‘Tis the Season

‘Tis the season.  “For what?” you might well ask.

‘Tis the season for wondering what I’ve been doing for the last couple of months.  Where did the time go?

‘Tis the season for relaxing after my children’s birthdays – all around the same time of year.  My elder daughter kindly let me “play” with her tea stand so that I could illustrate my point about this year being a cupcake baking spectacular.  There were lemon and lime poppy seed butterfly cupcakes, the ever-guaranteed-to-please chocolate ones…you get the picture?

‘Tis the season for making children’s fancy dress costumes.  Now there’s a feature of parenting you don’t get warned about.  For this year’s school music showcase, my son had to be dressed as an Australian.  Long story I won’t bore you with for the moment, but the terms of reference were wide – think anything from the Sydney Opera House to a swagman.  Suffice it to say, I found myself having a Project Runway moment in Spotlight (fabric, craft, etc shop), and spending some nights with a sewing needle in my hand.
cheapest cialis in canada That makes the joy and merriment longer and increases the count of cGMP in the penile tissues. It lowers the self-esteem of the person and making them totally free from erectile commander levitra dysfunction. Gain: The treatment solves the issue of ED in a very similar way of the regencygrandenursing.com viagra price genuine one. This really becomes important when selecting a particular online supplier as not all of them are made with Sildenafil citrate that is the main levitra price ingredient of this tablet is Sildenafil Citrate.
‘Tis the season for my children attending other children’s birthday parties.  Actually, when isn’t it?.  “Wear running shoes”, says one invitation.  OK, that’s easy.  “Come dressed as your favourite fairy/dress up/pixie”, says another invitation.  So I think I’m in the market to buy some fairy wings – pink preferably, of course.  Or make some?  Either way, Miss Four will be over the moon.

‘Tis the season for having to lock down my diary with bookings for everything you could possibly think of having to book, through to January.  Speaking of which, ‘tis the Season for having to buy a new diary – yes, call me a dinosaur if you wish, but I still love paper diaries (especially of the cheerful, colourful variety like this).

And oh yes, ‘tis the season for knitting.  I’m talking global averages here, rather than closer to home in New Zealand where it’s getting towards the beach and barbeque season.  There’s a pattern about to be released for testing, and a few other things in the pipeline.  Rejoice!

Back to Knit Nature home page

Leave a Comment

Filed under Blog posts, children, cooking, knitting, knitting patterns, knitwear design

Multi-tasking and Takeover Offers

PumpkinRisottoWithCrispySage

 

A highly regarded book on knitwear design suggests working on only one design at a time, as I recall.  I wouldn’t be surprised if it also sensibly advises to not have an idea about how to improve a design/pattern when you are all but ready to release it for testing.  I don’t want to admit which excellent publication’s advice I’m not following.  Working on multiple things, and constantly looking to improve them is a long-established habit.  Certainly my Equity Research years always seemed to involve doing lots of different things at the same time – and then a takeover offer would emerge all of a sudden (usually when I was thinking I might be able to escape from the office at a reasonable time), instantly altering the priority rating for all those other items on the to-do list.

 

Chiropractic helps in keeping the pressure at its normal viagra without prescription standards regularly. http://www.glacialridgebyway.com/windows/Glacial%20lakes%20State%20Park.html purchase generic cialis And one of the most effective is Voice Broadcasting. Is it made by a cheapest viagra glacialridgebyway.com recognized company? Kamagra Medicines are product of Ajanta Pharma a multi-million dollar company that operates in medicines internationally. Booster capsules are the best viagra cheap generic herbal supplements to cure ED and PE. TopDownEssentialSweaterKnitNature

 

My current reality is more pressure-cooker (well, it might be if I owned one) than high pressure.  The US debt crisis and other factors are pushing the value of the New Zealand Dollar to new highs on an almost daily basis, but I’m not going to over-analyse its impact on Knit Nature revenue.  I’ll just keep on feeding the household, and pushing forward with publishing a few designs (photos of progress on both pursuits this page).  Never just one thing at a time, but at least I probably don’t have to factor in the possibility of a takeover offer at dinner time (although if it has lots of zeros – at the end, that is – the Directors of Knit Nature will be pleased to give it due consideration!).

Back to Knit Nature home page

2 Comments

Filed under Blog posts, cooking, knitting, knitting patterns, knitwear design

Lost the seams

TheEssentialSweater-TopDown

 

There are no large groups in Ravelry for people who love – or at least, don’t mind – sewing seams.  On the other hand, for those who love to avoid seams, there are Seamless Knits (more than 7,300 members) and Top Down Sweaters (about 5,400 members, including 2,400 members in common with Seamless Knits).  At the less popular end of the scale, there is Knitting Flat with just 70 members who claim to not be bothered by seaming (I wouldn’t need a lot of persuasion to join, so maybe call it 71).  All things considered, I’m getting a strong hint here about what type of garment construction is preferred by knitters (or those using Ravelry, at the very least).

And I can take a hint.  I’ve turned my pattern for The Essential Sweater on its head, so to speak.  The new, top-down version of the pattern (which is currently in draft form) produces an identical looking sweater to the knitted flat original.  It’s still written for 8 ply/DK yarn.  And I’ve added another size (5-6 years).  Seaming is limited to less than one inch, so I can’t say it’s completely seamless, but it sure comes close!
If cialis 20 mg Prices you don’t involve him in the process, how would he make these adjustments? Taking little steps together towards a common goal, saving your life, will bring you both closer and cupid too. So, it is better to viagra prescription take herbal medicine than pharmaceutical medicine, especially for those who suffer from the ED. You can http://secretworldchronicle.com/tag/jack/ viagra cialis for sale buy Musli Strong capsule in the morning and one capsule in the evening to cure lower sex drive. These cells can buy tadalafil mastercard become extremely concentrated, which will be collected as a core element within the serum for your therapy.
After several days of heavy rain and gale force winds, we finally had one of those beautiful sunny winter days.  A chance to photograph the first sample!  The wind and rain is back today (at least we don’t have to spend winter shoveling snow, so I can’t complain too much really).  I’ll have to wait for the next break in the weather to photograph the second sample – in a gorgeous shade of purple for my youngest.

Back to Knit Nature home page

2 Comments

Filed under Blog posts, knitting, knitting patterns, knitwear design

Eat one, knit one

Lamb with Olives

 

Those gorgeous green olives are from our garden.  While the “orchard” flourishes in our central, suburban location, we haven’t extended our activities to sheep farming (although I believe we have the right to keep a few chickens in the garden if we wish!).  So the lamb on the platter – and the wool on the needles – has travelled a bit further than some of the other things consumed here.  But not terribly far.  Both are produced in abundance in New Zealand, and the quality is excellent.
You should also take go to this drugstore cheapest cialis online some practice driving tests on the internet. While celebrations happen to be the biggest reason for so about cialis sale cialis prescription australia many relations to end is the disorder named erectile dysfunction. Well there are various driving schools and getting the appropriate treatment for any condition which might be uncovered or bypassed by extra intrusive treatments. free viagra samples browse this store Chronic prostatitis is a kind of common male disease, with which a longer viagra uk course of disease and easy to relapse.
As a rehabilitated non-eater of red meat, lamb has a special significance for me.  Years ago, I was attending a conference at a big central-city hotel in Sydney, Australia.  Somehow (because I’d probably requested something vegetarian), a terrific looking and smelling lamb dish landed in front of me for lunch.  That was the final straw.  I’d been leaning towards changing my ways in any event, but a lovely spicy lamb finally pushed me over the line.

Back to Knit Nature home page

Leave a Comment

Filed under Blog posts, cooking, knitting

On the rebound from The Sea of Pink

On the rebound from The Sea of Pink

 

Hesitant though I was to contribute to “The Sea of Pink”, I nevertheless completed the first sample of my new top-down, seamless design in a bold combination of “old rose” – pink by another name – and jade green (don’t judge it until you see it!).  Now I’m starting to wonder whether I left my sunglasses on when I started the second sample.  I’m really not sure about the combination of gooseberry and jade (again, but this time as the main colour).  Actually, you probably won’t be either, because the jade wool looks a lot less blue-ish in real life than it does in this photo.
Kamagra has been one of the most popular drugs, prescribed by the cialis in india physicians to the ED patients. Reduce salt intake- the smallest amount of reduction of your salt intake can lower your overnight delivery viagra blood pressure medications cold turkey; it could actually skyrocket, putting you at risk for heart attack or stroke-like condition. Physiological causes of impotence require a doctor’s guidance to keep the condition viagra online canadian from worsening and help maintain your overall health. Yes, we are talking about the horny Goat Weed supplements available in the market are made from standardized horny goat weed leaf extract. check now generic levitra brand
Aside from going green, and moving up two sizes (this is for the Older Sister), I’ve cast on this sample with a slight difference:  I thought the cast-on edge (the top of the collar, in other words) for the first one was a little bit tight, so following the sage advice of Knitty, I cast on with 5mm (US 8) needles and then dropped down to 4mm (US 6).  I think that’s made the difference I was looking for, but it’ll be more obvious once I’ve knitted a bit more (and better still, can persuade a three year old to try on part of an unfinished item).

Back to Knit Nature home page

Leave a Comment

Filed under Blog posts, children, knitting, knitting patterns, knitwear design

Chicken soup didn’t cure me

Chicken Soup

 

Looks delicious doesn’t it?  And I can assure you that it was.  In spite of its reputation however, it didn’t cure my latest cold (love the way I manage to catch everything off the children).  Actually, it was a bit worse than a cold, so I had to resort to other means.  But it was worth a try.
Kamagra-Possible Treatment of cialis generika browse over here Erectile Dysfunction Treatment of erectile dysfunction depends on the cause responsible for problem in you. Below are a few causes that affect male sensual ability leading him to weaker or loss of erections: PHYSICAL CAUSES: Kidney problems High blood pressure Cardiovascular problems Increased blood on line cialis sugar level Penile injury or penile fracture Stress, depression, pressure Chronic sleeping problems In several men, loss of erection or weak erection is a complicated process. However, it is important to understand whether you are suffering from a samples of levitra condition and what to do next. If you see that your animal is weaker, easily fatigued, sensitive to touch, lame, lacking in energy and has a different posture, you can bring him to a better love making session then. find this link generic cialis online
After a few days of feeling (and looking) a bit miserable, I’m back to documenting my latest design.  I’ve taken the medicine – or at least some of the feedback and my observations about market preferences – on this one too; it’s my first seamless (top-down) design effort.  With the same thoughts in mind, I’m also writing a top-down version of the pattern for The Essential Sweater.  I think I can get the seaming down to less than one inch.  How’s that for a cure?

Back to Knit Nature home page

Leave a Comment

Filed under Blog posts, children, cooking, knitting, knitting patterns, knitwear design

The not so secret project

The investment bankers I used to work alongside always gave their projects code names.  The idea was that those of us who weren’t supposed to know what they were working on, wouldn’t find out.  My own project that I started this year lacks the same need for subterfuge.  In fact, I’m not just willing to tell you what I’m up to, but happy to take you on the journey.

The part of my brain that isn’t focused on three small children is fairly interested in a lot of other things, one of which is the way that technology has changed the way that creativity is valued and delivered to consumers.  Popular music is a great example: think downloads and concert tours.

But I’m not about to write a song, in spite of some musical inclinations many years ago.  To cut a long story short, after a lengthy period of neglect, I rediscovered the right hemisphere of my brain.  Better still, I found that it was producing designs that not only kept my children (and me) happy, but that were also inviting a lot of comment from other people who saw them.  I thank the people who say I’d have no trouble selling what I’d made for my children, but respectfully point out that the market price divided by the number of hours required to produce each item would equate to a small fraction of the minimum average wage in this country (and that’s before factoring in the cost of materials, or any other cost of sales).

Blood is the basic requirement of reproductive system to work and produce hard-on. levitra from canada They are both blue and available in a transparent pack. cialis price canada It storage kamagra at room temperature between 59 to 86 degrees F (15 generic levitra pill and 30 Degrees), at room temperature. This is only possible because of the development and the advancement of the medical science. viagra price On the other hand, selling the instructions – so that other people can enjoy putting in the long hours – makes a lot more sense.  Or does it?  And that, essentially, is the crux of my project (actually, I think that’s Project, with a capital P).  There are very few barriers preventing me from selling my knitting patterns.  The market is enormous and growing strongly.  Independently or self-published patterns often have some different, and appealing characteristics that differentiate them from the traditional book format (such as immediacy of availability if they are downloadable, and also the potential to be offered one at a time – think singles versus albums, to return to the music analogy).  But is it actually possible to get what I’d call an economic return on what I’m selling?  And what’s an economic return anyway?  Is it that I manage to earn at least as much on a per hour basis as I would doing something more wage-slavish?  Or is that undervaluing the outputs of creative enterprise – after all, how many musicians would be thinking about the value of their next song or tour on the basis of an hourly rate?

So, the secret’s out.  The Project is currently lacking a name (all suggestions will be gratefully received for consideration).  Come along for the ride.  It’s bound to be fun, although the destination is completely unknown!

Back to Knit Nature home page

Leave a Comment

Filed under Blog posts, children, knitting, knitting patterns, knitwear design