Hats Hats...its all about hats..

One would think at this time of year, winter hats would be off the agenda but no......Mother Nature seems to be a little bit confused. Just when we thought Spring had taken hold and summer was on the way, she does a turn around, the temperature plummets, the winds pick up and it rains too. On and off for weeks on end. So we took the opportunity to take some pictures of my latest efforts while it was not too warm to do so.

First up this is Jane........

Jane is a lovely easy pattern by Ela Torrente aka Modish Mom Knits and is available for purchase on Ravelry.

I have used less than a 100g of Do or Dye Luxury Yarn in Coastal Plain.

I won this yarn in a KAL a while back and I must say it was exquisite to knit with. Has to have been my favourite yarn in the last long while. I am very much loving the colour and the final result too.

But wait...there is more. Jane is not alone, Ela also has the pattern John along side. John is basically the same however, there are no eyelets for those who find them too feminine.

Either hat could be worn by boys or girls if one so desires. :-)

(you can find the pattern for John here.)

I have managed to knit 2 versions of John. One in Bendigo Woollen Mills Serenade in Green. I loved this one as the pattern shows up nicely and I think it looks a lot nicer than my other effort. Which is in Wisdom Poems Olive Grove. While the colours are lovely they are pretty much swallowing Ela's lovely design so I would recommend solid colours if you would like to knit either of these patterns.

I am hoping to fit in one more Jane when I finish up this months test knits and my sneaky projects which I will share later. :-)

If you are interested Ela is currently hosting a Knit a Long on her Ravelry group Modish People. Up until December 1st you can post your WIP's and FO's to be entered into her weekly give aways. She is offering a different one of her patterns each week and all posts are entered every week so you have a chance to win once a week. At the end of the KAL she will also have some other prizes too.

The pattern is nice and easy to follow and it makes a great hand bag knit.

I am thinking they would make great Xmas gifts too as they are quick to whip up.

Next up we have Love Street by Paula Henley aka Koru Designs. This is also a great pattern, easy to follow and a fun knit. I knit this one using another Do or Dye Yarn, Embers in Sparkle. The weather did not pick up the sparkles in the picture but I assure you it is very sparkly.

And that is all we have for today. My Model had a plane to catch. She was off to visit her sister in Melbourne for a few days.  I have a rather busy day ahead of me. Baby Photo Shoot tomorrow for a test knit and then visitors for the next few days. So aside from  finishing up one more test knit, making a start on another, finishing yet another Umberto for my nephew and working on a pattern I have dreamed up... I do believe I have a wee bit of cleaning and cooking to do. 

You have a beautiful day my friends. Love and Light to you xoxoxox

BE HAPPY

Bliss Bomb Sweetheart....

Another test knit I worked on recently was the second version of Bliss Bomb for Mymymy Knitting. You might remember this one I made a while back.


Such a sweet little top/tunic and the original came in lots of sizes too.


















The latest version is made a little wider so the sizing is a bit more versatile and can be adjusted using the I-cord at the top to pull it in and up. It also, as the name would imply has a row of hearts to sweeten it up. I have to say I am in love with this. I wish I had my own little girl to dress up in one.

Pictured here on both  3 1/2 year old and a 4 1/2 year old  models is the size 3-5. Made with Bendigo Woollen Mills 8ply cotton in Lilac with a little pink for the hearts.

This pattern is not yet released but will be available for purchase real soon. I will link up once it is ready.

Taliesin.....

I took on 2 test knits this month. I managed to get them both finished in just 2 weeks which whilst giving me a small sense of accomplishment also gave me sore fingers. LOL Of course I was knitting little things on the side so no wonder. Today I am going to share the little one with you. 

Introducing Taliesin...the mini version.  By: Whirlsie Designs. 

Cute much? My model was simply delightful. She is pictured wearing the 6-9 month size. Worked on 3mm needles with Bendigo Woollen Mills Baby Wool,  4ply in Lemon. I added little wooden teddy buttons as I did not have any yellow buttons that looked quite right. Oh Ok I had plenty but I liked the teddies. They are adorable and were too small for the project I had intended to use them for. :-) 

A lovely design and pattern. Easy to follow and cabling is offered in written and graph instructions. 

The patterns for Adult, child and Mini versions are due for release in just a few weeks. There is going to be a KAL to celebrate the release of the pattern so if you are interested its a great time to snap it up as there will be discounts and of course prizes to go along with the KAL. Go visit Whirlsie Designs for more information and to join the KAL mailing list if you are interested. I am seriously considering making one for myself. Just love that cabling down the front.  :-) 

Happy Knitting all. Hope you can join us. 

Demetra......

Hello my lovely bloggy friends. I hope you are well. Things have been just a little topsy turvy in the land of Karisma. Sad family happenings, illnesses and the usual drama's that evolve in life had me away for a little while. But there have been some lovely times as well and lots of FO's have finally been photographed to share. :-)

I had loads of fun one day with my little models. As anyone with children would probably know. Its a matter of taking lots and lots of pictures on the go if the models are very little and/or indeed a little stubborn when it comes to posing. The cuteness either way just melts me. I followed them around, jumped on the trampoline and even chased the bee's away. (Well I pretended to anyway, I love bees and welcome them in my garden). Anyway, without further rambling lest I scare you away, here is my first little model Miss 3 wearing Demetra.

Demetra Pattern by Sarah Elizabeth Schmidt is knit here using Passioknit Scandy Ayres Yarn in 12 ply which is an acrylic, mohair, wool, nylon blend. Its lovely and soft and very stretchy. The swing style of the top means it also is big enough to suit several sizes. Here is Miss 4 1/2 styling it with a matching Aviatrix by Just Jussi.

It's a pretty quick knit and the pattern is easy to follow. You will need to be prepared for just a little bit of sewing though to turn the hem and add the little pockets. A gorgeous little top, thought so well worth the effort.

The pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry if you would like to knit it too.   (click here) 

Have a beautiful week everyone. Hugs xoxo

Knit Knit Knit Knit

Hello lovelies, 

Just popping by to let you know I have not fallen off the planet or anything so drastic. After arriving home from our big trip away and unpacking and trying to get back into the swing of everyday life, I managed to forget about updating the blog. But I have been knitting.. and knitting... and knitting some more. My fingers are sore :-) 

I have finished a few little things in the past couple of weeks and have a photo shoot planned for next week. So will hold out to FO share pictures until then. The little sneaky peaks here of the yellow yarn is a test knit for Whirlsie Designs. A Mini Taliesin which is ever so cute. I just want a baby to fill it up. Yes I do.  Well a grand baby would be nice anyway. 

I took delivery of a bunch of yarn last week and have been very very good and just admired it rather than cast on something new. The temptation has been killing me. Especially since those two at the front are my first hand dyed yarn deliveries and I am so looking forward to trying them out. The neutral yarns are intended for dyeing. I just need to get the courage to get started now. I have been wanting to try dyeing with natural plants for a long time but never quite got to it. I have some tansy flowers soaking and am keen to try it the old fashioned way. But of course feeling a little nervous at the same time lest I stuff it up. 

Well I did cast on with the cotton. The Lavender one there but that is yet another test knit. This one for MyMyMy knitting.  Almost finished. Sneaky peaks only......

And last for a bit of crochet..... this is the first pic of a pattern I have been working on myself..... I need to make it in a plain colour as you can't really see the pattern in the skirt. I had to put it aside to finish the test knits but hope to get it finished by next month. 

What have you been working on this week? I hope your crafty hands are keeping busy. 

Love and Light to you xoxoxox

Holiday greetings...

Hello there my friends.

Just popping in for a quick minute to give you a sneaky peak at what I have been working on. First up... Demetra.....

The yarn is called Scandy Ayres and is an Acyrlic/wool/nylon/Mohair blend (Yes I actually bought something with Acrylic in it by choice. Wonders will never cease. To be truthful I did not check the label till I went to use it. LOL I have to say I am loving the flecks of colour and the softness of the finished product. Yes it is very almost finished. I need to sew up the hem and pockets but am waiting till I get home and block it before I take pictures to show you.

Next up, with all the rain and not much to do here in Byron this past week. I had a lot of time for reflection, dreaming and playing with yarn. I came up with about 3 different pattern ideas and this one is going to be a dress with different yoke and body options... here is a peek of the first one. You can't really see the pattern in the skirt properly but thats ok, don't want to give it away too early now do I?

My yarn options etc are limited here so I am using what I have and jotting down my ideas as I go. Lots of drawings but not much physical production with yarn.  The skirt of this variation would be much better in a solid colour as it has a zig zagging pattern in it.

Anyway the sun has actually peeked out from behind all the clouds this morning and I am off to meet a friend for lunch. Take care lovelies. I will probably not post again till after I am home.

Love and light to you and yours. xoxoxoxox

Summer Strawberries.....

Good morning my friends. Its raining again at our holiday destination, has been for most of our time here. Oh well, that has left time for knitting, crocheting and even some blogging time.

I have enjoyed my adventures into sock knitting once more. Only the 2nd pair I have ever knit and of course the first time using a circular needle. I had fun taking pictures along the way too. :-)  There was knitting at the beach on those days where it did not rain....even if it was blustery windy and cold..

This one was taken on my phone.  :-) Not long before the chilly wind whipped up and it was way too cold to stay out there. I had to make a run for the car.

The socks were a pleasant pattern to follow but I think I needed to make them a little shorter in the foot.

The toes are rather square and as the foot was a bit long they did not stretch to give them a toe shape if you know what I mean?

I will either give them to some one with a longer foot or pull them back a pattern repeat once I get home so they fit a bit better. (I like this idea better as I do love these socks).

The heel is quite bunched up too.


All in all, I love the lace pattern and the berry stitches that make up the rest of the sock.

It was hard to take pictures when one was wearing the socks, pictures do not really do the pattern justice.

 The Pattern:  Summer Strawberries by Sezza Knits. 

The Yarn:  Araucania Ranco 933 Pink

Needles: 2.25 and 2.5 mm circulars




Have a beautiful day! Love and hugs xox

That moment....when you run out of yarn.....

This is what happens when you decide to use up your left over yarn and don't swatch or check yardage.  Woopsy!

My fault entirely. I trusted that the pattern said 100g of DK and surely I had a little over 100g left of my BWM Luxury did I not? Well yes I did, in fact I am pretty sure that it should have been more than enough. Perhaps if I had used a smaller set of needles. Considering the pattern states this will fit an 18month to 2 year old. I did notice that it was looking a little big in the top section but my friends, the yarn felt so nice and squishy and I was tired and did not want to work on my fiddlier project of socks, so in my usual fashion I just said meh and kept on knitting.

I figured you see that I also had about 25grams of the white left over and I would use that for the bottom and the sleeve edging. I "thought" it would be enough. LOL I can just hear my hubby saying " Well, you know what thought did, don't you?" I won't tell you the other half of that lovely statement of his, its a bit rude. But anyways, as you can see, I ran out again.

So this little lovely will be waiting till we get home to be finished as I have some more of that white at home.

For now I am looking at this delightful bunch of yarn and wondering what to do with it....

You see in my haste to pack my bags I did not check the ply. It looks like DK but apparently according to rav it is 12 ply. I had hoped to make a larger Gidday and have some contrasting purple to go with it but not sure if it will work being 8ply and 12ply. Would probably not hold its shape at all. I am tempted to give it a go but don't want to waste it. Maybe I should knit a swatch using both colours and see what happens? Hmmmm that might make sense. :-)

Any ideas for something else I can make with this? Interesting that the yardage is the same for a 50g ball as the 8ply.  I have 480metres of this and 400 metres of the purple. So I can either risk it or I can make something different out of each of them. Oh decisions decisions!      


Have a beautiful day my friends. Love and light to you xoxoxox

Introducing the Shoots Beanie....

Designer: Erin Dunstone of Mymymy Knitting. 

Pattern: Shoots Beanie

Yarn: Main Colour - Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury in Leaf , Contrast: Moda Vera Pure Wool in Cream

Needles: 4mm circular

A quick and enjoyable knit with great results. Pattern is well written and easy to follow. As you can see it can also be worn in various ways. A great addition to your beanie/hat family. Enjoy!

Pattern available in a few days on Ravelry (click here to queue).