Another Washcloth

It's been a while since I knitted a washcloth. When I first began remembering how to knit, I made lots of different washcloths as they are a simple and practical project for getting back into knitting and practising different stitches and patterns. They also make perfect handmade presents too!

Washcloths from my Mum.

Recently, my Mum sent me a pair of washcloths she made, together with the patterns for them. I especially like the speckled washcloth with repeating diagonal lines running through it. The pattern is worked in multiples of 6. You cast on 36 stitches, or whatever multiple of six you wish to work with, and then knit this pattern before casting off and weaving in the ends:

Row 1:  Knit 5, Purl 1 (repeat)

Row 2:  Purl 1, Knit 1, Purl 4 (repeat)

Row 3:  Knit 3, Purl 1, Knit 2 (repeat)

Row 4:  Purl 3, Knit 1, Purl 2 (repeat)

Row 5:  Knit 1, Purl 1, Knit 4 (repeat)

Row 6:  Purl 5, Knit 1 (repeat)

A handmade gift.

Following this pattern, and adding a border with a couple of extra plain rows at top and bottom and a few extra plain stitches at beginning and end of each row, I  knitted one up too. I used a soft and creamy organic cotton from my stash. With a little gift tag, saved from a magazine, and a bar of soap it became a lovely gift.

What have you been making lately?

Meg

Saturday's Simple Things

In a world where right now things can feel as though they are constantly changing, I'm glad for some small and simple things, here in the space of home, that bring a little contentment, a little joy, a little comfort and a little peace...

Watering the garden in the early morning light.
(I love the sound of water splashing onto these large Queensland Arrowroot leaves.)

Collecting fragrant Frangipani flowers that fall onto our lawn.
(Free perfume from a neighbour's tree.)

Knitting a few rows every now and then.
(I ❤ the deep sea colour of this simple shawl-to-be.)

 Planting little seedlings in the veg patch.
(The promise of homegrown food to come.)

 Watching the bees  plunder our garden's flowers.

(This is a noisy native Teddy Bear Bee.)

Home baking for now and for later.
(Is there anything more comforting than the scent of a baking cake?)

What are you making, growing, watching, baking or listening to during these rather surreal times? Is it bringing you a little peace too?

Meg

Overcast Winter Days

The Winter sun has been obscured by heavy grey cloud the past couple of days. It's been cold and we've had a few showers come through, enough to dampen things a little and keep the washing from the line. Time, for me, tends to go slowly on wintery, overcast days. I tend to spend them in the warmth of "inside". Rather than being drawn out into the garden, by the warm sunshine of blue-sky days, I am nestled instead in the warmth of home. As I wait for that sunshine to break through those thick clouds, there are simple things like soup and stitching, books and baking to fill these overcast days. 

Hearty & nourishing soup.

A little knitting to lengthen my shawl.

An inspiring book to read.

A little project all sewn up.

Some delicious baking too.

Whatever the weather of your coming weekend, I hope you enjoy whatever it is you choose to do.

Meg

Chocolate & Mint Washcloths

Chocolate & mint ... a match made in heaven!  The warmth of chocolate brown and the freshness of minty green knitted up into washcloths for giving with bars of peppermint soap and blocks of a divine dark mint chocolate.

 Mint & chocolate washcloths.

I added little finger-knitted loops for hanging wet washcloths.

Over the weekend just past, after many, many weeks of no making at all, it was lovely to get back to some knitting. I only had a few rows to finish off the milky chocolate washcloth and then quickly knitted up a minty green one to go with it. Together with the soap and the chocolate, they'll make lovely gifts.

A delicious chocolatey gift.

The chocolatey brown washcloth is knitted up in a soft, organic cotton. I love knitting with these kinds of cottons and using organic yarns if I have them. The pattern is a version of one of my favourites called Chinese Waves. 

A fragrant, minty gift.

(I buy this soap at a local grocer.)

The minty green washcloth is knitted in a lovely stone washed cotton colour called Green Agate. The Diagonal Garter Stitch pattern is quick and simple although there was a new knitting move for me to master called a "turn". So, I added a new stitch to my knitting repertoire too.

Handmade washcloths make a simple & practical gift.

The latter half of the year sees a flurry of family birthdays, all tumbling together in the lead up to Christmas. As has been a goal of mine for a couple of years now, I like to make and to give handmade gifts whenever I can. These chocolate and mint washcloths are a good start but I'll need to do a lot more making over the coming months to have a gift for everyone.

Off to find the next project ... 

Meg

Over the Easter Long Weekend

It was extra quiet here over the Easter extra-long weekend.  Our neighbours either side and over the back have all gone away. Many folk go camping, to the beach or travel to visit family over the four day holiday here in Australia. We stay home and enjoy the slowness of days without work or school. With nowhere pressing to be, we can settle in and relax ...

Friday:

We brought out our special Easter treasures.

(One rabbit & one hare discussing who should get the carrot!)

I finished another sailor top in a mustard-y gold.
(Can't wait to wear it!)

Little zucchini slice muffins were baked.
(Fresh from the oven with a generous dob of butter. Yum!)

Some of us "worked" hard in the garden. 

(Others simply supervised & guarded the plants.  Ahem!)

Saturday:

Cuttings for this garden-bed-in-progress were potted up. 

(Do you like my new watering can?   I do!)

A spot of reading & a little light-hearted viewing were enjoyed.
(I recommend the book:)

Gifted limes from a fellow gardener were gratefully received
(I gave him a cardamon ginger plant as a thank you.)

Sunday:

Little chocolate eggs appeared in our son's Easter basket. 
(Sunday morning's excitement!)

Fresh produce came home from a local Farmers' Market.

(... & The Big Issue to read too:)

 A simple homemade cheesecake was shared at Easter lunch.

(Our family needs very little excuse to have cheesecake.)

Monday:

A little knitting happened while curled up on the lounge.

(My shawl is growing!)

Seed potatoes were planted in grow bags.

(Two delicious varieties - Nicola & Desiree)

This delicious chicken & vegetable pie was made from this recipe.

(I used leftover chicken from Easter lunch & veggies from the Farmers' Market.)

Four days at home, without the tug of other commitments, made time for all of this simple and homely goodness. Some work in our home and garden, some time to become absorbed in our own particular interests and hobbies and unhurried days together. Plus, a little chocolate, of course!

How did you spend your weekend?

Meg

Golden Tones

Golden tones in a spectrum from the brightest of yellows to almost orange to mustard and burnished brown, found in and around my everyday.

A deeply golden pumpkin destined for the roasting pan & soup.

The flowers of a climber that twines itself over our fence from next door.

Slices of sunshine & a pineapple top to plant. 

The mustardy yellow fabric for a new top.

A dusting of warm cinnamon on little apple muffins. 

Sandy coloured yarn for a shawl.

(I'm not sure if you can see the flecks of a deeper yellow.)

My fascination with these colours of late comes as somewhat of a surprise to me. Normally, I favour beautiful blues and the greens of nature but at the moment it's these rich golden colours I feel drawn to. Perhaps it's the new season? Perhaps, I just feel like something in my wardrobe that isn't blue? Whatever the reason, I think these golds are gorgeous and glorious. 

What colour/s are you enjoying right now?

Meg

Starting a Shawl

Sometimes, learning a new skill can be a frustrating experience. Starting my first-ever shawl is proving to be so ... but I am determined!

A beginning ...

Stephenie (who is an amazing knitter) wrote a great post recently about challenging oneself over on her blog, The Awakened Soul. This shawl is certainly challenging me. No less than six times have I cast on and no less than five times have I pulled it all out! But, sixth time lucky, I have managed to get past the points that were the stumbling blocks for me and now I simply have to repeat many times over, what I've spent quite a few hours learning, to make the most lovely edge of the Cicely Shawl by Courtney Spainhower. (Here is the Ravelry link for those wanting to see what it should look like when it's done.)

When I am choosing something new to knit now, I am looking for things which include stitches I'm confident with and also something new to learn. In this shawl, there's a M1 or Make One stitch which is a way of increasing the number of stitches. I've never done that before and so, of course, that was where a major stumbling block was. That and a lost stitch in a later row! Once this pretty edge is finished, the next challenge will be picking up stitches from those cast off. Thank goodness for YouTube videos (see links) that help me to see what I am supposed to be doing! I consider these online tutorials the next best thing to having my Grandma or my Mum at my shoulder.

I've also had to let go of perfection. That lost stitch in one of the later lacy rows simply disappeared and I could not find where it went. I should've had 19 stitches at that point but I had only 18.  I made the "executive decision" to use my newly acquired M1 stitch to make one so that I had the right number of stitches to go on with. Perfect? No. But considering this stitch fell off my needles after the sixth time I'd cast on, I figured that it was the only way forward!

Another repeat to be followed by another and another!

Now, I am this far into my first-ever shawl. Progress! Perhaps, you are an experienced knitter and you'll be able to see my mistakes but I am hoping most people won't look that closely. First attempts are sometimes clumsy, a little wonky or even a lot wonky but I think that is what learning is about. 

I'm not sure I'll finish this shawl before this Autumn and Winter are done but I am sure that, by the time it's complete, I will  have learnt a whole lot more about knitting!

Meg

Saturday Snippets

Saturday, that precious beginning-of-the-weekend day, has dawned here with a clear blue sky and a slight breeze.  All is very quiet here though I fully expect someone will start up a mower sometime soon! (The grass is growing very enthusiastically after all the rain we've had!) My beautiful boy and his Dad headed off to cricket early this morning and left Sir Steve dog and I happily mooching around here at home. It feels already like a gentle, slow day that will unfold in ordinary moments and home-work of a kind that lets contentment settle in. Here's a snippet of what I think I might do today:

 Make lovely lemon curd from these fresh lemons & eggs. 

(A gift from a good friend's garden.)

Cut back this sweetly-scented star jasmine.

(It's now finished flowering.)

 Wash & then decide what I shall do with these used linens my mother sent me.

(They are old pillowslips and cushion covers.)

Cast on the scarf that I want to knit with this soft & sandy coloured wool. 

(Wish me luck!)

Make another one of this nutty & caramel-y alternative to the LCM bar.

(No plastic wrappers & unpronounceable ingredients here!)

Have a leisurely read of this Australian Permaculture magazine.

(I love the teapot on the cover!)

So, that's how my Saturday is shaping up. No plans to go anywhere but thoughts of happy, ordinary things that bring a simple joy. The lawn does need mowing but I'm sure we'll get to that in good time before I have to start calling it a jungle instead of lawn;)

Enjoy your weekend days. May they include some simple joys of your own.

Meg

Here & Now 19

We've had a lot of rain here. Not as much as other areas to the far North, where torrential rain has caused widespread flooding. For many, this rain is a welcome relief from a drought that has parched their landscapes. 

Where I live, there is blue sky again now, dotted with clouds. The returning sun has brought with it the feeling of a season turning. Summer is fading and my favourite season, Autumn, has begun. 

Two skeins of a beautiful hand-dyed yarn.
(from Saltwater Yarns)

 A delicious Pear & Dark Chocolate Loaf.

Milky brown cotton for a new washcloth,

Loving //  The change in the season from Summer to Autumn.

                      Autumnal is one of my most favourite words!  💛

Eating //  Slices of lovely pear and dark chocolate loaf eaten warm when the chocolate
                      is still little sweet puddles.

Drinking //  Water, as always! A twist of lime or lemon too. 

Feeling //  Quite tired and sore. I have developed tendonitis in both feet!

Making //  A few washcloths in latte and chocolate brown cottons.

Thinking //  ... that I may swim laps and knit a lot while my feet heal.

Dreaming// ...   of a first shawl made with yarn the colour of sandstone cliffs.

Over at Say, Little Hen, you will find the lovely Sarah and others who post their own monthly Here & Now lists.  Why not make yourself a cup of tea or coffee (or pour a glass of whatever you fancy) and visit with them awhile? 

Meg

Behind Our Blue Gates 2

The days have been warmer here though Spring is still officially another month away. Spring looks like it's arriving in the garden too as there is much in bloom. As you enter, through our little front gate, a sweet scent greets you, released by the masses of flowers on the Michelia Coco hedge. As you walk past, you'll hear the buzz of honeybees and see the specks that are native bees, working away industriously among these fragrant flowers. Around the back, masses of beautiful blue Lobelia and snowy, honey-scented Alyssium border the main vegie patch. The bees love these too! The delicate scent of Sweet Pea, all pink petals instead of the pure white of last year, and the yellow sunshine of Calendula intermingle with the veg planted there. Our patch is a riot of colour and homegrown food that just simply makes me happy. Come on in, through our blue gates, and see what's been happening of late...

Beautiful & blue ...

bee-friendly Lobelia is in flower in the garden. 

Blooming Blue Lobelia and white Alyssium edge our vegie patch.

 Two varieties of homegrown lettuce are ready to eat. 

Simple salads, like this one, have featured in weekend lunches.

 Many lunches have been packed up at the kitchen bench.

Some simple slices have been baked.

A new washcloth is forming on my knitting needles. I love this new-to-me pattern!


The first sweet peas are in bloom. A delicate fragrance beyond compare!

A new oven was installed in our kitchen.
(After 14years of constant and reliable service, the old one went kaput!)

We are now preparing our house for a major Spring clean. The verandah has been cleared and the timber boardwalk swept ready for washing down. Windows are being washed. When Spring does officially arrive, our home will be sparkling clean. Ready to greet a new season!

What's been happening behind your gates lately?

Meg