Josephine Top - Deborah Newton

Sleeve Cap and Neckline Trim

Josephine

Cord

Pattern – Josephine Top by Deborah Newton

Source – Interweave Knits Summer 2007

Yarn – Cleckheaton 4ply cotton (stash – old – gorgeous!)

Colour – Taupe (perhaps?) similar to Debbie Bliss’ New Spring 2007 shade #25

Quantity – 5 balls

Needles – 3.5mm for body – 2.5mm for Neckline Trim and Cord

Size – 102.87cm (40.5” – second size)

Mods : One extra pattern repeat, left off Lower edge trim

A fashionable garment from an easy, well written pattern.

I’ve had the cotton for over 10 years, purchased from a lys closing down. Have used it for other items and always been happy with it.

Delighted with the end result!

Books and who you know!

I have a friend who is a published writer … she has just released her second book - Sanna and the Dragons – shortly available at The Book Depository.

Her first book – Sanna, Sorceress Apprentice – is also available at The Book Depository at a worldwide shipped price of £7.15 (approx AUD17). Great value!

I’m sure the second book will be very reasonable too. Hoping it will be available before xmas as it would be a super xmas gift.

There is a review of the first book – Sanna, Sorceress Apprentice – on Amazon.com.

Go Roxie!

Double Trouble!

Double Trouble!

Josephine Top

A day at grans is always fun when it’s doubled. The twins are 21 months now - everything is fun!

I’m not sure exactly what they were doing in this photo, but by the cheeky grins on their little dials, they were enjoying themselves. It may have had something to do with a kitty.

Not long to go now until xmas. We put up some outside xmas lights today. The tree will be decorated December 1 and it will be special this year. The kids are now at an age where they understand and know who Santa is and what he delivers.

Friday was photos with Santa. Everyone was given a chocolate bar and Santa sack. They know he’s a good guy and are looking forward to him dropping down the chimney soon, and yes, the kids do live in a house with a working chimney, so will hang their stockings for Santa to fill and I’m sure will also leave out milk and cookies as they did last year.

Josephine is coming along, working on the fronts, so close to finishing now.

Interweave Knits

… the concluding chapter.

Following on from my last IK post, I will now affirm that IK have not only resolved all issues with my subscription woes, but excelled in Customer Service, and I believe will continue to do so.

Today I received an email from the Circulation Manager of Interweave, who wrote that she had read on my blog (can you believe it!) that I was experiencing difficulties in confirming my subscription to IK. This person contacted the appropriate people and resolved the issue without further ado.

IK have also apologised for the confusion – a sentiment I appreciated a great deal.

I know the situation would have been resolved in due course, but to have all resolved from a blog post is unbelievable.

To add an ever bigger smile to my dial, I am also to receive a complimentary copy of Special Knits Holiday Gifts.

Interweave Knits … Thank You. I so appreciate you taking the time to resolve this issue so quickly. A positive outcome on both sides and continued support on my part for the IK magazine.

Guaranteed 2 years of mags people!!! Yes, I’m happy!

Jewelry - Marie Fly Fly

What can I say …

I’ve been following Marie’s blog for well over a year now and not only love her knitting and her darling little Nene, but now Marie has opened an Etsy store – marie fly fly.

I could not resist, I had to spoil myself … an Amazonite beads and Swarovski bicones necklace (perfect length) and bracelet (stunning), arrived today.

To say I was beside myself when I opened the package is an understatement.

Marie, I love your jewelry. It is exquisite. Beautifully designed and professionally finished. Packaged and presented so stylishly, with an additional surprise, stitch markers – simplicity at its best.

Thank you Marie xx

Interweave Knits ... continued

Honestly … I’ve just phoned IK and spoken to customer service, whom I consider to be most unhelpful. They are asking me to fax through a copy of my bank statement as proof of payment to IK. I was not comfortable with this and said so, wherein the IK customer service person said that nothing further could be done until they received proof.

IK try communicating with your Accounts Department!!!!

After cooling off at 7.15am, I phoned my bank and discussed the situation. They have advised that I DO NOT fax through my bank statement as proof of purchase and have offered assistance through their fraud department.

All this over a USD53.00 subscription.

Will let you know the outcome, as I will not and have not documented all here, especially the emails that have been going back and forth.

A ridiculous waste of time, plus I’ve had to purchase their latest issue on-line instead of receiving it through my subscription that I’ve paid for!

Coffee, I need coffee ….

Other crafts - making bears

Well I should have, but never did complete all the bears I once intended to. I think I managed three or four little fellows, then lost interest. My daughter has one, there is one here and I gave one away. Have decided to clear out all that I am not using in an attempt to begin a fresh new year without clutter.

With that wonderful thought in mind, just listed numerous bear making accessories and books on eBay for anyone interested in that particular craft.

Most of the items have been tucked away for years, so time to go. Both books are in pristine condition (one would think I had never opened them!).

Teddy Bears – An Anthology of Verse & Prose
The Art of Making Teddy Bears
Make a cute bear for someone you love or just pamper yourself

Knitting Magnet Board

Jejune has had a wonderful idea and been kind enough to share it with everyone, so I’m keeping the ball rolling and sharing it on my blog too.

As soon as I read Jejune’s post I rushed on over to ebay.au and launched a search. I purchased from this seller who is a 100%er, so all should be fine. Soon I’ll have my very own Knitting Magnet Board (which I have always wanted !), courtesy of Jejune’s generosity.

Go on over to Jejune site and say hello, she needs lots of cheering up at the moment.

Yarn Magazine

I’ve first read about it on Witty Knitters blog, but the full story is on the Yarn Magazine blog.

Interweave Knits

Once again I have dipped my toe in the water and subscribed to Interweave Knits.

Not only have I subscribed, but gone totally overboard and paid for two years. Yes, that’s right ... two years.

I believe with Eunny at the helm the mag will have some fabulous knits, as well, if Jared Flood, Brooklyntweed blog, will also submit further designs, the magazine will be an absolute best seller for a long time .

October 24 2007 : Initial decision and payment on-line.

November 5 2007
As I had not received further confirmation (apart from the initial ‘thank you for your order’ on subscribing) and knowing IK atrocious track record for supplying Australia, I followed up with an email enquiring if I would receive the soon to be released Winter 2007 issue. If not, I would purchase on line somewhere. (Oh, by the way, included in the email to IK were full details of the subscription, including the information that I had subbed on-line).

November 10
An email received from customer service advising there was no record of the subscription and … had I subscribed on-line.

Slump down in chair thinking, here we go again.

Politely replied to IK customer service supplying relevant information. (Hopefully this time they will read the email!).

Also placed three calls to IK – all lines busy - recorded message - please wait. (Insert appropriate expletives here!)

Eh .. have I made a mistake?

To be continued ….

Kaffe Knits Again

I resisted for a time, but in the end, just could not help myself. I ordered the book.

Predictably, Kaffe’s book is full of gorgeous pictures, which is always a plus when it comes to presenting beautiful knitwear.

Most of the patterns use Rowan Scottish Tweed 4ply, with Chunky, Summer Tweed, Cotton Glace and Rowan Handknit Cotton making an appearance throughout the book. DK is used in conjunction with the 4ply in a couple of patterns.

Another wonderful feature is that Kaffe is modeling a couple of the items, which I always find appealing.

I simply love his work and gift for combining colours and textures and although I do not anticipate knitting anything from this particular book at this point in time, it is on-hand for inspiration and for when I do decided to take that fatal step of beginning another Kaffe Fassett knit.

kaffe knits again is a hard cover book purchased from The Book Depository.

The Friday Night Knitting Club

Time to pass this book on.

Bells passed it on to me through her blog, as had the previous two people who have read the book. I’d forgotten about it, but now it's time to travel.

The first person who leaves a message on this post will receive the book on the understanding that once it is read, you do the same and pass it on to the next person.

You must have a blog to participate.

RYC Brocade, Josephine Top, Embossed Leaves Sock

RYC Brocade in Espiga cotton

Embossed Leaves lonely sock

Josephine Top

Design Brocade
Book RYC Classic Alpaca, book 13
Size 14 – 97cm
Yarn Katia Espiga 50% cotton 50% microfiber
Quantity 8 balls - colour 36 - an apple green
Needles Addi Turbo 3mm and 3.75mm
Gauge 23sts and 30rows to 10cm


Variations - Omitted bobbles from fronts, pattern around sleeves and patterned collar.

Worked single rib collar.

Green Cardi has been completed for some time, but as yet no buttons, so has been sitting patiently waiting. Will be close to a couple of button stores next week, so she might be in luck, which in turn means I’ll finally be able to wear Green Cardi.

I’ve also completed Revere Jacket, but it too requires buttons and is now definitely not going to be worn until next winter. A bonus really as this positions me well for husband knitting 2008 – I’ve already completed one!!

Cobblestone by
Jared Flood is next on the list. I’ll be using yarn from my stash, but will not begin this knit until after xmas.

Meantime, I’m working away on Josephine top from Interweave Knits Summer 2007 Issue, in a gorgeous Cleckheaton cotton from my stash. It’s old, probably 15 years, but a lovely 4ply and knitting up beautifully in the pattern.

I’ve also completed my first sock for SSS. Embossed Leaves from Interweave Knits Winter 2005 Issue.

People, take a good look at this sock. Pretty, yes?

My daughter loves it and would like a pair herself, as well a pair for The Princess (in pink of course), but, she would like one alteration. Yes, I am an idiot. I have suspected this for quite some time and this one lonely sock is living proof.

Needless to say, I will have to frog, but luckily it’s a quick easy pattern and I had no trouble turning the heel, or anything else for that matter. It looks fabulous on ….

That’s my lot. Enjoy the weekend everyone! xx