Sirdar Weekend Denim, Style Arc Laura Top and a Satchel

After my last knitting marathon, I was determined to find a pattern that would better suit my needs (that is = easier, quicker) ...

Button from Newtown - All Buttons Great and Small

The lovely people at Stitch Bliss suggested this knitting pattern book ...

I chose this design ...Design I .... and I used Sirdar Denim Ultra Yarn (60% Acrylic, 25% cotton, 15% wool), Shade 502 ...

They also recommended this book which is a fantastic resource, I didn't even have to ask mum to help me make this one - everything is explained ....

step by step with lovely clear photographs

 ... but even armed with all this I failed to change needles after starting the rib rows, by the time I realised I had already made good progress, and my family urged me not to undo what I'd done ... I was willing to .. anyway, I was so carrried away with enthusiasm that I just carried on and so the finished garment is a little out of "whack" - I really don't care - it's wearable - and I've learnt a great lesson!!! This was a great project to work on - very quick and straight forward - I'm keen to make another one - properly this time!

I made a long sleeve tee from my Laura Dress Pattern from Style Arc - just taped together the yoke and main pieces, and of course made it shorter. This is a great pattern - too easy!

And to close with ... one of my students recently finished her Satchel bag, using the Large Tote and Satchel Pattern from NicoleM Design - a very popular pattern around these parts! She chose a great Japanese inspired quilting cotton for the flap. The pattern was modified slightly - made a tad larger. Great work Nic!!!

I've tried 3 times to insert this photo correctly! Arrrrgh! Just stretch your neck gently to the right .... lovely!

Ready, Steady, Knit

Well, not quite - this took me 2 years to knit!!! I am a complete novice knitter - yes, I've made numerous scarves and squares sewn into rugs, but I've never made anything with a proper shape for wearing.

I borrowed a library book and launched into this cardi .... it took forever, mum had to help me with the tricky bits, there are numerous mistakes - repeated rows - but they are sort of consistent - and there was no way I was going to unravel it... it doesn't hang the way it does in the picture and it weighs a tonne! But it's warm and I WILL WEAR IT!!!

Now, I did plan to title this post as "At least it's finished!" but I had to find a way to link in a boast for this picture ....

I went along to a screening of "Ready, Steady, Cook" in Sydney with my son and our school. It was an experience - good fun - and those chefs are quite amazing - they really do cook it all in the time allocated!

On a different trip to Sydney, this time with my 14 year old daughter, I was delighted with this display in a Supre shop - I can't actually bear to go into a Supre shop, but I happily snapped a few pics and waited dutifully outside. (Warning - if you click on the Supre link - you may get a blast of music which is played at 10 times the volume in the shops - hence - don't go in!!)

On our way to Haigh's Chocolate Shop in the Strand Arcade, we stumbled upon an amazing and beautiful display of fashion creations from TAFE students .... so much talent and creativity - a real treat!

On the knitting front, I have nearly completed a waistcoat - and have started a 2nd cardi - well, what are cold winter nights for???