Learning to Knit

One aspect which I am particularly enjoying about simple and sustainable living is learning something new.

I had a gift voucher that I had won in a school raffle, so yesterday I went to the local craft shop and purchased some wool and knitting needles. This wool is mohair and is so soft! It is the same colour as my eyes. I want to knit a scarf with it.

About a month ago, I asked my Mum to teach me how to cast on and how to do the knit stitch. She showed my daughter and me.

However, then a month later, I had forgotten everything!

Never fear, I found these tutorials on YouTube. This one for casting one,

and this one for purl and stocking stitch.

I cast on 40 stitches, because this looked like the width of the scarf that I wanted. And then I started to knit.

After about 90 mins, I had a few centimetres of fabric, however, I could see mistakes, so I unravelled it and started again.

By the evening, I had about 5 cms of fabric again.

Mohair is such a lovely, warm wool to knit with.

I’m a beginner knitter!

 

Clutter to Cash update-listing clothing on eBay

Remember when I decluttered a little while back and had these three boxes of clothing to sell?

I had written the date in 6 months time to sell them or if they weren’t sold by then they would be off to the charity shop.

So today I set aside the day to photograph them and list them on ebay.

It took all day to list 16 items, with photographs.

This equated to 3/4 of a plastic storage tub. Given that I had 3 tubs to sell, it was a satisfactory effort.

So I estimate that it will take 4 days in total to list these items, and then another half day for the shoes.

I am planning on doing my ebay listing  on Fridays.

 

A present for a newborn baby….

Image via Wikipedia

One of my girlfriends has just had a baby last week.

A little girl.

I am always filled with joy when a baby is born happy and healthy and to a loving family.

I am going to sew a little dress and pants outfit for the baby girl.

I bought some fabric last week.

I selected a delicate floral cotton print

I have never sewn baby clothes before, so this will be my first attempt.

I’m looking forward to starting this on the weekend……

Related Articles

• Newborn Gift Set Giveaway from Honeydumplings (ecosalon.com)

Changing to a greener life….

I have made a lot of changes in my life in order to live more sustainably. I also am on a journey, and that there are many more changes that I intend to make, or don’t know about yet, but I will change along the way! The changes have come over a period of time, but they are now ingrained in my lifestyle now.

One of my favourite bloggers, Laura over at Move to Portugal, has posted about some of the changes she has made to her life.

Inspired by Laura’s post , I have been reflecting on some of the changes that I have made to my life over time in order to live a more green, sustainable life.

1. make most meals from scratch

2. make husband, daughter and my lunch to take to work or school.

3. take stainless steel coffees rather than takeaway cups

4. line dry my laundry when the weather is suitable

5. make my own laundry detergent

6. bake my own bread with a bread maker instead of supermarket bought bread

7. make my own yoghurt with yoghurt maker

8. make our own pizzas instead of takeaway pizza

9. limit eating out at restaurants to special occasions instead of once or twice a week

10. stopped drinking wine/alcohol ( decrease bottles!!)

11. borrow books from the library instead of purchasing

12. books that I really love and want to keep, I purchase second hand

13. sewing clothes for my family

14. sewing furnishings for my family, eg curtains, napkins, tablecloths

15. passing on things we no longer need to others who need or will use them.

16. sourcing shoes and clothing from a designer consignment shop instead of purchasing new.

17. significantly reducing the amount of new clothing and shoes purchased, (instead sourcing quality second-hand from good local sources).

18. repairing items instead of replacing  when broken, eg tyre puncture, dishwasher, clothing hems, buttons, zippers etc.

19. clean with bicarb soda and vinegar

20. use cloth dishcloths for dishes instead of disposable cloths

21. Use microfibre cleaning cloths instead of disposable cleaning cloths.

Free Clothing Swap in Sydney 21st August 2010 next Saturday

If you live in Sydney, there will be a clothing swap next Saturday, 21st August 2010. Doors open at 1pm and the Swap starts at 1.30pm until 3pm.
Click on clothing swap for the details.

You will need to register on the website. You can get there by public transport from the city the nearest train stop is Pymble or Gordon.

How it works is you bring along up to 6 items of clothing in great condition. The items are checked to ensure that they are suitable ( ie clean, no damage) and you are given a number of tokens corresponding to the number of items you have brought along.

When the swap starts, you can then select an item for each token that you have.

It is a great way to redistribute quality preloved items that no longer fit, or do not suit you for items that do. And it is totally free!

You can bring shoes (only lightly worn), accessories, hats, scarves, mens and children’s clothing.

Clothing Swap Etiquette
1. Only bring items of quality in excellent condition.
2. Ensure your items are freshly laundered.
3. Do not “hold” any items prior to the swap commencing
4. Smile and enjoy the spirit of the clothing swap with fellow “greenies”.

I have joined in with an organised swap once before, and came away with 2 items that I loved, and gave away 7 items that didn’t fit or didn’t suit me.

Even if you bring 6 items and come away with 1 item, consider it a success. You will now have 1 “new” item that you love and wear, and have moved on 6 items that you didn’t wear and reduced the clutter in your home!

Any leftover items go to charity.