Catastrophic bush fires in the area.

We recently moved house and moved states here in Australia. For the last 3 weeks we have experienced catastrophic bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland. I have been amazed at the loving kindness and fortitude that has been shown during this catastrophe. Our local Fire Stations have had assistance from Volunteer country brigades and volunteers from other state. There have been many stories of people doing their all in the face of adversity. A firefighter who lost his own home while doing his duty and saving other peoples homes. A lady who was driving down a road with the bushfire raging and stopped to save a koala that was distressed and disorientated and was badly burnt. People have been evacuated from the bush fire zones to nearby townships and eveyone has been donating items or helping out in some way. A group which usually helps out the homeless in Coffs Harbour has been organising getting supplies to some of the affected areas, with the help of local businesses that have loaned their trucks to ease the burden on this local not for profit charity. (facebook page: Hope for the Homeless- Coffs Harbour View Link ) along with other agencies such as local Lions Clubs, Salvation Army, Rotary etc,. Did have to smile at one post which I have enclosed a photo off.

New South Wales is not growing on me..... (not the retirement I had envisioned)

I have had a very limited perception of what's possible since I finished unpacking. The research I did prior to the move regards Neighbourhood Houses turned out to be incorrect, no Neighbourhood house in Nambucca or Macksville. My vision of retirement, didn't include getting up before 7 to go for a walk because it is too hot to go for a walk later in the day. Although I was looking forward to getting into gardening in Tassie (it had become overgrown when I was off the deck with my leg injury for 6 weeks then I was working fulltime) isn't going to work well because of the heat (I am not getting up even earlier to do gardening as well as a walk) also the weeds are on steroids. However, have just spent a lovely few days catching up with my family in Queensland, I am doing a lot of knitting (and I have a lot of yarn in my stash) so catching up on some reading for Book Chat through U3A which I have joined. Going to a craft group with CWA on Thursdays, then we do our shopping. Planning on doing some writing on my blog and writing up some of my knitting patterns for my craft group here on facebook. So have to get my rear into gear and try to appreciate what NSW has to offer; but it will never measure up in anyway to Tasmania.

Nambucca - heating up

This week in Nambucca - ‘Entrance to the waters’ or ‘crooked river’ is the meaning of Nambucca; Bullshit, it means too hot to do anything, house of frigging flies, which arrive in a posse of 20 which you kill, and they are followed by a search party of 20 more about an hour and a half later, on repeat. Main accessories consist of a can of mortein and a rolled newspaper.

Definitely not feeling the love for nambucca at the moment, went for a walk and actually felt sweat on the webbing between my fingers. LOATHE the frigging place. edited to add the walk was around 8 this morning. Had to remove my rings cos my fingers have swollen.... definitely not feeling the love. AND this is only October.

Luckily it was only a toe in the water and the weather has cooled down to a pleasant degree.  I will be hibernating for the summer with the aircon, Netflix and my knitting. Throw in a good book occassionally too and I think I will just about cope.

The flies may have been coming from the compost bin which is down the back garden, have put a fly trap above it, one on the decking at the back of the house and have another couple of them strategically placed.    Since setting up the flytraps although we still have had flies not to the extent of the other evening.   I suppose it is a learning curve... definitely not feeling the love at the moment. 

Moving Right Along...

Well, we have had an exciting few weeks, and are about to undertake a life change for both of us.
We have sold our house in Richmond Tasmania, I have retired (again..lol) and we are moving to Nambucca Heads in NSW. Will update as we settle into our new lifestyle.

Baby Blanket

Made in long strips then sewn together.

4 ply yarn used double on 6.5 needles.

Cast on 25 stitches, 
knit 12 rows (6 ridges) 
then knit 1 row, Knit 6, purl 13, knit 6
continue the stocking stitch section  till ( 9 ridges along the stocking stitch section) 
then knit 12 rows and change colour. 

Easy Slippers, Toddlers, Child, Ladies and Mens sizes.

Easy Slippers

pattern in sizes small, medium and large

8 ply yarn on size 6mm needles, yarn - 2 strands together.

Cast on 29 (35 - 41)

Row 1 knit across,

Row 2 K9 (11 - 13) *P 1, K9 (11 - 13) repeat from * once more.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 15 (17 - 19) ridges on the right side, ending with Row 2.

Shape Toe

Row 1 P1 *K1, P1, repeat from * across the row

Row 2 K1, *P1, K1, repeat from * across the row

Repeat these 2 rows until you have 12 rows (14 - 16) then work 1 more row cut off yarn leaving an 8" end.

I usually knit 2 together across the last row as it makes for a less bulky toe.

Thread needle with the 8 inch yarn and draw through remaining stitches, pull up tightly and sew up to begining of the ribbing, secure yarn.

Fold cast on edge in half Sew up to form the heel.

Toddlers size 2 - 5 years,

cast on 25 stitches,

1st row Knit 8 P1, knit 7 purl 1, knit 8;

2nd row knit all stitches

repeat 2 rows to 24 rows in total (12 ridges)

Row 25 - 31 work in 1 x 1 ribbing for 7 rows;

Row 32 K2 tog across row,

Row 33 P 2 together across row P1

Run thread through all stitches and up the ribbed section,

Fold the cast on edge in half and seam. 

I usually use a multi coloured yarn along with a plain colour yarn for the ribbed toe section.

Adapted the pattern to add cheeks, ears and a tail for a friends granddaughter.    She absolutely loved them, so did her mum.

Stained Glass Rug

Stained Glass Rug

8 ply yarn, size 8 (4mm) needles

Oddments of yarn for squares, I used a black colour to begin each square and edge the rug.

Could also use a pastel colour and light shades to make a baby blanket.

Small squares

Cast on 45 stitches in black yarn

Knit one row,

Next row knit 20 stitches, k2 together tbl, knit 1, k2 together knit to end

3rd row knit 21 stitches Purl 1 knit to end of row

Change to contrast colour 

4th row, knit 19 stitches, k2 together tbl, knit 1, k2 together knit to end  continue to decrease as established until 3 stiches, knit one row, knit 3 together.

Large Squares

Cast on 89 stitches in black yarn

Knit one row,

Knit 42 stitches, k2 together tbl, knit 1, k2 together knit to end

3^rd row knit 43sts purl 1 knit to end of row

Change to contrast colour 

4^th row knit 41 stitches, k2 together tbl, knit 1, k2 together knit to end

and continue to decrease as established until 3 stitches, knit one row, knit 3 together.

I then sew the 4 small squares together making sure the centre detail in each square goes in the same direction, 

I use a checkerboard design of 1 x large square then 4 smaller squares and alternate along the strip.   Pick up stitches on last square and knit 3 rows garter stitch, cast off.

Continue in this manner until you have the size rug you require.

On the raw edges pick up stitches and knit 3 rows garter stitch, then cast off.

Swirl hats

Basic Swirl Hat

8ply yarn – No 8 needles

Cast on 60 stitches

Rows 1 - 6

Increase in first stitch, knit to last 7 stitches knit 2 together k5

K5 purl to end of row

Repeat 2 x times

Rows 7 - 12

Increase in first stitch purl to last 7 stitches, purl 2 together k5

Knit entire row

Repeat 2 x times

Continue in this manner until you have 24 ridges in total,

Cast off

Sew Cast off edge to Cast on edge ( I actually pick the stitches up along the cast on edge as I am casting off, this makes for a neater edge on the inside)

Gather the top together (the side where you did the increases)

Footy Team colour hat

Cast on 60 stitches

6 row repeat as follows

Increase in first stitch, knit to last 7 stitches knit 2 together K5

Knit 5 purl to end of row

Increase in first stitch, purl to last 7 stitches purl 2 together K5

Knit entire row

Increase in first stitch  knit to last 7 stitches knit 2 together K5

Knit 5 purl to end of row.

I then change colour and continue the 6 row repeat

Changing colours until I have 24 colour strips in total.

Then Cast off and finish as for the Swirl hat above.