Ram's Horn Jacket - Norah Gaughan

Just waiting on the collar!

I’ve been knitting my little fingers to the bone and completed the bulk of the jacket. Will now begin the collar – the most exciting piece for me. This to my eye is what makes the jacket … well … swing!

I have a pin too! All thanks to my partner in crime (alas blogless) Bronwyn. It’s identical to the pin that appears in the photo! It’s winging its merry way to Oz right this very minute, all the way from Copenhagen.

Marianne from Sommerfuglen has the pins in stock and was more than happy to send a couple over. Sommerfuglen speak English, so very easy to order from them.

I had found a shop in the States that stocked the pins, but they were asking USD35 for one pin plus USD28 shipping. That truly was exorbitant! The total for two pins and shipping from Sommerfuglen is approximately AUD55 landed in Oz.

Ram’s Horn pattern is so very easy to follow (hope I’m not speaking too soon!). I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve worked on it, as well, the Bendigo Rustic blocks beautifully. A little hard on the hands when knitting, but then, I’ve really not put it down since I began 10 days ago.

At this stage, my personal opinion of the yarn is that the fabric is ideal for a jacket.

I’m so looking forward to blocking, sewing and actually wearing Ram’s Horn Jacket.

‘till then!

Blogiversary Winner!

The Participants

The Winner

Congratulations Bells!

Send me an email (mmm jhm AT ozemail dot com dot au) with your snail mail details and I’ll pop your prize in Monday’s post.

I still cannot believe two years has flown by so quickly.

Ram’s Horn update
Have completed both fronts and now knitting the back.

Knitting Nature - Norah Gaughan

I saw this jacket on kgirlknits blog and fell in love instantly!

The simplicity, style and of course the colour green was too much for any passionate knitter to ignore. I had to have this book and knit this jacket … NOW!

So it was.

I immediately purchased the book and blatantly copied kgirls choice of yarn and colour (mind you, I am rather partial to green, but not as devoted as 2Paw) and placed my first on-line order with Bendigo Woollen Mills. Rustic 8ply, colour Peppercorn. Total - a staggering $42.80 delivered!

I received the yarn yesterday (Thursday) and cast on straight away (I literally broke speed records to get home from the post office to begin). I have been fortunate over the past two days to have had time to sit and knit resulting in a completed right front of the jacket.

The Peppercorn is almost identical to the photo in the book and although the tension recommended for the yarn is not that quoted in the book, the yarn does work out to be the exact gauge on a larger needle and still looks good.

The most difficult part of the knit is yet to come … finding a unique shawl pin to wear. Ideally, I would like the exact pin that is worn with the jacket, but have as yet not had any luck in locating the item on-line. If anyone knows where I can find this pin, please let me know, or alternatively, if you live in the USA and are able to purchase one at your LYS, I’d be happy to pay you through paypal if you could get it for me.

Enjoy your weekend everyone, I’m off to knit the left front, so I know I’ll enjoy mine! xx

Blogiversary Competition ...

The yarn is a little darker.

Opps, almost forgot the Blogiversary competition. I cannot think of an original idea for a competition, so I’ll go with what a lot of other blogger do.

Leave a comment on my blog between now and the 19th. I’ll use the old fashioned method of writing down names, folding the paper and have someone draw a winner (whoever is around at the time!).

The prize will be :

1 x 100g hank, 2ply Alpaca 80% / Merino 20%, 900 metres from The Knittery. The yarn is simply gorgeous and no longer available.

1 x 3mm x 100cm Addi Bamboo circular.

Speak up people and good luck!

Coffee with Flea

2Paw, I too like green, but I'm not as green as you.

Flea and I met for coffee and a catch-up today. Flea remembered to bring her knitting, but as usual, I had other things on my mind and by the time I had organized myself, it was too late to turn back and grab a project. The gods were smiling, I made it there in good time, in fact, I arrived before Flea, so had time to browse a few places before she strolled in smiling as usual.

I’ve been trying to find a photo of Flea – alas I have obviously given it such an obscure title it appears to be lost forever! Flea is such a gorgeous person and it shows on the outside too. Next time we meet I’ll take my camera and shoot a photo of us both … it’s always good to put a face to a name. Yes?

After coffee we explored the mini centre I had never been to before (Flea had, she knew all the lovely places to visit). The gift shops are always a treat, a delicatessen (at last, a deli close to home!), a few fashion shops, the usual grocery establishments and a shoe shop. Yes, that’s what I needed, new winter shoes. Flea very kindly went off on her own excursion while I spent an hour (for sure!) deciding on styles, comfort and colour to match what I had in my wardrobe. At last decisions and purchases were made.

Now to find Flea … she was ready for lunch … had I been that long!

Coffee, turned into lunch, into a 3pm goodbye. An entertaining, happy, sharing occasion.

Flea, you are a lovely friend! xx

A peek at what I’m working on at the moment (after all, this is a knitting blog) …


Less is More ... for the Two Little Men in my life.

Knitterly Letter Swap

I’ve just received my second Knitterly Swap letter – how cute is the Hello Kitty note paper and envelope!

As you can see there was someone else who was far more excited than I to receive this letter ... the Princess pounced as soon as she took it out of the post box. "Mine, it's mine", was all I heard for the next half hour! I thought she was only interested in Barbie and pink! She has not let the card or envelope out of her sight. Look at the grip she has on the card - I had to bribe her just to get the second photo of the card and contents together. Okay, I guess I'll not see that lot again!

The letter is from Colorado Spring. My swap pal is a student busy studying, working and knitting the gorgeous Sahara sweater. She also included a sample of the yarn, Knit Picks Merino Style 100% wool, colour Storm (I was allowed to keep the letter and sample).

Knitterly Letter Swap

I received a lovely letter from my Knitterly Letter swap pal in Germany a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t write about it as I had sent her a letter and some goodies and wanted to surprise her. Thanks for your great letter Sonja and the goodies you sent.

This was so much fun. Thanks once again Domesticat!

Blog Anniversary

May 19th will be my 2nd Blog Anniversary!

We need to celebrate!

A competition perhaps – worldwide of course.

Yarn will definitely be involved.

Maybe I could include a book, some Addi circulars too I’m sure.

What to do?

Send suggestions to mmm jhm AT oze mail DOT com DOT au to reach me by midnight Monday May 7th.

I'll post all next week!

SP10

My Secret Pal has probably been wondering when the SP parcel would arrive in Oz. Seems it’s taken a detour and dropped in at Australian Customs.

Yesterday I received a gorgeous hank of Hand Maiden Sea Silk! I think the colour may be Rainforest, anyway, it’s luscious. There was also a bar of chocolate, but that didn’t make it to the photo shoot today (I did try), only the wrapper – delicious. The card with the silk and chocolate simply said “A gift for you!”, so I’m guessing it’s from my SP.

Today, the detoured parcel arrived containing cookies, tea and a ball of yarn, with a lovely card and note. My SP suggests I enjoy a cup of tea with my cookies. No need to suggest that SP, I’m pretty quick off the mark when it comes to food and drink!

The yarn is from Be Sweet, African bead mohair colour Tobacco. Just beautiful. And the cookies .. I have been good. I will wait until husbandit is home to enjoy a few too.

SP, thank you. This bounty has been well and truly worth the wait. I couldn’t be happier. xx