assemblage

to hold hands and find a button

 gorgeous scarf pattern using gorgeous yarn from the gorgeous rebecca.

and now i need a gorgeous button to replace the less-than-gorgeous pin earring...

smokin' vessel wednesday

  inky blue and grey yarn cradled in a navy stained mango wood bowl, purchased in chaing mai, thailand on our honeymoon 12 and a half years ago.

this yarn will work well with some mid weight dove grey polished cotton fabric i purchased yesterday. and a new ss denim skirt with modified bustle detail on the drawing cutting board.

a return (of sorts)

  the past few weeks have been strange for me in the motivation department; somewhat out of sorts and unbelieveably lethargic. not myself. at. all. medically cleared of anything sinister undermining my wellbeing, i am putting it down to a lack of exercise and the melbourne winter, overdosing on herbal teas and sleep.

i must be improving as i went to my favourite fabric store today and came away with, oh, about 8 different bundles of new textiles; some with no known destination, some already designed and worn - in my mind. all are enduring the pre-cut wash whilst allowing myself a day or so more of enjoying the "thought" of what might be. (and the damage could have been much, much worse but i really tried to limit what i brought home. honest.)

and so, instead, i have finished a new long sleeve top that has also lain about half done (much like myself):

extra length to the arms for wrapping over cold hands on the walk to school each winter morning.

midriff cross darts for subtle bust shaping and detail (*cough*, ahem, not that i need much "shaping" in this department, but the thought was there...). i love this cross detail and have been use it regularly.

wide double looped neck cuff with button detail. should give abundant space for my daily scarf or cowl preference.

and not happy with typepad's new resolution level. my photos look overexposed, grainy and pixelated. not happy. not happy. at. all.

so melbourne

  

 

kit 70. finished. worn. loved.

raw and expressed edges.

comforting warmth and texture.

abundance of soft, enveloping grey-ness.

perfect for a melbourne winter.

perfectly melbourne.

vessel wednesday

sensual forms and refined decoration on an elegant family of bowls from slowcraft.

lisa is investing her spare time into an exploration of wheel thrown forms which i enjoy vicariously. her recent teetering forms are spectacular.

i had the good fortune to share a swap with her last week. we arranged this some 3 months ago but finally coordinated schedules last week to meet up for coffee and a giggle at anais' antics.

to knit a second pair of socks

working on a second pair of socks.

why? well...

firstly, i learnt some new knitting skills and techniques from the first pair so i can practice further or learn anew.

secondly, i bought a whole sock pattern book so i want  to make the initial cost outlay worth itself.

thirdly, with all the encouraging and helpful tips and hints from last time, i was keen to discover if 2 bamboo circular needles really do make all the difference.

finally, i really couldn't go past the depth and subtlety of this yarn. okay, it's black. but shades of black. and that is the best colour. every time.

so far? well, i did work out the technique of using 2 circ's on my own (couldn't be bothered doing a tutorial search) and was whizzing along, 7cm in, when i took another look at the pattern and discovered i was knitting the children's size and not the standard female size. gggrrrr.

so, pulled undone, tried to start again. and again. and put it down to try again today. or tonight.

to receive

what delights the postman brings!

this cowl so thoughtfully made by olgajazzy and perfectly enhances the detail in my sashiko skirt with a structure and style all its own.

and i enjoyed making time late last week for coffee with lisa (anais ably provided the entertainment for our tete a tete).

sadly, no sign of this.

but a quiet weekend spent:

baking this,

blocking this,

starting this,

admiring this.

seeking clarity

anais has been given some antibiotics and should be on the mend in a day or so. my work is sadly increasing whilst i am parked on the lounge next to my daughter but at least i can knit.

i managed a very short jog around our dog park for the first time in 3 months on the weekend. and my knee held. my loss of fitness is incredible and i will need to tackle some serious distances between now and this.

and sewing? ah, sadly on hold succumbing to my lack of clarity. the late night thoughts are evolving so i am sure my sketches will require some attention. soon. ish.

mother's day

my mother's day was fantastic.

dinner out with my recently returned husband the night before.

and a sleep in.

till noon.

yup.

no kids.

thanks, mum.

and hoping for a return to this girl veeeeery soon.

roll with it

my experience with habu kits has always involved concern during the creation process that the garment may. not. fit. (a horrifying thought for one who only knits for oneself)

a continual state of unease. a constant checking of measurements with the tape. regular cross-checking the pattern with my long hand row chart. attempts to stretch it to my bodily canvas as i complete a limb or section. a downgrading of my mind's eye image.

and incredibly, thus far, each end result has far exceeded my expectations.

working my way through this kit has meant more adaption and development of the pattern than previously. i believe the drape of the knitted garment will also affect the end product; knitted from cuff to cuff across the body sideways, not a traditional up the body design.

i have done my first ever gauge check. i have reconfigured the pattern's stitch count. i have checked my garment against the pattern's dimensions. apparently it matches.

and yet i still have concerns this jacket will not fit me. and nearing the end of knitting, i have decided to redo the back. all of it.

much like my week. i have managed 3 hours of work total; i was unwell, my daughter is now unwell, my husband is away.

just going to try and roll with it.