New design tuesday - working

I like it when a detour suddenly becomes the right road, when meandering (and let's face it...avoidance) leads us back to the path.

I took an idea that I liked with that Grellow, and turned it into something that I am only just starting to like again, it's a fair few weeks away from being finished at this rate, so I decided to turn my energy into improving something I like very much, the Nikau sweater...the pattern needed updating (I am so much better at writing patterns now) the yarn didn't work for most people and the motif wasn't doing it for me.

Here is a photo of the old Nikau and the New Nikau (top)

Not too much difference overall...everything has changed, but everything has remained the same.

the yarn is thicker (took me 2 days to knit...with plenty of breaks, and work) but still organic, the motif much more clearly defined, and the hood....SO much easier, so much easier.

and a few options for those who aren't so much into Nikau palms...this will look lovely when blocked, there is a polar bear motif to come and there will be a funnel neck option as well...for those who like hats more than hoods.

The Plum blossom cardigan has been revised by the Tech editor, now I have to make my changes and send it back to her...not too much longer.

Laundry tips

this is a page from my website, however I felt it may be useful to reproduce it here as the recipes and tips are useful to more than just people wanting to wash baby clothes, they don't stay babies for long and you can't keep having them!

Caring for woolens is not difficult, follow these steps to get a good result every time.

1: never ever rub at a stain, this may cause felting and pilling, instead spray the stain with white vinegar mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with warm water or mix a little wool wash with warm water and spread over the stain. and leave for an hour before washing.

2: to wash: fill a basin with handwarm water, add detergent as per directions, place your garment in the water, keep it submerged and gently press down repeatedly until it stays under the water by itself. Leave to soak for an hour or so, then press the water through the garment to get rid of any remaining grime, lift out of water squeeze well but don't wring,  let the water out of the basin and fill again with clear water to rinse., repeat the previous actions until the water runs clear.

Let the water out and  gently press the garment to remove excess water, place in a dry towel, roll it up and press hard to remove more water ( I stand on mine!) remove the garment and place on a dry towel or sweater dryer out of the sun to dry.

3: use lavender, peppermint, pennyroyal essential oil in your detergent,  alone or in combination with other oils to deter moths.

4: don't stress! there is nothing stressful about leaving something to soak for an hour or two - go off and play with baby, read a book, have a sleep!

Recipes:

Liquid Woolwash   

Ingredients:

4 cups soap flakes , 4 cups boiling water, 1/2 cup methylated spirits, 1.5 Tablespoons of lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil.

Method:

mix soap flakes and boiling water (you can use a food processor) then add the meths and oil. Pour into a large glass jar, this will set to a jellylike consistency. Use by adding 1 T to a basin of warm water, soak the garment and rinse in clean water.

Powder laundry detergent

Ingredients: 1/2 cup washing soda (crush before use) 1 cup grated soap, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup borax, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2T essential oil of your choice.

Method:

Mix all ingredients together, place in a large jar, dissolve 1T in warm water for small loads, 2T for larger loads, rinse in clean water.

Koru

As promised and apologies for the delay - The Koru baby beanie

Simple and effective this beanie can be made in an evening, I have used the super soft and squishy WOOLganic knitters yarn in the Raindrop colourway.

Enjoy!