Sunday, March 16, 2014

Episode 3: What happened to February?!!




This episode is sponsored by www.k2tog.com.au - Albury NSW based online store

**Recorded Saturday 15th March**

Appologies for the gap between episodes – hoping to return to fortnightly recording now :D

Knitting Now

  • Gathering Stripes” by Veera Valimaki in “Dream in Color Perfectly Posh Singly Ply” (February Dream Club Colourway) – using 5mm needles instead of 4mm as suggested. This yarn is recorded as a fingering weight on ravelry, but I am treating it as a sport weight.
  • Daybreak” by Stephen West in “Manos Del Uruguay Fino” (Sealing Wax), stripes in “Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball 100” (Kunterbunt)
  • Self Striping Socks for my boy, Calvin – using “Fish Lips Kiss Heel” and yarn by “Happy Go Knitty” in orange, purple and blues.
  • Geek-a-long double knitting squares – First square I have done is the caffeine molecule, and next one I am doing is the ninja turtles

Finally Finished

  • Ravellenics:
    • EventAerialUnwind – now I have a sweater weight worth of worsted yarn!!
    • Tardis Socks in “Dream in Color Everlasting Sock” (Tranquil) – used a few different patterns on ravelry, combined them since I wasn't completely happy with any of the patterns – I might end up writing it up. Awarded: EventSock, EventColorwork
    • “Owlet” by Kate Davis in Cascade 128 Superwash (Amethyst Heather) Awarded: EventSweater, EventJunior, EventCable
    • Dash Socks – Self striping yarn by OnLine! in a colourway that reminds me of Rainbow Dash – i'll be entering them in a geeky sock comp :D Awarded: EventWIP
  • 'Noro Sunburst Throw' - “Sunny Spread” by Ellen Gormley in “Noro Silk Garden Sock” and “Bendigo Woollen Mills Baby Wool”
  • “Compulsion” by ThreeBagsFulled in leftover Cascade 220 Superwash

Yarn Yearnings

  • Yarn Weight discussion

US Term
UK, AU, NZ Term
Needle Recommendataions
Lace
1ply, 2ply, 3ply
1.5-2.25mm
Fingering
4ply
2.25-3.25mm
Sport
5ply
3.25-3.75mm
DK (Double Knitting)
8ply
3.75-4.5mm
Aran / Worsted
10ply
4.5-5.5mm
Bulky
12ply
5.5-8mm
Super Bulky
14ply
8mm +

Yarn Review: Manos Del Uruguay Fino


  • Donated by www.k2tog.com.au – based in Aubury NSW – each skein is $32.50
  • Fingering Weight, single ply construction
  • Each skein is ~450m (490yards)
  • Kettle Dyed – creates a marbleized, subtly striated effect that forms a rich palette of glorious colours
  • 70% Merino 30% Silk – super soft and squidgy!!
  • Fair Trade Product – Manos Del Uruguay means 'The hands of Uruguay' – non profit organization which assembles women in cooperatives scattered throughout the countryside of Uruguay
  • No dye lots – recommended to knit 2 rows from 1 skein then 2 from another to give an overall blended effect
  • Hand wash – could be used for a felted project
  • Giveaway over at ravelry group – colourway 'watered silk' – answer question from podcast to enter

Fortnightly Favourites

  • Dreamworks cards from Woolworths – my kids are LOVING these
  • Kopparberg Elderflower & Lime Cider
  • Chemo Caps – a podcast member is collecting for Lukemia Foundation Brisbane
  • Walk in her shoes challenge – 17-23 March
    • 17-23 March
    • CARE is organising this to support women who spend their lives WALKING for food, water and firewood – denying them of their basic right to gain an education or work, breaking the poverty cycle!
    • Also encourages us to get active!!
    • Can buy a pack from The Body Shop for $10 which includes a pedometer and a makeover!!

Kiddy Krafts

  • Not much!! Been too sick!!

Krafty Kreations

  • I will be going to the Stitches and Craft Show on Thursday!! It is in Brisbane 20-23 March from 10:00-4:30 each day - $16 entry
  • Stitches and Craft Show will be in Newcastle (11-14 September) and Melbourne (23-26 October)
  • Australasian Quilt Convention is coming up in Melbourne – 10-13 April

New Competition – KAL!!
  • KAL starting NOW and finishing May 31st
  • Knit with Australian/New Zealand Yarn
  • Please contact me if you would like to offer a prize for this KAL
  • Jump on over to the ravelry thread to join in the fun!!

Other business

  • Start knitting Chemo Caps to support the Lukemia Foundation in Brisbane – check out this thread – there will be prizes!!!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Episode 2: Now we're cooking!!




**Actually Recorded 31st January – took a bit to get published**

Australia Day Giveaway – Stitch markers (made by me!!) - ninjaknitter (JoAnne)

Knitting Now
  • Secret Knitting!!! Involves Colourwork – for my hubby – you can probably work out what it is from my ravelry page (KraftyMumma)
  • Dash Socks – Self striping yarn by OnLine! in a colourway that reminds me of Rainbow Dash – i'll be entering them in a geeky sock comp :D

  • Compulsion – mystery KAL by three bags full (Criminal Knits group on ravelry) – semicircle shawl in Cascade 220 (leftovers from Zig & Zag) – each strip
  • 'Pythagoras Meets Fibonacci' – my own design – spacing is Fibonacci numbers and it is a right angle triangle
  • 'Noro Sunburst Throw' – all one piece!!! Just need to do the edging and sew in all the ends!!! So many ends!!!
Finally Finished
  • Stitch Surfers with Fish Lips Kiss Heel – awesome!!! But, made a boo-boo with the foot template length, so it's an inch too long for me – but perfect for someone that I really wanted to knit socks for this year!!!
  • 'Halo with a Bow'Bow Cloche by Sharon Coleman – US$4.50 (~AU$5.25) – received the pattern free within the podcaster throwdown group – sent it in for KnottyGirls. Very fun, quick knit, but seemed a bit small for an adult. I will be knitting another for my daughter this winter (in the adult sizing!!!)
  • Hexipuffs
**Beekeepers Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits giveaway winner - AnneofJulie**

Fortnightly Favourites
  • Manos Del Uruguay Fino – 70% Merino 30% Silk – I will do an official review next episode after I have started knitting 'daybreak' by Stephen West – provided by www.k2tog.com.au – have 1 skein to giveaway in February!! Giveaway over at ravelry group – colourway 'watered silk' – answer question from podcast to enter
  • Yarn Bowls – handcrafted with a swirl cut out of the side so the yarn can sit in the groove. Can knit from inside and outside of yarn cake without tangeling occurring!! I bought my yarn bowl at www.tangledyarns.com.au but hubby made me one for Christmas too!! Doesn't have a swirl – it's just a normal bowl with adhesive grip feet so it doesn't move.
  • Dr Who!! Especially seasonal finalies – have finished season 4 & 5 recently and they are so awesome!! New Dr Who has been released – Black suit with red lining :D

Yarn Yearnings
  • Gauge!!
  • Question asked – friend had knitted a newborn beanie that she loved and now wanted to knit a larger size for a toddler – do I just double everything?!??! NOOOOOO!!!!!
  • Gauge swatch at the beginning of each pattern – about 15cm square of knitting – measure how many stitches across 10cm and how many rows are in 10cm
  • We knit a gauge swatch to determine if the tension between the needles and yarn is correct for the pattern
  • Gauge is a function of tension – if you are a tight knitter (more stitches than the number suggested in gauge), you will need to go UP a needle size. If you are a loose knitter (less stitches than the number suggested in gauge), you will need to go DOWN a needle size
  • Once you know the number of stitches and rows in 10cm, you can alter a pattern to fit perfectly!!
  • NOTE – I have spelt gauge WRONG in the podcast – correct spelling is GAUGE!!!!
Kiddy Krafts

  • 'Jumping in Muddy Puddles' Peppa Pig biscuits – Coles $4
  • Shortbread kit – make up the biscuit base and cut into circles, then cut a smaller circle out of the middle of half of the biscuits. Bake and allow to cool. Make up the 'mud' (choc ganache) and put the mud between the biscuits and the mud oozes out – then you put george and peppa sugar prints in the middle!!
  • Idea – bake the biscuits the night before, then mix the mud together and put them together with the kids

Krafty Kreations

  • Marshmallow Fondant - check out one of the many recipes here
  • Quick, easy, cheap and tastes amazing!!!
  • Can colour the fondant while its liquid, so it's really easy to colour.
  • Water + Marshmellows + microwave
  • Then add icing sugar and colour until happy with colour and consistancy!!
  • I made all of these angry birds for my sons birthday last year – just one colour per night and I made a different section of the birds each night, and gradually put them together.

Last but not least!!
  • **Chris W Designs pattern winner – Emma Wearmouth**
  • Ravellenics – I will be travelling during the ravellenics so I can't support you all as much as I need to :( INSTEAD – please join Team Sasquach and link back to the Krafty Mumma Podcast forum and I will still be offering prizes to the Australian and New Zealand participants   

Monday, January 13, 2014

Episode 1: Welcome!!

Here is the first episode of the Krafty Mumma Podcast - a podcast for Australian and New Zealand lovers of yarn and all things crafty!!!


Episode Notes
  • This is the first episode!! 
  • I'm a Brisbane mother of 2 kids (Mr 4 and Miss 2), 2 Cavallier King Charles Spaniels and 3 chooks!!
  • I've knitted as long as i can remember and been crocheting for about 10 years
  • I run a very small business doing alterations and sewing special orders

Knitting Now

Finally Finished


Yarn Yearnings

Fortnightly Favourites

 photo EB1C4CFE-0C9F-4A77-8492-F41B0C133420_zpswyyvzbhg.jpg
Kiddy Krafts
  • My 4 year old boy has started hand sewing!! He's been using felt shapes with holes. I found some great $5 kits at Riot that were perfect.
  • Also been playing with felt shaped stickers - i got a $5 kit from Riot that had awesome owls, trees, branches, stars and moons!!
Review: The Beekeeper's Quilt
  • The Beekeeper's Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits
  • US$5.50 on ravelry (~AU$6.50)
  • Extremely well written pattern with photos for every step
  • Great carry along project
  • Might set up a swap if there is enough interest?!!!
  • Giveaway on ravelry - answer the question on the podcast
Krafty Kreations
Review: The 'Abigail' Bag
  • The Abigail Bag by Chris W Designs 
  • US$10.95
  • Can buy hardware kit for US$12.95 - postage is about $1
  • Prices in US, but she is actually based on the North NSW Coast
  • Huge pattern - 108 colour pages plus a condensed text only version - fantastic instructions with no ambiguity!!
  • Finished size of bag = 41cm x 18cm x 11.5cm
  • Definitely an advanced pattern - recommend it to not be your first bag you've made (unless you are crazy like me and love a huge challenge!!!)
  • Heaps of storage areas - love the two slip pockets at the front and back where i can fit my ipad mini at the front and a nappy and wipes at the back
  • Can fit an iphone in the side pockets
  • Use code jan20off to get 20% off any Chris W Designs patterns until the end of January!!
  • Go to facebook to answer the question from the podcast to win a pattern!!