Limbo

In limbo, life is. In this incredibly cold Winter, we have had no gas heating, relying on cheap heaters to keep warm, no mean feat in this house in Melbourne. Its sad that we didn't fight to get the heater fixed, we are really too nice. We knew the landlord wouldn't want to fix anything yet would he live here? Lack of ventilation, no smoke alarms, rising damp, the list goes on. But I refrain from ranting too much. He has plans to demolish so we are moving out. The house he started to build in the backyard is basically a concrete slab with tubing for plumbing purposes.

Only recently did we get our youngest son's birth certificate, he is almost 4 months. We literally have no money to move. But it seems we do have a house to move into. Its nearby and okay though small. A good reason to minimise our lives even further. That does interest me but my daughter did say "Stop making wool stuff! You would have more room" That is definitely my addiction. But I can't say I have stash. What would I do if I didn't make too much for my babies and even myself? At least my joy continues when others get use out of what I make too.

Tama pattern is great. I have made a few of these I think though modified as it wasn't designed for babies. I love them as they are easy on/off unlike cardigans.

I have won a few KALs on Ravelry which is a bonus as I just enjoy being involved. The patterns I have received only encourage me to knit more. :)

My almost 6 year old is an appreciator of what I make. He adored the neckwarmer I made just because so he claimed it. Also found a somewhat unattractive sweater I made for my daughter years ago and he has been wearing it every day. I love that.

I have been teaching my daughter's class to crochet a granny square. It is hard work and requires patience but there is some success. I think they are more excited about a baby at school. They were taken aback about him feeding not from a bottle but from his Mama. That is unfortunate that society has taught our children that babies are fed with a bottle. I know and respect that some are but most babies at least have a drop of the good stuff.

Smiling bubby boy.

One of 4 skirts I crocheted for my girl.         

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Its my birthday present! Lame maybe but I like that I can make something for myself. Made from Karaoke soy/wool.

I have been making many things for the baby. I am not buying much at all, I don't need to. Above is J holding Junior in Victorian baby's cape crocheted in Karaoke soy/wool. He notices babies now and calls them 'bay'.

Receiving blanket in soy with corn edging. Think I will enjoy using this. I love making blankets but babywearing and co-sleeping usually means you don't often use them.
Lots of crochet baby things...

The yarn is fair trade and organic alpaca 4ply dyed to be a gradual gradient in Gypsy Rainbow colourway by Jolly Jumbuck, which was lovely but maybe not the best choice with the pattern. Without a diagram I couldn't work out the pattern so I made it my own way. Its very long using 110grams but hope it may be useful.

Have been knitting too...

Dreamerz organic cotton/milk singlet.

This Versa for J. I hadn't made anything for him in a while so it was sad when he didn't show much enthusiasm for trying it on. Versa is a fun pattern though so I am glad to see it in action.

Finally finished putting the squares I made in 2010 together, 16 crocheted and 4 knitted.

Also another WIP finished. Most of the work for this bath mat was in tearing up the sheet to be crocheted.

Also been working on my embellishing which I am quite happy with. I think organic wool is a joy to do needlework with as opposed to cotton which I struggled to do.

As for what our family have been doing, the children have been enjoying spending time playing with the neighbours. They often play together since we moved here but even moreso lately. They go to different schools so I think that is a good thing. Not that they are in same grades anyway. Av is younger and being 5 is asked if he is going to school. Thankfully he is happy to stay home and learn as he has been in the past 5 years.

This week we took the kids bowling as they sometimes enjoy doing. J loves it too. Here they are playing air hockey which is a fun pasttime too.

We had our first family BBQ! I am vegetarian so its not as exciting as it was for the kids and hubby! Rye bread around sausages with fruit/veg juice to wash it down.

On Australia Day (Invasion day) we decided to take the kids to Eureka Skydeck. They know the building well and spot it whenever we are near the City. Last time we went there was also Australia Day 2 years ago when J was only a small baby. This time we went in the evening. I think many people had the idea to watch the fireworks from a new height.

Since I am posting photos and most of my photos lately have been cruddy (can I blame the camera?) so I want to share this one which is offensive to children apparently. That is why my children think its normal and wonderful, right?

Witnessed in our house by children for almost 11 years. "Some Western person say that's disgusting...." This is the longest I have breastfed for (28mths and counting) and I can't see what the fuss is about. Not to say its not challenging because to me it really is, yet its normal. Full stop.

So crafty - making a person

I couldn't be more excited than to be at this stage where I can say I am pregnant and not be as sick as I was. I am 12 weeks and the past 6 weeks were extremely stressful and difficult. From week 4 - 10 I could barely eat and my only relief from the nausea was sleep. I believe I spent up to 22 hours a day in bed. It was all I could do. I felt like I was doing nothing though honestly I was making a baby and that takes a lot of energy. The last two weeks were easier but still no fun. I have more energy the past few days and less nauseated so I am grateful for that. Time spent catching up on a test knit that I feel awful about because its been a month in the making. Term Time vest for littlies who don't go to school. Knitted in Malabrigo chunky. It is a size 2 and does fit J (now 25mths old) but he wasn't very impressed with it but he was cranky today. J even had a mega nap.

And to catch up on all that Spring cleaning I had planned, first to catch up on washing and general cleaning up. I was motivated today and that was great to see things getting out of the way. Please let it continue.

Adam's Eden

Another singlet, this one is a size 6mths, knit in scrap white cotton with Cascade cotton rich DK.

Sweet knits

My sweet boy doesn't hate hats any more! He even puts them on himself and doesn't remove them!

He requested to also try on this top which is meant to fit 6-12m. I bought the Hearts for Haiti in support of the Haiti relief effort. Both are knit in Manos del Uraguay Wool Clasica which is fun. The colours are beautiful but its hard to photograph true, the texture is lovely, like handspun and soft too.

Newborn soaker

Knitted in Malabrigo chunky with one big button to fit a newborn.

Vanilla

For the February knit a long on Budding designers group on Ravelry I finally got to try the Vanilla pattern.

 

  

I made the Large so its big for J. I hope to make him another one.

Doll soaker

Doll soaker
Originally uploaded by inakid
Very cute and tiny. Baby Born soaker in 10ply coloured by my boys.