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

Saturday, January 31, 2009

FO: The Eclectic sole: Migration

Migration socks are done, As you can see I have added one more cuff row and a wavey edge - I just thought they were a bit short. Other modifications are adding 18 stiches on cuff. You can clearly see how I have adapted the extra to fit the pattern on the side. But still - an inspirational sock. Yarn: varigated is Lorna's Lace sockyarn, and the blueish is Drops alpaca. It is supposed to be knitted from toe and up, but I had already started when I actually READ the pattern. By know you know me. I do not walk to the frogpond if it is absolutely necessary. So I actually knitted the heel an quite a bit, until I realize the sock is too small. So I have ripped all patterns. But then I did not have the pattern with me (I was in Paris, remember- La Drougerie). Anyhow, today I checked Nysta - and Im so proud. No new yarn - EVEN if it is a sale.... But two pattern-books. And also a book about old vintage patterns (in Swedish, but author is probably norweigian or danish.) Anyhow, had a look at Johanna's bok. Looks great, but not my type of patterns.. I guess it is very personal - though I think she is very inspirational. I like the gloves. A bit bulky, but ok.. Of course Im NOT very fond of Basic patterns and "tubes"... Anyhow Im in desperate help to figure out my travel-companion knitting for australia. Bring patterns and needles? One big one for the planes? A huge lace shawl? Assuming buying yarn in Oz? Merino... ahhh....

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Much better Pictures from My Artistic Brother!

I guess the net swallowed this beautiful pictures, so it took a while to get them up..... But they are so fantastic, and so is my dear Brother, don't you think? Presenting The Famous Artist Johan Mauritzson. He is displaying the knitted gifts and the Lopi sweater. The hat (with his special (and copied!!) initial JM) and the hat have earflaps you can wear down (looking like a dog)- or actually you can attach them on the nob in the top (ear up!)...(PS: this pattern will be available). Hi kindly shows off the Half-gloves that he got as a christmas present to wear in his cold house while painting and sculpturing. All the pictures behind him is his work. I mean - look again, he is rather remarkable. I mean - one goes speachless - this is a work of an artist. Thank you textile arist Christina Oscarsson for taking the pictures (I assume that is what happend!?)Christina is modest of course, but has not only gone through the tough Handarbetets Vänners School, but is working with her weaving, and knitted objects..in hard competition. Well again- Congratulation dear Johan on your 50th birthday. May you have many great years in front of you...! And share the fantastic paintings with us mortals.
Love those glasses.. Mmm... That is what the boring glass manufacturers should use. Hire an expert artist like my brother. We would all laugh in the sun. Up north of Sweden - now very much covered in snow - it is a must not to go snow-blind....(when the sun is out - which is still a very short period!) PS. If you want to see more of the art Im sure it is for sale ;-)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

FO Brother Lopi and FO Bergå Sweater!

OK, I did not get my brother to pose in the Sweater and hat for his 50th birthday - but I did it before.... and it was given away last weekend. It is 3-threads of Plötulopi (förgarn) wind together, and the pattern is from Lopi nr 12, which I did rework the colourscheme totally to fit his wishes. The sleeves and neck has a Debbie Bliss Silk-alpaca coating (I still remember his anti-itch approach)... But he claimed this will be ok on top of 3 other sweaters to keep warm in his old schoolhouse up north (Käckelbäcksmon).. It is only 12 C inside, so he will need it. It is hard to heat big artists houses ;-) The snow was sure coating the place! Well, so this week I have been good, trying to do the what I do not want to and that is sleeves. So I started easy! Very easy, with the Bergå sweater, that I have used as a west for more than 5 years. The yarn (Bergå) was bought at Tällberg around 88. And is actually one-thread (but it was claimed to be two....) so something is not right. It is super-thin, and super light. And REALLY brown. I like it, even If it is a bit to high in the waistline. I have been working on the sleeves - and actually got a bit of help sometime ago when my mother-in-law had the knitting itch.... so she did at least a big chunk of them... So the Bergå now are finally finished (the sleeves completed this weekend) and assembled. I'm still contemplating if I should do some cool embellishments on it - I still have white yarn of the same quality. So, Bergå will be a staple in my wardrobe.. Plain, light and great to wear, but very silent. Btw, we had to use the flash outside - midday - and the picture is STILL a bit blurry - Do you think we need some sunshine here? I do. So, should I have it plain or splurge into decoration? Give me your thoughts! Please! Well, It was freezing outside, so pulling the sweater down is great... I guess that is a different way of saying I need to wash and stretch it, pin it... but I just HAD to show you. So - by this Ihave finished TWO sweaters for the 2009 KAL "Sweater a month"... Good to be ahead.