Well, after a full weekend of nothing but knitting, (and frogging, but lets not speak of that!), there has been no knitting on the Casa del Random front.
Monday was kinda busy, with canteen duty at school and general catch up after being away all weekend.
Tuesday morning, first thing, I had am impacted wisdom tooth removed. I knew it was going to be bad, but I had no idea it was going to be that bad. No general, the dentist just took it out in the chair. I think I should have gone for the general.
I felt like crap afterwards, so I came home and went straight to bed. And there I stayed for two days. I had to go out and about for a few things yesterday afternoon, but I regretted that excursion almost as soon as it started.
So I have nothing new to show you. Lets talk about the disaster that is Wicked. I was travelling along pretty well with it. Friday morning, when I packed for Camp, it looked like this.

And I was feeling pretty proud of myself. It’s a tiny bit small, but my swatch of the Classy grew when I soaked it, so I’d planned it that way. If I look closely, (through the dirty mirror!), I can see the line where the dye lot changed, but I have to look pretty close. I did not notice it at any time, until Friday, before Camp. Ailsa’s house obviously has much better light than mine, because as soon as I held it up, the line was unmistakeable.
So I cursed, and stuffed it back into the knitting bag. Saturday night at camp I pulled it out and after much discussion with knitters in attendance, I knew I could never live with it, so I ripped it out to a few inches above the line, and started reknitting, alternating balls.
Sunday morning, I looked at it, and even alternating balls, I could still see the line. I debated, I tried to tell myself it didn’t matter, but I knew it did. So I ripped.

It was painful. And after all that, I’m not even back up to the sleeves yet.

There was a bit of a drama when I looked at all the balls I’d unravelled and wasn’t sure which one was the light one, but I think we worked it out. At least I hope so. If I end up with another obvious line, it’s all being binned.
Now I’m off to attempt to eat something other than a cup-a-soup or a slice of bread.

Knit Camp was just absolutely wonderful.
What’s not to enjoy?
Scenery like this.

Wildlife.

We only got a quick glimpse of this little wallaby when we arrived, though.
Great company! In attendance (amongst others) were myself, Ailsa, Sharon, RoseRed, Bells, KMS, Anne and Donni.

Ailsa and RoseRed, at the bush chapel.

Mel, and her dyeing.

Anne, and the hat made from the yarn she’d dyed on the Saturday.

Bells, and her famous steeked jacket.

Sharon and Zena, doing what we spent most of the weekend doing.

There was alcohol, there was food, there was knitting, and much hilarity. Some of what happens at Knit Camp must stay at Knit Camp, although I have some pretty good photographic evidence of hijinx which shall not be made public.
And the knitting. Well, lets just say that I went to Knit Camp, and I came home minus one sweater.
Damn Wicked and stupid dyelots.

After much discussion, it was decided that I wouldn’t be able to live with it.

Thank heavens I didn’t only go to camp for the knitting!

Sock Knitters of Australia, Rejoice!

For Patonyle has returned!
Well, almost. That is one of the new balls of Patonyle. However, it isn’t available in stores yet. A representative from Australian Country Spinners got in touch with me, and asked if I’d like to try the new version, and review it.


Yes, you see correctly! The new Patonyle will be available in 100g balls, rather than the old put up of 50g. I’m told that it will be available in Spotlight to start with, from September 2008, and then in other yarn stores probably from February of 2009. Colours will be limited to the old palette this year, bu will be expanded next year.
I haven’t actually started knitting with it yet, but I am casting on this afternoon, because I finally finished the Kitri socks!

Aren’t they gorgeous? I haven’t wet blocked them yet, and I think that the lace definitely needs it, but they’re finished, and they’re bee-yoo-ti-ful!
These were a really enjoyable knit, but the pattern was quite complex and required quite a lot of attention.
Pattern: Kitri by Lisa Grossman, (the Tsock Tsarina)
Yarn: FlockSock sock yarn from vanCalcar Acres., and Jaggerspun Zephyr for the lace cuff (Only available as a kit).
Size: I ordered the standard size kit, and had 12g of sock yarn left over.

There is an option to order a bigger skein of yarn for an additional $US4 if you need it, but I have pretty thick ankles, and they fit just fine. I could probably have got an extra repeat in the leg with the extra yarn if I’d wanted to.
Needles: 2mm (US0) for the sock, 2.5mm for the cuff.
A really fun knit.
Now I get to decide what socks to start with my Patonyle!
Deepest apologies to anyone who has been waiting for contact from me or anything. I’ve had a really stressful past couple of weeks. Nothing major, just a bunch of little things that have coalesced into a great big ball of things that is trying to run me down.
But it won’t win, I’m off to Knit Camp on the weekend, no stress, no sewing, no dramas, no expectations. Just knitting, all weekend. Well, except for the dance comp I’m supposed to rush home Sunday afternoon for, then canteen duty at school on Monday, and the dentist on Tuesday.
Maybe I won’t come home!

Lets go all random, huh?
I finished my Fetching mitts, and I lurve them.

The yarn I used is Naturally Yarns “Sensation”, which is a 70% Merino, 30% Angora mix.

The yardage on this yarn is pretty generous, 120m (131yds) so I modified the pattern a little.
Specs:
Yarn: Naturally Sensation in shade 300.
Needles: 3.5mm DPNS
Pattern: Fetching from Knitty.
These were super quick to knit, they took two days total. The recommended yarn, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, has 89m (98 yds), but I had an extra 30m to play with. When I finished the first one, I knew I wasn’t going to be happy with it, so I ripped out the cast off, and added an extra repeat.
Much happier with them now!
I quite enjoyed working with this yarn, too. It’s a single yarn, not unlike the old Cleckheaton Angora Supreme, which I love. It’s very sheddy, which didn’t affect me an awful lot, seeing as I already have an inordinate amount of bunny fur around the house!
It didn’t twist back on itself, like some singles do, and knit up into a lovely warm fabric.
Apart from the Fetchings, I’ve also been working on Wicked.

Coming along very nicely! And quickly, too. Not as quick as some, I’d like to point out. Amanda knit hers in four days!
Of course, I’ve also been working on the Kitri socks, which are getting very close to done.

Hopefully finished by next week.
And with all these things coming along so well, my mind moves on rather quickly.

Lace weight, beads, yum!
Twinkie would like you all to know that she’s supervising, but it’s getting pretty cold around here right now.

Who Knit In Public this year? The Sydney knitters certainly did, and a great time was had by all!

53 knitters showed up and took over half of the Bayside Lounge at Darling Harbour. Great coffee, great location, great company and a great afternoon all ’round.
Before heading up to the cafe, Emily and I took in the Craft and Quilt Fair. A bit depressing for the knitters, really. I was remarkably restrained!

One skein of Colinette Jitterbug in “Elephants Daydream” from Sarah Durrant, and… erm, that’s it.
Yup. one skein of sock yarn. Oh, I did also buy a few handmade soaps. That’s it. Emily spent more money than I did! She bought some scrap booking stuff and some beading things.
There was plenty to see if you’re into quilting, scrap booking or beading. Personally, the last thing I need is a new hobby to stash for!
So what did I work on a KIP day?
Something new!

Wicked. I’ve been wanting to knit this for ages, but I’ve been dithering for a while, mainly because I couldn’t decide which size to knit.
It’s quick! I started it on Friday, and got David to drive into the city and home yesterday, so in between car time and KIP time, I got a lot done on it. I’m using Dream In Color Classy in “Ruby River“, and so far, I’m loving it.
Let’s hope it lasts.
Then on the way home, we saw an ice cream truck. This totally made my day, and my next car is going to be this particular ice cream truck. Here’s the side.

Here’s the front.


I so want a car with an icecream eating polar bear on top.