All posts filed under: Planning

Packing for a year in South America

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This is not a packing list – it’s a work in progress. I don’t know if I’ve got it right, and it’s certainly a squeeze fitting it into my backpack…but I’ll let you know how it goes! The Bag My bag of choice is the 40 litre Osprey Farpoint (s/m). It’s compact, but so far it seems you can squeeze a lot in. A useful feature is that the shoulder straps can be zipped away, and with a handle on the side you can carry it like a little suitcase – making it perfect for airports and buses. I also have a 10 litre day bag. The Stuff! This photo was taken on the first day of the trip; in a crazy art filled hostel in Buenos Aires – you can just catch a glimpse of the snazzy bedspread. This is what I (just) managed to squeeze in with the help of really handy packing cubes and some determination… Clothes – 3 dresses, 4 t-shirts, 1 pair of shorts, 2 bikinis, 1 hoody, 1 cardigan, 1 long …

Making my toolkit

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This is my first attempt at putting together everything I need to knit, sew and crochet on the move. My friend Jo made me this beautiful foxy drawstring bag for my birthday, and filled it with useful travelling items like ear plugs, plasters with penguins on, earl grey tea bags, and wet wipes! I have turned it into my making toolkit, hopefully with everything I need, except materials (which I will find on my way). It’s a work in progress, it looks too big, but there’s not much in it… Making on the move toolkit Scissors Double pointed needles, size 4 (do I need other sizes!?) Thread Needles Pins Crochet hooks (I’m not sure about crochet yet, but you never know when you might get the urge) Tape measure Patchwork paper templates (because now I’m hooked) Any advice or ideas would be very welcome. Do you make things on your travels?

kindle, sewing, pattern

Reading on the move

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A sneaky chance to get in some practical sewing… I couldn’t resist the opportunity to sew some practical things I could take with me. My Kindle was a much loved gift from when I left my last job – it came along with a suggested reading list for my travels and a beautiful hand sewn little cover. However, I decided something much sturdier was needed for this trip – which led to my first attempt sewing with oilcloth. This was successful. But painful. I should have invested in a thimble. I found this nifty tutorial on Whip-Stitch – it’s a clever design which protects your Kindle on the move, perfect. Here is my version, using oilcloth on the outside, one layer of wadding, and a soft, bright yellow cotton inside. Not sure I would sew with oilcloth again in a hurry, but I’m happy my kindle will be waterproofed and protected!

Time to Plan!

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Before I leave I have a couple of months in Milton Keynes to prepare for my trip, and my new project ‘making’ my way around South America. Expect posts where I explore ideas for things I could practically make and share on my travels, desperately try to sneak far too much sewing/knitting stuff into my little backpack…and take it all out again, and get excited about destinations on our route.