Knitting in Oz

Dear readers, I have spent a few of the last weeks in my own home country Australia, where I saw family, friends, and did a little knitting and purchasing of yarn and yarn-related things.

My WIP for this trip was Elizabeth's toe-up, afterthought heel socks, done using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (Robot Overlord).  Other than the method of contruction, which I had not really done before, they are plain vanilla which made them perfect for long haul flights (I like to do things when flying but find my concentration levels are poor, so no complex lace etc!), sitting around with my folks and chatting, 4am wake ups with jet lag, etc.  I completed them just after returning and here they are:

I did the bullet heel option, but they are a bit too pointy, so am just doing a little surgery on them this morning, unravelling the point and ripping back a few rows - I will probably kitchener after all (was trying to avoid this as I always have to look up kitchener stitch and wanted to find a totally portable method of doing socks without reference to anything).

My home town is the stately and lovely Adelaide, but we also took a side trip to the big smoke of Sydney, where Australia's largest (and I think best) yarn store is located - Morris and Sons on York St, just a short walk from Circular Quay, the bridge and Opera House:

Sydney was well into storm season, but it was warm despite the heavy skies which threatened a tropical downpour!

I had hoped to pick up some Jo Sharp or Pear Tree at Morris and Sons, but there was none in stock - in fact doing some online research I think both have either ceased or really reduced production.  Such a shame.  Instead, Morris and Sons have started their own line of high grade 100% Australian merion in a variety of weights and dyes, and I couldn't resist this DK - Empire, in the colourway Plumage:

I picked up enough to do a little lacy vest I found in Knitscene Spring 2012, so bought the Knitscene as well.

Back in South Australia, I rummaged through a few second hand stores to find a few vintage leaflets and patterns - more on those when I do something from them!

I gifted the completed Honey Cowl above to Charmayne although it went straight into storage as it is pure alpaca and the day I saw her was 41 degrees!  This will, hopefully, be warm and stylish when winter does hit.  My sister received the anthracite grey Apple Strudel for her new home in a cool, woodland area, and I will do another version for myself at some point - in a bright red, navy, or jewel tone perhaps.

My work is at the moment taking me to Glasgow during the week, where I have joined a new knitting group and plan some sewing classes, so more blogging to come.

And on the sewing front?  Well, I had hoped to do one of the Ravelry sewing group's challenges for 2013, and still plan to as I can.  I am almost all the way through a skirt for January (ermm, although it's March!), and will dip in and out as I can:

Jan- Simple skirt


Feb - fitted trousers / jeans

March - Jacket of any sort

April - pjs / nightdress

May - knit top or dress

June - blouse / shirt

July - tote/ bag

August - dress

Sept - skirt with details/pleats/ pockets

Oct - underwear ( pants, camisole, bra or slip)

Nov - a dress for the holidays

Dec - an item for charity

Let's see how it goes!