End of dye lot sale

EOFY and I'm stocktaking. As I'm counting one, two or maybe three left of some of the best sellers.  I'm putting them up in the end of dye lot yarn sale.  Ridonkulously low prices, no further discount.

Click here to shop. 

Hot off the press - AWW and MillaMia

 

OK, so it's here. The July edition of the Australian Women's weekly, and despite the flurry of emails, tweet and facebook updates last night the pattern book is ATTACHED to the magazine! phew...

   

...and stunning. Did I say stunning? MillaMia have produced their first adult size pattern for AWW and it is everything that I expect it to be - clean, modern, fresh and a pop of colour! The kids patterns, are amazing, look at the one at the top of this blog post - a bow-tie cardigan. I'm smitten. There are four MM patterns in total, I've only popped a couple up here to give you a quick teaser.

Don't forget that to celebrate all MillaMia yarn at suzy hausfrau is $9.95 per ball (normally $11.95) for the next two weeks, and you will get a further 10% discount if you spend $60 or more across the store...and FREE shipping (as always).

   

Finally, the cover, I have to say something about this. I was wondering only last week where one of the women I admire has got to - Jana Wendt...and here she is gracing the cover of this edition. I'm off now to make a cuppa and sit down and scrutinise this mag from front to back, or maybe back to front - because that where the knitting booklet is ;) 

Have a great day, 

suzy xoxo

MillaMia and the Australian Women's Weekly

A super-quick reminder that the Australian Womens Weekly goes on sale tomorrow with a special knitting book included. MillaMia have FOUR new patterns in this booklet, including their first adult size garment.  
To celebrate I have put all MillaMia yarn on sale today at $9.95 per ball (RRP $11.95) PLUS you will get an extra 10% discount if you spend $60 across the store AND FREE SHIPPING!

This sale is for two weeks only (ends midnight AEST Sunday 8 July).

BC Garn Semilla (organic wool)

Last day of our very long-running organic wool sale! 
BC Garn Semilla DK and Semilla grosso still at $9.95 per ball.

Tomorrow the price per ball will go back to the regular price of $11.95.

Hexy me-thingies

I'll say up-front that I'm not a quilter. Seriously, I haven't got a clue. This isn't to say that I haven't made a quilt. I did once, and it's still in use...so maybe it's worth a go again.

Now the minimalist in me, adores these quilts from Modern Minimal Quilts , an absolutely amazing book. Appeals to the non-quilters like me. I will definitely make one for our bed from it. But, wee-Sophie wants a bit of fun and whimsy on her quilt - enter these hexy me-thingies. Just like a big puzzle really, a big puzzle of pattern and colour. This could be cool.

...and I'm all about the project NOT the process, so I'm not keen for this to take a long time. Stay tuned!

suzy xoxo

Winter solstice - my creative space

 

At 9.09am (AEST) this morning the sun was at the furtherest point from my little space on earth, the Winter Solstice - or as my mum would say "the shortest day of the year".  In celebration of this auspicious occasion, and just because we can think of any excuse, Sebastien and I decided to invite some of his friends over yesterday afternoon for a Winter Solstice Crafternoon of shrinky-dink fun!  Shrinking plastic is super-fun, and the mums were TOTALLY into it too!  Snowflakes, snowmen, winter trees, rockets, love hearts - and the cutest little BFF badges and necklaces for special little friends.

Then I was lucky enough to have an invitation to another Winter Solstice event, a swap party with my crafty mates....this time preserves.  Look at my haul!

...and look at the party favours I got from our host Kuka. Can you guess what I'm going to indulge in on this cold, windy, winter, shortest day of the year?

suzy xoxo

A wonderful WWKIP 2012

 

With grey skies threatening and cool winds on Saturday, the cozy cafe atmosphere was just the ticket for WWKIP 2012. Seated right near the door, our group of knitters and crocheters were quite the head turner for the other patrons. That's what it is all about, isn't it? Taking our craft out into the big, wide world...and turning a few heads!

Did you all get out in public to knit? I hope so. Please share any photos you have on a little WWKIP 2012 flickr group that I have set up.

A monstrous thank you to all of the wonderful girls that came down to enjoy the afternoon.

suzy xoxo

 

This scarf is my WWKIP 2012 project, ravelry details here

 

Check out these cute socks...and stitch counter!

It was nice to see some of my Kalinka linen in action...this is a Kage in progress.

WWKIP 2012

 

A huge thank you to all of my guests on the blog this week that helped me to celebrate World Wide Knit in Public Day 2012. I had a smashing time interviewing them all!

If you can't make it to a local event, be sure to take your projects out with you this weekend - ballet lessons, soccer game, to the pub even. I would love to see what you all get up to and have set up a WWKIP 2012 flickr group for us to share our WWKIP adventures.

Enjoy!
suzy xoxo

WWKIP - Interview with Toni from Make it Perfect

All week I've been interviewing well known bloggers to celebrate World Wide Knit in Public Day. Today is the last day in the series, and I'm interviewing a blogger who has only just taken up the sticks, but just look at her go!  Before we get to that though, this is the last shout out for RSVPs for the Canberra WWKIP event , which I am hosting tomorrow at A Bite to Eat at the Chifley Shops.  I would so love to see as many knitters (and crochet folk) taking their craft out in public - please RSVP over here or on my Facebook page.

Now without further ado, here's Toni!!!

Toni is probably very familiar to a lot of you, she is the creator behind the very popular Make it Perfect sewing patterns that are a great mix of fresh and modern designs to complement the gorgeous array of modern fabric options.  She lives by the beach in Tasmania (suzy-sigh) with her husband and family and she has recently decided to pick up the sticks and retry knitting.  You can see by how far she has come in just a short while that her creative flair is for more than just sewing...plus she learning how addictive this yarn stuff can be.

Before we start...look at some of her gorgeous designs!

First up, do you knit, crochet or both?

A little of both. 

Tell us about how old you were when you learnt and who taught you.

I’m pretty sure I was knitting scarves as a little girl, not sure who taught me – probably my Mum though as she is a top-knotch knitter!  Aside from scarves, I hadn’t ventured into anything else until about 5 years ago when I knitted a horrendous cardi for myself.  The knitting was fine, but the pattern and yarn were terrible and it turned out a chunky, ill-fitting, lump that was sent to the St Vinnies bin!  That was it for me – no more knitting!  Until a few months ago when I discovered MillaMia patterns and got the bug to try again!

I learned to crochet about 4 years ago when I made little flowers to decorate my sister’s wedding dress.  Totally self-taught via You-Tube videos!  Since then, I’ve made a heap of dishcloths, a bag that didn’t quite turn out right and a beanie. 

I’m not sure which I enjoy most…knitting or crochet – I think crochet is good when I don’t want to think too hard about what I am doing, as I find I need to concentrate more when I knit. 

Tell us about what project/s you have on the go right now.

Right now, I have just about finished knitting a MillaMia Pernilla Dress for my daughter.  I am SO proud of it and thought it would be ready for next winter but has only taken me 4 weeks so far! 

Tell us about what project that you hold most dear.

I guess this would have to be the Pernilla Dress because the cardi I first knitted is definitely not dear to me!

We never stop learning as knitters/crocheters...helps to keep the Alzheimer's at bay! What is next on your wish list to learn/conquer?

Ooh, I’m very beginner at both knitting and crochet so I’d like to learn heaps!  I’m a bit of a “bull at the gate” when it comes to learning new crafts and I just want to try everything now so no doubt I’ll find another project to get onto once the dress is finished.

Just because we want to rid ourselves of some guilt...

How many UFOs have you got in the cupboard?

VERY proud to say NONE!!  I’m very diligent in sticking to my “don’t start a new project until you’ve finished the last” motto.  I used to have a big UFO pile, but it bugged me too much so I finished everything off and now make sure that UFO’s don’t exist in my crafting.  But it’s okay to have one project on the go in every department…sewing, knitting, quilting, etc.!

Could you open a yarn store with your stash?

Nope, but I could definitely open a fabric store with my fabric stash so if knitting becomes as big in my life as sewing is, come back and ask me again in a couple of years and I’m sure the answer will be “yes”!

...and because we're curious, 

Are you a year round or seasonal knitter/crocheter?

I’d probably have to say seasonal, I really only get the bug when the cold weather hits and I want to snuggle on the couch a little more.  I do love the portability of knitting though, so time will only tell…it could be a great Summer holiday craft to take along with me!

Do you have a favourite yarn or fibre that you work with?

Having not much experience in this, I’d have to say not yet.  But I do absolutely love the MillaMia yarn I’ve been working with.  It’s a dream and highly recommended!

What will you be doing for World Wide Knit in public Day?

Um…I didn’t know it was on?!  But I did knit in public today while I took the kids to a play centre for two hours to run off some school holiday steam so does that count?!

You can follow Toni over on her Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Ravelry.

Blog 

Facebook page 

Ravelry

Well I've had an absolute grand week interviewing all these bloggers and it seems like you all have enjoyed the series too.

Thanks for stopping by,

suzy xoxo

WWKIP - Interview with Kirsten Johnstone

This week yarn tragics around the globe are taking part in World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP).  I'm proud to be hosting an event in Canberra you can RSVP over here . To help celebrate I'm also interviewing some well known bloggers every day this week at suzy hausfrau about what they are working on and their plans for WWKIP.  So make yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy today's guest blogger, Kirsten Johnstone...and excuse me for my indulgence as I just admire her work sooo much!

Kirsten Johnstone is an Architect based in Melbourne, Australia. She uses yarn, fabric and photography to explore her modern Architectural aesthetic on a smaller scale.

She has an eye for flattering forms that are deceptively simple yet frequently transformable; designs with a distinctive urban edge yet elegantly wearable.

  

First up, do you knit, crochet or both?

I can knit and crochet. But I seriously lack confidence with crochet! Crochet needs me to clear the room of distractions and set aside hours to wrap my head around it for some reason. But knitting? Pick up and knit a few rows here, there and anywhere.

Tell us about how old you were when you learnt and who taught you.

I was taught to sew, knit and crochet by my mum who has always been incredibly creative – she sewed her own wedding dress! She recalls me knitting booties at 5 or 6 years of age. I am very thankful to her for passing on her love for “making” to me and I hope to do the same with my children.

I have always designed and sewn my own clothes but my knitting stopped in my teens until a return to knitting in 2007, inspired by the blogosphere.

Tell us about what project/s you have on the go right now.

Right now... Okay. I cast off a new hat design this morning while sitting in the car waiting for a Site Meeting to start (I like being able to take small projects with me in the car to pass my time productively whenever and wherever I can!).

Other than that, I am awaiting a yarn delivery for a new design for a US yarn company and not really wanting to get myself involved in something else until I complete that.

Tell us about what project/design that you hold most dear.

I have a couple of projects that are particularly special to me.

The first would be my Paper Crane Cardigan – my first knitwear design and such an amazing learning experience! I was very thankful for the encouragement and assistance from my blogging community which made the process even more rewarding.

 

Another dear project is my Kakomu Jacket – a piece that helped sustain me through the death of my best friend early last year. 

We never stop learning as knitters/crocheters...helps to keep the Alzheimer's at bay! What is next on your wish list to learn/conquer?

I am keen to improve my skills in colourwork/intarsia in particular.

A complete aside: I recall knitting an Annie Blatt Colourwork jumper as a teenager that would be just perfect for those 80s parties we are now getting invited to! Must ask my Mother-In-Law if I can have it back for some classic photos if nothing else.

Just because we want to rid ourselves of some guilt...

How many UFOs have you got in the cupboard?

My Ravelry projects page comes up with 5 projects and that is correct. Not sure if that is more or less than most!

However, I choose not to reveal the number of sewing UFOs I have tucked away...

Could you open a yarn store with your stash?

I could potentially open a very small yarn store although I suspect it would not be very successful as it would only appeal to those who like the greyscale! It is the Architect in me: black, white and everything in-between.

...and because we're curious,

Are you a year round or seasonal knitter/crocheter?

Definitely a year round knitter. I try to match yarn with season – linen for summer, wool for winter, for example. I love knitting with linen while sitting around the pool on summer holidays and, at the moment, beside our open fire with worsted weight wools!

Do you have a favourite yarn or fibre that you work with?

The natural texture and drape of linen appeals to me enormously. I am very excited to see some new linen yarns being released and the potential for these.

My pet hate (as I am sure it is for most knitters) is pilling, so I prefer to work with yarns that limit this response to the wearing of the knitted garment. One that I am particularly enjoying at the moment is Shibui’s Merino Worsted – it has wonderful stitch definition to provide a beautiful knitted texture.

My other favourite yarn that I keep returning to is Stainless Steel. Habu Textiles and, more locally to me, Dairing, offer variations of this yarn which is essentially a very fine thread of stainless steel wrapped in either silk or wool. It is incredibly strong and malleable - the design opportunities with it are seemingly limitless and I really enjoy exploring new ways to use it.

What will you be doing for World Wide Knit in public Day?

I believe knitting and fine coffee go hand in hand so I will be seeking to indulge in both at my local coffee shop! Who’s coming to join me?!

You can follow Kirsten over on her Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Ravelry.

Blog:

www.kirstenjohnstone.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/assemblageknits

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/assemblageknits

Ravelry Group:

www.ravelry.com/groups/assemblage-knits

Ravelry:

www.ravelry.com/designers/kirsten-johnstone

WWKIP - Interview with Michelle from Buttontree Lane

This week yarn tragics around the globe are taking part in World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP).  I'm proud to be hosting an event in Canberra you can RSVP over here. To help celebrate I'm also interviewing some well known bloggers every day this week at suzy hausfrau about what they are working on and their plans for WWKIP.  So make yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy today's guest blogger, my friend Michelle from Buttontree Lane.


Michelle loves to craft - she crochets, quilts and sews most of her own clothes. Occasionally, when she feels like it, she makes and sells project bags for knitters and crocheters. While a busy full-time job keeps her out of trouble on weekdays, Michelle finds nothing more relaxing than an evening with a cup of tea, a crochet hook or the sewing machine.When she's not crafting, you'll find Michelle in the garden making a mess, or in the kitchen making a bigger mess. She lives in a daggy old house in Canberra with her husband Scott and thinks about renovating. A lot.

First up, do you knit, crochet or both?

I only crochet. I learnt to knit when I was a child, and tried taking it up again in my 30s, but I never liked it very much. Crochet on the other hand has always been a good fit. I leave the knitting to my mum - I give her the yarn, and she knits me the socks. It's a beautiful arrangement.

Tell us about how old you were when you learnt and who taught you.

I was probably about 8 years old. I can't remember exactly who taught me, but I know my mum and her mum, my Oma, were involved in teaching me at different stages. Oma was an amazing crafter - she sewed her own clothes and crocheted amazing ripple rugs. Mum is the all-round crafter in the family and that's who I take after most. She was rarely without a knitting, crochet, cross stitch, macrame or a sewing project. Most winters she would knit me a new cardigan or jumper which I would wear to the Townsville Show in July - the only night of the year it got cold enough in North Queensland to wear something warm.

Tell us about what project/s you have on the go right now.

I am slowly crocheting a Critron shawl using laceweight yarn, and I also wouldn't mind finishing a grey cardigan I've had on the go for a couple of years now. Mainly because it's super cold in Canberra at the moment and the cardigan would get a lot of wear! But I don't tend to give myself deadlines anymore, so these projects languish and I really don't mind or get stressed about it. I just enjoy the making.

Tell us about what project/design that you hold most dear.

All of them! I love everything I crochet, but some have special significance to me. Last year I was very ill and wasn't able to crochet for a long time but when I was recovering from surgery I was re-enthused by it. One of the first things I made while recovering was a Solveig scarf for my best friend Patricia. I try to make her some kind of scarf every couple of years - like me she's from North Queensland, but unlike me she really dislikes the cold.

 

My other favourite project was when I crocheted seven Durango hats in a couple of weeks for my friends and I. A couple of winters ago we all took off to the desert in Central Australia for a couple of weeks to attend a singing workshop with Indigenous women from the area. We were known as the "Beanie Ladies" by the other workshop attendees. It was kind of like having a secret handshake. A secret crocheted handshake.

 

We never stop learning as knitters/crocheters...helps to keep the Alzheimer's at bay! What is next on your wish list to learn/conquer?

I'm actually really happy with the skills I have at the moment. Just following a pattern or chart stretches my brain. I did try to teach myself slip stitch crochet a couple of years ago and failed miserably. I wouldn't mind teaching myself how to do Tunisian crochet one day - the texture that you get with Tunisian fascinates me.

Just because we want to rid ourselves of some guilt...

How many UFOs have you got in the cupboard?

Just three - and embarrassingly one of those could be finished in a couple of hours.

Could you open a yarn store with your stash?

I'd prefer to crochet with it as I get it. Kind of keeps me honest as a professional semi-hoarder. I was collecting quite a large amount of Wollmeise at one stage, but I gave most of it to mum so she could knit me socks, used a lot of it on crocheted shawls, and destashed the rest. Having said that though, I do still have a fair yarn stash. I just find it so pretty and I can't help myself.

...and because we're curious,

Are you a year round or seasonal knitter/crocheter?

I don't tend to crochet in the heat of summer - my hands get too sticky and I'd much rather sew clothes or a quilt on the machine in front of the fan, or do hand sewing under the elm tree in the back yard. I also have a bit of tennis elbow, so I have to put the crochet down for a few weeks at a time and give my arm a break. It's all about balance and keeping yourself happy and healthy.

Do you have a favourite yarn or fibre that you work with?

Definitely wool, and wool silk blend. The shawl I made last year with Holst Garn silk wool was just so nice to work with, is super warm and has a beautiful texture once it was blocked.

    

and the two shawls I've made with Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool are my favourite shawls to wear on a frosty morning. I've recently discovered BC Garn Semilla DK - and within a week had made two cowls using it.

What will you be doing for World Wide Knit in public Day?

I'll be spending it with the other Canberra crocheters and knitters at a warm cafe, at an event hosted by Suzy Hausfrau! Maybe I'll be putting the last stitches into my grey cardigan ... but most probably I won't be. No deadlines is my mantra!

Thanks Michelle for waving the crochet flag!  You can follow Michelle over on her blog (http://buttontreelane.blogspot.com) or on Ravelry . 

WWKIP - Interview with Retro Mummy

This week yarn tragics around the globe are taking part in World Wide Knit in Public day (WWKIP).  I'm proud to be hosting an event in Canberra you can RSVP over here.

To help celebrate this wonderful event I'm also interviewing some well known bloggers every day this week at suzy hausfrau about what they have got on the sticks and their plans for WWKIP.  So make yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy today's guest blogger, Corrie from Retro Mummy (www.retromummy.com).

First up, do you knit, crochet or both?
I knit and crochet but knit more than I crochet.

Tell us about how old you were when you learnt and who taught you. 
I learnt to knit in primary school and also from my grandma and nana who were both knitters. I picked it up again in my 20’s when I was living in London and discovered Debbie Bliss and Rowan and I haven’t stopped since.

 

Tell us about what project/s you have on the go right now.
I’m knitting a coat for my little Elodie (Duck Soup which you’ll find on ravelry here and about to cast on a little pair of pants from MillaMia in some baby cashmerino . Pattern on ravelry is here.

Tell us about what project/design that you hold most dear. 
I’m super addicted to the Baby kina by Muriel. You’ll find it on ravelry here. I’ve knit 5 already and see another one or two on my needles this year. It’s a little short sleeved cardigan knit all in one piece and just adorable. I was just asked to have 2 of my projects featured on the ravelry project page for the pattern and was thrilled as I get so many requests online for the link to the pattern. Love it.

We never stop learning as knitters/crocheters...helps to keep the Alzheimer's at bay! What is next on your wish list to learn/conquer? 
I really want to try some cables and also fair isle. I’ve always been a bit scared of them both which is a bit silly. I tend to stick to fairly easy projects rather than challenge myself but one day I’ll get there.

Just because we want to rid ourselves of some guilt... 
How many UFOs have you got in the cupboard? 
I have projects that go back to when I was pregnant with my first daughter back in 2006. I’d say almost 20 UFO’s hanging around. Just last week I pulled a pile together of them and it’s so embarrassing that some just need to be seamed together. So embarrassing!  

Could you open a yarn store with your stash? 
Perhaps not a yarn store but I could do a market stall with everything on hand. I’m also a huge fan of buying things when I see it and love it so the stash is a bit crazy but I’m working my way through it. Plus my fabric stash is much more crazy than my yarn stash.

...and because we're curious,   
Are you a year round or seasonal knitter/crocheter? 
Year round. I love cotton and knitting in summer and just love knitting all year round!   Do you have a favourite yarn or fibre that you work with? I love Debbie bliss baby cashmerino as it’s so soft and knits up beautifully.

What will you be doing for World Wide Knit in public Day? 
I’d always love to go to an event but I’ll be with my little family. I will definitely do some knitting that night as I usually do! I’m heavily pregnant with baby number 5 and having some baby under my rib issues so need to knit on a big comfy couch with cushions behind my shoulder blades! The things we do but that means I’ll be knitting from my couch. I do knit in public as I take my knitting to the doctors, swimming lessons, school pick up and anytime I have a few minutes on hand!  

You can follow Corrie  over on her:

• blog (www.retromummy.com)
•  Facebook page 
•  at Twitter
• on Ravelry 

Thanks Corrie!

suzy xoxo

PS don't forget to check back tomorrow...

Reflecting on Sew it Together

 

So on Saturday I went to Sew it Together.  I met some wonderful, wonderful people and reaffirmed that this creative life is really for me.  Sometimes us crafty types live a secret crafty life, it's almost like a bit of a sub-culture...but put us all in a room together without our regular faces on and magic happens.

I also managed to spread a fair few yarn fumes around and taught two crochet classes - beginner and granny squares.  I came home with new friends, feeling absolutely inspired and these hexagon me-thingys that my Canberra crafty mates assure me will be my next addiction.

I hope you are having a wonderful long weekend,
suzy xoxo
PS: Don't forget I've got something grand planned for the blog this week, so please pop by when you can.

 

Sew it Together

I think I'm nearly ready for tomorrow.  I'm off to Sew it Together ...joining in the fun, spreading my yarn fumes around and even teaching some crochet classes .  I can't wait!

Have a great weekend,
suzy xoxo

PS: I have something really super special planned for the blog next week, so don't forget to check
back in on Monday...

 

my creative space | milo vest

I didn't really appreciate how busy I would be in May before putting my hand-up for Milo May. But this is a quick knit, I started it on the 28th May and finished up on the 2nd of June. So although I missed the deadline by a couple of days I'm thrilled to have made my first Milo vest ....4300 odd projects on Ravelry can't be wrong!

• Pattern: Milo Vest
• Yarn: BC Garn Semilla DK ob101
• Needles: 4.00mm circular needle (60cm)

More details over here on Ravelry ....and more creative types sharing here.

Figpote and yoghurt yum!

You know by now that I'm a big fan of preserving and putting food in jars. I just love it! Love the making, the learning...and my favourite bit is when you crack open a jar months later to enjoy.

This morning I opened a jar of Figpote from River Cottage's wonderful handbook, Preserves written by Pam the Jam as Hugh so loves to call her.  Preserving couldn't really get any easier than this.  Organic and sulphur-free dried fruit soaked in earl grey tea and orange juice, and sweetened up with a bit of honey.  Perfect over some thick creamy yoghurt. Man I even sound like Hugh! Do you reckon he'd give me a gig?

 

Just look at the russet tones on this fruit when I started the Figpote early in Autumn. I need to admit  that I've never been a big fan of dried fruit, but soak it away for a couple of months and yummo!