Monthly Archives: January 2017

Adding to my “collection” of needles

31 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Europe, Knitting, on my needles, travelling and events

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Following on my previous post, I want to share with you the beautiful knitting needles I ordered from Die WollLust in Berlin.  I placed the order online from Johannesburg, and my daughter were so kind to collect the needles for me when they visited Berlin. The lovely Birgit Freyer helped me online via emails and assisted me with my order.  I could send the money with my daughter to pay upon collection.

The first set is Knit Pro Melodies of Life.  It is beautifully boxed with 8 sets of needles, 6 cords, extension pieces, stoppers, and all the bits you will need, including a sweet little poach to keep all the bits in.  Also in the box is a set of stitch holders, in pretty and cheerful shiny colours, and two beautiful sets of handmade earrings.

I love this boxed set.

Love my gifts
Love my gifts
Love my gifts

 

I also included a range of Knit Pro Royale needles.  I decided to get 12 sets, ranging from 3.0 mm to 8.0 mm and a few connector cables.  These will be so handy and will go a very long way towards expanding my current range of needles.

Love my gifts
Love my gifts
Love my gifts

Since I started using these needles, I have slowly but certainly been adding to the needles I could buy here.  I still love and use straights, but enjoy working with these much more, as I feel my hands are not strained so much.

My daughter and son in law also went shopping while they were in Holland, and surprised my with this soft and squishy package.

It is an early birthday gift, but I am being good and not opening it just yet.  My birthday is only next month.  🙂  I am going to try and wait.

It is from Stephen and Penelope Fine Yarns in Amsterdam.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday from Amsterdam

 

World traveler. ;)

25 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Europe, General, Happy Holidays, travelling and events

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I have never left South Africa, nor (yet) visited Europe, but I feel like a world traveler.  All thanks to my daughter and son in law, and the beautiful gifts and goodies they bring home with them each time they get to visit Europe.

This year they visited Belgium, (son in law is Belgian) and they also got to visit Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam.

These are some of the goodies they brought home.

Love my gifts
Love my gifts
Love my gifts

The cutest Matryoshka dolls, a gorgeous hand painted egg, and a brooch with little dolls on.

Love my gifts
Love my gifts

Treats!!  My favourite biscuits for my coffee in the mornings, Spekulaas Tea, (which smells divine, and delicious chocolates.  And bags!  I love a good shopping bag, and these I can use often and over and over.  No wasteful plastics.

A super little big bag, that I can carry in my handbag.  Stitch holders.  A bear from Berlin, he is just to cute for words, and of course, I must have Miffy!  Here the little cutie is with my favourite Giraffes, how awesome is that.

Love my gifts
Love my gifts

I love snow globes, and these two all the way from Prague and Berlin made their way to Johannesburg to join my collection.

img_5794

And no trip would be complete without an item featuring my favourite painter and artist Alphonse Mucha.  This is a puzzle, featuring “The Four Seasons”  I like to build puzzles, and this one will be on the top of my list.

There is more, and I will show and tell in the next post.

 

 

2017 is going well.

17 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Knitting, on my needles, Shawls, Sweater / Cardigan, Work in progress

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2017 is going well.  I have finished the green sweater by finally adding the collar.  It is looking pretty now, and I am sure I will enjoy wearing it a lot in the coming cooler Fall days.  I am happy with the overall end result, and it feels good.

Summer Tweed Sweater
Summer Tweed Sweater

On my needles is this beauty.  A shawl in mohair and magic ball.  I am loving the mohair, and the colour is just perfect.  It is knitting up fast, and super soft.

Mohair Shawl
Mohair Shawl

Happy 2017 to all!

09 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Blanket, Frogged, General, Knitting, on my needles, sewing, Sweater / Cardigan

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Happy 2017 to you all.

It has already been a pretty busy year, with 2016 WIP’s now being completed firstly before I allow any new WIP’s to make their way onto my needles and hooks.

The first one out the door for 2017 is Wilhelmina.  She is a cute vintage looking little green bear, and I am happy that I finished her during the holidays and she gets her special place now.

Handmade little vintage look bear
Handmade little vintage look bear
Handmade little vintage look bear
Handmade little vintage look bear

Then my green Rowan Summer Tweed Sweater.  We have had a very rainy weekend, and I took great advantage of it and worked on this sweater.  The drape is lovely, but I did not get good or proper tension on the yarn at all.  I don’t think this is a yarn I would use again, definitely not for a knitted item.  I’ve done the hems and even added the buttons.  It just needs the collar and then it is done.  I can still wear it in the Fall days, when we have the odd cold day.

Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan
Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan
Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan
Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan

And then on 1 Jan 2017 I made the decision to Frog!  Yes, I actually frogged this blanket I was working on.  It has now been nearly 18 months in progress, and despite the fact that I love this pattern, it is not going anywhere, at least not fast enough.  It will still be a blanket, and I hope to restart it in a pattern that I will knit up faster, and who knows, maybe even have a blanket pretty soon.

Blanket Frogged 😦
Blanket Frogged 😦

All the best to you all for 2017.

12 Days of Christmas Swap

02 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in 2016 Swaps, festive season, Happy Holidays, Swaps

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The ladies in South Africa were planning a local swap, for the 12 days of Christmas.  I asked to join in and was so happy to still be in time for the swap and the buddy draw.

What fun! 12 little gifts, one to open each day before Christmas.  It is the best fun to be able to get gifts for your buddy,  as you don’t have to keep to just one or two.  You can knit and create and make a whole 12 off.

Some of the items I bought, and shopped around for, and some I got to make specially for her.  She had hinted for a teacozy for her teapot, and while I was at it, I  also made teamug warmers and coffee warmers.  The stitchmarkers was just as much fun to make, I could play around so nicely.

Swap Package 2
Swap Package 2
Swap Package 2
Swap Package 2
Swap Package 2
Swap Package 2
Swap Package 2
Swap Package 2
Blues Swap Package 2Blanket Progress
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas

In return I received this stunning box of packages all the way from Melkbosstrand in SA, thanks to the very talented Pinkhairgirl.  Yes, she really has the brightest and colourful pink hair.  She excelled at stalking and surprised me each day with something that meant the world to me.  Even Miekie got in on the action, and was spoiled with doggie treats and a bandana.  Just look how cute she looked during the holidays.

12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas

I loved the soap and shell I received, it is very special, and off course, a stunning mug and tea. This mug features all my loves in one.  My favourite colour, my favourite season, and snow, and sheep.  You just can not ask for more.  It has been used a LOT this holidays.