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

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Winter- All saints night - Another yarn-show :-)

Freezing at night, and snowing wet at day, I realized that the "syfestival" = Sewing festival (hey no knitting or yarn in THAT name!) was on. Some dear person squeeled that the Danish Kartehuset was there, so I buy more fleece to finish my sock ;-) So, I rushed there. Kartehuset had the best spot, just inside the door, and they also had yummy merino,silke, camel tops to spin! But, the weirdness of these festivals is that there is 99% cash! and I had almost nothing! (Well, Euro's but hey, Swedish people still use the KRONOR!) I got my fleece and went around with sulking eyes. No, I HAVE a yarn room. I really do. Buy NO MORE: Ha! I met Tanja who have done a fantastic silk-garden alpacka mixed wrap-around (Vouge knitting-pattern) and she merrily told me about the new secret moneymachine ;-) Ahh! Plastic saves my day! So, after that, I got (I finally figured it out) some UlloMera one thread that will go with the rather "dull" Kempe's wool in green to my Catherine Parr. Ok, Merono silk from Grinasco (to color). Then I met dearest Margret from Färgkraft. Drueling at Dearest Nysta - bought a book and another head-band yarn, Garnverket - bought two books (she has the Fardhem Gotland-yarn), and of course everyone and everyone at Sticka's stand. I found "just the right" two hanks from Solveig's silk to mix with the cotton from Arcu...you know that Peru unpronouncable mark... Wow. Then Inspired by Tanja's merio-freak-out at Kartehuset I went back and got a whole set of turqoise. Im so into those shades. After giving Stäket (Eva) a quick buy of needles, I ran out in the snow and back to hubby. I have not deared to open my bag yet. I'm so ashamed. But when this turtleneck (loose) is done to Julia, it is Catherine Parr that is on. That is just it. Get going. Winding yarn and REALLY go for it. So, Top picture is the most expensive yarn (even worse than cashmere!) I have bought 22 pounds for one hank (Yes, it is from London).
This one is just from some shelf. (Not mine). If it is not to sloshy outside I will try and do a picture of latest stash enhancement! Im crazy. Clear Hording of yarn. At least I didn't buy any new Bohus (only because she didn't bring it!) Ohh, I forgot to tell about Margaretas ¨(Sticka) scrazy idea.Do 70(!) squares for 12x12 cm and then we are meeting to do a coat in august next year. That is crazy. I got to do some! All with "left over yarn". That could be cool. Baglady in grannySquares. I of course (with no sense at all after being hypnotized by all great yarn) signed up. Please forgive me.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Snow, Socks, Trekking, and Chaos!

Snow Chaos hit Stockholm by surprise. My dear warned me to take the car with summer-tires, but hey, he has cried wolf one time too much, so I ignored him and rushed to work yesterday. When leaving work it was too late. I left the parking at 6 and had to dig out the car with no gloves. I also didn't take my long-Johns Hmm, wanted to look slimmer at the meeting today, but hey. Thank you for dear, who had left my knitted Noro cap in the car. That helped. So after 2 hours! not getting more than 1 km (1000 meters) I resigned taking the car BACK to the parking and walked to the sub. I was very lucky, I only had to wait 20 minutes, and then coming to the central station, where 99% of all trains were cancelled, mine went (2 hours delayed) after 15 minutes. The train (Pendeln) stopped over the motorway, and cars and lorries scattered to block the traffic. No bus, (I saw it later stranded. Now it is -10 degrees Celsius, A hand of snow and a lot of ice. I worked from home today. Thank you for computers! Anyhow, I had Julia on (and thank you all for the nice comments) but NO ONE commented at work. I guess it looked so professional, noone even thought it was handmade. Anyway, you nice comments and the work I know was behinding made me smile all day (which is rather strange when chaos is lurking!) Was it warm? Surprisingly soft AND warm, with the angora. Im very happy. Now I'm thinking of Knitting pants again. I'm NOT finished with what I bought in London. I got one ball of TREKKING (normal sockyarn, 75% wool, 25 nylon), great colours. I need socks. They would probable be durable. And the "Trekking button" is just too nice! Last minute "join". Anyway a good way to find Normas blog and Zeneedel! First picture is the Nickerjack's sockyarn, hand-painted. I winded them today. They are very different. Interesting.
But in this sock-yarn discussion, I forgot to tell you about the greatest present I got from my dear HpNY Knits, which is from the PETAL collection. It was a bag, great hydrangea socks from Sundry. Just that heart-warming gift. Three pair of socks coming up. Also, I have really prepared for Catherine Parr. Swatched, and yarn winded. Ready to go. Like the bag from Stash yarns? I do. Great pattern. Smart! Maybe a little bag first!

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Julia! Great Julia!

Oh, Julia is finished. Fits perfectly. After re-knitting the collar twice, and deciding that, no, it will not be a boat neck. And yes, I will do a loose collar that I can attach to this neck (check the small holes in the close-up picture below). It was a VERY slow knit. Maybe the lace on both back and front. The Julia is made from the Rowan Summer collection nr 10 for Cashcotton 4ply. Very nice smooth yarn to knit. It is cotton angora(!) and some weird microfiber.. Anyhow, it dusts a bit, but is soft like the softest cashmere. I started it March, April something this year. Of course, I totally remade the pattern, since all Rowan patters (with very few exceptions) are made for skinny models, not real-size women.
This is done in XXL (pattern largest is L). So it meant one more pattern on the front (and back) and adding a bit on the waist. I also redid it for circular needles, which are much more convinient for flying. I suspect one reason this one is done, is because it has been possible to carry it around with me. Just my lime colour. And a great pattern, very smart. Will be beatuful for a straight scarf with the leafs. Well, it had a flattering model, so, Im very happy. The problem is, that Sweden has got its frostbite (sorry, didnt save those Dahlias) this last nite. Snow on the way. Winter-tire should be on and not in the Garage). Sailboat should be up in is winter clothing, but is still waiting in the water with an ice-coat.Apples should be picked, but is still hanging in the tree. Grass should be cut the last time (to avoid snow-mould) but is long and filled with leaves. Well, Time seems to be shrinking, even if we got an extra hour this nite. Well, I guess I must be clearer.
The Mother-in-law sweater is NOT knitted by me, but by her. She has no blog. She is skilled.Now they left (and I wonder how long it will take until they are coming back, since they both worked like slaves cleaning and carrying stuff). Labour-camp ;-) Anyhow. This very last picture is what my mother-in-law is knitting (also a pattern from Solveig Hisdahl) on "left-over yarns". I'm amazed. Anyhow, it was a crisp wonderful fall day. Sun shining, and now hubby is preparing Gnocchi. That is just great! Filling and yummy. Of course, a typical Swedish forest troll sweater ;-) nothing for the bright city-folks. Well more stories are coming from London. Im sure it could fill the blog until Christmas. That was such an event. Either my life is boring (NOT!) or this was one of the best things I have done. Just following my hearts desire. Now I only have Pitti Filati in Italy to get in to. So, if anyone has a yarnshop, that gets an invitation (or wants someone to represent you), and could consider to send someone (for free to you of course), I'm your Gal! ;-)