garngamen

Cut and sew - salvage 3 month work

2012-01-22T13:10:00.005+01:00

There is wide and wide... I did XL men's size. But wise from years of knitting Rowan patterns, I know this would be narrow - and end up like a normal Large for men. I am very lucky. I knit almost always at gauge. I mean. If I just pick the recommended needles - I always end up exactly the gauge. You could call me a "normal" knitter. I never swatch because of this. Horror and chock: No wonder I have spent months on this pattern. I did it circular instead of back and forth (crazy English knitters ;-))But this old Kaffe Fassett pattern had no gague measurements for a swatch. So, I just did as usual... And the trial knitter (since Kaffe rarely knits his own patterns more than once) they must have been some supertight knitter. I ended up with 40 cm to wide. Nope, not kidding. I knew it sort of half way, but then played with the thought to felt it. A dead give-away would have been that I managed 2 mostly 3 rows before bed-time... so on row 167 (of the 207 required) for the body according to pattern.. I said ENOUGH! I must salvage this knit. And I am not doing another row. Luckily hubby had handed over his favourite sweater for fixing (elbow tear), so I measured based on it, and - yepp - I could easily fit it into the body as is. And get the sleeves in as well (heck 20 cm wide sleeves just needs a "dimond", right?) Measurements and a scissor... Here we go. (Of course taking curage in the american blueberry and pecan panncakes, hubby made us for breakfast)... The most scary thing I have done for a long time. Cut up a knit. Deep breath!
For awhile there, I thought I would get the sleeves out too (and no knit), but that was a bit much to ask. I of course now regret cutting into both sides. I could easily have just got one sleeve, and knitted on - by only using one side to cut it up. Well, I did measure and thought about it for some time, and it actually looked like it would work. I guess it must have stretched from the weight or something, since you can see on the picture BELOW (sleeves) that I actually have about 5-8 cm difference in the cut. Weird. It was really good measured. But I guess this is not my strength. Anyhow, the pictures are as follows. The first cut of the double folded (that is why pattern seems weird). Having paper under avoids cutting the floatations on the other side. Once cut up, it is basically zig-zag and sew sides together (see second picture). And the third is my "start" for the sleeves. Now, it is actually the side-seam (of the body pattern) that does not match. But I realize that I need to do "another" knit for this. Tight sleeves are NOT popular. Of course I am hopelessly stuck on "should I make these the "back" of the sleeve or the front? Or should I have a seam running in the middle (shoulder down)? That will sure look weird. Not to mention the horror of finding the pattern match. As nerdy as I am, I am always up for a challenge. Only thing is, that I for a moment thought I would be able to finish the sweater today. But still, it is MUCH less work than it would have been, if I had continued with the pattern. So, I think I did the cardinal mistake though, I think I forgot to give ease for the seems. And horror... If it is too tight now, I must actually cut it again, and provide side-seems. Poor Hubby. I thought this would be done by Christmas..... last year. Oh no.. It is definitely MUCH work in doing stranded. But I somehow LOVE the idea. It WILL be great. Not as perfect as I would like, but great. Stay positive. That was 2012 mission. Work hard and stay positive. By the way - it finally snowed. That is nice!

Angora-dreamings 2012

2012-01-15T11:06:00.003+01:00

It is true: The Doctor is dreaming dreams of angora bunnies and soft fluffy clouds. I wish so much for this year. So - why not start with a quick-knit. Basically the little T-top is done in a few days commuting to work and to dear Wermland. Dreams come true. Good times are coming, and I am engaging myself to new demanding and interesting work. Just makings of having the angora dreams. Beatles complete and Pink Floyd complete is filling the air-space. A lovely Sunday. This little sweater is an Anny Blatt supreme angora yarn bought at a trip to France (Arles) as a souvenier yarn. I am happy with the model I invented, and the wide collar makes it almost vintage feel. Of course I found some old pearl buttons to complete the look. No, it is not much snow,its cold: -5 Celcius.

Modelling my "Autumn hat no. 2" was not a problem. No 1 was fast given away at my dissertation, but at least I had yarn to a second one. They are rather similar. Honestly, I cannot understand why anyone want to buy a hat - when it takes 1 hour to make one. The yarn in this one is from Vancouver, handdyed. Well. Anything with silk and wool makes me tickle. 2012 feels like an interesting year. I decided I will follow my christmas book from Thich That Nahn's sayings - in moderation of course, since that is also what he suggests. Other dreams is to make a dent in my yarn-room. 24 sweaters are in the plan, and some hats, socks, scarfs of course. We will see. It is still a dream! But the caress of the fluffy bunny angora yarn, sure make this a very sensual year. Love and caress. Why not? Make the world a better place.

The magic year of 2011!

2011-12-30T20:46:00.008+01:00

Where to start the reflection of this fantastic magical year of 2011? I reached two milestones of my life. Getting my PhD and turning 50! It is still a surprise that I managed to to anything else to be honest, but I did sacrifice my summer vacation - and I do feel that now. I finally got some spinning done - not much - but the sunshine reminds me of my short breaks to catch some sunshine between hours in front of the computer. I did learn Navajo ply - which was exiting! The Inspira sweater - based on a cowl based on a hat - in the wonderful Artyarns - knitted in corrugated rib - with "relaxing rows" inbetween - was a very long knit - but with a beautiful result - My Inspira Sweater - which was one of the 12 sweaters I managed to knit this year. Otherwise I think my big contribution have been mittens. This pair as many - are given away. Magic years are giving years. And I do appreachiate all the hard work and support I have recieved. So this year is full of memories! I think my favourite sweater (in a tie with Inspira) must be Choclate crossing. It came to life commuting to work - and the yarn is soft and yummy. Even if it pills a lot. Most pleasure has been knitting the intricate mittens with "scandinavian/baltic" patterns. I just love picking my own favourite colours - and they are relatively fast done. Best knit 2011? The wonderful mittens or the scrumptius sweaters? I cannot tell. It is hard to tell if a tricky fair-ilse in honest yarn (that does not pill) can compete with the caress of the softest there is... Highlights are for sure KnitNation in London and meeting knitting friends - and my PhD "event".. ohh come to think of it - it has been such a magic year. I am truely blessed. One could of course discuss my WIP/UFO pile that maxed out on 100 - now to 82 - but I have knitted 30 items this year. It is rather great! Ok - you actually have to browse the blog to find all of my knits - that is the trick - it is nice to have the history. It is a bit sad when it disappears. I have slowed down a bit though in my posting. Maybe because the last months I have been knitting really time-consuming knits. But - I guess that is how it goes, sometimes one must slow down to speed up. Ohh I watch all my pictures and think about the lovely time to come. The light. The spring. The year of the Dragon.. Getting my 82 below 42? That would be a goal! Many more sweaters and blogging. So wonderful! I hope I can knit some more. At least I will commute more and longer. That is so exiting! Take care out there and hope you have a wonderful magical year of 2011 as I did!

FO: St Brigid finally got its zipper!

2011-12-18T12:44:00.003+01:00

It is wonderful - the St Brigid, from the knitting master - Alice Starmore. I reworked it as a cardigan, and put a zipper in, a great idea, since it more a "jacket" in this thick yarn - bought on a great trip with Sticka to the Dala-Floda Spinnery - Vålbergs! And the yarn is also Vålbergs - very much dyed of the old master. As you can see - with some interesting colour-changes. Ok - I am seriously thinking of knitting this again some day. In thinner yarn, and as a sweater. It has actually been ready since November about two years ago (rather embarassing to tell)... but it just took me the best so long to get the zipper in place... But - I am happy I did!
Perfect for the first snow fall, and to snuggle up in!
Time to get ready for the holidays! Hopefully filled with lots of knitting!

Finally an FO: Panda-striped Vest

2011-12-04T14:02:00.003+01:00

It is not the best knit I have done. It is souvenier yarn from Shanghai - and the "quick-knit vest" was started 2007 - turned out to be one of those UFO's. But this UFO is landed and not an FO. So I renamed it to Panda-striped Vest. The colours are the brown (extinct?) Panda, and very improvised. But the new "phone" pocket is bigger - to fit the new Android ;-) I am thinking I am glad I do not have an IPAD - then I need the entire front to be a pouch - like a Kanguroo... LOL... Anyhow, I must confess I have been a bit "off computers"... for awhile - at least on my free time, but in fact - I have really had a working frenzie - to catch up with everything that has lagged beind. Anyhow, I was in wonderful Madrid last week. Visited three yarnshops.. and yes, I got some wonderful cashmere. But I need to fix photo's right??? Tell you more later!
Hugs out there... It is cold! Really cold and windy.

Shh! Do not tell....

2011-11-06T20:22:00.002+01:00

I am working on Viola's shawl (swe. halsduk) that she wished for her birthday. She said it must be "rust" colour - and I think I did a rather good choice - finding this lovely baby-alpaca yarn from the Blue Mountains (Laura) in Australia. At least that was I was lead to believe until I realize that they import their yarn as everyone else - it said so on the label. Well, I have been improvising, but sort of got stuck on this pattern. So, some regularity now. Still a bit to go, but still time to get there. Otherwise, it is indoor pictures, since it gets dark at 16.00 and then daylight on a weekend means raking leafs and picking apples.... and then it is dark. But I do feel good! Take care now!

I am back! FO; Supervisor hat and socks & more yarn

2011-10-30T15:04:00.004+01:00

So my dear supervisor (who is a marathon runner/cross-country skier) has a sore overstrained foot. I knitted one sock urgently for my Dr Garngamen graduation party to heal. Here is number two. Great Lovikka yarn has great healing potential ;-) The real gift was the hat - made up with left-overs from my Bohus Forest Darkness - and some real wonderful cashmere/angora/fine merino blend.
It suited him great! At least it was super soft in luxury yarn. Ohh it feels good! Finally my PhD. How great to research. I am back here again. I have worked on gifts -and the "fall-hat" (to one person in the examination committee) is already wrapped in a package, so no picture (!). Sad...ah, well, I have to knit another one....Anyhow, I am now digging into the gift section - for all the people who have suppoerted me. So first and foremost is a sweater for hubby on its way. Long overdue. at least 200 hours to knit.. Which of course takes a few weeks even if you are at it. Well, I guess all my knits take "forever" right now... well... talking about gifts.. - I also got wonderful gifts - not to mention, Spamalot (theater), Spa-treatments (yiha), Lots of wonderful Choclates (yummy) and books, glasses and beautiful flowers and champange ;-) Thank you all! And thank you too for this wonderful handdyed wool-yarn. I have absolutely no idea what to do - but this mix could be a good start for exotic mittens and socks!
Outside is actually late fall. Grey, damp. Definitely been frost - since all leafs are giving up in a last colour galore. And I am pruning trees, and picking fruit and... you know... lot of stuff has not been done for months....The only complaint I have is that the health serviced missed I had lyme-disease (for more than half a year)... that explains a lot of my fatigue..,,But I am recovering now. So, be patient with me. I will soon get all things going here... Blog - come alive! Sunday posting - I am back! Feels good. Now starts the rest of my life.

OT- FO: Nailing my PhD Thesis

2011-10-03T19:48:00.005+02:00

I admit! I have been busy doing other stuff than Knitting! I finished my 400+page PhD Thesis, that is now Nailed in good cermony. It is like any other FO - but not really - since I still have the actual defence and dissertation still left to do. But I am happy it is printed in its final version! I have been glued to the computer (and thesis) day and night for some time now (which explains the lack of any knitted items!)
Defence: 21 October at 13.00. Do not expect much knitting until then. Hopefully I will be back in my "normal" one knitting/blogging a week speed then! If I am not like a pile of yarn! Wish me luck!

FO: Silk Swings Again

2011-09-20T20:19:00.004+02:00

Silk swings again! The intention was a "swing jacket". But not enough yarn to make it really swing. Also - the "again" is of course a hint that this is "recycled silk". Not really recycled yarn but recycled cloth/sari's. I love the thought of it. And I had fun inventing the pattern myself. Even added my own buttons. The lower-edge is filled with small glass-beads - but they totally drown in this -what a waste of effort. I am most proud of the little "phone-pocket" that is well hidden in the "pattern". Ok - I will loose my extra bulk - and THEN it will be a swing-jacket! Just some more weeks tied to the computer! Then my new life will start ;-) Just wish the cold would leave. It was really "dark falling fast" when taking these pictures, so I hope you get the idea.... And yes, a wash/press will make them sohoho much better. But fun. And Finished! (I am not going to talk about the wonderful Szeged, and the horrible Budapest-Lizt security at the airport - who took my 3.25 needles.. so no progress on the "former sweater"). New things ahead. Soon this web-side will be more alive ;-)

In progress: Årsringar and The Melon

2011-09-04T15:32:00.005+02:00

Life has never been more hectic than now. And everything feels "In progress"... my thesis, the new and wonderful blue cashmere "Årsringar" and the wonderful melon that came from just pushing some left-over seeds in a pot. Never have I been so behind, never have a date been so set. This is the moment when you say - it will be another summer, it will be time to fix this and that later, and I MUST not defend my thesis in a favourite home-made sweater. Somehow I am also feeling a bit "blue"... I have never felt so old, that the end is near of life, universe and everything. No wonder I am procrastinating. I wish I just could slow things down a bit. The fall - so my veggies can grow, the hours of the day - so I have time for everything. But really, one must just see it as it is. Life has its cycles, and cease the day. I just want to say. take a deep breath - rejoice for what we have, and dream of the day, where our own grown melon can ripe and become a tasty moment before the frost, the thesis is in print, and Årsringar is proudly worn on this blog. Yes, yes - I was out sailing last week - a wonderful break with friends. We set a new record for a small boat in the gusty wind - we were surfing along with the winds on 8 knots... Which is almost above the possible limit for our 26.24 feet (8 meter) little sailboat. Time to go and harvest the one corn cob that seems finished (compared to the others!)

FO Hatifnatt and IMACOM

2011-08-21T19:20:00.004+02:00

Training and the finishline for my Thesis. So much work, so little time. And I am training. Today almost an hour! I am hurting in every muscle, but that is what

to be expected. It is crazy. It is called IMACOM. For a long time I tried to make it "Ignore" month of August Cast On Mania. But I succumbed and it became the real Inofficial COM. I started with a hat - Hattifnatt to start. Took just a few hours to knit, but the tassel was a week of procrastination. Do not believe I do not knit, I knit - therefore I am... But all is almost there. And I also did a frogleg (ha.. could not resist that!!) I mean - I frogged (ripped back the yarn) of a leg on the shorts I am knitting. And then my dear Scotish friend inspired me to really go for it - Dahlia. This is the lace-panel on the back - great is it not? Yarn - Cashba from Handmaiden. Lush - scrumptious yarn. Merino, cashmere and yeah Nylon.... but spongy and great definition. It is a sock yarn, but I hope it will work for this project. Also started something more, but again torn inbetween "finishing" and starting new. Ignore or Inspired... Hard to tell! But still going stronger!

FO Yummy Shawl Collar Cardigan

2011-08-07T14:04:00.002+02:00

It fits for the pouring rain finally hit our dry garden. This is the Yummy Shawl Collar Cardigan, from Vouge Knitting or "Designer Knits" as the European version is called (which is stupid if you ask me!) - any how, very fashionable, very snug and comfortable cardigan. I am so pleased with (almost) everything. My added pockets, my elongated sleeves and body and the colour. What I am a bit upset about is that this wonderful yarn - Lorna's Laces is superwash. But the colour was unresistable - "Amy's Vintage Office" which was made for especially for Amy - the editor of Knitty. Knitty is a web-magazine - full of free patterns.

Otherwise it is the usual busy times here. Time is running out on thesis work... stressful... but I had to get an energy boost by sailing (where most of this was knitted). Ahh 19 C in the water and just wonderful...

Wonderful KnitNation in London and FO: Leyfi-Löv

2011-07-24T12:17:00.003+02:00

The wonderful limescarf over the fleece was a gift (as one of the books) of the wonderful knittingfriends from the world of Ravelry. London (and KnitNation) was in summary great! Knitting, yarnsales, books and long walks and meeting dear friends! In any case I have been working pretty hard on the thesis - almost there.... and then knitting and training so little time for anything.
But managed to finish Leyfi - Löf, leaf - that I started in February with the nick-name "I want spring NOW"... in July that is so wrong. But nevertheless, today the winds are shaking the cherry trees....and I need to water the plants.... of course posing ;-) I actually hold 4 yarns together, alpaca, silk, and Mimi from Warp&Weft in yellow, and another silk thread with bobbles handdyed by Ann - Anntorps Väv. Warm. Wonderful lacey. Well life goes on for us, but it is just horrid what happened in Norway. Poor kids! We should just be happy with every day on this earth! Love, Peace and Understanding to the world.

Tour de Fleece. Day 3 - Navajo/Andean plying..

2011-07-12T16:22:00.001+02:00

So day three. New fleece. This is plain swedish (estonian?) wool from UlloMera. It is again spun on my spindle, and for the first time a did the "bracelet" thing - navajoe 2-ply or as some call it "andean plying". Very smart indeed. The fleece-has two colours, but I have done nothing really. I know I should soak it and hang to dry in the hank, but instead I just made it directly to the hank. So - an entire days worth. I would knit this in 5 ok, 10 minutes.... so much yarn needed. But I still have a lot as you can see. I am not really happy with final result, but that is life. Practice makes it better. We have all been beginners, right?

Tour de Fleece! Spinning!

2011-07-11T18:07:00.003+02:00

Ok, I am still knitting, but there is Tour de Fleece going on (of course, you are -when you are "spinning" supposed to look at the bicycle-race in Tour de France....I am still spinning my own "wheels".

Since it was some years ago I did spinn my first day spinning on the right, and today on the left - it is definitely a bit uneven, but getting better... but it still has a bit of lumps and bumps, of it was "perfectly even" it would not look handspun... but of course - one should train so one CAN do "perfectly even" first. This is just the first thread.. the singles, z-spun, then two together becomes the well balanced 2-ply thread... this is of course called "plying"...

So, my little goal is to do some just for the fun of it for a few days. Each of this is not very long but it is one hour spinning on each... Thank you for the nice comments on my blog - for my mittens.... I thought I just told you a few posts back CarrieK, about my title on my thesis. Read the text, LOL! I know. I also mostly look at the pictures. Fleece is from Kartehuset.dk (at the syfestival).. superfine merino (16my) with camel, alpacka and silk. Lovely to spin.

FO- Kurzeme - Barta mitten

2011-07-06T13:14:00.003+02:00

It is simply beautiful patterned work in the Latvian Mitten from the District of Kurzeme. This mitten is called Barta mitten (pattern plate 117). That I knitted "exactly" as the pattern is - but I cannot really take the colour palett from the book - so I do my own modern take on this. This pattern really contains all my favourite colours (except from the green palett) which I also love. Funny that the lime look very yellow in this setting. Anyhow, I am very happy about this mittens, "fits like a glove" as they say.
Otherwise I have started a second blog. Equally "boring".. but for you stalkers - check out my attempts to achieve my goal of "Getting in Shape" in time for my PhD. Trying to log exercise and food. I am doing this for myself - to keep honest, and feel better (and of course look smashing on my big day!) Also - we are doing a lot of work around the house, so this will be talked about there... Join the fun!
Finally, dear commenter - I have a series of links to yarnshops in Sweden and Denmark to the right in this blog. If you make yourselves known - you can mail me in Ravelry where I linger under the same name (garngamen). Also - if you do not have a Ravelry account - it is about time you get one, it is free - and being a knitter and not joining Ravelry - you are missing out big time. This is pretty much my summer. Knitting, Thesis, workout and fixing my home. Have it great out there!

FO - Choclate Crossing

2011-06-25T20:22:00.005+02:00

Ok - Choclate Crossing is ready - Midsummer day! After intense rain-showers and (still) some nasty cold, (but I do get great service when I am sick...). We sneak a photo in the shower breaks posing on our "mediterran" wall... with cermic pots made by me and the great blue lobelia in flowers... Now This knit is not done in a week (which you can believe if you follow the blog)... I knit a lot of knits simultaniously, and this has followed me in the car commuting to work for a very long time. (No, I am NOT driving!)...The cables were so great, and the yarn - Malabrigo is the softest. Love the name colour of the yarn "Rich Choclate"... and the pattern is modified version from Interweave Knits (some years ago)..but I can for sure spot some strawberry in there..... Just need the champange ;-) Sweater is a bit to warm, but will be perfect for fall. Did not do all cables on the back, but some.....Have a wonderful Summer you out there! Take care!

FO Gripsholm

2011-06-19T13:12:00.006+02:00

The rain was really bad, and I was balancing on slippery slope in the garden. Anyhow, I am still happy having finished this beautiful cardigan. The stripes were so nice to knit and is very flattering. A fun knit, with many modifications. I already love it. And the colours...Definitely a bit tired after intense weeks, and it does not seem to end just jet. But rain is great for the vegetable garden... It has been a bit dry after all. Spinage, carrots, beetroot, mangold and radish are staples, but we also experimented with broad beans and corn this year, making the veggie garden look like a "tent". Our pests are of course mostly dear Bambi, who eats anything - and also has got a baby.. . Ok, it is a bit dry.. we needed that rain! The little cuties. It is heart-breaking to chase them away, but they can totally demolish all the roses, flowers and trees - and not to mention the veggie garden.

Soon, very soon...

2011-06-12T17:41:00.008+02:00

I have knitted and worked and worked and knitted. And yet, I am still not completely done. Wonderful Cardigan Gripsholm pattern, by the Swedish designer Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, Mariefred. I have had the yarn for ages. It is Noro Kureyon in the now gone colourmix nr 52.One of my favourite Noro combinations. I mean blue, turqoise, green and lime and purple - all in different shades. Love it.It is mixed with Noro Cash Iroha in black. Which makes the colour even better. I still have half a sleeve to do, but since I did not post anything last week, I thought you were waiting ;-) Otherwise we are still fighting the cold that just does not seem to disappear.. and tick-bites maybe infectious, and the normal hurdles of life... but when the peonies are blooming, sun is shining, it is hard to complain about anything....really. Life is to beautiful. Full of colour, full of hope. Finally we go the vegetable garden seeds in. And I am still working on the two last chapters of the thesis... Still much review and rework to do, but getting there.... ahh, subject? "Software Testing" (computer science/software engineering). PhD date 21 Oct (probably). Title "On Test Design" (I think... it is short and bold..but so am I).

Summer cardi/top in Cotton

2011-05-28T18:06:00.002+02:00

It is summer. At least summer feel to the green and lush. I knitted this top/cardi. It is actually yarn from an old (20-25 years old??) cotton sweater that I frogged, that I never was very happy with how I knitted it, so this is so much better. It is almost (swe. veke-garn) wick-yarn, with a thread of linnen around it. Did some flowers to make it happier and used my ceramic buttons. Surprisingly warm. Otherwise it is the first and very nice day relaxing and home. Rain is in the air so we see how gardenwork is going. But all is in bloom, and it just great.
Have a great day! And thank you kindly for your nice comments. It cheers me up and motivates me to keep posting here, even if times are busy.

Lopi mittens done...and some OT..

2011-05-25T14:39:00.003+02:00

I have been very good posting almost every week (often sundays) on this blog. So, sorry dear readers for the short break. First we were at the wonderful London (with work) which also included some yarnshopping at Loop in Islington (Bought Handmaiden..and some stuff) I could have gone to Uppsala.. but the pound is low, so ok, Lovely shop! Lovely people. Of course, I am getting so exited since I did get into KnitNation in July. Will be such a great event to meet people. Anyhow - another highlight (except Liberty ;-) was the resturant "The Pearl". A once in a life-time thing. I can strongly recommend their tasting menu. Not cheap, but worth the sacrifice. I eat porridge for weeks to redo that. Now last weekend was equeally intensive. 80 year or birthday of hubby's uncle. And 30 year reunion of my dear schoolfriends. I am truely blessed. Now - to the MITTENS! My own little fish-pattern and the colours are in Islandic Plötulopi and the white is mohair/wool blend (handspun) from northen Sweden. Best part is that they fit to hat and cardi. A set. I did some aha - knitting these "free hand". Here it goes - "advice" for knitting Bulky Yarn" mittens.

If you knit loosely, they will not be very warm, since big wool = big loops. So - Oversize them and felt them for a warmer mitt. Note it is very difficult to get propotions right.

Note that the more felted the heavier the mitt is.

The wrist is really sensitive to "harsh" wool. If you make it tight around the hand wrist, coat it with something soft.

Decide if you want large cuffs - that can go "outside" your jacket, or they are a plan for "inside" the wide jacket arm. You do not want a gap between the sleeve and the mitt.

Personally, I like a little decrease just to make the mitt have a snug fit around the handwrist. It stays in place.

A slender mitt makes the hand look slender. That also goes for the thumb. Elegant!

But the younger you are, and also - depending when you are using your mittens, they might be wider - wide mitts is good, since you can wiggle your fingers inside!

Fair-ilse mittens (meaning, patterns with two or more yarns. are best to make a mitten warm), the more yarn carried - the thicker it is - you aslo need more "room" in them.

Enjoy! PS. Several sweaters in the making... ;-) I will be back!

Another Pair of Mittens: Latvian Alsunga pattern

2011-05-08T11:29:00.004+02:00

The Latvian Pattern book is filled with fantastic patterns. This is from the district Alsunga, but I made it "in my own" colour scheme, since in my mind, the entire colourscheme used in the book does not appeal to me. It reminds me of the 70's.. and not in a good way... The pattern is rather busy and I know I should have taken the picture in a softer light, since it really shows that they are not been blocked (wet, and pressed). Well, there are more work on these: Folded lace edge, and the thumbs match the pattern (so they should be "invisible" held against the mitten)... But I guess it does not really show. I used Östergötlands Ullspinnery yarns. You can see the tree blooming in the background, I am unfortunately fighting the normal spring allergies together with a cold. Let's say it is not as pleasent as knitting. Btw. Thank you all for you superkind comments. It is so nice to know that someone else enjoys knitting accomplishments. Have a great day now!! The sun is out again!

Tangled Joke ;-) Cardigan Finished!

2011-04-30T10:39:00.003+02:00

With the Forsythia in bloom behind, I pose on early Saturday morning in the wonderful Tangled Joke cardigan (ok, it is really Tangled Yoke ;-) But you know we Swedish cannot pronounce Y it sounds like J. Wonderful pattern from Eunny Jang (Interweave knits) that has this nice cable that goes around. I must say I really like it. Nice and comfortable. But it is getting warmer - and this is for cooler weather ! Yarn is the Jaeger Luxury Tweed, which has mohair in it. A bit "fuzzy" and unfortunately itchy. But a nice knit whilst commuting to work. The cable had to be done in a more concentrated state, but otherwise,a rather simple knit.

Happy Valpurgis celebrations - Glad Valborg to all of you!

Only 1 FO - Orange Mittens!

2011-04-25T19:40:00.004+02:00

Reaching for the sky! These mittens are special in many ways. I did the cuffs long time ago (yes, they have glass beads) and angora edging. But they were a bit too big. So I added some Mojärv left-over yarn and the wonderful repeat pattern from Aino Parkli (Estonian master knitter from Tartu). But the actual mitten pattern and colour mix is my own. And I think they turned out great. A bit late for mittens, but they are fun and inspiring to knit - and my cold is really preventing me to be my best in the garden, sigh....Right now we have a red-ant battle on-going. It is really war! But otherwise it was a Happy Easter to us - and I hope to all of you! Thank you for your nice comments!

Two FO: Latvian mitts and Ewa Socks

2011-04-16T21:02:00.005+02:00

It took me 6 years to make the second mitten to the Latvian mitts (pattern 19) from Uptis book in yarn from Östergötlands Ullspinneri. I did ran out of the back blue. But now it is done. It feels good. Below is the Ewa socks, pattern is Ulrika K. who runs the StickaMera SockKlubb. This was March entry. I really like them. Simple straighforward and fast to knit. The yarn is Regia 4-färg that I bought sometime years ago. Probably in Aachen. As you can see, spring is finally here in full bloom. It is wonderful. And the final apple-tree is pruned. Now garden cleaning is next step.

3 FO again: 2 Mittens and a Shawl

2011-04-10T11:55:00.007+02:00

First are the Vasa halvvante - (halfmitt). It is crochet (or jaquard crochet) with several colours, and then the white middle part is knit, to be finished off by more crochet. They are just lovely. They pattern is based on the Finish wonderful pattern "Korsnäströjan" -which is an east Finish knitting to mix like this. Not "my" colour, but a good first attempt. Then I finally did the embroyderi on the back side of the Kragvantar. They are wonderfully cosy. And it has almost a little fire in the blooms ;-) Anyhow,finally the snow has melted away, and the spring blossoms have started. I put my initials on these "kragvantar" and some bling too.., a buit late in the season. My last finished is a shawl. It is a shawl "Pimpad Liese" whish is done in the most wonderful handpainted yarn that I bought on the Knit-meet in UK years ago. I love it. Soft and "just my colours". Will suit all my green jackets. I actually knitted this this fall. But since one knits the edge at the same time, there is an decrease at the "way back", which I did "too fast". So I had to rip it up, and reknit half of the shawl. But now it is done. And I am super happy! And yes, we continue to eat our great noodle soups....It is constantly improving. We finally found the little quartier in Stockholm, that hold all the interesting foodshops. Not only could we finally find black mustard seeds, but also the Indian "Dahl", which looks like a cross between chick-peas and lentels... Dearest got Dahl in front of the eyes...So I guess we eat indian today. Yum Yum. Otherwise we are both plagued with a spring cold. I guess that happens waiting for our wind blew down the electricity and thus all trained stopped for hours. What a chaos. Again. And waiting around outside in the cold for several hours. That is not fun! Not fun at all. Glad I had good company (and the knitting).

OT: Noodle Soup

2011-04-03T17:01:00.003+02:00

In our very short break to recharge our batteries - we decided to take a "home" vacation, sleep long hours, in a fresh made bed, and eat good and healthy. Also celebrating the Wagamama coming to Stockholm, where we have their cookbook - and they pay hommage to Tampopo - one of my favourite movies (about the "perfect ramen- noodle soup!" We got so inspired to attempt our own. In my handmade bowl - it was as delishious as it looks. Of course husband is my own Maestro Chef! Thank you for all nice comments on the Inspira sweater. It is great! Now I am on the finishing streak with several mittens. Ok, I did finished the panties but they will not be on this blog or posed... (but I tell you a secret - they are on me now - and they are lovely to wear. Just like hand-made socks has that extra feeling. Life is good!

3 3 FO's: Inspira Sweater, Punkt Fem and Nemisis socks

2011-03-20T12:04:00.006+01:00

Finally done. The Inspira sweater - based on the Inspira Cowl, corrugated Rib pattern. I winged the pattern for the sweater myself, and knitted top-down. A lot of short-row's to lift the back. Yummy yarn - it is indecita alpaca held together with Solsilke's lynx (the purple), and then Artyarns Silk Rhapsody for the colourful main. Very soft yarn. But the alpaca is just a tiny tod itchy. Very snug fit...Now on the right is Punkt Fem - which is really named after the yarn- Point Five that is a Colinette yarn in colourways Copperbeach. I bought it on a sale, but it was not enough - but found some more at dear Ann (Ann-torp's väv) in Gamla Stan (old town). Three hanks would do the sleeves. They are knitted - and then frogged -since colour is just slightly different (different colour bath), but worse is that the newer yarn is just a big bulkier and "fluffier" which made this look like a Michelin Man... no - I am know crocheting (you can see my little cuff) and thought I will have removable sleeves (fastened with a button on the shoulder). Maybe. I actually love the vest as is. Buttons are my own ceramics experiment. Finally on the StickaMera SockKlubb (from 2010) socks Nemesis - Or "Silicon Valley Nemesis socks" as I named them, starting them in San Jose, and buying the yarn there... What to do on boring hotel rooms? The yarn is a favourite - Lorna Lace sock yarn, but honestly. It looks better in the hank than on the sock It bleeds weirdly (pools). Pattern is rather nice though. But took me 4-ever like a good "Nemesis" project should do. Maybe that has been the reason for the slow finishing streak??? Now I am back on track again. It feels good. So it is time to dig in and make the SockKlubb socks for THIS year instead. It will be my main knit (and a sweater) for my next week - In Berlin, and hotel again.... Glad dearest is home feeding fish and taking care of business. He just made the best Semla from scratch I ever had. I mean - he even did the almond-mix in the middle. No wonder the Inspira sweater feels tight... Back to the gym!

COM finished. Getting into WIP-wrestling!

2011-03-05T15:44:00.006+01:00

Cast On Mania is finished. What a grand finale. Using 4 yarns together to make Löv or Leyfi that the original pattern is called. It is a top down sweater, and is already a fun knit. it is alpacka and silk, and merino and tussah-silk blend (Mimi) and then some wonderful Nikolaj yarn.... And the "just casted on" turtleneck sweater. I have no idea what it will be. You can tell the yarn is yummy. It is Handmaiden Cashbah. You can tell that I was pretty tired casting it on, it is bearly the first row! The finally thing is the Sock enabling - The StickaMera SockKlubb February pattern Maeva. I also started on Ewa (March pattern), but somehow missed the picture. Anyhow. This concludes the Cast On Mania for February - and now it is really focus on Work In Progress -knitting to get those 100 down to 0. The first was of course really easy to knit, but somehow the first sharp snow make me look older and flabbyer then ever. Anyhow - it is a headband to keep my brain in place. Necessary after this COM period. It is matching the braid sweater. And is actually very cosy.

Soon on the end of Cast On Mania - February!

2011-02-27T14:22:00.007+01:00

Let us start with yesterdays Cast On. I started on a pair of Mittens (Swe. Kragvantar) on the right. The yarn is homespun (not by me) from a mohair goat/wool blend - almost as thick as "lovikka". I did them in only 5 hours. No pattern, but just plain - try it on on adjust. It is a set in thumb on the side (V-shape). Now I plan to put some embellishments on it to practice my embroyderi-skills. Below - the Orange mitts, is almost cheating, since I already have knitted the cuffs with glass beads. But I never used them. And thought I would try out a pattern from the Estonian mitten book. Doing it with these small yarn balls just for fun. Love it. I think it will be working better like these. Below - you have seen it before. The Punkt Fem cardigan. That now - with some afterthought - will be a vest. I was lucky enought to find more yarn at Ann-Torp's Väv of this "sale" yarn - Colinette point five - in the Cobbar Beach colourway. But - It really goes to tell that time does mess up things. The new yarn is MUCH thicker, much more blue - and is just not the same. It would have looked ridiculus. I already knitted one sleeve before I realized it just will not be flattering. So, I am thinking my old, rather "crafty" buttons I made would fit just fine here. Since I did not do any button holes, I am still thinking if I do "military style". You know. Two buttons and a band between.. or if I just should "force myself" through (which would also be possible in this very large stitches type..)Now I must be honest. I am still stuck - and that is the ONLY reason for you not seing this finished today. All ends darned in. Somehow I think it will work. But will it be an "asset" with the buttons? Or will the entire thing just look very home-made? I am not sure. But it is practical. A vest that is. So - on demand - I did a "green" vest for Stacey - my US-sister from back when I was an exchange student in Fresno, California. I met her again now this November. She is still so nice.
She waited for me in the yarnshop while I squeezed everything. Well - I think this will be a warm, not to dull vest. I hope it will fit! But it is hard to knit for San Fransisco. It is windy, but not really cold. At least the wool breathes! An interesting month. Not so easy this time to invent new knits. Maybe I am just to pre-occupied with writing my thesis. And the winter is still holding its grip, even if the current mild weather gets the birds starting to practice their spring-welcoming songs.

And more Cast On's - Still Mania time

2011-02-23T20:30:00.005+01:00

The snow got us again... and again.. and I keep adding new knits very faithfully honouring the Cast On Mania - one new project every day. Most looks like to the right. Except on weekdays, where I have to attempt take some "indoor" pictures. This "string" of cast on is made in some really yummy yarn - Ambrosia, and I started a cardigan, but now decided this is so soft - it would work perfectly for our cold winters as a "cowl"-neck sweater - "pullover". Anyhow, I gone a little mad on mittens. This time crochet. It is a "half"-mitten based on a sweater from Vasa (Finland).. which starts with crochet and then some knitting. Not supersimple but not so hard either. I think it will be really fun. I also started another norweigan vante (mitten) with embroyderied pattern. I had a long discussion with my dear aunt Viola, about how to do the embroyderi on that. She is a pro! We both went to the Syfestival (Sewing-fair) and really enjoyed ourselves. It was good to meet "old friends". From Eva i Stäket I bought two wonderful soft cashmere yarn for a shawl. This one I started directly for Viola - she picked the colour. I am on row 8, but I guess I have to rip it all and restart - since I dropped a stitch - and not just any stitch - one of those k3 tog.. I doubt I cannot repair it. I guess lace is not made for a tired evening. But - It is fun! I have now to really go for it only a few days left of February... so, time to really think what I want to knit - since finishing all this projects are work for the rest of the year!
But - I am knitting on - and it keeps my spirits high! Of course the new kitchen adds to the fun - we are heavily experimenting in it.

More Cast-On's -

2011-02-16T21:12:00.005+01:00

Finally the Kaffe Fasset Cardi that I call "In Petal Haze" since it is knit by two threads of Kid Silk Haze. It is wonderful to knit. But that is the challenge of the Cast On Mania - you do one each day - and most look like a "string" - not much than the pattern and idea - and a lost of stitches casted on. But - finally I woke up to the reality, that I must have something wrong - should not wonderful StickaMera and here SockKlubb continue? Yes, It had already - and I just had not found it. Now I have - and changed the button (see right). Being terrible behind from the start, and having a bad last year, I will attempt a better running now. So the first cast on is called Cranberry biscotti in a slip-stitch pattern - but I am diving in the left-over batch to knit it. It starts with red,blue and white, but I tell you - it will not end like that. It is rather simple and straight forward, and a very relaxing knit. Especially when I allow myself to play with colour. But despite this looking like a "mitten" Cast on (ohh, I have many more in "strings"... so far 6 mitten/glove pairs).. I do have the yummy yarn from San Jose, and Green Planet yarn below - it is Lorna's Lace Shepard Worsted... Love the colours. But - I must admit. I might frog this. It is Patent - but I am not sure this works....I might just have too little yarn for it - so I might go back to my original plan - another Vouge pattern. Well -we will see. I actually found a Malabrigo Lace yarn in the very same colour palett - so I might do a thick-thin thing. Or just a shawl collar to add.
You can hear I am not decided at all. That is why it is in danger. But yummy yarn. No doubt. The final picture is a Vott - a mitten from Norway from the wonderful book "Håndplagg" by Heidi Fossnes. Buy it. It is the most beautiful book I own. Pictures and pattern are just fantastic. They are using Rauma Gammelserie 2-ply yarn on needles 1.25 or 1.5mm. Very thin. And fantastic embroyderi. You can glimpse the original from the book underneath my own "string". I am of course not using the same colour-pallet as the book on the fringe. I actually got so exited about it that I had to cast on another one. Now I just wished I had the skills to embroyder all the nice things on it. But I decided that I first should knit one entire bunch. The fringe I can do, but embroyderi could be rather challenging... Well, If you do not try you never get there. Anyhow - I do feel very stressed. Writing thesis is like doing the long test in school that never ends. But - this knitting keeps me doing somthing else.

Yet another Latvian mitten from Kurzeme and..

2011-02-10T19:58:00.007+01:00

I got it bad for these mittens. It seems to be a mitten COM I am doing. This one the colours is inspired by the blanket behind. Yarn again Visjö from Östergötlands Ullspinnery. Love again.... I put the needle on the bottom since it curls, but this is actually the edge where you fold it and sew so you get a nice lace edge. The fun thing with these mittens is - this is still the cuff. The cuff patterns have NOTHING to do with the rest of the mitten - which at least saves some surprise moment for the final show. Getting a sneak peak of a knitting, is like the spoiler - for instance every time they announce the actual content of TV-show "The Big Bang Theory", the seconds before it comes on. I hate that. I want the surprise! Like the Faroese shawl in dark brown could definitely be called a "string". The pattern is Jóhanna. And it will really take some time. Once you finished the shawl, you have to knit it again - the white lining A faroese yarn needs faroese yarn - Snaeldan. The interesting part with this yarn is that it is a mix with Falkland wool. Interesting "Island" exchange. You see what I mean? A dark-brown "blob". To make my point - when writing this I just started on todays Cast on Mania, a mitten inspired by the Inspira "almost" corrugated rib. We will see where it goes. Again the Östergötland Ullspinnery yarn "Mörk Karamell" together with some Visjö. If it fits husband - it is his. Keep knitting!

PS! It is not very difficult to knit with two colours or fair-isle. It is the same as any two colours - you only need to follow the pattern . It is an adventure! And very much rewarding!

Latvian mitten with some Swedish influences...

2011-02-06T15:18:00.004+01:00

I find it inspiring to knit interesting pattern. This mitten is from a book on Latvian Mittens (by Uptis), and the pattern 117 is from Kurzeme, Barta. But - not shown yet is the main pattern for this mitten, that is also found on very ancient Swedish patterns, the clover and I guess it is hard to claim it being from one region or the other - when patterns travelled in the old days - and the origins are forgotten. Who was first is an enigma. Anyhow - making the Swedish influence more present - I choose Swedens maybe best woolspinnery (Östergötlands Ullspinnery) (ok - it is side by side with Wåhlstedts, Mojärv and...) with the yarn "Visjö", which has a softness to it. I also choose rather Swedish colours, blue and yellow - but I think the main mitten pattern will be done in the purple background and light blue - to match the hat - that is based on the swedish version. It is rather intriguing to think that this is still only knitting tve cuff of the mitten. I am so glad that the Latvians kept their rich tradition alive, and we can see wonderful patterns like this. So I do a "third" a mitten in one weekend-day - that gives me definitely some calculations on how much work it is to do the mitten. At least the sun was out and shining!... So, I have not yet done more than cast on for the sunday. So decided to do one pattern - I swapped in the last minute. Then casting on for "in the round" sweater - and at the last minute changing my mind to make a cardi. I do use cardi's Anyhow - I cannot decide what I want. But I realized I already have bought great buttons to this cardi - I feel I must. Now - with a brioche (Patent) pattern - will the yarn be enough is the big question. But, I do as I always do. Knit on and hope for the best! It usually works.

Cast On Mania continues!

2011-02-03T23:21:00.004+01:00

Only one matching lopi mitten done. But you get it. One days work. Love how the pattern became fishes. They are "loosely" based on the Lopi cardi-pattern. Do you know how I create patterns? I glance - and then I try to remember... And I really do not remember exactly - and - here a very happy accident happend. I love how patterns emerge like this. But I hope I do not fall victim for the "second mitt" - syndrome. It has happened before. And today - I started with a "jacket" in Welsh-compay Colinette yarn - Point Five - and of course I named this jacket "Punkt fem". The colour is Coppar beach- I wish I had some more of it - it will be snug and probably half sleeves. The problem is that I have no idea what to knit for tomorrow. But tomorrow is Friday. Then I can stay up a bit later.

Cast On Mania February 2011 - FO Lopi mössa

2011-02-01T23:43:00.003+01:00

Ok - Here we go again! Crazy - I mean REALLY nuts! I will continue with the Cast On Mania in entire February... (those enabling friends in Ravelry). The first Item was quickly casted on: A Lopi mössa! Amazingly enough it could be casted on, knitted and finished in only 2 hours and 30 minutes.. and some time for making the tassel and darning in the yarn-ends. I am very happy with it. Warm and snuggly! But now it is late - and I am ready for bed!

Absolutely nothing interesting to say.

2011-01-23T18:50:00.005+01:00

I am just saying. A picture inside in the dark house vs. a picture in the sun "on the roof" is a lot different. Here is Leitmotif in full sunshine. (see more two postings back)...yeah, MUCH better picture. The cables show better, and a black underneath is doing it justice. But - it is a slack brim, so not perfect yarn for this item. We are of course thinking a lot on our dear friends in Australia, especially in Brisbane, where the floods have been real bad. But I hear they are ok. Here we still have to clime the top floor to get a good sunshine. So, a picture from the our aboriginal painting has both a sense of coffe-beans, and the burning hot. No -our kitchen is not ready yet. Still some electricity work postponed for yet again. I am progressing on other sweaters, but for some reason - nothing is done. All are "in progress". Thank you all for the nice comments on the tiles. We love the too! It is just wonderful somehow. Ohh, a kitchen. We bought new pots and pans, and a cookbook - the Julia Child to make ourselves happy.. it is all the "master chefs" versions going on TV. Australian, English professional and US. We cannot stand the Swedish one. I do not know why. Well, otherwise all is well here in the cold country.

FO: Ugglor i Mossen - Owls in the bog.... and tiles

2011-01-16T17:04:00.004+01:00

Posing in my "Ugglor i Mossen" or "Owls" as this simple, but genious pattern from Kate Davies is originally called. I gave 8 of my 23 owls eyes, and I am sorry, the picture is really dark, and does not all give the sweater and colour-changes any justice. But it is raining (!) and dark outside - and still 1 meter snow. Not ideal picture weather. The yarn is actually a finish 3-thread wool in the brown-grey blackish is the base in the slow-variation colour Sysky (meaning "autumn") and the Evilla slowly changing is a "pre-yarn" or for-yarn (Förgarn) which is not really a yarn, it is an unspun "wool-rowing" thread. And then the superthin fingering-lace from Evilla wool, which runs like a green with some orange in it - also slowly varigated - is the highlight that makes it all so alive. I think I concluded that having the same buttons would be the pretties, but I dived into my stash, and found what I could - so I could pose in it. After all - I cannot linger - I have 23 more sweaters to knit this year ;-) And this was the first - already behind! Anyhow - Iam proudly standing in front of our home-made tiles in the Kitchen that turned out great. Not it is "only" getting the last electricity appliances in place, and we are done with the Kitchen! We are so exited it is finally happening. But still a building spot! Anyhow - Both husband and I are very proud of our tiles. We are still oooohing and ahhing ourselves when we walk in the kitchen - and really - it was very fortunate that we spent so much effort and time, since now it is not just a kitchen... it feels like artwork.I think it is the small things that really makes our life wonderful. Being happy in the kitchen, finding a new Indian resturant with class (Indian Garden on Söder). And the Amaryllis is blooming. Then it feels so much better - even if my bummer of a cold came back with a vengance.... that is the punishment for celebrating my friends achievements on their PhD. It was Stefans C's turn. Such a positive guy!
Anyhow - we also visited dear mom in Söderbärke. She has such a beautiful house, and it is so cosy. We had such a good time togehter - which is always nice. Well, I have so much going on, but since I do have a bad (?) habit of not staying true to only one project, it takes some time to get done.

Resolutions! 2011 is Wonderful!

2011-01-06T15:50:00.003+01:00

It is still snowing - and with the cold - I am still "blowing" my nose. Anyhow - 2011 has welcomed us in a great way. I just "had" to start the Inspira sweater (based on a cowl that is based on a hat that is based on....Yeah you know what I mean).
The pattern does much better in slow changes of colour like Noro.. but in this case - the yarn picked me - really a wonderful "wet" feeling of silk, mohair, alpaca... but mostly silk. I am in love with it already. Summing up the last year was easy. Facing the fact I have now 50 (including this) unfinished sweaters on the needles, and another 20 hats, mittens, and socks waiting to get done have brought me to my senses! The Resolution for this year is very straight forward - and I intend to honour them - it is my life.

1. Finish my PhD. This is the year it is happening. I finally got the entire thing grasped. It sure will be a party to remember!
2. Finish at least 24 sweaters! This in itself will consume most of my knit time.
3. Increase Gym-time to double of this fall: And watch just a bit more what I eat (portion control).

Then there is a "attempt" or "stretch-goal" as we say it at work: Aim for having not more than 30 WIP's at end of the year.
Note - I am STILL contemplating if I will jump on the February Cast On Mania - that means another 28 new things knitted. So. IF I am doing that - I think a reasonable stretch goal is to get below 50 WIP's....

FO & Looking back at 2010 and anticipation for 2011

2011-01-02T13:10:00.008+01:00

This past year has been about sweaters. And and absolute rotten picture of the 20th and last cardigan will finish the year. This is Leitmotif (it is actually CABLES between the lace-holes)... and knitted sideways. It is two coloured, since I did ran out of yarn. It is knitted in Merino-fur from Naturally (New Zealand), and bought in Penrith outside Sydney, Australia a few years ago. Merino fur really means merino and POSSUM-fur. A banned animal ("pest") in New Zealand, since it kills the local wildlife, so I do not have a bad conscious. It is one-thread, thick and almost "felted" in its appearance. Well, lets have a last look at 2010 before we turn the back on it! I definitely succeeded with the International Sweater a Month Knit-Along (KAL), and after early finishing of the 12, it was easy to go on! I made it to 20 sweaters and cardigans. Very happy about that. Also finished up some remade knits, fixed pockets, reknitted a Bohus sweater. Only manage to finish 3.5 socks, so I definitely missed out on the great StickaMera KAL. I am actually working hard on the october sock "Nemesis" now.

Otherwise it feels like a rather hard working year. The best thing has been moving organization within work, which has finally left me in a state of calm. Also started to work-out at the gym, nothing major, but just enough to regain some strength.

The most fun in the knitting has been the Ravelry group "Village of the Overcommitted" that lured me into a Cast On Mania (COM). Not only once, but twice. It started in the summer with casting on 10 objects as a training camp. In October it went crazy - and I did cast on 31 new sweaters. I mean - totally creative fun. I really got exited about it. I am still knitting on this long list. It is still great fun. And I am already starting to get my mind adjust to the fact that in February - it is COM time again. I thought not to joing, but I could easily start another 10 sweaters, so a list is forming. Anyhow 2010 has been the year where I do feel I master fair-isle (mult-coloured patterns - using 2 or more threads at the same time). I have no problem knitting and cutting anymore, so that is a good thing, since I have casted on a whole lot of new fair-isles. think 2011 will still be the year of finishing all I started.

2010: Best-list

Best sweater: Lime-green "white-peony" sweater!

Best yarnshopping: Without a doubt, my San Jose trip. Green-Planet yarn, Yarn Dogs among others. And I am still in love with Lorna's Lace and Noro.

Best shopping - knit-related: Knit-Pro needle-kits from Liten Karin (former Maria's garn).

Best stash-busting: Reworking 5 boxes into COM-sweaters to "PIG's" Projects in (grocery) bags! I can really see progress!

Best pattern: Impossible to choose, Hidahl? Or Debbie Bliss - Laurie? Or maybe Cloud 9 - Ysolda Teague? Oh dear..I love so many!

Best Knit-book: I must say New England Knits is ok, but I found the Stephanie Japel's "Fitted knits" to contain many great sweaters...but of course - nothing compares to Poetry of Stitches (Hisdahl) and any Starmore book.

Best Knitting Magazine: Interweave Knits and Vouge (Designer) Knitting are the two top knits. Unfortunately Knitscene is seldom available here. I can only say I am so dissappointed in "The Knitter" from UK - it looks glossy, but fails to produce enough and great patterns - and most are already copies. I am also decided not to buy Yarn Forward, the XRX "The Knitter", and many new rather poor and very overprized knit-magazines. I realize with IK and VK and some spare Knitscene or Knit-simple, I got it all. I would rather have the Japanese Ondori knit-magazine ;-)

Best Knit location: I think Redang in Malaysia top's everything. Knitting the FLS in cotton in the beach will be a memory for antoher decade. That was heaven!

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T17:45:00.002+01:00

In candlelight trying to take a picture from the christmas tree, the traditional straw goat, and all the presents underneath from my kitchen, tells the secret that this picture is already one day old, since tradition in Sweden is to exchange the gifts on Christmas evening the 24th. (Hint, that is why Santa can get around the world with all the gifts ;-) I think we all got happy with our wonderful gifts. I think my new skates will having me exercise on the ice in the future. It is still a lot of snow and cold, but getting a bit warmer. Soon it is time to bring forth all the knits and relax in front of the fire. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas wherever you are. Many warm wolly thoughts to all of you!

Another FO! Laurie is done!

2010-12-12T12:20:00.003+01:00

The wonderful Laurie from Louisa Harding "Summer Classics" pattern book is done. And yes - it is a summer T, with a lace edge in wonderful super soft silk and wool blend! The yarn bought in San Jose - Green Planet yarn - on a recent visit, as well as the pattern. I love it, soft and yummy, with a snug fit. I admit, it looks a bit tilted, but I guess I was really "thowing it on" and we had some really quick picture taking in the cold. Brr - It is veyr cold. And I feel as undity as the normal "just woken up - sleeping much too late" on Sunday. And it is a SUN- day! I have not seen the sun for awhile, so it is nice to get a glimpse. Otherwise weekend is all about making tiles, and cleaning. The normal weekend work. Btw, we LOVE our house to - even if sometimes it just feels overwhelming with all the work, renovations and things to fix. But I guess we are still happy being the "care-takers" of the lovely gem. Have a good weekend to you too and hugs - and thank again for all nice comments.

Stonecircles and "Ugglor i mossen"

2010-12-05T21:35:00.004+01:00

To the left is my progress on the Stone-Circles. It is a Kaffe Fassett pattern. But sometimes I thought a better name would be bubbles in water - or "carbonated" because it looks like bubbles with the blue backdrop - But then - thinking again, of course it is stone-circles. Now - this is hugely "Gestalt"-therapuetic. Not only are each un-finished business like a stone in the "backpack" of life you carry around, It does have the weight of a stone, and leaving many unfishined is a big back-pack. Now there is where the circle comes in. Finishing the unfished business is really closing the the circle of the Gestalt. You finish it up! It is done, gone. The weight is off your shoulders so to speak. And left is the stone - now ready to sink to the bottom of the ocean of finishined business. THAT is what Kaffe must have ment. A wonderful thoughtful fair-isle. Since none of the "stone-circles" are the same. And it is super slow knit - it takes a lot of presistence and concentration. So, plenty of time to go through any unfinished business. (If you did not know - these are typical thoughts of a knitter). Second is the famous knit pattern "Owls" that I of course call "Ugglor i mossen" i.e. Owls in the bog (I think?) I think it is really nice and see the difference in colour with and without flash, but the fact is - it is three different yarns, that all are changing colours all by themselves. I really thought a lot about how to make the owls "dissappear" in the forest. Well, I have not started on them yet, but this is really my relaxation between the stone-circles. I love them both. First is of course for my dearest in Christmas (I hope it is this christmas) present... Or january present or something... And Owls are on thicker needles to rest the hands. It is Finish 3-thread wool in brown-grey-black from "Svalan" called Syksy (höst/fall) and then there is a green orange, lace-one-thread Estonian yarn, and finally the pre-yarn (unspun) one "thread" from UlloMera (but definitely from Estonia- it is Evilla). That is where the blue and purple is mixed with green. And these three play togheter in the dance of the woods. It is a bit snug fit, but I am hoping I also will be a snugger fit if I keep myself in the gym - and stop doing wonderful christmas cakes. Life is good! And this will be a hard working week! But - Still happy about my accepted research paper.... Well, cannot write anymore - Got to watch my new favourite TV-show. Big Bang Theory on channel 5! Suits the nerd in me. I mean - Just the "entrace question" - Kirk of Pickard? Well, if you cannot answer that - you are "too old"! Hugs!

Off-Topic (OT): Snow and winter at the house.....

2010-12-04T17:03:00.007+01:00

OK - the way to walk to the door - the old "kitchen entrance on the back. This is when you realize it is a "soutterrain" house, from 1909. I promised my friends to put a picture up of my little heaven, and except the upper balkony (one can see the balcony floor as wood on the upper level, above the mid-level) is not ready yet. Still a lot of painting to do. We just had it and are waiting for the kitchen. The house looks pretty big from the drive-way - and yes, it is not small. A renovators dream, when we got it, and still a lot to do. We are very happy getting the roof painted this year. It is also a wonderful garden. When it is this snowy - The light is much better. Note that this pictures (all of them) are taken mid day. But it is on the darkest time of the year. And even if the garden picture is almost directly south, the sun does not really have the strength to be over the ridge of the very little hill. This is what swedish people refer to as "the blue hour". The shadows are not black, but blue! We are still making tiles, but have a hopeful promise that both the stone counter top (sorry - not bench-top) will be done - and all tiles and electricity before christmas. I love that. .We are running the installed dishwasher all the time - to fill up the packed kitchen - so it has almost felt like christmas - when finding stuff that has been "gone" for 3 years. I mean we did pack the kitchen down 3 years ago (or was it 4? I dear not think about it). We just HAD to put the curtains up in the kitchen and carry in the new kitchen sofa in place - and place my dear brother Johan Mauritzson's fantastic painting of horses - that I always loved in prime position. Yes - we are still painting the last trimmings, but it feels more hopeful than ever - of a Real Christmas this year. PS. You can really tell I am totally stalling on my knitting projects. They have been progressing (four are very active) and I hope I will get one done this week. It is intresting though, that the knitting that has progressed fastest is the one I commute to work in. That says something. It has been a lot of very slow traffic. It is wonderful!

Fixing times and new stuff!

2010-11-21T16:35:00.007+01:00

After a long time in the yarnroom waiting for a misplaced pocket move - this lovely Lopi finally got the pocket in the right place - and being a good girl sewing on a band inside the collar to make it more sturdy and softer. I love Lopi when it is cold, but it is just slightly on the scratchy side for the neck... Now it will be used as a regular garment. I even (!!!) started to needle on the zipper on St Brigid, but it feels scary.. So I will see if I make it in the near future... It is amazing. It has been done for a year (all knitting) and a zipper keeps me from using it. Well, lets say my skills are in knitting ;-) We are still making tiles. And it is very time consuming. Therefore no new sweater finished. I am progressing on the following loveliness - The wonderful Laurie - a fab summer pattern - with a silk-wool yarn that is luxurious - and one of the souvenier yarns bought from my latest trip to San Jose. I tell you - they do have better weather there! Here it is really gloomy - but the colour of Laurie still gets me into the "blue hour".. or blue mood! it is grey with splots of silver and turqoize blueish. Yum! It is the main knitting in the commuting car. For the train commuting to Västerås - it is the Nemesis socks on the go! I am way behind the SockKlubb, but I love the patterns, so I am trying to keep doing at least a few. It is the wonderful Lorna's Lace's yummy sock yarn. And funny - I was of course in more than one yarnshop in US, and still I accidently ??? bought 2 sets of sock yarn in the same colour. And I tell you - Lorna's Lace sockyarn has a million colours. I must love this combination. Finally on the needles are Leitfmotif (Sofa-knit) - but you get no picture, since I hope I can show it of finished next time and I am doing the Kaffe Fassett Stone Circles for hubby in yarnroom. That will be a great Christmas present.

OT- Ceramic Tile making to our Kitchen!

2010-11-14T15:45:00.005+01:00

I am not talking about knitting today. My "other" hobby is ceramics. I perfer throwing on the wheel, but when I got great companionship in the cellar by dearest husband, we took on the challenge. This first picture shows the bisquewear, meaning in front in the piles are the the tiles that have been fired once. Behind, with a slighter grayer teint is dry clay, ready and waiting for the same fireing process. But the oven is still full, and very hot. I have been waiting all day for the temprature to go down - if you open the oven too soon, the glaze might crack in thread-thin cracks. And we do not want that right?! So below are two pictures taken with and without flash of the first glaze- trial. We got so exited about it, and you can see the gray (which really is the same - just different light) in the back on the wood. It shows more clearly in the flash picture... But we think this will be beautiful in our new and wonderful kitchen. Unfortunately we had yet another set-back with the benchtops, but hope we get them in time now, so we do get a kitchen before christmas. We are getting so tired of this situation. So - honestly, there is not much knitting going on. I thought I was done with a scarf, but spotted a mistake half way through - so I am now frogging it back. Well - this is life. One step forward, one back... I hope it will be three steps forward next time.

FO Aleita Shell and A-line A-type Cardi for Mom!

2010-11-07T13:31:00.004+01:00

First I show off the Aleita Shell. I love this, it was so fun to knit and see the colours work - of course it is wonderful Noro Silk garden light. I added sleeves to the original pattern, To my surprise I can tell that I have lost some weight, and can go down in size. it should be a slim fit - and look - it is NOT! That makes me very happy. I am also glad I succeed in making the separate fronts and sleeves similar. It is not always easy with this yarn. Anhow - It will be well used. Secondly I have knitted a sweater for dear mother. I try to make it with a lot of ease, so I have a lot of short rows, and a typical A-line for my wonderfully energized A-type mom. The back has a (swe. sprund) Cut? also to make it a bit with ease, and also elastisity - since the ribbing on the side makes it good. Also it is definitely a bit longer and elastic. Should fit her perfectly. I hope it is The yarn is also Noro - but Noro Kabuto. Sure an expensivhe yarn. 96 swedish kronors for 1 hank - and it is 14. I sure hope she appreachiates it. It has cashmere and silk in it. Soft and warm, Just as I love it. I did this very loosley based on the Hisdahls Cardigan, but I definitely made it "my own", trying to use colours to slim the style, make it easy. The only dissappointment is that I would have loved one more hank to make the sleeves longer. But I guess I can call it fashion! Almost all knitting pattern have 3/4 sleeves now. But at the end of the day, this is a cardi - it has something underneath so. The collar looks uneven, but I guess it is just me throwing it on a bit sloppy. Still jet-lagged from the trip. And it is nice to be home!

Statistics from Silicon Valley! 20539 meters Done

2010-11-01T04:52:00.004+01:00

Sorry for not blogging - I am fine. Right now I am at a hotel room in California ;-)
You can check in anytime of year (but I hope I can leave ;-) now - in contrast to the famous song. So again - beg for forgiveness of the lack of fancy pictures. .. Many more next time!

OK! I actually made a tally of this year: I think I have reported earlier 8879 meters knitted (?).

And I have now counted the projects from there, and I have knitted 11660 meters more in 94 balls/hanks. Meaning my new tally is the best ever and so far:
20539 meters !

So more than 2 swedish mil - or 20 km! I must inform that a lot of this is NOT knitted this year, and since it has been WIP times, I am guesstimating that at least 1/3 of it is knitted earlier than 2010... but nevertheless.. it has been a productive year - and the year is not over.

I can also inform that it takes me about one hour to knit approx 40 (-50) meters - which makes it about 500 hours of knitting. Which is an average of 2 hours a day - a tally that seems a bit low(?) but I guess there is more work than just knitting with a sweater. And there are days when almost no knitting is done.

I should now start to keep stats for how much winding, preparation, assembly, buttons etc take. I count it as "knitting time", and the above measurement is going through yarn.... Of course - when you knit fair-isle - you consume much more yarn, so that should probably be separated and measured too.

But it is interesting, right? Last years tally was 13 000 (approximate from memory) meters, so I have already definitely been knitting much more this year. Or more fair-ilse ;-)

I have two more finished sweaters just waiting for a a day in the sun! So do not abandon me dear readers. Have patience.

Finished: Cropped Lovikka Cardigan

2010-10-17T18:20:00.004+02:00

The frost killed some of my geranium (Swe. Pelargonier), and all the leafs turned to yellow on the trees, and are dropping fast. The frost really froze bad tonight, and I heard the first snow is getting closer. Then it is perfect with the designer duo "Lutz and Patmos" design for a warm winter cardigan. Very much texture, and rather dressy... Yarn is Lovikka yarn (which in this case must have been spun loosely by Gotland fleece - not the normarl felted Lovikka feeling....) Anyhow, I cannot swear what brand, but it is bought at "Boden" in Värmland. Also a very quick knit - and one of the items I started in the Cast on Mania. It does not have buttons (but maybe should have?) so I put a shawl-pin to hold it together. This is my 16 sweater this year to the left - and I am almost done with the next one (for mom!). Of course I have set goals. First it was 12 - now it is 24 before years end, and maybe - dream number (stretch) is doing 30!
Otherwise the sailboat is up on land and packed for winter. We set a new record in fixing it this year. That feels good! Have a nice week!

FO: Fa Fa Fa Socks and Camisole for Mom!

2010-10-10T13:06:00.003+02:00

The wonderful Fa Fa Fa socks are done. Beautiful coloured yarn, soft and yummy and a great pattern! I already love these. The yarn is handdyed in Ottowa, Canada by Turtletoes - and the colour is called "Ocean Witch". And as you can see - it is fall here. But the boat is unmasted and ready for getting into winter protection.Kitchen is finished painted (almost, some small things to do). I also been a good girl finishing mom's camisole. A bit late for this season - since it is getting colder every day. The yarn is from Greece (the main lighter thicker cotton, but it ran out, so I had to find something from stash that could do for straps and edging. Really happy with the perl-patterned buttons. I just hope it fits ok. The origin of the camisole is the same as I knitted twice before - Solveigh Hisdahl. One of my favourites summer quick-knits.

FO: Fitted Mini-cardi and Stripy July

2010-10-03T12:16:00.004+02:00

Not much needed to finish this (but some yarn). The original pattern is from Stephaine Japel's book "Fitted Knits", and is called the mini-cardi. I did make it a bit longer, by adding 3 hanks of Rowan Bigwool in blue, to the Hjertegarn Yabba alpaca in green. A little cabling.. and to my surprise, my own made buttons worked fine (I can tell by the picture I might need to tighten the buttonholes a bit though - and block it.) Very warm, soft and cosy knit. This is such a "week-end knit" - I mean it cannot have taken more than 16 hours maximum to do. (I have been knitting an hour here and there....)...Now when the Cast On Mania (COM) is over and I have dived in to finish as much of what I have started as possible. Finishing the "Stripy July" sweater, was fast - a home made top-down simple sweater to throw over the shoulders in the heat. I definitely ran out of yarn, and it needs a nice brim,. One can see the edges curls pretty bad.... but - I can see it on thrown casually over the bikinitop on a hot summer day. Now - If I find more cotton tape yarn, I will definitely make a brim at all edges, and make it more "neat".. but I think it works anyway? At least it is finished for the moment. Now, what happened with the COM? Well, the last 4 days was really not much to talk about... 4 new strings - 4 new cardi's. I have been stressed over a research paper, so I have no good photos really....most looks like this, the Lett-lopi: Riddari. The rest is a Bohus kit Cardi: Scilla, another Norsk Strikkedesign pattern "Kort genser i blått" that I renamed "Being Blue", and of course - since October is the breast cancer awareness month - I casted on a "Pink Fluff" top... I guess you will see them in progress or finished (ha!) BTW, thank you for all your nice comments! It is always nice to have an audience that follows our adventures. And thank you for all the nice greetings on my birthday! I cannot believe I am getting older. I feel training is really making younger (with lapses of feeling very old and hurt in every muscle).
Now- time for the last finishing lap (or two) on my research paper - and some more painting on the house!

Cast On Mania continues: 3rd week

2010-09-27T18:55:00.006+02:00

This past week was really challenging...I had to dig deep to cast on - and frankly, some of the "strings" of sweaters is not really worth showing yet. Anyhow, some great surprises has been created. The most memorable from this week is Cornelia Tutte Hamilton's fantastic pattern "Gripsholm". It was simple, it was exiting, and fast. Two colours and magic happened. Wow - I loved it. Two Noro yarns (Cash Iroha and Kuyeron number 52). This is upper front left side (you can see the curve for the neck. Yummy! The Whisper in the Bog Cardigan is just the wonderful on very lightweight cardi, I named it after the yarn colour name "Tjärn" or bog. Since it is one-thread Softblend yarn from Färgkraft, and I have previous experience with it, I gave it a Silk Como 30 extra thread in coppar to enhance the colour, and make it just a tidbith more strenght. Another thing to think about is that with one-thread, you need to knit and purl evenly - otherise it will turn and twist the shape. So I am doing what we Swedish call the "bog-stitch" (ha- you get it right?) meaning "moss-stickning"... I am sure it has a better name, but I blogging after work, and my brain is already drained. Anyhow - That will be a perfect. Just need some more Como 30! The next two lovely's are both from the early fall Vouge magazine. I loved it! Lutz & Patmos design. Super duper cool! I did first the very cosy number three - in the softest yummiest Jaeger Shetland Aran yarn in light blue. And - I fell so in love with this pattern that I digged out the Lovikka yarn in Kampe's (bought at the "trailer" in Värmland) in grey. Both promising for great cardi's, The blue is the sleeve -and it will be a great oversized sweater with pockets. The grey is a cropped cardi on needles 10mm! and this is actually the back - and one ball of yarn. Very fun! So 4 of 7 in picture? My mind must be slipping. Yes - the camel hair as the essential camel cardi, and the Agnes fair-isle.... and of course the Festjakke - a Solveig Hisdal cardi-kit (on 2mm!) Well - I got to save some for the future.
Cast On Mania is on for a few days more! I am still casting on...Yeah - Today was Riddari in Lett-Lopi. Well, it is not much of a Cast on, it is a string....I am so looking forward in finishing these so fast!

Cast On Mania continues..

2010-09-20T19:59:00.013+02:00

I know this is a bit of stretching it, but I promise - it is both very creative and fun. Casting on a new project every day during the month of September - and of course two projects on a weekend. I am still having my personal challenge of casting on a sweater each day in the middle of this. But sneaking in gifts too.. which I partly cannot blog about. Not only do I have project planned for the next months, but also - I get a big turnover of the stash - something that feels very good indeed. So what are these projects? First a sweater for Arwen called "Just Arwen" in lavender mixing Mojärv and Cashwool.. Maybe some Misti alpaca for the cable. Then an enchated lace to the right, with lots and lots of beads. A more cerise - silk yarn from Solsilke, and beads from Malaysia. Rather wonderful actually - pattern is Next is the wonderful fair-isle from Jade Starmore - and Virtual Yarns. A kit called "Zauberflöte". Yepp, after the opera. Also very much purple. Is this purple week? I have put the pattern in the back so with good eyes you might guess what is coming...The Fa Fa Fa socks for the StickaMera Sockklubb is of course a must in the latest yarn from Ottowa. It is from Turtletoes.. Just love the name and of course the colour. The colour name was equally fun Ocean Witch! Welll, it is soft and super yummy to knit. Thas has moved into my commuting bag - meaning - the car (no I am not driving) so I got one pattern repeat today... pretty good (but terrible traffic in Stockholm crossing the town). The other pattern below is a typical dive into stash type of project. The pattern is "Ugglor i mossen" my name for the famous "Owl" pattern. The yarn is from left - a finish 3-thread called Sysky (höst/fall in Finnish if I did not toggle letters.) The middle is estonian one-thread and to the right "Förgarn" /Preyarn from UlloMera (I could definitely have one more cake of it if I find it... got to visit the syfestival to check it out - hope she is there!) The mix is wonderful and thick just into gauge. Perfect. Getting tired? Many more projects on the go. For example the Stone-circles (Ok - Hubby caught me with it - he knows..and - wants to be a part of "perfect" fit... it is great, but where is the surprise?) Rather yummy already. Twinni, Mojärv and Rauma Finull, and...I am afraid I need to go on more yarnhunt to get this right...While on designer Kaffe Fasset. In Yorkshire Tweed 4 ply I casted on another design from the guru - Flowers. It will be so great - and the yarn is "almost" enough - just a bit creative change with the background colours...(that is to the right)...These fair-isles or "stranded" patterns are both time consumng but the yarn and pattern makes it interesting all the knit. No time to relax. To the left - the wonderful pattern "Tangled Yoke Cardi" that I of course call "Tangled Joke cardi" - in memory of my difficulties to pronounce Y and mixing it with J....THe yarn - the luxury Tweed from Jaeger is an old find from Edinburgh - a Place I heard was pretty busy when MIL and FIL was just visiting....But you missed Jenners MIL, a great yarnstore on the top....where I did find this. Whiskey tasting? You so got your priorities wrong. Yarn tasting is so much more exiting. (or Yarn fondling... same thing)... Glad you are back home safe.. without too much confessions....Ok - I have some more strings I have casted on. but I think digging into this wonedful yarn - Gotland Spinneri - Sårk You can see the bucket with the yarn... and I have invented a pattern that will work for this cardi... I am so exited - I want to finish it NOW (but soon, very soon). Bu it is so soft and beautiful..... It is so exiting. This loosly spun fuzzy yarn. Gotland Fleece of course, and many natural shades of grey.. some small blue and orange to make it "just right". Now - I have one hour before I crash to bed to cast on today's knit. I am so glad I have several kits "ready to go" - not to mention a pair of sock maybe? Or the Faroese shawl? I have so many plans that my head spins... it is so fun. Really. Working hard, training hard and knitting hard. (And Painting the kitchen - very hard!) I am glad apple-time has started - somthing soft to bite on, whilst I cuddle around in my yarn collection. Have a good one!

Cast On Mania - COM for entire September!

2010-09-12T19:38:00.012+02:00

A beautiful sail boat we met on the sea when we were out. Suffering from electrical problems on our dear boat, we decided after a days sailing to call it quits and head home. And - Why not - the wonderful knitting COM is still going strong ;-) It is a bit chilly in the air. I have of course been busy as always. Now the apple-trees are giving fruit - as the pear-trees, the latter also need pruning (now), the 6 apple-trees could also do with some, but it is easier to wait with them...(but now in September - it is really a much nicer climate now to do it). So - I am in the "sweater-swamp" meaning - I'm still very focused in doing sweaters, cardigans or tops - things wearable. But I also got scarfs, socks, mittens and some gifts. This COM is a surprisingly creative and rewarding spree. Nothing seems to difficult to cast on - and all seems possible. I have really re-arranged the entire yarn-room and stash, but I feel this has touch some deep satsifaction in me. Ok- Top left, an Angora Top, designed by me top-down, and the yarn is Anny Blatt SuperAngora. Bought in France a few years back, so it is great to do a souvenir yarn use, and a warm angora top. Mild and proper. To the left is a Noro Silk Garden Light doing the Aleita shell. Also yarn bought in US, and the pattern was wrong, but not hard to figure out. Anyhow, I love the ease and progress of this wonderful yarn that changes. The one on the right - the pink, red black - is a cardigan for mom. She has no internet now, so it is safe ;-) It is in the most luxury yarn I have, 96 SEK for 50 gran and 60 meters of 50% wool 30% silk, 10% alpaca and 10% cashmere. It is Noro Kabuto, a yarn to love. I love its softness, and this thickness made me knit side-ways very inspired by the Solveig Hisdal camisole/cardi, but I just measure and do short-rows so I get the right A-line for my dear A-type mom. She sure deserves a beautiful warm cardi. Ok on the left bottom it is a scarf - it is called "pimpeliese" and is a free pattern... a nice scarf and a wonderful yarn. That will be so great. To the right is the wonderful New Zealand yarn from Naturally - It contains Merino wool and POSSUM. I love the colors. It is so Australia (where I bought it) but it is also Sweden in the fall. I am knitting a rather "new" pattern called "Leitmotif" from a magazine (it was Interweave Knits I think). I will cool this very busy colour and cable pattern with some one colour edges. But - the problem is of course to leave it, and cast on something else the next day. I have of course also casted on a present for dear Hubby, from Fishermans sweaters - Stornoway from Starmore, but he does sneak-read my blog so sorry.. No pictures. Finally I attempted a reall tough one, it is of course a Norweigan master-piece called "Insvinget jacke". The problem here is that the it is nearly to impossible to make larger than the large that the pattern has, and I could definitely have some ease in it, but I have (I think) figured it out. Anyhow - to be on the safe side, I am starting with the sleeves. Anyhow - it is not enough with this (yes, one might think I am totally insane, but no It is great!) I have also casted on a Kaffe Fasset pattern called Flowers. Another rather interesting cardi in fair-isle. Hmm I do not have the "other" fair-ilse "Pebbles" in a picture yet. But next week. Let us enjoy - the wonderful Cast on Mania. Hugs out there!

FO- Hommage at Linnalark a Dot Ditty bag and COM

2010-09-04T16:14:00.008+02:00

I do not often Crochet. But this project was so small and fun that Linnalark inspired me to do one. It is called the Dot Ditty bag - and is a free pattern. We chat in the Ravelry group "Village of the hopelessly overcommitted" which seems to be a forgiving and happy bunch - with too much on the plate like me. Many knitter communities are talking finishing what you started immediately - here we embrace creativity and are starting at least one new project every day in the month of September. Unfortunately, I got a real bad cold... I am so down and out. The good part of being sick is of course, the only thing you can really do is.... knit between blowing my nose and coughing. So, I have done really well starting this com - of course a long flight from Ottawa. Here they are: (no - Im quite sane!) First up right is the Tailored scallops from the knit lace book, with Aztec - an alpacka mix yarn. The mini-cardi left in Yabba, a bulky green alpaca yarn. The wonderful green mix is Anais in Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 2 ply right a very soft and lush yarn to knit with that I am so in love with. It is just beautiful. Caress the hands whilest knitting. I got a lot better knitting this. Today I got my head back, and now I only need to clear my lunghs so I can walk more than 5 meters without panting heavily (yes, they are so filled with slime). But I am hopeful. It will work out. Now - the pink Vampire sock from Knitty. It sure is a tricky one for the SockKAL. You have to have several pages of pattern up in front of you. The sock was done on the plane. Anyhow - this is handpainted yarn from Maria in former Maria's garn. I miss her shop, even if little Karin is a well worthy take over from Maria's legacy. The shop remains. That is good! Now - I just have to find WHICH of the 10 (11?) Stockholm shops actually carries Yabba. I need one (or two) more balls, and maybe in contrasting colour.. But I am so not ready to walk anywhere. I am working hard to get my health back in shape to go to work on Monday - or Tuesday. Worst part of this is I am still on Canadian time, working hard to turn the day and night...

A short update - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

2010-08-30T04:44:00.004+02:00

No - this is not Ottawa, from where I write this post. This is a picture from Redang in Malaysia. ok, I forgot the camera, sigh. Today we were walking around the Pink Lake.. amazing place - 0 oxygen in at only 25 meters down. A weird colour (not pink!) And we saw tutles, snakes and frogs. I realize I love frogs. Anyhow - I have met great people, and had great food, but no - went the wrong way to find one yarnshop, and the other we passed when it was closed. Still one more chance though, so hope is not over... I have 45 minutes tomorrow. Except from very hectic work, knitting is so much planning right now. In September, the wonderful COM starts for real. (COM = Cast On Mania). Big plan is to start one new knit every day for the entire month. It will be a challenge. and then there is nothing like planning and matching yarn and projects and needles. I just LOVE it. So - you are in for a ride, I got at least some projects ready to go. And I sneak-started one. A very purple patterned knit. So - If you read this just now, that hopefully September will be a bit more intense postings..... Take care to you all (PS: it was almost 30 degrees warm today, and our dip at the "O'brian beach" was like a hot summer day... What a bliss!

FO - Wildfell coat

2010-08-14T18:34:00.005+02:00

It is finally finished - Wildfell, in yarn Noro Kochoran, a wonderful angora blend, soft and very very hot. It is a Jane Ellison pattern for Noro. I actually had to strip to not melt away when taking the picture. It is hot hear. And after the rainfalls drenched our spot on earth, it is now steamy like Redang. Sigh... the three week vacation felt way too short. We have being painting all day today. Not only kitchen, but also started on the happy carpented "lace" for the balcony. In linnenseed oil. It takes forever. Sad news is that both hubby and me have a sore back. He pulled some muscles, and I am just sore after hanging over the paint. This would have been a great sailing weekend. But no way we could handle the jerks of the boat in our condition. So it is working home and sweat it out. I guess dear Wildfell will be perfect for winter. I added pockets and buttons, and the little red edges to highlight the beige-brown. It is unblocked. Anyhow this concludes my 12 sweater this year. Now it is back to finish some real old sweater UFO's. The paper-yarn freeform top for example. That would be good wearing right now. So one week work. And I am already exhausted. How will this go?
And yes Liz, you may link to my blog - Anyone can! I just think it is great I can amuze anyone! Thank you dear Milly and Hila and all of you wonderful people who comment. At least I know I have some readers except dear mother in law ... Hi to you too! I heard it rained. Hope you are ok!

FO FLS - Summerversion!

2010-08-07T15:31:00.007+02:00

The famous Free pattern "February Lady Sweater" or in short FLS is also great in Cotton. This is thick cotton on the top and thinner on the bottom in stripes with the lace pattern called "gull" from E. Zimmerman. Yarn from the Store "La Drougherie" in Paris (see April posting). And 5 Norweigian buttons with ornaments in pewter. The yarn did not last any longer, so it is short sleeves, but I must say - having now warn it for a few days, it became a very dressy and perfect for the Swedish summer weather (20 Celcius and rain). Anyhow, the rain has some goodies with it. Chantrells. Here is FIL (Father in Law) cleaning the mornings harvest picked with hubby. I mean - for some people it is harvest - for us it is "looking for mushrooms)... but FIL has places! I am drinking my morning Caffe Latte and feeling good! Anyhow, the FLS make my Sweater count to 11 this year. One more to fulfill at least one KAL (Knit ALong). Hugs! Enjoy!

OT: Redang, Malaysia!

2010-07-30T03:57:00.008+02:00

The sea in Redang, Malaysia is so blue- turquoise! Wonderful and salty. And dearest is reading in the shade. I am knitting. That is if we are not snorkling. Ahh what beautiful days. Some thunderstorms at night with spectacular lightning. When it is COOL in the AC it is about 26 degrees, otherwise it is about 33...! All in all we have had a great vacation! Rested, trained in the gym, eaten our Nyona Laksa and Mango, and enjoyed every minute. Time to get back to reality! And those beautiful fishes and huge butterflies, bats, ants.... I mean this moth/night butterfly is big as a bat... (pic from Kuala Lumpur). We are true fans of Malaysia. What a great place.

FO - Estonian Lace Sox, and some new!

2010-07-16T19:37:00.004+02:00

I finished the Estonian Lace Socks, called "Fox faces" by Nancy Bush. Nice lace pattern, and wonderful Noro Kureyon Sock yarn. Knitting back and forth to work, but a great pattern in most aspects. Sorry for dark picture, it is not THAT dark? I guess my screen is newer ;-) Anyhow, the heat is still on. I am working hard on the dissertation. Life is going on. We have started to exercise, which feels VERY good. Every second day! 5 km, walking half, and then jogging) slow and walking in intervals back... We feel like new people. I can see this being addictive, but the knee is a bit sore.. Regardless, a new strength is there. Optimism.
The Cast on Mania is still "lingering" on a bit. I have casted on three knew knits. I guess it feels fun to knit fast cotton and silk T-shirts and shrugs. Or some left-over tape yarn like this...It is wonderful, Knitting away.....wonderful! Just wonderful. I hope you have a great time too.

FO- Persephone Shell

2010-07-11T18:45:00.003+02:00

In tropical heat and on the sea - Persephone Shell is done. Soft Rowan Bamboo in lilac, and Muscat Cotton in nr 22 (brown). Pattern from spring issue of Interweave Knits magazine. I added little wings and an edge on the bottom, but it is still unblocked. Already use at the wonderful Bullandö Marina (sometimes it is nice when we get back from sailing - to just be treated at this top resturant). Anyhow - wonderful sailing weekend - and the water is 21 celcius. Wonderful! Tropical heat is just fantastic. Have a great summer! (we do!)

FO - Cloud 9

2010-07-05T17:51:00.004+02:00

Hi there - No no, do not worry, I do not HAVE a broken rib. That was the NAME of my last sweater, you see Rib also means "kant" in Swedish. I am all well (just a strained knee - too much training to early!) I am happy - since I succeed to finish my number 9 sweater of the year - called "Cloud 9" - which is a great expression of "being in the clouds". I must say - the luxurious yarn - Lorna's Lace: "Lion and Lamb" was a thick and wonderful silk - merinowool soft yarn, in the great colourscheme "Black and pearl". I love it. This is ONLY 2 hanks. Well used! Much better than Clapotis, which I though I would use it for. The pattern Cloud 9 is Ysolda Teagues free pattern (I think an elongated version is Liesl) - they seem related. I think it was intended as a bolero, but I just knitted on - and with 8mm needles, it was fast and fun - from top down. But sure needed markers. In fact, I had to finish it to release markers to my other two sweaters ongoing (Arbour and FLS). But the drape in this simple feather and fan. I am sure to pull it to larger size... Of course I wish I had some more yarn, and maybe someday ;-) But I am happy with the two gold buttons. Otherwise we are MELTING in the heat. And we had a wonderful sailing time this weekend. Just perfect winds! Enjoy the summer.

FO - Broken Rib Top (with sleeves)

2010-07-02T17:05:00.003+02:00

With a somewhat tired look - I pose in the heat with the Broken Rib Top - that became a Tee. It was a quick and easy knit. I have used it all day and the Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patiné yarn is super soft. The only problem I have is that the yarn was bought at a sale, and not until I came home I realized it must have been in the window, and the "outer layer" of the yarn is bleached. Not so nice.... Otherwise it is just hot hot hot.. and the strawberries are cheap!
I forgot to thank you all for your nice comments on my Spring Green White Peony sweater. It is rather special!
Also - I would like to wish you a wonderful summer (if you are not having one already!) I have a new content feeling. It is good to live.

FO- Diagonal Lace Sock - and Cast On Mania

2010-06-27T18:23:00.011+02:00

I finished a pair of socks for the 2009 KAL Diagonal Lace. It just did NOT work for me. I knitted them both (according to pattern from toe up) and they just did not fit, since nothing indicates how far away you are from the heel. So I frogged the whole thing and reknitted from the top down. Still not happy. The wonderful Australian Bambo yarn just did not fit. The socks sag. I will wash them, an we will see then if they ar better. I have got some questions about a "training camp" I wrote on. No - I did not go anywhere but to my yarnroom. It was a trial to try to cast on as many knits as possible (my goal was 10 selfish garments). It is VERY hard. The first is easy, then you fall in love with a knit - and then it is HARD. Just have a look! First knit casted on was of course a sock - Bush harvesting Estonian Lace knits - and renamed it "fox-faces". Great in Noro yarn. Secondly, I just had to cast on Persephone Shell from the last Interweave Knits mag. A wonderful top, enough complicated And no, the pink is not going there.. it was when I was in "choosing mode". I am not now. And - the name. All who know me, know I must knit Per-SE-Phone haha.....shell...I got most of the body done, before I casted on number 3, Broken rib Tee: OK, I have bought a lot of turqoise yarn. This is what really got me hooked. Cotton Patiné, a really bleeding cotton. colours my hands and the bamboo needle. To be honest, I am already done with the pattern as it was, but with two balls of yarn left - I got to knit sleeves. Soft though, very nice and super simple. Still being good, I have then casted on Arbor a cabled top. But the pattern designer really warned about silk/alpacka blend I choose, and claiming it has no elastics, which is true, so I am staring at the cast on and thinking was should I do then? But this yarn is FAB and I can just see it in pink, so I think I will take a chance. As you can see, not much has happend since cast on. And then there is of course White silk swagger. Utterly difficult to knit with recycled silk. So, I put in a string of wool. I also tried some glass beeds, but they really did not show. Anayway - that is in "free-form" so it is always exiting to get fit and pattern created on the fly. Another one of those "casted on, but not really going yet" is the wondeful Elsebeth Lavold "Glenn" I guess named after Glenn Close in her "Sophisticated Ladies" booklet. I wanted to knit that a long time, and bought the kit some years ago. Realizing - the kit had different colours than the booklet. Also that the swedish pattern was incomplete. I am glad I have the english version. And I tried to make it in the round, only to find out the patterns are really for back and forth knitting. So - I will do both back and front at the same time, but back and forth on a round needle. This will definitely take a long time to do. Finally, the latest fab, is the wonderful Ysolda Teague free pattern called Cloud 9 bolero. It is wonderfully lace - and with 8 markers it is just the math you need for two absolutely gorgous balls of yarn. The wonderful Lion and lamb (silk and wool) in Black n Purl. Thick soft and a pleasure to knit. And I am already half way. It will be fun to see how it works out. So - yes, Here is where I iterate right now. I still need to cast on a few before ends month, But I tell you - it is not as easy as it sounds. Yarn has to be wound, pattern ready, needles available and....yeah - you got to have want to cast it on, because if you love your old project you are knitting on - it is not happening. No wonder I need a training camp ;-) In September - they have a MONTH of cast on - and one of my friends casted on 35 objects. I definitely need more training ;-) Happy midsummer.

FO- White Peony sweater

2010-06-13T13:07:00.004+02:00

It is just stunning - The wonderful flowers that blum, and that I made a sweater that fit just perfect. Ok, I admit, I had to reknit the collar (after fastening it was much to big following the Solveig Hisdahl - Poetry of Stitches (Dikt i maskor)) pattern, I ripped it up and followed my heart, and I am so content. It is just perfect. Colors are so me, and And the yarn PT2 (Per Tyving 2-thread) in pure wool was just honest norweigan wool. It was a really rewarding knit, and I knitted ONE sleeve in a day - but each row of the body took almost a week, so. Im so happy. It is not blocked yet.. but it does not matter. As long as it does not shrink ;-) It is called peony sweater, and of course - I love that I have my garden full of white peonies. (actually 4 different bunches blooming right now. Stressful time though, Weeds are growing, kitchen still needs more work, and both work and research is just very very busy. And all we want is relax and enjoy the beautiful summer (even if it rains it is just fab). And did I mention the sweater is comfortable too? What a hit! I love the lime-olive - and the marine blue edge makes a great edge. Well, I finally got some yarn (from England) so I can complete the COAT. Warm and wintery, but it would be nice. Otherwise I have decided to go on "Cast On Mania - training camp" in June, and cast on at least 10 new items. It is so exiting.

Wonderful Summer!

2010-06-06T19:26:00.005+02:00

White peony sweater is in full progress. The bottom roles a bit and my fingers hurt. But one more week - or maybe two. Beautiful, and I would have loved to pose in the finished item with my white peonies. Yes, I have knitted a lot to reach that, but giving in for a "in progress" picture. I guess the beautiful garden and all the work and a sneaking cold and the pollen is getting to me. Regardless of knitting ambitions, I just long for a few more days off to cherish this wonder that goes on in the garden. The wonderful Irises. Brings my mind to my time in Fresno, living with the University professor Mr Weiler and his family, who breed and competed with beared iris, in the race to produce a multi-stem flowering and black beared Iris. I still love Iris - and have a lot everywere, and the memory of my generous host family stays with me.

FO- Sunkist

2010-05-21T17:08:00.005+02:00

Or should I call it "Sun-kissed"? Or maybe it is "birds" or "doves", after the fab buttons I found (yes - I made them myself -years ago!) . This is such a great pattern, and after that fair-ilse, I had to have a quick knit to rest my hands.. so I do not get strained... I do feel the muscles in my hand, had a thing or to to tell me, after stretch knitting the second sleeve of the peony sweater IN ONE DAY! (Oh yes, also a fair-isle) No, this lovely pattern was perfect for the yarn I found in stash, Patagonia Nature Cotton, which has the beach colours for me. And in one week Sweden went from super cold to superspring hot - so it really works great with this little shrug. Ok, I could use both one and two hanks more, but I doubt the colourmix is still around. Anyhow, the fun part of this quick pattern - only four days of knitting (actually - could have gone faster If I did not weed the garden! - also the weeds "explode" now). PS! Thank you all for your nice comments on my Wedding cardigan!

FO- Wedding Cardigan - Poetry of Stitches

2010-05-09T18:58:00.002+02:00

Dikt i maskor (Poetry of Stitches) - Solveig Hisdal - the so called "wedding cardigan" is finally finished. With a extra row of beads on the bottom, it is still drying. The yarn is from Gunga Din - and probably Kampe's 2 trådiga. But there are also some Estonian spun yarn, and also Jamieson and Smith (purple). White beads from India (picked up at at one of my travels), and the green glass beads are hard to see. I had only one clasp, but that was enough to make a snug (already).. either poor yarn or... But so happy it is done. It was a lot of hard work.

FO -Dragspelsbasker for Mom.

2010-05-02T10:52:00.004+02:00

Ok Mom, it is ready. Your daugther does your smallest wink. Buy yarn, drops all her stuff to make your hat. Here it is. I hope you like it. And even if I forgot that there is nothing that can fill the void and loss of Folke right now, please forgive me for not being perfect. Now it is MIL and FIL her, and we have pruned all six apple-trees, and now everyone wants me to stop blogging, so we can go and fix the boat!!! But I have to tell you, I am sneaking off knitting on this wonderful piece: Peony sweater - Poetry of Stiches book - Solveig Hisdal (you know, Oleana)....It is fab inspirational. Now it is only taxes, and surviving the allergies left, and starting my new work! How exiting. The first day of the rest of my life.

FO- Falling Tears finished.

2010-04-25T19:27:00.003+02:00

Finished the Falling Tears socks - with the wonderful yarn I won (Zauberball). StickaMera Sockklubb - April.
Still have half a sleeve, since I got interrupted with moms urgent request from a "Ebba Stålhandske" -pattern called "Dragspelsmössa". I was really trying to find Kochoran nr 31 to finishe my long coat, but dearest Ann (Ann-Torp's Väv) in the Old town did have a lot of wonderful yarn, but not just that. Had a great stroll in the city - and got to see the horse Cavaleri (hmmm) have their change on the castle. And then paining kitchen. And pruning apple trees and enjoying the wonderful cookies of my aunt. Dear husband made a claim of the socks... so, they do have some ease.

Falling Tears on the needles

2010-04-18T19:10:00.003+02:00

Not ready just yet, but I guess it was time to show you that there is lots of progress here in all aspects. I have knitted one sock of the "Falling tears" pattern, from StickaMera SockKlubb (you see the banner on the right). Progress is good since all knitted under transportation (mostly car, but also train) it is the time to get the boat ready for summer-time. I have also done almost one sleeve of the Hisdahl "Wedding cardigan", and yes, now half the kitchen is painted, but still many more layers to do. I also celebrated my "new job" - same company, with getting myself a present. The Solveig Hisdahl "Festjakke" from Hifa, in white and lilac. Beautful. Might move up the PIG's ladder. I am so exited. The pattern just went bust, and I hunted it down - I am so happy I got it. I have glaread at it for years. Our Japan travel will be rebooked, but neither hubby or I are sad about it. We still need to paint kitchen, prune 6 Apple-trees not to mention prune many many roses.... gardening is wonderful. and most of all we need to work more on the boat. Never have we been so happy to move a wonderful vacation. I guess it is the ashes, and my heart is with all in consequence. Well, better to be safe than sorry.

OT - Paris in spring!

2010-04-12T21:00:00.004+02:00

In business suit - matching the cherry tree at Jardin des Plantes.. Sometimes work brings you sun when you need it the most..... Paris in spring.. do I need to say more? and yes, I also got to buy some cashmere to my "collection". The Magnolia were superb too... and I started to knit a sock..... "Falling tears" with Zauberball. I feel so blessed, but a bit tired. Also succeed to catch a cold..or was it just the "other side of spring"?? It was much warmer than at home, where it is still some snow... a tiny pile lingers on.

FO-Garngamens Braid

2010-03-28T17:18:00.009+02:00

Wonderful Noro Silk garden in my favurite colourscheme is finished. A typical garngamen sweater, invented on the fly, reknitted more than once, and finally from a very old UFO into working.. and I love it! I can tell I threw in the cables on sleeves and the front a bit late - to ease the fitting, but it did the trick. Also notice I have it on a bit slanted, but hey, I had to catch the last light of this weekend - busy as ever. Yes China was fab - forgot my camera, but my mobile pics needs some special work to get here, so "later". So - why am I so busy I cannot blog? I have been on a funeral - my mothers man for the last 22 years, have stopped feeding the wonderful birds. I got a picture of Mr Woodpeckar (or is it Miss?) and also a wonderful quick snapshot (sorry for poor quality) of my dear cousins "OS-cap". Remarkable. He just got all info from the web - and just did it. He is really smart. He told me that the ladies in the shop really gave him a stare.. The story going like this....He just liked it - and he needed a cap... so he went to the yarnstor (I think it was Yll and Tyll, Uppsala) and asked for the OS-hat pattern yarn and hook. He asked what a "luftmaska" was (rather basic)...The lady asked him if he knew how to crochet - which he did not. But there were many people in the store, she did not have time to teach him.. He explained not to worry, "how hard can it be?" walked home, and got all information from the web. That is pretty cool. He have now done two more (girlfr5end and his FIL), and also made a lining inside (in fleece) to handle the artic visit they are planning... Sweden "very up-north". He sure impressed both me, mom and hubby... And his mom also want one... I wonder if he gets hooked?? One can hope. Anyhow - the rest of the weekend has been painting the kitchen - it is a bit crazy in there - we are doing "flax-seed oil paining"- which really means doing it three times....So it is a slow process, but it will be so wonderful. Real wood-kitchen cabinet. Rare this days... I am so exited. But most of all - it is lack of space - so slowly it will get painted in the light clear grey...With the "dove-blue" walls it will magically become a blueish kitchen. Where the white is - that is where my home-made tiles will go - oh no, I have not even started them, but it will be a busy spring. Somehow I do feel very happy. A lot of exiting things going - and I LOVE wearing my new cardi. I mean - the colourscheme is just fab. I still have some yarn, so I am heavily discussing pockets, and collar. I am not sure.. It works fine as is, but it is very rewarding to have all the extra's and additions too. Ahh, I love the colour and comfort.

FO: OS in the Bag and Hubby scrap Socks

2010-03-07T15:37:00.004+01:00

First there is the "final" entry of the Ravelympics. "OS in the bag".. finished on time, but long time for me to blog about it (oh yes, I did get a 4 gold medals ;-) I am still thinking of "embellishing"... and maybe a larger "lid" to cover.. But not much yarn left. This was also Noro Kureyon brown 3 hanks. Button from Laura in Blue Mountins in Australia - who is by the way flooded (I do feel for them). We are only suffering a little leak through the already fixed roof... which of course make us very confused. It might be the thick is in the gutter that created a build-up. Anyhow - we have to mend the ceiling. I am on my way for two weeks to China - whilst hubby holds the fort here. So it might be hard to make a posting next week (have not found the cord yet! for the small camera) To make hubby a bit happier - I at least got him some loving socks, made of scrap-bits of Östergötlands Ullspinnery yarn. Lots of Cable's it is. Both of the patterns are my own invention. No time to chat now. Dinner, then shower and off to airport... so stress....
Take care out there.. I brought 3 socks and one UFO/WIP with me (cardigan)... That will be intersting to see how much time I will have. I feel so over committed right now.

FO- Hearts on my Sleeve (Ravelympics)

2010-02-28T17:33:00.004+01:00

Hearts on my sleeve - Finished! My Ravelympics "sweaterboard cross" event sweater. From scratch and done in a week. Ok. Today was a bit hectic - especially today. When I realized the sleeves were not fitting, I had to do the little extra" underneath. Now they might be slightly too big. But it is 17 wonderful hanks of Noro Kabuto yarn, and - yes - maybe hard to see - but there are pockets. Two of them, and real ones - with home-made cearamic buttons. This means I concluded the third of the four events. Unfortuntately no "beads" involved so I have to drop out of that event, but definitely sweater board cross medal. I also used a small very expensive ball of "Habu" in a strange flimsy yarn for the sleeve edge, the collar and the pockets. Now - this is gray hour in Sweden. Look at the next pic done at the same time with a flash. Amazing. It is pretty dark -blue outside. Tpmorrow our kitchen will arrive! How great! then it is just three layers of Linseed-paint to get it in shape. So, this is the first days there has been warmer than freezing here, so it is becoming wet!
Have a nice knitting Sunday. I will at least attempt my last event... "OS in the bag".. but I might not get it. I have to work tomorrow.

FO- Freeform sweater - WIP Dance!

2010-02-21T12:16:00.005+01:00

Finally the Free-form sweater is finished. I entered this at the "Ravelypics WIP Dance Event" The sweater has long been lurking, and with 60% to finish, it was a bit more work than anticipated, but it has been a fun ride. It is a little pocket there (black-patch in front). And of course I had to add a heart on the Valentines, a lot of weird twists and turns and some parts knitted in pieces, and added on. It all started with the long "filled with holes" lime green beltshaped thing, that swings around - and from where I built the sweater. I just LOVE it. This is REALLY true me, when I let go of conventions and express my inner fun. Of course It is super cold outside - and there are still a lot of small see through "holes" that might have some additions. And I am still contemplating doing a turtleneck (Swe: polo-krage). Being a bit behind on my OS-tracks, I need to get going with the rest. I am not sure if it is flattering, but it is fun! Of course not the same from front and back. One sleeve knit in a spiral. Yarn: Most it is Debbie Bliss Silk-Alpaca Aran, then there is three wonderfully thick and lush silk-alpaca from Catalina yarns (bought at the London Stitch and Knit show 2004). A tiny todd of a discontinued Noro yarn, that had "glitter" in it (here it mostly looks grey) but it sparkles in green! I am so happy I am finished. It was a lot of stitches putting it together, sohoho nice... to get done. This also concludes second sweater - February for the IntSweMoDo (International Sweater Month) the Do we are still discussing if it is the Simpson "Duh" or "Doit" or Done or Dodedacon (12) which I think was the original...Happy knitting....

Olympics! FO - OS Hat! One skein!

2010-02-14T16:58:00.004+01:00

It is the Olympics! And also Ravelympics for us knitters.This is HatHalf-pipe, Stash busting and one-skein! Good old Noro Kureyon that I had in an odd colour. Embellished of course in good OS colours! Still short days, but it slowly getting better. But we are painting doors, and fixing wardrobes... The usual work at weekends, except wash and dishes and all that everyday work that seems to pile up on week-ends. Anyhow, this little gem did not take many hours to knit - it is fun-crazy... An the colours are so wrong they are right. It sure brightens up a dark day. Now I am "wip-dancing" with a sweater... Rather fun actually. Then it is off to the complete new sweater... But I had to do a "warm-up" event first. We knitters - so much fun. Heja Sverige! Go Team Sweden! Soon preparing for Sock-Hockey....

Did you like the change?

2010-02-07T17:42:00.004+01:00

Ok - The layout is changed. Do you like it? Cleaner some how. At the same time I managed unfortunately to drop a lot of info. That is life - going with the flow and embrace change. I have for example totally changed the colours of the "Butterfly" cardigan - originally designed by Solveig Hisdahl (you know - the main designer at Oleana). And - I am using PT2 (Per Tyving 2-thread) for the pattern - so I am using the colours I have collected. Starting with the sleeves for a change. Is yellow ok there? Hmmm, I am still not sure about the colour combo - it feels wild. But burried in snow it feel ok to knit warm wool. I am of course working on many knits as usual, and this "scrap" yarn collection is an inspired cable-galore for husbands socks. Nevertheless, it feels good. I have only three balls left to knit on the huge Windfell coat! That will be so wonderful now when it feels like winter never ends. Happy knitting my friends!

FO-Kristina socks, and FO: Stinglingar mudd

2010-01-30T18:56:00.007+01:00

First these wonderful socks. StickaMera (or KnitMore in Ravelry) has done the pattern "Kristina" - my middle name, Yarn: Gepard CottonWool (from Trassel), and the January knit/KAL entry for StickaMera SockKlubb 2010. If you have not joined - do it NOW! and I love the simplicity with the running cable. Pure joy to knit them. Thanks Ulrika! But - the wonderful times does not stop there! I was the very lucky winner in the SockKlubb draw - and I won these wonderful sockyarn from Garnkorgen! It is amazing. I got to choose the colours myself - and I took something that worked with jeans - since I use my socks all the time now. So the third year of socksclubbing And then - Santa's little helper - my dear friend from the US, send this fantastic shawlpin in silver as a chrismasgift.. Is it just so beautiful... Thank you so much Sue! You are truely the most generous person I know. The silverartist is Brenda Rajkovich, also known as "Silversiren" in Ravelry. Just so fab looking. Million dollars. And yes - I have picked up and old dear UFO from the pile. Started 5 years ago - when we were the little knit-group "Sticklingarna" - Dear Pia made this pattern of leafs to make cuffs/wrist-warmers. With Beads I tell you - and Kid-silk Haze yarn, they actually turned out great. Many many shortrows, and pre-stringing.... I am still very happy it is over. Sorry for this terrible photo... But the light goes so quickly. Still VERY cold here and lots of snow. I definitely feed the birds a bit extra. Otherwise I am planning for Team Sweden Ravelympics (like a knitting olympics ;-) and I am of course entering in more than one event. Knitting on and working. But happy when the fireplace sparks.

FO Opal Rush!

2010-01-17T19:21:00.007+01:00

I am so happy! My Opal Rush is finished! And also my research paper is finished and sent to print. Yippie! It is pitch black outside, when I got the last button in, so I had to do an indoors shot, but I will take one outside with me in it - next weekend. Then it might be washed and pressed to (or it might not ;-) A really great project, started on boxing day, 24 days of knit! The yarn is 2.8 "cakes" of Plötulopi (förgarn) and 1.5 ball of Färgkraft (one in Peony, one in Tulip) and one strand of Forsell's merino in colour Amethyst (it is superthin, even if it is called "3-ply"). Where one of each yarntype is held together. The buttons were horrific expensive at Mattsons band, but since this is a gem - I thought it needed pearlcoated (sv. pärelomor) buttons with a little print. I must say, the original pattern is from Vouge and called "Cropped cardi" and the bell pattern on the side is just fab. Of course, I cannot have cropped, so I elongated it to cover the belly - and also re-shaped the straight "military jacket" to a more A-shape - this especially accentuated in the front! The big picture is way to light, and I think the colour is more true inon the button picture. But - I think the extra is that I found a little piece of Angora, in navy blue that I coated the inside of the neck in. I think that was really the thing, since Lopi can be a little scratcy, a smooth neck makes it so wearable. Another feature with the coated neck is that it got some stability, since it is a very lightweight cardi/jacket. Of course - now I wish I could do sewing, then I would put an inside in thick silk, also in dark blue, so it would be a wearable dress-jacket for work. Ahh, well, I guess it has to do. But are the buttons not just great? Finally - 2010 is for the year I do "break" it. Not only am I going to knit from stash, I am also aiming to finish off a lot, and then both doing 12 sweaters and 12 socks. So, first sock of the StickaMera (KnitMore) SockKlubb 2010 is Kristina. My middle name. And the sock is going well in this supersmooth grey!

Still cold - and that drives knitting motivation...

2010-01-10T17:08:00.002+01:00

The cardigan is still in my head - but here is a project - The Butterfly cardigan (Hisdal). Probably ready when the butterflies are flying.... But brrr,,,, it is so cold here... Windows have big frost roses, the snow is lightweight and making sounds went stepped on... glittering like dimonds. I have so many ideas on what to knit - it is hard to stay true to a project, but this colourful gem in the snow is in my mind - but knitting the raglan part on Opal rush. I have also not only promised to knit a sweater a month but also a sock a month this year (StickMera/Knitmore SockKlubb) is so great that of course we hang on for the third year in a row. Another "new-years promise" is to try and clean up the UFO list. One for two. One new - two UFO's. It is not starting neat.. It is more two new and....hmm--- but if I focus on sleeves it should not be impossible. At least I brought out some unfinished mittens, and more socks, hats and scarfs should be there.... So many new fab projects coming up. Now I only need more time!

Reflection 2009 - and Opal-rush started!

2009-12-31T15:23:00.013+01:00

Vouge Fall issue calls this "gold-rush", but more as one hommage 2009 to our fantastic vacation to Australia, the colourscheme really asks for an "Opal-rush" (which is really a cropped jacket). One strand of Plötulopi, one strand of Färgkraft (Tulpan (tulip) at bottom, then swapped to Pion (peony)), and the one strand of Forsell superthin 3-ply merino. A great mix, that has thouse wonderful colours of an Opal. What a wonderful quick knit, with the "bell-shape". Also funny is the colour difference in the photo. Same sweater. In SNOW, with and without flash. It feels a bit delicate but I'm sure it will work out. It is cold and snowing (again). Yet another "jacket" /cardigan started. I think was fitting for starting a chronicle of 2009. I have started so many items, but also, I have finished some too. Of course Windfell is also progressing. Im half-way on both sleeves, and done the "bottom-part" of the body, but Im worried (as always?) if there is enough yarn. This has definitely been the "theme" of 2009. Starting projects without knowing it will be enough. But I have done some calculations.

I think I have knitted more than a Swedish mil and a half (16,3 km) this year (!) producing 13 sweaters/cardigans (full sized) and 3 pairs of socks, 2 blouse-bunny holders, two hats. and one entire kit for a baby (2 hats, one dress/pants, 2 sweaters, one pair of sock). Time for the yearly list of reflection:

Best (summer) knitting project 2009 in garngamen design: The "indie-top".. I love it... it is cheerful and fits great!

Best (warm) knitting project 2009 in garngamen design: The Jaeger cable sweater. Wonderful yarn, wonderful warm, perfect for work, and great fit.

Greatest yarn to knit with 2009:The wonderful Naturally Karamea: A Possum merino wool blend. Again a garngamen design, and a close tie of the second spot, but looses it, becaus it is not as figure flattering as 2. But ohboy, how warm and soft that is. Yummy. Also - the fond memory of having this knit as my main knit during Australia, and the fun visit to my relatives in Norway. The buttons were just perfect (from Paris!)

Most knitted yarn of 2009: Definitely the lovely Plötulopi (förgarn) from Alafoss Istex - any my dear friend Halla. You bundle three strands to make one - and both then you are not supposed to carry more than 3 yarn-threads at one time in the pattern, but both of these had 4. Anyhow, this wonderful fast knitted yarn resulted in 3 wonderful sweaters.. where I do feel my dear brother poses fantastically in one... and I know it is also warming my dear friend across the world.

Maybe I should mention the one item that got "most hearted" in Ravelry of all 2009 items. The "viewers choice" is the swimmingpool top - really Angela Hahn's Leaf top Yoke -where I added sleeves (and an extra leaf boarder on the bottom). This does not win my summer top because of fit, and - after some wear - it has "hanged" out. Maybe I do need to knit that brim on the collar... and it is a bit long. Almost like a dress... Hmm.. But hmm honestly - it was made in paradise - Langkawi in Malaysia.

Most cherished knitting book: Must be the new Britt-Marie Christofferson book "Stickning - ett hantverk att utveckla".. and from the english speaking pile: I love "French Girls Knit", but the golden "oldies" - Starmore, Hisdahl, Norah G, Debbie Newton.. well you know I cannot choose.

Best Knitting magazine - I love the new UK "The Knitter", though many patterns are just copies from books I already have.., but it does still not compete with Interweave Knits and Vouge (or Designer) Knitting, that always are fresh, contemporary and has great stuff. Unfortunately both Knitscene and Knit1, or Knitters, are hard to get here. Glad to see Verena though, but I do not really fall for their patterns.

Best yarnshopping 2009 (world-wide ranking): My stash!! I have been a good girl this year and not indulged too much.

2009 Yarnshop city ranking: 1. Stockholm (even if favved Nysta and Warp & Weft both went off-shop to on-line). 2. London and Copenhagen (tie) and 3. Vienna (Wien). Worst: Sofia - Bulgaria! (Sorry Kuala Lumpur was exotic, but not for the yarn - more for patterns!)

Best pattern: I guess I count St Brigid here! It is still not super-finished, otherwise I'm sure it would nock all items off the list (and since I have not USED it 2009) I cannot really tell if it survive the long run, but it was sure a great and fun knit. And the yarn is just fab... Wåhlstedts "Vålberg" yarn. Yummy handcoloured from a great spinnery.

With this little 10 top list I wish you all a wonderful "Happy New Knitting Year of 2010" - with many wonderful things on the needles. I have already signed up for StickaMera SockKlubb 2010, and also the IntSweMoDo in Ravelry which will definitely have me focused on knitting another 12 sweaters. Otherwise - 2010 will truely be a fantastic year for me. Since I plan to finish my PhD this year, so if nothing bad happens - lets hold our thumbs for a wonderful, fun and happy year - and remember 2009 as learning and challenging as it was - but with wonderful sparks of bliss - and filled with hope. Lets open the champange and toast for us all (I'm just going to knit some first....). And again dear readers - thank you for all your wonderfully warm and encouraging comments. It is so nice to know you are out there: Gott nytt år!

God Jul - Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T15:21:00.005+01:00

It is snow! It is quiet in Stockholm! And a Merry Christmas. We are looking at our favourite Disney at 3, a Swedish tradition for people "my age".... And my dear loves his Jaeger Alpaca Christmas present. Secretly knitted late at night... of course with a pattern of trees- or "gran" as we call our swedish cristmas fir-trees. So the had of course is called "Gran". (Swedish of course note the twist with gran,,garn= yarn!) For you that do not see the riddle. Why do our gran have the trees with the branches upwards? look at the gran inbetween ;-) I also throwed in a little victory bay-leaf twig as well...
Warm, and fitting! He is so cute! Btw - check the colour difference (with and without flash of the hat. The colours are more true with the flash (which is unusual), but it also becomes clear how dark it is. But now we are going to lighter times.

My thoughts goes to all my dear knitting friends around the world. Thank you for convincing me to continue with this blog... and for the patience and all the nice comments. We wish you all such a merry holiday time. Yet another year of many interesting happenings and learnings. We have made the great home-made Swedish Meat-balls, boiled and glazed the ham (this year with a orange taste) and this non-vegetarian feast does also have a green cabbage soup....and of course a lot of fruit-cake, saffron buns, and mandarins... And let us all rejoice over the love that exists in this wonderful world. Now - I must join Ferdinand the bull who sniffs on his flowers!

So with this - I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Santa Lucia - Saffron buns...

2009-12-13T22:30:00.008+01:00

St Brigid colours... Could it become any better? It has the same wonderful colour as the "Leila bakar" (Leila bakes) saffron bun's, with a great filling (and very much Muffin shaped, haha). They sure made a mess of our "preliminary" kitchen, since we did not make it with our own until the Holiday times. Yes, I know you are waiting for the full pictures of St. Brigid, but she still misses the zipper (!) in front, and I must have some order in the yarn-room, which still looks like the battle of the things collected. And some courage....Anyway, this does not stop me from knitting other stuff though. For dear mom, (and you other curious) this is the new (very old) William Morris wallpaper for the bedroom. So green, and so cosy.... And yeah, hubbie LOVES pistachio nuts, so I though a great mix in a (swe. kladdkaka) moist cake, would do the trick. We have already been there to get something - with a mix of ice-cream it is great! No healthy things this weekend, but we are so low on energy that we can bearly keep it up - and we needed some distraction to our cough serenading....viruses are NOT something to take lightly. The throat hurts again.. And this week the real cold out there will hit us. -15 (Celius) will hit us. Deepf-reezing without snow kills the garden. Sigh...Anyhow, we at least got the christmas lights outside - it is needed. It is dark, but then - this is the darkest week of the year... and also on the winter solstice, the 15 year anniversary of hubby and me falling in love. Anyhow, much work coming up at the research - Statistics - here we come! Ahh, it is still Santa Lucia. In the darkness - the queen of light shines for us all. Take care out there. More knitting and yarn....

FO- Twinkleberry Socks, and some progress

2009-12-06T16:53:00.004+01:00

The wonderful Twinkleberry socks from Knitzi, in StickaMera's SockKAL is the december sock. Sticka Mera has competitions ongoing now before christmas (for swedish speakers). And I'm so behind this KAL, having put my energy into 12 sweaters (that might be 13 or 14).... But now I'm catching up. So, these socks were very nice and easy to knit. I followed the pattern "exactly" except the final grafting on the two - which I turned the sock inside out and did a 3 needle-bindoff on the inside to make it look perfect. I'm not sure I like the short-row heel, since it tends to be a bit "gap"s in the turns, how much you pull. The yarn is a wonderful gift from a visiting american "Castingaway", a fellow knitter and sailor. Of course her sailing boat is absolutely fab! Wow!The yarn equally fab. Thank you again! Handpainted in very nice greeing blue. The socks fits perfect. And I still have a lot of yarn left for two more socks. I'm so happy, today is the first day in THREE WEEKS, my throat is not hurting so bad, that every time I swallow - I feel like someone is cutting my throat with razorblades. So, now it is just the eyes that needs to clear up a bit - and cough to disappear. But at least I got some energy - to pick up a "three-weeks - I have the flu and I have done NOTHING"-mess... So, if you waiting for me - there is hope I will catch up on my "item-list" this week. The second picture is what I just started. A WARM wonderful Noro Kochoran cardi, pattern called "Windfell" from simply Noro. Mine will be in the same yarn as the picture, but with a little red edge. It is great, since it is based on 2009 years goal, that this year was to knit up all "bulky yarn". I still have some left - but this opend a great gap in my Billy book-self, and I want something warm to wrap around me. This final picture is the worst best thing (?) It is my EVERST in knitting... A speede sweater - on 1.5 mm needles. I realize I hardly can see the stitches, so just based on this - it will take some serious time! I plan of course to do my own speede - mixed pattern, based on a series of speede sweaters. We will see how this develop.
I'm so not sure if the yarn will last for the entire sweater and if I'm then to mix it with a nearby colour.... It is Twinny from Ishager - which is now obsolete yarn. Otherwise Im thinking if I actually Should do it short as the original. So - Im at a loss before starting. Otherwise, we are NOT getting a kitchen before Christmas - sigh. But we got the bedrooms back, so it is not THAT bad. Slowly we are trying to fix things up. Painting the radiators, and putting wardrobes together - and chasing old crystal lamps for the rooms. Take care out there - and send me a high on the comments, ok?

FO-Sunday Swing Socks

2009-11-26T21:08:00.004+01:00

I'm sorry for the poor picture. But I STILL have a flu, and it is hard to take a picture between coughing attacks. Knitting this was really not so hard and did not take any energy. I think I get energy from knitting. It is good to have something to take your mind of germs. Yeah, and the souvenir sock yarn (from Vienna, Austria) ran out, but I do not mind some purple toes. They are warm. And finally the StickaMera Sockklubb gets an entry from me. I'm back in the game! (at least ONE game)... Im mostly out of everything else... Darn flu. Great pattern though, Sunday Swing from Kristel Nyberg (see Knitty.com). The yarn is Lana Grossa, and the toe is scraps, Sundara Sock yarn, (that was a gift). Comfortable.

November - rain and flu

2009-11-20T19:01:00.003+01:00

I have absolutely nothing important to say today.
I have hoped I would show off St Brigid, but Im still knitting... collar, and extra braid on the sleeve - and it is so heavy and a bit BIG... thinking the really horrible words "light felting".... Otherwise I have had a week in London - and all I got was a flu (and some wonderful conversations with fellow researchers). I got a TWIG (my wonderful cherry-tree) in my eye, that after an agonising day with me being in much pain and half blind, I small piece dropped out. So now Im just stuggling with all the pain of a flu. I dear not test me for swine-flue, but Im happy that I got the shot just a week before, sooo....Otherwise Im moving back into the bedroom that is now fixed. And Hubby! have realized that a room full of yarn will result in a room full of sweaters. THAT will be a problem....

More Pink Baby Ida...

2009-10-30T19:19:00.004+01:00

It is small hearts as buttons. The last of my Pink yarn - as well as October is going to an end. This is the last of this batch of Baby stuff for my cousins little girl. Now - quick to the post office and sending it and all the other stuff (see 2 posts below). It has been silent here. But I seen you apprechiate my FO (the cardi)...thanks. I'm so much
looking forward to the current knit A true masterpiece cable - Alice Starmore's wonderful St Brigid. Two sleeves finished, and the back, so now Im knitting on the front panel. It will be a cardi, I think with zipper, but I might swap to clasps.... Anyhow, so this was the wonderful artistic picture my dear brother sent me. It is me knitting the camisole (the blue/lime one). So cool. As my brother says, drawing people I know is the hardest - since he projects himself so much into it. I love it. I think he captured just that serene bliss I get when I knit something I really love. I get so focused - I loose my self and I find myself. Thas is what great knitting does. I think it might be more than a weeks knit, but I'm loving it. Unfortunately, my research hunts me a bit over the weekend, so Im still very busy.

OT: Guggenheim Bilbao - and RAIN!

2009-10-25T00:03:00.003+02:00

Bilbao in Spain is something special. The museum is an architectual piece. But the exhibition... well, Im brought up with "house models" from dad and mom (architects/ ditto), so F.Lloyd-Wright was cool, but not enough! The small (very small) collection of real art (painings and sculptures - was almost less pieces than I have in my home collection). As you know - my dear brother is an artist - wonderful paintings and sculptures, so. If Guggenheim was filled with my brothers art - the place would glow. So throw up some millions, and Im sure he can make those empty dead walls to vibrate and also the fab - but so empty - spaces, to vibrate. Why are people so "dead"? I really think a dark room with a poorly recorded video and some noice is just a waste of my time. And - I payed for it? It is really cheating people instead of inspire them. No yarn hunt report as planned. It was so rainy, and I admit. I was so not in the mood to hunt for yarn when the time was scarce... Anyhow, My fab brother gave me a wonderful piece for my birthday. Me knitting. I have to frame it! Thank you!

Pink- October! Cancer awareness! FO- Baby kit for Ida!

2009-10-20T19:27:00.008+02:00

Amazing how fast baby knits are. Celebrating my dear cousins baby - Ida Hermanna (oh yeah, a real knitting name - but she is from Gotland, so....) All design by me. Ida's mom wants pink, she begged for pink. And I also thought that pink is perfect - it is October - (breast)Cancer awareness month. So of course the little baby girl Ida should have it. Now - this little Malabrigo dress is very wide (for the dipers) and has adjustable straps (to grow in), and because I have no idea how small an infant is. But I thought this out. You turn it around, and you button it - and you adjust the little band around the waist, and you have some baby panties. I do not know if dresses just end up in the face ;-) So this second picture is the same thing, but buttoned differently. Of course you also need the cardi/jacket to wrap around. The one button have a strap that is long, so you can use it until the sleeves are too tight. To this Malabrigo (two colours of pink) ensemble, you also have socks. I almost "laughed" doing them. They were so tiny - but super elastic. Very easy home-made pattern, 2k, 2p and than every fourth row, you move the entire patter one stitch forward (and for other sock, backward), but still keeping 2k and 2p. And did not take long to do. So cute... Of course a baby needs both the helmet - a super fun and easy pattern (I think I blogged about it long time ago). I love it, and the two strings made a great swirl.... It poses on some ceramics and a flashlight, but boy is it tiny. Again, knitting back and forth - it is super elastic. Finally the last hat, is something warmer. It has a brim, but soft and cosy. I actually through it looks girly cool. Also some ease, but probably not as elastic... but hats are fast. Now I used up 2 Malabrigo hanks, and are jumping for the left-over from the helmet - Rowan Cotton-Milk (!) Im hoping it is enough for a tiny top to have under the dress. Well, my plan is to get this in the mail soon, but wipping that togheter was really fun. Took me the weekend, but wnen the mojo is there, and it is completed that fast, nothing stops you. Well, my cousin said - I am the only one she knows who knit, so I hope I will fill them with love. And the baby needs to be warm and protected. Malabrigo is super.

FO-Poetry of Stitches Camisole made to Cardigan

2009-10-17T16:24:00.003+02:00

The smile is as large as I'm happy. Finally, this project is finished. First it was a camisole, a top with no sleeves, from Poetry of Stitches (Dikt i maskor) by Solveig Hisdahl (the genius designer behind Oleana). The yarn was a wonderful 50% Silk and 50% merino blend from Solveig Gustafssons "Solsilke" colour-shop (the women behind the renesannce of Bohus). Buttons very tin from Oslo Husfliden. A really fun knit, where I used only 2 balls for doing the body. Then I realized I had plenty more, so I knitted wide shoulderstraps. And then turned page, and looked at the sleeves from the very similar cardigan. Now, if you study the patterns, they are very differently constructed. Also, I put a lot of ease and extra rows to fit my hmm "too-many-hotel-breakfast's-belly". But the top got really wide. This means I had to add an entire section and making a collar (that is what took such a long time. But Im enthusiastic with the result. So, stealing the sleeves from the cardigan without compensating (these were NOT inset - as the cardigan pattern), was not a perfect move, but it turned out ok anyhow. A slight hang on the shoulders, and you can hardly see the extra inset from the straps. It is warm, it has a weird silvery, greyish, yellow with some greenish (very mild) colour in it. And soft. Just a "tiny" bit too short, and maybe I could have skipped those two extra insets in the back (and made them smaller in the front)... Im not J-Lo, even if I swing pretty good. Anyhow the "sideways" pattern is a delight. And using this yarn was also a hit. I still have half a ball left, I COULD frog the crochet edge, and add on a few rows, but Im more thinking of something matching... the phone-holder, Ipod-case.. hmm. A headband? well. we will see. Sweden is now rainy at day, frosts at night, and all turned chilly and wet in an instant. This sweater also completes my 12th sweater in the Ravelry Sweater KAL. Take care out there!

Bohus kit yeah ! - And some progress...

2009-10-04T22:10:00.006+02:00

A wonderful packet of Bohus "Scilla" a long time on my list of wanted Bohus... Yummy. I think I deserved it as a birthday present to myself ;-) to listen to the great IPod from Hubby.. Ok, I also bought some more Bohus goodies, but that is between Santa and me... Otherwise I'm in a big fight how to finish the collar of my camisole, that is transformed into a cardigan ;-) WITH a collar. Assembly of the sleeves and some crochet. Should not be more that 10 hours of work...Next weekend. This was all window painting, and finding lamps and switches for the house in renovation. But - I have already gotten the freezing weather at the doorstep - so this wonderful sweater is on the needles. St Bridgit from A. Starmores "Aran Knitting", with Vålbergs yarn. Beautiful colourvariations. Just like the leafs on the trees.. Yes, this is sleeve one.... second sleeve and the front, and much "tricks" in assembly, zipper?? and yeah.. but a progress in love....It is all knitters cable dream, surprisingly great for both thin and thick (like this) yarn. Im in love. But I guess my 14 hour workday does not give room for my usual 4 hour knitting. And yes, I really want to finish my camisole gone cardigan.. It is my 12th sweater this year. Anyhow, Im always solousy forgetting to thank you fall out there for your kind comments to this blog. So really, thank you Dear Mary and Dear Carrie for your nice comments on the cotton camisole. Remeber... I get older, but I am not too old for comments ;-)

Camisole finished! Iraklio - Heraklion yarnshop!

2009-09-20T20:08:00.006+02:00

It is amazingly sunny and warm for september. So posing in this wonderful camisole, pattern from Poetry of Stitches (book) by Solveig Hisdahl. The main yarn (2 huge balls = 760m) is Ciak from Madriafil (very much a sale-yarn from Rome 2004). I just made it around. So, some sale "Garnstudio "Safran" in lime became the sholderstraps and edge. I had a ball finding buttons, that are little "fish". Suits well! The wonderful fingering cotton yarn was so nice to knit, as well as the model. I modified the shortrow waist-shaping and added to my size, since the pattern is only Small and Medium. Maybe it is on the long side, but it flatters the apple-belly. Im glad it is done, and I have counted, the edge takes about 5 hours to crochet. Below is the yarnshop in Heraklion (Iraklio) in Crete. And since I'm a member of Knitmap, I have of course added it. I must advertise Knitmap. It has a lot of stores all over the world. You get address and much more, wherever you are. Stockholm is now competing with Portland with most yarnshops. Fun! On that same note I shed a tear for every closed yarnshop near by. Sad that the wonderful Warp & Weft in Hägersten is closing its store and going on-line. Not the same thing. Well, If I have the "inofficial record" of visited yarnshops around the world, my husband is a good second. Well, today we have cleaned up in the garden. 4 buckets of apples, 2 buckets of pears. And a wheelbarrow filled with bad apples. Well, the 6 apple trees and 3 pear trees are still full of fruit, so I suspect that more work is waiting. Time to make some good yummy apple-cakes. Ehh, if anyone out there read Greek, tell me what the sign really says!

Crete - Such a wonderful vacation!

2009-09-15T22:14:00.004+02:00

Im knitting on the beach of Rhetmyno in Crete! The Camisole took some days, but was worth it! Unfortunately the yarn was not enough, and I have to dive into the stash and find some complementary colour for the shoulderbands and edge..but I can add another 760m to my count...
Ahh, a great vacation - and also a big family event, my dear mom's 75th birthday, my aunt Viola, and my brother and of course my dearest and me. What an event! Swimming at Elafonissi, and walking through Heraklion and Knossos. Oh yes, we did swim. It was just fab. And the dear ladies also hit the wonderful salt sea. What a relief from the chaotic dusty home and all stressed work. The sounds of the waves are sure the best healing there is. Oh, yes, we visited a yarnshop (picture in "other camera") and mom got inspired to buy yarn to knit a similar one. So, when the plane was delayed (3 hours late- we were home 6.30 in the morning!!!!) the ladies gave me this fab picture! Are they not sweet? Anyhow, the wonderful yarn (that I got the honour to finish) was a bit too long, so Im going to frog it and reknit it. Now - third time, the camisole is almost automatic., but coming home to "ohh it is fab weather - almost 19 degrees celius" feels freezing. Time for the warmer knits, and cotton in the bin (ok, I'll finish the camisole...).

FO Aachen Bliss & Sailing knit-progress

2009-08-30T17:41:00.005+02:00

FO - The wonderful Debbie Bliss Alpacka-Silk yarn, bought at a yarn-sale at Nysta, has now been completed (finally!)
It became a true Garngamen knit, with improvised lace and cabels. A tiny bit tight, but Im happy with the collar, and the sleeve finishing. Warm, and soft. ahhh wonderful August, in early spring. This dear Aachen Bliss (named after being started on a trip to Aachen), was finished a few days ago, and I'm now knitting away on my eleventh sweater for this year. I sure look concentrated, but that is just the consequence after a tough sailing race. It was a wonderful weekend, where the garngamen sailboat (and of course me as a "the capten" our dear "Alice"- team won the sailing race ;-) This earns us great bragging rights amongst the fellow co-workers! So on the way home, stopping at Nu'hs Thai (a great one at Hornstull), I dropped in at Stickat & Virkat, who had new yarn (Frö) handpainted from Finland (wool), and also the wonderful thick cotton from Blue Sky... But, no, I did not want any yarn, but we discussed that the dark boat needed self glowing needles, and I thought that was a great idea! But she had self-gloving crochet-hooks (I do not like the straight needles), so I got a set of them instead great for the long flights.

8574 meter - and it is only August!

2009-08-26T23:23:00.002+02:00

I have knitted 8574 meters (approximate 9378 yards) this year to this date, and this is still counting the Plötulopi (förgarn) held in three, as ONE thread. This means I knit more than the kilometer a month. I must say, the "Sweater a Month" KAL has me in its grip, and the Lopi (or rather Plöulopi) is one of the reasons for this. I have knitted three sweaters in this lovely yarn THIS year. I'm proud, that did feel like a lot. And there is some fun statistics to do around that. For instance most of my sweaters are more than 1000 m /1 km each. So I got the formula! Some more weeks of summer knits, and soon it will be time for these lovelys again. Thanks to my friend Halla, my last "Im just going to complement my current ongoing knits..." during this spring, instead ended up with two large "Ica-bag's" of these lovelys. (yeah, it filled my large Ikea plastic container and some... Im already planning two wonderful hotties. I would love to go to Island and visit the real deal. How much have you knitted this year? Give me a number!

Progress and Ughs!

2009-08-23T18:42:00.005+02:00

It is like art, is it not? The Paper yarn knitted with three different cotton yarns, two from Huskroken, and Filatura di Crosa Millefine (brown). A true free form top is being created. It is just so fun, but the yarn ends up a mess - so half the knitting time is to untangle it. Next will go into a very small bag, held tight. I hope that will work better.

So, 1/3 done. The second progress is this weird looking piece. Im so soon showing it off an FO - the Aachen Bliss sweater... and this is the collar, that will close the gap in the front, and be a great tight sweater, with a bitof lace and cables. So, expet collar, Im elongating it, since I realized the yarn is not enough for a hoodie as previously planned. But, im still thinking I should add a pocket. for the inhalator. Finally, I must show you this find from the warderobe. I do not thing it was THAT long ago I wipped it togheter, but it is really an Ugly thing. In very Estonian colours.. but, Im thinking a lot if I should DO someting to make it more useable. Or just transform it into a dishcloth... nah..But I sure had a laugh when I saw it. I guess the colours sounded better in my head. But a west or top it is. Just needs some short sleeves and something to make it wearable- maybe a bit change on the fashion? LOL! well now the bedroom and the dressing room is cleaned out including our three major wardrobes. Soon the renovation begins - the house is 100 years old this year.

Temporary setback..

2009-08-14T19:43:00.005+02:00

I could celebrate, the Solveig Hisdahl Camisole from Poetry of Stitches, was a fun knit (you saw a glimpse from some places it ws done....but honestly, it is wrong, wrong, so wrong (Quote Perry Cox, Scrubs). I was so smart in this side by side project, and added a few rows here and there, because unfortunately, as many fashion geniouses, she believes the largest size is Medium in this pattern. So, all cup cake bakers like me sob. But, hey how hard can it be? Then - when almost around, I realized this wonderful hand-dyed yarn from solsilke (wool and thussa-silk) was still plenty around. I had to make sleeves. Not a problem. The genious Hisdahl just have you turn the page, for "almost the same pattern" with sleeves. Well, you realize that you have not knitted the NECK as you should, and you do not want to frog. So, Im make the shoulderbands just a little wider (to compensate for that extra ease. And of course, I realize that the camisole is surprisingly short... Well, gauge.. Sigh....so I make the shouldbands just a little longer. It is still short, and unpropotional. Ok, now comes the worst bit. It is TOO WIDE! no, not in the waist, That is where it is perfect, but being short and the mid front and back is "hanging" when I wear it. So, I think -pull a thread through, so it does not ease, as garter do. Of course ,I have already crochet the little edge all around, which took an entire evening, so of course, ripping it out to make a closer neck will now really hurt. I know it will need to be done, when the I just let go, since now it will really be too chilly. Now, I have started to work on the sleeves. I hope they fit. I have a creepy feeling they will be too small.... Hmm, lots of compensation work here. But lovely soft it is. So, what thas a yarnie/knitter like me do? Grasp a quick and rewarding project awaiting for this failure to sinks in (no, just a summers worth of knitting...hey, who am I to complain?) So, I think my Ice-cream top needed a Panty to go along with the rest of the yarn (yeah, a LOT of small ends) Basically a few evenings knit. Follow pattern, largest size, slavishly, and when I try it on, it does not even cover my lovely behind. Oh dear, what a disappointment. More re-work. I can rip/frog out the waist-band (that fits) and continue on the back, sigh.. Im sure this happens to all knitters - who do not swatch...! but Im sure many do not tell about them on their blog ;-) Well, I can only tell you, who actually READs all this a great advise. Run to the store and pick up the latest number of the swedish magazine "Hemslöjden". It is filled with knitting treasures from the swedish heritage, and a lot of my guru Britt-Marie Christoffersson! So what do I do? Lusts again, and of course pick up yet another needle (I do have many) and pick up some sale cotton from stash, to make the new and correctly fantastic camisole in a better version. Now, when I know how the pattern is REALLY going to be. I plan it for my Greek week vacation with the larger family. Yarn colour is is how I see the mediterian sea in my mind. Even if it is all Italian yarn cottone... well, let it rest and back to sleeves.

FO- Swimmingpool Lace Yoke top ala Malay

2009-08-04T20:00:00.005+02:00

Same top, with and without sleeves. The original pattern to the right from Knit 1. Angela Hahn pattern. But I did both add a lace border on the bottom, and then added sleeves with an added leaf lace border. I love this pattern. Fun and fast knit. And yes, it has the same colour as the swimmingpool and sea. I just "had" to change the name! Thank you Milly for noticing. Colour matching is fun, and this teal is very summer colour for me. It was a great cotton yarn, Euroflax, a sale find from another trip to Rome 2004.... This is all knitted on my recent trip to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and the wonderful Langkawi (also picture right), where we are at the pool-bar, taking a cold beer and some great satay sticks (no, was it not the "health" sandwich with a Mango fruit juice something?" hmmm.... This country knows its food! It was just fab, which means I really had to suck my belly in in the FO pic. Still a bit jet-lagged, I cannot decide if Im just going to knit the I-cord around the neck with or without beads, or at all. I still have a ball of yarn (200g) so Im contemplating to knit one of the following: A bra (to wear underneath) and a small underpants to match... OR which I really would like to, but have this gut feeling it is not enough yarn: some "hotpants". Maybe with a lace leg ending just above the knees ;-) But again, If I just had one more ball! Anyhow, it is very comfortable, just some more situps ;-)

Pulau Dayang Bunting, Lace Yoke Top, Langkawi and K.L.

2009-07-28T11:33:00.011+02:00

You would think this was the pool, even if the resemblance of the colour is great. No - here we swimmed with the sharks and like an aquarium.. so many beautiful colourful fish. Giant and small Scalare, Sharks, Barramundi (almost 2 meters), and wonderful clownfish, black spikey sea Urchins.. I can only say WOW! A life-time experience in a day. And yes, where but in Malaysia! A wonderful land - food and great service. Im a fan! We are of course doing the Coral snorkelling swim outside Langkawi Island, where we have had a great week! I mean, the beach is from the sun chair! where I knit! What do I knit? Well OF course! The Lace Yoke Top from the Knit1 is the perfect cotton knit. I found an old cotton yarn in stash from Rome, Italy called "EuroFlax" 560 meters in one ball... knit on babe, and yes, I think ONE ball ;-) is the entire top in the picture... OK, picture taken on the boat, so not the best Quality! Ohhh ,I have so much to tell you! What a fantastic vacation! There is no words for this! I mean First we went to Kuala Lumpur (for those who do not know what KL stands for.. but you expect people to know LA and NY doya? Just kiddin! I guess some rest, a good massage (the only thing Swedish so far) and a record number of swims in the luxurious pool, and the Hot-tub warm sea. I mean, it is so hot in the sea that it DOES NOT COOL YOU OFF! The pool is just slightly colder...., but also close to 28 or 30... but after a few days, you think anything below 25 degrees is chilly... I'm burned having missed some spots of my sunfactor 30...Well, Great food, great service. Wonderful singing birds! And great company! What else do you need? I guess I should tell you about the two yarnshops in KL. Both of them located (just around from Times square bldng), called Sungai Wang Plaza had TWO: I just love Jet Sun, where I found a great fellow knitter chatting away, and many many great knitting books (no, I do not shop yarn anymore.... LOL), and yes they do have SILK yarn, but I was good, I almost need a diploma for being so good. And Lily's Handicraft also have yarn especially I spotted Zara yarns, but restrained myself. Thinking I might come back to KL sooner rather than later. Instead I freaked out on beads (the glass beeds) where the biggest bag went for nothing.. I mean, arrgh, that was so cheap, and Im so mad I did not bring less with me (so I would have room in bags!) Husband will of course carry nicely ;-) Cotton is so great on summer burnt legs. Do I recommend Malaysia? Yepp definitely! What are you waiting for? It is a long plane trip but yes, You can always KNIT!