Timber and paper

Yesterday was spent buying timber for the Kimberley series. A very interesting day, now all I have to work out is how to get the spent sandpaper off and, of course, new stuff on. I am assured the sander is mine(?) but I can't remember how to get it off. Anyway, now know a little bit more about sources and resources.

I've been poring over the latest 'Selvedge', issue 21. I just love this magazine, always something startling. I've got a subscription now, as they had a great deal to celebrate their 21st issue. A significant reduction in cost.

Feeling a bit in need of a tidy up, I managed to convert my loom to an 8-shaft loom. Now the fun begins.

Another wrist warmer

I had a bit of play yesterday, using Bjork's own 'wrist warmer' as inspiration. Didn't quite reach her heights and wasn't quite what I was after, but a pleasing effect anyway.

I was using double crochet, and when I wanted a frill just did two in every one for a couple of rows. Having done this in such a way that I could still use the stitch, I went back and continued the base. Now I just have to do the other one!

I'm having my photo taken for the 'Banner' as a showcase artist for the 9x5 market. The Banner is the council produced newsletter that goes to every household. I hate having my photo taken, but it's in a good cause.

My beginner spinners are coming along nicely.

Making the sample real

After a couple of days in the slow lane, I've finally found the energy to finish making a small sample for Knitting the Kimberley. I've stretched it and painted it in the final colours, after mixing the terracotta(?) with the wrong red to get something that looked purple! It is, however, working well.

The next step, after it dries, is to Paverpol it to a piece of timber. I've found a timber yard nearby and hope to get there today.

I also started my classes for Certificate IV in Professional Web Development, reprising my life before children. Should be fun!

A new bag

Yesterday was quite a busy day. Both boys started their tennis season in the morning, 7.30am start, on a Saturday! Youngest won his singles, which after the last season was a good start, the team lost by a game. Oldest won and the team won. It was a good win and he was high as a kite! Having now reached sort of serious levels this was great. I went out for the day to arrive back to partner ringing to say he'd made a 100 at cricket on the day the club was celebrating their 80th season, so he spent the rest of the night celebrating!

My day was good, but less eventful. I went to Rose St. market to have a look around. It's interesting and quirky, great spot, just off Brunswick St. I'd like to share a market stall with friends here. Need to check out more. The website is http://www.rosestmarket.com.au/. Went there not expecting to buy anything, maybe a pair of earings, I'm really not much of a shopper. Ended up buying this great backpack. I love backpacks, leaves my hands free and saves my back. They're usually boring, this isn't.

Then went on to Experimental Spinning at the guild. We were looking at odd fibres. The ones we could find in the Craft outlet were: Carbon fibre, Ramie, Bamboo and Milk protein. I carded mine all together, though I didn't quite finish spinning, so that's for later. I hope to dye the resulting yarn to see what happens. They're interesting fibres, the grey is the Carbon fibre. Not very elastic, not sure what to do with them, so interesting textures.

Coffee afterwards, a good day.

Finished and started stuff!

I've finished knitting 'Kimberley knitting'. I'm very happy, but have realised how much work there is to go to really finish it. I'm going to knit a small version to try everything on just to make sure I don't wreck it. I've added up the hours and it's taken 20 hours to get this far. Much more than I expected. So care is the word.

First process is washing and blocking. Then adding the colour and finally mounting. I'm exploring the options: mounting on a block of wood, where it shows through, or, as has been suggested, making a frame and lacing it on with no backing. Both have possibilities and I've finally ordered some Paverpol, this might provide some part of the solution too.

I managed to start a scarf last night using the pick up stitch idea from 'Knitting new scarves'. It's turned out quite different from the first scarf and somewhat different than I'd expected. There are ridges on one side, where I've picked up stitches, which I'd thought would have more impact, but I've come to like them. Next time, I'd like to explore making these ridges a feature by adding on the them by crocheting a frill, or some such thing.

Finally, I noticed a picture of Bjork at the Big Day Out concert wearing the best wristies of all time. Aren't they spectacular? My oldest son went to the concert, said she was great and her costume was spectacular as he could tell me it was gold!

Magazine of the day

I've just picked up the Winter 2007 issue of knit.1, the funky version of Vogue Knitting. There is always something interesting in this and the news, etc. including the horoscopes are always fun. I even liked the small format that they started out with. I know there's a Knit Simple, but I find that trivial without any of the interest that this does.

Don't you love the sheep? (Pattern 33 - Unfortunately, the pattern isn't printed, go to http://www.kni1mag.com/???)

Back to school

Today is all about the boys. They both go back to school today. Oldest to start his second last year of high school and youngest starts high school. This is a big step for all of us and I hope he has a good first day.

Oh and I lost a bet....he ate his breakfast!

He looks unhappy, but it's mostly because I HAD to take a photo or two!