twoandsix

[MONA x +] scarf

My [MONA x +] scarf.  

Crocheted as we drove to Hobart for opening of [MONA x +] a couple of weekends ago.

No pattern - it just grew, and found a life of it's own, as I stared out the window and lost myself in the scenery, and the quiet, and my thoughts.

It's so pretty, I must try and write the pattern down, one day.

It will always remind me of beautiful weekend we had - the amazing [MONA x +] experience, wonderful friends, and the bluest of skies...

....as blue as the soft cotton yarn I pulled from my stash as we headed out the door x

[5] create

"The [creative] is the place where no one else has ever been.  

You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your [intuition].  

You'll [discover] what will be wonderful.

What you'll discover is [yourself]".

~ Alan Alder

One for her.  One for you. In my shop.

xx

inside

The clouds roll in, and cover the sky - a blanket of grey hangs overhead with just a sprinkling of rain.  The earth is sodden and the air crisp, although today I can't see my breath as I exhale.

A day spent inside, looking out - the skeletons of my birch trees glistening with rain drops.

A home filled with love, and warmth, and the aroma of freshly baked muffins.

A morning spent with friends - the sounds of laughter and the smell of coffee.  Children running, and playing, the echos of important conversations in little voices float from the hallway.

An afternoon of quiet - my friends have wandered to their homes, and my baby is asleep (although I fear he's almost not a baby anymore).  I pick up my yarn and hook and begin to watch my work grow - something for the Niche Market.  The stitches are beautifully defined, the piece soft and grey - a little darker grey than today's sky.

Although I look out the window - the rain has stopped and the sun is glowing through the clouds.  Maybe there will be a little color in my day afterall x

for the love of simple things + giveaway

I yearn for a simple life.  A life filled with  simple things:  love. family. friends. quiet. time. laughter. creativity. warmth.  a little chocolate. a little excitement.

These past few weeks have been filled with an abundance of joy, adventures, and thrills! It was with great excitement I launched my photography website: michelledupont.  'Now' feels like the right time to embark on this new journey and direction.  Photography has become such an integral part of my life - a passion that has presented opportunities in my path that I would never have otherwise explored - a passion I want to share with others around me.

My new photoblog was also launched last week, and so far I have been overwhelmed with the wonderfully warm response it has received.  If you have a moment, please stop by there and here and say hello - i'd love to hear from you.

Of course, I'll still be continuing with my first love - twoandsix.  I feel so lucky to be able to indulge in two things that make my heart sing: crafing + photography, and it's only going to get busier in my little home as I prepare for the Niche Market in August!

In amongst all the excitement, I picked up some deliciously soft, chunky yarn and was taken back to where my love of crafting began  - a four year old little girl sitting at her mothers feet.  Big, chunky yarn (it was a wonderful turquoise color) with thick knitting needles. "In, around, under, off" where her directions, and I learnt them well.  Garter stitch always reminds me of those early days, when life was simplier and I all I had to remember was "in, around, under, off"!

So, to celebrate the events of recent weeks, the pleasure of simple things, and my love of garter stitch, I made this incredibly simple scarf with tassles.  Beautifully long and warm, it wraps around my neck three times.  It makes me happy.  Simply.

Now, some happy news for you all (well, I hope it will make you happy)! I made a scarf for you too - just because I wanted to. Just because I wanted to say 'thankyou' for stopping by, and leaving so much love behind when you do.  Just because I wanted to share.  I'm also going to give you a 8 x 8, or 8 x 10 photo print from my 'STILL' portfolio - your choice!  This way you get a little piece of two things that I love!

If you would like to be in the running to win, just leave a comment here before midnight AEST, Friday 23 July to be in the draw - Ziggy will pick a winner on Saturday.  Good luck, and thankyou x

a longing

A [longing] for something soft + simple + sincere.

A [something] that will take me back, and remind me of another time + place.

A [desire] to share, express gratitude and love.

I'm almost there.

wrapped

Shoulders wrapped.  Cocooned in a layer of pistasio green - soft and warm.

I fell in love with Kirsty's slashed vest.  Which led me to Leonie's  simply knitted Wrap Vest pattern.

I picked up my hook and dove into my stash - Leonie was right, a crochet version does look fabulous.

I know it's going to get a lot of wear this winter...  it sits perfecty over my long sleeved tee, and nestles wonderfully underneath my jacket...  sandwiched beautifully!

Here's how if you'd like to know:

DETAILS

Finished measurements:
22"/56cm long x 41"/104 cm wide

Yarn
Patons Wilderness.  Color 0501.   5 x 100gm balls.

Hook and Notions:
7.00 mm  crochet hook
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
My gauge: 6 stitches over 2".

I followed Leonie's measurements exactly.

Chain 55.

DC (double crochet) for 12.5 inches.

Armhole:
DC 15, chain 25, dc 15.
Next row, DC in each stitch.

Continue back section until it measures 16 inches.
Repeat Armhole.
Continue crochet for another 12.5 inches.
Break yarn and weave in ends.

Beautiful simplicty. Thankyou Kirsty and Leonie for the inspiration xx

handmade - with love

Yesterday....

Eden:  "Mummy, can you knit me a hat"?

Mummy: "Of course sweetheart, i'd love to".

We spent some time looking through patterns on Ravelry - she finally selected this wonderful pattern, and this color. I was so proud that she chose it herself.

She snuggled up next to me as I cast on last night, excited to watch it 'grow' before her eyes.  This afternoon I was casting off just as she arrived home from school.  

This is one of the reasons why i adore 'handmade' so much.  There's nothing more fulfilling than being able to create something for someone you love, and know that they will love it too.

pea green

I've had many requests for this little beanie pattern , so I thought i'd write it up and share it with you all.  This is an extremely simple and quick knit.  Cast on at the beginning of a DVD, and you could be casting off as the credits roll!

The following measurements fit my Ziggy's 49cm head perfectly, however, they are meant to be used as a guide only.  Decide how wide you would like your beanie to be, then cast on the appropriate number of stitches to suit your preferences and choice of yarn.

DETAILS
Finished measurements:
18"/47 cm long x 8"/20cm wide

Yarn:
Any bulky yarn would work well.  I've used Moda Vera Shiver (super soft for a little persons head, and it drapes beautifully).  2 x 50 gram balls.
[approximately 90m of yarn]

Needles and Notions:
1 pair 7.5mm needles
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
Not important in this pattern.

Using Provisional Cast on on method, cast on 25 stitches.

Row 1:  Knit
Row 2:  Purl
Starting with Row 3, be sure to slip (as if to purl) the last three stitches on each KNIT row.  This will give you and i-cord trim to keep the edge from curling.
Row 3:  Knit (being sure to slip the last 3 stitches!)
Row 4: Purl

Repeat Rows 3 & 4 until your piece is long enough to wrap around your child's head.

Break working yarn, leaving a tail long enough for grafting.  Remove provisional stitches and place live sitches on needle.  Knit into the little half stitch at the end of the non i-cord edge to make up equal number of stiches on each needle.

Using Kitchener Stitch, graft the 2 sets of live stitches together.

Join top seam, making sure the grafted section is placed at middle back of hat.

Add tassles, and enjoy!

sev[en]circle

My sev[en]circle. 
This wonderful pattern spoke to me as soon as I saw it - an original design  by the talented Kirsten.  The finished piece is incredibly beautiful - it drapes and hangs perfectly. 
Quick and easy, exactly what I needed: a knitting 'fix', a small distraction before I get back to all my work and orders.
Made for my daughter - i like to think that each of the seven rings represent a little piece of love from each of the seven other members of our family.
She loves it.  So do i.
There will be another, next time in grey (of course), for me.