Swedish Knitblogger who loves spinning, knitting, dyeing and yarn. I will do some other roundabouts about life too.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Ahh yarn festival!

Wow it is time to enjoy another yarn festival. I forget that all Sweden gathers on the friday, and at noon, it the small place is packed with little ladies and big ladies (me). My usual shopping is - leaving the coat in the car, having an empty backpack, filled with to plastic empty bags (somehow they all run out at the end of the day). That is my maximum. And then I just cash up, since after 3 times waiting in line or walking to a broke-o-mat, I have had it. And every time I swear I will not buy ANYTHING. This time I have prepared. I have spentmany hours in my yarn room. Yes, you read it right, it is a room. Large too, with about 15 large boxes and 2 smaller boxes, two "stuck under the bed" special bags - all filled with yarn. Should I flash my stash? Too embarrasing.. Pinelich, pinsamt. It was not a joke when I confessed to yarnoholism. So, going to the festival is both bliss and CURSE.

This time the highlight is the knitting organisation in Sweden, Sticka, and Elsebeth Lavold that will talk at the annual meeting. So, my plan is that this year I will stay away until saturday, hoping all bargins are gone, and that the only yarn left is what I already have got (fat chans!).... well, It might just be a visit to Solsilke (you can see her yarn, ready to go in the picture). There is also the wonderful Noro yarn, Debbi Bliss (Nysta, your tempteress)....And of course, Ås, with a colour-chart like heaven, and true honest yarn, ready to be mixed into a wonderful new design. Ahh, yarnbliss not debbie..;-). Yarn heaven. Weekend.... and wow, I believe I will be content with what I have... or just maybe some more from Naturgarn, to be dyed. No, I have enough have I not? Time to colour Lovikka!! Hmm, that read is only for christmas. What to do with red Lovvika? 1 kg (2.2 pounds!) Hmm, time for bed. Still one day of work tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

A beautiful gold medal - and "after OS anxiety"

The gold medal is beautiful, and I'm still happy about it, I really feel I deserved it. Thank you again Yarn Harlot with wonderful support team. Think that the notorious non-finisher actually finished. And so many comments from all wonderful people. That someone cares to take a moment and leave such a nice support. I tell you, it feels great. Just fantastic. Anyway forgot to tell you it was knitted on needle 7mm except one pocket which is knit on 3.5 mm (wanted it tight), that pocket was three nights (and that was the first week, still thinking I had plenty of time).

Yes I have slept (for those who asked) but some late knits. The problem is, what to do now. I feel a little "loss" after finishing this. You get attached to the coat. It is heavy... but just right to wear. I will take it on a longer trip tomorrow to test its wear and tear. So, it is time to get into Latvian Mittens again. But an AdLibris book spree, have me looking at old vouge vintage patterns, and the new "over the edge". Aha, now I get all those loopdloop edges. Well, getting back to the knitting joy! Dreaming about all those wonderful projects to be. Glad some of them come to existence.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

OS GOLD!

I did it! I'm done with my WINTER COAT! Just when Sweden won the Hockey final. Not only did the women beat everyone in Curling, Anja took her gold, but even our favourite icehockey! Wow how exiting. The best Swedish winter-olympics for a long time. And I also feel like a winner. It was tough,I was up unitl 3 this morning to make sure I would make it.


And - I'm just so happy. The idea was to get it done on time before the outside light disappeared, (bad flash in camera!). So, to the OS Winter Coat facts:


My own pattern but inspired by Vouge knitting (Winter), done "freehand". It is Lovikka in black from Kempes (bought in Långevak trailer - Cheapest in Sweden?) more than 1.4 kg Lovikka. And the colours are of course celebrating the OS colours, are in Colinette point Five, in Kingfisher, Blue Jay, Parrot, and Neptune, about 8 hanks, all bought on sale some years ago in Fantasy in Arvika (except one, bought at Nysta). So front is "fine lady's cape" which makes it "curl" so it streches. The back is just flat.
Big collar, that I have up on most pictures (but large to have down as well. Pockets of course, Im going to use it!) Last picture, (you see the light going into the blue hour!) is when the collar is down. There you have it! And thank you for dropping in to my website!
Hip Hip Hurray! Time to get back to the rest of my life. Hip Hurray for Sweden's OS Knitting team! Hip hurray for Yarn Harlot who arranged it!