Its a pleasure….

Its a pleasure to be here in Sydney in a craft point of view.. that doesn’t mean i am not enjoying other stuff. Probably i wont be here for a long time (i can be home as soon as tomorrow) thats both good and bad news..
I have seen/experienced lots of things that are not there back at home (in fibre crafts view), atleast in the place where i live…

A knitting group
I attend the DCC knitting group in Chatswood that meets every thursday. I came to know about this group from a dear friend who did the research for me. Most of them who attend are old ladies some of whom are very experienced when comes to knitting. Its a lovely place and its only two train stations away from my place so i go regularly.

A library with knitting/crochet books
The Chatswood library in the Mandarin Centre has a decent collection of knitting/crochet books and ofcourse there are tonnes of other craft books. On top of everything the membership is free. Its a very modern library with Audio CDs, Vedio CDs, DVDs both movies and music, Magzines etc apart from regular books and no doubt i enjoy visiting it several times a week.

Yarn Stores
Though my first look at yarn is at a department store, K-Mart, not exactly an LYS or a craft shop but still its more than what i have seen till then.
After that i visited “Tapestry Craft” now “Morris and Sons” and “Yarns n Gifts” an LYS in Beecroft, a suburb.

Thrift/OP shops
This is an amazing concept that was bought by the English from Britan.
Its not a surprise that people have found treasures in these shops and occasionally you will find yarn. If you are not looking for yarn with some project in mind but just to stash up..these are great. I think people who sew will find them amazing…ofcourse i got some interesting peices of fabric from them to line my purses

FO – Lemons n Oranges Dishcloth

LEMONS n ORANGES DISHCLOTH

History
I wanted a dishcloth in my new kitchen and i followed the same pattern that i used for my first dishcloth as it is super easy. When i looked at a pack of oranges and some lemon.. it reminded me of my dishcloth so it got its name

Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream Ombres & Prints – 1 ball (50 gm) (Its from RAK by Jeanie)
Hook: 4mm
Others: Nothing else
Gauge: I think i have the right yarn and the right hook…
Size: 8″ square
Pattern: The pattern is behind the ball band.
Notes:
Nothing much, I just didnt add the loop that i did last time.

If i make it again;
No changes..

Learnt:
I made it last time…

Time:
A day

The other dishcloth that i got as a CAT prize is also used in my kitchen.

Swap – South Asian Crafters swap

I participated in this swap when i was back in India. I didnt want to signup as i am travelling and i have to do shopping, packing and visiting friends/relatives but i couldnt resist a swap
I rushed my package hours before i caught my flight.. seriously i have to be in airport at 7pm and i posted it around noon. I made some crochet stuff for my swap partner Cindy, they are packed along with some other goodies. I did crochet through my travels when visiting relatives.

After i landed in Sydney… i kept my fingers crossed to get my package. I gave DHs office address as he still didn’t look for a house when i signed up
On a friday DH & I thought of having dinner outside and i went to his office area as the restaurent is nearer to his place. Ahhh!!! surprise… when he gave me my swap package… i ripped it right in the bus and drooled over my goodies.

I have to rave about the tootsies and there is some lovely lace yarn by knitpicks, I even got a copy of the scarf designed by Cindy, “Best Friend Scarf“.

Here is me wearing those tootsies.. DH was green over them for weeks as i tottered in them around the house.

FO – Republic Hat

REPUBLIC HAT

History
I finished this hat long before i came to Australia. My uncle came down to India from US and i wanted to make something for my favourite cousin. I felt a beanie might be a good option and i wanted a quick knit as i didnt have much time. I was going through my limited yarn stash when i found the gift from Rima.

Yarn: Rowan Big Wool – 1 ball (50 gm) (I got this as a gift from Rima)
Needles: I used my 6mm Circular and then changed to 5mm DPNs
Others: A big button, Tapestry Needle
Gauge: I think i have the right yarn and the right needles…
Size: To fit a 12 year old
Pattern: Pattern is simple as you just have to knit all the time. The pattern is on Nicoles blog.
Notes:
I made it a bit smaller than the pattern calls for as it has to fit a smaller head.

If i make it again;
No changes..

Learnt:
Learnt to knit on a circular needle and DPNs

Time:
A day

Swap – Knitter’s Holiday Swap

I participated on Knitter’s Holiday Swap on Rav. Almost every month they conduct a new swap and the theme for September was “Hat/Gloves”, to welcome the Fall season.

I received my Swap Package a way back in October.
I was a bit worried about it as my partner mailed it on 2nd of September and i couldn’t see it till 15th. I received a couple of packages from US before and never they are this late.
Finally I laid my hands on it on 18th. The package entered India on 13th itself but was taken into custody by the Customs I think they are a bit suspicious about my address, you see there is a sudden surge in the international packages that i am receiving lately.

This is the second package that i received was opened. The first one being my CAT prize. I can understand why they opened it, it has some metal crochet hooks and the x-ray machine might have beeped, but why this one???

Tredman is a wonderful swap partner and guess what??? this is her first swap.

I received 10 skiens of yarn – knitpicks shine sport.
7 skiens are of colorway sky and 3 skiens of
I am planning for my first wearable in sky.
1 book from interweave press full of scarf patterns… I am in love with it right now. It
has a soft cover so i can even carry it easily.
A cloche pattern from knitpicks.
A big sheet of iron on fusing, perfect to embroider all those plain T-Shirts.
A pair of Harmony straight needles and a set of DPN’s by Knitpicks. Guess what??? They are made in India. I am not surprised by the label, as i have read in one of swapna’s post that our own Pony manufactures hooks and needles for Lion Brand and other companies in US (I am not sure of Knitpicks). Ofcouse they are not available in India as they are exclusively made and packed for US market.

2 Post cards from her state. Actually i found only one when i opened the package. The other was hiding inside and i could only find it long after.

My partner said that nothing is missed from my Swap Box. Thank God!!!! I hate losing things.

I didn’t plan to be into another swap as i will be on the move, but when Rima was organising a swap, i couldn’t resist. This swap is exclusive to members of Rav group “SouthAsian Crafters”.