twoandsix

a feeling of softness

It was peaceful laying in the dark, listening to the rhythmic sounds of rain falling softly in the middle of the night.  Sleep has not been my friend recently, however it's during these quiet hours i've found the space and time to reflect and envisage, to daydream and be grateful.

I have been surrounded by a feeling of softness this week - softness in many forms.

Beach stones collected by my children.  Each child was asked to choose their favorite treasure from the many we brought home that day. Stones were examined and turned over, held and stroked.  Firm, yet beautifully [soft] and smooth beneath our fingertips. The most loved were stacked and balanced, oh-so-carefully - a piece of art in it's own right.

A gift from sweet Lucy.  Unbelieveably [soft] yarn. Blue Skys Alpacas "Suri Merino". Delicious.  I lay in the dark, trying to decide what to knit, wondering what project would be worthy of such beautiful yarn.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

A feather, plucked from my bouquet.  It's beauty rediscovered.  Delicate and frayed, [soft] downy filaments gently floating.  I marvel at the details and smile when I am reminded of furry spider legs!

[Soft] colors - subtle shades of white, grey and sand.  The [soft]ness of twilight - trees fading into silhouette.  Small, [soft] hands touching my face and even [soft]er lips kissing mine.

[soft] music to hear.
[soft] images to see.

soft . gentle . quiet

beehive beanie

Beehive Beanie
Pattern based on Saartje's Noro Hat
Modified to fit a little person 12 - 24 months.

Size 4mm circular needles
DK / 8 ply wool
I used 1.5 skeins (50gms)

Cast on 75 stiches using long tail cast on method.  Join in a round.

Straight part
Work in alternating bands of 4 rows knit, 4 rows purl.

1   - 4   : k (4 rnds)
5   - 8   : p (4 rnds)
9   - 12 : k (4 rnds)
13 - 16 : p (4 rnds)
17 - 20 : k (4 rnds)
21 - 24 : p (4 rnds)
25 - 28 : k (4 rnds)
29 - 32 : p (4 rnds)
33 - 36 : k (4 rnds)
37 - 40 : p (4 rnds)

Shape crown
Continue the knit/purl bands, but start decreasing in every second knit round in the knit band.

41 :         k
42 :        (k5, k2tog, k6, k2tog) 5 times (65 sts left)
43 - 44 :  k
45 - 48 :  p (4 rnds)
49 :         k
50 :        (k4, k2tog, k5, k2tog) 5 times (55 sts left)
51 - 52 :  k
53 - 56 :  p (4 rnds)
57:          k
58 :       (k3, k2tog, k4, k2tog) 5 times (45 sts left)
59 - 60 :   k
61 - 64 :   p (4 rnds)
65 :          k
66 :        (k2, k2tog, k3, k2tog) 5 times (35 sts left)
67 - 68 :   k
69 - 72 :   P (4 rnds)
73 :          k
74 :        (k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog) 5 times (25 sts left)
75 - 76 :   k
77 - 80 :   p (4 rnds)
81 :          k
82  :       (k1, k2tog) 12 times, k1 (13 sts left)
83 :           k
84 :        (k2tog) 6 times, k1 (7 sts left)

Break yarn and draw through the 7 remaining stitches.
Work in yarn ends.
Enjoy!

If you have any questions, please email me:  twoandsix@bigpond.com

breathe easy

My weekend has been bliss.
Luxuriously lazy and relaxing.

Warm days :: playing at the beach, collecting stones and beach treasures.
Cool nights ::  knitting and crocheting.

I [knitted] a beehive beanie for Ziggy.
Based on Saartje's Noro Hat, i modified it to fit a little person's head.  I'm thrilled with the result. Ziggy loves it too.
The yarn slipped through my fingers effortlessly :: wool tweed :: soft :: warm :: grey.

I [fell in love] with a car I spotted for sale on the side of the road.
A 1964 Humber.
Elephant grey body :: white roof ::  red leather seats
I could see myself driving it around town.
Not practical, but I love it anyway.

I [crocheted] a pair of wristwarmers.
A gift for a friend.

It was a wonderful weekend.

sur - re - al

There's something surreal about seeing an image you've taken in print.

I took this photo of my friends baby girl, Maeve, a while ago and it's proven to be my most 'popular' image on flickr - a magic combination perhaps?  cute baby + blue eyes + knitted hat !

Emails travelled back and forth across the globe for a while, and then Laura from 'Mothering' surprised me with the news that my photo had been chosen to feature on the cover of this months issue.

[happy] [delighted] [thrilled]

My copy arrived in the mail earier this week - what a fabulous magazine! I loved the article about five crafty mamas:  Amanda, Sally, Eren, Amy and Stephanie.

Q.  what is one of the benefits of having a photo on the front cover of a magazine?
A.  a free subscription!

Thank you Laura.

love birds

A wonderful addition to my vintage coffee cup collection. 

Week 06/52
A vintage coffee cup ::  wonderful warm caramel glaze ::  featuring sweet little birds sitting on a branch ::  i like to think they are love birds ::  but look at those feathers, maybe they are peacocks ::  underneath it reads, Japan ::  c 1970's I would image ::  coffee always tastes nicer when drunk from a vintage cup :: 50 cents

the sweetest gift

'Sometimes our light goes out,
but is blown into flame by another human being.
Each of us owes deepest thanks
to those who have rekindled this light'  ~ albert schweitzer

[thank you ] xx

inspiration

Sunshine and warmth bathed my face as I stepped outside this morning.  It seems that summer is reluctant to leave and has decided to linger just a little longer. I breathed in the unusually humid air.

[inhale] draw in the perfumes of the day.
[exhale] try to let go of the frustrations of the week.

A perfect day for lunch with a beautiful friend.  Lil and Ziggy frolicked on the grass together, lost in the magic that is childhood, playing with balls and chasing butterflies.  Estelle and I savoured the good food, good wine and serene atmosphere at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm cafe.  A couple of hours of welcomed calm - a few moments of distraction from the events of the week that are weighing heavy on my mind.

[breathe in]

Yesterday I received comments that upset me enormously.  They were meant to upset, and succeeded in doing so - I was in tears.  I was accused of copying another artist and for failing to give credit to her for the inspiration behind some of my work.

I was introduced to this talented lady's work for the first time yesterday.  I am surprised that I haven't stumbled across her art or seen her lovely crocheted covered stones during my time on-line, but am pleased to now be aquainted with her work and delightful blog.

The inspiration for my vintage doily covered stones came from many  sources - including a love of vintage textiles and my affinity for our beaches and the treasures they yield.  Lisa's beautiful felt covered beach stones were certainly inspirational also.

Our work may appear similar, however, the creative process is considerably different. My work does not include the design and creation of beautiful hand crochet.  My pieces are a [study] of contrasts - a [union] of textures, a [marriage] of elements - ancient stone and thrifted vintage doilies.  A [recongition] of the humble beauty of these items and the process of repurposing.

While I have been designing, creating and selling my handmade items for nearly 20 years, my relationship with the internet, blogging and etsy is still in it's infancy. I still have much to learn, and will endeavor to be more diligent in sharing from where my inspiration comes, and give credit to other artists when necessary for their creative talents, and to avoid confusion.

The threads of creativity connect us all and inspiration comes from every aspect of life. I feel privileged to be part of a world wide community where the new, the extraordinary and the beautiful is shared every day.

It is not my desire to take anything away from others, but simply to share a little...

[breathe out]

SERENDIPITY

These Dutch Clogs are truly a special find.

Sitting quietly on a table in my favorite thrift store, i noticed them immediately.  They [looked] familiar, and I picked them up. They [felt] familiar, and I held them.  I turned them over, and inscribed on the bottom, in my mothers handwriting i read:

"Dec 1975 from Marilyn to Michelle".

I was six in 1975 and these were a gift to me from my sister, Marilyn.  I adored them and wore them around the house and backyard until my feet had grown too large for them. I  can still recall the painful sensation of my toes pushing against the hard timber inside, and the disspointment I felt when I realised I wouldn't be able to wear them anymore. 

Years later, when my parents moved house, the box my Clogs were packed in (along with a some other boxes), were 'lost' in transit.

So now, as I hold them in my hands once again,  I wonder - where have they been?  Who has had them for almost 20 years?  Did this person ever wonder who Marilyn and Michelle were?  How did they come to rest in my local thrift store? 

I know these questions will never be answered, but I quietly smile and marvel at the small gifts life can bring, and am grateful for happy coincidences and serendipity.

Week 05/52
Pair of authentic Dutch Clogs :: size small :: the price tag said $15.00 :: the volunteer at the thrift store was amazed when I told her the story :: she gave them to me for free

with thanks and love

Thank you for the many kind comments left during the week.  I'm delighted to know that people enjoy visiting me here and like the things that I create.

Ziggy, modelling a pair of [Baby Ned Wristwarmies] (available soon in my shop), had a grand time choosing the winner of my giveaway!

Congratulations to Megan from 'megan russell photography'.  Thank you for your lovely comment - i'll be in touch soon and your wristwarmies will be wrapped and posted tomorrow!  I hope you enjoy them.

a little distraction

a [different] adventure
a little [distraction] - just for a moment
a happy [rediscovery] of crochet
a dose of [inspiration] from the wonderfully talented, here and here
a pair of black [wristwarmers] for me - just like the ones I made for Sweet P
a pair of steel grey wristwamers to [giveaway]
a [gift] from me to you - just because.

If you would like them, then let me know and leave a comment here.
They could be yours.
Ziggy will choose a name on Sunday, 8th March.

Have a magical week x

(these wristwarmers are now officially called "Ned Wristwarmies", thanks to inspiration from  Steffen !!)