Archive for January, 2009

This cute kanga was crocheted in Peaches ‘n Cream – Pale Green (not lime as in photo) and orange. Obviously not real kangaroo colours but I had these left-over so I thought, what the heck!  The pattern is by Crochet Roo.

It was crocheted for an At My House yahoo group ami exchange.  Looking forward to seeing what I receive in return!

This year we’ve decided that the US is too expensive right now and Jet Star is having some fab deals to Tokyo, so we’re going there instead!

Because this is a part-business trip – I’m going to do some buying for AY.  Thankfully, other yarn bloggers have provided helpful pics, hints and websites for anyone planning to do the same.

Fleegle – pics and blogging on her yarn crawl in ’07 – http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/tokyo-yarn-crawl-2007.html

Pinku Rocks has helpfully provided a downloadable Excel file on all the yarn stores in the Tokyo area. – http://pinkurocks.typepad.com/pinku/2006/11/tokyo_yarn_stor.html

Now all I have to do is book my flights, update my passport and go!

Stay tuned for more updates…

Saw this Giant Floor Ball featured on whatnottocrochet.wordpress.com and decided I HAVE to have one.  Found a pattern on EBay.  Am off to find some matching colours.  The pattern recommends rug yarn but will use two strands of super saver together – should have the same effect on gauge.

The Americans have the 4th of July, the French have Bastille Day – so how do we Aussies celebrate the birth of our nation (well, the day some Brits landed on our shore anyway)?  With cane toads, cockies (the insect variety) and beer!

But if you’re not a fan of all things crawly and disgusting, you can show your patriotism in more refined ways – by drinking tea and knitting an Aussie flag tea cosy!

Knitter extraordinaire Mandy Woodmansey with her design.  Click on the link above to get the FREE pattern!

What’s ‘Handmade Nation’ you may ask?  It’s a documentary about the rise of the DIY and arts and craft movement in the USA.  It’s all about the emergence of funky indie designers and craftsters who are rejecting commercialism and expressing their creativity and individuality through their art.  And yes, it can be called art!  Knitters, crocheters, graphic artists, painters, designers.  Over 80 hours of film was gathered as the director – Faythe Levine, visited 15 cities and interviewed 50 artists to gather materials for her film.

Handmade Nation will be launching in Australia at the Stitches and Craft Show in Melbourne in March this year.

To take a sneak peek at the film, click here to view on Youtube.

You’ve probably never heard of Allison Whitlock – neither had I until I listened to a Crochetville podcast. This stitcher hosts a show on the DIY network in the US called “Uncommon Threads“.  It features how-to projects from all needlearts – embroidery, knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, sewing etc…

It’s always exciting to hear another Aussie accent on US TV!

Here is a link to a cool knitted animation film currently making the rounds of the Indie Film circuits in the US and Europe.  It is by talented British director, Sarah Cox.  It draws attention to the global climate crisis.

Don’t Let it all unravel!