item and if anyone wants to buy it, they can...and the price will reflect the cost of the yarn and the amount of time I have put into it, so if anyone wants to buy it, they can pay for the privelege. I think that's fair. If they don't want my items, I am happy to take them home again and give them as gifts or keep them for myself.

I would have said that I am not very competitive at all, but that's not true. I just tend not to do things which are competitive but, when I do, I like to win - who doesn't? I love playing cards, for example (and particularly so with K because I win 49 out of 50 games - which is, sadly, mostly due to K's lack of skill rather than being due to any super skills of my own) but really, I enjoy playing cards regardless of who wins or loses and I have that attitude (for enjoyment rather than results) for this as well.

The last package for my SP11 Spoilee is going in the mail this morning, I hope she gets it by Friday and likes what's in it - I think she will (for both).

Second Sock seems to be a bit smaller than First Sock, I wonder if this is because I am not trying it on as much as First Sock? I have done the same number of rows and I wouldn't think my tension would change so much between the two but who knows? First Sock fits my right foot slightly better than it fits my left foot so a slightly smaller Second Sock should fit left foot slightly better than First Sock. I will work on Second Sock a bit more tonight.

Half Of A Pair

Sock 2 of Ultimate Crocheted Socks is in progress - and I have a feeling this will (should?) turn out a bit better than Sock 1...I kept track of my rows, rather than just relying on measurements, so I could make another sock that should be similar enough to have a pair. I think these will be good socks for slippers and around the house I guess. If we have a cooler day when I have the pair done, I might try them with shoes and wear them to work, I don't know how comfy they will be in shoes.

I have been thinking - and it's dangerous when I start thinking - that maybe there's a better way to use crochet for socks than to try and emulate an actual, solid sock. The Knotwork Socks are a good example of the strengths of crochet, rather than using this sort of closed stitch which is more of an example of the "weaknesses", or maybe "lack" would be a better word? Still, there's no seaming to worry about, only two ends (the tail at the start and the tail at the finish) and the heel is very easy. I think that shaping must be easier with crocheting than it is with knitting.

My only deviation from the pattern was that I did extra rounds of 'ribbing' on the cuff. The sock is a little bit too long in the foot and a bit loose around the ankle but I don't think I'd be able to put them on over the heel very easily if they were any tighter.

(Mum is very kindly being my sock model in these photos)

Ultimate Crocheted What?

My routine has been screwed up all week, thanks to a sleepless night last Sunday, I hope I'll sleep well tonight. One week I can handle but any longer than that and I'll go crazy.

Robyn had the same problem contacting Spoilee so it's not just me, I feel a bit less like an e-mail criminal now - how offensive to tell me I've been blocked due to complaints! Unfortunately, since Spoilee has not received my e-mails, the last package will not be exactly as I would like it, I was waiting to get some answers about things to purchase / make for her but I will just go with what I already have. I don't think she'll mind, I think I've spoiled her pretty well based on her survey and earlier e-mail discussions.

Secret Pal, glad to hear PCB is progressing well - I'm looking forward to when I can see your progress. Don't worry about being late, that's another thing I can look forward to.

I had a great morning yesterday, mum and I went shopping and we bought some Christmas stuff - I got the dogs a stocking each and I am going to fill them with pig's ears and liver treats and things like that - Angel found a pig's ear and has been in love with it for about a week (it keeps ending up on my bed).

I forgot to take CDTC with me but I did buy two teapots, one is a plain white Maxwell and Williams one - a 2-cup infuser pot and the other is a "Tea for One" set (the pot sits on top of the cup) in a pattern I adore and I have quite a few pieces of the set so I decided I'd get it for me. The cosy fits the M&W one okay, it's not spectacular but it'll do (...it fits the Tea for One set a little better but I don't feel like parting with that one).

After that, I took a quick detour into Lincraft to check the stock for some projects I have in mind but I was dying to go to the loo so I couldn't concentrate. I did end up buying a ball of "Hot Socks" which is Lincraft's brand of sock yarn, it's superwash wool and nylon and it actually doesn't feel too bad. I don't know how sock yarn connoisseurs would rate it but it seems okay to me. One ball is 420m which seems to be enough for a pair of crocheted socks - so I started Ultimate Crocheted Socks. I am using a 4.00mm hook (larger than the pattern calls for, due to my tendency to crochet tightly) and I have completed Toe Foot and am currently in the midst of Gusset. I estimated 20 rounds for Foot but I had to do 30, so obviously I am still no good at estimating. I much prefer the extended single crochet (for the foot) than the single crochet (for the toe), I had my doubts that the toe section would fit over my incredibly broad and stumpy toes but the foot pattern seems to have pulled it into shape a bit (but not enough for my liking). I'm doing these as written for the small size but once they're done I might be able to work out any modifications for future pairs. The first thing I will change, if I can work it out, is the toe. I noticed in the pictures, her toe looked a bit square, narrow and a wee bit...ill-fitting? Mine does, too! I'm not sure if I need to adjust the starting chain length, use a bigger hook or if I should work in extended single crochet for the toe as well.

Back to the yarn, it was $13 which I thought was pretty good, considering I don't have to worry about postage costs or currency conversion and, as I said, if one ball can make a decent pair of crocheted socks, it's better than spending $10+ US per skein when I will need more than one - and possibly more than two. Tofutsies yarn is almost double the price ($24.95) through Ecoyarns and with only about five metres more. Still, maybe one day I might try the Tofutsies. Live2Knit has 75% Superwash Merino & 25% Nylon 4ply yarn for $13.70 but only 187 metres so I am happy with "Hot Socks".

I like the colours in the yarn but the colour repeats are a bit short for my liking.
I have been crocheting a Mystery Project with the Tapestry, the yarn colours are somehow not "me" but growing on me, I think it's crocheting up very nicely but it is definitely not the yarn for Lorna so I am glad I made her the Moda Vera capelet. I would still like to make her another, fancier shawl in really nice yarn but at least she will have one for Christmas and it will keep her warm and comfy when it starts to get cool.

So why the secrecy with these new projects and ideas? Well, I got it into my head that I might try and enter a few items into the Sydney Royal Easter Show next year. There are 8 classes I 'could' enter but I am undecided as to which ones I will enter, so I thought I'd try a few things and see how I go before I have to apply. I don't want to jinx myself by going into great detail with what I make until I get them made.

To be honest, I am a bit confused, one of the classes is "Creative Crochet" - Exhibitor's Own Design, I now assume that means exhibitor's own design whereas I initially thought it was "Exhibitor's Choice" which meant I could exhibit any project I wished. The other thing that confuses me is that it states that items can't be washed (except for quilt-y things) but there's a Doilie Class ("Doylie") and really, most doilies I know need to be blocked and pinned out - does that count as washing? I had planned on making items only with natural fibres just so I could block them when I was finished because I do think it makes the finished item look better, particularly when my stitches have a tendency to spring up and I usually end up with a smaller item than I want...I thought appropriate 'finishing' would be high on the list of desired attributes for a project. It's all very strange!

One part of me is telling myself not to bother because I can't compete with other crocheters who are probably all very accomplished and used to entering in shows but then there's another part telling me it's only $10 to enter an item in so what have I got to lose (who asked you anyway, Dignity?), it gives me something to achieve and it's a challenge I think I will enjoy...

Anyway, I am going to get back to my Ultimate Crocheted Socks and see if I can have one finished today. After I get the pair done (aren't I ambitious?), I'll revisit "Amazing Crocheted Socks" and see if anything appeals to me, now I know I can get 400+ metres of sock-y yarn locally and without breaking the bank.

Tea for Two - Hardly!

I am still plodding away at the Crinoline Lady Tea Cosy - she's almost finished, I've done all the ends and am just in the midst of joining the liner piece to the skirt piece. It's not going well. The tea cosy is very small...she will have to go shopping with me on Saturday. I worried about needing a 3-cup teapot, I might need a 1-cup teapot instead!

I am still unable to contact my Spoilee, I changed e-mail addresses and tried again but no luck - the message I receive in return is that my IP is blocked so I don't see that it will help even if I e-mailed her from my own address. I have e-mailed Robyn about it. I'm glad whatever has happened has happened at the tail end of SP11 and not at the beginning.

And speaking of SP11, my Secret Pal has been a bit quiet lately - hope the PCB is going well and things are okay with you and yours, Secret Pal.

I haven't had a lot of time for crocheting this week so I haven't gotten back to the Knotwork Socks or started the Crinoline Lady Runner or any of the other things I wanted to start. The Tapestry is burning a hole in my stash, I just don't know what I'm going to do with it but I want to do something. I am not sure I understand Seraphina well enough to try with the Tapestry, almost everyone who makes one says there are errors in the written directions but they don't help the clueless (like me!) with error-free directions. Hmph. I will have to go from the pictures, too, like everyone else I suppose. Woe is me.

Pineapple Circular Shawl is being given to the mother-to-be tomorrow so I hope I hear a little report in the evening along positive lines.

I am glad it's Friday.

Catching Up

Lorna's Shawl: All finished - as I mentioned earlier, it is a slightly modified "Cold Shoulders" - modified by using a larger hook and repeating the shell pattern a few more times. I also kept the starting chain the same number of stitches, so it can overlap across the front or she can gatherit with the ribbon if she wishes. It is very warm and snuggly, even if it won't win any prizes in a beauty contest for shawls.







I like the pattern and I am still going to make mine in the mohair but I don't imagine it will be long enough and, as I only bought three balls of yarn for it, I might not be able to extend the pattern until it is the length I want. I think I will try and make my own pattern for a shawl / capelet in the future.

Crinoline Doll Tea Cosy: The outside is finished (the skirt part) and I am alternating between working on the liner piece and weaving in the ends on the skirt. I am still not sure if it will fit a 4-cup teapot but, when it is finished, CDTC is coming on a shopping trip with me and I will find the right-sized pot for it.





Knotwork Socks: With Lorna's Shawl finished and the CDTC well on it's way, I decided to "strike while the iron is hot" (so to speak) and give the Knotwork Socks pattern a try. I used 4ply baby yarn and a 4.00mm hook, since I have never done this Knot stitch before and I thought it might be a good idea to get an understanding of the pattern before I tried it with the correct yarn and smaller hook. I wasn't sure if my interpreation was correct but then I checked here and it looks like I am doing it right, so I switched to the lace-weight Merino and the 1.50mm hook. Surprisingly, it went about as well as any other new pattern goes for me and I did the first 8 rows of the pattern - I am positive I did - but when I counted at the end of Row 8, I realised I had lost a row somewhere along the way.



That was my progress, I am about to start it all over again.



My Rowan Tapestry came yesterday, I don't know what it will be but I will eventually think of something. I might wait until I get my Amazn order to decide.

Swifty-ness

Remember this yarn? Specifically the 2ply silk...



I have had a lot of fun with my swift, I showed it to mum and I could see her relief, she is probably thanking her lucky stars she does not have to help me with my yarn-winding any more - and I don't blame her.

I don't know why I chose the 2ply silk to wind because I have no project for it but it worked out really well and I am feeling ready to tackle some of the other hanks I have, particularly those I do have projects for! I am kicking myself that I didn't wait until I had a swift to try winding the 4ply silk because it is still in a mess...but if I didn't get myself into that predicament, I probably wouldn't have bought a swift so it all works out. Eventually I will get it into order...just not today.

I know it's bright and maybe there's a bit too much colour in it but I think it looks really nice all wound up:





Now I just have to work out what I am going to do with it!

I have spent some time looking at the yarn I have, not all of it but just one of my containers and I found some yarn that would be nice for a little capelet / shawl, I haven't got as much as I would need for a Seraphina (well, I do, but only if it was for a Very Little Person) but I think it will work nicely as a "Cold Shoulders". It's Moda Vera "Wisp" which is soft and sparkly and very snuggly, I've got white, light pink and dark pink so I started with the white and then changed to the light pink, I may use the dark pink to edge it. I'm using an 8.00mm hook and it feels a bit like a broomstick. This is not really intended for her to wear out, just something to keep warm and snuggly while she's at home. I am happy with how it is turning out.

I have also wound the skein of MCY "Breeze" and two skeins of the "Lilac Rose" - I thought the yarn had partially felted in the skein but it turned out to be a stretch of unspun fibre, not much but a couple of inches. I will have to cut it out when I crochet with it but I'm not too worried. Both LR skeins have, strangely enough, differed greatly in size so I am not sure what the other three will be like...

...and the pink lace-weight Merino is all ready for the Knotwork Socks, as soon as I have a moment (or a lot of moments) to attempt the pattern.

Bit o' This, Bit o' That...

I was very naughty yesterday morning, bright and early before I went to work, I put in an Amazon order! There should be a law about spending money before 7am...it just doesn't seem right - but I couldn't help myself! One of the books I ordered was "Amazing Crochet Lace" by Doris Chan, it's been on my wishlist for a Very Long Time and I decided I wanted it enough to order it. With the Aussie dollar being as good as it is, it's really not too bad. The few times I do come across crochet books here, they're very pricey so I'm better off ordering through Amazon, even with the shipping costs. Now I am looking forward to my Amazon order arriving.

I came home from work yesterday to find my eBay order had turned up and I was very pleased - now I have my swift and my slipper patterns! What more could a girl want? I read through the patterns and they seemed simple enough for me to follow so that makes me happy. If I can muster the energy and make some space, I will attempt some winding with the swift today. I don't know if I'm game to try the lace-weight Merino or if I should try something a bit more substantial?

I got confused last night and thought I was using my 3.50mm hook for the CTDC and I couldn't find the 3.50mm hook so I didn't work on it - I just checked the pattern and I am using the 2.50mm hook, so I am using the 3.50mm hook for the Matinee Jacket. I took the 2.50mm hook with me to work on the Matinee Jacket so it's just as well I didn't attempt it, isn't it? I went to a friends' place for dinner and my God, over 12 hours later and I still feel full. To be honest, I was full half-way through dinner but I valiantly persevered and it was the last half of a potato scallop that brought me to my knees. I could have finished it...

Apart from that little blip, The Plan is (was?) going well.

A very dear Italian lady I know who is a marvellous knitter and crocheter gave me two little thread filet pieces to "remember her by" and use as a pattern for my own attemps. She is the type of crocheter who makes tablecloths and bedspreads and curtains and trims for towels etc - in other words, a much better crocheter than I am! She can't follow a written pattern but she can look at a piece and work it out, or she asks for a reduced sample of the pattern and uses that. I like written patterns, so it makes us swapping patterns a bit tricky but she gets her point across and I have trouble explaining my written ones to her. She has just completed a knitted baby cardigan and a few booties and some bonnets, all her own patterns and they're very sweet.

I hope she doesn't expect me to turn up next week with my own version of the filet rose trim because it is not going to happen. I am very appreciative that she gave me those two pieces and I do think they're lovely, it just may take some time (eternity?) before I am ready to try them. I will have to count all the stitches and try and write a pattern for myself.

I am starting to think that I made a mistake with the Tapestry - I like it but I don't think it is ideal for the recipient, she prefers pastels and particularly blues, pinks and greens. These colours might be a bit too earthy for her. I will still make Seraphina but I might have to give it to someone else - which is fine, or I can keep it for myself but I still have to find the right colours for her...now I have my swift, I think I will go through all the yarns I do have and try and find some in there. And maybe I'll change my mind (again!) about the Tapestry when I have it here.

Anyway, I had better start tidying and making some swifty-yarn-winding space so I can make a big mess for a few hours and then spend the rest of my life trying to detangle it all. Nothing like the power of positive thinking, is there?

Lavender Lady

Just a quick post before I go to bed - I got a few rounds of the Crinoline Doll Tea Cosy (CDTC) done last night and then I continued it this afternoon. It's a really quick pattern, I am almost finished with one side and then I have the other side, the lining, the ends and the finishing touches...then it's done. Okay, so it sounds like there's a lot left but the crocheting part is actually quite quick, I haven't spent much time on it.

The little porcelain half-dolls are gorgeous, they're a bit pricey but I have the pattern now and plenty of 4ply cotton so all I need for future Crinoline Doll Tea Cosies are the dolls themselves. I am definitely going to make one for me at some stage. I don't know when but I will do it (maybe when I do the next PCS)...I'd like one in pink and I know another friend would love one in blue but that's about it. I guess these are the sorts of things you either love or hate.

My progress! It doesn't look very exciting flat like that but the top is done and part of one side, I preferred working in the round but that is not a technique that lends itself well to creating openings for handles and spouts so I'm doing rows now. The two sides will be joined at the bottom eventually. The ends will be the death of me, I wonder if a solid colour version would look as nice or if the variegated cottons would work? I'll do anything to escape these infernal ends!

Even though I hate gauge swatches, I'd like to check if I'm on track for sizing but there's no gauge / tension guide. Hmph. I am trying to make the four-cup size but I know I have a tendency to crochet a bit tightly so who knows what I will end up with (do they make 3-cup teapots?)? I pulled out a small teapot of mine to test it on and it does seem to fit properly so far - I hope I don't suddenly remember this teapot is a two-cup teapot, I will have to measure it tomorrow to be sure.

K does have a teapot (at least one and possibly more than one) but this is meant to be more of a display piece because she, like me, just uses the kettle and teacups - we don't seem to bther with teapots much, for one person it doesn't seem worth it. Maybe this will inspire her to play Big Ladies more often. Anyway, I might feel compelled to add a teapot to her Christmas gifts if I find a pretty one in the right size and at the right price...

This next photo shows the half-cosy and the Doll in place, over an upside-down bowl because the handle of the teapot (a little rosebud, partially visible above) interferes with Doll sitting flat and, as she is not attached to Cosy, I don't want her falling off and breaking:


And now we have a photo purely to show off Doll, she wasn't my first choice but - as my first choice wasn't available in the lilac and the lilac was something I didn't want to compromise on (purple is K's favourite colour) - she is the one I ended up with. Anyway, she (a bit like Maurice) must've grown on me and I'm very happy with the whole project overall.

So there you have it - a bit wordy but quick to write, so I wasn't fibbing at the beginning. I've got more for tomorrow but I'll probably forget half of it before then.

The Emperor's New Clothes

I'm glad I bought a fully-clothed Barbie - it will be a long time before I make her something to wear. My CrochetAustralia order came in and I had a look at the pattern - I think it might be quicker for me to crochet my own wedding dress and quite possibly cheaper, too. I was thinking I would use this thread but that was before I knew I'd need 4000 yards of it. Yeesh, that's a lot of thread! Particularly when you compare it to the Viceroy Butterfly Shawl which is in size 10 thread and requires about 1500 yards (or something along those lines). Maybe I will try that pattern with the metallic thread instead of the Dress...

I also received the Crinoline Tea Cosy pattern and items, it seems straightforward enough for me - but things are not always as they seem. I have half of K's present 'organised' now - the Cosy and a pattern book (Crocheted Jug Covers - another Vicki Moodie one) and the other half will be some thread, a few steel hooks and the Crinoline Runner. I will work out the thread I want to buy for the Runner and put an order in again soon, even if I don't buy any for the Wedding Dress.

Secret Pal, I am looking forward to seeing your "PCB", I hope you are better at reading patterns than I am! I am sure you will be very happy with your blanket when it is done. I am reminded of a question I have been meaning to ask - to adapt a pattern from a finer yarn and smaller hook, to thicker yarn and a larger hook, how do you convert the requirements? I can't work this out - (and even if I did, I'd get it all wrong) but I'd like to know because I think I'd like to do my next PCS in a thicker yarn but I have no idea how to work out how much I will need.

Speaking of Secret Pal, yahoo is telling me it can't deliver my e-mail to Spoilee because my IP address is blocked - I don't know what's going on there but it is Very Frustrating! I will keep my fingers crossed that it's just a glitch in the system...if I don't hear back in a few days, I will ask the Hostess to contact her for me and find out - at least we're heading into the last of SP11 now so it's not too much of a disaster but I did have some questions I wanted her to answer for the last package.

I think I can get a start on Crinoline Cosy before I go to bed.

eBay, I Love You

It is my 200th-Post-"Birthday" today. Go me! I was almost late for work this morning ("late" being a relative term, particularly from someone who is often at work an hour before she should be) because I got sidetracked by yarn on eBay - eBay is so good, I am surprised it isn't illegal.

Christmas is almost here, each day we are getting closer and before I know it, Christmas will be tomorrow and I'll have done nothing...which is just my roundabout way of saying I gave in and I bought yarn but it's for a Christmas present so it doesn't count (and no, nothing in the 6 boxes of yarn I have here was suitable, how silly of anyone to think otherwise!). Besides, with that excuse, I can probably buy yarn from now until the end of time because most things I make (not that I finish them all) are for presents (some days I curse whoever invented Presents but today, it works in my favour).

Getting back to the point, I have really wanted to make "Seraphina" for a Very Long Time...and I really wanted to make Seraphina in Rowan Tapestry, since Miss USA posted her Tapestry Seraphina to C'ville in December '06. Typically, all the colours I liked have been out of stock (or too few in stock) or just too pricey so when I found a colour that would "do" on eBay for $5 a ball, I thought I'd better get it and hope it arrives soon. So I did and I am.

Those are the colours I was considering, in order of preference...



...and this is what I ended up buying, a bit different but I decided I did like it (and, more importantly, the recipient should like it) - and then I twigged that, while the photos aren't the same, it is apparently the same colourway as the third photo...so now I am not really sure what to expect. It'll be a bit of a mystery but I am sure I will like what turns up.

Won't it be hilarious if a: I decide I don't want to use the Tapestry for Seraphina and b: if I can't work out the pattern for Seraphina? I still have the 4 skeins of MCY that I am a bit frightened to touch due to the un-wound state and the potential issues with dye, so they may eventually turn into something for Christmas, too.

I should receive my CrochetAustralia order tomorrow and then I can start planning how much thread I will order next time (and thread is not yarn anyway, so it doesn't count - besides, it's smaller and easier to store) for the Dress and Crinoline Runner. I also bought the kit for the Crinoline Tea Cosy so I can get started on that for K as soon as it gets here.

I frogged the Matinee Jacket due to the fact that the sides were getting quite wonky. I will start it again and this time I will use my trusty hoops to mark the first stitch of each row so I know what to crochet into at the end of the next row...I had a nap this afternoon and I dreamt that I started it again and, somehow I had forgotten all the increases so I had to undo it all - I was actually making good progress and, despite the missing increases, it looked exactly as it should (not so much a nightmare as wishful thinking, I imagine).

I was hoping to win enough money from my Melbourne Cup bets so my 5am spending spree would be wiped out but, sadly, that was not the case - I don't even think I came out in front (I will find out when I head back to the TAB).

Guess What?

Pineapple Circular Shawl

Started: 08 October 2007
Finished: 04 November 2007

Pattern: Vicki Moodie – Crochet Australia (pattern & kit here)

Yarn: Peter Pan “Wendy” 3ply 55% Nylon / 45% Acrylic (5 ¼ balls, approx. 1649m)

Diameter: 118cm / 47in

I am so delighted this is done and I absolutely love it - it might not be perfect but it’s perfect enough for me (no one could ever accuse me of being a perfectionist)!


I think the pattern is beautiful and I can’t recommend it enough (I took it to work today to show some of the ladies and they were all very complimentary).


As evidenced by the diameter, my calculations were incorrect (what a surprise!) and it actually ended up almost the right size (and you know, with me almost is good enough). My shell border doesn’t appear as dense as it should be, I probably would’ve been better off with a 10 double-treble shell but, by the time I thought of trying that, I had done half the border and I didn’t really want to undo it all for the sake of experimentation.


I like the way the light was coming in over the blanket when I took this photo (taken before I wove the ends in but they're all tidied up and hidden now).

Another project I finished yesterday was Enchanted Slumber 1. I say finished but really, I cheated - I was about three quarters of the way through Round 4 of the 6-round border and I decided I would end it on Round 4 and be done with it. It was a relief to get it done and given away, I should've had a blanket done for this baby a year and a half ago or, at the very least, a few months ago for her 1st birthday but nevermind.




I know it's not a great photo but I liked how it looked rolled up - with a ribbon tied around it, it would be a very nice way to present a gift (it's meant to look like a flower, not an artichoke or anything rude!).

I hated the 6.00mm hook and 8ply yarn, the thickest I've used lately has been 4ply cotton for a little while and then mainly the 3ply for the PCS...I am reluctant to start anything using bigger hooks and thicker yarn until I get some more practice with fine yarn or thread and teeny-tiny hooks, so I started a Matinee Jacket in 4ply baby yarn with a 3.50mm hook...if I can do the pattern quickly and without too much trouble, I would like to try one in cream to make a little jacket to go with the shawl.

I hope I get my eBay order soon, I really want that swift!

Manda, you will be pleased to know Maurice has departed this world, hopefully for good. If a sibling turns up, he or she will be swiftly dealt with. I will not race you with the Wedding Dress (the odds are against me), but an informal CAL would be fun in my opinion. I am sure I will need moral support at the very least...and I can cheer you on from the sidelines! If you stay a step ahead of me, I will be able to ask for help when I get stuck.

Secret Pal, I hope you (and Barbie) appreciated Grandma! My dolls got wonky triangles of fabric with two holes cut in for 'sleeves' - it was a blessed event if the fabric was cut big enough to even fit around the body. I still couldn't cut a straight line if my life depended on it and I am certainly no seamstress. I am hoping I can manage this pattern...I feel as if I am regressing and trying to relive my childhood but I am determined to have a stylish Barbie. I will not attempt hairdressing (see: straight lines), I will not give Barbie tattooes and I certainly won't accidentally pull her head off because once her head comes off, Barbie never recovers (and her neck disappears)! I speak from painful experience...

I'm a Barbie Girl...

I was a bit grumpy yesterday morning – I went to Lincraft to buy some #10 crochet cotton for the Crinoline Runner (for K's Christmas gift)…and do you think there was any #10 to be found? They had #20, #40 and a lot of other weird stuff, like “3-ply” and “#5” and “Candle Wicking Cotton for Embroidery” but no #10.

I thought I might buy some Panda 4ply and give it a go in that, but they only had the Sullivan’s (and I hate the Sullivan’s 4ply cotton with a passion). Hmph. I will have to go to Spotlight, which is not a problem because I love Spotlight but I couldn't be bothered doing any more shopping yesterday and I probably won’t go through the week so it’ll have to be next Sunday…

Then I went to Target and I bought… a Barbie! It’s been years since I’ve even looked at Barbie and, I have to admit, I have never actually bought one before. By the time I was working and earning my own money to spend, I was well and truly out of the Barbie phase. Prior to that, Barbie dolls were bought by Mum or as birthday / Christmas presents from family & friends...and I didn’t actually have that many Barbies or dolls at all.


I didn’t want Rock Star Barbie or Fairy Princess Barbie or Desperate Housewife Barbie (or whatever they are currently called), I just wanted Plain Ol’ Barbie (actually, I wouldn’t mind a Fairy Princess Barbie now that I think of it!)...and while I’m on the doll topic, I think those Bratz dolls are ugly and Barbie is much nicer.

I ended up buying Fashion Fever Barbie (“Raquelle”, I believe) because I thought she was prettier than the other few I looked at…and, hopefully, she’ll look very nice in the “1960’s Bride” pattern I have ordered from CrochetAustralia. I had a lot of trouble deciding between all the patterns but I liked the wedding dress ones and I thought that one would be okay. Of course, it requires #10 cotton (I don’t know how much yet)…and now, as the light-bulb flickers on over my head, I’m kicking myself because I could’ve ordered the thread through CrochetAustralia for the Crinoline Runner had I thought of it earlier but I didn’t. I’ll wait and see how much I need for Barbie’s New Dress and then I think there will be another CrochetAustralia order in the very near future…

I took some photos of Fashion Fever Barbie (I made her sit on my banana because it amused me, and because she had nothing else to sit on - buying one Barbie does not mean I want to buy Barbie's "Dream House" and all the furniture to go with it). I was delighted to notice that, despite her ‘perfect’ figure, I had to undo her jeans before she could sit down. Who knew Barbie and I had so much in common!

Anyway, that's about it from me - I have some Actual Crochet Content to write about (the sharp-eyed will know what it is) and I'll do that this afternoon when I get home.

My Apologies

I had to go to see my Doctor on Friday afternoon, which is not usually cause for celebration but I like my GP. I needed some advice about Maurice - Maurice being a kind-of-cute and kind-of-ugly little growth that popped up a few months ago (like a daisy!) in a place where, previously, there was nothing. We have been peacefully co-existing for several months, I guess you could say Maurice 'grew' on me (pardon the pun), hence why it's taken me so long to get him checked. While I like to think I am a kind and just landlady, I have to draw the line at things that mess up my hair...so it was curtains for Maurice!

My GP wasn't concerned at all (which is a Good Thing) and he did what had to be done, so now I am awaiting the disgusting event of Maurice "falling off". I'm living in fear of finding a little Maurice corpse on the pillow next to me when I wake up in the morning (happily, that was not the case today!).

Yesterday I finally, finally went and got my eyebrows done. I've been tidying them up myself but I don't do it as well with my tweezers as my very nice, Korean beautician can do with her hot wax. They're a bit thinner than I usually like but I'm not complaining (really, I'm not).

(I thought my skin wasn't too bad but these close-ups have a way of shattering all illusions - that little white patch on the side of my nose is a scar from where I had an un-named mole removed several years ago. I took the stitches out myself.)
In my quest yesterday to get a "postable" photo of my eyebrows, I ended up with far too many not-so-nice photos which led to an afternoon of Photoshopping and photomanipulation fun. Hey, it kept me amused and out of trouble for several hours. The humidity is giving me a lot of grief:


(If I need incentive to stick to the Plan, that very broad face kind of rams it home!)

(Circa 1986)

Any Excuse Will Do

Something Very Important occurred to me, as my alarm was making hideous noises at 5am this morning - I don't actually own any Appropriate Walking Shoes. I own a lot of shoes (I'll have to take a photo, or photos as the case may be) and I can walk in all of them with varying degrees of comfort, they're all very pretty...but there's not a pair amongst the bunch that can be honestly described as joggers, sneakers or runners. As a result, I decided sleeping in was more important than walking in pretty but impractical shoes.

My version of sleeping in this morning was getting up at ten to six, which is actually pretty pathetic as far as sleeping in is concerned - but not as pathetic as some (and I mean that in the nicest possible way, Manda). I made up for it by having a 3-hour nap this evening, which was 90% unintentional, I set my alarm to wake me up an hour later but I forgot to change it from AM to PM. I had planned on going shopping and buying some Appropriate Walking Shoes but it obviously wasn't meant to be. This walking thing was doomed from the start!

I finished Round 53 of PCS and started Round 54. I might continue for a while when I finish this, as I'm not likely to fall alseep any time soon because, as well as my nap earlier, I am currently enjoying a very strong cup of coffee (damn the Plan, I need my caffeine). I think (and with me that's always dangerous), that Rounds 54 - 58 will go quickly, since they consist of of chains and a few double-crochets and not much else but the counting might slow me down a bit. I will take photos in the morning, if there's anything worth taking photos of.

SP11 ends on November 30th, so I'll send my Spoilee another package next week and that will be the end of it I think, I've still got a few things for her and she seems to have enjoyed what I have sent so far. I am still waiting to receive my eBay order which contains my yarn swift and crocheted felted slipper patterns...when it arrives, I will start those Knotwork Socks and maybe try and get a pair of slippers done as a Christmas gift afterwards, too. I think the 3ply and 3.50mm hook have prepared me just a little bit for lace-weight yarn and a 1.50mm hook. We shall see.