New Toy

A little while ago I told you I love new technology .... well, I have ventured into the world of iPhoneography and took myself on a mini tour of our beautiful city (Canberra) today to have a play. I'm still very much on my L-plates and have much to learn but I hope you enjoy seeing a few shots of where I live.

Before leaving home, I felt it necessary to take my very first pic of one of the half dead roses in my front courtyard ..

And now off to Lake Burley Griffin near the CBD - that's the National Library of Australia in the background ..

Excuse the garbage bin (didn't notice that) but this is the The National Carillon - a striking 50 metre tall architectural landmark. It is also an impressive musical instrument with 55 bronze bells, each weighing between seven kilograms and six tonnes. The Carillon was a gift of the British Government to the people of Australia in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the national capital.

Looking across Lake Burley Griffin towards Black Mountain and the Telstra Tower - sunset.

Blundells Farmhouse - built about 1860, this little stone cottage pre-dates the national capital. It was originally surrounded by paddocks, sitting alongside the Molonglo River for more than 100 years. Over time, the national capital has grown around the Cottage, replacing the paddocks with government buildings and suburbs. Blundells Cottage is significant, being one of the few stone buildings of its type to have survived intact in the Australian Capital Territory

And now let's pop across the lake to Old Parliament House and the Rose Gardens ..

so peaceful ..

On the way home I passed the church where my daughter was married three and a half years ago (St. John's Church, Reid) so I popped in for a few final shots.

This is a new addition to the garden since N and K's wedding - its a little seat which was carved by chainsaw from one of the Arizona Cypresses that lined the avenue to the church from 1920 to 2010.

Hope I haven't bored you too much and that maybe you enjoyed seeing where I live. I think this little camera is going to be good for my crochet and knitting pictures. I accidently took a very close-up photo of the steering wheel of my car and it turned out great.

Hope you're having a great weekend.
xox

Surprise Crochet

Nice surprise when the postie came today .. my new book "Surprise Crochet Sweaters for Baby" by Darla Sims arrived from the Bookdepository.

This is the crochet version of Elizabeth Zimmerman's knitted Baby Surprise Jacket. There are eight sweaters in the book, all based on the basic pattern but some with different necklines and edgings, one with a collar, one with a hood and another with longer sleeves. Of course you can mix and match the patterns. I'm going to try this one first

Hat number 24 was finished a few days ago

and today, I finished this child's poncho. Do you think it needs an edging of some kind on the bottom?

Have a great day
xox

Pattern - Very Easy V Stitch Dishcloth

A few days ago I was asked for the pattern for a dishcloth I'd sent as an exchange gift to a member of Australiacrochet. I wrote the pattern out for her and thought I'd post it here for anyone else interested.

Very Easy V Stitch Dishcloth

Materials:
1 ball Lily “Sugar’n Cream” – 70.9g/2.5oz
4.50mm crochet hook
Size: 25cm x 25cm

V stitch = (1dc, 1ch, 1dc)

Ch 42
Row 1: DC into 5th ch from hook (counts as 1dc 2ch), 1ch, 1dc in same stitch, *miss 2 ch, V stitch in next ch* repeat from * to * to last 2 ch, DC into last.

Row 2: Ch 3 turn, work V stitch in the ch space of V stitch in row below to end, DC in top of last DC from previous row.

Rows 3-17: Repeat Row 2

Border: slip stitch into corner space and work 2 rows of sc around, working 3sc in each corner.

Finish off and weave in ends.

Happy crocheting
xoxox

An Award

I want to thank Pat from Hooks and Books, and Eileen from Crochetattic for awarding me the Versatile Blogger Award.

This is the first time I've received an award and its quite a thrill. Now I have to tell you 7 random things about me. Mmmm let's see ....

1. I rarely watch television – prefer to listen to talk-back radio while crocheting/knitting or on computer.
2. Have lived in five of Australia’s seven states as well as New Zealand.
3. Worked for a pirate radio station in New Zealand.
4. Love animals and have never been without a cat or a dog.
5. Wrote a weekly column in TV Week in the early 60s and knew many of Australia’s music stars including the Bee Gees when they were little boys.
6. I still have the teddy bear my parents bought for me when I was 2 years old
7. I love new technology

And now for the fine print (aka the rules). This is what I have to do -
1. Add the award to your blog.
2. Thank the blogger(s) who gave it to you.
3. Mention 7 random things about yourself.
4. List the rules.
5. Award to 15 bloggers.
6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

The 15 bloggers I want to pass this award on to are:
One Yarn after Another
Teresa Kasner
Scotty's Place
Rose Red
Aussie Maria
The Royal Sisters
Underground Crafter
Mindingmyownstitches
Mylittlecrochetcorner
Goodpurlgonebad
Beself-sufficient
Crochet-with-Chris
Hartyboys
Craftsfromthecwtch
fpea
d-ale-crosetatului

Just have two little crochet items to show you - another kitchen towel hanger. I made this for my good friend L. and gave it to her when we had lunch together today.

.... and hat number 23.

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the week.
xox

What a week !

It feels like ages since I last blogged. Actually the past few days have been very stressful and sadly, yesterday we had to say goodbye to one of our little doggies, Xander. I don't want to dwell on the details as its way too upsetting. He was 11 years old which is a good age for a Japanese Chin and he only suffered for a few days before we had to make that awful decision.

Aust. Ch. Siatori Xanadu (Xander)

I knitted like a maniac to keep my mind occupied and made hats numbers 19-22 so I'm almost halfway through my personal challenge.

Last night I knitted a dog blanket (for charity) using two strands of 8ply and a strand of that feather yarn, on big needles. I haven't taken a photo of it so can't show you. Its very thick and soft though so hopefully it will provide warmth and comfort to a shelter dog.

I was watching an informal chat between Drew Emborsky and Michael Sellick on YouTube tonight. They were at the Craft and Hobby Association Winter Conference and Trade Show and were discussing and sharing their crochet experiences. Drew made an interesting comment - he said that a recent study revealed that crocheters were very 'giving' people and 98% of things they make are given away. What do you think about that?

The crochet sock book I told you about in a recent post arrived today so I'm going to have a fiddle tomorrow. There is only one pattern using sock yarn - the rest are 8ply/DK, however I think it would be easy to make a few modifications. I might start off with an 8ply pair as a sort of trial run.

Have a good day.

Love this scarf

A fellow blogger inspired me to make this scarf which I finished this morning.

This one is done in 8ply acrylic with a 4.50mm hook and measures 55 inches by just on 4 inches.

I love the texture and am already planning on making another one but will use Bendigo Woolen Mills 'Luxury' 8ply wool in burgundy, grey and off white. I might go up a hook size as this wool works up thick and I want to keep the scarf soft.

Would you believe that one of my rose bushes is still flowering? I can't remember when it didn't have roses on it and am wondering how much longer I'll be enjoying these gorgeous blooms.

Have a nice day/evening, wherever you are.