tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931275791274066842024-02-19T13:54:53.595+08:00The Yarn and the Restless KnitterThe Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-76614075836990414692015-06-11T22:43:00.001+08:002015-06-11T22:43:47.608+08:00{New} Ravelry Picks of the Week<div style="text-align: justify;">I love trawling Ravelry for new things to heart, queue and generally drool over. There is so much amazing talent out there and each week I am going to select a few of my favourite items to share with you. Feel free to leave me a comment telling me what's catching your eye lately, let's spread the woolly love! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">How serene is this colour palette. Although we are just coming into winter here in the southern hemisphere, these colours make me think of overcast summer days spent by the beach, golden sands stretching for miles and a slightly cool breeze flicking at your hair. That's where I'd rather be.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://static.wix.com/media/86f858_094450a2d546468989562a1679bf05e1.jpg" class="img-rounded" style="line-height: 1.7em; text-align: center; width: 50%; float: none;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clockwise from top left:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2 style="font-size: 1.3em; padding-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vasa" target="_blank">Vasa</a></h2><div class="pattern_author" style="margin-top: -10px; font-size: 1.1em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/dianna-walla" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Dianna Walla</a></div><div class="pattern_author" style="margin-top: -10px; font-size: 1.1em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><br></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2 style="font-size: 1.3em; padding-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pebble-beach-shawl" target="_blank">Pebble Beach Shawl</a></h2><div class="pattern_author" style="margin-top: -10px; font-size: 1.1em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/helen-stewart" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Helen Stewart</a></div><div class="pattern_author" style="margin-top: -10px; font-size: 1.1em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><br></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2 style="font-size: 1.3em; padding-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/palmyre" target="_blank">Palmyre</a></h2><div class="pattern_author" style="margin-top: -10px; font-size: 1.1em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/nadia-cretin-lechenne" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Nadia Crétin-Léchenne</a></div><div class="pattern_author" style="margin-top: -10px; font-size: 1.1em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><br></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2 style="font-size: 1.3em; padding-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shawl-shrug" target="_blank">Shawl Shrug</a></h2><div class="pattern_author" style="margin-top: -10px; font-size: 1.1em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/susanne-sommer" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Susanne Sommer</a></div></div>The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-19138505834847405282015-04-13T12:45:00.001+08:002015-04-13T12:45:42.894+08:00I've just updated my Etsy store with most of my patterns (minus one or two). Although I'd like to imagine every knitter, everywhere is a member of Ravelry, I'm sure some of you aren't. And although non-rav members can still purchase through rav, it is nice to have other options, isn't it. :-)<br />
You can find my Etsy store by clicking <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRestlessKnitter?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">right here</a><br />
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-31696158963044888002015-04-07T12:07:00.002+08:002015-04-07T12:07:24.364+08:00Off and racing!I've been a busy little bee. In the last month I have released not one but two new patterns. You may have seen them already over on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/the-restless-knitter" target="_blank">Ravelry </a>or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheRestlessKnitter" target="_blank">facebook</a> but just in case you haven't, allow me to introduce you.<br />
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First up we have <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bux" target="_blank">Bux</a>. Bux came about when I was pondering over the stitch pattern I used in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wistful-cowl" target="_blank">Wistful Cowl</a>. I have other plans for this very pattern that I keep putting on the back burner, for now. The end result is quite different to my initial sketches. Sometimes designs are like that, they decide what they want to be and I just go along with it. I'm really happy with how this one turned out. When it comes to hats I think the crown is rather like a puzzle that needs to be worked out. I know I can easily just decrease all the stitches quickly for a slouchy hat but I feel that as a designer I need to really work out this puzzle and make the crown come together cohesively and beautifully rather than just bunch together. It's kind of like a personal challenge I guess.<br />
That said, I never anticipated how stunning the crown would look until I had already knit my sample. I'm so pleased with it, did I say that already?<br />
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Towards the end of March I also released <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inverto" target="_blank">Inverto</a>. Like Bux, Inverto was also inspired by a previous design of mine, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversus" target="_blank">Reversus</a>.<br />
Just like Reversus, Inverto are knit inside out to avoid a zillion purl stitches and the lace panel is worked in purl instead. When they are finished you turn them inside out to reveal the lace panel that sits perfectly across the back of your hand. I used the stunning White Gum Wool 4ply (Hand dyed by <a href="http://augustbird.com.au/" target="_blank">Augustbird</a>) for these mitts. The result is a soft-as-kittens and lighter-than-air mitt that is surprisingly warm. Perfect for wearing while knitting or sitting at the computer.<br />
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Both patterns are available on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/the-restless-knitter" target="_blank">Ravelry </a>now.The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-66843000982300205302015-02-08T14:27:00.000+08:002015-02-08T14:27:12.181+08:00Making time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In 2014 I found myself busy with work, kids, school, sports...life. Somehow my knitting time suffered as a result and I was less productive than ever. Some days I find myself giving away my precious time to social media because frankly I'm too tired to actually DO anything else. Then the guilt sets in, do you get that too? The feeling that precious time is slipping away or being stolen by silly online stories or memes or people you probably don't even know so well. It's easy to get caught up in the day to day dramas, get lost in a story or sidetracked by pretty pictures. But then I stop and think what is happening to me? What is happening to this generation of people so reliant on social media that they can't even walk down the street without whipping out their phones.<br />
Are you guilty of succumbing to the seductive lure of the internet? Do you feel like you are losing time or is it your escape?<br />
I think my goal for this year is to take a step back; try a little harder to resist that pull, to be more present in the moment, my own moment, not someone elses.<br />
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Back in December I did this crazy thing. I released a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zaheera" target="_blank">new pattern</a> and co-hosted a knit-along on ravelry with fellow designer <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/paula-henley" target="_blank">Paula Henley</a> of <a href="http://www.korudesignsaotearoa.com/" target="_blank">Koru Designs Aotearoa</a>. December is always crazy around here so I have no idea what I was thinking taking on this massive task. We got there in the end and it was loads of fun and we had a tonne of support from local dyers and craftspeople who donated amazing prizes to give away. At the time I also got in contact with Susannah from <a href="http://www.australianorganicwool.net.au/" target="_blank">WOOLganics</a>. You see, the new pattern I mentioned, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zaheera" target="_blank">Zaheera</a>, was specifically designed for the velvety soft WOOLganic yarn. With a high neckline I wanted to make sure the yarn used was cat-belly soft and non-itchy because I know how much kids hate itchy things near their sweet little necks.<br />
So I had this thought, how fun would it be if I could give away not only a copy of the pattern, but also the yarn to knit it with too. Susannah thought this was a great idea and has generously offered to donate two prize packs consisting of four balls of WOOLganic organic merino 8ply (DK) in the winner's choice of colour. That is enough to knit the largest size Zaheera with leftovers!<br />
I will be running the giveaway over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheRestlessKnitter?fref=photo" target="_blank">my facebook page</a>, so please pop over to my page for more info. But before you do, leave me a comment telling me what you hope to improve in your life this year.<br />
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Happy Knitting.<br />
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-56363352990733743422014-04-27T10:46:00.001+08:002014-04-27T10:46:21.833+08:00Backyard photography (and a new pattern)One of my favourite parts of the knitting process is the finishing. I know I may be in the minority here but I don't mind weaving in ends, sewing seams and I LOVE blocking! Not only does blocking inject life into the finished item, it also means I am a mere few hours from wearing my brand new knitted; and that is my very best part!<br />
I also look forward to photographing my knits. I'm really lucky to have over a hectare of natural Australian bush as my backyard. No matter what time of year it is, my backyard is always stunningly beautiful with tall willowy Karri and Marri trees, natural coffee rock and banksia trees. The ground is a carpet of fallen leaves and in winter, when the rain has washed everything clean, the colours positively glow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That, my friends, is my backyard! Oh and my new cowl pattern ;-)</td></tr>
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Most of my photoshoots take place here and the bushland you see is literally metres from my back door.<br />
Now I don't profess to be an expert photographer, in fact my bestie would kill me if I did (She actually IS a photographer! She often sneers at my 'little' camera ;-)) But since I can't always have her on hand to take amazing pics for me, I have to make do with the resources I have.<br />
I shoot with an amatuer level DSLR; a Canon 500D. I always shoot in natural light and try to choose overcast days or late afternoon where possible for the best lighting. I've been training Miss 12 to take my pics for me (she does a much better job than hubby!) And this past weekend we went to the beach for a shoot, just for something different. It was an unseasonably hot day with some light cloud cover so we were rushing to take pics each time the clouds diffused the sun.<br />
The photo's are of my latest pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wistful-cowl" target="_blank">Wistful Cowl</a>, which I released on Ravelry overnight.<br />
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This cowl features a diagonal eyelet mesh pattern that changes direction halfway. At the start of the round you are left with a vertical strip of stocking stitch, the perfect background for some decorative buttons! You can choose from the shorter version (shown in green) or the long version (pink) which can be wrapped twice for extra warmth.<br />
The pattern is available for $4.50 AUD and you can buy it here:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/the-restless-knitter/209556"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a>The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-73276249489663275162014-03-01T23:11:00.002+08:002014-03-01T23:12:43.638+08:00Helping HandsA fundraising event is currently taking place over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-One-Helping-Hand-NZ/226455370872228?fref=ts" target="_blank">facebook </a>to help fellow designer Julia Stanfield during a difficult time. For the next two days <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/the-restless-knitter" target="_blank">ALL of my patterns</a> are reduced by 20% and ALL sales will be donated to the Stanfield family fund. This is a great opportunity to get a pattern you've been eyeing off at a discounted rate and to help a fellow knitter during her time of need.
Use the coupon code: <b>JustOneHelpingHand</b> at checkout to get your discount. :-)<br />
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Oh, and see those rad legwarmers top right? They are coming to Ravelry very very soon!! But if you're super keen, drop me an email. For the next few days they are available for the discounted price of $3AUD.The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-65473494325693400502014-02-01T23:30:00.000+08:002014-02-01T23:30:11.918+08:00Pattern Release::Reversus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Late last year Nan Bray of <a href="http://whitegumwool.com.au/" target="_blank">White Gum Wool</a> very generously sent me a skein each of her buttery soft and velvety sustainable and ethical merino wool in the 4ply and 8ply bases. The samples were intended for test dyeing which of course I did, but almost immediately the seed of an idea began to sprout in my mind.<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversus" target="_blank">Reversus </a>began as the simplest of sketches, not even a fully fledged idea, just a lace panel flanked in reverse stocking stitch. The original sketch is dated a year ago. At some point while flicking back through my journal the seed germinated and suddenly this little lace panel was destined to become a hat.<br />
The idea of ALL that purling wasn't really appealing to me so I started to toy with the idea of knitting it inside out. I practically knit a whole other hat as my swatch trying to get the lace stitches to sit right. Once that part was sorted I had to think about the crown of the hat. what would happen to the lace as the hat got smaller?<br />
Some hats have you knit to a certain length and then just decrease like crazy over three or four rounds and the hat is done. That's fine and looks great for slouchy hats but I really wanted something a little more polished so I began playing around with the lace and how to decrease while maintaining the pattern as long as possible. I hope you like the finished result. I do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1ow40Ek5pM-FZguxFwN2z7lu3P_WUday_L4FuirYeqGJCt6FBwvaIXCq19DF_mxmZBvPs5glR3nLmZl9QUBzM-8XUqok3jFEvKejiv3P1oYdlTAgU_f3H28gBRH4-fQwOrCjw741rMOx/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1ow40Ek5pM-FZguxFwN2z7lu3P_WUday_L4FuirYeqGJCt6FBwvaIXCq19DF_mxmZBvPs5glR3nLmZl9QUBzM-8XUqok3jFEvKejiv3P1oYdlTAgU_f3H28gBRH4-fQwOrCjw741rMOx/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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As this pattern went live today Alicia Plummer also released a new pattern featuring a very similar lace motif. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/white-leaf" target="_blank">White Leaf</a> is a beautiful cosy cowl knit in <a href="http://www.augustbird.com.au/" target="_blank">Augustbird</a> rich aran. The two patterns compliment each other so nicely and would make a perfect matching set.<br />
Augustbird is also a retailer of the White Gum wool that I used for Reversus and I have recommended her beautiful hand dyed yarns as the perfect partner for my pattern. Rebecca has kindly offered a 10% discount on her DK weight yarns for anyone wanting to knit their own Reversus. How awesome is that! To take advantage of this generous offer just enter the coupon code <b>reversusDK10 </b>at the checkout.<br />
For the next two days my pattern is available for the special price of $3.50 (applied at checkout, no coupon needed) after which it will revert to the full price of $4.50.<br />
You can find the pattern here: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversus" target="_blank">Reversus</a> Don't forget to take a look at the finished projects. My testers did a wonderful job!<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/the-restless-knitter/195412"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a>
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-68014487061931884642013-12-31T19:58:00.000+08:002013-12-31T19:58:29.296+08:00Twenty-thirteen in review...It seems that this year has flown by in the blink of an eye. I can't believe that Christmas has been and gone and here we are again on the very cusp of a new year. But when I sit and reflect on all that has taken place in the last twelve months I do begin to realise that I have squeezed a fair bit into my days.<br />
2013 was the year for me to take my design ideas and put them to paper. It has been a long, slow and arduous process. I have spent many many late nights up trying to wrap my brain around the math; making silly little mistakes that seem obvious with the benefit of hindsight. I have, at times, seemed to be glued to my laptop as I work my way through sizing, layout, yardage estimates, math! and finally the publishing process. But it has been rewarding with<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/the-restless-knitter" target="_blank"> four patterns fully published and available for download via Ravelry</a>.<br />
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I knit 6 hats this year! <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/selbu-modern-2" target="_blank">One made its way to London</a> without a proper photo. Two were test knits for other designers and three were my own pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rhiannon-5" target="_blank">Rhiannon</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb0fzUnMgE0O4p85FTknK8zBOQMjs3BsV85USy1A-yZeMiH1Fkw4SUFgaTtxCrWLKwzwZj0sdHkSep0d4p9ickc3YXNUspYwwFhopqVvanggvrRuzLfTsZwHsAP_15YaZlgeRMIHptrl1/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb0fzUnMgE0O4p85FTknK8zBOQMjs3BsV85USy1A-yZeMiH1Fkw4SUFgaTtxCrWLKwzwZj0sdHkSep0d4p9ickc3YXNUspYwwFhopqVvanggvrRuzLfTsZwHsAP_15YaZlgeRMIHptrl1/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twisted-hipster" target="_blank">Twisted Hipster, </a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rhiannon-5" target="_blank">Rhiannon, Rhiannon</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hundreds-of-hats" target="_blank">Hundreds of Hats</a><br /></td></tr>
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I test knit two patterns for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/georgie-hallam" target="_blank">Tikki</a>:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37Witcu-VWQCYU3CcMo76AnaemaFKo0zaKsk98MT0vCFVu1KusOD_sBRBz7JBPR1gCfGMwDYRl-LSzL7ZHA6sib9bmLCmj1x3DXlRnQozcrxyShpyDeta8yQGtRGgxd07-B9lW5vba5ar/s1600/IMG_9278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37Witcu-VWQCYU3CcMo76AnaemaFKo0zaKsk98MT0vCFVu1KusOD_sBRBz7JBPR1gCfGMwDYRl-LSzL7ZHA6sib9bmLCmj1x3DXlRnQozcrxyShpyDeta8yQGtRGgxd07-B9lW5vba5ar/s320/IMG_9278.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beear" target="_blank">Beear</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC5YsNRxRCLqejpklmF3eou1MCs7H0R0tGh2vgMuJDDHvPH1z6-TZNOsLqCh8wNFZzyESeusJzj3IjxIVXzXKj05ld8YqNwaOFprXLSUjHQ_fn2j34cPKrLC7EutecmK8Kx20cGifHLou/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC5YsNRxRCLqejpklmF3eou1MCs7H0R0tGh2vgMuJDDHvPH1z6-TZNOsLqCh8wNFZzyESeusJzj3IjxIVXzXKj05ld8YqNwaOFprXLSUjHQ_fn2j34cPKrLC7EutecmK8Kx20cGifHLou/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tully-2" target="_blank">Tully</a></td></tr>
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I took my three kids and my mum to <a href="http://theyarnandtherestlessknitter.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/its-been-while.html" target="_blank">Victoria to visit my grandparents.</a> What an amazing memory this is to have! Not to mention my first visit to the Bendigo Woollen Mills!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36I7IFb2HfTdkpcrv-LIoYQ48indm1aeZEQwA-VTss_PBe-t0sSU4R5ELAVxE7EfX9Hn3xhdGTb4xOQTYwtFsT7Zk6v3c075FAhj_xodEaIuabwcG5JAfUlmwu_P-EoJxQsCCj63LB8M4/s1600/IMAG2203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36I7IFb2HfTdkpcrv-LIoYQ48indm1aeZEQwA-VTss_PBe-t0sSU4R5ELAVxE7EfX9Hn3xhdGTb4xOQTYwtFsT7Zk6v3c075FAhj_xodEaIuabwcG5JAfUlmwu_P-EoJxQsCCj63LB8M4/s320/IMAG2203.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">squeeeeeee!</td></tr>
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I released four patterns!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylSevuu9quktMC1xMWZGnLkXD1D_il1G8CAgwbXIzZqkUL1XWnWeDkmfUGpzVyhOftSqqNiUSA4-2V6nuw8mvo2ODTKlZ0cFaq4KQMdlmZP3EX97A83eh2AhAyIn49RiUnh2HHtz7FQOq/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylSevuu9quktMC1xMWZGnLkXD1D_il1G8CAgwbXIzZqkUL1XWnWeDkmfUGpzVyhOftSqqNiUSA4-2V6nuw8mvo2ODTKlZ0cFaq4KQMdlmZP3EX97A83eh2AhAyIn49RiUnh2HHtz7FQOq/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Big button cowl, Mud Princess (tunic), Ember, Mud Princess (dress), Rhiannon</td></tr>
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And despite my lack of blogging/ showing off, I also managed to knit myself two sweaters. Just in time for our hot Aussie summer!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MVNU5EgjRcFE_JfDSsD6cQpstk_8C_owq9ybq2NUULqDxdWcq22wETMoibhlXSuyfzzlESNbKeASi69yOh-D7tCCKZAGBWVeFyeBT6jdGxL_eVJ9Vuri7J_6v0yF0nY5vfOulRGr-khw/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MVNU5EgjRcFE_JfDSsD6cQpstk_8C_owq9ybq2NUULqDxdWcq22wETMoibhlXSuyfzzlESNbKeASi69yOh-D7tCCKZAGBWVeFyeBT6jdGxL_eVJ9Vuri7J_6v0yF0nY5vfOulRGr-khw/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/levenwick" target="_blank">Levenwick</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBz1sA6HkK_eQKn4fO0lZOfgsDR5SqiOoDe-PvuUmX1kRdiILrvLzk5UqVEuI8p9lVlKg7Ke0b_5hdw60YWKpWq-xfoXDNdLXUP2btLHjqCU513P399gQE3Q9JVMmgAeV7FvkAMixc-Sw/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBz1sA6HkK_eQKn4fO0lZOfgsDR5SqiOoDe-PvuUmX1kRdiILrvLzk5UqVEuI8p9lVlKg7Ke0b_5hdw60YWKpWq-xfoXDNdLXUP2btLHjqCU513P399gQE3Q9JVMmgAeV7FvkAMixc-Sw/s320/IMG_0410.JPG" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thyone" target="_blank">Thyone </a>(heavily modified)</td></tr>
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So I don't really have any resolutions for the new year. I'm not really big on the whole resolution thing anyway but I guess I will set some goals; especially regarding getting more new designs out there. (If only resolving to go to work LESS was an option!! hehe)<br />
Do you have any resolutions? Feel free to share below.<br />
For now, I'm off to watch a movie with the kiddies and enjoy a cold glass of vino.<br />
Here's wishing you a happy and safe new year to you and your family.<br />
Nichole xxx<br />
<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-4010077597381404012013-11-28T21:13:00.001+08:002014-01-03T11:59:07.032+08:00Mud Princess :: Pattern Release<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5-mjKWscfV8Bf4bMzSmuGsoeh5ZCC94CiKCMhLm_XZovC7YdMT5T-MNc9PFA1YMlMgayZ-U7aNI-mfPRV6d2BQHwpGal3ITMGU_5cM5mX1-RQcxPj9c5t_0xT4-i3PWXrsLkMsfDYkOM/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5-mjKWscfV8Bf4bMzSmuGsoeh5ZCC94CiKCMhLm_XZovC7YdMT5T-MNc9PFA1YMlMgayZ-U7aNI-mfPRV6d2BQHwpGal3ITMGU_5cM5mX1-RQcxPj9c5t_0xT4-i3PWXrsLkMsfDYkOM/s320/IMG_0205.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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Remember in Harry Potter when Hermione gets the time turner so she can be in two places at the same time. Well I really need one of those. Time seems to be slipping faster and faster these days; kinda like when the hourglass is almost empty and suddenly every grain of sand is clamouring to get through the darn hole! Somehow it's already been a week, maybe even two since I released my new pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mud-princess">Mud Princess</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcM5Lm1lGJsILCgaKNHGm00XeAUyVl25cJAAZMNOb-fBDXZ7Ko9qeQ3tt6Vha7kEZRLA-XBWDWOoayTxK11kTgri8txrqekV2ucB5hmj_o-4LQct766M71PCIu-ForHqAQQUdYFZIAfNa/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcM5Lm1lGJsILCgaKNHGm00XeAUyVl25cJAAZMNOb-fBDXZ7Ko9qeQ3tt6Vha7kEZRLA-XBWDWOoayTxK11kTgri8txrqekV2ucB5hmj_o-4LQct766M71PCIu-ForHqAQQUdYFZIAfNa/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">This pattern stayed with me for a long time, evolving and changing over the course of many months until finally being realised into the finished pattern it is now. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreupuMC5lvXXTKK-RxsKWVxgJElLMKCgutYPwRqyioa4JIKEBSioNOmL5mVKx7TCMrzK7CPsbXTGipRC2rOHZrdMKO1_qFckFOWswLpupZuT_pmABRYS9sGzJp830s-iNAbG6aHuyRK9j/s1600/IMG_9897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreupuMC5lvXXTKK-RxsKWVxgJElLMKCgutYPwRqyioa4JIKEBSioNOmL5mVKx7TCMrzK7CPsbXTGipRC2rOHZrdMKO1_qFckFOWswLpupZuT_pmABRYS9sGzJp830s-iNAbG6aHuyRK9j/s400/IMG_9897.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Mud Princess is seamless and knit in one piece from the top down with a circular yoke featuring garter stitch stripes which perfectly show off a slow colour change or gradient yarn. You have the option of knitting tunic length or dress length and three sleeve styles giving you a total of six different styles!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsM72He_XSeylYRVOk6wpLWmPWJNcxCmH5-bFJx2rhfhomUUwdtrH0qgJ6ZsxLiMrDQrCgLLcpBZmk0ye8DoLrDO3lxvKB-AlVF3AXodGqzzpxgB7dAcVq8iOFpDdLRdHBlCAG4ZK0iZQ/s1600/IMG_9736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsM72He_XSeylYRVOk6wpLWmPWJNcxCmH5-bFJx2rhfhomUUwdtrH0qgJ6ZsxLiMrDQrCgLLcpBZmk0ye8DoLrDO3lxvKB-AlVF3AXodGqzzpxgB7dAcVq8iOFpDdLRdHBlCAG4ZK0iZQ/s400/IMG_9736.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pop over to Ravelry to check out my awesome <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mud-princess/people" target="_blank">testers' projects</a>. As you can see there are many options to customise this little dress to suit your little princess. </div>
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To celebrate its release I will be offering a discount over on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheRestlessKnitter" target="_blank">facebook page</a> so be sure to pop over there also so you don't miss out. You don't need to be a ravelry member to purchase any of my patterns although I highly recommend you join because it's free and it's awesome!! You can also purchase Mud Princess by clicking the link below. </div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/the-restless-knitter/184165"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a>The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-54392722865251742932013-10-01T09:59:00.002+08:002013-10-01T10:31:30.127+08:00Pattern release : : EmberMy new pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ember-5" target="_blank">Ember </a>is now live over on Ravelry!<br />
Ember is a sweet and simple little tank top with a corrugated rib yoke for a pop of colour. The contrast colour uses less than 10g of yarn (approx) for all sizes so is a great way to use up small amounts of scrap yarn.<br />
For the next 4 days only I am offering Ember at 20% off for my facebook fans. You can find the coupon code over <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheRestlessKnitter" target="_blank">here</a>. This offer expires at midnight (AWST) October 4th so be quick!<br />
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Not a member of Ravelry? Dont fret, you can buy the pattern here: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/the-restless-knitter/174989"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a>The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-58796845424227504992013-10-01T09:45:00.001+08:002013-10-01T09:45:54.086+08:00Testing, testing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pattern: Tully by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/georgie-hallam" target="_blank">Georgie Hallam</a> </div>
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Yarn: WOOLganics organic merino knitters yarn (hand dyed by me)</div>
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Size: 21" chest with 2" extra length</div>
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I'm sure I've mentioned before how much I love to do test knits. I don't do too many though mainly due to time constraints. But every now and then I find myself without too many commitments and the right design comes along and I think YES!</div>
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It's no secret that I love, LOVE <a href="http://www.tikkiknits.com/blog.html" target="_blank">tikki's </a>designs and when I choose a test knit for myself I am often looking for something that will teach me a technique I haven't used before or is challenging to me.</div>
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This gorgeous cardi features top down, seamless set-in-sleeves. I had never done this before and I really enjoyed learning how to do it. I think I will definitely be looking to use this technique more in the future.</div>
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This pattern hasn't been officially released as of writing this but I'm sure it isn't too far away.</div>
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-87249797951443147442013-08-11T21:27:00.002+08:002013-08-11T21:27:58.089+08:00Yarn, glorious yarn!My first stocking of hand dyed yarns is now up for preview over on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheRestlessKnitter" target="_blank">facebook page</a><br />
The sale will go live next Friday night at 7pm AEST. Go check it out!<br />
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Also, I have started up my very own fan club, I mean <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-restless-knitter" target="_blank">Ravelry group</a> so I have somewhere to hang and chat with awesome peeps, post info about upcoming patterns and advice for current patterns, issue tester calls and just generally chat about, well, knitting! You know you want to join my club, don't you. It's very exclusive you know ;-)<br />
I'd love to have you, drop on by some time.The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-58803759100003913642013-08-05T09:00:00.000+08:002013-08-05T00:47:37.665+08:00Dodgy video and a pattern giveawayI've been meaning, with the very best of intentions you understand, for some time now to do a little tutorial on how to work the decreasing cables in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rhiannon-5" target="_blank">Rhiannon Hat </a>pattern without using a cable needle (Handy if you tend to misplace those pesky little things!) It occurred to me after much procrastination (aka life in general) that making a video would probably be easier and quicker.<br />
I don't know about you but for me a YouTube video is worth a gazillion tutorial photo's. I filmed this video about 50 times! Well, ok, that is a little bit of an exaggeration, but I did film it a lot! It's a little darker than I would have liked and my silly phone kept shifting focus but overall you can see what's going on and I managed to keep my hands mostly in frame.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQxafmkHFzA" target="_blank">Link to my YouTube video because blogger wont let me upload it here. Grrr</a><br />
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I don't have any fancy video editing software at my disposal these days so it's as basic as can be, please don't laugh at me! ;-)<br />
And because I did promise a while ago, I thought I would give away a copy (or maybe even two) of the aforementioned pattern just so you can have a go at cabling without a cable needle for yourself.<br />
To enter to win a copy of my pattern please leave me a comment below telling me what knitting or crafting 'trick' has been the most invaluable to you. Learning to cable without a cable needle is certainly a time saver for me.<br />
Entries will close at midnight Australian Western Standard time on August 15. That gives you 10 days! Please leave your Ravelry name or your email. I will gift the pattern to you via Ravelry or send via email so please make sure I can contact you!The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-48284098888428036602013-07-28T12:57:00.001+08:002013-07-28T12:57:18.908+08:00Forging the road to designWhile I'm not new to the whole designing thing (I spent a couple of years studying fashion design in my whimsical youth) the process of designing knitwear is a new and sometimes daunting prospect. I've been altering patterns and knitting on the fly for a few years now, but I made the decision that 2013 was the year I would put these ideas on paper and unleash them on the unsuspecting public.<br />
That said, I sometimes feel like the process of taking a design idea through the stages to complete garment and then written pattern takes forever! I'm going to admit here that I have serious designer envy! So many designers out there seem to churn out pattern faster than I can even knit a sample. How the heck do they do that? (Clearly they are all stay at home mums with no responsibilities to attend to!* ;-) )<br />
I'm sure that with time and practice the whole process becomes much easier and even faster and the math becomes less daunting. This week I have finished the prototype of a girls dress design that has been bouncing around my head since about January of this year. It has changed a bit from my original sketches and after a few false starts I have a finished garment that turned out exactly as I'd planned. The next step for me is to take this one dress and write up the pattern for a variety of sizes including a few different sleeve options and varying lengths. I want to make this pattern as appealing and as saleable as possible to as many people as possible as I feel like having options makes the finished garment far more versatile and fun to knit.<br />
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Knitting the sample really is the easy part. Trusting that the math works and that the graded sizes will also look great and fit well, well that is a giant leap of faith for me! Trusting that I can actually do the math is also a giant leap of faith! (Oh, if Mrs Denham could see me now! haha)<br />
Another hurdle is working out how much yardage each size will take. Knitters need this information before they knit a pattern to know how much yarn to buy (or dig out of deep stash) After driving myself almost crazy on this one, I found <a href="http://www.kristentendyke.com/blog/081210.php" target="_blank">this link</a> which outlines a really easy way to calculate the yardage. At first glance, all those number made my eyes glaze over, but once I sat down and worked through it I was astounded at how simple it is. I drew a rough schematic with all the sizes and measurements and was able to apply Kristen's formula and it works! Magic!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH1bNO5tL56JtHwypOYSCyRUgn1-8sJ6QFwFF4MtDRwLRQnr-dXU3zYFywQK_VUPV5QJZz6oyrbgKOxhAMzYVh0oQetgDSSk0fCuxG2afxS95NO4ysGT9YHGUprWTPGq9qSWZ-5nEjxp4/s1600/IMG_9540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH1bNO5tL56JtHwypOYSCyRUgn1-8sJ6QFwFF4MtDRwLRQnr-dXU3zYFywQK_VUPV5QJZz6oyrbgKOxhAMzYVh0oQetgDSSk0fCuxG2afxS95NO4ysGT9YHGUprWTPGq9qSWZ-5nEjxp4/s200/IMG_9540.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGmM7eCzQFDBsjie3HXgjzX4jrxUKudbJ0QNLqk-9oihuXseGeBHsThMYprlFsMHN6pvn2Vb-H-z-hVZwt2vm-NP9g8NPhwWTX-yeKsKtennelGur4IWnyqjoYEAXBlLWm5qhnZYJyuXe/s1600/IMG_9539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGmM7eCzQFDBsjie3HXgjzX4jrxUKudbJ0QNLqk-9oihuXseGeBHsThMYprlFsMHN6pvn2Vb-H-z-hVZwt2vm-NP9g8NPhwWTX-yeKsKtennelGur4IWnyqjoYEAXBlLWm5qhnZYJyuXe/s320/IMG_9539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It will be interesting to see where this road takes me. I'd like to think that in a couple of years I'll be as awesome as the likes of Georgie Hallam (aka tiKKi). All I know for now is that as long as I'm making things up, I might as well write them down and hope that other people like them too.<br />
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* disclaimer: Please don't launch an assault at me! While I am envious that you may get to stay at home, I don't think for a second that you actually get to knit all day. If you do, then I hate you and I may kidnap you and force you to be my knitting slave.The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-79682204120374324812013-06-10T15:09:00.002+08:002013-06-10T15:09:54.854+08:00It's been a while...Hello. My name is Nichole and it has been 2 months since my last confession, I mean blog post ;-)<br />
I actually have had quite a bit going on but you know how it is when life gets in the way.<br />
First up, I had the marvellous pleasure of test knitting <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beear" target="_blank">Beear </a>for the gorgeous <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/georgie-hallam" target="_blank">Georgie Hallam, aka tiKKi.</a><br />
Let me just say that being asked to test for my favourite designer pretty much made my life!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Bella models her Beear</td></tr>
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I had this finished just in time as me the three kidlets packed up and headed over to Victoria to visit my Grandparents for 10 days. It was such an amazing trip and I was so excited to take my own kids to meet two of the most important people in my life. Despite our Red-eye flight we took the very long and scenic route out to Avoca via Bendigo specifically so I could stop here:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AGGGHHHH YARN!</td></tr>
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I had to raid my piggy bank before we left because I knew I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of the infamous "Back Room". ;-)<br />
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Look at ALL that YARN! </div>
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During a trip to Daylesford I picked up some Noro Silk Garden and knit a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/turn-a-square" target="_blank">Turn a Square</a> beanie for my Pop. It came out a little bigger than it should have, despite my ripping back and changing needles! He decided it should be worn like a Newsboy cap! haha silly old Pop. <3</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Gorgeous, Silly, Amazing Pop <3</td></tr>
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So far this past month I've finally made some actual progress on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/levenwick" target="_blank">Levenwick</a>. I am determined to have it finished for this winter! I've had to put it down again to finish a commissioned knit for my sister in law. I'm knitting her <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cherie-amour" target="_blank">Cherie Amour</a> in gorgeous Malabrigo Rios. I'm starting to fret that I'm knitting the wrong size despite the hours I've spent poring over the schematic. I'm hoping that a good hard blocking will work it's magic, otherwise I'm preparing myself to cut the darned thing in half and reknit the lower section again. (Yes, I will actually cut my knitting in half!)<br />
In my spare time (ha!) I'm also participating in this year's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ttl-mystery-shawl-2013" target="_blank">Mystery Knit along</a> hosted by Kristen Kapur. I loved last year's shawl so much and this year it's a three colour shawl! Stripes!!<br />
AND. Finally... I am making some progress on my latest design. After knitting the initial sample I spent some time thinking over the construction. It had to be knit from the bottom up but I found the finishing to be really fiddly and wondered if that would translate well into a written pattern. I've finally come up with a viable solution and after knitting a test swatch I'm ready to knit my second sample. Here's a little sneaky peek for you ;-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbguRJkkit0Nsrbizx3Q4SiZ9gXsTFix2jLPcsci-ro3SFvtXqmZFPfnP9R_SJmsGONOG4lY2HwBuGGw5YktrmgUlOFKkf7WWbyqu3sI57_icaq23f0md2msfi7KZko58KHx2jHpUwlj2j/s1600/IMG_9359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbguRJkkit0Nsrbizx3Q4SiZ9gXsTFix2jLPcsci-ro3SFvtXqmZFPfnP9R_SJmsGONOG4lY2HwBuGGw5YktrmgUlOFKkf7WWbyqu3sI57_icaq23f0md2msfi7KZko58KHx2jHpUwlj2j/s320/IMG_9359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohhh ruffles!</td></tr>
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-82801748478012337872013-04-02T14:37:00.000+08:002013-04-02T14:37:25.176+08:00Up on topJust when you thought there could be no more hats...along comes <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/hundreds-of-hats" target="_blank">another one</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI4zLBPr2BOuBDh5XykvQ0y3B7S9JmShRsRTGW0Ooxa6hHJAXumjDNoheGQYIA2MMOpqrY-iVZhDZDHL4coobOhciU4fab0fMDuOkI-rznV-EFBLd2VOZbKLbVM4QqIg4kbc37uSG4TAH/s1600/IMG_9157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI4zLBPr2BOuBDh5XykvQ0y3B7S9JmShRsRTGW0Ooxa6hHJAXumjDNoheGQYIA2MMOpqrY-iVZhDZDHL4coobOhciU4fab0fMDuOkI-rznV-EFBLd2VOZbKLbVM4QqIg4kbc37uSG4TAH/s320/IMG_9157.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/grey-gardens" target="_blank">another one</a> (well, sortof)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-AD246HK-KzTIpQkrHnrBt5iaRAN3CZnCm-ES61obP9StgP26f0ETketlR3XJpI5Tf1yNFDf9Q2D8aQEo1ogL3cEbbAvY22umh3fSjoDsikj8OfCePRNRrk9n_X0eR9psijFJt_dYlBC/s1600/IMG_9063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-AD246HK-KzTIpQkrHnrBt5iaRAN3CZnCm-ES61obP9StgP26f0ETketlR3XJpI5Tf1yNFDf9Q2D8aQEo1ogL3cEbbAvY22umh3fSjoDsikj8OfCePRNRrk9n_X0eR9psijFJt_dYlBC/s320/IMG_9063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And another one. Technically speaking this is a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/toddler-princess-crown" target="_blank">crown</a>, not a hat. But still. :-P</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEgjGDJuZzY7-JM4wovxYiVv3QWsTB2xSGF7WR3CHzxq9zKetbblUNfopUgeYc5d5NYQDTZX_qlYRjCIUXhEC4WFIOp3z8z1U7K2s5Oy5I5xVWS2g3q-2ASTJku03yiab-LVYRMYkTeO1/s1600/IMG_9170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEgjGDJuZzY7-JM4wovxYiVv3QWsTB2xSGF7WR3CHzxq9zKetbblUNfopUgeYc5d5NYQDTZX_qlYRjCIUXhEC4WFIOp3z8z1U7K2s5Oy5I5xVWS2g3q-2ASTJku03yiab-LVYRMYkTeO1/s320/IMG_9170.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
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I'm fairly certain there will be more hats to come. And headbands. And tiara's. And crowns...The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-987379751047379872013-03-26T16:07:00.000+08:002013-03-26T16:07:22.966+08:00Homemade Coconut ButterI've always been a big believer in eating food that is healthy for you rather than to lose weight or for convenience. When the whole 'clean eating' and 'whole foods' notion came about I thought to myself <i>I already eat like that. </i>That's not to say I don't indulge in some junk now and again but I'm working pretty hard at making those occasions fewer and farther between.<br />
I used to believe that eating sugar was ok because you could burn it off and eating fat was bad because it was, well, fat!<br />
How things have changed. And as I'm educating myself on some of the newer theories about healthy eating I am finding a sense of renewed inspiration in the kitchen. My kitchen muse vanished years ago so it is so nice to see her again :-)<br />
I wanted to try making my own coconut butter after reading some amazing food blogs. (Oh my god! The time I could waste reading those!) So I bought a packet of organic dessicated coconut and decided to give it a whirl (boom boom).<br />
I was a little worried that my faithful old food processor might not be up to the challenge seeing as you need to process for at least 10 minutes. I took it easy on her and stopped every 2 minutes or so to let the motor cool a little. The process ended up taking about 20 minutes with a set-back midway. Once my coconut had turned to a lusciously viscose creamy liquid, I decided to spike it with a tablespoon of rice malt syrup and vanilla bean paste. Errrr wrong! It was like when you add cold liquid to melted chocolate and it seized into a thick hard paste :-( At this point I went to google for suggestions but nothing much came up so on blind faith I tossed in a spoonful of melted coconut oil and continued blending. The good news is that it worked! I ended up with a creamy liquidy paste once again, ready to be dolloped on all manner of yummy treats.<br />
I didn't take step by step pics; there are so many others who have done that which you can search for by typing 'homemade coconut butter' into google. But I will leave you with some pics of my finished butter and my recipe. Nom.<br />
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<b>Coconut Butter</b><br />
1 200g packet of organic, unsweetened, preservative free dessicated coconut. (this is important as any additives can alter the process and ultimately it just wont work)<br />
1 Tbsp melted organic coconut oil (optional)<br />
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Dump the whole bag of coconut in your food processor and blend on high speed. This will take at least 10 minutes and the mix will first turn clumpy, then pastey and finally liquidy. Scrape the sides occasionally and keep and eye on your food processors temperature. If it gets too hot, give it a break.<br />
I would suggest that if you want to add other flavourings or sweeteners then maybe try warming them (ie maple syrup) and stirring it in by hand. I haven't tried this however and can't attest to whether it will work or if your mix will seize like mine did.<br />
Apparently it will set at room temperature and keep for many months. Enjoy :-)<br />
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-74547459953673105942013-03-09T12:23:00.002+08:002013-03-09T12:23:52.626+08:00Elizabeth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1oxC8uAn-ZLHh_9X9_ICOvIuMflkEo2IrETgEWoxFOsafhA22UyogGGtbHEHwjE6Ek9qh012qPMISNxFBIhIDpbGe8PDqgXcFSk3Ch_V45qEK71dvTwp5yWWtZreQvjpPUnMdh9hfAcN/s1600/IMG_8965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1oxC8uAn-ZLHh_9X9_ICOvIuMflkEo2IrETgEWoxFOsafhA22UyogGGtbHEHwjE6Ek9qh012qPMISNxFBIhIDpbGe8PDqgXcFSk3Ch_V45qEK71dvTwp5yWWtZreQvjpPUnMdh9hfAcN/s400/IMG_8965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cardi fit for a princess</td></tr>
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Yep, it's yet another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/georgie-hallam" target="_blank">tikki </a>pattern under my belt. I first planned to knit this waaaaaay back in January 2012. I didn't actually cast on until September with the intention of finishing it for Summer. Well, you know how things get around Christmas time. This ended up being stashed away in my basket and neglected until very recently when I found myself obligation free (no tests or commissioned knits in the works). I decided I'd better finish it before my munchkin outgrew it! She will be 4 this year and I only cast on for the 2yo size :-/<br />
Luckily she's a bit of a midget and after coercing her into trying it on several times a day I was confident it would actually fit her just fine. And it does!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAC4xArAjRdIBD2LdRQBNal6MaLbqwy0HcZE3mhJoAHJ6QM7qoq9rHJRsccm_UYHayLTrZU7qzRaRsjjXz2Z4ip6aAFJS-lURKfEuMEZGIMkvtR9ROFfeWv5lbq3T_xrhMbnYDTBUtK3m/s1600/IMG_8955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAC4xArAjRdIBD2LdRQBNal6MaLbqwy0HcZE3mhJoAHJ6QM7qoq9rHJRsccm_UYHayLTrZU7qzRaRsjjXz2Z4ip6aAFJS-lURKfEuMEZGIMkvtR9ROFfeWv5lbq3T_xrhMbnYDTBUtK3m/s320/IMG_8955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did expect a little growth on blocking since <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/bella-baby-layette" target="_blank">the yarn</a> is a bamboo/ wool blend. Actually it didn't grow as much as I had anticipated based on other ravellers comments. But instead it has turned out perfectly. I am more than a little chuffed at my own awesomeness really ;-)<br />
This will be the perfect autumn cardi, and spring, and summer too. Can't ask for more than that.<br />
You can purchase this pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elizabeth-24" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-67421191965211065652013-03-05T11:42:00.002+08:002013-03-05T11:42:30.135+08:00Twisted Hipster TestSo far 2013 seems to be the year for knitting hats. With 4 already under my belt, another on the needles and two more on the horizon I can assure you I will have a VERY warm head this winter ;-)<br />
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This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twisted-hipster" target="_blank">Twisted Hipster</a>, a pattern by Nicole Montgomery. Let me just say that this hat involves a LOT of purling. But the final result is a gorgeously slouchy hat with a curving trellis of slipped stitches.<br />
The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn (4 ply) held double but I really dislike holding yarn double unless absolutely necessary. I went with a DK weight (8 ply) and achieved gauge pretty closely. I do wish however that I had used a sport weight (5 ply) in the same gauge for a little more drape. My yarn is a little stiff.<br />
The yarn is Yarnundyed Merino which I dyed myself in a variegated purple.<br />
I knit the 20" size (and my head measures 22") and the dimensions came out exact but to me it does seem a little big. On the flip side, it will easily cover my ears on those bitterly cold days that are headed my way.<br />
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<br />The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-75199014528516524412013-03-03T20:43:00.002+08:002013-03-03T20:43:43.761+08:00Not-really-Rum-Balls...In the interests of full disclosure I should probably preface by saying that not only do I love to knit, but I also love to cook. For many years I worked professionally as a chef and although it has been some time now since I worked in a commercial kitchen, lately I have rekindled my romance with food.<br />
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I think it is really easy for cooking to become a chore, especially when you have a day job, a household to manage and a demanding family; at the end of the day all you really want is to get something that resembles a healthy meal on the table and for everyone to actually eat it.<br />
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Without going into too much detail about my diet and my crazy hippy ideas about food, let's just say that my aim of late is to make healthy, nutritious snacks that I can eat instead of the omnipresent processed crap. If my kids will eat it too then I know I'm onto a winner!<br />
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One such winner, which also has the husbeasts seal of approval, are these little chocolately nuggets of deliciousness:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate, coconut and peanut butter balls!</td></tr>
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I guess I keep teasing people with awesome photo's of my scrummy food because I get a lot of recipe requests which I always mean to honour and usually fail to do so.</div>
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So, in the interest of keeping you people happy I thought I'd better do the right thing ;-)</div>
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<b>Raw cacao, peanut butter and coconut balls</b></div>
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1 cup organic coconut shreds or chunks</div>
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1/2 cup organic sugar-free peanut butter</div>
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1/4 cup organic rolled oats</div>
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1/2 cup cashews or other nuts of choice</div>
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2 Tbsp rice bran syrup (you could use maple, honey or agave)</div>
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1 Tbsp raw cacao</div>
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1 Tbsp coconut oil</div>
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5 or 6 fresh dates, chopped</div>
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1 tsp vanilla</div>
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1/2 cup desiccated coconut, to roll balls in</div>
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Combine the coconut shreds, nuts and oats in a food processor and process to fine crumbs. Add all other ingredients and process until it starts to clump together. </div>
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A tip is to start with less dates and add more if you need them. Maybe even try 4 to start with. I used 5 in this batch.</div>
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Roll tablespoonfuls into balls and roll the balls in desiccated coconut. Refrigerate until firm (about 2 hours)</div>
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These little gems will last a couple of weeks in the fridge, that is, if you don't demolish them all first ;-)</div>
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Can I finish by saying that my super fussy 8yo son will actually eat these and thinks they are just regular old biscuit-and-condensed-milk rumballs. Total win!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess what else I made today :-)</td></tr>
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The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-13576135998703469732013-02-24T17:19:00.001+08:002013-02-25T17:16:30.583+08:00Rhiannon HatI had NO IDEA how much hard work went into getting a pattern written. The designing really is the easy part!
After a month of to-ing and fro-ing and some amazing help from my test knitters I have a pattern that I am happy with and ready to unleash on the unsuspecting public!
I'm thinking I might host a giveaway in the near future, so if you like the look of this pattern then stay tuned for details on how you can win a copy. For free! Yay.<br />
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Anyhoo. Let me introduce <b>Rhiannon</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKfYYzfNEGu6BvZx3ms8MC2TWwpNeCP3W3Oz6LG1e3pL_Ym5nL21fzT2be18O1sjT_wFPBtoeJPR11VXVCqjB6OheH0tJiiQKV0qsrHwfmc4JKPaUmwB3YJe2Kv6M37F7CPM1Wx39L7z7/s1600/IMG_8599.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKfYYzfNEGu6BvZx3ms8MC2TWwpNeCP3W3Oz6LG1e3pL_Ym5nL21fzT2be18O1sjT_wFPBtoeJPR11VXVCqjB6OheH0tJiiQKV0qsrHwfmc4JKPaUmwB3YJe2Kv6M37F7CPM1Wx39L7z7/s320/IMG_8599.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIstzQKDOfj28AFhdbUpOhGfv-OpBvicWfcTBhGG7Kf4G3AKds8oKGrU7aktzd-onO0QZEyfX8IT9SRwtNLLrTGXb02GLp0Nt95PPMB3RDy1JRbWwHQ2pngFfY84cjJj9FHVnzZQHllgAB/s1600/Hat-014.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIstzQKDOfj28AFhdbUpOhGfv-OpBvicWfcTBhGG7Kf4G3AKds8oKGrU7aktzd-onO0QZEyfX8IT9SRwtNLLrTGXb02GLp0Nt95PPMB3RDy1JRbWwHQ2pngFfY84cjJj9FHVnzZQHllgAB/s320/Hat-014.jpg" /></a><br />
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big thanks to my amazeballs phototaker: The lovely <a href="http://www.clareday.com.au/">Clare Day</a><br />
If you love what you see and can't wait you can click the link to purchase your copy at the super awesome price of $3.50AUD :-)<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/the-restless-knitter/142343"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a>The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-64242731951392745162013-01-29T16:56:00.001+08:002013-01-29T17:03:14.184+08:00A free pattern. Yay for free!Today I've uploaded my first free pattern into Ravelry. It is a super simple ribbed cowl designed to showcase that perfect button in your stash. This pattern is perfect for beginners!<br />
Trying to navigate my way through the designers section of Rav is proving to be a challenge especially with kids screaming at me so bear with me while I get it all sorted out.<br />
(Did someone say school goes back next week? Yay!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAFH9CbrDWtp7I08rQVMznTG08DO1vXlmSMR-ZW5-6bpyCI_k-hB71fGhtt_8t8BTjsBNBOLH0g61-Ir1J0APlu4CUQU7PwnSo3rA1sIm5HX-aylsF1DzA_Jj0Zkd2k0TQ2JTkEsiA3sf/s1600/IMG_8582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAFH9CbrDWtp7I08rQVMznTG08DO1vXlmSMR-ZW5-6bpyCI_k-hB71fGhtt_8t8BTjsBNBOLH0g61-Ir1J0APlu4CUQU7PwnSo3rA1sIm5HX-aylsF1DzA_Jj0Zkd2k0TQ2JTkEsiA3sf/s400/IMG_8582.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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You can see some more pics on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/big-button-cowl-2" target="_blank">Ravelry Pattern Page.</a>The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-46950496759512988252013-01-05T00:04:00.000+08:002013-01-05T00:04:20.100+08:00Sweet Penny Test<br />
It's been a long and busy few weeks and I feel like knitting has taken a bit of a back seat to, well, life in general. Since I finished the Mini Water's Edge cardi my needles have been strangely still. I have a few languishing projects which for one reason or another have fallen by the wayside. With all the stress and commitment in the lead up to Christmas I decided to take on another test knit. Nothing like a little extra pressure!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUBkPZjeDyz6CMTZOVxQ-PFkUDZrb6mqsOocvFijlqKW17K35xwdWJ6Nh07f4X8GuGVPPFP_FfCAbwPSRO6Ua6sDnvH81VbkNAaTIRMdkQKscpralMUyu619RVOmSgJJFDAnscGccLOaB/s1600/IMG_8461-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUBkPZjeDyz6CMTZOVxQ-PFkUDZrb6mqsOocvFijlqKW17K35xwdWJ6Nh07f4X8GuGVPPFP_FfCAbwPSRO6Ua6sDnvH81VbkNAaTIRMdkQKscpralMUyu619RVOmSgJJFDAnscGccLOaB/s320/IMG_8461-001.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sweet-penny" target="_blank">Sweet Penny</a> is a little lacy summer top knit in worsted weight yarn. It is designed to be loose and drapey and features little eyelets at the top to thread ribbon and cinch it in around the neck. Perfect to knit in cotton or cotton blends.<br />
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I chose to knit mine in a 50/50 wool bamboo blend. I really can't stand working with cotton (or even yarns with a higher bamboo content) at the moment. I find it really taxing on my hands since it lacks any elasticity. </div>
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I had so many stops and starts with this one, it felt like I was knitting it for-ev-ah! As I said, it is designed to be loose and drapey but my initial attempts were turning out HUGE. Big enough to fit me, never mind a super skinny 10yo. Of course I wouldn't realise the sizing issue until I had knit a third of the entire garment :-/</div>
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This happened not once, but twice. I initially changed my needle size but it was still too large so I went with a reduced stitch count and the final result turned out great.</div>
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I have to admit that by the end I was just happy to be done with it. If you look at <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/sweet-penny" target="_blank">my project page</a> you'll see that I spend a grueling 6 weeks on this little top. (I can't even tell you how jealous it makes me to see people knit an adult sweater in, like, two days!)</div>
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My final thoughts though; I really like how it turned out. It fits great, looks great and Miss 10 loves it. I love my fabric ribbon I made! This was sheer coincidence. I had a fat quarter sitting beside my knitting and realised they looked great together!</div>
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I would actually rather knit it in a lighter weight yarn though. Especially as it is a summer top. I think it would be lovely in 4 ply/ fingering or maybe even sport weight. For older kids I would recommend a boob tube underneath for modesty. Not that the top is sheer at all, but you know how it is with young girls...</div>
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The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-73793718053272826222012-12-04T00:03:00.000+08:002012-12-04T00:03:25.964+08:00crazy december dazeMy my, how these days and months are slipping by!<br />
Already Christmas is just around the corner and like many families December is crazy hectic for us. We have the last few weeks of school, graduation ceremonies, carols to attend, various functions, work parties, Christmas!! and then my middle child has a birthday right after Christmas which must be celebrated with gusto. Add to that my working week and it seems I have little time left for anything else. Sound familiar?<br />
In the true spirit of being a mum I love to take more than I can chew so add to my list baking gingerbread, mince pies, rum balls (the best ever!) planning a christmas lunch, presents for teachers and tonight I even got the hairbrained idea that perhaps I can sew myself a party frock before next weekend...!<br />
Oh, and don't forget advent!<br />
The biggest commitment by far each December when I plan out a month of festive activities, outings, crafts and treats for my kiddies to do in the lead up to Christmas. I first started this <a href="http://drawingwords.blogspot.com.au/2008/12/advent.html" target="_blank">4 years ago</a> in a bid to make this time of year more about family and less about, well, presents. Sure presents are nice and all, but I really think kids these days have too. much. stuff!<br />
So far I've been posting our daily advents to Instagram if you care to check it out. You can find me as restlessknitter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day three advent: Letters to Santa</td></tr>
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So, things have been pretty slow on the knitting front. It seems as though work and life in general is getting in the way of my knitting time. I've been plodding away at my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/elizabeth" target="_blank">Elizabeth</a> for a while now and I feel like I'm making no progress at all. I love this pattern and the lace is simple and intuitive but the yarn! The yarn has no memory or bounce and it's torture on my tired hands. If I knit this again I will definitely knit it wool, NOT bamboo.<br />
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I also have been taking part in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/magical-mkal" target="_blank">Anadiomena Mystery Knit along</a> which was going great but I got to a stage of doubting how much yarn I had left and given that I've dodged the chicken twice recently, I doubt I will be a third time lucky. The KAL has now ended and after seeing the final pattern I'm in two minds about finishing it at all. I really like the boy version more than the girl version so I may ponder on that a while before I continue or rip out.</div>
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I have also been very slowly working on a test knit. Unfortunately I had some gauge issues and after knitting about a third of the garment, I had to rip it out and start again. Hopefully this time it will work out better.</div>
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I did recently manage to finish a cardi for my eldest daughter, just in time for a scorching hot Australian summer!</div>
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This is the Mini Waters Edge cardigan by Hannah Fettig. The minute I saw this pattern I knew it would suit my Bella. I made a few changes which I outlined on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/mini-waters-edge" target="_blank">my project page</a>. Go check it out!</div>
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And lastly, I pre-ordered a copy of<a href="https://anniecanknit.com/" target="_blank"> Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf </a>by Alana Dakos (hopefully) in time for Christmas. I can't wait to have a read and let you guys know what I think. In the meantime, <a href="http://www.knitmoregirlspodcast.com/" target="_blank">the Knitmore girls</a> have a review on episode 206. If you don't already listen to this podcast, you should :-)</div>
The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493127579127406684.post-33521583368012517582012-11-06T14:04:00.000+08:002012-11-06T14:04:28.483+08:00Socktober roundupI don't often partake in these novelty knit along months; there are so many of them and it's hard to keep up. But I like knitting socks and seem to have a little binge now and again so the concept of Socktober was perfect really. The idea is to knit as many socks as possible during the month of October.<br />
So my final tally is 6 and a half socks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMJ6jfPPj51ZLFuilVaVZcugeYgOx6uuLInBzgkervBoA8nEa2yF8QNoqxV_MukNsEwz5rG_weJs4tF7POkXCYD3ooRwqNGgl7pnT83rDrK8vYlCi3VuPaoTEmcN8M2z0ou748X-AQ80l/s1600/IMG_8121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMJ6jfPPj51ZLFuilVaVZcugeYgOx6uuLInBzgkervBoA8nEa2yF8QNoqxV_MukNsEwz5rG_weJs4tF7POkXCYD3ooRwqNGgl7pnT83rDrK8vYlCi3VuPaoTEmcN8M2z0ou748X-AQ80l/s320/IMG_8121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Vanilla Socks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN0Vd4j0-_TaN_7VmQw6MOjZfIQeLvU2o3VYzaOr5cnxZfBZIlprciaxc7gYCx04ftqmUViTvuQMlISjNf5IziYKiG_CfHsrOi2vw7_R_YUq3mhYPYdEvhiNc_ujP3hd7-SoxrIeblIHE/s1600/IMG_8165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN0Vd4j0-_TaN_7VmQw6MOjZfIQeLvU2o3VYzaOr5cnxZfBZIlprciaxc7gYCx04ftqmUViTvuQMlISjNf5IziYKiG_CfHsrOi2vw7_R_YUq3mhYPYdEvhiNc_ujP3hd7-SoxrIeblIHE/s320/IMG_8165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chunky Vanilla Socks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4HjqfegN3icWAHHJoD2baEJlmpblPQSvE3NUkRKcdQl1ZUEUdHIItNjiZ6dNsLcVVKc2trkC2M_vdprr8PkvcN-KHvxpCEwuEevKO5qrfWSGAMYdDkaUUBF2lffKSL0stq_FOTWVEzKL/s1600/IMG_8226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4HjqfegN3icWAHHJoD2baEJlmpblPQSvE3NUkRKcdQl1ZUEUdHIItNjiZ6dNsLcVVKc2trkC2M_vdprr8PkvcN-KHvxpCEwuEevKO5qrfWSGAMYdDkaUUBF2lffKSL0stq_FOTWVEzKL/s320/IMG_8226.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left: Uzu sock, mini vanilla socks, half a sock and a teeny baby sock</td></tr>
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They are not all matching pairs mind you but that's ok. I finished one of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/uzu" target="_blank">Uzu socks</a>, which I may have to rip back to the heel as I'm really not happy about it, but I'll save that for another day. I knit some worsted <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/chunky-monkey-vanilla-socks" target="_blank">vanilla socks</a> for me, some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Restless-Knitter/vanilla-socks" target="_blank">vanilla socks for my little monkey</a>, one teensy baby sock and half of another vanilla sock.<br />
They've all been put aside for the moment while I work on some other things including the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/magical-mkal" target="_blank">Anadiomena Mystery Knit Along</a>. It's not too late to join in if you like mystery knits. This one is for a child's jumper/ sweater with some unusual construction. If you've never heard of a mystery knit along (MKAL) then the concept is pretty simple: The pattern is released in stages over a month or so and you have no idea what the final item will look like until you cast off. Each week you knit the section that has been released and you can get support and advice by participating the corresponding forum on ravelry.<br />
I really like the mystery element. It keeps me interested and usually prevents me from getting bored with the project. This is a good thing because lately I feel a bit like my knitting mojo has gone AWOL. I have quite a few WIPs so maybe I'm a bit overwhelmed by choice.<br />
My husband joked that maybe I've lost the knitting bug. HA! yeah, I don't think so. It's just taking a vacation for a while, I hope ;-/The Restless Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232727882016547443noreply@blogger.com0