Just helping out...destash

 

A customer of mine recently contacted me about a stash of Holst Garn that she will be unable to use.   I have offered to help her out, by posting about it here on the blog.
UPDATE - a new happy home is found for the Holst!
She is happy to sell them out at $7.50 each as a single buy to one person. First in, best dressed I think in this scenario. Please email me on admin@suzyhausfrau.com.au and I will pass on your details.

Her stash includes 20 balls made up of:

• 2 x Supersoft Robins Egg lot 41584
• 2 x Supersoft Aquamarine lot 31478
• 2 x Supersoft Cloudberry lot 41666
• 2 x Supersoft Flannel Grey lot 31759
• 2 x Supersoft Silver Grey lot 41658
• 2 x Supersoft Willow 20672
• 2 x Supersoft Black lot 31762
• 2 x Supersoft Saffron lot 41426
• 2 x Samarkand Antimony lot 7773
• 2 x Supersoft Litchen lot 7785

You should be able to see all of the colours over in the store.
suzy xoxo

Some lace knitting and a spot of lunch

suzy hausfrau's first workshop...done, dusted and even if I say so myself a resounding success!  Thanks in no small part to the gorgeous Fiona who trekked down from Sydney especially to teach it. It is so great when you meet cyber-mates IRL, there should be more of it I say.

...and then to the participants a mix of friends and now new-to-me friends who chatted, laughed, shared and then every so often would go oh so quiet when they were counting, and re-counting  and concentrating on the stitches of their precious creations.

What did I do you say?  I had a thoroughly enjoyable time in the kitchen whipping up some lunch (full of non-kid friendly flavours and without any small squidget helpers), listening and learning and then sitting down every now and then to knit a few rows.

So to the details, firstly of the knitting.  Fiona took the group through circular cast-ons, how to read charts (the hardest first!), knitting triangular lace from the top down, provisional cast ons, loose and stretchy cast-offs...and even a lesson on how to block with welding wires - who knew?  I think everyone left the day full of inspiration and new found confidence.

And if you're interested in the food, here is what we ate:

• my never-fail-me cheat lemonade scones with homemade Blackberry Jam and Cream
• Pumpkin, goat's curd and thyme tart (Gourmet Traveller May 2012)
• Chicken salad with black grapes, walnut and celery (Gourmet Traveller May 2012)
• White bean salad (Gourmet Traveller May 2012)

...and a small ode to my mama, who inspired me to get back on this crafty wagon, was on the table - a mama-made crochet jug cover.  I know that yesterday she would have been really proud of me. xoxo

Save the date...Sat 16th June WWKIP

I am thrilled to be hosting, for the second year running, the Canberra event for 

World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP). 

Saturday 16th June 2PM

A Bite to Eat 

at the 

Chifley Shops. 

Please RSVP over here.
After more information on WWKIP? Find it here.

Our event is loaded up to the official site and just because we're like that in Canberra...this is not exclusive to knitters - crochet folk are most welcome. 

Hope to see you there,
suzy xoxo

A rainbow of DB Cashmerino

I'm proud of all of the colours of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino we stock at suzy hausfrau, 24 at last count! So proud, that yesterday I decided to make a little colour wheel using just some of the colours,  in the late afternoon autumn light -  just look at them. Perfect squishy balls of yummy yummy yarn!

I'm also proud that as a small yarn store we can sell them at $9.95 (RRP $11.50) to you everyday, with FREE shipping in Australia and an extra 10% off that price if you spend $60 or more.  

To highlight just a few, here are the pinks...

the greens,

and my favourite, the blues.

My creative space

I was desperate to show off a finished project today, and I'm oh so close.  Ends to weave in and a neckband to redo and then we're on!

It is of course the gorgeous Like Sleeves by Harumidori Designs.  If you want to see more creative spaces and people with finished projects sharing their wares, head on over here.

 

Dye lots

 

When I'm packing orders at suzy hausfrau I am absolutely obsessive about getting the yarn to you in the best possible condition and when the order includes multiple balls/skeins, in the SAME dye lot.  This seems like such a natural thing to do, and a very important one...and as one customer has pointed out to me, not always being done by some stores.

That is why when I put 'end of dyelot' sales on, I will name the ball or skein by the dye lot number. As well as being sold out at great prices, these sales help me keep multiple dye lots in my best selling lines to a minimum.  They are REALLY popular and usually sell out in less than an hour!  I normally will put these up on Ravelry , Facebook and Twitter .

So, this is something you expect right?  It's what you would do yourself if you were picking yarn up off a shelf in a store?

I'd love to hear your thoughts,
suzy xoxo

Hemming jeans

Continuing on from yesterday's bloghonesty, I'm going to open myself up for more ridicule and admit that until recently I found the idea of hemming jeans terrifying.  Just a wee-bit ridiculous in my book for someone who can sew clothes, curtains and gifts for all and sundry.  Now even more ridiculous after rising to the challenge and finding out how easy it is...but perhaps not as ridiculous as trying to take a photo of the hem of your jeans, whilst wearing them!

I did do a bit of reading and researching, and here is my list of tips if you want to do this yourself:

• Make sure that you use an appropriate topstitch thread.  I used the Guterman thread above.  This comes in a great range of colours so that you can match the thread easily.  By this I mean to the manufacturer's thread usually visible on the side flat-fell seams.
• I always pin pants on both sides and check in the mirror.  I did the same for my jeans.  This is just a personal preference, but I have not had much luck with pinning on one side and measuring from it to do the other.
• Roll your hem under once, iron and then hammer it flat...yes you read that right, use a hammer to flatten the fabric, especially where the hem will be bulky at the the inner and outer leg seam.
• Roll your hem over again, and repeat the ironing and hammerin'
• Stitch from the right side of the garment
• Lengthen your stitch seam to 3.0mm
• Use an appropriate denim/canvas needle
• Begin each round of stitching just behind the inner seam
• When you get to the bulky inner and outer leg seams, stop sewing and turn your needle manually.

Happy sewing,

suzy xoxo