Vamping it Up

You practically have to be living in a bubble if you didn't realise everything Vampire was very, very hot right now. With the movie launch tomorrow of the third installment of the Twilight saga, Eclipse, I knew it was a matter of time before I got an enquiry at work about someone wanting something a little vampish.

I am not going to lie here, I am a fan. I came to the phenomenon a little later than most, only seeing the first two films this year & reading the third & fourth books this month. Once these vampires sink their teeth into you, it is a little addictive. I don't have a teenage daughter to hide my fanatical tendencies behind, but on merit I don't think I need one. The books are well written & easily suck you right in. I am a huge Jane Austen fan & I see much of her influence across the entire saga & Stephanie Meyer has been quoted in saying that each one of her novels draws upon a Austen novel for inspiration.

Bella's Famous Mittens

So where does the knitting come in you ask? Mittens initially. Namely those famous 'Bella Mittens'. Designed by Ruth Cross, she had no idea her mittens had been purchased by the production studio until just after the first Twilight film was released, then her website became inundated by requests for "Bellas Mittens". If you fancy knitting your own Bella-rific mittens, this a an excellent pattern available for free.

Alice's Wrist Warmers from New Moon

A quick Google search reveals a wealth of other Twilight inspired knits. The quirky Alice Cullen donned a pair of wrist warmers in New Moon, & another dedicated Twi-hard knitters carefully nutted out the pattern to Rosalie Cullens classic scarf.

Rosalie's Scarf

There have also been knits that have been inspired by the saga, one of my personal favourites are these Eclipse socks, combining the film & book cover imagery. From my own designs, my Ever After gauntlets could easily translate into some Twilight-ish, I knitted a pair for our nanny Coralie in Midnight Blue, very Twilight!

If you are a Ravelry member, just pop 'Twilight' into the pattern search & hold on tight at all that is on offer.

Coralies 'Twilight' Ever After Gauntlets

Am I going to the one minute past midnight screening tonight I hear you ask? Nope, this old vamper needs her beauty sleep, I'll just have to sate my blood lust with the season opener of True Blood 3 instead!

Strike While the Dino's Hot

Louis, our budding Palentologist.

Louis, our 4 year old, never ceases to amaze me. He unfailing passionate obsessions often leave me wondering what is in stall for him in years to come. This week I have been coming under great pressure from him to complete his "Dino Jumper Mummy!".


A dancing Deinosuchus?

I had a motif all picked out, a cute wee purple T-Rex, so I dubbed the new project Tyranno-Milo-saurus. As I was finishing off the final rows last night Louis dug the small paper bag out with the motifs inside. I showed him the T-Rex, he also pulled out a small green crocodile (which I had bought thinking it was a dino & then realised when I got home it wasn't). He looked intensely at the jumper & announced quite emphatically, "No Mummy, that's a swamp on the dino jumper, T-Rex doesn't like swamps, better be Deinosuchus" - Eh!? What???



So the cute we croc has been elevated to ancient dinosaur status & I have another project that Louis has deemed suitable to grace his person. What do next? Start delving into the stash to find yarn that will go with a purple T-Rex of course!

Bye Bye Benson

The MacBuscke house is in mourning.

Last week Benson, Maximus' father, suddenly passed away after a short illness. For those who follow this blog, you will be aware that Benson has played a big role in our lives, coming to stay frequently for doggy holidays & respite care. His gentle sunny disposition meant he fitted in seamlessly to the running of the house & the boys, Max, Dr. Phil & especially me, loved having him about. For those who are animal lovers, you will understand the almost irrational overwhelming sense of grief you feel at the loss of a pet. Madness really, I have been crying for days. Like children, pets, their innocence, just gets under your skin.

We'll miss you Benson.

Tyranno-Milo-Saurus progress to date

As the Winter deepens here I have been making the most of the shorter days & have been cranking out plenty of projects in the queue. After the success of the Steggie Milo, I have started another called Tyranno-Milo-saurus, a sort of prehistoric jungle inspired number which I have a small T-Rex motif to apply one completed. I have also had a couple of birthday presents completed & with James from J.O.Y coming to visit this weekend, I feel some socks coming on.

For those who have tried the Ever after Gauntlet pattern, I have just completed a pair for Suzanne at work using a fine Merino DK & 4mm needles & they fit her smaller hands perfectly.

Suzanne's Ever After Gauntlets

It has been a perfect project for me to do to help support New Zealand in the Ravelry World Cup - Go the All Whites!

Is there something in the air?

Martin & Sarah multi tasking!

I love to get people talking, especially about knitting. This week is World Knit in Public week & today our Hawkes Bay Knitters are braving the rain & cold, sitting proud at the front of our local bakery (Heavens on Emerson Street) proudly showing off our own knitting prowess.

I too have been beating the knitting drum (with a knitting needle of course!) on local radio. The Classic Hits 89.5FM breakfast team of Martin & Sarah embarked on a scarf knitting challenge after Sarah lamented at not being able to find a good warm wool scarf. I was hastily dispatched to there aid to assist them with yarn, lessons & a challenge - who can knit the best scarf. Two weeks later Martin came out the victor & Sarah graciously auctioned her scarf on Trade Me to raise money for the SPCA. It's amazing how some so simple gets people talking about knitting & many have been inspired to pick the needles back up again after a long absence.

Max proudly wears Sarah's scarf

Complete with 'Lace' (holes) & colour work (coffee stains)

I have also been interviewed in the past couple of weeks by Genny Stevens from Crafternoon Tea with Granny G fame. Her weekly podcasts are a 'must do' for many knitters & I was thrilled to be part of her show & talk about what's been happening at Skeinz, knitting in NZ & the Knit August Nights retreat in August (see previous post for more information).

My new favourite colour - Barney Purple!

Speaking of which, registrations are getting very close to closing as capacity has almost been reached. I however can still be coerced, & to date the attendance has been very evenly spread for the workshops, which has meant I have been able to provide everyone with first choices. So at this stage it's still not too late, so email me on busckem@clear.net.nz for registration details.

My needles have been flying red hot over the long weekend. Firstly Louis LOVES his Milo, which I have dubbed, Stega-milo-saurus. It's amazing how a fickle four year old can be induced into wearing an item of clothing when you put a dinosaur motif on the front.

Louis sporting his new Stega-Milo-Saurus

I am also knitting two tunic's for little girls birthdays. It is a new pattern I have not tried, Oriental Lily by Georgie Hallum. So far I just love the cleaver construction & the ability to play around with colour. This pattern is available for free & is a must for your pattern library.

Soph's Lily - my latest WIP

Better fly, time for me to Knit in Public!

Knitterly Ever After

Hugo & Louis getting down dirty in the sand pit.

As the rain falls here finally in Hawkes Bay after one of the warmest, driest Autumns on memory, I am taking the time to catch up on some knitty paper work. Progress on Knit August Nights has been steady, with only a handful of places available, if you haven't registered you might want to get a wriggle on. The traders market, now coined 'Don't get your knitters in a twist', is also starting gather some nice momentum, so if you can't attend KAN, you can at least indulge in some fibre follies at the end of the weekend.

Hugo Sporting Milo #2

I have also been keeping myself busy with my own knitting. I have now completed two Milo's for the boys with number three 50% complete. I have also cast on another project for myself in a fresh green Merino Possum that had been lurking in the stash for some time & recently saw the light of day. The latter looks like it is going to be the project that will keep me going through most of the Winter, punctuated by smaller gift & sock projects.

One of those smaller projects has been a pair of fingerless gloves, well gauntlets really, which I made for my mother in law as a Mothers day gift & then re devised in a decadent Ruby Red 10ply yarn that arrived in store at Skeinz. It's a neat little project that's quick, takes just one ball of yarn & is ideal as a stash buster or knock up an emergency gift for a special someone.

Ever After Gauntlets You will Need:
5mm needles, one ball of 8 or 10ply yarn (10ply is pictured), yarn needle to sew up.

Cast on 36 stitches
Knit three rows
Row 1 of pattern: k2tog twice (“yo, k1” 4 times, k2tog 4 times) repeat until last 8 sts, "yo, k1" four times, k2tog twice
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl

Continue working 9 sets of the pattern (or until you have reached the length desired)
Work row 1 of the pattern
Knit 3 rows then cast off.

(edited Feb 2011 for correction to pattern row)

Make up
Using mattress stitch, join the side seam from the cast off edge & sew 3cm. Bind off & rejoin the yarn 5cm from bound off point & sew to bottom (in effect leaving a 5cm thumb hole). You should have a straight edge at the top of the gauntlet & a scalloped edge at the bottom. Weave in ends & steam block if desired.

Abbreviations: K1 = Knit one stitch. K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together. yo = Yarn over (take the yarn from the back of your work through to the front & over the needle to knit.)

The pattern is written to fit an average sized ladies hand. My hands are quite large, & they still fit me well. If you wish to down size, just use 8ply yarn on a 4.5mm or 4mm needle – do not reduce the number of cast on stitches.
If you wish to make longer gauntlets, it is advised you purchase two balls of yarn.

Time to get back to more knitting, planning & insanity. Well maybe not knitting, Hugo & Louis are reinacting the WWF in the living room, it might be time to referee - ah rainy days!

Knit Steam Ahead

Knit August Nights
Registrations have been flowing in thick & fast, we now have the retreat two thirds full. Thank you to everyone who has been so prompt & enthusiatic at getting on board so quickly.

For those who are yet to make up their minds, this might help, the workshop schedule for the retreat. James from JOY has done a stirling job & the biggest hurdle I think for most has been narrowing down which workshops they wish to attend!

Day One

SOCK DESIGN - Examining Different ways to construct toes, gussets, heels and tops and everything in between.
TUTOR: MORAG McKENZIE of Vintage Purls

OVERVIEW: This course looks at the various ways to construct socks and why as a designer you might choose a particular method over others. Learn the skills to design a sock from scratch or alter existing patterns to fit you well because there is no such thing as one size fits all. Although this workshop uses socks as it's focus the skills learnt are applicable to knitwear designing in general.


STARTING AND FINISHING
TUTOR: NANETTE CORMACK of YARNZ

OVERVIEW: A chance to practice different methods of casting on and off, and learning the appropriate uses for each method - a great way to actually try these methods instead of trying to follow a You Tube video!


KAFFE FASSETT’S PERSIAN POPPIES
TUTOR: JAMES HERBISON of JOY OF YARN

OVERVIEW: This workshop will be for knitters who are interested in sharpening their colour observation in design. Participants should know how to knit and purl – only the basic stocking stitch will be used in the workshop. This course inspires knitters to sharpen their observation of color by working with a range of light and dark colors in contrasting tones to create the ever popular Persian Poppies design by Kaffe Fassett. The experience gained should give knitters the confidence to use their own personal color scheme in any of their own designs in the future.

Day Two

MAKING LACE SOLID - Taking the Holes out of Lace Knitting
TUTOR: MORAG McKENZIE of Vintage Purls

OVERVIEW: Learn how to make lace stitch pattens not lace and open a whole new world of stitch pattern possibilities. Look at how best to convert existing lace patterns, learn a variety of directional increases and their best applications. Examine the differences between a standard lace pattern and its solid alternative and learn how best to incorporate them into your work.


KIWI ‘SWEET AS’ SOCK YARN BLANKIE
TUTOR: JAMES HERBISON of JOY OF YARN

OVERVIEW: A Sock Yarn Blankie is an ideal way to use up your left over sock yarn (or any left over yarn in your stash) and learn some new techniques at the same time. This class will teach you how to knit the cabled design featured on the basic block and then using an entrelac method how to knit other blocks to create the blankie. You will also be given information on other Sock Yarn Blankie patterns including the classic mitred square and swimming fish.


FEARLESS KNITTING & how gauge can become a fickle friend
TUTOR: GENNY STEVENS - GRANNY G of CRAFTERNOON TEA

OVERVIEW: How to analyse your yarn so you can understand how to get the best out of your knitting
(Looking at the yarns structure, is it z or s twist, how many plies, how strong the twist and how these factors can be best understood and utilised)
Gauge and how to use it. (Including how to work out formulas for yarn substitution in patterns) why it’s important (no two 8-plys are necessarily the same) and why you can’t sometimes trust it but by giving it a go you increase your chance of a successful garment. This includes looking at deciding end choices of desired fabric and drape of finished project.

Send me an email to busckem@clear.net.nz if you haven't got a registration form, with this great line up, KAN is a real 'must do' on this Winters knitting calendar.

A Baby is Born
I am pleased to announce that my 'baby' http://www.skeinz.com/ has arrived. Now you don't have to visit our unique factory shop in Napier to take advantage of genuine yarn bargains. Put your yarn diets aside & check out the site, I'm sure you'll find it most tempting!

K.A.N Registrations NOW OPEN

Knitters Retreat in Historic Hawkes Bay
August 27th – 29th 2010

Bouught to you by Skeinz & J.O.Y

Hosted at Napiers iconic East Pier situated at the entrance of historic Port Ahuriri. Like any waterfront location Ahuriri is a vibrant village overflowing with cafes, bars, galleries, deli’s & Napier most famous landmark, the Art Deco Rothmans Building. The K.A.N venue has unimpeded views onto Hawkes Bay & sits adjacent to the Harbour View Motor Lodge.

K.A.N Registrations are now open.

‘Merino’ registration is $125 pp
This includes: Access to exclusive Traders Market, ONE workshop, Design Spun factory Tour & Skeinz shop visit, access for free knit time at East Pier, public traders market & a KAN goodie bag.

‘Alpaca’ registration is $160 pp
This includes: Everything in the ‘Merino’ package PLUS the KAN Retreat Dinner & Quiz on Saturday Night. East Pier is a landmark Napier Eatery & will be providing a three course dinner designed especially for KAN (drinks own care)

‘Cashmere’ registration is $200 pp
This includes: Access to exclusive Traders Market, TWO workshops, Design Spun factory tour & Skeinz shop visit, access for free knit time at East Pier, public traders market & a KAN goodie bag.
PLUS the KAN Retreat Dinner & Quiz on Saturday Night. East Pier is a landmark Napier Eatery & will be providing a three course dinner designed especially for KAN (drinks own care).

Email me on busckem@clear.net.nz for a full registration form. Registration will only be confirmed on receipt of payment.

Do you have knitty products to sell?
If you register as a KAN retreater you can set up shop on Friday afternoon to sell your knitty goodness to other retreaters for no additional charge. On Sunday morning (9am – 12pm) KAN will open to the public for a Sunday Knit Market. This will be extensively promoted through local media & retail outlets. We would love to have you take part. Contact me at busckem@clear.net.nz for more details.