First day of the holidays! I couldn't be more happy!

Its been a productive time here at Casa Helen. Lots of stuff has been knitted and plans have been made. I've also bought a shed-load of new books and magazines. You know what they say, "she who dies with the most yarn/fabric/books, wins!" Well I don't stash yarn or fabric, but if I'm competing in books, I am an Olympic Gold medalist!





As for the knitting, I've finished the Lovely Susi's cardi. It is just gorgeous. Soft, smooshy and orange! Even lying on the floor of the lounge it looks comfy, so I can't wait to see it on her! The yarn is Naturally Aran Tweed, which I bought from the Awesome Lynette. Look at how beautifully it shows the cable, even with the uneven texture of the tweedy yarn.







I even managed to get just the perfect buttons. They match beautifully and really finish the garment. It always amazes me, how the wrong buttons can really ruin a garment. I'm not usually very good at choosing buttons, but the Awesome Lynette is. She usually picks my buttons, but not this time. These were the first buttons I chose and and for the first time ever I got it right! Go me!

And of course, it gets the obligatory inspection by the resident Evil Genius. He approves, so there you go, Lovely Susi, you can have your cardi!










The Little Boyfriend's birthday is coming up in early August, and he loves me to knit for him, which is lovely since the daughter he belongs to does not! This year he is getting a hat, mitts and a jumper. The jumper is a wee way off, but the hat and mitts are almost done. The hat is a free pattern from Coco Knits. I chose her Simple Slouchy Hat, which does what it says on the can. So simple, so easy, so practical. I got it done in an evening! The yarn I chose was Shepherd Baby Wool Merino 4 ply in three colours, to get the gauge, and the effect I wanted, as well, I knew that the mittens would be in 4 ply, so it all worked out perfectly. It's a bit difficult to see, but I chose black, pale buttery green and a warm pale blue. The effect is gloriously tweedy and quite boy-ish.

For the mittens I used a Spillyjane pattern. I would have liked to do her bacon mittens, or perhaps the pints, especially since he is uni student, but I wasn't sure he'd understand the joke, or he'd think I was lame, which is probably closer to the mark. Instead I chose a tiled pattern which is knitting up so fast! As long as he doesn't find out the pattern has a girl's name, I should be ok! Anyway, I think they're knitting up quite manly.

I reckon I'll get these finished by bedtime tonight, which means it's time for new projects! And yup that means....here are the books!

So first up is Charmed Knits by Alison Hansel.  In it is the House School Jersey, which I will knit for the Little Boyfriend in Ravenclaw colours, because us Ravenclaws have to stick together!

For the Potter fan, this book is awesome! None of the patterns are exceptionally difficult, but most are imaginative and fun. I especially like Molly Weasley's cardigan with the fantastic sleeves, and of course Dobby socks. I'm seeing at least the socks in my very near future!

Next is Little Red in the City by Ysolda Teague. This is a delightful collection of pattens. I love Ysolda's quirky patterns, I've knit quite a few of them for myself and as gifts. This time, she has modelled her patterns not just on herself, but on a plus size model AND has made appropriate changes to her patterns for us larger girls (finally!) I reckon there are about 4 patterns in this book that I will eventually knit for myself, including the gorgeously red cape/cardi Melia.

The next one is Knitting Plus by Lisa Shroyer. This book is targetted at those of us who are not meanly built. Lisa writes simple, concise explanations of how her fitting system works, and follows that up with a collection of patterns that are flattering and fashion forward. There are a couple of garments I'll be doing from this book as well. Of course this means that I might have to give up sleeping, and I wish someone would come and take my credit card away!

So, what I'm actually starting on is in this book :

I know! So cute! I'm knitting a pirate for Beka the Gorgeous. Its a lovely book, ideal for fun gifts for kids of all ages. The fairies and princesses are beautifully dressed, the wizard is suitably beardy, AND they all have knickers! Its awesome! I got mine from the Awesome Lynette but she is waiting for more stock to come in, in the meantime if you want one fishpond has it.

So thats it for today, I'm off to enjoy doing nothing on a day that is beautifully sunny, if a little cold. Kia ora!