KAL day 4

Is it a bottle, a crayon, a rocket ship or a castle ????

KAL day 3

Still can't work out what's in the middle. One thing I have decided is that I'm not over-fussed on the 'soft' type yarns. Don't know whether its the shine in them or what but they don't knit up as nice as ordinary 8ply.

Oh well, back to the crochet. I'm trying to get to the half-way mark on the Australian Tartan rug. There's not much point in posting any pictures at this stage as it looks just the same as before - just longer. It should look more interesting when all those vertical chains start being threaded through.

KAL day 2

Any ideas on what's going to be in the middle of this square ? I haven't a clue. We will be sending our squares to an assembler who will turn them into baby blankets.

KAL day 1

That didn't take long ! Looks like there's going to be a motif in the centre - I wonder who will be first to guess what it will be ?

Australian Tartan

There seems to be some interest in my Australian Tartan rug so I'll tell you a bit about it.

The Australian Tartan is registered in Scotland as an official tartan. A Melbourne firm makes the cloth.

The yarn that came with the kit and what each colour represents is .....

Tan (5 x 100g balls Patons Supersaver 8ply acrylic) .. Tan is for the inland soil and Ayres Rock
Yellow (9 x 50g balls Patons Brocade 8ply 60% wool 40% acrylic) .. Yellow is for the ochre used by the Aborigines (this is more of a mustard or gold colour to me)
Cream (3 x 100g balls Patons Supersaver 8ply acrylic) .. Cream is the sand of the beaches
Black (1 x 100g ball Patons Supersaver 8ply acrylic) .. Black is minerals and coal in the ground
Blue (1 x 100g Patons Supersaver 8ply acrylic) .. Blue is sky and ocean around Australia



I think my tension has changed since starting this rug many years ago but I've done a bit of a 'test run' with a few lengths of chains and when they're threaded through the holes to form the vertical stripes, they hold it all together in the right shape. I've just finished the first sequence of the horizontal stripes so I'm about a quarter of the way there. I think those 130 long chains are going to drive me crazy but at least they're at the end of the project so I'll be 'seeing the light at the end of the tunnel' so to speak !!

This is my project for Australiacrochet's UFO CAL (Unfinished Object Crochet-a-Long) so with the encouragement of my fellow participants, I hope it won't be too long before its finished. Having said that, I'm just about to start on a Knit4Charities KAL - I think we'll be making squares for a baby blanket, but not sure. I'll keep you up to date on how that's coming along each day. Today's post was for the first 14 rows.

A rug by any other name.....

Well, after lots of deliberation plus consultation with two close friends, my wool-eater has had all its getting !! I really hated that Marvel yarn (note to self NEVER to buy it again) and so have put it aside, never to be worked on again.

While yet again looking for the burgundy/pink/cream yarn to complete my other half finished wool-eater I came across a half done project which I'm going to now complete as I had the foresight to actually keep the yarn with this one. Its a travel rug done in the Australian Tartan pattern.

Many years ago, I was in Taree with my mother and the local craft shop had one of these on display in their window. I thought it was absolutely beautiful but it was only being sold as a complete kit and was rather expensive so I didn't purchase it. Back in Canberra about a week later a big parcel was delivered. It was the Australian Tartan kit. Mum had returned to the shop and bought it for me - what a lovely surprise. I started the rug but like so many things way back then, when I was still working and had a husband and growing family, it was put aside and forgotten about. The rug currently measures 140cm x 33cm - is now a WIP, soon (hopefully) to be a FO. I lost my Mum eight years ago so this rug will definitely be a keeper and will be in memory of my Mum.

Wool Eater progress - Day 2

Now that I've done a few rounds of this blanket, I'm getting used to the colours and feel that it will fit in ok with the colour of my loungeroom where it will probably drape over the back of a chair when finished. The yarn is awful to work with and I'd have to be desperate to buy Marvel again. Anyway, here's today's effort - currently at 35cm square.



I have some important CWA work to do tomorrow so my blanket probably won't grow much.

Wool Eater Day One

After a disappointing visit to Spotlight where I was informed by one of their staff when I phoned last week that they had plenty of Magnum 8ply and a good colour range, I have ended up with these balls of Marvel in autumn colours owing to a very limited colour range !! Just hope they look ok in the wool-eater pattern.

I'm so happy that at least one other member of Australiacrochet will be joining me in a CAL (crochet-a-long) for this project. Hopefully more members will join in as it will be a great way to encourage each other to complete the project.

Must be off now as I want to watch the election results on telly to find out who will govern our country for the next three years.

Decisions, decisions .............

Today has been a play day. Having decided to discard my half made Wool-Eater blanket because I can't find the rest of the wool to finish it, I thought I'd start another but couldn't decide whether to make it in acrylic or wool. So, I grabbed some scrap yarn and these are my two samples ..



Same samples - different views. The green and yellow one is done in Bendigo Woolen Mills Classic 8ply and the red and lemon one in 8ply acrylic - used a 4.50mm hook for both. Still haven't made up my mind as to which I prefer but isn't it interesting how the acrylic one is bigger than the wool sample? One thing is for sure though and that is this pattern sure lives up to its name - wow what a wool-eater !!!

Anyway, having said all of that, I figured I really ought to do a final search for the aforementioned 'lost' wool and in doing so I came across a half finished ripple afghan AND the spare yarn to finish it .... sooooo I guess it would be sensible to finish this one before embarking on a wool-eater. Also found a nice cream scarf done in tunisian simple stitch that only needs the ends finished off so that will be tonights job.

Hooked on Hats

If you check the list of blogs I regularly visit (list on right hand side down a bit) you'll see The Art of Crochet by Teresa. This morning she posted a video and pattern for this "Kingston Hat" which I just had to try. I fossicked through my stash and found some Caron Simply Soft (colour Victorian Rose) which I think worked well with this pattern. What do you think ?



I'm still hankering to start on another Wool-Eater blanket but can't decide on a nice colour scheme. Think I'll stick to three colours but what three .... who knows ??

Two FO's

Isn't it a lovely feeling to finish off a couple of projects and being able to ponder on what to do next ? I've just finished this teacosy which I made for one of the CWA ladies for her small pot.



It looks a bit strange on a pile of masking tape rolls but my teapot would be too big for this one. The pattern was from Crochetroo and as you can see it is a whole lot of popcorn stitches. I've always steered clear of this stitch but must say, they're very easy and I quite enjoyed making this cosy.

While surfing the net last night I came across a brimmed beanie pattern and decided to whip one up for one of our charity projects. I used two strands of 8ply but if I was going to make it again, I'd probably try for something thicker as this is just a wee bit snug.



I was going to leave you with a recipe tonight but instead, you might find this more interesting .........

A Woman's Poem
©Unknown
He didn't like the casserole
And he didn't like my cake,
He said my biscuits were too hard
Not like his mother used to make.
I didn't perk the coffee right
He didn't like the stew,
I didn't mend his socks
The way his mother used to do.
I pondered for an answer
I was looking for a clue.
So I turned around and smacked him one
Like his mother used to do.

Goodnight Madison

Okay Okay .. I did some Crochet

Couldn't let a day go by without doing a bit of hookin' I suppose !! This is a little dress sachet to put moth balls / cedar balls / or something nice and smelly into and hang on a coathanger in your cupboard.



The pattern is from Crochetroo I bought some of her teacosy patterns a few days ago and am currently working on one that has lots of popcorn stitches. I'm pleased with the way its working up and will post a pic here when its finished.

Did you hear about ..... ??

In the days when you couldn't count on a public facility to have indoor plumbing, a British woman was planning a trip to Germany. She was registered to stay in a small guesthouse owned by the local schoolmaster. She was concerned as to whether the guesthouse contained a WC (in England, a bathroom is commonly called a WC, which stands for water closet.) She wrote the schoolmaster inquiring as to the location of the nearest WC.

The schoolmaster, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a Wayside Chapel near the house....a bathroom never entered their minds. So the schoolmaster wrote the following reply:

Dear Madam,

I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9 miles from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation, especially if you are in the habit of going regularly.

It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was married in the WC as it was there that she met her husband. It was a wonderful event. There were 10 people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been almost a year since she went last, which pains her greatly.

You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just in time! I would recommend your ladyship plan to go on a Thursday as there is organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere. The newest addition is a bell, which rings every time a person enters. We are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed.

I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you in a place where you can be seen by all.

Sincerely,
Schoolmaster

Craft Show

Crafters are flocking to Exhibition Park in Canberra this weekend for the annual Craft and Quilt Fair. It was pretty much the same as always but its nice to go along. My big purchase of the day was this book



There's lots of information in this book and I think it will be a very useful addition to my crochet library. I did pay $20 more than I would have if I'd bought it from the Book Depository but then I may not have purchased it if I hadn't been able to flip through it before buying.

I had a chat with Prudence M while I was at the show. I've been wondering if the Stitches & Craft show is going to be on at Rosehill this year and she said the talk is that the show has been cancelled this year. From another source, the good news is that the Craft Expo which has been held at Olympic Park in the past will be at Rosehill Racecourse from 10-13 March 2011.

No crochet or knitting pics to show you. I've been working on some gifts to go with those potholders I made a few weeks ago and as some of the recipients read this blog, I can't let the cat out of the bag !

A friend sent me a funny email today with some quotes I thought I'd share with you ....
Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine.
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
Local Area Network in Australia - the LAN down under.

Big day for horses

Did you remember to wish Ned a happy birthday yesterday ? Of course this special day is only for horses in the southern hemisphere - their northern hemisphere cousins have to wait till January 1. Anyway, did you hear this one .....

A man has a racehorse, never won a race. Man in disgust says," Horse, you win today or you pull a milk wagon tomorrow morning." The starting gate opens, the horses take-off, they move the gate away and there lays his horse asleep on the track. He kicks the horse and asks, "WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING. The horse, half asleep says, "I have to get up at three in the morning."

My weekend was quite productive. Finished the 15 x 8" squares for charity and tomorrow they'll be winging their way to Queensland where they'll be made into blankets for Project Love and Care, one of the organisations Knit4Charities is supporting this month.



I don't think I want to see another square for a little while. To finish off my weekend of crochet, I made this little purse



Don't know what I'll be doing with the purse but it was a change from making squares.