Yarnshopping in Aachen, Aix la Chapelle, Aken

Amazing feedback. You are soo nice out there. Thank you! The current chill in Sweden is staying. It is on plus, and even the crocus are freezing. The Queen is of course warm - and went with me on the working trip to South-west Germany and Aachen. And, In this flight with MEN in suits (and unfortunately not in trees ;-) and through 2 airports, the Queen really kept me warm. Ok, she is only great outdoors, and not for flight, but I felt Royal anyhow. But, the short spring heat in Germany was gone. they also had a chilly spell, the same as Sweden, with snow-mixed rain! A bit surprising. Anyhow, for once meetings played in my favour so I grabbed a cab to Lindt factory to stock up (Choclate - just the best in Europe ;-) and then to the curiousity of my Taxidriver: AnnaStrasse and Görg und Görg. I tell you that yarnshop is a great secret. Either Aachen people do not knit (enough) or attract knitters (enough), because that yarn-packed store had a LOT of yarn- which is my favourites, that are out! I found Maya from Debbie Bliss (which I think is great!) And I just love this colour. I have absolutely no idea what to use 4 hank to, but Im sure I have some matching yarn in Stash that this can be complemented to into a cardi/jacket/sweater. The Daria Multi Noro (first pic) was just a little X-tra. The colour in that. Yummy! It will be yet another headband (only useful thing I can think of)... But the big buy (for someone who is NOT buying HA!) is to be able to find much of my favourite right now: Rowan Yorkshire Tweed 4 ply. It is just a great yarn. The new yarn they have is not nearly close to this quality. And Görg & Görg had a lot, so now I have probably for 2 Fairisles ! Anyhow, I plan to use them for the next Tudor Rose Starmore pattern... (and Im NOT going to follow her colourways!) I of course have Henry VIII (in original yarn) also in the plan. Now you colourfreaks, this is NOT MATCHING: It is just some spares in a huge pile. Now I need to get all my yarn out and sort (isn't that just the best) But the idea is: It takes a lot of planning and some guts to dear doing a new colourway. So, After a great knit - dig into an UFO. So I brought down an enterlac... BUT, rushing to Aachen, I realized that was filled with safety pins, and metallic needle, so I had to get another UFO - with wooden needles. It is a green recycled silk-thing. And hey, fast! So I have done half a sweater this week. The think here is not finishing the sweater. I have planned a lot of ruffles and embroydery on it, so even if it is finished it will take some time to really be great. It was not intentional - it was supposed to be a summer sweater. Anyhow, time to prune the apple/pear trees. And - MORE work..Anyhow, I started a FO on the side-bar... but it is only sweaters and not even all. Great to hear from you! And again, thanks for your comments!

Presenting: Queen Catherine Parr! Ready!

Finally, she is ready. I knitted like a maniac yesterday (14 hours!- Personal record!) but now she is done. (ok, I had a short brake shopping yarn and the latest Rowan Mag. at Wincent..hmmm)..Anyhow, noticed I have improved on sewing togheter (which is nice). And a bit pressing with the iron does make a huge difference on a pattern (I Never do that! also nice!). While the rain was pouring down with a bit snow in it, I forced my freezing husband to take some pictures of me posing in it. I have the 4 different yarns I used in my hand. Orange (two-thread) from Mojärv, blended with Bronze-coppar (Bronze-gold) from Färgkraft (one-threded) - but I used two of them to make the pattern more lively. And then a blend green swedish wool spun from Kempes (bought at Sländan in Lund) that is three-threaded (not two as previously said) and in addition, Estonian one-thread of that varigated yarn just in tune, that make the soft transisions. Anyhow, the rain makes it smell sheep. And it feels Fab to be finished. January (!) sweater done (in Sweater a month KAL) no worries. I will be catching up!

And I officially finished the Tudor Rose KAL but I will definitely do one more of Tudor Rose from Alice Starmore, the true master of knitting. Im in awe of this pattern. As you notice, I made it long and big. It will stand a bit shrinking ;-) And, as I horrified noticed, the apple round belly is still sticking out - so it is not too big. Phew! No wonder it is, I have been sitting on my butt knitting for all my spare time! Anyhow, I recommendthe TUdor Rose knitting book, fantastic. So rewarding. Also, notice that the neck is a bit hard to see on (same as in the book). But I have a close up if you scroll down a bit..The body is very straight and makes the sleeve hang down. I do not mind, but pressing it, it became a bit sticking out. It hides my butt, but that is nice in the cold weather. So, for 1 and half week of great spring weather, I have been knitting. And now - it is raining. My luck! Anyhow, it was not so time consuming (but you faithful readers know Im a workaholic, so time to knit is not much..and I have not been travelling so much).

Even from behind.... Yes it is (Im) big. Ultra big. Made on 3.5 mm needles. And I think I recommend to all normal size people to knit it in small. This is large (and some extra - to make the patter fit in the round). Yep, I did remake the pattern to knit on circular, and it is as easy either way, meaning, that when coming to the sleeve division (when you have to guess!) it is no problem going back and forth. Anyhow. Proud as a any knitter! I did it. Oh... And I can finally go on for new knitting adventures. And PS: I promise I should not complain. I'm the typical "projection"! someone gives me advice and I get upset... and hey, a few days later I give someone else advice on the web. PLEASE forgive me - as I will forgive all of you. Now It is time to clean the house (hmm, I have been knitting - not cleaning! - except for those Mother-in-law/F-I-L visit!) Hurray! More knitting to the people. Is it true Alchemy yarn is coming to Stockholm? Is it true they are opening just now? How interesting. And I heard from BBC the sheep gets smaller as a result of the climate-change? Less wool! Ahh! (Good to have a yarn collection!)