Adult Surprise Jacket

With the help of Marilyn on knitbabysurprise group, I am participating in a "knitalong" on the Adult Surprise Jacket.


I had been putting off making this because of the thought of the 'math" involved - what a baby I am!
It really is not difficult at all - once I made a swatch, and worked out the number of stitches to 10cm , then asked my daughter for the width of the most comfortable sweater she wears. The rest was easy! But without Marilyn's clear explanation to go along with Elizabeth Zimmermann's pattern instructions, I doubt if I would have braved it !



I am nearly at the part where I place stitches on a holder for the front neckline. I am making it in Cleckheaton Mousse, 60% wool, plus mohair, and viscose, which is very soft and light, but also warm.

The colours are lovely - sort of "brown-y heather-y" mixtures The stripes are fairly random and will, I hope, be quite muted when the jacket is finished.
I am now coming to the front part of the sweater, so will now start to make the stripes smaller, probably one garter ridge only in each colour. I am hoping my daughter likes the colour combinations, and/or the stripes - because I am planning on giving this to her for her birthday in June!!
In the picture below, the left hand edge is the cuff edge, on which I shall pick up and knit down to increase the length of the sleeve. The bottom cast on edge is actually the back neck edge!
If you stand on your head to view this, you will see what I mean LOL!















These two pictures explain just how this finished sweater will look. The stripes will be vertical at the front and horizontal across the back and the only seam will be the shoulder to cuff line. I may take my courage in both hands and use an applied i-cord for this - another first for me! Fortunately for me - I have lots of help and encouragement from knitters who have done this before on this wonderful group! I am thoroughly enjoying this knitalong!

It is amazing that a shapeless blob can suddenly start to become a recognizable garment! The construction is so ingenous - is it any wonder I have joined the ranks of the Zimmermaniacs???
I have knitted dozens of the Baby Surprise Sweater - so I guess the Adult version is not as daunting to me as it could have been!

I would therefore recommend that the Baby version should be tried first !!

Couple more hoodies!

I made my second Tomten!!

This time I was happier with it - mainly because I read the pattern more carefully when I came to doing the double decrease on the sleeves. For those who like to know these things - the Tomten pattern is from the remarkable brain of the late Elizabeth Zimmermann and is available in a couple of her books, Knitting Workshop and the Opinionated Knitter or as a single pattern leaflet from www.schoolhousepress.com

I can recommend it - but be warned - just like E.Z.'s Baby Surprise Jacket - it is highly addictive!!

Someone had given me an anonymous skein of yarn (no ball band) which I think was wool, in a beautiful soft cream with a coloured fleck in it. I didn't have enough to do the whole sweater in it and as it had flecks of blue in it as well as a little bit of yellow and red, I found some Cleckheaton wool blend in a beautiful blue for the sleeves. I used literally every last inch of both colours!

This little hoodie I made for my dear friend Karen's great niece Jasmine. Karen provided the yarn and the pattern which was from a Powder Puff book, I think this is Paton's? Can't tell you because I gave the pattern book back to her!

Garter stitch, in alternating ridges of Powder Puff and Feathers, this was so easy to do, albeit tricky due to the nature of the yarns.

The finished hoodie was just so sweet - lovely and cosy too. Took no time to make either!!

Could call this home........

We have been thinking of moving to Toowoomba to be closer to Simone. Since having had problems with the new neighbours, and giving up our beloved cats, the idea of a new start is looking more attractive every day.

We found a wonderful rental property about 15 minutes from Toowoomba CBD - on 23 acres, plus a fenced paddock. The potential is endless! You can just see the back of the house here if you look carefully.

Who knows what we can do - and the thought of all that wonderful space and fresh air, birdsong, peace, and most of all no nosy neighbours, is very appealing!

There are two hills like this rearing up at the back of the house - which is small - but still has three bedrooms and a brand new kitchen. Plus a BIG brand new deck as well, large enough to take two outdoor settings.

These two views are the left hand hill.

The soil is black, friable and very fertile. There are lots of rocks around which will be handy for retaining walls around veggies etc. Lots of space for growing raspberries (one idea we had) and gooseberries.

Plenty of exercise to help me lose weight!

Space for chooks and goats - I am thinking Kashmir goats here !!!

Isn't this gorgeous?? I took this at night, last Friday week when at Simone's - the most beautiful Crab Cactus, also called Christmas Cactus in USA

I used the night setting because it was pitch dark

at the time - not that you would know it!

And just look at all the flowers still in bud!

Blazing Sunset!

What a sight!

I have to share these pics - taken on Wednesday evening 2nd May 2007. We get beautiful sunsets here - but isn't this spectacular?? The bumps on the skyline on the next picture are the Glasshouse Mountains.

At the end is was like watching a bush fire

through the trees at night!

Another Beanie Blitz

More beanies made this weekend - for Knitting For Brisbane's Needy - a great Yahoo group I belong to, that knits (and crochets) for homeless and needy people.

Mind you - we are getting alot of requests for knitted items from a lot farther afield than just Brisbane now - and our members are from all over Australia, in U.K. and U.S.A.

We make what we want, when we want - but just occasionally, we have a blitz for items badly needed - in this case beanies - but there is a big demand for gloves, scarves, and rugs. We are also needing baby booties too.

If you can help and want to join, go here: http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/knittingforbrisbanesneedy/

We have only been in existence for 15 months - but already we have made more than 1100 items for needy people in that time!

Best Ever Baby Sweater

Finished this beautiful baby sweater - finally sewed the buttons on!

It is from Elizabeth Zimmermann's book, "Knitters' Almanac" - the lace stitch is Gull Wing stitch.

The only seams were the sleeves - I could have knitted them on two circulars I guess and then there would have been no seams at all!

Thanks to Marilyn on EZknitalong - for pithy and comprehensive instructions - even though I was too impatient and scooted along without her after Day 2 LOL!! I didn't make a mess of it after all.

Aren't the little mushroom buttons cute?? From Dave Rundell in Florida - "daverun"on ebay .

Oh yes, cream Angoretta and some lovely apple green anonymous donated yarn - I have a fair bit of this - so it will feature in some more baby sweaters I am sure!

Oh yes; I knitted these this week too!

This dear little sweater is "Rindy's Top Down Raglan"

There are absolutely no seams at all!!! I knitted the sleeves on 2 circulars.

The little girl buttons are adorable aren't they? I have them in red, blue, pink,yellow and mauve - I got them on ebay from Dave Rundle (daverun)

I use them a lot. They make all the difference don't they?

This is a cowl ( neckwarmer or joined up scarf) for another exchange - this time on Knit4charities, a Yahoo Group I belong to.

The recipient is Penny in Tasmania - who absolutely hates acrylics - so I hunted through my stash and found this beautiful dark red (her favourite colour) wool yarn from U.S.

A few years ago I bought a half finished afghan and the remaining yarn on ebay - unravelled it and stashed it. This is what was left and it came in exactly right for this exchange. The pattern is a freebie from someone's blog!!

I keep saying I won't do another exchange - I am still waiting for the knitting tote bag from my partner on another Yahoo Group exchange from last September. I sent mine - and she said she liked it - but it was acrylic so I think that was not appreciated !!!!!! I thought it was pretty but what do I know. I also sent nice candles and pot pourri too - one of these days it would be nice to do an exchange and get an exchange if you know what I mean??

Apart from my dear friend Maria (see the Christmas posting I made of her beautiful exchange gifts to me!!! )I haven't had too much luck with other exchanges.

I hate it when you make something really beautiful for someone and take the time and trouble stick to all the rules , then receive some crappy last minute bought-in-a-discount-crap-shop-exchange in return!!!!

Knitting over Easter in Toowoomba

I made another dog coat for Fozzie - this one is a freebie on the internet called Dog Coat with Contrasting Collar. It was super easy to make - and quick too!

I also made a lot of beanies for Knitting For Brisbane's Needy - the Yahoo group I belong to and am co-moderator of. I crocheted and knitted 6 Adult size and 3 Baby size - and FORGOT to take pictures!!!!!!!!!! AAAAGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I gave them to Karen, the group owner at the last Knit and Natter and forgot to take pictures there too!!!!!! If she still has them when I next see her - I shall whip out the camera and snap them !!

We had a lovely Easter with daughter Simone in Toowoomba. - she has a new partner Rick who is an absolute darling !!! Lots of laughter - he has a big family and they are all within walking distance of Simone's house. Very handy when you have a few drinkie poos and don't have to drive!!! I love Rick - and his family - and yes, I forgot to take a decent picture of him - I had one but it wasn't too good. Here's one of Simone though - she is a darling girl and I love her to bits.

This is the only one of Rick and Simone that is any good! Rick is busy looking at his sister's movie camera and Simone is taking a pic of Rick's brother Errol. Rick is a smashing man - he is a country singer and writes really great songs. But the best thing about him is how much he loves Simone - he really is devoted to her - and she to him. They have been together a year now and I am so happy for them. Long live love!!!!!

More Knitting!

This is my first Tomten Sweater!! I have been "chickening" out of making this for years - so took the plunge when a knitting group I belong to that specialises in Elizabeth Zimmermann patterns, did a Knitalong - it was really easy - although I had a hard time when it came to the armholes - I found out I was making it so much harder than it really was - I had mis-interpreted the Knitalong instructions!!!! After a visit to the Frog Pond, I could have smacked myself "upside the head" !!!!! It really is easy to do and the beauty of it is that it can be adapted for an adult or child of any size!!! The pattern is available from Schoolhouse Press on its own - and it is in Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

I really recommend it!

I made this little set because I was given (well I unashamedly asked for it really LOL!) a skein of anonymous acrylic in red with a tiny blue fleck in it - the yarn was scratchy and hard - but such a pretty colour - so when I had finished the jacket I washed it in shampoo and rinsed it in conditioner and then chucked it in the dryer for about 15 minutes - the result????? Soft as soft can be!!!!! The jacket is my Tiny Version of EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket, and the leggings are a free pattern from Red Heart yarns (Coates and Clarke) - Happy Baby Pattern. The hat is also a freebie from the internet - so just Google "Rolled Brim Baby Hat" (The train buttons are from Dave Rundle on ebay "daverun" is his id)

What else have I made in the last couple of weeks? Oh, yes - this gorgeous little Candy Stripe set

It is a Stylecraft or Knitters Choice leaflet - it is knit from one cuff across to the other - it buttons up the back too!

I took this to the l ast Knit and Natter at my friend Dawn Pee's house - she seized it immediately for her grandson William!!!!!! AND the pattern too!!!!! Feisty lady - who could say no to her?? Certainly not this gal!

Then I made this little top down raglan pattern that I have had on my to do list forever - I found three 50 gram balls of a lovely soft wool/mohair boucle yarn that was just right for this pattern. The tammy is from another Stylecraft or Knitters Choice leaflet.

And a lovely little toddlers sweater in Pound of Love - another freebie pattern - I haven't sewn it up yet - oh, I HATE sewing up!!! But it is pretty - destined for my friend Lisa in Canada.

I also started a cuddle blanket for a friend of mine - Diane in Michigan. We have been internet friends since 2001 - Di's favourite colours are Christmas Green and Christmas Red - so this is being made in good old soft and cuddly Capricorn Red on BIG needles - with some Caron simply Soft in Emerald Green that another friend, Marguerite in Long Island NY sent to me a few years back!

I have some other items too - which I made over Easter and this last week or so. But more of these later........

Four Beloved and Greatly Missed Cats

Very sadly we have had to take four of our six beloved cats to the local Animal Aid Centre because of threats to their safety made by the man next door. The anxiety caused by this was too much to bear - every time one of them went outside I was in terror for its life and limb.

They have already been separated - two males and two females - they had a big area for each at the centre. Eric said they were very frightened and were busy trying to hide from all the other cats when he left.

The good news is that they don't put the animals down - but keep them there until they find homes for them.

Here are some pictures of my darlings.

This is Meggy - born 28th March 2004 (my birthday) Shy but very loving - de-sexed and very solid for a female. A very pretty cat.

This is Whiskey - Meggy's brother - also born on 28th March, 2004, he is a big, solid cat - de-sexed. Very affectionate - if he doesn't think you have petted him enough - he will gently bite your fingers until you resume stroking him!

This is Buderim Ginger - Buddy for short! De-sexed, he is all red - no white anywhere - a beautiful big, solid tabby - affectionate and funny - Mr Personality we call him! He is Meggy's offspring born 25th December 2004 - he was very attached to his mother - they spent a lot of time curled up together asleep.

This is another of Meggy's babies - Black Magic - Magic for short. Smaller than any of the others - she is sleek and dainty and shy - she and Meggy were almost inseparable - they were nearly always together. Born on 25th December 2004, and also de-sexed (as are all our cats)

So if anyone who lives in Brisbane would like a de-sexed beautifully behaved cat - go to the Peninsula Animal Aid in Grice Street, Redcliffe - the phone number is (07) 3284 1927. The phone runs hot all the time - so keep dialling until you get an answer.

A couple of Jackets

Two more little jackets - the one on the right is "Precious" from the Leisure Arts Booklet, Precious Layettes - the one on the left is the same pattern, without the lacy pattern stitch. Amazing - the same pattern and two different looks. The line across the right hand jacket doesn't appear in "real life" don't know whether it is a slight difference in the yarn at that point, that the camera is picking up?

Oh no!!!!! Another yarn sale!!!!!

Ok - so I broke the diet - but this time who could blame me!! Spotlight were having a ONE-DAY-ONLY 20% off EVERYTHING sale, including previous sale items. So my friend Claire and I set off early Monday morning, loins girded, to avail ourselves of some GOOD STUFF!!

I got this bag of mixed goodies for $5 - less 20% which is $4.00!!

Nine balls of Feathers yarn in a caramel colour. One ball of Vixen. One ball of blue fluffy yarn with glitter and woven lumps. One adult poncho weaving kit and one large crochet hook! The weaving kit consists of a poncho shape netting in black yarn and you weave fabric, or yarn throught the netting and add beads or feathers or other decorations, and you have a really individual poncho without knitting. Claire and I worked out there was a good $30 worth in there!! Claire bought a $10.00 bag and got some fantastic bargains - about $60.00 worth!!

I also got some more feathers yarn in beautiful jewel colours, reduced to $.99c a ball and with the 20% off got three balls for $2.00!! Bargain!!!

I use the feathers to make these pretty little hats with a rolled brim and crown in contrasting or toning yarn. I now have a big box of feathers in gorgeous colours - can't wait to get started! These will be for sale for the winter months soon to come.

Then off to Lincraft we went - I needed some more Funky Fur yarn to make another Red Riding Hood coat (see previous posts)

I bought 4 balls for .99c each , gave the assistant $4.00 and got .05 cents change!! LOL!!

So my whole shopping expedition cost me $9.95 !!!

I never get bargains like this normally - so who is a happy camper, then??

I am going to justify this expenditure and breaking of my yarn diet by emphasising that the Funky Fur is for a specific requested project, and the Feathers is going to earn me some money from sale of the hats, which will then pay for what I spent - and also of course, I will be using other yarn from my stash to make the aforesaid hats!!!!

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!!

Another two sets complete

Made these two little sweeties for twins which were as yet unborn - I made a pink and a blue in case there was one of each - now I have to make another pink one as it turned out the twins were both girls!!

This is one of the Leisure Arts Precious Layettes - modified of course, in pale blue Panda Angoretta and Blue TLC Wiggles.

The pink one is Panda Angoretta and White TLC Wiggles.

The babies' names are Scarlett and Morgan.

Yvette goes on a Yarn Diet - and falls off the wagon!

Made a New Year Resolution to go on a yarn diet. Got the idea from a Canadian knitter's group I am on - no purchasing of yarn between 1st January and 30th September - nine whole months!

The deal is this - you get one "get out of jail free" card - you can only fall off the wagon once. Sock yarn doesn't count - but that only applies to Canada and United States IMHO - I don't need socks!

You can buy yarn for a special project or gift - if you have to. And it doesn't count if you have to buy an extra ball of yarn because you run out. And gifts of yarn from friends and rellies don't count either!

Well I lasted very well - but succumbed to some Cleckheaton Mousse on offer on ebay - well I got 11 balls of said Mousse for 15.00 including postage - work it out - it was about 1.38 per ball!! So that's me off the wagon for my one and only time! But from now on - it is strictly existing stash!!

Anybody else going to join me?? No?????

Oh yes, and two more Tiny BSJ Sets

I forgot all about these two little sets!! These are made in Thorobred Soft for Tots (another sadly, discontinued yarn)and some variegated Panda Magnum ; these are ideal for using up small quantities of yarn. The little jackets use about 50 gram of yarn; the hats and booties even less! Did I mention that the jacket takes around three hours to knit?? And as I crochet them together (the only seam is from neckline to cuff) it is really a very quick project. Booties are Michelle's Preemie Bootie from Bev's Country Cottage - online. Hat is a basic baby bonnet, sewn from brim to crown to make a little round hat.

I also made a baby blanket (feather and fan )and two more little baby sets - but I forgot to take pictures of them before I handed them over to Karen !! If I ask her nicely she might take pictures of them for me so I can post them here.