NIKKI-SHELL

Finally a FO!

This is especially for my friend Catherine. 

Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Gifts
Noro Cash Iroha

I started this when i first got pregnant with Esme!  I put it aside because there was no way it was going to fit over my bump.  Esme arrived last October and then came Spring and Summer, no need for a jumper so in the WIP pile it stayed.  I finished knitting it this Winter but was a little scared of the grafting and stitching down the hems and neckband so again in was left in the pile.  Yesterday's weather made me pick it up and get over my fear.  I can't believe it has taken me so long, it's pretty ridiculous really.
I'm pretty happy with it, it's a little large on me because when i started it i was, well, a little larger!  Also the neckline is a little too wide for my liking, it seems to just sit on the edge of my shoulders.  I'm not sure what i'll do about that, leave it as it is or re-do it.
At least i'm warm today ;-)

On my feet

It's been 2 weeks since i last posted.  I've missed blogging but have managed to get some creative juices flowing again.  I've been working on my knitting WIP pile and have managed to finish my socks
TA DA!!

I'm so pleased with them, mistakes and all (there are one or two but i don't care).

Pattern: Child's First Sock in shell pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Opal
Time: first sock took 2 weeks, the second took about 3 months!

I enjoyed knitting these, i found the pattern kept me interested enough to finish them, i've tried stocking stitch socks before and got bored before turning the heel.
I'll be casting on another pair of socks once i've finished a few other WIP's on the pile and have decided which pattern to use.
I've been working on my hourglass sweater too, nothing exciting to show though, i started on the first sleeve yesterday.  I hope to have it finished in time to wear it before the weather warms up, better get cracking!  I did start a new knitting project though(slap on the wrist), the Shedir hat from Knitty for Kev.  This is my first time knitting an adults hat and my first time working from a chart (cables).  Now, i'm not sure if i'm doing it correctly, i'm left handed so am working from the right to the left of the chart (is this right?) but i'm not sure it looks like it should.  I'm knitting with black yarn so it's even harder to tell.  I'm going to continue and see what happens.  I'll let you know the outcome ;-)
I've also done some sewing, pictures of this later.

I'd like to thank you for all you kind words recently, i really appreciate them. 

Keeping Daddy's neck warm

I finished something!  The scarf i was knitting for Kev for Father's Day (which i thought was Sunday gone but is infact not until September here in Australia).  Well, it's cold here so i thought i'd get it finished anyway to keep his neck toasty warm. 

As usual there will be a few mistakes in there somewhere (stop looking Catherine!) but i'm happy with it and i think Kev will be too.  The girls are going to wrap it and give it to him this afternoon.  Photos of him wearing it later.

• Pattern:  2 Cable scarf from One Skein
• Yarn: Rowan Cork, gifted to me from this lovely gal
• Time: Knitted over the past week, a little here, a little there.

Next on the finishing list:

• my second sock-i'm just about to turn the heel
• sort out some swap packages
• postcards for the swap (i always leave them till the last minute!, so naughty!)

Thanks for your comments about my collage, it's nice to hear what you think, keep them coming.

Where HAVE i been?!

Is it really over a week since i last posted?!  Crazy!  Where does time go?  I've had all good intentions of posting, i've got a few things to tell/show but i just seem to forget or think 'i'll do it later/after i've finished this'.  Anyway, i finished my first sock last Sunday, it took me 2 weeks which considering my lack of time and that it was my first sock i don't think that's too bad. 

Here it is (still got the ends to weave in):

excuse the badly lit photos, they were taken at night.

I love it, mistakes and all! And yes, i've alreeady started the second, although i'm still on the ribbing.

Ok, for those of you interested you can still take part in the 'Wall of yarn', if you haven't already sent me your details please do so at nectargallery@gmail.com.  I will be sending out postage details soon.  I have also set up a new blog dedicated to the exhibitions that will show in the nectar lounge, you can visit the blog by clicking on the link at the top left of my blog. 

Postcard swap people, remember the send out date is next Monday, please try to make sure you send your postcards out on time.  I have received a few already but will wait to show them to you.  I better get a move on, mine still aren't finished! 

That's all for today, i have something to show you that i won!  yes that's right, i WON something, i can't believe it either, i've never won anything. 

Nectar gallery-wall of yarn

It seems quite a number of you are interested in the knitted wall idea, (now called 'Wall of yarn' as i'm including crochet and weaving) so it will be going ahead.  Here are some details:

• The exhibition is planned for June the 15th.
• Squares are to be sent to me by June 9th (please include a little info about your square and your personal details), to give me time to arrange and hang them.
• Your square is to measure 15cm x 15cm in total (roughly).
• It can be knit/crochet/woven as long as it's made from yarn.
• It must contain some form of embelishment, this could be done using anything you wish, yarn, ribbon,metal,paper etc the options are endless.
• you can use any number of colours.
• There will be a blog and flickr album set up to show the work, when i get around to it in the next few days.
• The exhibition will be displayed for 6 weeks then i will auction it as one piece on Ebay and the money will go to a charity, yet to be decided.

If you would like to participate please email nectargallery@gmail.com with your personal details (name, blog, email address and let me know of a charity you would like the money to go to).

If all goes to plan and this is a success i will organise more exhibitions using different mediums, if you have any suggestions i'd be happy to hear them.

WIP's and FO's

I said i'd be back yesterday but the day was so busy and time got away with me, so here i am, a day late.  I said at the beginning of the year that i have a goal of knitting socks this year, well i bought a couple of Nancy Bush's pattern books and the lovely Jac ordered some sock yarn for me from Martinas.  I've not had time to do much this year in the way of knitting and crafting as i've had my hands full with a new baby, a toddler and a new business but things seem to be sort of settling into a routine and i cast on my first sock last Sunday.  (I say my first sock, it's not really, i have tried to knit socks before but just plain old boring stocking stitch, no fun at all if you ask me and they were soon forgotten and later frogged before i even finished the first of a pair).  Anyway, after a little trouble with the pattern and pulling the first pattern repeat out a number of times (ahem, 3) i have this to show you:

I'm so proud of it, i know there's probably a mistake or two in there somewhere but i don't care, look at it!!!  Kev thinks i'm crazy because i show it to him every 5 minutes and say "look at my sock, isn't it nice!?".  I have 2 pattern repeats to go then i'm onto the heel, i'll let you know how it goes.

Onto other things, it's getting chillier here in Melbourne and has been raining for the past few days.  This morning i noticed that one of my little chicks (Mia) had very cold feet so i knocked up a pair of slippers for her using a jumper i bought at the op shop and felted in the machine (yes, i fell off the 'use what you have' wagon, oops).  Anyway, i think they turned out pretty well considering i just made them up as i went and most importantly, Mia likes them.

I also used some of the felted jumper to make this wee bunny (pattern from Hillary) for Mia. 

I made another for our babysitter Zoella but i didn't manage to get a pic before she took it home.  I also have another cut out for Esme, ready to be sewn up tomorrow.  Phew, aaaaannd i made aome tissue holders using some scraps of fabric, they will be for sale in my shop for US$3 each when i get the chance to upload them, maybe later today or tomorrow.

Knitted wall art

As well as being a bar/cafe/restaurant Nectar Lounge is also an art gallery (a small one).  We are now looking for artists that would like to display their work so if you're interested send me an email.  I've had the idea of doing a few blogland exhibitions, the first being a knitted wall and thought i'd ask you what you think.  The idea is to knit a square 15cm x 15cm using your choice of stitch/yarn/embellishment etc and i will display them alongside each other.  Once the exhibition is over i will auction them off on Ebay for charity.  Please let me know if you'd be interested in taking part, if i get enough interest then i'll set a date and give out more info.

Oh yeah, Kev would like to thank all of you that left him birthday wishes especially the ladies that said he is handsome, he really liked those ones ;-)

I have more to show/tell tomorrow with photos!  Woohooo.

Use what i have month

Before i start nattering on i'd just like to thank all of you that left comments about the nectar lounge, i'm so glad you all like it and i hope i get to see some of there soon.

Simple Sparrow has started a 'use what you have' month and because i need to watch my pennies i'm jumping on the bandwagon and plan to 'use what i have' everywhere i can (even more than usual).  I haven't had much time for crafting lately because i've been so busy setting up the bar but i hope to get back into it now that i have some mornings free.  There's going to be a Mother's Day fair at the girls playgroup towards the end of April and i'll have a stall.  Anyone got any ideas for things to make?  All will be made from 'what i have' of course! ;-) 

Sooz has set up a Flickr group and if there's a button too!

I have sent out emails for the postcard swap so if you're taking part look out for them and let me know if i have any of your details wrong.  Talking of swaps, i've just signed up for a tea cup swap, woohoo!  I love swaps, i think i may have to organise some more.  AND.....i'm taking part in the Plush you II show later this year!!

Knitting WIP

So i got sidetracked from Orangina (and a little bored too) and it's now sitting on the chest of drawers along with a whole load of other stuff.  At the moment i'm knitting a vest for my best ever friend Amber's little boy.

The pattern is from The baby knits book by Debbie Bliss kindly loaned to me by my wonderful friend Sharon, i must get my own copy, there are so many things in this book i'd like to knit (it's on my wishlist ;-)).  I'm using Debbie Bliss wool cotton and find it quite splitty, so much so i have to watch while i knit just incase i miss part of the loop, ughh.  I've finished the back and am onto the front now, i don't get much time to knit at the moment but i'm finding it's knitting up pretty fast and i'm enjoying it.

I'm off to watch ER, Mmmm Dr Carter...............

Backyard Leaves

A nice little package arrived for me yesterday from Hillary containing my beautiful Backyard Leaves scarf that she so kindly knit for me for the SYNO swap.

As you can probably tell by the singlet/vest it's far too warm to be wearing a scarf at the moment in Melbourne.  Roll on Winter!

Hillary also sent some goodies

A cute hat for Esme, gorgeous paperclips and some yummy chocolate truffles (which had melted a little but an hour in the fridge and they tasted just fine!)

Thanks Hillary and thanks to Jac and Kris for organising this swap.