Put on your dancing shoes & get ready to celebrate the New Year!

Another year is nearly done and what better reason to put on your party heels and celebrate?! New Year's Eve is almost upon us, so choose a pretty frock, get glammed up and spend time with those you love. Here are a few of my favourite party dresses for the perfect little New Year's Eve party outfit:

Dramatic
1. Geneva maxi dress by My Boyfriends Back
2. Black Raven feather earrings, black leather dipped in gold, by Love At First Blush
3. Black embossed leather clutch bag, cowhide leather embossed with snakeskin print, by Henry Louise
4. Black patent leather platform pumps with black studs, by Vile Broccoli Fur

Pretty
1. Vintage Stan Kimel strappy leather heels, from Perennial Past
2. Gold cuff bracelet, hand knitted gold wire, by Lizzy Lizano
3. Vintage 1970's Gunne Sax style praire dress, from Neon Threads Designs
4. Peonia cream and pink clay ring, by Floral Style
5. The Belinda Clutch, pastel and metallic suede and leather clutch, by Grace Design

Black + White
1. Vintage black cut out evening dress with sequins, from Giddy Bright Vintage
2. Monochrome black and white clutch purse, silk lined, by redrubyrose
3. Mid century vintage choker, from adVintagous
4. Vintage Versace strappy pointy toed heels, black patent leather, from Newport Fashionista

Brights
1. Vintage 1960's emerald green velvet dress, from DejaVintage Boutique
2. Pink and red evening shoulder bag, made from vintage Japanese obi fabric, by Cheeky Leapard
3. Dark turquoise statement necklace, by Lotta Losten
4. Rita red glitter peep toe pump shoes, by Grains of Beauty

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Black Friday & Cyber Monday sale

To help out with those last minute holiday and christmas gifts, I am having a Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale over at my Etsy store! To receive 20% discount off any purchase, simply enter the code HOLIDAY2013 at the Etsy checkout.

No need to worry if you don't have a PayPal account - Etsy will let you pay as a visitor using your debit or credit card through PayPal. You can also pay by bank deposit if you have a New Zealand bank account.

I will be shipping any purchases made over the weekend first thing on Monday morning. Each comes wrapped in recyclable brown paper, but it can be gift wrapped in pretty christmas paper if you would prefer (just let me know in the notes to seller form when you purchase anything).

I am super busy with custom orders at the moment, but could possibly squeeze in a couple more in the next couple of weeks if you want something specially made. Either email me or contact me on Etsy and I will see what I can do.

Happy holidays!

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Honey Cowl (modified from Ravelry)

One of my all time favourite cowl patterns to knit (and wear) is the Honey Cowl from Madelinetosh.  It is a free knitting pattern, so no excuses for not making one for yourself if you can knit.

Making one for myself at the start of each winter might have to become a new annual ritual. I thrashed the one I made this last winter. Although there is plenty of life left in it yet, I would love to have another couple of colour options. Below is a photo of my beta original, along with a second version in a different colour which is all ready to be shipped off to someone special!

Honey Cowls in purple and plum, knitted with Malabrigo

It is knit in the round on circular knitting needles and uses a very easy slip stitch waffle pattern. The slip stitch provides almost a double fabric effect, making it super toasty warm. There is also the option of making a single or double cowl. Next time I'd make it a double cowl as it has a lot more variety in terms of how you can wrap and wear it. But a single cowl is a good option for something easy to wear or for anyone dealing with hot flushes.

Unfortunately I couldn't track down any Madelinetosh yarn. If anyone knows where I can get some in New Zealand, can you let me know? I substituted Malabrigo Rios, purchased from the wonderful Holland Road Yarn Company in Petone, Wellington. Although I did have to make a few modifications as this is a different weight to the recommended Madelinetosh dk yarn.

I'm really pleased with the final result. Wearing it is like having kittens cuddle your neck all day, the yarn is that soft. My resolution for next year is that I need more Malabrigo in my life, although that is one resolution that won't be a chore to complete.

You can download a copy of the Honey Cowl pattern for yourself either from Madelinetosh or directly from Ravelry. My modifications are listed below for now. They will eventually make it to my Ravelry page at some stage (maybe after the holiday rush!)

Pattern modifications:
Substituted Malabrigo for recommended yarn.
Knit on 4.5mm needles as I have a very loose guage. Shows the need to do a knitting swatch before starting!
Cast on 90 stitches due to yarn being a different weight.

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5 easy tips to prepare yourself for the christmas rush

If you are anything like me, the holiday season can be a bit of a blur. With endless to-do lists, end of year work deadlines, family comittments (not to mention the need to plan a four course banquet to rival a Masterchef season finale) it can be easy to forget what is really important. Here are five easy tips to help you survive the silly season:

1 / It's never too early to start your preparations
Some suggest doing your shopping at the previous year's boxing day sales but not too many of us are that organised. It's true that the sooner you start preparing, the easier things will be closer to the day. If you plan on having a handmade Christmas you should well be underway by now. If not, now would be a good time to start.

2 / Write your list and check it twice!
Start off with writing a list of everyone you want to send a card to or buy a present for. Is there anyone you have left off? If you are on a budget, jot down how much you are going to spend on each person and any gift ideas you have for that person. Don't forget to check off your list as you complete it!

3 / Online shopping is your friend!
What's not to love about avoiding the crazy Christmas shopping crowds? Make things easier on yourself this year by buying online and have everything shipped straight to your door.

If you are after a one of a kind Christmas gift head to Etsy or the New Zealand based handmade marketplace Felt. Otherwise, most retailers have an online presence these days, so support small local businesses by checking out what your favourite local boutique has to offer online.

Save on shipping costs by buying in bulk from the same retailer, or head to retailers who offer free shipping such as Asos or Book Depository. The best part is you avoid the drama of trying to find a carpark on Christmas Eve when everyone else is stressed because they weren't as organised as you!

4 / Don't forget what is important to you
Think about what is important to you this holiday season. Is it buying the latest on trend toy for a little one you know or spending time with your loved ones?

If you have an agreement to not buy presents this year, is there something else worthwhile you can do instead? Perhaps you could offer your babysitting skills, bake a cake, or make a mix tape for your friend's Christmas road trip?

Remember that acts of kindness shouldn't be reserved solely for the holiday season, but it is important to take time out to look out for those you care about at this stressful time of year.

5 / Too many cooks in the kitchen can be a wonderfully good thing
If you are organising the family Christmas dinner it helps to know how much you can take on. Make sure you plan your menu ahead of time, sort out what you need and prepare as much of it ahead of time as possible. Is there anything that can be made the weekend before and frozen?

If you have friends or neighbours who are also catering for their families, have a chat to them and see if you could each make a bulk version of a dish that you can swap with each other. Then you would each have two different dishes for half the work! 

Lastly, make sure you don't spend all your time in the kitchen by sorting out who will be helping with dishes before the actual day. And don't forget to do what you can, spend time with those you love and celebrate!

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Thrifty thursday finds

Do your bit for the planet (and your wallet!) by thrifting, upcycling, recycling and repurposing with some vintage bargains.

Would you rather have a well loved item with plenty of life left in it? Or something cookie-cutter mass produced out of a catalogue? If you chose the second option then you and I will have to agree to disagree. My preference is for the item that has a story to it, but then again I'm a romantic at heart.

There are so many great ideas out there for repurposing your flea market finds. For some DIY inspiration you just need to check out Pinterest. Or you can check out the following for more practical instructions:

• Mollie Makes / gorgeous UK based magazine with a focus on the handmade, vintage thrifting and craft. Lots of pretty projects to make yourself and inspiration from the world's best new generation of crafters.
• The Crafty Minx: Creative Recycling and Handmade Treasures by Kelly Doust / gorgeous book with so many creative ideas and projects for recycling preloved and vintage items.

• Granny Chic: Crafty Recipes and Inspiration for the Handmade Home by Tif Fussell and Rachelle Blondel / another creative how-to book giving inspiration for repurposing vintage finds. Great ideas for a handmade home with lots of pretty pictures.
• frankie / Australian magazine focusing on the latest trends in fashion and craft. With gorgeous illustrations, great articles and lovely DIY projects thrown in too.

Fuel your imagination and share your ideas! Here are my latest Thrifty Thursday finds:

1. Set of vintage 2x coffee cups 2x tea cups. Made in England with pretty pink floral pattern.
2. Matching Carltonware side dishes. I have no idea what they were originally used for but I plan on using mine for olives!
3. Art deco Clarice Cliff serving plate with gorgeous gold detailing that reminds me of something out of The Great Gatsby.
4. Shelley vintage china milk jug. The perfect little vase for a posey of wildflowers.

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Somewhere over the rainbow: DIY ombre lace scarf

Rainbows are for those of us who dare to dream of the world becoming a better place. For the dreamers, the artists, the renegades and the believers. Show your colours with pride by making your own rainbow scarf with this free knitting pattern.

Using a traditional Shetland lace horseshoe lace pattern, this scarf is easy enough for someone who is a beginning lace knitter. It has a simple garter stitch border to stop the edges rolling in on each other when you wear it. Make it long enough to wrap around your neck a couple of times and you will be set for winter!

Can't be bothered making your own? Check out my Etsy shop!

DIY OMBRE LACE SCARF / free pattern

Yarn: Kauni Yarn Effektgarn 8/2 Rainbow colourway (100% wool)
Needles: 4 mm (note: my guage is loose, so if you are a tight knitter you may need to go up a needle size).

Abbreviations:
K = knit
K2 tog = knit two stitches together
P = purl
psso = pass slip stitch over
sl 1 = slip one stitch knitwise
yfwd = bring yarn forward in front of needles

Instructions:
Cast on 37 stitches.
Begin pattern as follows.

Row 1: (wrong side): K3, P34, K3.
Row 2: (right side): K4, *yfwd, K3, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, K3, yfwd, k1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: K3, P1, *K1, yfwd, K2, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, K2, yfwd, K1, P1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 5: K4, *P9, K1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 6: K3, P1, *K2, yfwd, K1, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, K1, yfwd, K2, P1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5.
Row 8: K3, P1, *K3, yfwd, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, yfwd, K3, P1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.

Repeat these 8 rows until your scarf is around 80 inches long(or your desired length). Cast off with a bind off method suitable for lace.

At this stage the lace will look mishapen and bunched up, but fear not! You just need to soak your scarf overnight in a bucket of lukewarm water. After it has soaked for a few hours, gently squeeze the excess water out and lay the scarf out on a flat surface in the shade. Gently stretch out your scarf so the that the lace pattern opens up and leave it to dry.

Lastly, weave in the ends once your scarf is dry and (voila!) you're done!

Please note: This pattern is free for you to use for personal use under my Creative Commons license. You can use, share and modify this pattern but the pattern itself can't be sold and attribution must be made.

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Mint Julep cocktail hour

Here in the Southern Seas we are enjoying the arrival of spring. Not too far in the distant future will be sunshine and sand, camping sojourns, catching up with old friends over the long summer break and cooling down with tasty cocktails.

The classic Mint Julep is my fave adults only summer beverage. In anticipation of those hot summer nights, here is one way to whip one up:

Mint Julep with a twist

90 ml bourbon whiskey
6 fresh mint leaves
Caster sugar to taste
A dash of fresh finely grated orange rind
Ice (crushed)

Muddle mint, sugar & orange rind with a splash of the bourbon in a mixing glass. Leave to stand for a few minutes to let the flavours infuse.
Strain the ingredients into a highball glass (or a short whisky glass if you prefer). Swish the contents around to coat all sides of the glass. Fill with crushed ice and then pour the remaining bourbon over the ice. Decorate with a sprig of mint and a pretty paper straw.

For my friends in colder climates, don't let the cooler air stop you from enjoying this classic drink! Just add a dash of cinnamon & fresh cardamom to spice it up for a winter twist.

Best enjoyed with good company and some smooth tunes (Etta James / Frank Ocean /Jill Scott / etc).

1. Mint Julep knitted wool beanie, grey with mint and teal stripes /
2. Pick & Mix Mint Julep fingerless mittens - set of three mittens to mix and match as you please /

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Thrifty Thursday finds

Another successful day of vintage thrifting and the best $5 I have spent this month (so far). A spot of hunting through the local flea market resulted in these gorgeous wee vintage finds:

Sail Away vintage glass bottle with handpainted ship detail in lovely ombre blue. Perfect for throwing out to sea with a secret message inside. The stories it could tell... (but of course it is far too pretty to throw away!)

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Love me tender: how to care for your handknits

Want to know how to look after your favourite scarf or winter cardi? Can't find the care instruction label? Here are my favourite tips to ensurse it sticks around for a few more seasons:

1. Always follow the garment care instructions. Always. No excuses. Trust me, you will want to know that your fave boyfriend sweater is dryclean only before you chuck it in the machine on a delicate cycle.

2. Check that you are using the correct laundry detergent. You need to use one that is specifically designed for wool, otherwise you may damage the woollen fibres. Try Ecostore's Delicates & Wool Wash with eucalyptus (a natural moth repellent) or Soak no-rinse wool wash. Stay away from bleach - it can dissolve wool, which is obviously a bad, bad thing.

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Plum perfection

A selection of plum and purple tones for my next project!

Perhaps this is a good match to go with the incredibly soft Malabrigo Rios (which is set aside for an order but I could be tempted to buy some for myself...)

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1970's vintage hat pattern

I am on the hunt for the perfect winter hat pattern!

After picking up a vintage knitting book at the local flea market, I have been trying to update a vintage pattern without much luck. The shaping was all wrong and it was twice the size it should have been.

So, back to the drawing board and this is where I am at, still using the stitch from the 1973 pattern but that was the only design aspect kept. Now it's time to rediscover my pompom making skills so I can finish this baby off!

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End of winter

A spot of end of winter knitting overlooking Lyall Bay, Wellington Airport and Cook Strait @ Wellington, New Zealand. A gloomy end to a beautiful weekend.

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Steptoe

Since it is nearly Friday, I thought I would share that there has been lots of productivity from my wee needles, despite lots of other projects on the go.

I have had a few requests for my Steptoe Cowl design in different colours. It is a textured design made from lovely soft pure  New Zealand wool. Steptoe & Son was a little before my time, but I couldn't resist naming my design after the British comedy due to the interlocking "step" pattern. The design is based on a stitch pattern I saw in a vintage knitting book, which was an excellent flea market find - lots of retro and mid-century design inspiration. It took a bit of  trial and error to knit it in the round so that there were no seams and the design was continuous, with each panel being continuous around the whole design.

Next is a Steptoe in olive green for a military feel, but I am also on the hunt for some suitable burgandy coloured wool from NZ as I have one on order already!

Geometric patterns are something I am keen to explore more of in my designs, so watch this space!

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Follow me on Etsy!

 I'm super excited to announce my Etsy store is finally live! I will still be selling goodies on felt, so be sure to check out my New Zealand store from time to time. You will find links to both my stores above (just under the header) so it is super easy to find me!  As always, I am happy to make custom orders so feel free to contact me if you are after a particular colourway or if you want me to design something especially for you.

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