Shuffling and moving

With the new online shop, and it all being in one place, i've decided it will be waaay easier to just blog over on the new site rather than here. For some reason a little beyond my IT expertise, posts here don't always pop up over there.

So from now on, you can find the Knitsch blog in the same place as you can find all the yarny goodies.

Hooray!

If you want to pick it up in your google reader or rss feed, hopefully it should show up if you search for knitsch.co.nz - correct me if i'm wrong, anyone!

A bit fo Vogue knitting

I don't personally subscribe to Vogue (or Designer, depending on where you are from) Knitting, but keep thinking I should.

Until I read Samurai Knitter's HI-larious review.

Dare I say, ew, yuck?  I like parts of those stockings - stockings are on my current love list - and the ones featured have moments of great, moments of, um, what?

Anyway. Go read it.

And let's hope Vogue ups the quality of patterns in the next edition.

Flights of Fancy Yarn Club - Round 2!

Ding ding!

Are you keen? Are ya? Well, here's the details: 

The important info - what will I get?

The second yarn club will see four installments of yarny goodness sent out over a period of 5 months, at approximately 2 month intervals. Hold on, that doesn't add up... well, one of those packages will contain bonus yarn! Hooray!

As with the first yarn club, you will receive approx 120grams of sock yarn in each of the 3 parcels, and the bonus yarn could be...well, anything! The bonus yarn will be of the same value as the other packages.

You will also get an extra knitty-themed treat and a pdf pattern designed by...could be anyone! I have a few designers in mind, so it will be a special surprise each month.

All yarn colourways will be exclusive to yarn clubbers only.

Mystery Escape vs Plan Ahead

Again, you will have the option to choose a Mystery Escape or to Plan Ahead, with all the excitement of a variegated or semi-solid colourway each month.

Postage dates

Parcels will be sent (approx):
15 January
15 March
15 May


And, um, the cost?

Cost? Isn't Christmas coming up? Can't significant others spring the cost? :D

It will be....

$125.00 for the 4 installations

plus:
postage in NZ: $15
postage Australia: $20
postage ROW: $35

Bear in mind that NZ GST is going up on October 1, which inevitably means a rise in the cost of...everything. Including postage, sad face.

For Australia and overseas, 15% will be removed from the cost of the yarn club.

But, um, don't I have to pay now? And wait aaaaages?
Nope! If you let me know that you're in, i'll add you to the magical list. On November 15 (or thereabouts) I will email out an invoice and payment needs to be received within two weeks. 

I'm in! How do I sign up?!

Send me an email, and let me know if you would like a Mystery Escape or to Plan Ahead, and if you would like to pay by PayPal, credit card or bank deposit. 

Get in quick, i'm only going to do a restricted number, and you don't want to miss out this time!

Happy one year home!

I've been back in NZ for one whole year, which means a celebration!


20% off everything (except Hazel Knits) until Monday!

discount code: HAPPY1YEAR

have a great weekend, i'm off to the wedding of a friend of the boy - enjoy the sunshine!

xx tash

The new Knitty! Hooray!

Goodness, normally I don't scroll into the reviews section of Knitty, I just jump straight to the patterns.

But then I realised, something important was in there...

I was super super lucky to have a sneak peek at the whole entire amazing book the other weekend, and it truly is a stunner.

But look what Knitty has to say:

"I don't think it would be
overstating it to say it's a masterpiece of the genre."

Now that is something to be proud of. Well done Grandma! And I can confirm we will be stocking this in the online shop somewhere just past the release date (1 November). 

If you would like to read the rest of the review, you need to go here, and scroll a wee way down for it. Take note of Cookie A's Knit. Sock. Love while you're at it!

BIts of awesomeness

It is the boy's birthday, and while he is not yet home, that does not prevent me scoffing blue cheese, ganache from his birthday cake and wine in celebration.

Let's also celebrate some awesomeness people have been linking to on Twitter in the last couple of days - graffiti moss and a camoflage crochet car.

Yesterday was a day of dyeing mayhem, in which I dyed so much yarn I had to stop as I couldn't fit any more on the drying rack - in fact had to bring half of it home to take over two drying racks here.

But still, I need more, and I need new colours. I want you to come up with them. Go on, dream something up, leave it in the comments, and if I like it i'll dye it and name it after you.

Go on. Do it.

Free Pattern! The Coffee Cowl

Yonks ago, when I was first playing with 12 ply, I knit up this infinity cowl as a product knit - something I wanted, so just made it up as I went along. It's picked up 'the coffee cowl' name as a lady spilled her coffee on it at the June Craft2.0, apologised profusely, and it honestly wasn't a big deal. It's the perfect cowl to throw on for those 'not quite sure' days, when the weather looks like it could be promising, but the it could also turn hideous. Wrap it up nice and tight for the chilly days, and hang it loose for the warmer ones.

Yarn: 4 skeins of Knitsch 12 ply in Silver Lining
Needles: 6mm on a 100cm cable
Gauge: bah! gauge! forgeddaboutit!

Cast on about 350 stitches, or until you get *really* bored.
Row 1: Knit, and join in the round at the end of the row, being sure not to twist the stitches. Although if you do, it won't be the end of the world.

Knit ad infinitum, round and round, until all your yarn is used up.
Cast off.

Weave in ends, and wear.

Hooray! Easy as that. A great in front of the tv, don't have to think too much knit.

New Shop, Hooray!

Finally, after lots of late nights, frustrating moments (i've learned a lot, that's for sure!), and bursts of elation,

the new shop is here!

In it you will find, alongside the usual suspects, Knit Pro needles! And fingers crossed today will see the arrival of my Hazel Knits order...yum!

Happy knitting and have a wonderful weekend - the whole fam-damily is in Wellington for my little bro's 21st.

Hoot-twooo!

Hooray! An FO! I'm so pleased with my Owls - such a fast knit, and hardly any thinking at all :D
I quite like the owls sans buttons. I think if I were to knit it again, for me, I'd go down a needle size and up a fitting size, just to give it a slightly denser look.

All the same, for only the second top i've knitted, it's a winner.

Speaking of winners, keep the nominations of Canterbury knitters and spinners heading this way. Where the week has gone I don't know, but tomorrow is apparently thursday, and the last day for entries.

xx tash

The warm comforts...

After watching the news, I thought how very very lucky it is to be able to sit on the couch, watch crappy Friday night tv, by the fire, with a glass of wine, and knit.

All the warm knitted love going out to not only Christchurch, but Pakistan and San Francisco. All three things truly break my heart, and makes me feel so powerless in the face of nature's force.

It seems a bit frivolous to share pics of a recent FO and a current WIP...but we all need something to cheer us up, right?

Below, Alice's Doddle pattern from the last installment of the yarn club, in new colourway Popeye (a luscious seaweedy green that normally I wouldn't go for, but have fallen in love with)

And above, 'Just another' Ishbel (my first, admittedly) in Hazel Knits Jay Blue. Divine yarn, that is...

Keep those nominations coming in for Cheer up Chch - I've had several worthy nominations come through already, and am lining up some other awesome crafters to take part. Flick me an email with name and address of a knitter in Canterbury who may need a bit of letter box love and i'll add them to the list.

Cheer up Chch

Sitting at my laptop, chatting to mum on google chat, talking earthquakes, reading blogs about earthquakes...

something must be done!

Do you know a knitter in Christchurch who needs cheering up? Who may need an unexpected surprise in their mail box?

I'm putting together 3 'Cheer up Chch' packages ready to go (all surprise and hush hush like) to people who need a smile.

Send me an email with your nomination, and i'll put names in hat. Emails required by 5pm Thursday, 16 September. And an address, if you please. That would be lovely.

xx Tash

Mountains, etc

I'm continuing with the lazy blog theme - photos from last weekend up the mountain. Sadly my altitude sickness prevented me from really enjoying the snow (gah!), but plenty of knitting took place.

Waking up on Saturday morning to news of the big earthquake in Christchurch made it hard to relax - luckily everyone I know down there is safe and unhurt. The continuing aftershocks have all on edge and my thoughts constantly turn to those who live in the middle of the disaster. I'm trying to come up with a productive way to support those who need assistance, so watch this space for info.

Being in Wellington, the traditional centre of earthquake fear, all we had were a few small jolts to indicate anything was amiss, which means there isn't any interruption to Knitsch Yarns.

Right, here are the pics...

It snowed! Right down to National Park where we stayed. Pretty magical...

Catch Up

Whoops...time has got the better of me.

Here's a very fast run down of what i've been up to the last couple of weeks:

• Knit graffiti for the New Dowse

• having a nosey around design spun in Napier

• Relaxing at Port'o Call in Napier (in between having an amazingly inspiring time at Knit August Nights)

• And dyeing some fabbo new colourways! Hooray! They will be in the online shop a bit later today :D

• oooh and mustn't forget - Knit Pro needles! I have an office full of them, and they'll be available for purchase once the new shop goes live (any day now, fingers crossed!)

Road trippin'

A few snaps of this weekend's jaunt to Taranki to take a knit graffiti workshop at the Govett-Brewster. It was wonderful to get away, meet a few fabulous yarnies, and indulge in some beautiful views and great food.

For more photos of what we got up to, pop on over to the Outdoorknit blog.

xx Tash

Talking, knitting, and stuff

Hello!

boy it doesn't take long for the old blog to be neglected. The past few weeks have seen all sorts of things going on - projects completed, projects started, and a whole lot of talking.

One of the awesome things about being involved in knitting in Wellington means the opportunity to meet so many fantastic people. I'm a bit sad that Kreachr is off to the big smoke. Even though i've only met her a few times, I love her unending enthusiasm, and Auckland should count itself pretty damn lucky.

The Blendy book launch went wonderfully despite the huge slip preventing some from making it out to the Hutt from Wellington. In fact it went so Belinda and I hardly had the chance to have a good gossip - which just gives yet another reason to head up that way for a visit.

And yours truly managed to squeeze five minutes of time into a pretty packed schedule to talk knit graffiti at Ignite Wellington. A great knit of some pretty inspiring talks - and a pretty cool coincidence that Nathalie was speaking - we were in the same class back when we were little wee 12 year olds.



I'm not brave enough to watch it myself! :D

This weekend i'm off to the land of my youth - New Plymouth - for a workshop at the Govett-Brewster. The plan is to cruise up visiting op shops and meet lots of lovely knitters. So if you're in the 'naki, pop by and say hi on Sunday!

xx

Giveaway! Hooray!

The very clever Sheryl is giving away some Knitsch yarn!

Pop on over to her blog, check out her gorgeous pattern Epicene - anyone who comments on her blog with a finished pair in the next month is in the draw!

xx

Blendy Knits Socks! Here!

Hooray!

The darling darling Belinda (can't possibly say darling too many times. She really is) arrives in only a matter of days for the Blendy Knits Socks launch on Sunday 8 August, at the New Dowse from 3 - 5pm.

I'll be there with piles of yarn, coffee, cake, Belinda, books, yarn, needles, knitting, yarn, coffee, cake (you get the idea...)

Making Mascarpone

After the great Tiramisu competition at the last Craft2.0, i've been mulling over making mascarpone from scratch.

At long last I had a go, and it went okay - not perfect (cooked it too long, methinks) but still pretty tasty on toast with honey.

Mmmm, yum!

Taking time

hello! It's been awhile!

I sound like a broken record but, goodness life is busy. Busy to the point of, well, something will have to give. I'm one of those people who simply can't refuse a good project idea, and all it takes is one small suggestion from someone to get me excited and enthusiastic and start getting carried away. This is necessarily a bad thing, but it is something I need to rein in a little bit just so that each week doesn't merge into another with no stop or sense of project completion.

In fact, just thinking of all the things on my plate simply exhausts me.

So how about a wee list of things that I have *finished* lately?

• the July yarn club - all gone off to lovely people :D
• the yarn club pattern (although the pics aren't behaving and so it hasn't gone out yet. Damn technology)
• Lots of orders - the post office lady and I are great friends!
• tidying my bedroom (hey, it's a big one!)

Ok so the list isn't huge, but by the end of this week it's going to be much longer. The week after that will be dedicated to some r&r before heading to New Plymouth for some knit graffiti action, and then Knit August Nights a couple weeks after that.
Right - back to knitting yet another secret project!

xx

Gratuitous gorgeous baby post

Over at Never not Knitting, there are some super duper adorable baby pics that nearly made me pee my pants.

Cute overload.

Go have a look!

Spinning a Yarn

Jessicah of Spinning a Yarn totally blew me out of the water with her awesome swap...gorgeous fibre for me to finally have a play on my spinning wheel, tim tams, and hot chocolate - yum!
The printed fabric it's all sitting on is from In My Backyard - you can find her on felt, it is the cutest wee fabric print i've seen in ages.

I also had a great time meeting people on Saturday on the Frank Kitts market. It was wonderful to have real conversations with lovely knitters and crafters. I splurged on more fibre to play with - I just need to schedule in a day soon to sit down with the wheel and have a go. There are a few spinners around that seem ready to be talked into doing a central wellington spinning group, so let's see if there is time to squeeze that into the schedule too.

Now i'm off to bed with my knitting - i've got the lurgy. Today should be a dyeing day but getting better is slightly higher on the priority list...have a great day!

xx

Knitting with kitties

Thanks to Megan for the pic of her kitty with Silver Lining. Boy, that looks snuggly!

Flying to Diagon Alley

Another Yarn Club - oriented post - but oh, how much I love this yarn club. If perhaps I was feeling a little jaded from market preparations and wholesale orders over the past couple of months, this yarn club has got me way inspired.

Like, crazy inspired. Is it too much to say that I *love* all the people in the yarn club? The emails, the Rav board discussions, the feedback - just makes me all warm and fuzzy. And in return I just want to go even further, wow their socks off, give them my yarny heart and soul.

And how lucky is it that Alice is designing our patterns? (with a little help from yours truly this month)

As pretty much everyone, as far as I can tell, has now got their parcels of goodness, I just had to share pics of my first Diagon Alley mitt in Peacock in the Parlour (a yarn club exclusive).

Notice how the knitting is on the bias? *swoon* Once the second mitt is done, there's some Mystery Machine destined for the same fate. The pattern is designed with variegates in mind, so a bit of green and purple should be just the ticket.

Funny for Friday

had to be shared...

Yours truly at Ignite Wellington

Have you ever been to a 60 minute talk and lamented that there was only five minutes of content? Imagine if you could hear only that five minutes... that's Ignite!

Come along to this free event to be inspired, amused, educated and amazed by an array of Wellington speakers.

Ignite talks are jam-packed with inspiration and information. Speakers are given just 5 minutes and have to display 20 slides for 15 seconds each. Every 15 seconds the slide will advance, whether they are ready or not.


The next Ignite is on the 3rd of August, and i'll be there! Speaking about knitting as rebellion, alongside some pretty damn amazing people, like the guy who started Ponoko. eeek!

Cutest Stitch Marker Ever

The Yarn Clubbers all received a set of stitch markers in their first installment, thanks to the amazing Sue of Supervery.

They are, quite simply, awesomesauce.

I'm pretty damn excited that we'll be the exclusive online sellers of The Best Stitch Markers Ever. Keep an eye on the online shop this week and they'll be up shortly.

Hooray! (that's the Owls in the background - slowly quickly getting there..

Pretty Knitty!

oooh, has everyone check out the new Knitty yet?

I think Winnow needs to get on my needles (after i've finished Haruni, Owls, and the Yarn Club pattern)

The yarn specified for Winnow is rathermightyexactlythesame as Knitsch, so it's a perfect match :D

Actually, i'm curious - what's on your needles right now?

Unconventional Knitting no.2

The lovely Sue of Supervery sent me this link today, after the knitted knickers post.

Awesome. I love sculpture, the way it can be textural and strong and soft all at once. Much like knitting, really.

When I finished secondary school I planned on being a fashion designer, so started a Bachelor of Design at Massey. While writing and analysis clearly emerged as a stronger skill than drawing, I learnt heaps and met some amazing people.

I didn't meet Ming Wei Li, but he was in the same year and I remember going to the 2005 graduate fashion show to support friends and being blown away by the dimension of his knitted work.



And here is a man who could make the hard appear soft. Canova is my Favourite (with a capital F) sculptor.
Somehow he manages to capture a gaze, a hand on flesh, a movement, in stone.

And then there's those that cover hard things with knitted things, like the ever fabulous Jacqueline Greenbank...

(h/t to the The Physics Room)

Knit graffiti got me very curious about the concept of art vs craft, and I love that more crafters and artists are challenging this incredibly old argument. Once upon a time artists were paid for their works according to the cost of the materials, not for the artistic merit. Craft is still judged on the terms of material costs, but with people like Greenbank making acknowledged art from traditionally defined 'craft' processes is hopefully going some way towards changing that perception.

Art interlude over (for now, at least...)

Markets, book launches, other awesomely fun things

Huzzah!


Knitsch is going to be making appearances at a few places in the next two weeks:


Saturday, 17 July, 10am - 4pm
Wonders of Wool
Frank Kitts Underground Carpark (underground = dry. yay!)
I'll be there along with lots of other lovely yarny types, with Knitsch yarns - lots of limited editions, the new 12 ply, and stitch markers from the wonderful Supervery.


Sunday 18 July, 2.30 - 4.30 pm
Blendy Knits Socks book launch
Alleluyah Cafe, St Kevin's Arcade, Auckland
Belinda is behind the Blendy Yarn Sampler, among other things. Her latest adventure is a book! Of socks! And she uses Knitsch! Hooray! If you're in Auckland, go say hello. Belinda will have a pile Knitsch, a pile of books, and a pile of other indie hand-dyed yarns just perfect for chilly winter days.

(image thanks to Belinda)

Saturday 24 July, 11am - 3pm

Auckland Art & Craft Fair

Auckland Art Gallery
Again, Belinda will be selling Knitsch Yarns - this time in packs with her books, alongside other indie yarn dyers.

So there are plenty of opportunities on these cold winter days to fondle yarn, say hello and go home with something snuggly. 


xx Tash

Knitted Knickers...

Thanks to here for the vintage knickers

and thanks to here for the nordic knickers by NZ's own Stolen Girlfriends Club

Holy frick it is cold! Get thee some knitted knickers, stat!

I'm actually really tempted to knit some. With a frilly bottom. I've been meaning to blog about these since I picked up the Winter Fashion Quarterly about 6 weeks ago. Ah, best of intentions. A bit odd, perhaps. 

Not sure about these ones from Knitty ... although the model does look very happy to be wearing them

                                         

Oh my goodness, if you have Ravelry, go check these ruffled babies out!

Hrrmmm can't seem to find the pattern I was really after...never mind. Have you knitted knickers? Would you be keen for a knit along? Anyone?

Keep cosy xx

Crazy La-la

It is truly crazy-la-la land here at the moment. Busy busy busy!

So I though i'd share some photos from the amaaaaazing lunch I had in Sydney, at, of course, Cafe Sydney. It was stunning - well worth every delicious penny.

No, we didn't eat dessert first, but it certainly was a major highlight. As was the awesome views of the Sydney harbour bridge on stunning Sydney day. It really was like a mini summer holiday. Of course I bought yarn. But i'll save that for another post.

xx Tash

Workshops! Hooray!

Craft2.0 is hosting some splendiferous workshops.

However, best place to find out about it is over at the Craft2.0 blog.

Yours truly is hosting a series of 'How to Knit Socks' workshops, complete with stash bag, yarn, needles, pattern, and all the fun things you need.

However Yours Truly is also running late, so pop over to Craft2.0 to check out the details.

Hooray!

Wool nuts

Last night the boy was hassling me for not paying him enough attention, and joked that he should hang himself up with my wool so that I focus on him just for a minute. He said I was 'Wool nuts', to which I replied, what like walnuts?

It is pretty nuts right now - all hands on deck to get the Yarn Club out (there are a few places left, if you're quick, you might nab one!).

So here is a warm fuzzy story to keep you entertained in the meantime...though I was trying to spot some Knitsch yarns in there as they panned around the shop ;-)

Knowing me, knowing you...

Taking a brief moment away from knitting, i'm catching up on reading some of the 200-odd blog posts sitting in my Reader that have been building up.

Once upon a time, when I was new to blog land, I spent hours reading blogs, going far back into histories to understand who each blogger ticked. I would eagerly anticipate new posts, commenting left right and centre. It was how I got to know Nikki, Louise and Martha, among lots of others.

These days I lament not having the time of attention span to 'get to know' all the bloggers I follow - mainly I focus on beautiful images, colours and short snippets of words.

Which started me thinking - I would like to get to know you better. What are your blog-reading habits? Can you admit to being a blog stalker? What are your favourite colours, yarn bases, patterns? Where are you from?

Shall I start?
Blog habits - i'm a skimmer right now. But I used to be an investigator - looking deep!
Blog stalker - yep!
Fave colour - yellow in life, green or orange in yarn (not together)
Fave yarn base - merino! Merino and silk, merino and cashmere, anything just a bit luxurious
Fave pattern - Cookie A's Monkeys, and anything in my Ravelry queue!
Where from - Wellington, NZ. But I was born in New Plymouth, NZ, have lived in Melbourne, Australia, Methven, Canterbury NZ, and London.

Off you go! Share!

It's a tree! The prize draw done!

Hooray! We have two winners for the It's a Tree super amazing awesome prize draw!

Catherine M

wins a three month subscription to the Flights of Fancy Yarn Club

and

Tracy

(you know who you are :D) - wins 2 skeins of sock yarn and 2 of 12 ply. 

With over 500 contributions I was biting my nails a bit to see who was going to win - and at the last minute decided to do a second chance draw as well - although if I had my way everyone would get something. But the random number generator turned up 158 and 427 (you'll have to believe me - the screen shot doesn't work on this laptop).

And - the Flights of Fancy Yarn Club goes on sale today!

Flights of Fancy Yarn Club - are you ready?!

Flights of Fancy Yarn Club is up on the online shop!


It looks sold out...but it most certainly isn't. It's waiting for Wednesday morning...

There will be 2 releases:

15 subscriptions will be released at 9.30am, and another 15 at 8pm NZ time.

Have a great weekend everyone - i'm off to play in Sydney before coming back to dye all your yarn club goodness!

xx

Craft2.0 for the win

What an amazing day.

Wow.

For those who came along and said hello - it was fantastic to meet you! I only wish there had been more time to have proper conversations with people.

yours truly doing the selling thing. Thanks to Brock for the pic and Mum for the beret knit in our 12 ply

Now for getting on with wholesale orders, pattern designs and the yarn club!

Tiramisu time!

Amongst all the craziness that is Craft2.0 preparations...somehow I got tied up in a tiramisu competition.

It was all a bit of friendly banter, until the infamous Catherine, of Jam-off fame, picked up on it.

Now, suddenly, we have a time, a place, judges, an MC, a sponsor, and a prize.

How do these things always end up bigger than intended?

So at Craft2.0, today, at 2pm, the New Dowse, Lower Hutt, you will find:
Judges Hon Trevor Mallard, MP for Hutt South, and Megan Whelan, Radio New Zealand journalist
MC The amazing wonderful Jo of the Wellingtonista and SoContent

All sponsored by the fabulous Wendy of Cultured Petone (they make the best tiramisu. Ever. Which is how this all started)

So if you're out this way for some yarn, grab a taste of tiramisu, too. Brought to you by all the goodness of the hutt (and none of it paid for by Ministerial credit card!)

Knitsch Yarns at Knit World!

Whew…what a crazy week!

Which meant i’d completely forgot to announce - Knitsch Yarns is being stocked at Knit World!

Artisan Lace has been found in Knit World stores for quite some time, and so it was a natural progression to provide them with a selection of Knitsch Yarns colourways. It did take a bit of arm twisting (mine), but i’m pleased we’ve gone with it.

It means that anyone who has yet to fondle the gorgeous merino can, and there will be some shining brightness amongst the sock range available in stores.

With wholesale inevitably comes a good hard look at costs and pricing. Another hard decision was to nudge up our prices for both the online store and bricks and mortar shops so that we can continue to provide a high quality product. Knitsch Yarns really is a labour of love (I don’t get paid!!) but it’s all for our wonderful, inspirational customers - well, friends, really. You!

So from Monday 14 June our online shop prices for sock yarn will be edging up to $12.95 for a 50g skein. Prices at markets and fairs will remain $12 a pop, and we will still have special offers and discounts for those on our mailing list. OH, and the Flights of Fancy Yarn Club prices will stay the same - which means even more value for money!

Like I said, we really wouldn’t be here without you wonderful people! Thanks so much for all your continued support, lovely emails and photos of WIPs and FOs.

Now head on over to the online shop to place an order before the price rise! Or, if you’re local, come along to Craft2.0 tomorrow!

xx Tash

WWKIP

Hello!

Weekend away was fabulous. One of these days I'll put some photos up.

The lovely Cherie has organised a World Wide Knit in Public day event (though really it's more like World Wide Knit In Public fortnight) event, and Knitsch Yarns is a sponsor!

Woohoo! We've donated a couple skeins of sock yarn for the pile of giveaways on the day. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it, but will do my best to get a pic of yours truly knitting somewhere out in the wild world - Syyyyydneeeeey in fact.

And I just noticed that there is another Wellington event, on the same day as Craft2.0. While everyone should be heading out to the Hutt, if you can't make it, you should head on over...

Apologies....

Apologies for being a little quiet lately - I'm super busy!

And just moved house yesterday (with an office! For me!), now i'm off to goodness-knows-where for the long weekend.

Happy Queen's birthday everyone, drive safely, knit lots, and hopefully I will have a pre-craft2.0 post for you when i'm back!

xx Tash

Duvet days

With all the average weather in these parts lately, there has been much talk in the Kiwi interwebs of days spent in bed, with dvds, or knitting, or tea, or chocolate, or all of the above.

I'm yet to have the luxury of a duvet day this winter - 2 large wholesale orders, the upcoming craft2.0 and part time work means early starts and being chilled to the bone.

In background news, i'm also moving house, again, this friday. The boy and I are rather excited that our new bedroom is massive, and won't resemble a tool shed as it currently does. So we've been looking at buying a great big new comfy bed - just the ticket for scheduling in a duvet day when all this work allows.

Which means, daydreaming:

(photos from over at the ever-beautiful Decor8 blog)

May have to block day in the diary for this quality, cosy, knitty duvet day....

Sharing is caring & Yarn Club sale dates

Quick yarn club update!

Sale date: 23 June 
First shipment: 1 July

Cost (all NZ $): 
No postage (for if you see me regularly) $90 
NZ $100 
AUS $110 (this includes GST, so will be a bit less than this in real terms) 
ROW $120 (this includes GST, so will be a bit less than this in real terms)

AND the amazing Sue of Craft2.0 and Supervery is giving me the coolest stitch markers ever to put in at least one installation of the yarn club - hooray!

I can also confirm that each month you will receive 120 grams of yarny deliciousness :D

And I just have to share some more beautiful things with you - 

Ariane over at Falling Stitches writes about knitting so beautifully, and takes gorgeous photos, and has the most amazing blogger background EVER. Think i'm in love. Seriously. 

I work at Wanda Harland in Petone a few days a week, and Martha is the best boss ever. Seriously. Except for one thing - she keeps teasing me with this bag. I want it. I must have it. Seriously (Really must stop using that word). I may have to mortgage like, my camera or something to buy it, but it will be mine. One day.

Inspiration and beautiful things

As soon as I saw this, I had to run over here and share it with you. How beautiful is this nest?

Hopefully Louana doesn't mind that I pinched her photo! She sent me some leaves for the Tree last week and i've now become an avid follower of her blog. 

Are there any beautiful crafty things you've spotted in the interwebs lately? I'd love to see...nothing like a bit of inspiration to brighten up a rainy day!

Rainy Day Woman

Apologies for the mini hiatus with blog posts the past few days! Life is gearing up in preparation for Craft2.0 - which means lots of dyeing, winding, labelling and other odd jobs.


Thanks to the wonderful amazing Sue, i'm now officially a half partner with Craft2.0! I've always loved the work Sue has done promoting the value of handmade, and now I have more excuses to hang out with her and talk crafty goodness.


Here is the awesome Craft2.0 image for the June fair...




If you're in the area, you should come along and say hi! 
[ETA: I know the pic's a bit cut off at the side, but i'm feeling to lazy to fix it. Soz.]

With all the rain we've had lately, I'm sure lots of people in NZ are feeling a bit sodden, least of all me. Last night, on the way back from Craft Up at Blondini's, my car's windscreen wipers decided on the motorway that it was the perfect time to stop working. Awesome. Luckily I had Elisabeth (aka the Sewphist) with me, and she is member of the AA. One half hour wait a tow truck later, we were home. 

Reading this blog post this morning, and running around avoiding puddles, put me in the mood for some Bob. Because he makes everything better.