Friday's FOs

When I received my Etimo hooks earlier this week, I promised myself to finish the scarf I was working on before trying out my new hooks. Confession time !! I couldn't wait so whipped up this little soap sack the other night.

Nothing fancy but at least I got to try my new hooks, and I must say they are wonderful.

The Bendigo Classic wool was beautiful to work with and I'm happy with the finished look of the scarf. It took about 150g so one ball was more than enough. The scarf measures 5 inches by 66 inches.

Not sure where this scarf is going but it is my colour so maybe I just might keep it for myself.

Today's project (yes with the new hooks) was this little premmie hat which will be going to the Gold Coast hospital which is one of the January charity of the month (CotM) for Knit4Charities. I have several other ones made and will be sending them off next week.

The charity I've selected for February require bedsocks so I'll probably get the knitting needles out for these.

Faster than a Flying Hook

My beautiful Etimo hooks were on my doorstep this morning and I am thrilled with them. I am so impressed with the fact that it only took four working days for the postal systems in America and Australia to deliver this package, and also to the Anderson Trading Company for their quick despatch of my order. I gave the 5.00mm hook a quick test drive this afternoon and can honestly say (in my humble opinion) that I think these are the Rolls Royce of hooks. As you can see, they come in a lovely pouch which also contains other tools of the trade.

And here it is closed ... very smart don't you think?

The handles are softer than the Clover Soft Touch hooks, but not squishy. Etimo hooks are manufactured by Tulip Co Ltd in Japan and I must say the Japanese have no sense of adventure (in this case anyway). There's a warning on the tag that says "This product should be used for crocheting purposes only." By the way, the hooks are made in Japan, the scissors made in Italy, the yarn needle made in Korea and the case made in China !! Just thought you'd like to know that.

Now off to play with my new toys.

Lucky Me

Daughter and son-in-law returned yesterday from their Christmas/New Year holiday in Belgium, coming from a chilly minus something temperature to our sweltering high 30s. In spite of the freezing temperatures, snow and ice, DD was able to bring some lovely gifts back for us. I was delighted with this gorgeous hand made Belgian lace table centre

this lovely yarn (Spazio made in Italy, Sheila Soft (the black ball) made in Germany)


I took the close-up of the Spazio to show you the unusual make-up of this yarn. Its a chunky weight and the suggested needle/hook size is 7.00mm or 8.00mm, so I hope to have enough for a nice scarf. The black Sheila Soft has a pattern on the back of the ball band for a thread through scarf. My last crochet related gift was this magazine


My daughter told me she was unable to get the crochet hooks I asked her to bring back, but she did, however, have a 'challenge' for me. There are some lovely thread patterns in this mag but the challenge is that they are all written in Flemish!! Just as well they have the international symbol patterns included as I can follow them.

I gave into temptation and ordered myself a set of the Etimo crochet hooks that are a hot topic on Ravelry. Scroll halfway down this page to see them.
I'm also awaiting delivery of three Addi Turbo hooks - also supposed to be top quality hooks. I can hardly wait to road test them.

Too Darn Hot

I don't have much to say today as its just too hot for anything !! Had to go to the supermarket this afternoon and boy was that an effort - into a hot car, shop not far enough for car aircon to kick in, back out into hot carpark, into lovely cool supermarket where I spent far too much time and money, then the reverse back home. At least my house is nice and cool so I think I'll just log on to FaceBook and tend to my farm for awhile. Stay cool friends.

How to Lose 500 calories

I read an article yesterday that claims an afternoon of knitting or crochet uses up 500 calories - great news! In addition to all the other benefits of knitting and crochet, we now discover that you’re using up calories as well. And that doesn’t even count the calories you save by not eating while you knit. So go for it girls, what a lovely way to get your exercise.

My exercise today resulted in a new version of yesterday's hat. I added one row to the depth and this is how it turned out -


I have no idea why the edging has formed a little brim but I think it looks ok. Nothing much else to report today, so I'll get back to my exercise.

(Almost) Instant Gratification

The green scarf I started last week is growing slowly but I think the pattern repetition is becoming a bit boring. So, feeling like a bit of instant gratification, I whipped up this little hat this afternoon. It will be going to the Gold Coast Hospital which is one of the charities I'm supporting this month. The pattern was free on the net and can be found here. I think next time I use it I'll add another round of the treble groups before the edging so it will be just that little bit longer. My model Charlotte is around newborn size and you can see its not an overgenerous fit on her. Perhaps they might use it for one of the premmies.



The pattern uses American worsted weight yarn and I used 8ply so that would account for the snug fit. Its a very easy basic pattern and I think I'm going to play around with it a bit next time.

Oh well, back to the scarf !

Beware of Snakes

That was the notice that greeted me as I got out of my car at the RSPCA this afternoon ! I've seen it before and have wondered if the sign is there to protect the snakes or the people. The coast seemed clear so I made my way into the reception area with six bags of kitten blankets made by the lovely, generous members of Knit4Charities (an internet based group). We have set ourselves a challenge to provide 1500 kitten blankets as I was told that's how many kittens go through the place each year. So far we are up to 997 delivered. As I entered the cattery, a kitten was about to go to his new home and I was able to get these photos.


Note the lovely blanket!



This little guy's new adoptive parents were thrilled to think their new baby was going to be famous and be on the internet.

I can never leave the RSPCA without visiting the other cats and dogs - here's a few more pics I took today ....
I apologise for the quality of a few of these but conditions weren't perfect. These four babies were in the outside run and obviously preferred NOT to sleep in their bed.



The curious look on this little one was so cute - bit hard to see in the pic though.



I took this next one for two reasons .. first, this was a beautiful, friendly mature cat still waiting to be adopted, and secondly to show the ladies on K4C the boxes used for their beds while the cats are there and fold over to form a carry box to go to their new homes. I've tried to describe them in group messages, but its so much easier to work out if you see a picture.



And now off to the kennels ... meet Kimmi! This little lady appears to be still in her New Years Eve party dress. I love the way the kennel people look after the dogs there. You can usually see people wandering around with dogs on leads - a treat which the dogs obviously love - so much nicer than being in a pen all day, and you can always see a few dogs sporting bright bandanas - I guess the ones that tolerate it.

Politics and Playschool

Well, our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that he's publishing a childrens book with co-author Rhys Muldoon (from Playschool) based on the Prime Ministerial cat and dog and their adventures in the grounds of Kirribilli House. "Jasper and Abby & the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle" will be published next month and the money raised will go to charity. Mr Rudd said his Golden Retreiver Abby and black cat Jasper have both been interviewed and their responses were very cooperative but they are not expected to receive royalties. Now this is one book I think I'll have to add to my 'must read' list for 2010 !!

Talking of 2010, Happy New Year. The messages have been coming thick and fast and here are some of my favourites ... In 2010 my wish for you is to have the time and ability to do the things that make you happy (Pam from K4C); May you have all you want and want all you have; May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs and your stocks not fall, and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol, your white blood count and your mortgage interest not rise; May the telemarketers wait to make their sales calls until you finish dinner, may the commercials on TV not be louder than the programme you have been watching, and may your cheque book and your budget balance; and finally, May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day to your spouse, your child, your parent, your siblings, but not to your secretary, your nurse, your masseuse, your hairdresser or your tennis instructor.

My wish for you is all of the above !!!

And now my hook and yarn call so I'm now off to do more of that scarf.