Preston and Amber looking cute!

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Originally uploaded by amysinger

So cute in fact that they made it to the Honorable Mentions in the Knitty competition. Yay!

Preston's Space Invader Jersey gets another special mention!

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Originally uploaded by amysinger

Yay! Well I didn't make it to the winning 12 photos for the calender, but it's very cool that 2 of my 3 entries made it to the Honorable Mention section!

The cute little brown cardigan

I finally finished this cute little brown cardigan! It is a tiny 1 month old size, but even though it was small, it took a while to knit. It wasn't the most motivating of patterns - you couldn't sew anything together until you had knitted all the pieces. Also I made it extra complicated for myself by using three balls of wool - two in the multi-brown, and one in cream. I had decided I wanted to do "two-rows pattern, one row cream" so that the cream stripe plus cream in the pattern wool gave a lighter overall effect. I think it's cute, and I'm giving it away this week!

Andrew's iPod cover

Andrew saw Dan's crocheted phone cover I made and wanted a custom made iPod cover for his birthday, so this is what I came up with. It features a hand hole at the bottom for the plug, plus a pocket on the front that fits earphones! I finished it off with a manly brown edging. iLike! I'll write up the pattern and put it on etsy soon.

Dinosaur pieces

The dinosaur I was so excited about ages ago has not been coming along very fast because other projects are more urgent, and also it's pretty boring to knit. It seems as though the pieces are designed from a sewing pattern and have probably been put into some program that automatically works out where to do the shaping. It doesn't appear to be the most logical knitting pattern, but I'm getting there. Theses pieces are the top and underbelly so i can sew them together and stuff it. At least then it will look like i'm getting somewhere.

Yellow and white baby hat

This one is for Preston's friend George's new sister!

My pink jersey

Remember my pink jersey being half completed? Well I went on a knitting spree and I finished it not long ago. Of course, now it's too hot to wear it...

Jaffa's Space Invaders jersey

Cute cute cute!

Preston's Important Things Bag

Preston has a small obsession with bags, and putting his important things in bags (including nice things he finds in shops! I've had to stop him shoplifting before). So i'm making his own Important Things bag out of some really thick yarn in Preston colours. I've adapted a Patons pattern from the new Accessories book I bought recently - it's in broken rib which looks and feels really nice. It's going to have a really long handle so it goes across his body.

Dinosaur

I started Preston's dinosaur (ankylosaurus) and here is the top piece of the body and head. Hmmm, doesn't look like much yet, but I'm sure it will be very cool when completed (after what I can only imagine is going to be hours and hours of sewing it together - there are over 50 tiny spiky things i have to make and sew to each end of the ridges you can see in the picture)...

My purple finglerless gloves

I was quite jealous of Dan's warm hands so I adapted the pattern to have an XOXOXOX cable down the middle (which you can't really see because of my bad lighting and photography). But my other hand is cold so I'd better hurry up and knit a matching glove.

Dan's cabled fingerless gloves

Fingerless gloves are the new beanies. You can still do stuff while having warm hands (and arms), like typing, writing, opening doors and eating!

My pink jersey

Here is the progress on my pink long sleeved jersey (picture somewhere below of what it will look like). It is all knitted in the round so it takes ages to knit a row, but worth it as I get the front and back knitted at the same time! The lacy middle panel is proving more difficult than I expected but I'm sure it will look nice when (and not if) completed.

Dinosaurs!

I couldn't help but buy a newly released book of totally cool dinosaur toys last week! I know I have a million projects on the go, but DINOSAURS... surely Preston needs a new toy. Here is a picture of the book (stolen from chemgrrl who is also working on one too). I've started the one in the bottom left corner, except mine is a dark maroon colour with a dark green thread through it (not sure what brand - it was in a giant box of oddments I bought on Zillion). There are more designs on the back, but these turn out quite large so I doubt I will be making a whole farm of them. I'll see.
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Knitting for Dan

Well my intentions of going into baby sock knitting mode are slightly on hold at the moment as I have got a few other projects.

Last night I started knitting these cool gloves for Dan (useful on cold days when you still need to use a computer). I'm making them in cream and brown knit together. Plus it will be my first attempt at cable knitting.

I've also been spending more time on my pink jersey (the long sleeve top). It took me ages to get into it because each row was so long (knitting the front, back and sleeves all at the same time) but now that I have knitted past the sleeves and am onto the body it doesn't take long at all. Maybe I'll have it finished in time for winter!

I've also been knitting another space invaders jersey for someone who ordered it, and I just bought a really cool book of dinosaur toys to knit - they are amazing so I can't wait to get into them! And then a few people want space invader beanies. I'm going to be busy!

Yay - matching socks!

I'm going into production of cute baby socks - place your orders now!

Preston's Space Invader Jersey! COMPLETE!

YAY! It's finished and it's so cute! Here are some photos, and now I'm powering my way through some matching socks.

Preston's knitted pants - modelled

Remember the pants I knitted for Preston a few months ago? Well I finally got around to sewing the elastic around the waistband and now he has a pair of (probably very itchy) woolley pants!

I have been a bit unsure about whether I like them, but they do go well with cute red boots and a red top.

Preston wore this outfit to a party at Andrew's house, and lots of people commented on how cool his pants are! So they must be ok after all.

I'm entering a knitting competition!

One of the knitting sites I read www.knitty.com is having a photo competition for a 2008 calendar with photos of things people have made using their patterns. I got my fancy sock pattern and the space invaders pattern from there, so I'm going to take some creative photos and submit them! I've nearly finished the space invaders jersey so will get Preston to model it while he's playing with the nintendo or something. How exciting!

Space Invaders Jersey!

Isn't this cute? This is the back of the jersey. The front will have a game shot with all the rows of space invaders and the rocket shooting them. I'm really pleased with how it is turning out.

Finished: Orange/Grey Jacket

Well the picture makes it look yukky so I'll have to take another with Preston modelling it. Finally finished it today - it's been a great project for taking time out on other more complicated projects (eg my socks and pink jersey). I've got 2 balls of wool left so I might make a beanie for Preston.

Project updates

No pictures today, but really just for my reference, here are my project updates:

Space Invaders Jersey: even though I have so many projects on, I couldn't resist starting a Space Invaders jersey for Preston. I've only done 2 rows, but I know it's going to be very cute!

Fancy Socks: nearly finished the first sock - it's half way along my foot so far.

Preston's orange/grey norweigan cardigan: completed the back and nearly finished one front. I've made the arms too long so I guess they'll roll up.

Pink jersey for me: I've done about 10cm which isn't bad considering that each row is several hundred stitches and increases every second row, and that each row includes the back, sleeves and front all in one go. Haven't worked on it for a couple of weeks now.

White crochet cardigan from last year: still haven't brought myself to figure out the sleeve transition, but once i get that sorted I can get it finished. One day.

My fancy socks - project update

Well the last picture I had of these socks was only the first round of pattern. Once I had completed that, my obsession was quelled temporarily and I finished a few other projects in the meantime. Now I am using the sock project as a complementary project to do alongside my other current big project - the pink long sleeved jersey (see here for the picture).

So, over the last week I have made MAJOR progress with my sock! Here it is so far. Of course you don't really get to see the detail in the lacework in this picture. The wool is coloured like this so it's quite fun to work with. And you know, for a perfect fit you have to actually knit it onto your foot as you go.

(kidding!)

I'm very pleased with these socks so far and can see the light at the end of the tunnel to its completion....although the downside is that I have to make another one quickly so i can wear them...

NEXT DAY UPDATE: well tonights knitting effort was quite difficult but progress is definitely happening. I've completed the heel and am not onto the foot section. I'll soon have a sock!

Preston's new winter jumper

The Preston 2007 Winter Jumper is complete! Made from Zhivago yarn, it feels really soft and silky almost. I have plenty of wool left over plus a few balls of other colours so I'll make a different jersey - maybe for next year, or maybe in a size down for a gift for someone or to keep for the future. I still have to add the little designs around the arm colour change.

Crocheted Jar of Vegemite

This is the one everyone has been waiting for! (not) Both the pattern and the jar are at www.blendy.etsy.com (but of course if you are a friend, i'll email you the pattern, or make you a set of breakfast foods for your birthday).

My favourite pink poncho

I think I made this when I was pregnant, I can't remember. Anyway, it's been the handiest poncho, nice and cuddly warm when it's too hot for a jersey. I made baby sized ones too that you can see on the next page I think.

My first proper knitting project!

In about 2000, my knitting obsession began. For some reason I was in a wool shop and saw a cute pattern book for babies that wasn't old fashioned lacy knitting, it was modern, bright coloured cool stuff! So I bought the book and made this jersey and a matching hat. I also made some booties and a couple of other jerseys which I will have to take photos of, and I made them expecting that ONE DAY in the future, I would have a baby who could wear them. (I don't know what Dan thought about me knitting baby clothes 5 years before we had one!)

So you can imagine my delight last winter when Preston wore this jersey. The matching hat will have to wait a few years before it fits - when I made it, people coming to visit thought it was a cool beanie and tried it on before I could stop them and now it's really stretched. If that was you, don't worry too much - he'll fit it in a couple of years!

The other jerseys I made at the same time were too big last winter but will be too small this winter! Oh well, they will make a lovely present or I'll keep them for the next baby.

My two knitting 'helpers'

Mr Men toys!

I knitted these before I was even pregnant I think, and here is Preston playing with Mr Funny. I also knitted Mr Greedy but somehow he didn't make it into the photo.
Preston loves to sing the Mr Men song when he sees them!
Last year I made a purple Little Miss toy for Amber. I might have a photo somewhere but not sure. They are all so cute!

Current work in progress

I joined the library recently and have just discovered I can get heaps of books without having to buy them and I can read them and give them back and get more whenever I want! It's a great novelty for me (you can tell I don't read books). There is a good knitting section at my local library and I found a book with heaps of interesting patterns.

I'm currently making a jersey for Preston using Zhivago wool. I bought the various colours off Trade Me to go with some existing colours I had, and they were from all different traders. I wanted the main colour to be orange but the parcel never arrived. After a lengthy postal investigation I figured I'd just make the jersey using the colours that I had anyway. Then one day I was collecting the mail and a gust of wind blew a letter over the fence. When I climbed around to get it, I saw there was a parcel in the weeds. It was addressed to me, and it must have fallen off the letterbox and over the fence - and it was my lost wool! It was covered in snails and had been in the rain and weather for a couple of months, but to my great delight I opened the parcel to find the wool had been carefully wrapped in a bag and it was completely perfect! So I could make the jumper after all.

It's been a really fast project and since taking this photo of the back piece, I have also done the front, the neckline and one sleeve, and I am half way through the other sleeve. I should have a completed picture in the next day or two!

Amazingly cool socks

Right. One night I couldn't sleep so I spent nearly 2 hours in the middle of the night searching the internet for random knitting patterns. I came across this and I was smitten. Wow, what cool socks!

So the next day I had to go sock wool shopping. I couldn't find anything as nice as the one in the pattern, but I got this exciting wool instead. It's Opal wool from Germany and it is carefully printed so you can just knit stocking stitch the whole way and you end up with a Fair Isle pattern. Mine wont end out quite like that because of the design on the sock but it will be kind of stripy. Apparently I should have enough left over to knit some baby socks, so Preston and I can be matching!

I got all excited and started straight away and have done a few cm, but I think I satisfied my sock craving for now and I'll have to get back to it after I finish Preston's jersey.

little sheep

I made this sheep for Fletcher. The body is fuzzy and it was fun to make. I have the pattern here: www.blendy.etsy.com

Carrie's bag

I made this cute bag for Carrie's birthday. I really like all the textures of the yarns I used. I want to make one for myself since the colours are so beautiful but they are not really my colour scheme. I made this on a holiday in Napier in about 2 days!

I started making one in pinks, but it's just not as nice. I've done one side of the bag so I guess I should finish it off - I just wasn't having fun making it so I took a break and haven't got back to it yet.

Preston's cowboy pants

This pattern for winter trousers is from the Sean Sheep magazine. They had it knitted in 3 types of blue and I think it looked better than the colours I chose. But I think these colours will match Preston's clothes so hopefully will look better on. I'll have to get another picture of him wearing them once it gets cold enough. I still have to sew in the elastic around the top.

My pink top

I finally knitted something substantial for myself! This is from the Love Issue of Knit.1, which is a really cool magazine for young knitters. I used an interesting ribbon to knit with that I bought at the Warehouse. It's been too hot to wear it so far, but the weather is definitely cooling down so it wont be long before I can show it off.

I way over-estimated how much ribbon I needed so I have lots left over. I might use some to make a little baby coat like the ones below. Someone hurry up and have a little girl so I can make things for her!

Louis' aliens

I made these cute aliens for Louis' 1st birthday! The one eyed alien is the same as the one I made here but a different colour scheme.

Preston's Norweigan winter coat

This gorgoeus coat was my pride and joy last winter. It is made from a mix of leftovers from my mother's old wool stash and some newer additions that I bought to match. I got the pattern from a great Norweigan crochet and knitting website, and it is such a fun, easy and practical pattern that I made a few different versions out of other yarns for birthday presents (below).

Of course Preston has grown out of it now, but it is such a shame to put it away that I am going to unpick the side and arm seams and add in an extra vertical row each side so he can wear it again this winter. I've also started to make him another one out of orange/grey/brown variegated roughly spun wool. It's looking good so far!

Amber's winter coat

I made this super furry fuzzy wuzzy purple coat for Amber's 1st birthday. It is made from a fancy loopy yarn, and the hood is feathers yarn. Nice and stretchy too so hopefully it lasts for 2 winters.

Hannah's cardigan

This is such a sweet coat - it is made from some sort of soft puffy yarn that had a gold thread running through it. The picture isn't very good and doesn't show it's full effect unfortunately. I added shiny pearly shell buttons.

I made this for Hannah's 1st birthday, and I over-estimated how much yarn I would need so I have enough left to make a newborn size one for some lucky baby girl!

Preston's Mr Men cardigan

This cardigan is made from wool out of the collection of my mother's wool that she had left over from when she knitted for Andrew and I as children. I used my Mr Men cross stitch chart to incorporate intarsia-style Mr Jelly and Mr Noisy. It is such a special cardigan that I don't want Preston to get it dirty, but then he wont get to wear it much....

Hats

Last winter I went on a crazy hat making spree. I should get more photos of all the other hats I made people. It all started when Jonno was staying with us and had a cool crocheted hat, so I got all addicted and made heaps and heaps for anyone who came over and said 'hey, nice hat'.

The grey/green one is Dan's XBOX hat, and the bluey/brown one is Jonno's super-thick hat. He also got a blue and green one, and Andrew got a really cool brown/green one that he had millions of comments on.
The pink one is my pretty hat, and Melanie sent me a cool pink flower for my birthday last year and it matches perfectly. (that flower was the inspiration for the other flowers I made). Then for Mel's birthday I made her a big thick wintery hat!

I'm currently making myself an aqua and blue one to match my Brownie uniform. We're going on an outdoor Guide camp over easter so I figure I'll need a special hat. And I'm going to sew a brownie badge on the front - it says "I'm a Funologist"...

Baby ponchos

I made a couple of baby ponchos out of fancy yarns for Tayla and Sienna. The pink one was kind of like a weird sewn up ribbon that turned out really nicely, and the blue one is made of feathers yarn. Fun and easy to make! My pattern is here: www.blendy.etsy.com