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

Saturday, April 11, 2009

FO-Picot Edge Nutkin Sock

The Nutkin sock was easy and fun to knit. Short row heel and toe was fun, and something new. I just "had" to add a picot edge on the sock, to add something, but otherwise this was done in no time - and with sweaty hands in the heat of Australia. Of course pictured on sheep skin! Yarn is Opal Cotton bought at Wool Baa in Melbourne. Colours like Easter, doesn't it? This is the March entry of the StickaMera Sockklubb, and even if I decided not to continue with a sock a month, I must say - that just by staying on the "member list" I was convinced, and I'm now trying to catch up...ok, a bit late, but so what. Anyhow, the January pattern (yes, I'm behind) is the Plaited Points which is a great cable pattern, just fitting for Noro Kureyon sock yarn, which I also started, but I had not the entire pattern printed, just on the computer, which made it a bit hard to use... had to lay it to rest. Noro has such great colours. I just love it I cannot understand how I got drafted into the sock-crazy, but it is true. I have become a sock-knitter. (Still a Sweater knitter of course!) Socks are fast, easy to take with you, and very useable and wearable. I love the cotton one. Anyhow, not forgetting our recent wonderful trip to Oz, I give you one of the great highlights. We drove in sunset into a huge flock of black cocatoo's. When they get spooked they show their red tail like this. Is this not just fab? I have enlarged this a lot, since getting the camera up, and window down is really an adventure. I have no problem understanding what birdwatchers do now. It was such a sight and experience. I love the colours black with a teint of the brick red. On a green with a splash of heaven blue in background. I wonder if this is how Noro picks his colours? I mean, look at the black/blue hues here on the plaited point sock, and then at the ball - which has a lime/yellow and turqoise splash... true Sweden in spring. I must say - Sweden is so fab right now... birds singing, and galantus (snow-drops) blooming together with Hammemalis (witch-Hazel ), Helleborus (christmas-rose) and cr ocus. Now it is just that spring green/lime we are waiting for. And weather here fantastic, sunny and it is promised 17 celcius today. That is perfect.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Oz memories

Proof of the crochet top! Sexy and cool! Maybe some sleeves to be added. Cotolin yarn (cotton, linen) from Mondial and with a thin thread of red silk as accent. My silhouette is not the best after enjoying too much Curry Laksa. See how we enjoy this wonderful dish, a Malaysian soup with thick and thin noodles, bean sprouts, veggies and with added extra something.. here below- we enjoy the squid, octopus and seafood. It is Chili strong - and just a lot of coconut milk in it. Good? Aahhh heaven. I cannot understand why there is NONE to buy in the entire Sweden. This would for sure be a hit resturant. Hey - I should import a good chef and go for it myself... nah, in another life. But if you are out of a job - this is a sure hit if you are willing to work for it. (BTW, it was hard finding any in the US as well - so!) Anyhow, picture taken in the only rain out of three weeks. We narrowly escaped all flooding, both in Coffs Harbour where the entire town was under water(and where we had stopped for lunch just the day before for a Laksa) and in Noosa Heads (which was just next to Coolum). Anyhow a rainy day is great for knitting, so I finished my pair of Nutkin socks.. Just need to fasten the threads... pic's soon (and you will be flooded this easter weekend)..
Of course rain on the beach was no fun, so we went to Brisbane and had a fantastic Japanese dinner out with our dear friends. They had not changed a bit - and was planning for moving to Byron Bay and build a house. We are sure to return for a visit in the dry season. You can see me knitting on their wonderful garden porch. There is no way to describe their wonderful garden. Here you see pineapple, and two wonderfully large mango trees (oh yes - it bears a LOT of fruit, not just this year), olive trees, kafferlime, and a series herbs like lemongrass, with all the local varieties like Grevilla tree etc. I was just blown away. of the fragrance and wonder. Think about having the Asian kitchen herbs in your back yard, what a treat! All planted with care in a estethic way. Wow. And when knitting there we of course saw Flying foxes (bats) and parakites, and a series of birds I do not know the name of. How exotic. Of course in the heat - about 33 celcious or something, humid and lush. Well, we had rainforest walks, collected a wild Hoya, and took pictures of this wonderful Banksia in bloom.
I must say, this has been a wonderful trip. And it feels so good to be home in Sweden. In 6 degrees celsious (brr - we are so cold, and I'm happy I'm knitting warm sweaters.) Just had to show you that Great Ocean Road picture again (now when we downloaded and seen it all). It is just fab. The pictures are so unreal. It is hard to believe we were just standing there and enjoying this wonderful view.
What a dream vacation. I must say - this will stay with me for a long time. It has been so fantastic. Really. Absolutely wonderful.
Today we woke up 4 in the morning ,jetlagged,,.. and now we must rush to fix the sailing "yacht". before it is time to welcome it to Swedish spring and summertimes. The light in Sweden is incredible. Cold, but wonderful birdsong reminds me that Sweden is also fantastic. I think we tend to forget what is beautiful just around the corner where we live. But change is good. Vacation we need.