Knit: Ribbed Cardigan in Black

I finally talked Leo into a photo wearing his newly finished Cardigan. I really can't blame him, the weather is scorching hot right now. I had him stand under the air con, he flashed his best smile and I got a good one! Now I can put it away for Winter. 

 

Excuse the "dirty" face and buzzcut, someone was trying out a bit of body self expression this week and cut into his hair (very close to the skin!) and covered his whole body in drawings with black marker. It's slowly wearing off and hopefully will be gone by the time school begins next Monday! 

Pattern: School Cardigan by Georgie Nicholson

Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8ply "Black"

Size: 8/9/10

So, now that's 2 cardigans finished and put away. 

The light grey cardigan for Caspian had the knitting portion finished this morning. It needs some ends sewn in and I've got to find some buttons. 

I made good progress last night and today on Atti's cardigan and I predict it won't take long as it's a size 2/3. 

 

While I'm definitely glad to be almost done with this pattern, I am still enjoying it. It's quite rhythmic and easy once you've done a couple. 

~~ Shara ~~

Knit: Bifrost Scarf

When the weather looks like this:

 

It's only natural that all my crafting time has gone into finishing this:

 

 

Pattern: Bifrost Scarf by Cate Carter-Evans

Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix Treasure Cakes

(This was a kit I purchased from Infinite Twist)

I made mine thinner and longer than the pattern called for and sewed the ends together to create a loopy scarf/cowl.

**********

~~ BIFROST ~~ 

In the prismatic colors that sparkle and bend,

Burns a fire so bright from beginning to end.

This burning bridge that is slightly curled,

Transports the Gods to all the nine worlds.

Each one of the Gods rides a wonderful steed,

Which races across colored bands at full speed .

Through Heimdall' s gate they ride to Urd' s spring,

To hold their court of justice each day at the Thing.

The bridge is quite strong, but it can indeed break,

For there is only so much weight that Bifrost can take.

When Surt, and his minions ride across the sky red to splatter,

Then Bifrost, the God's bridge to the worlds, will crack and shatter.

Glenn Bergen, Copyright, 2012.

Yarn Along...

Some little pants for our baby! Pattern is a vintage one, available for free through Ravelry. It's called Fancy Pants.

Very easy, knitted flat and would be easily customisable for size. I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 8ply in Natural Fleck. Unfortunately, Rustic is now discontinued.

I'm also working on a fun crochet project for me. Paul the Toadstool - pattern is by Lalylala (shop on Etsy)

I also had a burst of inspiration yesterday and decided I'd make a knitted Farm playmat for Leo's upcoming 4th birthday. 

* let's not mention the half finished socks that I need to have ready for a certain husbands birthday on Saturday - I don't enjoy sock knitting, but it was his only birtgday request....

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I started reading Anne of Green Gables this week. Let's see how that goes!

Joining in with Ginny at gsheller.com

Shara x

Rainbow Baby Blanket

The amazing Rainbow Baby Blanket is finished!!

Oh I love this so much and I cannot wait to wrap our new baby up come July.

The pattern is Super Easy Baby Blanket by PurlSoho.

The yarn is O-Wool Balance Organic Cotton/Merino.

Speaking of babies, I went for my midway scan and was very happy to see a happy healthy heartbeat! Baby was in a tight position and didn't really want to be disturbed. Therefore, is was too difficult to clearly see the sex of the baby. 

It seems silly now, but I was very upset at first, as we have found out for each of our previous babies. I could book another scan at my own expense, but really, I'm kind of excited now! It will be a whole new experience for us. 

To compensate for my initial disappointment, I ordered 2 skeins of wool - one pink and one blue - from O-Wool. I'm going to make a special little hat in each colour and set them aside for our Baby's birth day.

---

I'm so happy that Autumn has arrived, but this first week has been terribly hot! Please, cool weather, hurry along!!

Shara x

I'm in the swing of knitting tiny jackets and tiny hats for tiny wooden dolls.

They are already being involved in all sorts of story lines. 

Roman is having fun choosing which colours from my scrap basket are to be used next. He even asked if I could show him how to knit one, so we've been patiently working on that too.

                                                                                                                                                                   

Delicious Dahl

2 tablespoons, coconut oil

2 small onions

4 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon, salt

1/2 teaspoon, black pepper

2 teaspoons, curry powder

1 teaspoon, turmeric 

1/2 teaspoon, chilli powder

1/2 teaspoon, chilli flakes

400ml coconut milk

3 cups, water

2 cups, red lentils

Cook onion & garlic in oil, stirring frequently, for around 5 minutes.

Add spices, coconut milk, water & lentils.

Bring to boil, stirring.

Reduce heat & simmer for around 15/30 minutes. It may cook quick so stick around and stir every so often to ensure it doesn't burn.

Can be served a number of ways. Some fresh parsley or coriander is a nice addition. I like chopped spinach too!

Knitting: a rainbow pixie hat!

x Shara

Warmth

Waldorf education talks about warmth so much because warmth needs our attention. Warmth holds a very special place in the life of the developing child, because it works throughout the entire spectrum of human experience. There is physical warmth, emotional warmth—the warmth of love, of generosity, of true morality—and all of these “warmths” pour over and merge with each other. Perhaps most importantly, warmth is the essential ingredient in transformative work. Without warmth we cannot change, and the life of the small child is consumed with processes of growth and adaptation. Warmth helps us be healthy human beings on many different levels.

From whywaldorfworks.org

{ Milo Vest by Tikki Knits

Size 9 months

Cleckheaton Country 8ply Acid Green }

I love this one, particularly the colour. It's a warm hug from Mama!

x Shara 

Caspian's Hat

In truth, the hat was intended for Leo. An adult pattern I adjusted, a little too much it seems! But thankfully it fits Caspian perfectly.

I've cast on quite a few projects in the last 2 weeks. 

I've got 4 long term, take your time types: a granny square blanket for Leo's room, a Two Lights knit blanket,  a handbag and a boneyard shawl for myself.

I'm also working on some milo vests for Caspian, ready for the cooler weather. A birthday vest and pair of socks for Roman, both green of course, who'll turn 6 in March.

I really do love vests for kids, you know. In our climate it is the most appropriate type of layering. A singlet, long sleeved tshirt and a vest, gives plenty of core warmth while still allowing for easy playing. 

Wishing you a happy weekend!

x Shara

Somewhere Over The Rainbow (a selfish knitting reveal)

Phew! I knit a whole shawl (my first ever!) in less than a month! My fingers are a tad sore, but I couldn't be happier with the end result. This will be sure to brighten up Winter! 

Just to recap:

Harry Shawl using Kauni Effektgarn 8/2 EQ

Reading: I finished The Triumph of Deborah over the weekend (I'm on a roll!) and have started Raising Our Children, Raising Our Selves by Naomi Aldort.

x Shara

Selfish Knitting

I am only 30 or so rows from finishing this Shawl!! I've really enjoyed knitting this, I think mostly because it's for me. I kind of feel like I'm spoiling myself, because I'm spending every spare minute working with my hands and because of the anticipation of having something spectacularly beautiful just for me at the end. 

Pattern: Harry Shawl (free on Ravelry)

Yarn: Kauni Effektgarn 8/2 EQ

I've also been doing a little reading, but it's hard at this time of the year because my evening are taken up with watching the Australian Open! And oh my!, last night was a nail biter between Stanislaw Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic. I was totally rooting for Stan and I'm a little embarrassed to admit I was almost crying when he finally won after 5 long sets! Goodness I'll have to get a hold of myself as we're only at the quarterfinals! 

So anyway!

Reading: The Triumph of Deborah by Eva Hetzioni-Halevy

{{ The richly imagined tale of Deborah, the courageous Biblical warrior, who saved her people from certain destruction. 

In ancient Israel, war is looming. Deborah, a highly respected leader, has coerced the warrior Barak into launching a strike against neighbouring Canaanites. Against all odds he succeeds, returning triumphantly with Asherah and Nogah, daughters of the Canaanite King, as his prisoners.

But military victory is only the beginning of the turmoil, as a complex love triangle develops between Barak and the two princesses,

Deborah, recently cast off by her husband, develops a surprising affinity for Barak. Yet, she struggles to rebuild her existence on her own terms, while groping her way towards the greatest triumph of her life. }}

* I'm really enjoying it so far, and am trying to read a couple of pages each night before bed, to keep my momentum going! 

Hopefully next week, I'll have a finished shawl to show you! Fingers crossed.

x Shara

 

Handmade; at the last minute...

For my Dad: A Neck Sock to use while motorbike riding in Winter. Pattern is Cowl'd and Frosty Morning, available for free on Ravelry. I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 10ply 'Slate'.

For my Mother-in-Law: Felted Nesting Bowls. Totally improvised crochet project, but it turned out really well! I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Murano.

I've been doing a bit of felting lately, can't wait to show off something I've been working on for the kids!

I've been reminded once again, that I need to get started on handmade gifts much earlier in the year, else Christmas Eve feels a little stressed!!

X Shara

Little Red Pilot

My cheeky Leo. He's finally started saying his own name this past week. But he's taking the long way and saying Wee-o-nardo! It's adorable.

I needed a quick knit this week, something that was easy and didn't require much concentrating.

I love the Little Turtle Knits Pilot Hat, and in my favourite red (brick from Bendigo Woollen Mills), I couldn't go wrong!

I can't believe the end of the year is so close. Roman only has 12 days left of school! He's really looking forward to the long Summer break and so am I!

x Shara

This weeks crafty news...

I joined in to a washer swap on Facebook at the last minute, so only had a few days to make something. 

First I made the LEAFY WASHCLOTH but it was to small to be used in the swap! So after trying a few other knitted patterns, I decided to go with a simple crochet washcloth. EVERYDAY WASHCLOTH by Linda Permann.

I used Patons Cotton Blend 8ply in Fresh Green and Petrol (for the border)

In the middle of that, I finally decided on how to display my first ever needle felting project (they've been sitting in a drawer for close to 12 months). I crocheted over a big garden stone and then hand sewed the toadstools to it. I popped it in the little glass bowl and Voila!

Next up, I'll keep working in Leo's new hat and the last 2 gifts for Roman's teachers!

X Shara

Two gorgeous hats off the needles this weekend! 

Gosh, I love these three boys so much, even if I have to bribe the oldest one to appear in photos ;)

Details:

Pattern: Clyde Bonnet by Elizabeth Murphy

Caspian's is size 6-12 months. Main yarn  is 100% worsted wool from The Sitting Tree on Etsy. Border is Bendigo Luxury in Brick.

Roman's is size 4-6 years. Main yarn is Malabrigo Rios in Ivy. Border is Bendigo Luxury in Pine.

And don't worry about Leo! I've cast his on this morning!

X Shara