tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52670836049376777032024-03-13T01:26:18.162-07:00Just Jussiknitting patterns for babies and childrenJustinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-20665200565401392182014-07-11T13:47:00.001-07:002014-07-11T13:47:27.924-07:00Goodbye againUnfortunately I have not given the blog the love it deserves, so it is time to say goodbye.<br />
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I know that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Jussi/110438545663812?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> is not for everyone, but it works better for me at this time in my life, please feel welcome to come over and have a look. If FB really isn't for you I still update on <a href="https://twitter.com/justjussi" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/justjussi" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and of course the <a href="http://justjussi.us2.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=7d4f8752a5183b68f6151b402&id=28e249112f" target="_blank">newsletter</a> and the<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/just-jussi" target="_blank"> Ravelry group</a> are the best way to find out what is happening pattern wise.<br />
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Thank you for listening to me over the past 7 years, and supporting Just Jussi from tiny beginnings to the amazing business it is today. I love knitting!Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-63335521145777967732014-02-02T12:52:00.001-08:002014-02-24T13:38:30.413-08:00Super Sammi!<span style="font-family: inherit;">My latest design has been released;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sammi-2" target="_blank">Sammi</a><span style="background-color: white;"> has a flowing shape, with the structure maintained by the ribbed sleeves and shoulder seams. The garment is designed to sit at waist length and is perfect worn over a strappy summer dress or a longer under top.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The garment is worked in the round in one piece to the underarms, then the front and back are worked separately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sized for almost everybody, the fit is oversized and comfortable. A great garment for the beginner lace knitter as there is no shaping, and perfect as a gift for a little girl as she will be able to wear it for a couple of years</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13gFe4F4pYec7-f2Ti3MWk5isEpetqfbRxS2ujqZbkHxV3j4yzCdtzMKjGkH4hUNkAMG9s-KaoeFtCmjW8BgRghNe4ELX6MF0sU-ASSwidxlrFrW92bvIybmojleueasiTYx7aaA2lJE/s1600/13+10+30_8487_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13gFe4F4pYec7-f2Ti3MWk5isEpetqfbRxS2ujqZbkHxV3j4yzCdtzMKjGkH4hUNkAMG9s-KaoeFtCmjW8BgRghNe4ELX6MF0sU-ASSwidxlrFrW92bvIybmojleueasiTYx7aaA2lJE/s1600/13+10+30_8487_edited-1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serious Miss Isla!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the mannequin - you can see the lace pattern and garment shape</td></tr>
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I used <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29" target="_blank">Malabrigo Arroyo</a> which is a beautiful sport weight (5 ply) yarn from our friends in Uruguay. The smallest size uses exactly one skein of this delicious yarn, and the lace pattern is simple enough to hold it's own against the hand painted yarn.<br />
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Sammi is available for immediate download for $7.50 NZ from Ravelry, please click on the link above.</div>
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Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-52478009098901706422014-01-19T14:16:00.001-08:002014-01-19T14:16:18.536-08:00Happy 2014!Ah, my poor little neglected blog.<br />
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Social media takes up so much time, time I would rather spent<i> working</i>!<br />
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I do like reading back over the blog though, and it has just turned nine...nine years blogging, thats 20% of my life right here in words and pictures.<br />
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I like that.<br />
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So, this little blog will stay and hopefully I will find better ways to work so that I can update more often.<br />
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This year is going to be busy, I'm going to be studying part time as well as designing full-time.<br />
The study will have positive spin-offs for the blog as I am studying for a certificate in digital photography, specialising in portrait photography.<br />
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I'm back to work today after a lovely, long, relaxing holiday, and I realised that I may not have told you about this lovely , easy cowl pattern I released just before Christmas. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hinaki" target="_blank">Hīnaki</a> is a lovely squishy cowl with a simple , easy to memorise pattern repeat. A perfect last minute gift.<br />
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Happy New Year everybody, I'll see you again soon!<br />
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-27058263544178775352013-12-08T19:16:00.001-08:002013-12-08T19:16:35.873-08:00"Head to toe" e-book winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wEIaJyi4-8z4kMzIABiXWRUM_VJCGJ5Yiy5mPKAbAINjay0-1feQPQXlBZGcS3jLxCfVmw9HcmXfayPtkRAiiRfDtvyaraqzwJd1CnjK9HSDANeUE78rdyqCSS1u-NtIo2uL_qGI_6o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-09+at+4.10.52+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wEIaJyi4-8z4kMzIABiXWRUM_VJCGJ5Yiy5mPKAbAINjay0-1feQPQXlBZGcS3jLxCfVmw9HcmXfayPtkRAiiRfDtvyaraqzwJd1CnjK9HSDANeUE78rdyqCSS1u-NtIo2uL_qGI_6o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-09+at+4.10.52+pm.png" /></a></div>
Congratulations Saskyumchar! I will contact you via Ravelry regarding your prize.<br />
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( 2nd duplicate entries and spam were discounted from the results)Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-86414910843324039132013-11-29T12:00:00.000-08:002013-11-29T12:00:03.379-08:00E-Book review and Giveaway!I am regularly asked to review books or patterns, magazines or yarn and I don't because it is a yarn which is not easily accessible for my readers in Australasia (by not easily accessible I mean either not for sale here or not readily available for online purchase from a reputable supplier). Or it is publication which is does not marry well with my brand and the sorts of patterns my customers like to knit.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I was happily surprised when I was asked to review "<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/head-to-toe-kids-knit-accessories/patterns" target="_blank">Head to Toe: Kids' Knit Accessories</a>" by Katya Frankel. This book contains a whopping 24 patterns for knitted accessories that your kids will love. It's easy to dress a baby the way you want to, but from the age of two children tend to want to dress themselves and their taste varies wildly (with my girls they each went through the "no pants" year, then the "no dresses" year, it drove me nuts!). I know a lot of knitters have trouble finding patterns for boys, you won't have that issue here as all of the patterns are suitable for boys and girls.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Katya has addressed this nicely by providing a wide range of hats, scarves, cowls and socks which will appeal to the conservative child as well as those with broader taste. The patterns use simple stitch patterns and cables as a canvas to which you add the colour of your choice depending on the child.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/breamish" target="_blank">Breamish</a> socks which come in five (read that again FIVE) sizes) if I'm paying for a sock pattern I expect it to come in at least three sizes, there is nothing worse than trying to size a sock pattern up or down when all you want to do is knit it! (I do not apply the same principle to free patterns as I feel that if someone is generous enough to offer a free pattern I am grateful even if I have to re-size it, because they have done a lot of the work for me). This makes the book excellent value as you can use it for years as the children grow.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simonside" target="_blank">Simonside </a>hat is already on the needles here, I'm making it for Cody for Christmas. Cody is a quiet little guy and I'm knitting this is a heathered blue/grey wool. I think it will suit him beautifully.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Katya has cleverly created a set of patterns which suit both boys and girls, with beautiful photography and styling. The size ranges are outstanding and the patterns are comprehensive and easy to follow. I'm impressed!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">To win an copy of Katya's e-book </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/head-to-toe-kids-knit-accessories/patterns" target="_blank">Head to Toe: Kids' Knit Accessories</a>" go have a look at the e-book page then please leave a comment here containing the following:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- which pattern you would best like to knit and why</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- your Ravelry name</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I'll draw a winner using a random number generator on Monday 9 December at (around) noon my time. All duplicate entries and entries without a Ravelry name will be ineligible for the draw </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(e.g. if you forget to add your Rav name in the first comment and add it in the send that is fine, but only the first comment will be eligible)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="https://www.cooperativepress.com/products-page/books/accessories-knitting/head-to-toe/">To purchase both the print and PDF versions combined, please visit the Cooperative Press website.</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-2410553244872983502013-11-21T20:08:00.000-08:002013-11-21T20:08:52.142-08:00Friday again?I'm not asking where the last week went, rather I'm asking where the last 3 weeks went! Time seems to be moving very fast and very slowly at the same time.<br />
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Flash has been studying full-time and working full-time for the past two years, to say it has been hard for him is an understatement, to say it has been hard on me is the same (but not as hard as it has been on him!).<br />
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I have had to takeover 90% of the household tasks, whilst trying to raise a baby business and work all the hours. We are both exhausted. We have forgotten what a social life looks like, we don't know the names of any of the cool bars or eateries in the city. If we do go out it is for an hours or so at a local restaurant or cafe then back to work.<br />
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Two more weeks until his final exam and then it is all over, except that it feels like we have been saying "just two more weeks " for the past month. It feels like that last week of pregnancy, every day feels like a week and then suddenly it all went by too fast and you are buying a school uniform for a five year old.<br />
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We won't know ourselves in two weeks time....but then I'm starting a two year Digital photography diploma course in March, so we will be back on the hamster wheel, but I certainly won't be doing all the housework!<br />
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Today I took some time out for Christmas shopping, and bought something for myself. This i-cord machine was on sale, I've been looking for one for ages and this is the best I have seen. I'm planning on using up some fingering yarn which has been lying around the place for far too long and making some hats and scarves for Christmas presents. I love i-cord but anything more than a few feet is always a pain to make, I used to use the knitting machine to make it, but that has been in the garage for a couple of years, and going back and forth over a little area for so long is bad for the shoulder. This little guy makes a metre or more a minute and you can rope curious onlookers in to make a couple of cheeky metres before they get bored.<br />
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Purchased from Spotlight Henderson on sale for around $23, usually around $29.<br />
Uses 4-5 ply, cast on with a firm, smooth yarn and then change to your main yarn if your main yarn is prone to breakage (only a problem for the first couple of cms).<br />
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Enjoy your weekend! I'll be making i-cord.<br />
<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-28171045256012229192013-10-31T17:00:00.000-07:002013-10-31T17:00:02.856-07:00Indie Gift-a-long 2013 !Over one hundred independent knitting and crochet pattern designers have banded together to bring you a holiday crafting experience unlike anything ever seen!<br />
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Starting November 1 (GMT) with a 25% discount on ALL gift-a-long patterns<br />
(use the code "giftalong" no quotation marks, at the Ravelry checkout) which continues to November 15, supported by multiple KALs/CALs which will run right through to December 31 so that we are right there crafting with you through the holiday season.<br />
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To clarify:<br />
Discount from Nov1 - Nov 15<br />
KALs/CALs from Nov 1 - Dec 31<br />
Discount code - giftalong<br />
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The list of participating designers is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/indie-design-gift-a-long/2736024/126-150#137" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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Join the Gift-a-long Ravelry group <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long" target="_blank">here</a> and check out the threads for the KALs/CALS, there is something for everyone, and hundreds of prizes!<br />
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Prize thread <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/indie-design-gift-a-long/2736030/1-25" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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The Pinterest boards are looking AMAZING, each has a different theme, loads of eye candy there. You can follow me on pinterest <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/justjussi/boards/" target="_blank">here</a> and the Gift-a-long boards will become visible on Nov 1.<br />
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All of my patterns are eligible for the discount.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The Gift-A-Long promotion is presented by Ravelry’s Independent Design Community, working together using the tools of social media; and is not officially sponsored by Ravelry, Pinterest or any other social-media platform.</span></div>
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0Greenwich, London, UK51.483061 -0.004150999999978921625.9610265 -41.312744999999978 77.0050955 41.30444300000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-33763673776490704202013-10-16T17:56:00.001-07:002013-10-16T17:56:41.520-07:00CocteauYeah, I realise, I am never going to be a good blogger. I Facebook, tweet and Ravel too much!<br />
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Today I published my latest design for children 3 months to 4 years, Cocteau.<br />
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This started as a more complicated sweater, because thats what I wanted to knit at the time. It evolved into a much simpler design, an easy to knit, easy to wear, stylish little sweater with a neck to fit over the biggest of heads. A sweater a little baby can actually wear.<br />
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The pattern price is 50% off until Sunday, and you get to enter the prize draw on my Ravelry group if you purchase before Thursday 24th October.</div>
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The prizes are shown below, your choice of the "For Lossie and Laurel" or "Its Bruce and Laurel" colour ways, containing enough yarn to knit any size from the pattern!</div>
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Pattern link <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cocteau" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-63811582377107414912013-09-19T17:42:00.002-07:002013-09-19T18:36:51.606-07:00The one where I suddenly start designing cowls.I have been playing around with cowls lately.<br />
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A few months ago I had contact from a lovely woman by the name of Nan Bray, from Tasmania.<br />
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Nan rears merino sheep organically and ethically, the yarn spun from the wool of these sheep is beautiful; soft, dense, extraordinarily bouncy. I love the story of this yarn, please visit Nan's website and learn about the yarn yourself, it is now available for purchase <a href="http://whitegumwool.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Nan and I have collaborated (she sent me yarn, I designed with it). When her website went live I published my new cowl pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scamander" target="_blank">Scamander</a> which uses one ball of her Ethically Raised DK, and is delightfully squishy, whether worn long or doubled up. Nan is selling the yarn and printed pattern together as a kit on her website. My <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harriet-14" target="_blank">Harriet </a>cardigan also uses Nan's yarns, which are perfect for babies, being smooth, cloud soft, rounded yarns.<br />
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The Scamander cowl is completely reversible, the simple stitch pattern is both charted and written out.<br />
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Maree from <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/heritage.html" target="_blank">Skeinz </a>sent me some of their new Heritage Organic Merino yarn recently, this is a 4 ply yarn which can work as a sport weight/light DK due to it's amazing bloom when washed. To say that I adore this yarn is an understatement. Everything about it is scrumptious.<br />
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The new colours are so pretty, and play so nicely together so I decided to experiment with some slip st patterns. I ended up with a gradient in slipped moss stitch. My <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rose-de-reims" target="_blank">Rose de Reims</a> cowl is easy to work, easy to remember and once again this pattern is both charted and written out. Worked in deeper, moodier hues this would suit the man in your life too. Or, you could use a handpainted yarn in one colourway as the slip st patterning helps to eliminate flaring and pooling.<br />
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I have published these patterns until my "Justine Turner STUDIO" label to differentiate them slightly from my baby / child range.<br />
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Both patterns have been tech edited.<br />
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I have enjoyed this foray into something a little different (for me). I think will continue to experiment with accessories for adults.<br />
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-5929516203571059062013-09-02T02:37:00.002-07:002013-09-02T02:37:53.448-07:00Meeting Robyn EggeA few months ago I met a lovely woman by the name of Karen, she came to me for a lesson in short rows and to share a wonderful secret with me.<br />
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Today I drove the 45 minutes from my home to Warkworth just north of Auckland to see for myself.<br />
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<a href="http://www.robyneggeyarns.co.nz/" target="_blank">Robyn Egge Yarns</a> is everything you want your LYS to be, bright, charming, elegant, just like it's owner. Everything on display is neat, tidy and accessible, there is no clutter, extra stock is neatly tucked away out of sight, pattern books are easy to find and the store is part of the Ravelry LYS programme so online patterns will be available soon.<br />
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When I walked it I was almost overcome with the <i>loveliness </i>of the shop, the clean crisp white, of the walls and units, the polished concrete floor, the overwhelming gorgeousness of the feature wallpaper in a striking bird print, the attention to detail and the seamless logo/marketing/theme.<br />
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Karen is working hard to bring you the special yarns you covet from overseas and home, when I arrived she showed me a huge box of Sweet Georgia yarns that had just come in, beautiful, beautiful yarns, and the cake stand on the table was dripping with the jewel like tones of Knitsch sock yarn. It is early days, there is much more to come.<br />
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Standard and workhorse yarns have not been forgotten, there are many fibres, ranges and colours available for all types of knitters and knitting and a small, but perfect range of beautiful ready made baby clothes and toys is available for those needing a gift<br />
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I'm happy to announce that I will be teaching my <i><b>Absolute Beginners</b></i> class on September 14 (unfortunately this class is full, but please contact Karen via the website contact form if you wish to register your interest in a future class).<br />
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And<i> <b>Introduction to circular needles</b></i> on Saturday September 28th<br />
(unfortunately, this class is also full, but once again, register your interest)<br />
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We discussed the possibility of a Finishing class, buttonholes, bind offs, seaming etc. I am very keen, so we will look at that with a view to November.<br />
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I'm so excited to be working with Karen, she has created an absolute oasis.<br />
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Two of the girls visited me today, I haven't seen them since before KAN, which means I haven't seen Isla in over two weeks, she has grown more hair!<br />
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Kisses from Mummy and Auntie Blaise (in blue) they are all so delightful!</div>
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-84794061212439077042013-08-27T20:38:00.001-07:002013-09-01T00:06:31.386-07:00KAN 2013Last weekend was the annual knitting retreat known as <a href="http://www.knitaugustnights.co.nz/" target="_blank">Knit August Nights </a>or KAN, held in the beautiful Ahuriri, Napier.<br />
This was my third KAN, my second as a tutor, and as always I loved every moment. Unfortunately there were not as many moments as I would have liked as I had a sinus infection prior to leaving, and the flight managed to turn a boring old sinus into something akin to torture...my face felt like I had red hot knives stabbing into my eyes and forehead and my ears the same. Thankfully I had a beautiful ground floor studio room in the Crown Hotel, so I was able to rest when I needed to and chat with KAN goers as they passed my patio on the way to a local cafe. I am so glad that I had decided to arrive a day early, it gave me time to regroup and plan, the weather was (as always) stunning even though it was winter.<br />
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My class on Friday went well despite the brain fog (Marg, I measure the centre line from wrist to shoulder bone, and then from wrist to underarm, draw these with the armhole depth and the slope will decide itself) I think my class enjoyed themselves and now know the basics of designing for themselves, I do have to find a way of getting all of the math up front in that class because I know it is scary to hit that magic formula in the last 1/2 hour<br />
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here they are hard at work in our lovely class room looking out to sea</div>
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Here is my dear friend Claudia (green pants) and Betty Ann in blue and Lisa in red, outside <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/" target="_blank">Skeinz </a> the mill shop at the DesignSpun mill. It is our spiritual home, and the wonderful thing about it is that you can all buy from Skeinz too, their online shop is easy to navigate and the prices are amazing. If you are knitting for babies their Heritage organic merino is the softest thing ever and knits up like a dream.</div>
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I took a class in Contiguous knitting, oh my goodness if I had known the possibilities I would have done it ages ago, thank you <a href="http://www.vintagepurls.co.nz/" target="_blank">Morag </a>for your awesome class (as always). Look out for some contiguous patterns coming your way soon.</div>
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I also bought a bit of yarn, not a huge amount as I have "quite a lot" at home, but it was nice to try some yarns I haven't seen before. The marketplace was fantastic, lots of lovely traders with lots of lovely products, and I am still finding treat sized chocolate products throughout my handbag, speaking of which look at this exclusive Goody bag!!!</div>
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Photo totally stolen from Tash at Holland Road Yarns, who sponsored these amazing bags, you can buy this and others from Dear Colleen at <a href="http://holland-road-yarn-company.myshopify.com/blogs/hryc" target="_blank">Holland Road yarn</a>s online...I think you may even get one free if you spend over $100! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm hoping a few Australians will jump the ditch and join us next year, I promise to take every vitamin known to man kind and be in the peak of health next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Write it into your diary now <b>29-31 August 2014.</b></span></div>
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-21032881837663897062013-07-20T22:49:00.001-07:002013-07-20T22:49:32.987-07:00Weeks fly...Goodness me and I thought I was doing well with the blogging...oops!<br />
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I was down in Christchurch again last week, visiting the new arrival, she is 9 weeks old now and a darling. I can't wait for Christmas, 3 yr old Cody, Isla will be almost 1, and Harri will be 6 months, the excitement and giggles will be infectious no doubt!<br />
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I have been knitting a storm, I have 6 designs in various stages of production now (not counting the ones who only exist on paper) Cubby you know, I have been holding back waiting for yarn which has just arrived. Cocteau is the plunket neck sweater I discussed last time, it is lovely, perfect! and is waiting patiently in the testing queue.<br />
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Harriet is testing right now, and off to the tech editor soon. The hold up has been my trip away and illness (a mild cold which hit the rest of the family worse than me, but that old Glandular fever meant that the lassitude carried on) and now more time away from home in Christchurch to help the little family out. Going away always means tidying up, making sure there is food for the cat sitting uni students and Dad to cook, and the Auckland contingent have been checked on and cuddled. So I'm having to race around AND rest, interesting combo.<br />
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To keep my hands busy while resting I decided to blitz my<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JustJussi" target="_blank"> Ravelry</a> queue, I have finished a number of Christmas gifts, a<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection" target="_blank"> Colour Affection</a> in laceweight which I am glad to see the end of, and have almost finished a vest I plan to wear at <a href="http://www.knitaugustnights.co.nz/" target="_blank">KAN</a> and started a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hedera" target="_blank">Hedera</a> socks (another gift). I am certainly enjoying watching the pile of project bags in the wip basket diminish and have had to be extra vigilant to stop myself replacing them with new projects.<br />
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I also have 3 new designs on the needles, slowly taking shape, always a fascinating business as I move away from some ideas and introduce new ones.<br />
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Here are some pics of baby Harri in her Harriet cardigan, I love the fit, and her parents do too.<br />
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-22879260050434876122013-06-25T13:50:00.000-07:002013-06-25T13:50:09.571-07:00The Milse pattern is live!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPI8PTtuSg_aHzGmkm793Vm1rJ3nBZloQzJb7jiDmstxMrb_f7mkWy6vR7CpiH0Bll61qvHum0bbUWWLuWzoTR5lH3wlvKnlxa9hu8fYbn5rMs1FJDlygq5zvFy5sBEdO-8H9a7CwMR0/s1600/13+06+22_5413_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPI8PTtuSg_aHzGmkm793Vm1rJ3nBZloQzJb7jiDmstxMrb_f7mkWy6vR7CpiH0Bll61qvHum0bbUWWLuWzoTR5lH3wlvKnlxa9hu8fYbn5rMs1FJDlygq5zvFy5sBEdO-8H9a7CwMR0/s400/13+06+22_5413_edited-1.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/milse" target="_blank">Milse</a> (mil-SHAY, gaelic) is my latest design to be released, it is available from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/milse" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/431183/pattern-store?_ct=fhevybu-ikrdql-fqjjuhdijehu" target="_blank">Craftsy</a>, <a href="http://www.justjussi.com/" target="_blank">my website</a> and Patternfish</div>
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It is available at an introductory price of $3.75 (varying wildly between $2.90 and $3.05 US) until Monday 1 July 2013 (NZ)</div>
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Milse is a pattern which you will use over and over again, instructions are given for long and short sleeves, and a bubble or straight skirt. You can vary the length of the skirt, leave out the stripes, add a stranded pattern, its all up to you as the plain stst base makes it easy.<br />
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Worked from the top down the most taxing part is the provisional cast on, which is fully illustrated with a photo tutorial so you will wonder why you ever thought it was difficult.<br />
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Sizes 6 months to 10 years, worked in DK.<br />
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In other design news, I'm in the middle of a dilemma, I love the Harriet cardigan I have been working on and was about to send it to my test knitters when I decided I wasn't too fussed on the gusset, it just seems to bulky in the DK, I'm a bit sad about it but I'm pretty sure it has to go.<br />
I'm working on a new envelope neck design and it also has underarm gussets, but because it is fingering weight yarn the gussets are less noticeable.<br />
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With all of this to-ing and fro-ing over Harriet I think the Cubby sweater will actually end up with the testers sooner!<br />
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-65319904892183288272013-06-19T23:05:00.003-07:002013-06-19T23:05:56.484-07:00Snowed underThe wild weather predicted for this week has not really eventuated, yes there has been rain but not the howling gales we expected, for goodness sake I drove through a hailstorm wearing sunglasses today because, well, Auckland.<br />
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Auckland is well known for it's four seasons in one day style of weather, and we love it, but boy it would be nice to be snowed in for a day or two (no longer)!<br />
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Today I finished writing the Harriet cardigan pattern and started arranging test knitters.<br />
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I have altered the collar a little to make it fit nicely, but there is no shaping to make the lace scarey!<br />
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Then I reviewed a tech edit of Milse, and sent it back to the editor with apologies for being a ninny.<br />
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and lastly I graded the Cubby pattern so that it goes up to age 14 years, teenagers like wearing animal hoodies, well the girls do anyway, tomorrow I may get that pattern finished, depending on the weather...we need to do a photoshoot for Milse, one in which the baby and the weather are feeling cooperative!</div>
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I am revisiting dome of my older patterns, giving them a new lease on life and thought I would have a go at the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dear-wee-baby-singlet" target="_blank">Dear wee baby singlet pattern</a> which turned into a trip down the rabbit hole, whereupon I exited with a new design which goes straight to the top of my design pile...isn't that always the way, new yarn, new project, new design, new pattern. I'm not even going to try to fight it.</div>
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This one is a simple sweater with the <a href="http://www.mumsbubsandbeyond.co.nz/Baby/Organic-Cotton/envelope-neck-singlet" target="_blank">plunket</a> neckline from the singlet pattern, long sleeves and a long enough body, I'll find a few details to make it more interesting.</div>
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I'm thinking DK weight, just have to fossick around in the stash to find something suitable, give me a day or two.</div>
<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-46839131412856203472013-06-13T21:46:00.001-07:002013-06-13T21:46:47.726-07:00and on a Friday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRKT5tCp6UWMzQFVDHoIjQ3VJhkGb9tpAObLXng0JjPdNc6GMYwDgK7G6em0iWOURksF23OFyjwS5gVnoNwB4395frieLVnzX-L3dlPnp5CkU6aF_f8ZCyoiusOc6NtctVsieyr6LzME/s1600/cubby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRKT5tCp6UWMzQFVDHoIjQ3VJhkGb9tpAObLXng0JjPdNc6GMYwDgK7G6em0iWOURksF23OFyjwS5gVnoNwB4395frieLVnzX-L3dlPnp5CkU6aF_f8ZCyoiusOc6NtctVsieyr6LzME/s320/cubby.JPG" width="264" /></a></div>
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The Cubby prototype is finished, I made 3 sets of ears before I was happy.<br />
Blaise (22 years) advised me that there is a problem with this Cubby hoodie.<br />
It is too small for her...<br />
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Now I have found myself being talked into making a grown up version (though she is a very small grown up - more of a pixie really!) exactly like this one.<br />
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I tried to talk her into a <a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/red-panda/" target="_blank">Red Panda</a> or Polar bear...but no, bright pink comic bear it is.<br />
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I can't wait to get this onto Isla for some cuddly baby in a cuddly sweater photos, maybe this weekend if the weather agrees.<br />
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Now I just have to translate the pattern into my template, test knit, tech edit, and its done.<br />
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My little plain cardigan with the lace collar is finished as well! I love how this turned out, plain, simple and oh so useful.<br />
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Here is the back neck, looking just delicious, there is a cardi and a sweater version in 8 sizes from 0 to 10 years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae0UHPfB-Sub67AkD3lbBCL_Xpyvi51xYD8ZFb49lFP1CnqTUBFsI1b8OlrU7J24wGhSs2Cyr_djpb3mJSPh57eibH373jAbMGZNr2yPJ0zhx8V7e9JYResQhsS6NSyuudh7SZAv7sVA/s1600/BMjENQ-CEAAWfPj.jpg-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae0UHPfB-Sub67AkD3lbBCL_Xpyvi51xYD8ZFb49lFP1CnqTUBFsI1b8OlrU7J24wGhSs2Cyr_djpb3mJSPh57eibH373jAbMGZNr2yPJ0zhx8V7e9JYResQhsS6NSyuudh7SZAv7sVA/s320/BMjENQ-CEAAWfPj.jpg-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pattern has been written, I think I may just try the sweater version out for myself first, then it too hits the test knit, tech edit circuit.</div>
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That is that for this week, I'm really happy with how they both turned out, look out next week!</div>
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-54445812556383766512013-06-09T15:53:00.000-07:002013-06-09T15:53:11.653-07:00Posting on a monday?Yes, I had a series of unfortunate events which led to me going to the shops this morning to purchase a new SD card for the camera (in the event I bought two, my usual 16G and a 4G back up) and due to the insults my camera went through to remove the damaged card yesterday I was keen to ensure that it didn't need a trip to the camera Dr.<br />
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I came home and took photos of the first things I could think of, my current wips.<br />
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I was thinking I should be showing you a bit more of the process anyway.<br />
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Firstly, I was sent some boucle to play with , it is spun from merino and alpaca, is soft and cuddly and I immediately had an idea to use it for cuddly hoodie jackets for the littlies, an intarsia tummy patch and ears make it adorable! This one is more along the colourway of a Care Bear (ears under construction), but I have a little Red Panda, Frog and Sun Bear in the pipeline. I think the yarn producers will be happy with the results.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ_oTjt_mFn8mLIi4A8-QV3lK2V50E3_TyojEDIO4v12nUu3egvLKopow48UsALWBneCWx6R5OikDMTfVxdyVEmQGWdiJqZQEtP8Evs1e-JZeZaY1MePe0BTkBS6wjl6Kf11aGYy4IOI/s1600/13+06+10_5112_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ_oTjt_mFn8mLIi4A8-QV3lK2V50E3_TyojEDIO4v12nUu3egvLKopow48UsALWBneCWx6R5OikDMTfVxdyVEmQGWdiJqZQEtP8Evs1e-JZeZaY1MePe0BTkBS6wjl6Kf11aGYy4IOI/s320/13+06+10_5112_edited-1.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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I know what you are thinking </div>
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"Jussi, you never do frou-frou, what is happening, has the world gone MAD!"</div>
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No, I think this hoodie is still quite a simple design, yes there are ears but sometimes you just have to give babies what they want, and babies want ears. I showed this to my 3 year old Grandson and he said "so cute!" I'm happy, it has the kiddie seal of approval.</div>
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Next up, I have been wanting to create a pattern for a plain cardigan for a long time (maybe as an antidote to the previous sweater), something that can be enhanced by the knitter if desired, but basically a neat little cardi with a few designer touches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXlXEYVxeGab7LwAdDr6UvqnDM8PI9O0ghk2fo8IoZi8E6Uk55fLMv4s2oFNVP_u4QJBLcvfmRfy5-f_eOdcXllyZYIfV8Md8-jbA0uTShxgeihiERJDuoqRNDWGvjg_isu5zD5xaRZM/s1600/13+06+10_5114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXlXEYVxeGab7LwAdDr6UvqnDM8PI9O0ghk2fo8IoZi8E6Uk55fLMv4s2oFNVP_u4QJBLcvfmRfy5-f_eOdcXllyZYIfV8Md8-jbA0uTShxgeihiERJDuoqRNDWGvjg_isu5zD5xaRZM/s320/13+06+10_5114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure if you can see it in these photos, but just above the stitch marker is a triangle, this is a darling wee gusset, one of my favourite knitting touches, but one I have left out of patterns in the past due to technical issues.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3s1oG9iwXRITRaIylGpJLitMOOVgQZv6vAPucjRlWmMDXERv6M0JNw5fnMQFxiqNXHAq_Fua-cFoJOJc6Ezc9YDykBw8VDqabKdG4APS90owtL_nsWy70UKXJKT0jm0g2LjUwe-zaMvs/s1600/13+06+10_5115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3s1oG9iwXRITRaIylGpJLitMOOVgQZv6vAPucjRlWmMDXERv6M0JNw5fnMQFxiqNXHAq_Fua-cFoJOJc6Ezc9YDykBw8VDqabKdG4APS90owtL_nsWy70UKXJKT0jm0g2LjUwe-zaMvs/s320/13+06+10_5115.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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But this time I think I have nailed it, the sweater will have short row sleeves which will grow until they incorporate the gusset, then it will ease out and into the sleeve decreases. Sometimes design is all about letting ideas grow and mature.</div>
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The yarn I am using for the cardigan is beautiful, it is <a href="http://www.whitegumwool.com.au/" target="_blank">White gum wools</a> a Tasmanian merino, incredibly soft and a joy to knit, the ball actually bounces when you drop it!</div>
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The colour palette is sophisticated and the yarn has just a hint of crispness (not hard or itchy) which gives a stunning stitch definition. The yarn will be available more widely soon.</div>
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Finally, the Milse dress is at the tech edit stage, just a few more photos to take and it will be ready for publication.</div>
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have a lovely Monday everybody xx</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpjo4-b9WsGpA8wLHX3EvrvJKG_7dG6dxEyqaTHtHlDlHfDprx6UoRlD9g3x3F7gRY_HDVYsqbTjChZt-XbfKjFr9pZpv-0xupHLQ3XLLBCOUEfij17ClXIgwLs9ru7OH1H3y9z_i2Vw/s1600/13+05+25_4493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpjo4-b9WsGpA8wLHX3EvrvJKG_7dG6dxEyqaTHtHlDlHfDprx6UoRlD9g3x3F7gRY_HDVYsqbTjChZt-XbfKjFr9pZpv-0xupHLQ3XLLBCOUEfij17ClXIgwLs9ru7OH1H3y9z_i2Vw/s320/13+05+25_4493.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-59089524835285256842013-05-26T18:36:00.001-07:002013-05-26T18:36:22.464-07:00And then...Harriet.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPbPkstjUtIt3t65seZYjC0H-yQNVFwO0GlRvIE2SmNGbcnu_yh0S6sVsfnTYhkfUt39Z1UyOG0TImwsqdVOvYZ__VCV8NeW0BL4dO8ceFGhM9ONNMxwQrgmR-DXTWtY5fFUo3mF4Dq4/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPbPkstjUtIt3t65seZYjC0H-yQNVFwO0GlRvIE2SmNGbcnu_yh0S6sVsfnTYhkfUt39Z1UyOG0TImwsqdVOvYZ__VCV8NeW0BL4dO8ceFGhM9ONNMxwQrgmR-DXTWtY5fFUo3mF4Dq4/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, it is an <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aviatrix-baby-hat" target="_blank">Aviatrix</a></td></tr>
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The much awaited and wished for first child of my daughter Holly and her husband Nick was due on th 19th of May, I booked to fly down on the 15th and return home on the 25th (baby willing, there was no way I was going home until after the birth). Holly called just before I left for the airport, her waters had broken! The baby was on the way.<br />
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I'm not going into details, suffice is to say that Holly laboured beautifully and baby Harriet was born into the peace and comfort of her own home. I often wonder how it is with children and now grandchildren, you don't know them until they arrive and then you think "well of course, here is Harriet finally", as though you have known them forever.<br />
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Welcome to our family Harri, along with your cousin Isla you form the 5th generation of living women in our family, so many people love you already.<br />
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-85783783733272351952013-04-30T16:05:00.001-07:002013-04-30T16:05:30.623-07:00SummerPosting remains stalled, the weather has been so amazing that you will more often than not find me outside enjoying the warmth while it lasts. Auckland is enjoying an extended summer, it is 23 degrees (I think that is around 75F) and it is Autumn, the sun is shining, birds are singing and all is well with the world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QAiHvQ0VnDTEmnsZtMwPXND70_kIupCP2fRlRsQrbD_qWUQy6NNCZeHhEaPK88Xkj3nJKzOyTeyUro5VmWyO3hKmEGDepOuf7eBzR0LiYhPFoSe6tnKy7g3rN6CLzvNj4imVYGa6E5c/s1600/13+04+11_4183_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QAiHvQ0VnDTEmnsZtMwPXND70_kIupCP2fRlRsQrbD_qWUQy6NNCZeHhEaPK88Xkj3nJKzOyTeyUro5VmWyO3hKmEGDepOuf7eBzR0LiYhPFoSe6tnKy7g3rN6CLzvNj4imVYGa6E5c/s400/13+04+11_4183_edited-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our darling is growing at a rate of knots, almost 4 months old and she has trebled her birthweight! Such a sweetie, she laughs, smiles and coos, loves story time and rolls over.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYD27N6lSrU8YyQD5RH5iXAylZbl7oAO04E3owD5UQmqGQZ2Pw91X-rpozB5_w-vWIUOaHU50q7WJVCXgzxTq6Meltq8j3vcnyGimhaQSo7v1O42b5S68RBHBxTzl9KbYKCFasSdenhg/s1600/13+04+02_2866_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYD27N6lSrU8YyQD5RH5iXAylZbl7oAO04E3owD5UQmqGQZ2Pw91X-rpozB5_w-vWIUOaHU50q7WJVCXgzxTq6Meltq8j3vcnyGimhaQSo7v1O42b5S68RBHBxTzl9KbYKCFasSdenhg/s320/13+04+02_2866_edited-1.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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Here is a close up of the hat, your standard <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aviatrix-baby-hat" target="_blank">Aviatrix (</a>worsted weight) in <a href="http://www.justjussi.com/full-worsted-wool/" target="_blank">Just Jussi Full</a> and made my favourite <a href="http://veryberryhandmade.co.uk/my-crochet-patterns/a-frothy-flower/" target="_blank">Frothy Flower</a> in <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=5" target="_blank">Malabrigo</a> worsted<br />
I added an extra round of petals and embroidered some french knots resembling stamens to hold it in place.<br />
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I have a little interview posted on the <a href="http://theknitographer.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/the-knitographer-interviews-just-jussi.html" target="_blank">Knitographer site </a> talking about Just Jussi and whats up at the moment. Go have a look see, and meet some other lovely knitters, dyers, writers.Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-70992368408979587192013-04-11T20:46:00.000-07:002013-04-11T20:46:38.905-07:005 random things about me memeIf you read my blog regularly you will know that<br />
a. I don't post enough and<br />
b. I no longer do memes, if you read my blogs you know everything about me!<br />
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However, Julia of <a href="http://justonewip.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/5-random-things-about-me.html" target="_blank">Just one wip</a> asked me to, and she is such a sweetheart, so I will this time, but this branch will die with this post as I can't think of anyone who will thank me for asking them to blog it.<br />
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1) I've been blogging since 9 January 2005, that is more than 8 years. I only just realised that. Wow. I set up my <a href="http://www.castadrift.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">first blo</a>g as I was lonely, having recently moved to Sydney. My life changed so much in those couple of years and the first couple back in NZ that I actually ended up setting up this new blog to break from the past. The old blog is much more about me, this one tries to stick to the knitting.<br />
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2) I have 3 daughters, 2 stepdaughters, 1 stepson, and share 4 grandchildren with my husband, with another due next month.<br />
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3) here are 38 things you may or may know about me, so this will count for from 3-5! this was written in 2006 - some things have changed.<br />
<span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1. I am right-handed most of the time, but left-handed when I eat.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">2. The first time I was ever admitted to hospital was to give birth to Holly. The second time when I went into premature labour with Charlotte.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">3. Blaise was born at home.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">4. The third time I was admitted to hospital it was for a tubal ligation.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">5. I don't like olives, I try, but I can't.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">6. I drink coffee in the morning, and Earl Grey tea the rest of the day.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">7. I have an official (3x tested) I.Q. of 154...it is wasted on me (My Mother had me tested....thanks BBT)</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">8. Dogs are tolerable, cats are mandatory.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">9. Prefer blankets to quilts (duvets, doonas) cotton in summer, wool in winter.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">10. When I was at school I wished my name was Lisa or Angela like everyone else.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">11. My children think I am psychic (It's really just my Mother instincts)</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">12. I have never been in trouble with the law.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">13. My first memory is of me telling Una from next door that if she kept putting a plastic bag over her head she would suffocate, my sister wasn't born yet, so I would have been 2.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">14. I only like 2 peices of furniture in my entire house, I only love 1. (This has changed a lot since I wrote this)</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">15. When I was 15 I was anorexic.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">16. My second toe is longer then my big toe.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">17. I hate catching the bus.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">18. I have twice as many tastebuds as the average person.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">19. As a child I hallucinated often when I had a fever, I still remember a lot of these hallucinations.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">20. When I was 10 I bred mice and sold them to the pet shop for 30c each.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">21. I was so upset when I found out that I couldn't go to Mallory Towers that I threw up.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">22. My eyes change colour, from navy, through light blue to grey.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">23. I can't stand bad manners.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">24. I am painfully shy.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">25. I would rather climb the stairs than take the lift.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">26. I have been trapped in a stairwell, but never in a lift.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">27. I sleep on my back with my arms above my head.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">28. I am not a team player, but I try.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">29. When I was 15 my step-mother told me I couldn't be a vet, (because her daughter didn't get accepted for Vet. college) I didn't tell anyone, just stopped trying because I thought she was an adult so she must be right.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">30.I have raised all of our kids not to take "no" for an answer.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">31. I make time to worry, I think to myself "I can't worry about that right now, I'll worry about it after dinner"</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">32. I came top of my year in School Cert. Biology.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">33. I am so afraid of the women at the cosmetic counters in department stores that I give my husband a list of what to buy from Dior and Clinique duty-free.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">34. I can't borrow books I really like, I have to buy them.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">35. I am truly afraid that in 20 years time, they won't sell basics like flour anymore, and I won't be able to teach my grandchildren how to bake cookies.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">36. I fidget - a lot.</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">37. I was smacked on my first day of school, because I couldn't sit still</span><br style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #aacce3; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">38. My dream vehicle is a long wheel base LandRover Defender in black with stainless steel step-plate, and spotlights. (2013 I sold my Landrover discovery today )</span>Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-81596431703922740702013-04-07T22:13:00.003-07:002013-04-07T22:13:56.584-07:00Where I workI love reading about other people's studios and workspaces, the way they range from the amazingly opulent, purpose built architectural masterpieces of the fortunate to the one tidy corner of crafting sanity in an otherwise crazy family apartment.<br />
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I am always amazed and encouraged by the inventive storage solutions, the repurposing of common items into the perfect spool holder or ribbon tamer, even IKEA furniture looks exotic when you live in a country to which the ubiquitous blue and yellow box store has yet to arrive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSpj9PWNPRAfXwPMSZaTTtrVHFPvffi5kpq-YYbwGp4wpCLAlrH5N7paEQjHwXFFS-vlzWDEU-wrBxHBQbSD1oUC8SiU4maTtpLTkCvY0kua_W1NsoZislpRTSsT4U6KAhLzUMhL4NtA/s1600/photo222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSpj9PWNPRAfXwPMSZaTTtrVHFPvffi5kpq-YYbwGp4wpCLAlrH5N7paEQjHwXFFS-vlzWDEU-wrBxHBQbSD1oUC8SiU4maTtpLTkCvY0kua_W1NsoZislpRTSsT4U6KAhLzUMhL4NtA/s640/photo222.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I was child I dreamt of many things, which I have shared with you over the years, and a huge dream of mine was a room all of my own, not a bedroom, but an arts and craft room, a room where I could follow my hearts desire and no one would touch anything (you can tell I had a younger sister)</div>
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Now, this is exactly what I have, a room for dreaming and imagining, a room for bringing to life all those ideas in my head.</div>
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This panorama takes in two thirds of my room, starting with the door and moving left, you pass my armchair (soon to be reupholstered and joined by it's twin) these are <a href="https://pinterest.com/ercol/pins/" target="_blank">Ercol armchairs</a> which my Grandfather bought for my Grandmother one Christmas, you know he worked for the RAF as an instructor, and built toy garages and dollshouses in his spare time to save the money to buy my Gran whatever her heart desired every Christmas, i think of him everytime I look at those chairs, I never knew him, but I know his creativity runs in my veins.</div>
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We then move past the post its and packed pin boards to my desk, with the computer, printer and in tray one one side of the room, and wips on the other. </div>
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The plates above my iMac are repurposed side plates from the 60's and 70's painted with the names of the seven deadly sins from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trixie-Delicious/162895333745" target="_blank">Trixie Delicious</a> (do not click if curse words offend you!) I love these, they are fun and I do love to buy local.</div>
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The wire basket rack holds adult garment lots of yarn and current projects, the Billy bookcase next to it contains handpainted yarn, account folders, a mailing centre and my dyeing equipment behind the glass doors.</div>
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Yarn is contained within the nine cubby unit, the blue baskets hold balls organised by weight, with the upper cubbys reserved for skeins (which will soon hang from a peg board above my armchairs) and lots of special books above that.</div>
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What you can't see is the bookcase full of books and baskets of "notions, fabric, thread etc" and the built in wardrobe with it's own complement of yarn and sample garments.</div>
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I love the colour of my room, the light that floods across the desk, the fact that everything has a place (even if it is not in it!) the peace that it fosters and the encouraging space to create. </div>
<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-72775160910241576432013-03-28T16:35:00.002-07:002013-03-28T16:35:49.909-07:00Bad bloggerI know, I know, I'm a bad blogger.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Jussi/110438545663812?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> is to blame (and I'm not getting into a FB discussion here) it is just so quick and easy to post something on the fly and the response is immediate. However I can't talk in depth about anything there like I can here.<br />
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Baby Isla is growing fast, such a sweet natured wee girl she has us all enchanted. Cody adores her and they both love their family dinner night stories with Granddad (we all gather round, lots of grown up kids and two little ones) and soon there will be another little cousin to love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oKL2INXNSSo2IJVcRqzOfbWAXXX-I5jcRax3bikv3WFDd39ztj0em-jciSVOvpNU9nVwa-nnCpcr_so5aIaK8z7p8y_3TuhS0v5Rl7RPKakF-fYvfIII_EoMpGUgzQvwYKZG1O6cGrI/s1600/13+03+18_2467_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oKL2INXNSSo2IJVcRqzOfbWAXXX-I5jcRax3bikv3WFDd39ztj0em-jciSVOvpNU9nVwa-nnCpcr_so5aIaK8z7p8y_3TuhS0v5Rl7RPKakF-fYvfIII_EoMpGUgzQvwYKZG1O6cGrI/s320/13+03+18_2467_edited-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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The knitting is continuing apace, firstly <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fat-kitty-2" target="_blank">Fat Kitty</a> which has been a big hit<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHqQKFRYlRri4z9gBi0VhPHhIIb7nLVTC3JuxW5J5EJikmifcl-d1RvcmM9Np-IwqcHNbsY8yOma6zgT-AdPveHas-L2h7zPWR72fKxESiVbhSJQ2yuXIczgcS8xr1g0GyNxlea0RF0c/s1600/fatkitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHqQKFRYlRri4z9gBi0VhPHhIIb7nLVTC3JuxW5J5EJikmifcl-d1RvcmM9Np-IwqcHNbsY8yOma6zgT-AdPveHas-L2h7zPWR72fKxESiVbhSJQ2yuXIczgcS8xr1g0GyNxlea0RF0c/s320/fatkitty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Sprinkles skirt and Sakura cardigan which will both be released soon (join my newsletter - link in the sidebar to be informed of when)<br />
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The effects of leaving my day job and becoming a fulltime designer are starting to become obvious to me now, I've been fulltime for almost 3 months now and it has been a very positive change, in terms of my health, family and happiness. I look forward to being able to bring you lots of interesting designs in the near future and I'm having fun finally publishing paper patterns and teaching a lot more.<br />
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Thats me for now, I won't talk about my sourdough adventures...maybe next time! Happy Easter everybody.<br />
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<br />Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-81106945246867326452013-02-20T13:18:00.000-08:002013-02-20T13:18:28.298-08:00Gauge tension! (or how to tame your swatch)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">There are two main objectives to swatching, the first is design, and the second is gauge. Take all the time you need with this step, time spent here is never wasted and will save you hours of mis-knitting.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Think about the properties you require for your garment, do you want a loose, drapey fabric or something thick and firm? These properties affect the type of yarn and the needle size you will choose.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Design swatch basics:</span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Using the suggested needle size for your yarn, cast on a minimum of 20 st (preferably more) and work a few repeats of your chosen stitch pattern (at least 20 rows). Examine the work and decide if the pattern is to your liking, if not what needs to change? Needle size? Colour combination? A new stitch pattern? Keep experimenting until your fabric meets your expectations.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Be flexible and open to ideas, try lots of different st patterns or colour combos, think about what may be going wrong and how you may be able to fix it, can you add a couple of rows of garter between the rows of the stitch pattern? Can you make use of a website like <a href="https://kuler.adobe.com/" target="_blank">Kuler</a> or <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/" target="_blank">Colourlovers</a> to get some colourway ideas? Remember common colour issues like colour dominance in fairisle and tonal compatibility.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> There may be some technical issues standing between you and your perfect swatch, “</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>you don't know what you don't know”</i></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">so don't be hard on yourself, just get out the knitting technique books, ask on Ravelry, ask your friends or the staff at your LYS. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you are happy with your design swatch it is time to knit your gauge swatch.</span></span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gauge swatch basics: </span></span></div>
<ul>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Using your chosen needle size, cast on with a smooth, plain yarn in a similar weight to the yarn you are going to swatch, cast on a minimum 40 stitches work 2 rows stocking stitch in this (waste) yarn. Using waste yarn ensures that your swatch is not distorted by casting on and off.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Weigh your swatch yarn skein before starting, note the weight of the skein, and the size of needle you are using</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Start knitting with your swatch yarn, leave a 5 cm tail.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Work in your chosen stitch pattern for a minimum of 40 rows (write down the number of rows). You want to ensure you have completed at least 2 repeats of any pattern widthwise and lengthwise.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Work 2 rows in your waste yarn (don't cast off yet).</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Examine your swatch, is it the type of fabric you were hoping for? If it is you can skip to step 9, if not continue.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Change to a larger needle (use your judgement to decide how many sizes to go up to get a looser fabric or down to get a firmer fabric) and work another 2 rows in waste yarn.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Repeat steps 2-7 until you have a fabric you are happy with.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Work 2 rows stst in waste yarn and then cast off. </span></span></li>
</ol>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span>(laundered swatch bottom (not blocked, just patted into shape), unlaundered swatch top.</span></div>
<ul>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Launder your swatch using the method suggested by the yarn manufacturer, if the suggestion is to machine wash use little safety pins to pin all of the yarn ends to the swatch and launder in a laundry bag or pillowcase.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Pat the swatch out on a towel, and leave to air dry.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Does the fabric still meet your expectations? Has it become denser or loftier, repeat steps 1-11 until it is right.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Measure your swatch.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Repeat for all elements of the garment e.g. If you are working a fairisle yoke with a stst body you will need to swatch both fabrics.</span></span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Measuring the swatch</span></span></div>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Ensure that your ruler / measuring tape is correct.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Lay your laundered swatch out flat on a firm surface.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Place a pin a few sts in from the edge, measure 10 cm and place another pin, count the number of stitches in the “course”(line of stitches).</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Repeat this with the rows, ensure you count the sts within the “wale” (column of sts).</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Measure again.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> If the swatch you want to measure is quite difficult i.e. A lace pattern where you cant discern sts and rows, you can use the “whole swatch” method of last resort as follows.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Measure the entire width of the swatch, divide the number of sts by this number e.g. 40 sts / 20cm = 2sts per cm.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Measure the entire length of the swatch, divide the number of rows by this number e.g. 40 rows / 8 cm = 5 rows per cm.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I prefer the first method as the end sts can become quite distorted depending on the stitch pattern, but the whole swatch definitely has its merits for complex st patterns.</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Record</span></span></div>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I often staple the yarn ballband to the swatch, and write the gauge, needle size and any other info on the ballband.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Keep all of your swatches, you will develop favourite methods, stitch patterns and yarns, being able to refer to previous swatches will save you a lot of time in the future</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></li>
</ol>
Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-58876310091721355622013-02-07T00:02:00.002-08:002013-02-07T00:02:44.781-08:00Whoops here it is!I wasn't planning on releasing this pattern today, I had actually thought it was a few more weeks away, but my tech editor and tester both surprised me by getting back to me today with the same little issues which were quickly rectified and so here we are!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fat-kitty-2" target="_blank">The Fat Kitty sweater pattern.</a><br />
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You know I didn't want to call it The Fat Kitty, you know that I wanted to call it Skatryk which is the lovely looking Afrikaans word for fat cat, but you wouldn't have it, my test knitter wouldn't have it, even some outspoken family members wouldn't have it. So here we are with the Fat Animals!<br />
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This sweater is knit in the round from the top down, but under the armholes you start working flat (back and forth) because working intarsia in the round is something my darling daughter in Christchurch would call a "<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Having%20a%20mare&defid=4101342" target="_blank">mare</a>", and you can then choose to work short or long sleeves.<br />
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Anyway, it's out in the world now getting a nice reception, if you wish to purchase the pattern it is only $3.75NZ (approx $2.90 US) until 14 Feb, when it will revert to $7.50NZ.<br />
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Six sizes from 1-10 years and charts for three animals - Fat Kitty, Fat Bunny and Fat Bear!Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-69706381472405157152013-02-05T23:18:00.000-08:002013-02-05T23:18:44.984-08:0045<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today, on an immensely warm, sunny, big blue sky day I turned 45 years of age.<br />
It's a bit scary this middle age, my role models seem to be Jules from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441109/" target="_blank">Cougar Town</a> or <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000307/" target="_blank">Helena Bonham Carter</a> you have to be hanging onto sexy or working hard at being interesting, I'm really not that bothered! It was hard, having the girls so young, but now, on the flip side I am enjoying the freedom that comes from having an empty nest (and really fun young adult children).<br />
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I'm a (proud) Nana, a Mum (Mummy, Mama), a wife, aunt, daughter and granddaughter, lucky to live in the crazy, rambling house of my <strike>nightmares</strike> dreams, in one of the most democratic, least corrupt and safest nations on earth. I haven't got my sh*t together by anyones standards, but I sure know who loves me and what is important in this world. Family, love and a job which has me leaping out of bed every morning, and not minding if Flash has to work on the weekend because I'll happily work too.<br />
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I'm so cross with myself for not getting a photo of the 5 girls together when they were here for dinner on saturday, I was just so happy to see <a href="http://www.randomknits.net/" target="_blank">Donna</a> and David that I forgot to take photos! Today just before Holly (my eldest) left for the airport I managed to get a photo of my 3, so lovely they are (and there is another grandchild in this photo...Holly is 26 weeks pregnant).<br />
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Thank you to my family for making this another memorable birthday. I love you all very much.<br />
Blaise hurry up and find a cure for dementia before I get it!<br />
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PS. Most awesome present - the<a href="http://joby.com/gorillapod/slrzoom/" target="_blank"> Gorilla pod </a>tripod from Joby, now I can finally film better tutorials!Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5267083604937677703.post-9219952147556577012013-01-26T17:16:00.000-08:002013-01-26T17:16:19.378-08:00Changes alwaysThe recent changes have started bedding in, Flash is back at work and back into study, which means that we have no couple social life for the rest of the year. I don't mind, he came first in his class last year and will have his degree at the end of this one.<br />
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Isla is now 3 weeks old and it feels like we didn't have a life before her, she is part of every family conversation "oh look at how she has grown, do you think her eyes will stay blue?" and she has grown, she is almost in newborn sizes now! Oh this baby girl of ours, she is bringing or family even closer.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Baby Isla wearing her <a href="http://www.justjussi.com/trackwork/" target="_blank">Trackwork cardi</a> (with sleeves)</span></div>
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I am finally settling back into work, after a false start two weeks ago, the new Mummy needed me more than my work did, but now the routines are formed and we can all do the things we need to do.<br />
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The fat animals sweaters have been renamed Skatryk (fat cat inAfrikaans) and the pattern is with a tech editor, I'm testing the teeny sock pattern at the moment, but it will end up in a collection of baby layette items, and there are some secrets that I can't wait to tell you about.<br />
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Here is a swatch for a skirt pattern I'm working on, I love love love how the yarn works with the stitch pattern, it reminds me of 100s and 1000s, or <a href="http://www.gourmetshopper.com.au/shop/product.php?productid=201" target="_blank">lakhs and crores</a> .<br />
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I'm so grateful right now to have a husband who is willing to support me at this time, while I am not bringing in my usual income, and while I am spending so much time with the baby. His confidence means that both Just Jussi and the grandchildren can grow happily!Justinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738527049117668314noreply@blogger.com1