...needling issues

...it's taken me a while, but I have finally made myself a nifty receptacle for my growing assortment of needles!

...such progress!

...on two fronts: knitting and reading!

It delights me to see how nicely the shells and waves are forming on the scarf/wrap I'm knitting for my mother! - at this rate, it should be ready by the time she comes to visit in a few weeks! I'm really enjoying using the variegated yarn with this pattern - it's quite exciting to see the colours and pattern emerge!

I've also finished 'Counselling for Toads' which was such a delight to read - I loved the insight into the counselling process from such a unique perspective! I've since dived into 'Emotional Intelligence', but I'm really looking forward to starting 'Mansfield Park' this afternoon - next month's book at Knit the Classics

...it's crunch time!

Above is the fabulous coffee I experienced at a newly discovered local cafe: crunch

...so good, I had to have another, albeit a 'piccolo' as I'd already had 2 double shot coffees that morning....still, there's no holding us back now that we've discovered this place! The fabulousness was not limited to the coffee - so was the breakfast (free range eggs + organic breads) and the service! Yay - a new local!

I was so hyper after the coffee that it no longer seemed a daunting task to frog the shell and wave shawl that I'd been knitting up for my mother. I usually baulk at having to unravel my work, but it's done now, and I'm keen to start afresh! It was quite inspiring to have 'sneak-peak' of the shawl in the yarn I've chosen: Artyarns 'silk rhapsody' in the gold/purple colour blend (101) - what a luxury yarn! I nabbed in on sale at my favourite online store: the woolshack whilst stocking up on double pointed needles.

Actually, I confess that I got so carried away with the yarns on sale that I completely forgot to buy the needed needles....so I had to go back and put another order in.....and then fell for the sock yarn that was also on sale!

I must take a break from this rampant consumerism!....time for a few 'buy nothing days'.....hmmm, it's actually been a while since either my partner in crime or I have been able to log one of those - we try to rack up as many bnd's as we can during the week; call it: 'physical' challenge if you will, in any case, it's kinda fun! ;)

moo...miam!

What can I say?...I'm in love!!....I don't know how long it's been since a dining experience has uplifted my senses to such a divine level!...the food, the wine, the service and of course, the company of my honey-pie: hp....well, ok....I was a little disappointed with the mousse of the chocolate dessert selection (slightly gelatinous), but that was the only criticism of the entire evening.
We're planning our next visit....rowrrrrr!
....or should I say: mooooo!

audit

I thought it would be a good idea to subject myself to a 'study skills audit' this morning - I've been struggling with my current mode of study. It's online....which is a little strange as I am no stranger to online communications - I've been online for so long that I remember paying for my monthly internet subsription my writing out and mailing a cheque to my isp!

mission: aborted

Well, the yarn shop mission was a dismal failure...i'd been driving for ages with my own idea that the shop was closer to home than it actually is...a lot closer!
Self-doubt set in, navigational instruments were absent (left the street directory at home) and my navigator was awol (well, in meeting at work)!...and so, i made the call to abort....only to discover that i had in fact been one mere street away - aarrgghh!

oh well....by the time i'd arrived home, more yarn arrived in the mail which satisfied all yarn yearnings!

there was some deliciously warm and fuzzy dye-free brushed alpaca in a rather scrumptious chocolate...


....and some simply gorgeous 'glam queen green' banana silk yarn!!

both were purchased from alleco who are lovely to deal with and speedy - my order arrived within 2 days!

I was thrilled to find the brushed alpaca in the bargain bin! I'm keen to knit up a beanie and 'knucks' for my dad to match a scarf a knitted up for him ages ago in the same yarn...
....and perhaps a something for over the shoulders with that glamorous green...?
...we'll see!

...about bloody time!

Yet again, jen has had to wait an inordinate amount of time for my next blogging entry - sorry! i promise to be a better blogger ;)

...i must admit, it is a bit unfair that I get to enjoy hearing about jen's rise to fame as a creative (and the antics of her lovely family) whilst she gets no updates on all the mischief i've been getting into, or at least my latest knitting adventures....at least now that i've finally found the battery charger for the camera i'm able to add visuals!

...and so i present my very first finished object (and only finished object to date, excluding scarves): "le poncho"


I'm very excited today - it'll be my first trip to a local specialist yarn store! thus far, i've been able to satisfy my yarn yearnings with internet consumerism....and sales at the local kmart. In fact, the only time i've been into a yarn shop was with my partner's mother in christchurch: "knitworld"
i got the distinct impression that the mixed racial aspect of our little trio rather confounded the sales assistant...hee hee!

Well, best be off then....i'll be back to report on the success of the mission: to find some extra balls of discontinued yarn so i can knit up a fetching piece for my mother's impending trip to greece!