Show Success!

Having just arrived back from our UK trip, I realised amid the whirlwind of returning to work that the annual Kiama Show was nearly upon us, and last year I had resolved to enter some of my knitted items. 

It was no easy feat to submit forms and entries for someone who works full time, but with a bit of help from Mr Bromley Knits, who has a bit more flexibility in his work schedule than I do, I managed four entries.

We spent this morning at the show, and I was delighted to find I had won a first prize for my recently completed London Shadows shawl:

And second prize for my One Night Coat:

My other two entries did not win anything - the Kolmarden Gilet, which I entered in the Vest section:

And an experimental arm knitted cowl, which I don't think I ever blogged, but still had, and so I entered it in the Creative section.

But I was super happy with my outcome!

Best in Show was a beautiful Shetland shawl:

And I loved this Highly Commended cushion:

I've already started planning my knits to enter next year (show regulations state that knits are to be completed in the 12 months prior to each show), and had a request to exhibit any blankets I have completed in an upcoming art installation! 

Happy days and lots of knitting mojo. If you've ever considered entering a local fair or show - do it!

Knitting in Kiama

Well, the end result of a year of intense planning and travelling, and of general planning for some years before that, is now achieved and we have relocated (again) to the beautiful seaside town of Kiama on the NSW coast.

Within two weeks of arriving, I had started a demanding (although enjoyable) full time job a commute away in Sydney.

The summer months were hot, sticky and busy, and its only now, post Easter, that I feel some semblance of routine and settled-ness. The weather has grown cooler, and I am knitting properly again, rather than little bitty projects which give me instant gratification but don't soothe my soul in the same way.

My main project this weekend is the Kolmarden Jacket, from Knitscene Winter 14/15, to which I have made pretty major modifications and have toyed with ripping out completely. In the end I have persevered and should have a completed pic for the next blog post. The mods have partly been about my yarn shortage, and partly due to pattern errors which made me not want to trust continuing as written.  Here is an early progress photo.

I picked up my Susan B Anderson raglan KAL hoodie as well. I have a similar yarn shortage with this one so am thinking short sleeves, slipover style, with hood - probably more suited to the climate anyway as it is knit from Harris and Donegal Tweed.

A couple of shorter projects have come off the needles too - a shawl and a cravat are "a block away" as the Knitmore Girls say.

Some recent photo highlights:

The curvy squares tee gets worn.

The sea foam shawl from One Skein Wonders in Debbie Bliss Angel Prints.

Chair socks from the Toronto Knit Cafe pattern protect my (already scratched) wooden floors.

La La's top down afterthought heel socks in Knitglobal, colour Ocean.

Autumn comes to Australia - time to pick up the needles and get stuck in!