Maybe miracles do happen.

Less than 3 years (by about a month) after moving out of our house we actually have a payout from EQC! I think we're still expecting another cheque sometime, although given how wonderful the lines of communication are it's hard to say for sure.

Next step, dealing with the insurance company...

Gumboots galore!

A week ago I decided I really needed to make some slippers for the monkey, so I went hunting for a pattern. I'd decided I wanted to try crocheting something, and when I saw these I knew they were perfect. He loves wearing his gumboots, so what could be better than warm woolly boots?

The pattern is Booties Toddler Goshalosh Boots by Elizabeth Alan (The Lovely Crow), and I was pleasantly surprised by all the little shaping details. To be honest, I think having different shaping on right and left is a bit unnecessary for toddler slippers, but it does make them even cuter. (I have no expectation that they'll ever go on the correct feet...). I love the firm edging on the sole too, makes it seem much more like a slipper than just a glorified sock.

The first pair I made was theoretically the right size (Size B), but I didn't bother checking gauge because I am slack. They fitted just, but would have been better being a bit longer. I'm not worried, the baby will grow into them. So I did the next size up (C), which was a better length, but a bit roomier in the foot than he really needs. I'm not going to blame the pattern for that though, he has narrow feet (some shoes are pretty ridiculous on him too).

And since I was on a slipper kick I made the smallest size too, for the Changeling.

The slipper horde:


I think my crochet has definitely improved over the course of these slippers, although there is still plenty of room for improvement. I feel like I have learnt a lot about shaping in crochet too. Creating a design like this still seems like a bit of a black art, but I'm feeling quite tempted to try to come up with a me-sized version at some point.

Shhhh...

I'd love to show you the shawl I'm currently working on, but it's a secret. The design is for a yarn club, and I'm looking forward to being able to share more details. For now I just want to report that the yarn is divine to work with, and despite initial misgivings that I was crazy and it wasn't really going to work I am pleased with how the shawl is developing. I have no idea if it will be finished before we go overseas, but as we have no idea when that is happening I am seeing how far I can get.

(Seriously brain? I have samples that show that the concept works, and no real reason for it not to. Why can't you just sit back and have a bit of faith for once?)

This post brought to you courtesy of awake-too-early baby.

Madhouse!

Things are going to be a bit crazy around here for the next little while I think. There has been background planning for a (work related) trip to Europe for a while now, but we have just been notified that there has been a change and we can go as soon as we are organised! (Previously we were expecting to be leaving sometime in July or August).

So, frantic scrambling to get everything sorted out for living on the other side of the world for 6 months with two little people. What do we need to buy, pack, make, organise??? Maybe I will have to look for some books about travel and aeroplanes from the library for The Monkey to look at. I still have some half made shirts for him, and some clothes for myself that I was going to make.

At least my original goal of saving the much-needed shoe shopping to do over there might actually work out. And we probably won't need to get any more firewood for this winter after all!

There will be more knitting and sewing here at some point, when the dust settles!