Melbourne Zombie Shuffle

Melbourne's annual Zombie Shuffle was held this weekend with hundreds of wonderful zombies and gouls lingering around the CBD. This is the fourth year it has been held and gives all creative people a chance to flaunt it, and not to mention us budding photographers another photo opportunity.

Triplicity Shawl

Another KAL - this time it consists of four items spaced (generously) over equal months.

The first KAL was the Triplicity shawlette which I have just completed (and within one day of receiving the last instruction - can you tell I am pretty pleased with myself for achieving this). I knitted the shawlette in Lincraft's Supersoft which is 50% nylon and 50% acrylic - the yarn is very soft but splits when knitting, therefore extra care is necessary.

The next three items for the KAL will be socks, mittens and more socks and details on the KAL can be found here http://knitpurlhunter.com/kal/kal-info/

Tea Cosy

It took a while (not the knitting but the sewing up) but I finally finished my mouse tea cosy by Debi Birkin http://www.debibirkin.com/. Debi has many wonderful and unique designs which are very easy to follow.

Rhubarb Muffins

I made some yummy rhubarb muffins on the weekend whcih are just right for kid's lunches. I'm not sure where the recipe came from but it has been tweaked a little and thought I would share it.

Ingredients:
500 gm plain flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
250 gm brown sugar
350 ml milk
2 eggs
3/4 bunch cooked rhubarb (cook with some sugar and touch of water)
vegetable oil (or coconut oil)

Topping:
4 tablespoons castor sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat over to 180C. Grease muffin tray with oil spray.
Sift flour and baking powder and then mix in brown sugar.
In a separate bowl mix milk with eggs and add to flour mixture.
Add rhubarb and if the mixture is a little dry add some oil so it
is cake consistency.
Spoon into muffin moulds (2/3 full) and sprinkle topping on top.
Bake for around 20-25 minutes and let cool before removing
from tray.
Makes 20-25 muffins.

Sassymetrical

A lesson in what not to do! Do not start a project unless you are 100% certain you have enough wool to finish it.

I started this mini cardigan over one year ago using Malabrigo Cotton. Unfortunately I ran out of the cotton whilst doing the last of three bands. The cotton is not available in Australia and it took me months and months to find one skein (well I actually only needed probably 1/3) to finish the cardigan. I am TOTALLY over the project and will probably never wear the cardi.

Anyhow.... it's no longer a UFO.

BTW, the pattern is Sassymetrical

New Spindle

Look what arrived in today's mail - a new Spindle! This gorgeous spindle is from Whorled Domination - I am participating in the Spindle Club so every few months I get to build up my collection. This 63gm spindle has black lacquered bamboo shaft with a 50mm Lapis Chrysocolla Whorl. It feels and looks beautiful - now to put it to the test...............

Dairing Wool and Fabric Yarn

I had tremendous fun knitting this scarf (BTW, the photo doesn't really do it justice). The "yarn" was purchased from Dairing in Richmond and consists of wool and fabric strips attached randomly together. It is another example of arm knitting and knits up very fast indeed.

There is no need to actually purchase the yarn, it would be quite simple to make yourself from at least a 12 (but preferably 20) ply yarn and strips of fabric. I may try it again in purples/greens/ blues - my favourite colour combo; but then again, how many scarves does one need?

White Swan Scarf

In a previous post I shared the wedding winter batts from Nunnaba which I spun up into fine yarn; here is the finished scarf (designed by Kit Baldassara) and spun in the merino/glitz. I love the dangly bits. My daughter modelled the scarf for the photo and decided there & then the scarf was for her :(

Creepy Cute Crochet - Queen Vampire

Continuing on from my favourite book at the moment, I'd like to introduce Queen Vampire. Don't you just love her coiffured hair and attire.

Handspun Merino/Glitz

I busily spent the last three days spinning and plying some merino/glitz batts from Nunnaba for a scarf project I have in mind http://www.etsy.com/shop/nunnaba

It is the first time I plied on my Majacraft Little Gem and it was such a smooth process - I really enjoyed it and didn't find it tedious (as I usually do when I ply).

Stayed tuned for the scarf....

Hard Core Spun Hat

This hat was spun using Southern Cross fibres as part of a SAL challenge. I spun the yarn using core spun technique and the pattern was "Hard Core Spun Hat" by Linda H ("Coollinda" on Ravelry).