Sandton City

This morning saw us off to Sandton City Mall (AGAIN) in search of a few items.  And in true Sandton City style we managed to find all of them.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that the Bank Manager likes his tracksuit for pulling over his gym clothes to keep warm.

Of course we had to make purchases that were not on the list a trip to Sandton City would not be complete without that!

I came away with a copy of The Crochet Collection.  It's not what I really wanted but it will do.  I wanted a new Knitting Book but the Book shops have almost zero or extremely limited books on knitting and crocheting.

We made it home just before lunch and after reading way, way, way too many blogs I knuckled down and cast on for the body of Blues.  Then I worked out how many rounds I need to get to the required 37cm which I thought was 3 rounds per 1cm.  However 10 rounds is 4cm!  So now I am working on that logic as it seems to be working.

I have completed 35 rounds and it's almost 16 cm so need to keep going to get it just over double that.

I have set myself a goal for tonight and that is to have done 20cm.  So off I go.....

Oh dear!

Bank Manager (Hubby) came home from Man Shop (hardware store) yesturday all forlorn and upset.  It didn't have anything he wanted or needed.  So I dragged my sorry bum out of bed, got bathed and dressed and we all piled into the car and went hunting for the items with him.

In our travels as we do, we bought other items,  I have been yearning for a new sewing machine, nothing fancy, just something that will sew the linings for my bags, so I don't have to do it manually.  Also just to do hems on the boys pants.  So I saw a perfect one on sale at one of our department stores, and put it in the trolley, very proud of myself as I'm not broke and I can afford the middle of the range machine.  Bank Manager walks up, takes it out and put's what I call a fancy computerised machine in the trolley and announces he's paying for it!  BONUS!!  Gotta love the Bank Manager he rocks! 

But now I have nothing to sew.

I digress, all the shopping yesterday afternoon meant that I didn't do ANYTHING on the Blues.  When we got home I did a total of 12 rows!  I know how ridiculous is that!  I didn't even get to watch the F1!

Today is going to see some serious knitting which hasn't gotten off to a flying start as I have been checking out of the Year of Projects updates, while doing the laundry and haven't even gotten in the bath yet!

I need to get the chores done and the boys organised (still on holiday) and then sit and knit until swimming, where I know I will sit and knit some more!

I will update this post later before going to sleep with a progress of Blues.

Update:
Today I knitted up a storm and finished the sleeves!  Now to cast on for the body.

A Year of Projects - Week 1

Can you believe I stayed in bed until well after lunch time today!  I think the last time I did that I was in my teens!  So really I didn't do much on my list today!

But I have cast on both sleeves for the Blues and have almost finished the required amount of increases!  So I have progressed.  Blues is going to be a combination of two patterns.  I love the look of the Knits 4 Kids (Striped Pullover) in the Woman's Weekly Knittng and Crochet Autum 2009 but don't like the way it's written, so I am using my trusted Sirdar - Simple Easy Knits pattern for the Design A Round Neck Pullover (This is the most amazing and well used booklet I own and highly recommend it to all knitters)and am modifying it to look like it.  Make sense?

Also the yarn I am using is not condusive to striping so am just making it solid.  I got the yarn at my trusty LYS Arthur Bales, in Linden.  In the last Sale they had and honestly can't remember how much it cost.  It's an acyrlic but that's fantastic for boys and me as it can be washed in the washing machine!  Hayfield Bonus Flash DK.

But have no fears the Silverstone (British) F1 is on this afternoon, which always gets me knitting as fast as they drive around the circuit!  

Can't wait to see all your updates tomorrow!

My List for A Year of Projects

So as normal I'm late in getting this done!  What's new?  The weird thing is I have a real issue with being late and always am early!  I plan everything to the minute and am irritatingly on time.  So why oh why can't I get myself on time when it comes to my blog?

My List for July 2011 - June 2012

1. Blues Jersey 
2. Neutral Jersey
3. Wrap Up Warm Cardigan from Simply Knitting Issue 72 October 2010
4. Cropped Hoodie from Designer Knitting Winter 2008/09
5. Ruby from Yarn Forward Issue 10 March
6. Butler from Yarn Forward Issue 9 February
7. Bramble Jelly from Yarn Forward Issue 19 November
8. Rosebud Jacket from Yarn Forward Issue 32 January
9. Pinking Shears from Yarn Forward Issue 25 June
10. Shona from Yarn Forward Issue 18 October
11. Casual Classic from Simply Knitting Issue 48 December
12. Check Mate from Simply Knitting Issue 53 Spring

So this is the list so far and I know myself many, many more will be added to this as the year goes on.
The First update is due tomorrow and in the meantime I will go to Ravelry and queue all these projects!

FO Friday - Week 1

I did finish this on Friday but very late!  The Green Promise!

Freezing!

First day of school holidays and it was freezing today!  But no rest for the wicked an early doctors appointment booked three months ago saw us getting up early and ready.

I had time while waiting for the boys to work on the body of the Green Promise and managed to get in at least 5 rows before it was my time.  Then a quick stop to get the girls food and some cute collars, then home where I put in extra time on the body.

I measured before we flew out the house again for swimming and have only managed to do 27cm of the required 38cm.  Why does it always look more?  During the 2 hours we had a home I also lined my beautiful African Flower bag, as while we were at the doctor my needles kept wanting to escape through the holes.  So got loads done!

Came home from swimming and while catching up on CSI Miami I knitted.  I am determined to finish the Green Promise by the end of the week!  I am too scared to measure until I have finished the ball that I am busy with.  So tomorrow my goal is to finish the body and then hopefully the back.

Wish me luck!

African Flower Swap

They finally arrived.  And wow they are beautiful!  The African Flower motifs from some really awesome Ravelers!  I LOVE THEM.  The question was what do I do with them to make sure that I see them everyday and use them.

A bag!  A girl can never have too many!

Once I had finished this absolutely beautiful tote I still had 4 left over.  This posed a challenge, what can I do with 4. 
I have been battling to find something to put all my circular needles into.  I made this and am very happy about the outcome.

A huge thank you to all the ladies who made these flowers for me.  And a huge thank you to Stoneybrooke for organising the swap!