beautiful distractions

whilst slogging through my WIPs, I couldn't help but 'research' the interwebs for more inspiration or excuses, and on one excursion I found the wonderful world of Bendigo Woollen Mills online. The chances of me ever getting to Bendigo are pretty slim (although it is somewhat increased now that I know of Woollen Mills Factory Outlet).

Aside from all the wool they are selling, they also sell cotton ... beautiful wonderful cotton. I don't often (read never) work with wool due to the climate and the fact that anything short of cashmere makes me itch. Their shade cards did not disappoint.

Their balls of cotton are available in both 4ply and 8ply and are 200gr as opposed to the little 50gr ones. They have a special on until the 19th of December where you can buy 12 balls for $106.00 whereas normally it is $13.00 a ball and no postage. I think I found my Christmas present :-)

UFO #7 - the Christmas tea cosy

I wasn't convinced of tea cosies before - and really, I am not now, because whilst I was working on the tea cosy, Brisbane hit 39 degrees, so who would need a tea cosy in this weather - BUT it was kinda fun to create. So without further ado, I give you my Christmas tea cosy ...

It's a 2x2 rib (I think that is what it is called, if you knit 2 and purl 2) with doubled up green yarn and trebled red yarn with a strand of gold in it. The yarn was donated to the project and it is Acrylic at its finest, but I can't hear the teapot complaining that it itches, so all is well.

Since I only have a small tea pot I tried to make it very stretchy and flexible so it could accommodate larger pots as well. So, the presents on top actually have a bit of space to arrange themselves around a larger lid. Probably less suitable in a cold climate, but really people, I am a mother of two and I can't remember when I last had a hot cup of tea (or coffee) that wasn't microwaved at least twice :-)

I have also finished UFOs #4 the hemming of the tunic, #5 the grey blue t-shirt (okay, okay, I still need to do the hem), and #6 the head band. I have postponed #3, the quilt, until my 1/4 in quilting foot arrives. I am not sure I'll ever do #8, the sewing machine bag, because I figured I actually rather trace and cut when I am visiting other people (or crochet/knit) and I can do something else with the materials.

Now, I will do the hem and then I shall see what to do next. Toodles .... :-)