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For years I've been labouring under the impression that my three children were completely different individuals.
Granted my two boys are the spitting image of each other when you line up photographs of them at the same age, but other than that, chalk and cheese.
That is until my daughter asked for a jumper for the snow.
Now readers of the Knitterati would remember that back in July I was all huffy because the eldest son, Foatboy, asked me to whip up a jumper in record time because he was going on a school excursion to the snow. Last week Zegal pulled the same stunt. She was going to the snow and she gave me a week to knit her a jumper.
She is lucky that I am the best mother in the world and I finished the jumper with a day to spare.
Thankfully she is considerably smaller than her big brother and luckily I still had some Merino Spun hiding in the non-stash in my shed.
But, as I know from experience that Merino Spun pills like a demon, I decided to do some stitch patterning in it so Zegal was given a book of traditional guernsey patterns to choose from while I sat down and worked out a pattern.
She chose a simple diamond pattern enclosed in what I think are called gutters and I worked out a bottom up pattern that I could attach the sleeves to, then do raglan decreases for the yoke. Luckily the pattern fitted into the stitch count without too much hair tugging and off I went.
Deciding to throw in a pattern to try and avoid all that ruddy pilling was inspired because the knitting seemed to go faster as I was constantly changing from knit to purl and back again. You could see the jumper growing as the diamonds appeared, it wasn't a case of what seemed like metres of boring stocking stitch.
The end result is a heavy, bulky and slightly too large jumper but considering she will be wearing several layers out there on the boulder fields while helping her dad catch and release pygmy possums for National Parks, a jumper that is too large is probably the best type of jumper to have, particularly as the forecast for this weekend is snow, snow and more snow on the mountain peaks.
Even during 'normal' November weather there is usually a snow drift or two out in the remote areas where they go looking for the possums, so each year I get a photograph or two of a wobbly snowman and a little girl next to it. This year I'm expecting a Daddy sized snowman as well.
Now I've finished this snow jumper I'd better get a start on Jar's snow jumper seeing as his siblings have demanded one, it's his turn now surely?
 

That's right! Knittearti Members who purchase $30 worth of PATONS Smoothie or PATONS Serenity from any participating retailer from November 15th 2008 to January 15th 2009 can receive the PATONS Surf book for half price!* 

Just take the coupon that was emailed out to you last week to redeem this wonderful offer.

The PATONS Surf book features wonderful summer patterns in both PATONS Smoothie and PATONS Serenity yarns. 

Click here to see the patterns from the book. 

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* see instore for terms and conditions.

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Are you passionate about needlecraft or knitting? Would you like to work in an environment where you can share that passion? Morris and Sons (formerly Tapestry Craft) are currently looking for enthusiastic and reliable staff for our Sydney store and our new store opening soon in Melbourne CBD. We are especially keen to hire people who are interested in a long-term position within our growing business, as there is opportunity for future promotion into management and design positions.

Click here to read all the details.

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Everyone remembers their first—big, warm and cuddly, beautiful, frustrating as hell and full of mistakes.

We’re talking about sweaters, right?

Apparently there is a curse. You knit a sweater for a boyfriend, you sweat and toil and rip and knit, knit, knit. And the second you cast off, the ungrateful lout dumps you for your best friend Nancy and makes out with her. At prom. While wearing your sweater.

Fortunately, I learned to knit at an all girls’ boarding school. Nary a boy for miles, so none to spare to use and abuse me in exchange for knitted goods. Later, a college boyfriend got a tiny afghan in a nice heather grey yarn...in an ignominious and unsexy granny stitch. He was nice enough to last five years, but I can safely say I miss neither him nor that hideous blanket.

The only man to get a handknit gift from moi safely avoided all curses by accepting a delicious charcoal alpaca scarf for Christmas, and then promptly rendering it deeply insignificant by offering me a diamond ring.

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To make up for the imbalance, Simons got my first sweater: a beautiful sun-kissed forest green raglan in Manos del Uruguay, with a terrifically manly orange zipper on the front. First it was a birthday present, then Christmas…finally a Valentine gift. Well, it’s cold all year round in San Francisco, so it didn’t really matter. I love that he actually wears it and not just to placate me. Someone in his firm asked me to make him one too, and I said, “Suuuure, for a thousand dollars.” The single ply yarn has a tendency to pill up a bit, so I’m constantly attacking Simons with the electric shaver, which he complains is most ticklesome.

I'm glad I picked that pattern, because now that I'm looking for something else to knit for him, every project I find, he hates. Shawl collars are too old fashioned. Cables are sissified (this is news to Ireland, I assume). Fortunately for me, Fair Isle has the same complaint. I'm starting to feel like I should give him sort of pelt with a bone to hold it closed and call it a day.

Does anyone know a sweater pattern that grunts, "MAN" when you look at it, and then hits you over the head with a club and drags you off by the hair? I need that one.
I swore to myself this would be the year that I would clear out my WIP basket before starting any new projects or buying new yarn. And with some small exceptions, I succeeded. And by exceptions, I mean socks.
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But my resolution is complete! My projects have progressed, my jumpers have jumped. All my WIPS are now FOs. In the past three months, I have finished:

* 3 pairs of socks
* 1 wobbly circles tote
* 3 sweaters
* 1 dipsy-doodle U-turn bastard of a scarf
* 3 baby blankets
 
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And in so doing, I have reduced my stash by about 32 balls of yarn. That’s about 4 miles of yarn, or 7,040 yards, or 21,120 feet, or ummmm, very difficult sum...253,440 inches. You people with the metric system have got it so easy.

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I did actually have a purpose to all of this frugality besides being a cheapskate (oh, how my mother would laugh at that). My sweet husband has, at long last, completed my yarn chest.
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Isn't it awesome? The exterior is cherry with a copper skin and hand-chiseled joints, and guess what else! It moves!

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Here it is partially opened.

Flip up the shiny inlaid lid, pull the handles, and the entire interior lifts out to display my stash all at once, tucked in snugly to cedar plank shelving to protect it from moths (cue Twilight Zone theme song). My father mailed us some antique window weights to counterbalance the shelves. So when I pull, the stash stays! How sexy is it that Simons builds me stuff? Very.

And for the first time, I'm inspired by my stash again. I've got enough vile grey Cascade to felt at least three pairs of slippers, enough leftover alpaca for an extremely jaunty Rustic Scarf in pink and white stripes. My succulent blue Patons yarn is going to be gorgeous in the Knotty or Knice Socks from Interweave this season. Some of it I'd forgotten I owned. Some of these little skeins hadn't seen the light of day in years, but when nestled cozily next to that silver laceweight, suddenly break into a song and dance number begging to be made into a saucy camisole. It's delicious!

You aren't fooled by any of this, are you? Okay, FINE! I admit it. I'm just making room for more.

New Summer Yarns have arrived at your local yarn store.

Click here to see all the new Yarns!

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Better Homes and Gardens November Issue features some wonderful Summer Crochet Pattern featuring

  • CLECKHEATON Bamboo
  • PATONS Serenity DK
  • PATONS Smoothie DK

Get one at your local newsagent before they sell out!

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As part of cloth nappy week, Craftee Cottage is hosting a FREE workshop for anyone interested in getting some tips and ideas for knitting soakers etc. 

9.30 a.m. -11.00 a.m. - Monday 13th October .

Also some great specials on pure wool will be offered to all attending. Bookings - Craftee Cottage 9568 3606 or email info@crafteecottage.com.au. Limited spaces available.

Craftee Cottage
Shop 5,
52 - 54 Atherton Rd, Oakleigh, vic 3166.