Lulu Carter

Hat #3

This was super fast. The close up of the soft grey and orange from Friday? Another ( please dont groan) hat for the smallest head around here. My goodness it is so disgustingly satisfying making tiny fast things. 

I am becoming aware that these are my procrastination projects given that the things I need to get completed are huge and time consuming but phwah. Its nice.

Forgive the fuzzy.He started bouncing like a monster.

Hat details over here

And I made some pants yesterday morning to match the hat which now has a chin strap.

Yay I hear you shout. Ok I'll stop now....

*We had an amazing time yesterday working on a family photo shoot. I'm so happy with my styling and Ashleigh took fabulous shots so when he's done editing I give you a peek.

 

Improvising

Sometimes you just have to admit that you left that WIP sitting in the UFP bag far too long.

So you spend an entire evening frogging some very nice yarn ( it did not want to frog) and swearing a little.

Then you improvise. And perhaps allow for growth just a wee bit much.

So you do the same thing to a bucket hat before you race off to the park one afternoon.

You're almost convinced he could fit a pet inside that hat aren't you?

I'm all about millage. Seriously. It was deliberate.

So last night I started another one because, well, when you're on a roll...

Except I'm knitting stripes and I can tell you now I am for too chicken to cut that yarn until Ive manage to get it on his head. This is going to take some yarn tangling skill isnt it.

Happy Weekend! ( Baby happiness=no hat!)

stickers and babies

Firstly the stickers.

Just after christmas we took a drive up to Brisbane and spent the day at the galleries. They are set along the river with the library in between and it is so beautifully laid out I instantly wanted to live there. Just so I could sit on the grass by the river and step inside a gallery. Priorities in tact I'd say.

We went up to look at the Matisse exhibition which was wonderful. The exhibition is of his drawings which was quite interesting to see with the boys. We were counting how many lines he could draw a face in at one point. When you come out, they have a drawing space set up with life models, violinists seranading everyone and people everywhere sketching. They also have drawing tablets which is a terrific idea for our digital age children. Everywhere you were you could draw a still life or a model and, for those who had not brought their own sketching equipment with them, they had clipboards, paper and pencils around the room. I have honestly never been to an exhibition so well thought out before. Even the cafe was set up for sketching, reading his books and sipping a coffee. Magnificent.

Afterwards we wondered into this room by Yayoi Kasuma. Every adult was instantly transformed back into a child as we grabbed sticker sheets and set about covering every surface we could find. Tall adults were happily popping stickers on te ceiling. We had to be checked at the exit though for stickers as you werent allowed to remove them from the space. Even if they were stuck to your bottom from the piano stool as Henry discovered.

The childrens book illustrators exhibition was on at the Library too so we had a full and inspiring day.

When we came back outside to the real world, we were greeted by this cloud mountain rising above the Art Gallery. We had never seen anything like it. It was thick and solid. Quite fantastic.

And now our baby who looks so much fuller than he did that week away. These photos were taken over the last few days. His last days as a nine week old I might add. Today he hit double digits. 

I honestly have not taken his ten week photo yet as when he's awake I spend that time pulling faces and singing and being a completely smitten mother. Its a miracle anything gets done around here with this little bug of ours.

And he would sleep anywhere. Yesterday he had an entire nap being held and passed around by my friends up at the park. Any cuddle is a good cuddle clearly. And he is getting squishy bits! He's over 5 kilos (about 11.7 pounds) now so it wont be long before he is literally twice the baby we brought home from hospital.

I'm knitting another Milo. The lovely grey one is a little bit like trying to put him in sausage casing now.

xxx

manic ticking over here

Hello! Thank you for your emails.Nothings happened yet- I've just been pacing myself. Fever pitch hit last week and the other day found myself dusting the top of cupboards (suuuch a cliche) and fossicking through the roof storage for throwouts and the like.

I am managing to get through the list a little, which is a relief.

So far:

A birthday present delivered and a happy little girl frocked up.

 

A top for me in my favourite Liberty print.

I finished the monster.

 

Tree skirt complete.

The all important pram chain.

Organised a bit of baby space.

A rattle snake -because babys need knitted goods of all kinds.

Outfits for the home journey.

 

Sling made and saddle bag adopted for baby usage.

The beach was rediscovered after the cold winter.

And bump is still here!

So with less than two weeks to go, I am well and truly at the end of the road and a newish path will begin.Wow.

I must say, I cannot wait to meet these great big feet that like to reach around my side and drive me crazy!

xxx

 

having too much fun

Of the itty bitty kind.

Pattern-Me

Pattern-Me 

Yarn-Koigu KPM #P538

Pattern-Maile Sweater   *I left off the bottom lace pattern as its for a baby boy.

Yarn-Debbie Bliss Cashmerino #340031

Pattern cardigan -Debbie Bliss Ribbed Baby Jacket

Pattern booties-  From the book "Purls of Wisdom" by Jenny Lord ( A fabulous book if you needed to add to your collection! )

Yarn-Morris and Sons Bamboo # Kingfisher

Pattern-Info on Ravelry

Yarn-Malabrigo worsted #Paris Night

Pattern-Milo Vest  *I left off the cable detail

And of course the crochet Baby Twister Blanket and I've made a baby ring sling in apple green linen which I'm hoping will not be too tricky to use and light enough to prevent us both from melting.

I ordered the rings from here.

 

Little bump is doing fabulously but his carrier is not doing quite so fabulously this week.It seems my pelvis is terribly unhappy and has become unstable.Lots of lying down for me.

This was one of the main reasons we never went back for a third baby after having Oliver as from 28 weeks he crashed downwards and I could not walk.For years afterwards I was paying the price too.The thought of revisiting that was frightening.

Thankfully I am not running around after a toddler this time and know what will happen if I don't pace myself.

I have even been banned from doing any yoga as that will make things worse for me.Absolutely rotten as yoga is my daily fix. It seems I suffer from this which is very impressive in a "palms on the ground legs straight" kind of competition but not so much when pregnancy hormones make you super flexible anyway.

But whatever it takes is what I will do so that both of us make it to the other end on one piece.

Even if that means walking like a little old lady which is about were I'm at by midday.

Until then ( oh my goodness ten weeks!!) there will be knitting and sewing and quilting as they are perfectly sofa friendly activities as we all know.

Take care xxxx

Baby Twister Blanket pattern

For this delicious little blanket I used Spud and Chloe fine yarn.

Colours - Calypso #7806  blue

              Cricket  #7804   green

              Sassafras #7808   hot pink

              Clementine #7802  orange

              Shitake #7814   soft brown ( the colour is represented corrctly on their website)

I bought two skeins of each colour except Shitake which I bought three of.

Blanket size is bassinet or stroller.You will make 42 squares (unless you want a larger blanket)

Ch = chain

SS = slip stitich

SC =single crochet

DC = double crochet

1/2 DC = half double crochet

TC = triple crochet

Circles:

Ch 4 and join into a ring with a ss.

Ch 3 into first space then DC twelve times around the ring.

Join with a ss.

Round 1:

Ch 3 then DC into the first space.

Dc into the next space.

Dc twice into the next space.

Continue alternating once then twice into each space around the ring.

Join with a SS.

Round 2:

Ch 3 then repeat the pattern as above.

Join with a SS.

Round 3 :

Ch 3 and DC into the first space.

Dc once into the next two spaces.

DC twice into the next space.

Repeat *DC x 2 , DC x 1 , DC x 1* around the ring.

Join with a ss.

Round 4 :

Colour #2 for final circle round

Repeat Dc x 2 , DC x 1 , Dc x 1 into each space around the circle.

Join with a ss.

 

Change to your main colour.

Square:

Ch 3 then DC into first space on circle ( where you landed and ss).

Ch 2 then DC twice into the same space as above.

*This makes your first corner

Dc once into the next three spaces.

1/2 DC into the next two spaces.

SC into the next three spaces.

1/2 DC into the next two spaces.

DC into the next three spaces.

DC twice into the next space then CH 2 then DC twice 

*This is your second corner

Repeat the above pattern  starting with the DC into next three spaces until you have come around to the first corner again.

SS into the corner to join the round and begin the next row.

Second Row of Square:

Repeat the above pattern but you will DC three times , then 1/2 DC three times ( formerly twice), and SC four times ( formerly three times) for each side.Corners are the same.

SS into the corner to secure your row and begin on a corner again fr the final row.

Third Row of Square:

CH 3 , DC , ch 2 ,DC twice into the first corner.

Dc into every space along the side.

Work into the corner as above.

DC into every space for the next side.

Complete the square as above.

Join with a ss.

Cut yarn leaving a four inch tail and pull through the last loop on your hook thereby tying it off.

Your square will be curly.DO NOT PANIC 

Block that square.If you have used the same yarn I did you will block it to and 11 cm square.

I found it so much faster and simpler to block the squares as I went.

Assembly:

Using a tapestry needle that will fit your yarn,lay the blocked squares into your desired pattern.

Working on all the vertical rows, start with the first squares in two rows and , right sides facing,use your hook toe ss them together using the main colour.

You will be able to crochet those tails into the ss as you work your way along so no need for sewing them in later.

Once the first two rows are joined,start back at the beginning and work the next row of squares in.

Once you have joined all the squares going in one direction,turn you work and ss the rowns together going the other way.

You will have ridges joing the squares on the back but I think this gives a nicer finish on the front.I have seen it done the other way around so it is personal preference.Of course you join them to give the look you prefer.

The Border:

First Row-

Working into the first corner just as I did on each square I then DC into each space along the side.

Work into the corner again then repeat for the next side.

Second Row-

Repeat the pattern above.

Third Row-

Work into the corner then TC into each space along the side.

Work into the corner ( Dc x2 ,CH 2 , DC x2)

Join with a ss,cut your yarn leaving a tail and pull through the last loop to secure.

Sew the tail in.

** Decorative option.

Work into the corner.

CH 4 then ss in the forth space along.

CH 4 then ss repeating above.

Work into your next corner then repeat the above pattern for the next side.

When you arrive back at your first corner secure with a ss.

Now working into each chain4:

SS,1/2 DC, DC x2 , 1/2 DC, SS into the chain.

Put hook into the next chain and work as above.

When you get to a corner repeat the pattern but DC x 3 instead of x2 to get you around the bend.

Repeat the pattern along the next side.

Once you have completed all sides join with a SS and cut a four in tail.

Pull through the final loop and secure.

Weave in using a tapestry needle.

This will give you a lovely scalloped edge.

Finally-you will need to block the blanket to get your rows nice and neat.It also seems to soften the yarn alot.

 

# When I was working on this blanket I would sometimes find myself with the wrong number of spaces left when I worked the first row for the square. I blame tv! Distraction....

Make sure when you arrive back at the beginning of the last two row on your circle you end with a DC x2.

I found it much easier to ignore a space than invent one.

Once you have blocked the blanket for the final time you won't see these ( ahem) hiccups.

 

I love this little baby blanket.

*The bunny in the photo is knitted from Itty Bitty Toys by Susan B Anderson.

 

Anastasia Rose

I now have a niece.

And I get to make pretty things with the disgusting amount of pretty things I seem to accumulate.

The boys wanted to know if she had said anything yet and was she crawling.

Soon.Too soon if I remember correctly.

And I will admit quietly to you here that I was a tad green.

But I've moved on from that.

I get to make pretty things and dont have to try to get the stains out.

Oh the cheek of it!

Such is the utter perfection of being an Auntie.

This is a whole new world.

I like it.

No.

I absolutely adore it.

Did I mention I have a niece...

How delicious is she going to look in this?

She's promised not to poo or bring up her milk.

Maybe it will live on the wall.......

 

If you're interested:

Shrug pattern from here.

Knitted in this.

Jumpsuit fabric Lecien cotton bought here.

Pattern from my head.Sorry about that! 

Risky.

 

xxx

 

 

baby busy

Hello! I have been doing things but none of it could be shown here.Until now.Now all has been received and therefore can be revealed.Phew.

A while ago I mentioned that my sister was pregnant.Well that baby is going to make an appearance any day now or any week now depending on how cosy he/she is in there.Officially two weeks to go.

So,much to the boys relief after months of "is our cousin born yet",it wont be much longer.

I had been waiting to know whether it is to be a boy or a girl but that was simply not Ok for my sister.She wanted some goodies now.Right now.Love it! So thats what I have been doing.

Baby goodies of the gender neutral kind.

A couple of toiles took place in plain cotton before I got to the above finished reversible hat.Basing it on the sizes of my boys heads back then, I think it should fit perfectly at about four months which is exactly when she will be out here showing baby off in the sunshine.Of course she can plonk it on beforehand in the English summer but there wont be much looking around being done-more a case of teeny baby disappearing under super cute hedgehog bucket hat!

These little pants are completely fudged basing the crotch length on some baby bloomers of Henrys.I bought a plain cotton jumpsuit and appliqued on an apple for sweetness.I think the red spot is Katie Jumps Rope-ages old stash fabric but lovely and soft.

This little cardigan is terribly soft in alpaca and I covered the buttons to match. You can find the pattern and yarn details here on my ravelry page.

This is my favourite.Both my babies loved soft fabric books and I think they used to be called quiet books.For an older baby you would have things that move and tuck in and play peek-a-boo.This is simply Heather Bailey felt appliqued on with blanket stitch.I inserted panels in between each page so when the baby opens the book the pages will stay open while they poke,slobber,tear at,squish......EEEK!

These two pussy cats are my sisters girls Tilly and Lola.They had to be in there.

It was so much fun I think I'll do another and put it on here as a tutorial.

This is all the loot on her kitchen table after she opened it last night.A bunny of course and some fushia mary jane booties with a matching hat(just in case this person is female as there is no pink at the ready!)

The red ribboned gift is to be opened when baby has arrived.Its not hard to guess what it might be-I think all children receive one of these as their first friend.

There is also knitted bunting which I must say I am about to repeat because it looks so happy hanging above my kitchen bench!

A quilt has been requested which makes me laugh as

a) it wont get used for ages 

b) my boys didnt get one until they turned seven.

I must have been a slack new mum!

Well there you go.I have one more lovely thing but thats for mums birthday on two weeks time so I cant show you that yet either.

On the super exciting side we are off for two weeks of sun,sand and sea over the school holidays coming up in a couple of weeks.Goodbye freezing NSW and hello hot sunny Queensland.Yay

It will be our last all together all the time family dose as it looks very likely that husband will be spending about seven months in South Australia.The debate as to whether we all go continues but we think it will be cruel to change schools for such a short time as almost three of those months will be school holidays broken up.We'll see.

Right now I'm looking forward to a resort style beach holiday which I dont think I've been on since I was fourteen! Is that not a tragedy?

Take care xxx

 

pick up stix

Even when it is hot and steamy outside,I still play with yarn.Perhaps its because I re-found the joy later in life-indeed once I had children.Perhaps it is because I find it the perfect, relatively mindless, tv watching activity.Perhaps a combination. I have also noticed that I spend more time looking at yarn than at fabric.I think having a basket of colourful balls worth stroking is the equivalent to having a stocked pantry. It makes me extremely happy and in a strange way,organised.Sewing is a procession of tools,planning and time.It is also not necesarily portable, particularly if working on something special.Working with yarn is playground friendly/hospital waiting room friendly (only a parent would nominate this as an important hobby feature!) and car friendly.Clearly not if you are the one behind the wheel.Just saying.It is also " damn- now that i've made it I really don't think I like it so I'll unravel it and make this instead" friendly.Now you have got to love that flexibility in a hobby.

Off the stix:

Maille baby cardigan without bottom lace row.Inspired by Itty Bitty.Needing buttons and blocking but I am loving the absolute sweetness of this little cardi.

Koigu KPPPM colour P538.Bought from Purl Soho.

Cowl in Jo Sharp silk georgette colour Sprig 760.Pattern here.Bought from Tapestry and Craft.

I began this on our flight to the Uk back in November and finished it in time to wear with my sisters coat.Well mine didn't suit it!

Just on the stix.

I think it will be a long twisty cowl.Really I think its happening because I just love moss/seed stitch.What can I say.....you cant watch tv and do nothing.

That would be......relaxing.......or something...

Yarn cascade 128 Superwash colour 1910 Summer Sky.Bought from Purl Soho

 

 

vikings

My list of handmade gifts is looking far too perky and un-ticked at this stage.How are you doing with yours??

With mere days until I am without all my main supplies and machine (sob) I have been looking for things I can knit.So far I have managed to make a Santa for Oliver and matching Elf for Henry to peer out of the stockings on christmas morning. But I then saw these!!

They are just wonderful and I can think of some adults who would delight in finding them under the tree as well as the smaller members of the family.

You can buy the pattern here.