tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90725650208516129242024-03-11T03:25:01.628-04:00What to Make Next?Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-50923675442923056512015-09-29T11:15:00.000-04:002015-09-29T11:15:23.010-04:00BaloolahToday it's overcast and misty here in Ontario. It's really feeling like the start of Fall and I keep thinking of all the knitting I need to get done before winter is here! Accessory knitting is something that seems to happen easily for me on this side of the world as we're heading into winter. I love the quick satisfaction of it - you can try out a new stitch pattern or colour combo without having to slug your way through an entire garment. <br />
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<i>(One thing I realized about winter in Canada the first year we were here is that accessories are a necessity. In New Zealand I'd send the girls out to the school bus with a hat on and I'd be lucky if they'd wear it for 5 minutes, gloves were annoying and scarves just got in the way. But here in Canada you don't leave the house in winter without everything being covered! My two-year old boy even let me wrap him up in a scarf so that only his eyes could be seen and didn't even complain!)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmq8RHJW9AVsKhAOJkS646ekcOXO0UO4-EYPivHTboQdir9EL0gqiRYYJ26yr0zDW5kTGSygg7z83HTzJf-pKpY8VtSxW8gC7k6VcR1RPJErPc2g5GJ6EJj7T1MRJy7vVOfRHKMcA_zkv/s1600/BaloolahScarfAmberBertramKPHKAccessories15.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmq8RHJW9AVsKhAOJkS646ekcOXO0UO4-EYPivHTboQdir9EL0gqiRYYJ26yr0zDW5kTGSygg7z83HTzJf-pKpY8VtSxW8gC7k6VcR1RPJErPc2g5GJ6EJj7T1MRJy7vVOfRHKMcA_zkv/s320/BaloolahScarfAmberBertramKPHKAccessories15.1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My latest design, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baloolah-scarf">Baloolah</a>, is a great stash buster pattern for those odds and ends of colour you want to use up. Just choose a neutral base and mix and match the colour-pop section with whatever you have on hand - you could even have a different colour for each section!<br />
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The sample was knit in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, but would work well in any yarn weight. It's knit in the round as a tube with increases and decreases to create a diagonal fabric. Being knit in a tube it's double thickness - so double warmth!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp5vnttgQ7LlVxW0gSp4upftiLvBKVQ02qB4PXVLQ82FGuJlpFWZqpuq07B99cu26BrkinO401AhSTP-lCQETp-oNcYt1dKHS3sEQoBUCFXuCvJW4pifMV5Jq2nc70uYJC83ij-HgjhtU/s1600/BaloolahScarfAmberBertramKPHKAccessories15.5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp5vnttgQ7LlVxW0gSp4upftiLvBKVQ02qB4PXVLQ82FGuJlpFWZqpuq07B99cu26BrkinO401AhSTP-lCQETp-oNcYt1dKHS3sEQoBUCFXuCvJW4pifMV5Jq2nc70uYJC83ij-HgjhtU/s320/BaloolahScarfAmberBertramKPHKAccessories15.5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks to the great team at <a href="http://www.hollaknits.com/">Holla Knits</a> for including me in this collection! I'm already looking through my stash to find some yarn to make another one as my Big Miss has claimed the sample as her own!<br />
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You can find the pattern for sale on Love Knitting, <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/accessory/baloolah/165966">Craftsy</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baloolah-scarf">Ravelry</a> and <a href="http://www.hollaknits.com/blog/store/products/baloolah-scarf-knitting-pattern-by-amber-bertram/">Holla Knits</a>.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-19514025362660290292015-07-30T09:18:00.002-04:002015-07-30T09:18:49.957-04:00InstagramSo I've fallen down the rabbit's hole that is Instagram! I love everyone's fun and colourful knitting inspiration and it's such an easy way to keep people updated on what's going on in my little corner of the world. You can find me on there as <a href="https://instagram.com/a.bertram/">a.bertram</a>.<br />
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I'd love to know if you're on Instagram also or of any other knitters you think I might like to follow. In the meantime here's a little knit I've been working on this week (via my Instagram):<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/5u4CHqMDok/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKm8U5hyphenhyphenEueHPEh8jIvbNW4wRUcO7AAZEAjlPPUgYPVr8rCVxeKgW3s9aVpcKh-WZW2nEnEVKwoc0IjHdZpn_ay0phbvUr6Hyym1-T5kwUBBiWr1ArY6aiSp5ybLRjmtarfZtLetd2uLA/s320/11429245_134528976884907_867614540_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-44019562934567164142015-07-14T10:37:00.001-04:002015-07-14T10:37:41.983-04:00Oh Look...Yummy Yarn!I love getting parcels in the mail, and squishy yarn ones are my favourite! Last week it was this lovely package of goodness:<br />
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This is Cascade Heritage Silk in <i>Aqua Foam</i> and it's destined to become an adult-sized <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wasabi-4" target="_blank">Wasabi</a>. Yes that's right, I'm finally writing up the adult version! Hopefully I'll have it ready to go by the end of August. At some point I'll be needing testers as well, so if you're interested in knitting yourself a cute little cardigan let me know!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-33431649469503513712015-06-27T08:50:00.000-04:002015-06-27T08:50:39.064-04:00WasabiIf you've been following for a while you might remember one of my earlier designs, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wasabi-4" target="_blank">Wasabi</a>.<br />
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This was my first design accepted for publication and I was super excited about it! (You can read my blog post about it <a href="http://www.whattomakenext.blogspot.ca/2012/04/oh-excitment.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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This is still one of my favourite patterns and I'm planning on making another one (or three!) for my girls this summer. The original is still being worn by my Little Miss, even though it's missing a couple of buttons!<br />
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Anyway, as Petite Purls is no longer publishing and has shut down their website as of January 2015, I needed to publish this pattern as a pdf so people could still access it as it's one of my more popular patterns too. So, while I've been updating my other patterns I decided it was as good a time as any to put Wasabi into a pdf also.<br />
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You can find it <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wasabi-4" target="_blank">here</a> on Ravlery, and it is also available <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/clothing/wasabi/151210" target="_blank">here</a> on Craftsy and <a href="http://www.loveknitting.com/us/wasabi-knitting-pattern-by-amber-bertram" target="_blank">here</a> on Love Knitting.<br />
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I always intended to make an adults version of this pattern and I'm expecting that when I want to knit one for my Big Miss (who has recently turned 12!) that she won't fit the biggest size anymore. This will mean a re-write to make it work for her so I might as well just do a proper upgrade and do the adult pattern! Keep watch on here and maybe by the end of summer I will have a call out for testers! (Just in time for the NZ/Aus summer!)Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-1080847757101525362015-06-24T11:03:00.000-04:002015-06-24T11:03:00.126-04:00ElsewhereDo you <i><a href="http://www.loveknitting.com/" target="_blank">Love Knitting</a></i>? Or are you <i><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/" target="_blank">Craftsy</a></i>?<br />
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I'm working through updating all my patterns with a new layout and logo and if you've purchased one from me through <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> then you'll be getting the update notification as each pattern is updated. I'd love to hear your feedback on the new layout!<br />
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While I was at it, I've also been adding my patterns to <a href="http://www.loveknitting.com/us/independent-designers/?designer_name=37251" target="_blank">Love Knitting</a> and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/477838/pattern-store?_ct=fqjjuhd-ijehu&_ctp=151213,477838" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> so those that don't do Ravelry can find me in other places too! Are you on Love Knitting or Craftsy? What other knitting/crafting websites are out there to join?Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-84951489287160250562015-06-20T10:41:00.000-04:002015-06-20T10:41:43.177-04:00I've had a busy year...I know I'm a very sporadic blogger but it's time to give the blog some love again!<br />
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So a quick run down on a few major events to catch you all up...<br />
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I had my first adult design published!<br />
<a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/component/content/article/144-shop/winter-2014-patterns/1904-riverdale-by-amber-bertram" target="_blank">Riverdale</a> was included in the Winter 2014 edition of the online magazine <i><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2015/spring/magazinepage_01.php" target="_blank">Twist Collective</a></i><br />
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I had my second adult design published in an actual printed book!</div>
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<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Buddina_Vest__D51878220.html" target="_blank">Buddina</a> was included in the Spring 2015 Knit Picks collection <i><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Books/Golden_Morning__D32491.html" target="_blank">Golden Morning</a></i></div>
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I started a full time job (so designing took a back seat for a while).</div>
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Then I had a baby girl and we now have a genuine Canadian in the family!</div>
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And we moved house. During a snowstorm. Three weeks before the Baby Girl arrived.</div>
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Now we have summer holidays and my big girls home from school so I need to come up with ideas to keep them occupied for the next ten or so weeks! Any suggestions are welcome :)</div>
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<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-23922484400719835312014-01-25T10:08:00.001-05:002014-01-25T10:08:30.852-05:00Darn it!I have a hole in my sock. My nice warm knitted sock. The pair I had only just finished when winter started.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wLPndFXQXZW8PA8Ws_kNey7n7hg3B-Fp-qpRW_-qCXW3VH8aW4Df7ELbciKOeOSTl1Lmr01_P14ea5-nnwdFantGctmwwjrm2Nu4l1QLBEG0YRxGcNi_oKjcrge3DV-clakNK0oychyphenhyphenq/s640/blogger-image-1711447502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wLPndFXQXZW8PA8Ws_kNey7n7hg3B-Fp-qpRW_-qCXW3VH8aW4Df7ELbciKOeOSTl1Lmr01_P14ea5-nnwdFantGctmwwjrm2Nu4l1QLBEG0YRxGcNi_oKjcrge3DV-clakNK0oychyphenhyphenq/s640/blogger-image-1711447502.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I have a little left over yarn and know how to fix it but how far should I go? The fabric is wearing thin in other places too.</div><div><br></div><div>I never really appreciated knitted socks before coming to Canada. I always found them too hot to wear. Not so in this land of cold! This pair of socks have been worn almost constantly since they were finished, which is probably why they have a hole already (and having all wooden floors at home).</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIZ62vqC0HVGp3lltd9Rq9dmfZsYn3D5iJLdEQjL6LsXbql5o9gf3oyKmbIGNUNengOO8aYV5RAF3Ha_r1ES15798qkmKFOd0LfYnyxuigz97pL7aRSWxZngtOoOD0kOefv1VwqkQVZdS/s640/blogger-image--1042563892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIZ62vqC0HVGp3lltd9Rq9dmfZsYn3D5iJLdEQjL6LsXbql5o9gf3oyKmbIGNUNengOO8aYV5RAF3Ha_r1ES15798qkmKFOd0LfYnyxuigz97pL7aRSWxZngtOoOD0kOefv1VwqkQVZdS/s640/blogger-image--1042563892.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The funny thing about these socks is that they were a classic case of Second Sock Syndrome or SSS. I made the first one the beginning of 2010 and started a different sock instead of making a second! That next sock was finished and also never had it's mate started. So you could say I had a pair of socks, just not a matching pair! <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(Since then I have actually finished three pairs of socks - two were gifts and the other was for a KAL so they all had deadlines.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj249ckJ5lw9AITTCzKwM49IVv321PDpdavFeRiAznHcOGz_mtqTwEEPy_NcukG98B2karw1545bQyENCKb7jTLYAUJD-q8lU9ILsuEAojYYdxxiegm9UjeVTey4mI1wqzb2QbaLgrUrhHn/s640/blogger-image--321028582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj249ckJ5lw9AITTCzKwM49IVv321PDpdavFeRiAznHcOGz_mtqTwEEPy_NcukG98B2karw1545bQyENCKb7jTLYAUJD-q8lU9ILsuEAojYYdxxiegm9UjeVTey4mI1wqzb2QbaLgrUrhHn/s640/blogger-image--321028582.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Mixed in with my yarn stash that came over from NZ were my two single socks. It didn't take me long to realize that warm woollen socks were a good idea in this country, so I dug through my part balls, printed out the pattern and got knitting on the first second sock!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Then other, more urgent knitting projects got in the way of starting the next second sock. Until I got a hole.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMB5Zg_pcp7Aure-cHqlP62wOMGSSFwOzsZRCOuyXYcVegIBb0k8eSfLhuhQlhKKgN1U4AyYO19Yxtg_oReDTiwtL5CQB5pM755hJ8po34RmJ2A9EJ-QeJFbhEc9TDLeFr3eoelpwyxoV/s640/blogger-image-414873559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMB5Zg_pcp7Aure-cHqlP62wOMGSSFwOzsZRCOuyXYcVegIBb0k8eSfLhuhQlhKKgN1U4AyYO19Yxtg_oReDTiwtL5CQB5pM755hJ8po34RmJ2A9EJ-QeJFbhEc9TDLeFr3eoelpwyxoV/s640/blogger-image-414873559.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now I'm racing through the next one and already planning another pair! Hopefully I don't get SSS this time, but it seems necessity is a great motivator for me to finish!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Any one else had issues with SSS? What's the longest it's taken you to finish a pair of socks?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">~ Amber ~</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-82113853393586454092014-01-17T14:51:00.000-05:002014-01-17T14:51:57.008-05:00Yummy Yarn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been having lots of fun dyeing up yarn lately! Here's a few of my newest creations. Some are listed on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFantail17" target="_blank">Etsy for sale</a> and some are prize yarns for a competition I had on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LittleFantail" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> recently.</div>
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You can see more in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFantail17" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>, and until the end of February there's FREE shipping worldwide on any purchases over $50!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-25875307804356608432013-12-17T15:58:00.002-05:002013-12-17T15:58:42.105-05:00Hello From the Land of Snow!So blogging has taken a bit of a back seat for me the last few months. I'm sure you can forgive me as there's just been so many new things to experience as a family in this new country we're calling home!<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shovelling snow off the pond to try ice-skating!</span></em></div>
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Our latest adventure is all about the snow. Where we lived in New Zealand it basically doesn't get snow so it's all new for us! It's the first time I've really been able to see the point in accessory knitting - the girls hardly ever wore hats, gloves or scarves before, but now it's a necessity. I've been knitting constantly since it started getting cold and I still have a list a mile long of things I <em>need</em> to knit for this winter. And I don't have any photos of anything I've knit becasue as soon as it's off the needles, it's being used!<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">The girls in their snow gear off to school</span></em></div>
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But I have even more exciting news to share!<br />
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When looking for yarn to buy online, it didn't take me long to notice that I had no chance of buying from my favourite NZ dyers. Usually their stockings, which sell out in minutes, are up for sale at 8pm NZ time which is 2am here (i.e. the middle of the night!) and I wasn't going to stay up that late.<br />
This also made me realise that most people in North America probably have never had the opportunity to knit with any of this great NZ wool either. Having done a little yarn dyeing before and a space I could set up solely for the purpose, I contacted a NZ wool mill about getting un-dyed yarn sent over here. As it turned out, I could get wool from NZ at a price reasonable enough to dye and sell here.<br />
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And that was the start of Little Fantail Yarns!<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFantail17" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFantail17" border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWh3l8utcgqStvyuI5US_wD_0yc01LycpN_voEqNJPLlWgvveRFApouJLGc-jlKB5ENaCJ7aEiM0YufYownUUjAa5Fx5VUqczR3FFE8LILFy-zxL2f5-BqlwoDom8CfC4QYmLAOjlffbL/s320/Little+Fantail+Yarns+Long+Logo2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the picture to see what I have for sale on Etsy</span></em></div>
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So far it's just in the infant stages, selling a few different bases on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFantail17" target="_blank">Etsy</a>, but I hope to add luxury NZ yarns in the future (think possum/merino!) I also plan on re-branding my patterns as Little Fantail over the coming months.<br />
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In the meantime, browse the yarns I have for sale on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFantail17" target="_blank">Etsy page</a> and make sure you stop by my brand new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LittleFantail" target="_blank">FaceBook page</a>, like it and share with anyone over this side of the world you think might be interested - every milestone in people that like me is a good excuse for a giveaway!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-86740897438674734922013-10-21T12:07:00.001-04:002013-10-21T12:07:59.426-04:00We Have Arrived!(Now I'm hoping that this post works and things don't look disjointed as it's my first time using the mobile app to do a blog post. Our only Internet is on the phone until the tech comes to set it up.)<div><br></div><div>It has been a bit over six weeks ago that we arrived in Canada to live and a very full six weeks it has been too! The first few days were spent adjusting to the time difference, <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">purchasing a smart phone (specifically for the GPS feature - Canada's a big country to get lost in!), </span>sorting out driver's licences and finding a vehicle, while dealing with over-tired kids and driving on the wrong side of the road! </div><div><br></div><div>Our first weekend here, we drove six hours north to spend a week camping in the forest of Algonquin Park with the family we were staying with. The girls (and the Little Man) had lots of fun meeting the wildlife.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrcz8uxv__vQ_T_PlxADzc8DzObd_XB9q0UwoPP0ce4qTypXYud9UdguwYLtFNcphCPjcVRDBdlP7TqbOPlnGyP1gXzmNroxiwKMAxFHCyT3Ask3mRXHcHpu3XP3FZdaNvxenlNLB9SdI/s640/blogger-image-1500952962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrcz8uxv__vQ_T_PlxADzc8DzObd_XB9q0UwoPP0ce4qTypXYud9UdguwYLtFNcphCPjcVRDBdlP7TqbOPlnGyP1gXzmNroxiwKMAxFHCyT3Ask3mRXHcHpu3XP3FZdaNvxenlNLB9SdI/s640/blogger-image-1500952962.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The next two weeks were spent trying to find a suitable (i.e. not a two bedroom apartment, of which there seem plenty) place to rent that was close to both J's work and the girls' school while also sorting out uniforms and school supplies for the girls. Thanks to the help of some friends we found the perfect place out in the country (yet only a 10min drive to the nearest mall!)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLLEN7KrvlHnnERBuzgg9ExVw_tftZcwg8S4pBvyH8fjOghTBd6c3xQvy0Pt41J3Cn7_ZsYP0hgdJpKbg96z-aHpRvz64UkiifKFKQE-b42G44NWQSYbjliPWU666dAuMx9RANnCsNRXN/s640/blogger-image--1195369276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLLEN7KrvlHnnERBuzgg9ExVw_tftZcwg8S4pBvyH8fjOghTBd6c3xQvy0Pt41J3Cn7_ZsYP0hgdJpKbg96z-aHpRvz64UkiifKFKQE-b42G44NWQSYbjliPWU666dAuMx9RANnCsNRXN/s640/blogger-image--1195369276.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Mad buying of necessary furniture, kitchen gear and groceries ensued so we could move in immediately, which was also the day before J had to start work! The girls and I had one week to settle in and set up house before they started school.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tXCPdz7kuqA_Z1nvWxhhOnYG0jw88GjVT2tXx-jb41zJ42LiX2FxOI4GFG-XBogrohD1J5JS48OJkDq5p4hclk5-d5C1S-Ve8CyLt1QuNUSw44GH_S3F8G8ZwcA-EzWj4ZGSbOlQeish/s640/blogger-image--1964780505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tXCPdz7kuqA_Z1nvWxhhOnYG0jw88GjVT2tXx-jb41zJ42LiX2FxOI4GFG-XBogrohD1J5JS48OJkDq5p4hclk5-d5C1S-Ve8CyLt1QuNUSw44GH_S3F8G8ZwcA-EzWj4ZGSbOlQeish/s640/blogger-image--1964780505.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>They get to ride the classic yellow school bus and they get picked up right at the front gate!</div><div><br></div><div>With everyone but me and the Little Man out of the house from 7.30 to 4.30 most days, no vehicle (we only have one which J takes to work) and yarn for only one project (a man-sized sweater, but mostly stocking stitch so a little boring) until the rest of my stash arrives, there was only so much baking and tidying house I could do before I had to buy some yarn online!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84X4H6y6lo1Wey_IxkN-r7aRftguOvKbwqUnbb3tvj2enpzAig1UQ8kjI1zDVFpKs_p3F4fjmpDrAqoTf-bOCB-M7aQFpN5IVK5XS7Yc6FypdZaputzwx5LyVdM4REPgfRQX2mGEhwtRt/s640/blogger-image-46711178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84X4H6y6lo1Wey_IxkN-r7aRftguOvKbwqUnbb3tvj2enpzAig1UQ8kjI1zDVFpKs_p3F4fjmpDrAqoTf-bOCB-M7aQFpN5IVK5XS7Yc6FypdZaputzwx5LyVdM4REPgfRQX2mGEhwtRt/s640/blogger-image-46711178.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I have plenty of yarny plans in store with new designs just waiting for my stash to arrive so I can cast on and ideas for expanding my designing! I'm sure there will be inspiration aplenty as we head into our first Canadian winter. Watch this space for news!</div><div><br></div><div>~ Amber ~</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ps. It appears this post never published when I wrote it a few weeks ago...unfortunately I only checked and found out today.</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-66426013273918355292013-07-18T00:18:00.002-04:002013-07-18T00:18:38.319-04:00A Shift in Hemisphere...Earlier in the year I vaguely mentioned some major changes that were going to happen in our lives this year. The first one was a big change of job for both J and me with the sale of his parent's business (we both worked for/with them for the past 9+ years).<br />
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But now, the real major change is upon us - we're moving to <span style="font-size: large;">Canada!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>This photo was taken by J earlier this year at the local Aerodrome when they had a WWI Air Show/display on. He thought it was very fitting, considering our plans for this year.</em></span></div>
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This is a big deal for us as it's not just 'across the ditch' (to Australia - the common thing NZers do), it's a complete change of hemispheres and we will be leaving all our extended family behind. We're going on a one-way ticket with a very flexible idea of when we will be coming back home!<br />
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We leave New Zealand in just under three weeks at the begining of August which should give us a bit of time to settle in etc before the girls start the new school year there in September.<br />
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School's on holiday at the moment and as we leave the week after Term 3 starts, there wasn't much point them going back to school here. This also means I have three very excited and nervous girls to try and keep busy while I trying to pack up our life and sell all our furniture. Things are very busy for us right now!<br />
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Hopefully the next post on this blog will be made from the hot and humid Summer going on in Ontario when we're finally settled!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS: Do you think it's terrible that I'm looking forward to having a 'real' winter where my knits might actually get worn? (The girls love wearing my knits, they just never seem to get really cold enough to get good use out of them. Today, for example, they're outside in shorts and singlets and it's the middle of July!)</span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-59619782504669890092013-06-25T21:04:00.000-04:002013-06-25T21:04:00.053-04:00TadpoleThe sample I sent away for photos to go with the pattern I had published in <em>Knit Now</em> magazine, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tadpole-romper" target="_blank">Tadpole Romper</a>, arrived back in the post last week. This also meant that the rights to the pattern have reverted back to me and I can now offer it for sale on Ravelry!<br />
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As I wasn't allowed to use the professional photos taken for the magazine in my pattern and I knew the sample would be too big for my Little Man yet, I made another romper for him to wear now.<br />
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He looks just gorgeous in it and is so snuggly warm - like a cuddly teddy bear according to his Pop. He definitely gets the comments when I take him out wearing it!<br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/166216990/P6012694_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/166216990/P6012694_medium2.JPG" width="224" /></a></div>
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This one I knit in Red Riding Hood Yarns' Belle in the <em>Spruced Up </em>colourway from last year's Winter Yarn Club.<br />
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It's a perfect pattern for a coming home outfit for any newborn!<br />
Sized for NB-24mths<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/amber-bertram-designs/157770"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-65879665948694902402013-06-19T21:33:00.002-04:002013-06-19T21:33:49.262-04:00Bloglovin'Most people that use Google Reader probably know that it'll be ending next month (or is it the end of this month?) I had it pointed out via several blogs I follow a few months back and was recommended to use <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/" target="_blank">Bloglovin'</a> instead.<br />
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So far, I like it a lot better than Google reader - mainly because I can see each post in it's own blog rather than all listed together in the reader (I like seeing the pretty layouts!)<br />
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If you're one of those still using Google Reader, then now's a good time to change! And if you've already changed to Bloglovin' how have you found it to use?<br />
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Either way you can <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2256508/?claim=a988vvnxduj">follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>!<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-69380316776507889422013-06-18T20:26:00.000-04:002013-06-18T20:26:54.609-04:00Take Your Knitting to the Movies!Last week I got to have an evening out at the movies, which is a rare occurence for me, but it wasn't just any old evening at the movies - it was a special <em>Lights Up Knitting</em> session!<br />
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My (not quite) local theatre, <a href="http://www.eventcinemas.co.nz/cinema/the-embassy" target="_blank">The Embassy</a>, is lucky enough to have a manager who knits and she decided a few months back to gauge interest in a 'lights on low' movie session. There was definitely interest and the first <em><a href="http://www.facebook.com/LightsUpKnittingAtTheEmbassyTheatre?hc_location=stream" target="_blank">Lights Up Knitting at The Embassy</a></em> happened in April with such great response that it's shaping up to be a bi-monthly affair!<br />
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<a href="http://scriptshadow.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/the_great_gatsby_movie-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://scriptshadow.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/the_great_gatsby_movie-wide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I found out that <a href="http://thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank">The Great Gatsby</a> was June's movie, I thought I should try and go (I'm rather fond of Leonardo DiCaprio...) Then I was fortunate enough to win a ticket through <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RedRidingHoodYarns" target="_blank">Red Riding Hood Yarns</a> so booked my sister-in-law in for a girls night out in Wellington!<br />
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It was a really enjoyable evening out. Starting with the complimentary wine/mocktail we enjoyed while sitting in the Black Sparrow bar with our knitting and listening to 1920s live music before the movie. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgURSaRYzZ7ESkxPFagtxcr_KdbjxfgDcNIVntQuAB21f0e4IkvLtFlpbQZNKMlS0Adfpv9SVv1a_2dlul_85oOwRN4KwCmn2DJ1G5gv1TYCY9-ti6dE4YAUVqtUKbrmCnODGhuUXGP71/s1600/P6132693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgURSaRYzZ7ESkxPFagtxcr_KdbjxfgDcNIVntQuAB21f0e4IkvLtFlpbQZNKMlS0Adfpv9SVv1a_2dlul_85oOwRN4KwCmn2DJ1G5gv1TYCY9-ti6dE4YAUVqtUKbrmCnODGhuUXGP71/s320/P6132693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Some of the goodies we received</span></em></div>
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Then the special knitters goody bag we each received going in (put together by the fantastic Tash of <a href="http://hollandroadyarn.co.nz/" target="_blank">Holland Road Yarn Company</a> - a main sponsor of the event) as well as the spot prizes from other sponsors that were given out.<br />
And ending with being able to say hi to some fellow knitters I'd previoulsy only met on Ravelry (I'm secretly a little jealous of their weekly knit together, there's not much of that going on over this side of the hill that I'm aware of - if only I lived a little closer to Wellington!)<br />
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If you're in the Wellington region and feel like a knitting night at the movies, check out the next session happening in August! You can find all the details on the <a href="http://facebook.com/LightsUpKnittingatTheEmbassyTheatre" target="_blank">FaceBook page</a>.<br />
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What interesting knitting events happen in your neck of the woods? I'd love to hear about it!<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-79203135788942748542013-05-13T23:47:00.000-04:002013-05-13T23:47:32.341-04:00KAL with Me!Did you know that I'm <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/budding-designers-downunder/2558074/" target="_blank">hosting a KAL</a> (knit-a-long) for my patterns this month? It's over in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/budding-designers-downunder" target="_blank">Budding Designers Downunder</a> group on Ravelry. (You can find a discount code for 25% off all my patterns until this Friday over in the thread.)<br />
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And I even have a couple new designs that I've released in time for the KAL too!<br />
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You might remember a while ago that I designed a vest pattern for a new nephew of mine. And then the pattern just sat there mostly written up but not finished.<br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/161267150/P4252610-001_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/161267150/P4252610-001_medium2.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
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Turns out having a little boy of my own to knit for is making me hurry up and finish the boy designs I have in process!<br />
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This one is called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/billy-9" target="_blank">Billy</a> and is available in sizes NB to 10 years. You can purchase it through my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/amber-bertram-designs" target="_blank">Ravelry store</a> for $US6.<br />
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The second pattern release from me this month is yet another waiting-for-me-to-get-around-to-it design. <br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/163247271/P5102636_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/163247271/P5102636_medium2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one is a cowl that I knit for the MiddleMiss last winter, then I tweaked the pattern and knit one for the BigMiss and that's as far as I got - that one sat around waiting for buttons which only happened recently!<br />
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This pattern is called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/herring" target="_blank">Herring</a> and you can download it for free through my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/amber-bertram-designs" target="_blank">Ravelry store</a>.<br />
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I'm also hosting an <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/budding-designers-downunder/2560786/" target="_blank">Accessories KAL</a> this month in the same group so this pattern will be perfect to enter in that.<br />
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For the KAL I'm making another Billy for the Little Man as the one he's modelling is being sent off as a gift to a friend's new baby boy. And I have to make another cowl - for the LittleMiss this time - so I might try enter that in the accessories KAL too!<br />
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Try join in either KAL - there's some good prizes to be won!<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-28703137533304632522013-03-22T15:31:00.000-04:002013-03-22T15:31:58.030-04:00New Designs!I figured it was about time I updated about my latest designs.<br />
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First up, the one I mentioned in my previous post being published in a magazine.<br />
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<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Knit-Now/138839817/1_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Knit-Now/138839817/1_medium2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo copyright Practical Publishing</span></em></div>
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This is my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tadpole-romper" target="_blank">Tadpole Romper</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tadpole-booties" target="_blank">Booties</a> set and it was published in the January edition of <a href="http://www.knitnowmag.co.uk/" target="_blank">Knit Now</a> magazine. It's a UK-based magazine, though it is available here in most yarn shops.<br />
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I was super excited to have a design accepted into a real print magazine and I even had my yarn supplied direct from the company (<a href="http://www.artesanoyarns.co.uk/" target="_blank">Artesano Yarns</a> - the superwash DK is very nice yarn to work with!)<br />
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My latest pattern I posted about before Christmas.<br />
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<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/151290468/PC152194_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/151290468/PC152194_medium2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This tunic/dress is called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kahli" target="_blank">Kahli</a> and is very different to my normal design process - it is made in 11 different pieces that are sewn together rather than knit all in one piece. This made it quite a challenge to grade for the different sizes and write up into an easy-to-follow pattern!<br />
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I released it at the beginning of this month and wanted to run a KAL for it, so I decided to start up a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/what-to-make-next" target="_blank">group on Ravelry</a> for my designs!<br />
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I'm planning on running regular giveaways over there, the main one being a monthly draw for current WIP or FO (work-in-progress or finished-object) photos of my designs, so if you've knit any of my patterns or are planning to then make sure you join my group!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkqA4WajoQ7Gji2rrDncRbE6J4sCX8f9blyKqonZlMURgIYOqJGFI_X6lp1Jok5vMl6LXAoIoPWfvq9UDV8tT9qnqxa9_jHZSNSpKXKD7lrU7YEGg76euVEtzrdDtNxd7CV6tta11OMF1/s1600/P3042664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkqA4WajoQ7Gji2rrDncRbE6J4sCX8f9blyKqonZlMURgIYOqJGFI_X6lp1Jok5vMl6LXAoIoPWfvq9UDV8tT9qnqxa9_jHZSNSpKXKD7lrU7YEGg76euVEtzrdDtNxd7CV6tta11OMF1/s320/P3042664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Somebody's not too impressed with a mobile baby!</span></em></div>
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And in other news, my Little Man is crawling! Yep, at only 6 months old he's moving around quite well. And at the same time the girls have decided to be really into playing with their Lego which gets left out on the floor for him to break (fortunately he doesn't put it in his mouth otherwise I'd ban them from playing with it!)<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-64759008336014445842013-01-22T22:05:00.000-05:002013-01-22T22:05:35.602-05:00Happy New Year!Ok, so I'm a little late to the party but better late than never right??<br />
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This year will be full of changes and new adventures for our family, starting with some major job changes happening in the next month, all going to plan. I'm hoping this means I get more time to spend focussing on my knitting and pattern designing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1U2cpNX6Ap9dW5fI-HOWp8ee3N3XbqUCGN31iFmQmzCWXQ6nq5r2OLiqGauAkv_3CvIuD7dPqRsRGBGFyNlJRJegl81M8s9b1FhKOxXv8I2He74z94IVpafhL4Gxa1yYbbLZ8bsMP5p1/s1600/PC172199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1U2cpNX6Ap9dW5fI-HOWp8ee3N3XbqUCGN31iFmQmzCWXQ6nq5r2OLiqGauAkv_3CvIuD7dPqRsRGBGFyNlJRJegl81M8s9b1FhKOxXv8I2He74z94IVpafhL4Gxa1yYbbLZ8bsMP5p1/s320/PC172199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Miss being the baby also</span></em></div>
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School will be starting again next week for the girls and I'm really looking forward to the routine again. Though it will be interesting to see how the Little Man handles it all - he's been far too spoilt with company over the last 7-8weeks of holidays!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ckXj8W-SXj4x0-g2eSZciTVlF6ZXd_4_c9GhrL3TdqQdUGXE7OYLMTAENQNUrMRYoEzKDeX4XIXMMyHAAtGwB7TFwg-LeBI56q5GSqT9bPAZFWvahpJbE8E_3sgO1mrA9VC4rD7MuwBx/s1600/P1112396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ckXj8W-SXj4x0-g2eSZciTVlF6ZXd_4_c9GhrL3TdqQdUGXE7OYLMTAENQNUrMRYoEzKDeX4XIXMMyHAAtGwB7TFwg-LeBI56q5GSqT9bPAZFWvahpJbE8E_3sgO1mrA9VC4rD7MuwBx/s320/P1112396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Big Miss reading to the Little Man</span></em></div>
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I have plenty of pattern news I need to write about on here - in particular about a pattern that was printed in a magazine that came out this month! But hopefully, cute baby photos will be ok for now...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwDPn4UuXZTNSY6vReC9IDKzZgqn0r6ZFw1i6sbKCJTdA8jlGWUIJH61bakcxEBJvxVWqOI68igjj-OXMN6hlqKOZiw5vA8PNBne58RthYIJxSmSfzfBCIYdieNOcAOlmNomrbqbm-eiI/s1600/P1182548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwDPn4UuXZTNSY6vReC9IDKzZgqn0r6ZFw1i6sbKCJTdA8jlGWUIJH61bakcxEBJvxVWqOI68igjj-OXMN6hlqKOZiw5vA8PNBne58RthYIJxSmSfzfBCIYdieNOcAOlmNomrbqbm-eiI/s320/P1182548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just over four months and he's already up on his knees!</span></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-47843038382617547532012-12-09T21:51:00.000-05:002012-12-09T21:51:57.507-05:00A New Design in Process!Are you like everybody else and madly rushing around getting ready for Christmas?<br />
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There's plenty of 'mad' and 'rush' going on round here, though mostly because our life is undergoing a few changes (don't worry, it's all good so far!) which means a lot of extra work in the meantime.<br />
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But I have still been knitting, and even a bit of crochetting for a change!<br />
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Here's my latest FO:<br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/132107719/PB272202-001_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/132107719/PB272202-001_medium2.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/132107902/PB272204-001_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/132107902/PB272204-001_medium2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is a tunic I've designed for my BigMiss. It hasn't quite worked out as I'd like - I wanted it to be a little longer - so I've ordered some yarn to knit one the right length for my LittleMiss also. I'll still work on getting modelled photos of this one on my BigMiss soon anyway.<br />
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I'm just working on the final modifications to the pattern, then it should be ready to go to testers!<br />
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And I'm thinking about starting up a Ravlery group for my designs...<br />
What do you think?<br />
Good idea, bad idea?<br />
Will I run out of things to talk about, or will I bore people with too much talk?<br />
Will I be the only member?<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-76492501134703603342012-11-06T00:55:00.001-05:002012-11-06T00:55:32.874-05:00Oh DearI had some little people come visit today with their mum.<br />
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After they'd gone home I noticed that my balls of yarn had been knocked off the coffee table where I'd left them and one was missing.<br />
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I wasn't too worried as I figured it would turn up.<br />
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It did. It was sitting in the ashes of the open fire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxdV_WmtL7OjzA81G4GgRWvQQJpZtjwT1Fq6YBg5Kl5KEtgx77_tiz1nKBasYtoNzyE0AZXHoB0nOIYr5ChrsjUtIP21VAYEuKp8B6izs2ii6Cf7BWN6wG_Aos7VttSh49bwj4vYC8dVE/s1600/DSC01433-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxdV_WmtL7OjzA81G4GgRWvQQJpZtjwT1Fq6YBg5Kl5KEtgx77_tiz1nKBasYtoNzyE0AZXHoB0nOIYr5ChrsjUtIP21VAYEuKp8B6izs2ii6Cf7BWN6wG_Aos7VttSh49bwj4vYC8dVE/s320/DSC01433-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my second ball of the Mocha for BigMiss' tunic I'm making. And I was planning on using it tonight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXcf7gBgTGsz0lRQkUusYJb8JDzW98PT4QOF5DUWay6afsOVXSvXPR0tX47uMGqhfsQTMcVTqZpEzAM4IStMfK1iPkAsVYcAAa5LrvAFJ6rgoMghyLYILtiiiiDppNg9VCS-QAN0q3L2q/s1600/DSC01436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXcf7gBgTGsz0lRQkUusYJb8JDzW98PT4QOF5DUWay6afsOVXSvXPR0tX47uMGqhfsQTMcVTqZpEzAM4IStMfK1iPkAsVYcAAa5LrvAFJ6rgoMghyLYILtiiiiDppNg9VCS-QAN0q3L2q/s320/DSC01436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think I'll have to toddler-proof my knitting stuff a bit better next time!<br />
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Any suggestions for how to clean it??<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-62876963535181824662012-11-05T04:51:00.001-05:002012-11-05T04:51:47.225-05:00WIP'sI thought I should start taking wip (work in progress) photos more often and keep my project notes on Ravelry more up to date. I find it's actually quite nice to look back and see how long (or short!) it's taken to knit something. <span style="font-size: x-small;">And I have a few things on the go that I've cast on lately that I need to keep a track of too!</span><br />
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So, at the same time I thought it might be nice for you (and keep me accountable to finishing things!) if I updated here also...<br />
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<a href="http://images4cf.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/128567724/DSC01426_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://images4cf.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/128567724/DSC01426_medium2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is that gorgeous yarn from Olive & Emma I showed in my last post knit up.</div>
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I love the colours in it and think it's really going to suit my Little Man.</div>
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<a href="http://images4cf.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/128319063/DSC01425-001_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4cf.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/128319063/DSC01425-001_medium2.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
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This is the Mocha and Peony yarn from Little Plum Yarn knit up.</div>
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It's a tunic/dress for the BigMiss. I'm a little excited about this pattern as I think it's looking really cool and can't wait to show the finished product!</div>
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<a href="http://images4cf.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/128567684/DSC01429_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://images4cf.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/128567684/DSC01429_medium2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is me being a little crazy.<br />
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There's a thing going on via Ravelry where you have to knit a sweater (adult sized, at least 50,000 stitches) in a month. It's called NaKniSweMo (National Knit a Sweater Month) which is the knitter's alternative to National Write a Novel Month (write a 50,000+ word novel in November). <span style="font-size: x-small;">The 'National' part relates to USA, but it's open to everyone anyway (in case you haven't heard of either thing - I only found out via Rav last year)</span><br />
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I'm only joining in because I'd ordered this yarn (Brown Sheep Cotton Fine) to knit myself a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/apres-surf-hoodie" target="_blank">Apres Surf Hoodie</a>, then stumbled upon the NaKniSweMo Group again and realised I could. It might actually motivate me to finish it too!<br />
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How many wip's do you have?<br />
Do you keep your projects page updated regularly?<br />
Or are you like me and only make the project page once something's finished?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-1580969417231602232012-10-17T21:14:00.001-04:002012-10-17T21:15:02.051-04:00Freedom Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I feel like I've been in a constant state of limbo most of the year with my knitting and pattern writing. </div>
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Because of a serious lack of communication from <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/exciting-news-2.html" target="_blank">a certain</a> yarn company (that I'm <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/like-lead-balloon.html" target="_blank">not so fond of</a> anymore), I always had to make sure I wasn't committing to or concentrating on much <em>just in case</em> today I'd get the email to say it's all go and I have 8 weeks to write and knit two complicated patterns (if only they had let me know - <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">way back in March</span></em> - what yarn to design for!)</div>
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/125563200/Mocha_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nea="true" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/125563200/Mocha_medium2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Plum Yarn Supertwist Sport in Mocha</span></em></div>
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But the freedom I'm feeling now it's all done and over makes me love knitting again! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'd started to loose the love for it, I suppose that's what happens when it's a <em>have to.</em>)</span></div>
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/125563380/Peony_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nea="true" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/125563380/Peony_medium2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Plum Yarn Supertwist Sport in Peony</span></em></div>
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Even though I've been in Pattern-Writing Limbo, I've still been planning new designs to work on as soon as I could. </div>
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And buying yarn to knit them with!</div>
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/125558272/Cade_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" nea="true" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/125558272/Cade_medium2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Olive & Emma 4ply Merino in Cade with Trim</span></em></div>
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So now I've just cast on to make a variation of this pattern:</div>
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/120274102/P9111864_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/usthree/120274102/P9111864_medium2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>That's my Little Man at just 6 days old - he turned 6 weeks old yesterday and not really fitting this cardy anymore!</em></span></div>
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I'm making a few changes to make it a little more quirky and funky. I can't wait to show you the finished knit! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'm using the grey and brown yarn above which is a made-for-me colourway from Olive & Emma. It's looking gorgeous so far!)</span><br />
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Joining in with the other creative folk at <a href="http://blogs.kidspot.com.au/villagevoices/my-creative-space-further-adventures-with-rope/" target="_blank">My Creative Space</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-17170201877568218002012-10-11T23:01:00.000-04:002012-10-11T23:01:10.948-04:00A Quick KnitWith my last deadline knit/design on it's way across the world, I needed a quick knit to celebrate the freedom of no pressure. And as the Little Man is really not fitting any of his hats lately (he's growing so fast!) I thought that was the perfect thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_twX4z8Veh2ga9JIgCQtdSxnTV_CSX0l-zRm6PhkQ3sfOhhZ9T_TZG6Jr4Nh6l7-ly31rVDjCTO-paNE6-htF9fZKjsFG1mz0wAx1z1RCD6TFCF52Qu9iC6Ql2kkvJdwfufrv5Z95rz6e/s1600/PA122052-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_twX4z8Veh2ga9JIgCQtdSxnTV_CSX0l-zRm6PhkQ3sfOhhZ9T_TZG6Jr4Nh6l7-ly31rVDjCTO-paNE6-htF9fZKjsFG1mz0wAx1z1RCD6TFCF52Qu9iC6Ql2kkvJdwfufrv5Z95rz6e/s320/PA122052-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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He didn't think so.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCbrvo-kqgC9sscFDxBXjQbTO8eVDM5CGteHlwYxfaLow5Eu5D1bvie-1x_FSD8USpNUXPsPsjRCCUxWRI5BTOsLByUM1cBS0jy2E757SnuaggPY_p9P7a_rIhjPzfmTfgNXG24eSzBsu/s1600/PA122056-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCbrvo-kqgC9sscFDxBXjQbTO8eVDM5CGteHlwYxfaLow5Eu5D1bvie-1x_FSD8USpNUXPsPsjRCCUxWRI5BTOsLByUM1cBS0jy2E757SnuaggPY_p9P7a_rIhjPzfmTfgNXG24eSzBsu/s320/PA122056-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not even with cuddles from Mama.</div>
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More details to come about the design I sent off - I'm quite excited about this one!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Though very nervous entrusting my sample knit to the postal system after my previous international post issues - which I since found out was entirely the yarn company's fault as they had my address wrong!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-64943645581766334822012-10-05T05:09:00.000-04:002012-10-05T05:09:52.739-04:00Like a Lead BalloonI mentioned in my <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/finally-about-baby-and-some-winners.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> about being super busy getting some patterns ready in order to meet a deadline.<br />
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Well, turns out I could have taken things a little slower as I've just found out that they've dropped me from being included in the collection!<br />
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And all because their yarn never arrived for me to knit the sample with. And it's too late for them to get someone closer to knit it as their photoshoots have started.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(This is the third time their yarn hasn't arrived - I'm still waiting on an order I actually paid a lot of money for.)</span><br />
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I really feel like being annoyed at the yarn company.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Besides the fact that they hadn't told me what yarn bases I was designing for until confirmation of the final deadline so couldn't even start working on the pattern, I'd had no contact from them since saying they were 'sending the yarn soon' which was only allowing 7 weeks to receive the yarn, knit the two samples and send it back to the US - they never even told me what size models I was knitting for!)</span><br />
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But really, I should just be annoyed with the unreliable postal system.<br />
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So I've spent the afternoon feeling pretty stink about the whole deal, especially as one of the patterns was a very tricky design to write up that cost me days of late dinners and grumpy children. I'm not quite sure how to tell J as he was starting to get annoyed at me for taking it on when having a new baby and now I'm not even getting paid for it! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The original contract deadline was May, when a new baby wasn't an issue, but was delayed so the closer to my due date I was without hearing final dates, the more nervous I was getting.)</span><br />
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But on the upside, I suppose I now have two patterns in the almost finished stages (they were going to be tech edited then were ready to go) that I can self-publish.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-83700419743100818682012-09-26T20:34:00.000-04:002012-09-26T20:34:36.290-04:00Finally! (About a Baby and Some Winners)I'm sure everyone's been wondering what happened to me for the last three weeks, though hopefully you've put it down to having a newborn in the house.<br />
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I must confess, though, that my absence is only partly because of a baby and mostly because of a pattern deadline. And every night I've been going to bed thinking "I have to do that blog post and sort out winners tomorrow."<br />
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Finally, the right tomorrow is here and the two patterns I've been spending every spare minute working on have been sent off and I am writing my blog post!<br />
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So, it was three weeks ago yesterday, about this time, that I was heading home from hospital with a gorgeous little newborn baby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxPHviEVFHrgA2YrtNbxIHaOW_1DNq3ENdD0WWLlJJmf-rWlrTDmywfCyD0f-_oXRgjru_Bxtf3Dqgyso2Igl0cjoGy0xy4Hrviuu2U4d1McyqxedIF3T7eiKHi3mud3uXkr1zZZnTEhg/s1600/P9051759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxPHviEVFHrgA2YrtNbxIHaOW_1DNq3ENdD0WWLlJJmf-rWlrTDmywfCyD0f-_oXRgjru_Bxtf3Dqgyso2Igl0cjoGy0xy4Hrviuu2U4d1McyqxedIF3T7eiKHi3mud3uXkr1zZZnTEhg/s320/P9051759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just four hours old</span></em></div>
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A little boy! (But not so little, really.)</div>
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Born on 5 September 2012 at 6.45am and weighing in at 3960g (about 8lb 11oz) he was a bit of a shock - both that he was a boy and how big he was!</div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cuddles with Papa</span></em></div>
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The <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/tiny-toes.html" target="_blank">baby socks</a> and hat I made didn't fit. The cardigan I made that I thought wouldn't fit for a bit, was perfect (in the picture above). And all my worry about not having any baby clothes was made worse by the fact that he was already fitting well the few NB size clothes I'd bought and would outgrow them very quickly! Fortunately I have generous family with little boys of their own that have lent me clothes for now.<br />
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Three weeks later, life has settled into a predictable routine. The girls love him to bits and are really good about taking turns holding him. And even though he keeps me rather busy and all the things I used to do take twice as long to get around to now, I'm sure I will be boring you all with lots of baby picutres and new little boy designs to knit soon enough!<br />
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And now, for the winners of my guessing competitions!<br />
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The closest guess for <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/competition-1-when.html" target="_blank">When</a> is <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09597064123265381672" target="_blank">Cas</a> who guessed 6th September.<br />
The closest guess for <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/competition-2-how-big.html" target="_blank">How Big</a> is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/gurnard" target="_blank">Kelly</a> who guessed 8lb 2oz.<br />
And the random winner of those that guessed <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/competition-3-what.html" target="_blank">Boy</a> is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/KiwiFi" target="_blank">KiwiFi</a>.<br />
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Congratulations everyone!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I will contact the winners to arrange prizes later today, though if you don't hear from me, feel free to give me a hurry up!)</span><br />
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Thank you everyone for entering! I'm pretty sure if I had put in my prediction for this Little Man I would've been so wrong!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072565020851612924.post-56639090122299496542012-09-03T22:02:00.000-04:002012-09-03T22:02:14.176-04:00My Needles Seem to Fly...I've been knitting like crazy lately. Or so it seems with all the stuff I'm getting finished!<br />
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I think it helps that lots of it is small, so it's quick to make.<br />
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So here's a little run down on some of the stuff you saw blocking in a <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/blocking-party-at-my-house.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgss2TA8OomQXAmUcRZAj9cDLan16orJpnLYY53hNfb0f7M3Tf74qvCPfoK6bffQEIZlGJdwKeMpM5VtSlvRZ3Gwts7FP4RrK4kBg0BMSGYEHlkKepWyCJODEvnwfx620nK6KYCVO4qsl11/s1600/P8181731-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgss2TA8OomQXAmUcRZAj9cDLan16orJpnLYY53hNfb0f7M3Tf74qvCPfoK6bffQEIZlGJdwKeMpM5VtSlvRZ3Gwts7FP4RrK4kBg0BMSGYEHlkKepWyCJODEvnwfx620nK6KYCVO4qsl11/s320/P8181731-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I made this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paprika-2" target="_blank">Paprika</a> vest for MiddleMiss.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0fq8hrD4L-N5ROIqBfoSlIsyhMCm2myboTTX3XKDDZNOoFFDK3rKLGt1ol5bFBT6qMt1STuBbcANnpElFln58Di0eoQuoxf8ZryNEsZ0nbobDYZF4tQclde_lqbYHEOfFzmlJ2H-W1hQ/s1600/P8181727-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0fq8hrD4L-N5ROIqBfoSlIsyhMCm2myboTTX3XKDDZNOoFFDK3rKLGt1ol5bFBT6qMt1STuBbcANnpElFln58Di0eoQuoxf8ZryNEsZ0nbobDYZF4tQclde_lqbYHEOfFzmlJ2H-W1hQ/s320/P8181727-001.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>
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It was done as part of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/OliveandEmma" target="_blank">Olive & Emma</a> KAL on Ravelry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQvc5s1MsFhucVD8TRsnKrnVut5Vn8GSlWhAQEOYP8zqCKse6Qt4_bATN9x1Q8QR6Br5yl3nFrla3i-OoH323AhZFpmaKMqqYwnrkjE55QQ8Rh33Hz78_P6N-fWSIK3JNcfzFihZFS1TT/s1600/P8181729-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQvc5s1MsFhucVD8TRsnKrnVut5Vn8GSlWhAQEOYP8zqCKse6Qt4_bATN9x1Q8QR6Br5yl3nFrla3i-OoH323AhZFpmaKMqqYwnrkjE55QQ8Rh33Hz78_P6N-fWSIK3JNcfzFihZFS1TT/s320/P8181729-001.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>
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The colourway is Baby Blue Eyes and is the perfect colour for MiddleMiss!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY3rwb0DAqCokJ6PMQK0clmQe1v7dCULqhFKEgiNQ3ujCJHAHpJhadTeNVl2JJxe7yzuL1obZJhtDErIMXJDXebLJ4yg3MfWjOWN3lTdLRb35VEroLVEZutsuN0ibMlDGgG7ICtOAOQ5w/s1600/P8181725-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY3rwb0DAqCokJ6PMQK0clmQe1v7dCULqhFKEgiNQ3ujCJHAHpJhadTeNVl2JJxe7yzuL1obZJhtDErIMXJDXebLJ4yg3MfWjOWN3lTdLRb35VEroLVEZutsuN0ibMlDGgG7ICtOAOQ5w/s320/P8181725-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Though I was a little disappointed with the fit. I chose the size according to her chest size (size 5yrs) but knit to her age length (size 7yrs) and pre-blocking it really didn't fit! I managed to stretch it out a lot when blocking and it's ok now, but won't last long.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInB9b4NBd5Nz1iPGofLjod7o1L6Za4-isos4A1fYYIyNfhBVuOaObiGnBwxMY28JumXnEMYR_WMqi-tJovAaTGRDpXSZykx-phxmsnyK7wqHbOI7zPrHkD885ipd1QccYAuYBf9coiKdZ/s1600/P8181766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInB9b4NBd5Nz1iPGofLjod7o1L6Za4-isos4A1fYYIyNfhBVuOaObiGnBwxMY28JumXnEMYR_WMqi-tJovAaTGRDpXSZykx-phxmsnyK7wqHbOI7zPrHkD885ipd1QccYAuYBf9coiKdZ/s320/P8181766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I do really like the cabling details on it though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1042723SfLXHolx7fPJ4MKUAsjTjTP3bQ6jOj-DZGcJ9Canust0ffHgKFf-rVLuR1-K48LKcIj1l6VZYqmZJYmiR-OpsV0_ci_ks4Xl3ltc66e7FUyhq7z4ARDa_ntrcZSdpyUQUlspd/s1600/P8181756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1042723SfLXHolx7fPJ4MKUAsjTjTP3bQ6jOj-DZGcJ9Canust0ffHgKFf-rVLuR1-K48LKcIj1l6VZYqmZJYmiR-OpsV0_ci_ks4Xl3ltc66e7FUyhq7z4ARDa_ntrcZSdpyUQUlspd/s320/P8181756.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a little NB cardigan I made for a friend's new baby.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHDoV39Vew9UDwGr5RuZNmPny7WJjKeInRICh2HZn9xMKh5-L-GVmu0l0KFddznIyty7EltPfDIwvgof5IPmC55gWCk-b2-E4vFUsQXLZzHzXHQvkCxO2YbgCwhzaTYJhAR1MSTgTk7y1/s1600/P8181755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHDoV39Vew9UDwGr5RuZNmPny7WJjKeInRICh2HZn9xMKh5-L-GVmu0l0KFddznIyty7EltPfDIwvgof5IPmC55gWCk-b2-E4vFUsQXLZzHzXHQvkCxO2YbgCwhzaTYJhAR1MSTgTk7y1/s320/P8181755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had originally intended on using the apple chart from <a href="http://vintagenettles.net/2011/10/19/apple-fair-isleintarsiaduplicate-stitch-charts/" target="_blank">here</a>, but the apples looked too big for such a little top so I sort of made up my own smaller version.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKURBhrMg2mJ3wuwDgYC5B4AJ7GrvO_TLnoZC9sbe03hohqNS7fethD4IrRgBL80PyFYPlAwKKIZApolWf_IDOtLiZxyvT8mo2H0V-w_00ZgOCsYwrRly7Qn8vxH4jt2F8j4iauiGMzB_w/s1600/P8181754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKURBhrMg2mJ3wuwDgYC5B4AJ7GrvO_TLnoZC9sbe03hohqNS7fethD4IrRgBL80PyFYPlAwKKIZApolWf_IDOtLiZxyvT8mo2H0V-w_00ZgOCsYwrRly7Qn8vxH4jt2F8j4iauiGMzB_w/s320/P8181754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was my third attempt at colourwork and I think I'm getting better, though it's still a little tighter than it should be!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8r9S_qJHt8UN0RFqEwe3R7kitdx_VK4YdPG70FM9jKkk5mTzj3RH_fXoMZLth6Gsu5d5famOYeIhm0s_6K-QvMq7EILZHWZXhxd6hcv_v2SnbIoLhQSSf2ZitmFiq4CpIYtvHsKXH8V6/s1600/P8181743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8r9S_qJHt8UN0RFqEwe3R7kitdx_VK4YdPG70FM9jKkk5mTzj3RH_fXoMZLth6Gsu5d5famOYeIhm0s_6K-QvMq7EILZHWZXhxd6hcv_v2SnbIoLhQSSf2ZitmFiq4CpIYtvHsKXH8V6/s320/P8181743.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>
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This vest is one I've <a href="http://whattomakenext.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/aint-he-cute.html" target="_blank">made before</a> for my nephew. This time, though, I changed the pockets and made the collar longer which I think looks much better. Right now it's enroute to Canada to some friends who have just had their first baby (a boy) and with no appropriately aged babies around, I don't have any nice modelled photos.</div>
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The pattern is in-process - I just need a hurry up to do the little tweaks and send it off to testers!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/191/E429C63A42CB9A9E620E782C720DCAC9.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082802084373012467noreply@blogger.com0