Bits and Pieces

As my 'upgrading' to Windows 10 and subsequent 'downgrading' to Windows 7...that really should be the other way around and it was no 'upgrade' that's for sure...our network settings have been out of plumb and currently we have times of the day when the internet cuts out on the computer after five minutes or so. I have been waiting until the NBN arrives which was supposed to happen last September but is now going to happen in April so that I can pay for the IT guy to come around and fix everything up. My sister had terrible trouble with the NBN so I am hoping it won't be so bad here. She doesn't even have the internet! So perhaps the problem will be fixed next month. It does make it difficult to write a blog post though.

Anyway, nothing much has been happening here in the craft department for a while so I thought I had better take the knitting needles out and get going once again after recovering from the recent heatwaves when everything was put on hold. I am knitting a scarf for winter on large needles...size 15 in fact!

I have started knitting the sunflower from the book I mentioned recently  Garden Dishcloths to Knit. Sorry, it is unavailable once again but I am sure they will have it in stock at the Book Depository once again. I know a lot of people have bought it lately :-) A couple of other books that have been mentioned lately on the DTE forums are Nifty Knit Dishcloths and Knit Dishcloths. 

A reader, Lorraine,  asked the following question this past week in relation to the post A Dishcloth Challenge:

'Hello ladies, just wondering how many stitches most people use to knot 8ply cotton on size 5 bamboo needles? Also are the bamboo needles better than metal ones and why? I just made my very first dishcloth 44 stitches, on 5 needle size and used 8 ply cotton. Is this too big?'

I did reply but you might like to leave your advice in the comments section as well.

While on the subject of dishcloths, have you seen the beautiful new limited edition colours of cotton that Bendigo Woolen Mills are selling at the moment. Sorry to tempt you but some of those Cotton Crush colours are so vibrant. There are also free knitting patterns available so just click the link on the Home Page and check them out if you are interested. I have downloaded the Cowl and Slouchy.

I am slowly working through my stash and am currently making a rag quilt from fabric I bought a while back before my last grandchild was born but ended up making a quilt from fabric that my daughter was decorating his room with.

I paid a visit to the local council's nursery this week as ratepayers get two free plants each year to pretty up their gardens. I didn't really want anything too exotic although I did keep my eye out for a particular bush I like but couldn't see it although I didn't have my glasses on :-) So I ended up just opting for a couple of plants that I know my friends are going to say I could have taken cuttings from at their place but I didn't want to leave empty handed.

For those who are interested in seeing how the Dragonfruit is growing this is what it looks like at the moment. A pretty slow process I would say. 

Well that's about it apart from a warning to all those who take their skin health for granted. If you don't .....

...you might have to go under the knife and end up looking like this even before you get to my age which is about 21! LOL! Having a BCC needs to be looked at ASAP so don't take any chances with skin cancer and have a skin check annually. When I was growing up there was no talk about skin cancer and I had several bouts of severe sunburn which I am paying for now. So it is a good reminder to wear a hat and be careful in the sun.

Have a great week everyone!