My Creative Space and the missing re-discovered knitting

How do you know something is missing if you've completely forgotten about it?

It's been a couple of years since I last picked up the knitting sticks for actual knitting. They get more use around here as tools for pushing out seams, or for mixing up various gluey/varnishy/painty concoctions.

A few weeks ago, my SIL mentioned that she needed a new grey scarf for winter. It was the perfect project to get my knitjo back on track (I've since gifted it after forgetting to take a photo).

I went in search of my Buttontree Lane Knitting Project Bag, and found this half finished scarf inside.

I don't even remember who I was knitting this for as I've already made one in very similar tones for myself....

... and I may have already bought more yarn for the next one - whoops!

My creative space

Merci

I always love it when I arrive home to find a surprise waiting for me in the letterbox, although I really didn't like the very surprising electricity bill that arrived last week!

Luckily, the surprise that I received on Monday more than made up for it. The very lovely Sandrine sent me one of her amazingly beautiful hand-felted merino and silk scarves. It's the perfect accessory for the move from Winter to Spring, the colours are just perfect for Melbourne, and it also matches my gorgeous red beret.

I'm going out for lunch on Friday for my mums birthday, so I'll definitely be wearing it.

Thanks so much for the surprise Sandrine.

Ditto

My sister wanted one too....

Snap!

It's Tuesday and I can't wait to....

.... wear my new scarf

Tinniegirl gave me this beautiful scarf that she crocheted (It took a close up shot to show the wonderful pattern detail); and ever since, the weather has been mild, and even sunny and warm.

May in Melbourne.... it should be scarf weather!!!

Can't wait? Play along at Buttons By Lou Lou

All can be revealed

This story begins a few weeks ago....

After receiving the most amazing birthday gift from Tinniegirl, I was racking my brain trying to think of the perfect handmade gift for her birthday yesterday. It had to be something different, something that she wouldn't make herself, something that she would love.

As usual, all of my best ideas spring into my head in the middle of the night when I'm trying to get to sleep, but my brain won't switch off.....

I made a mental note before going to sleep - she likes accessories and jewellery.


So I decide to test out my big idea for a crazy stiched yarn scarf, but I need some more water soluble stabiliser to turn it into a reality.

Just because it was a good idea in my head, certainly does not mean that it was a good idea in practice.

It turned out to be more like a thick piece of felt, rather than a nice soft drapey scarf!

Note: It was originally twice this length, but this reject has since been recycled into new projects - waste not / want not.

After that little disaster, I needed to come up with a new idea - hence, the no knit woven scarf.

I wanted the scarf to be an everyday accessory, not something only to be worn in winter to take away the winter chills. I made it quite narrow and not chunky at all.

It's nice and soft and drapey, just like it should be.....

The felty scarf has been recycled into flower brooches, along with some dismembered crochet doilies (sorry to the nana who made all of the lovely rings and joined them together), and matching buttons.

I really like the way it all turned out in the end, and I think it would be a great project to use up all of those leftover balls of yarn from finished knitting projects. I'm predicting many more woven scarves in my future (but maybe I should actually finish everything else on the TO DO list first)!

Am I getting old???

This is the scarf the I finished knitting Thursday night...... Mr CurlyPops wore it to work on Friday and not one person even noticed that he was wearing a lovely handknitted scarf......

Anyway, I was sitting in bed lastnight in my pyjamas at 9.30 knitting yet another scarf and watching Valentines Day on the ABC when it suddenly dawned on me...... I think I'm getting old!
I rifled through my bedside drawer to find a notepad and pencil and made a list of reasons why I think I'm getting old......

• I'm going to the hairdresser today to have some more foils put in to cover the greys
• I'm knitting in bed and loving it
• I'm watching far too many tv programs on the ABC and SBS
• I can watch the 5PM news, then the 6PM news, then the 7PM news
• I'd prefer to watch a documentary than a comedy
• I'd prefer to curl up on the couch with a dvd than go to the movies
• I'd rather go out for breakfast, than dinner
• I only wear comfortable shoes (and undies)

Maybe that last one was far too much information!

Hmmmm, time for a cup of tea and a biccie......

My first completed knitting project

I finally finished my knobbly scarf lastnight.......it's my very first completed knitting project!
I've tried knitting a few times before but I've never actually finished anything, so I'm glad that I've finally made something wearable (and I'm keeping it for me).

I added tassels at both ends.....I had no idea how to do this properly so I just made it up and seemed to work ok.

My nine year old nephew was nice enough to model it for me lastnight. I think it looks exquisite with his kung fu pyjama outfit...don't you think!

Greenolive Goodness

Look what I received in the mail this week......

A beautiful merino wool custom handknitted scarf from Martine at Greenolive.....

Amongst all the chaos of packing up and moving house, Martine still managed to let me choose the wool in the exact colour that I wanted and then she knitted it up and popped it in the post!

Then to my suprise, there was an extra little goodie in the package! A gorgeous felt flower brooch in a matching colour.....

Checkout Martine's Greenolive Etsy Shop for more scarves, beaded necklaces and flowers......

Thankyou so much Martine, it's absolutely gorgeous!