A Request

 Last term John borrowed a book from the sch library called The Bush Jumper -Jean Chapman, Ali Beck, and it's not about a kangaroo 😄
The Mum Koala had a bag full of yarn, and made a jumper. However, there wasn't enough to make the 2nd sleeve and it had to be stripy
I asked John if he liked the story. He said yes. Then "I really like the jumper too. Can you make it?"

So the search began. For a pattern, and the yarn, and the book.
I took some time going through my kids section in my bookshelves to find just the right style. I hadn't realised how many kids patterns were raglan. Finally found one with set in sleeves and round neck (top right)
The yarn I wanted had to be wool, but the colour range I needed at the local large craft store was mostly acrylic. I remembered that Bendigo Woollen Mill had a range called Candyland. I hopped on their site and they had just the colours I needed!!



                                         The yarn arrived Monday morning - 6 days ago.
                                                           Clockwise from the bottom,
                                   Sour Lemon, Blue Sherbet, Watermelon Jelly, Green Frog

Time to start. I usually do a k1 p1 cast on for a rib. I find it makes a nice elastic edge.
I also change to the larger needle on the last row of the rib before stating on stocking stitch. The hem doesn't curl or flip up nearly as much
The other changes are to make it in the round, and to add 3 cm to the sleeve and body lengths
I used 4mm and 4.5mm circular needles

First week of sch hols so Gwen, John, and I packed a picnic (and the Jumper) and walked, rode to the park.
I found a small branch near the picnic table and thought it would make a lovely centrepiece for our lunch. It wafted a gentle eucalypt smell

The day was delightful, the trees were stunning, the kids were having a ball. A lot of running, riding, playing.

I got a reasonable amount done while I relaxed, watching the kids running hither and thither 😊



And I took home the branch, to use the leaves for dyeing

Photo on the left is a bit dark. Finished the main body well after bedtime. Quick pic and do the sleeves in daylight.

I made the plain sleeve first, taking notes. Then a little bit of maths to work out whether I did 3, 4, or, 5 row stripes.
Four row works well to start with pink stripe and finish the top of the sleeve with a pink stripe, just like the book.









Finished the sleeves, all ready to sew up, and look what I found in the soft toys.... A koala crocheted by my mum! She sent it up a few months ago. The memory was waiting for the recall. And is the same type of koala as in the story

                                                       So guess what I just /had/ to do??







Yep. I had to design and make a matching jumper for the toy koala 😊













                                                                                                     
                                     "Looking Absolutley Fabulous In New Spring Colours"

John loves his new jumper and he loves that his koala has a matching one.
I asked him if he wanted a koala beanie to go with his jumper.
He said "Why? I have a grey hat"

I have really enjoyed doing this project. From start to finish it took 5 days, in between cooking, crocheting, clearing, playing, meeting, spinning etc, etc,etc. This yarn is a delight to use. The colours are cheery. The pattern is a very neat fitting style.

Also.
My Guide name is Koala 😃