Onarum Wrap

So you might remember that I run a Monthly Challenge over in my Ravelry Group. Each month I release a new pattern for the group to work on together. The pattern is FREE for that month only, and then the fully tested version is available for sale after that.

It works well for me, because I get lots of you testing my patterns for me. It means that the kinks are all ironed out before the pattern goes on sale. It also means that there are lots of completed projects up on Ravelry for everyone to be inspired by. Maybe people don't like the yarn I've used in the sample - well, they can peruse all the other projects to see how the pattern works in different yarns - the ones that you guys have used...

It works well for you guys, because you get a FREE pattern. Plus, it's always fun to work at the pattern at the same time as a bunch of others. You can encourage one another and bounce ideas around. You'll be inspired by what everyone else is working up, and receive wonderful feedback too.

The really cool part is that I choose my favourite finished item each month... and if you're the "winner" then you suggest what I should design for the next challenge. How FABULOUS is that? You tell me what to create!

This month I was asked to design a wrap using only one skein of yarn... I've used Murano from Bendigo Woollen Mills, and those long stretches of colour have really worked up a treat. Best of all, it only uses one ball of yarn - so there's hardly any ends to weave in when you're finishing off! Gotta love that...

If you like what you see here, and want to join in the Crochet Challenge this month - come on over to my Ravelry Group for more details.

It doesn't take long to make either... I emailed some patterns out earlier today, and one lady has ALREADY posted photos of her finished project. Juanita - you are a STAR!

And if you wouldn't wear a wrap, it works well as a scarf instead...

Maybe you know someone who'd love one for Christmas?

Awwww... Mr Goldfish!

I am spoiled!

As some of you already know, I had been planning to go to the Australian Sheep and Wool Show last Friday...

But Little Miss Charlotte was miserably sick - so I had to give it a miss.

(insert sad face here)

I first heard about the show FOUR years ago - and I've been trying to get there ever since!

But there were always other commitments which prevented me going...

Then I thought I had it all sorted for this year - and Charlotte got sick...

Aaaaarghhhhhh!

But after dinner on Saturday night Mr Goldfish took the kiddies (well, three of them anyway) to Grandma's house... and declared we would be making an early start for Bendigo in the morning!

And he took me to the Show!!!

YAY.



Do you know that I've never ever ever ever ever bought fancy yarn before?

Not exaggerating.I have not bought hand dyed yarn before now.

Well.... almost all of what I use is recycled...

Lately I've been purchasing some acrylics for my toy designs - because when I'm pattern writing, I need to be using a consistent yarn throughout the project... (I'd rather not - but when your offering a pattern, people need to be able to replicate what you have designed, so I do.)

But that it all I use.

Recycleds and some new acrylics.

I'm not complaining - I love my recycleds... they always amaze and inspire me. Like that scrappy blanket I made - I have been blown away by the feedback I've received on that blanket - people are in awe of it - but it's just scraps!!!! How cool is that?

Anyway, lately I've felt the urge to make some 2ply laceweight scarves. And my experience of recycling laceweight yarns is not good. It's just too fine, which leads to so many breakages, and insane frustration!

So I headed off to The Show with a firm shopping list. Looking for three skeins of 2ply laceweight yarn. A green colourway and a deep red colourway for gifts I will be making... and  dark purple colourway just for me...



And I did it.

ALMOST.

Just couldn't find a deep red (probably because it was the Sunday afternoon, and the show was almost over) which I loved in a 2ply laceweight. So I've gone a little thicker and chosen a beautifully dyed 4ply fingering weight instead.



So the laceweights are a 45% Wool, 55% Silk... and the fingering weight is 100% Merino. Desperately excited to see how they work up, but I'm trying to restrain myself and finish a few other projects first. Like the design I am working on for the AUGUST CHALLENGE... you are going to love him! He is soooooo incredibly adorable. But I need to finish sewing the limbs on - and write up the pattern for you...

Back to the yarns for a minute. They were all purchased from the one fabulous vendor, Jane of Moseley Park. And I have to say... I LOVED EVERYTHING she had on offer! Her colourways are so wonderfully exquisite - I wanted one of everything... and the service was the friendliest we had. Jane also has an online store if you'd like to take a peek.