Free Friday - Aria

Last weeks winner, number 2, Saim24 I will gift the pattern to you via Ravelry.

This week of course, the Free Friday pattern has to be Aria!

here are the details again:

Actual chest (child) 
50.5 (55, 57.5, 60, 62.5, 66.5, 70) cm 
20 (21.5, 22.5, 23.5, 24.5, 26, 27.5) in

Yarn: Skeinz “Prism” organic DK 104 metres (114 yards) per 50g 
(1.76 ounce) ball (www.skeinz.com) 
2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4) balls each in main colour (MC) and contrast colour (CC)

Needles: 3.25mm/US3 circular needles, 50 (50, 60, 60, 60, 72, 72)cm/20 (20, 24, 24, 24, 29, 29) in 
4mm/US6 circular needles in same length. 
3.25mm DPNS 
(Or size required to achieve gauge)

Accessories: darning needle, 3 st markers, 3 st holders or scrap yarn. Spare circular needle for pocket sts. 
Crochet hook for cast on - similar size to smaller needle.

Gauge: 22 sts x 30 rows = 10 cm over stocking st using larger needles.

To win this  pattern please say "Hi" in the comments.

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (you can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before

Free Friday

This week's winner was "1" thats Lushorama - the pattern will be gifted to you via Ravelry.

If you missed out, but still think that you would like to knit the Acheron pattern, just click on the link and write "Friday" (without the quotation marks) into the coupon box and you will get the pattern for $3.75 NZ (half price) this week only until Friday 16th.

I'm beginning to think that I should change this contest to "Free Saturday or Sunday" as I am so emotionally drained by the time friday evening rolls around, that I often miss out on posting here. I will try harder!

This week I have been trying hard to get my Pinterest boards into shape, spurred on by other members of my photography class, we have a wee Facebook group going, so that we can continue to help one another with our photography development now that the class is over.

This was one of my last class photos, I really love how my understanding and ability has grown  in ways I didn't know existed. Education is a lifelong requirement, we never stop learning.

This week's pattern was the topic of conversation between myself and a lovely knitter this week, which reminded me that it is time Roaring Meg gets an outing.

Thats my niece Maisie in the photo, she lives too far away, on the other side of the world, I think that she should come home soon and bring her family with her...

Anyway, pattern details:

Sizes: newborn, 6mths, 12mths, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years

Requirements:

Yarn: 0, 6, 12 mths: 75(100, 125) grams = 188(250, 315) metres 
2.6(3.5, 4, 4) ounces = 205(275, 345) yards DK yarn – I used NZ Naturally DK pure wool. 
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years: 250(250, 275, 300, 340, 400) grams = 290 (290, 320, 350, 395, 465) metres 
8.8(8.8, 9.7, 10.5, 12, 14) ounces = 320(320, 350, 385, 435, 512) yards Bulky yarn – I used Patons Inca which is a blend of wool 50%, alpaca 20% and acrylic 30%. 
Notions: 
1 m linen or other ribbon 
1 button 
Needles: 
0,6,12 mths – 4.5 mm 80cm circular needle, 4.5 mm dpns 
2,4,6,8, 10 years – 7 mm 100 cm circular needle, 7 mm dpns

Americans - use either size 10 1/2 or 11 needles

All sizes: 2 x st markers, 2 stitch holders, tapestry needle. 
Sewing needle and thread 
Cable needle 
Gauge: DK = 18 sts x 24 rows = 10cm 
Bulky = 13 sts x 18 rows = 10cm

To win this  pattern please say "Hi" in the comments.

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (you can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before

Free Friday - new directions

Sorry my lovelies, it was a wee bit of a bad weekend extended  family wise so the blog went to the bottom of the queue, still that gave you more time to enter!

Today my to do list has "Brainstorm the future of JustJussi" on it, since I'm alone except for the cats, I am asking you, my friends to help me out, a "virtual" brainstorming session if you like. This is happening over on my Facebook page and I would love to have your input, here is the link (it opens in a new window so you can still enter this contest)

The winner this week is CarolinaLotl, I'll gift the pattern to you via Ravelry, I do hope you enjoy it!

This weeks giveaway is the Acheron cardigan, the design combines hand painted and plain coloured yarn in a plain cardigan suitable for girls and boy. I need to re-knit this one myself, it's just easy and effective, I am thinking that it would look nice with some i-cord frog closures or buttons...hmm things to think about!

To win this  pattern please say "Hi" in the comments.

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (you can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before

Free Friday - made it!!

Hi to all of you too! The winner this week is number 4, thats Natalie, I'll gift the pattern to you via Ravelry, I do hope you like it, its a lot of fun and a quick knit.

I haven't got anything new to show you right now, things are just percolating through the process.

This weeks giveaway is "Riverstone" an old favourite, revamped a while back to make the neck smaller. The construction of this sweater is different to the norm and a lot of fun.

To win this  pattern please just say "Hi" in the comments.

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (you can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before

Free Friday - getting into the swing of things

Happy Friday everybody! The winner this week is number 2...which would be me...so I've taken myself out, so number 2 is missmuffetnz, I'll gift the .pdf to you via Ravelry!

Thanks for the birthday wishes and the street food memories, Sasiquoi we saw squid on a stick at the lantern festival!

This week has passed so quickly, due to the long weekend and the craziness at work, I am so looking forward to relaxing over the weekend and enjoying the last rays of summer. I'm also going to spend a lot of the weekend working on new size charts and making a Plum Blossom myself, I'm going to try and incorporate these beautiful buttons into the cardi. I don't usually like fimo (craft clay) buttons, but Nicola has changed my mind, Buttons by Benji are original, high quality, well finished buttons which can go through the washing machine (yaay!) once again this is not a paid endorsement, but work like this deserves recognition!

My parents have been on holiday in the south island, and I came home today to a gift from my Mum, it is a stunning "Piece flag" from Koko for Beedance  made using upcycled wool blankets appliquéd with NZ native birds. Perfect!

And finally, these coasters arrived,easy, simple perspex from this cool as design store - Vanilla we had bought Christmas presents and our new mailbox from them, then Flash saw these coasters and decided they were just the thing to finish off our lounge (he is a detail guy)

Just a small sample of the wealth of talent in New Zealand!

This week's free pattern is Cherub

Actual chest measurement (child) 
40.5 (43, 48, 50.5, 57.5, 62.5, 66.25, 70) cm 
16 (17, 19, 20, 22.75, 24.5, 26, 27.5)” 
Yarn: Skeinz “Prism” organic DK 104 metres (113.7 yards) per 50g (1.76 ounce) ball (www.skeinz.com) 
2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) balls main colour (MC) 
1 ball contrast colour (CC) 
Buttons: (cardigan only) your preference, either just one at the neck, or 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) 
Needles: circular needles 1 x 3.25 mm ( 2 for cardigan) length immaterial as used straight throughout. 1 x 4mm ( 2 for cardigan) (or size to achieve gauge) 
Accessories: darning needle, pins for positioning buttons, 2 st markers, 3 st holders or scrap yarn. 
Gauge: 22 sts x 26 rows = 10cm over stocking st using larger needles.

The wings are worked in intarsia, which is charted. 
This pattern has been test knitted and tech edited.

To win this  pattern please just say "Hi" and tell me of any plans you have this weekend

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before

Free Friday (yes I know its sunday!)

Sorry everyone, I was waylaid by life - Flash was away wed/thurs night, then friday night we went to a dinner party, so I had no time for blogging (the ice cream making jag was wed/thurs nights so that can't be to blame...really...)

This weekend is a long one in NZ, with Waitangi Day (NZ National Day) being on monday this year (it is always February 6 - which  coincides nicely with my birthday, so I always have the day off!) and we like to celebrate, so yesterday Flash and I spent the day out at the Lantern festival where we enjoyed the Dragon dances, lanterns and queued for yummy chicken satay and coconut rice (my favourite street food), Art Gallery and basically roaming Auckland city enjoying the bustle, ending up at the Mexican Cafe for dinner (don't tell Blaise).

I love the Lantern festival - held every year in Albert park, but I don't trust the safety of my camera in the crowds, so used my iPhone to get this shot - can't wait until Cody is old enough to play in one of these hamster balls!

So, the number generator chose "7" that's Whatu, I'll gift the .pdf to you on Rav.

This week's pattern (choice inspired by the festival) is Plum Blossom, 

here are the specs:

Plum blossom is a simple button up cardigan 

with sweet embroidery to delight every little girl. 
The garment is worked in one piece to underarms and the gently puffed sleeves are picked up at the armhole and worked from the top down. 
The only seams to sew are the sleeve seams. 
Full charts for duplicate st and instructions for embellishments included.

Actual chest measurement (child) 
40.5 (43, 45.5, 48, 50.5, 55, 57.5, 60, 62.5, 66.25, 70) cm/16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21.75, 22.75, 23.5, 24.5, 26, 27.5)”

Yarn: Sublime Organic Merino Wool DK 
113 yards (103 meters) per 50 grams/1.76 ounces 100% Organic Merino 
2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8) balls 
4 ply (fingering) weight yarn: small amount in pale pink for blossoms. 
DK weight yarn: small amount in brown and rose pink for branches and buds.

Buttons: 4 (4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8) 12mm (1/2’) buttons to coordinate with main yarn 
2 buttons that coordinate with yarn used as blossoms

Needles: 3.25mm/US3 60cm/24” or longer circular needle 
2 4mm/US6 circular needles

Accessories: darning needle, 3 stitch holders (or scrap yarn), crochet hook size E/4 3.5mm

To win this  pattern please tell me your favourite street food or street food experience

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before

Free Friday - it's baa-aack!

Oh I love fridays!!

This week I will be giving away a copy of the Riverstone pattern, a quick knit in chunky yarn, and different enough to keep you interested.

Just tell me why your current knitting project (...your main one, it's always fun to see what other people are knitting) is and I'll choose the winner at random next Friday, until them keep safe and well!

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before

Free Friday - relaxing

Tonight I have a glass of Prosseco and am relaxing, not like last week.

I love the ideas you came back with, the one from Knitrageous already has my daughter busy making these cookies for the family!

I've made baubles and candy cane ponies, and I may make some button trees too, so cute!

Henry was won by #2 thats McKnittey  - I'll send the pattern via Rav.

Back to the relaxing, work was crazy (good crazy) and I'm tired, so we will go out to dinner and curl up with a movie.

Have a great weekend everybody, and this week you can win The baby basics set just by saying "Hi" in the comments!

Housekeeping:

- please include your Ravelry name or your email address (can space it out to avoid spambots)- I will gift the pattern via Ravelry, if you do not belong to Rav I will email the .pdf to you- winner (s) are drawn sometime on Friday, this means "Friday afternoon/evening New Zealand time"- the winner (s) are chosen by random number generator (I use this one)- you may enter even if you have won before