I feel better - Knitting mess...Knitting pledge!

No, it is not my knitting! It is from a sock in Estonia. But, I do feel like the car, and the bird (flu) is flying above us, with spring... Brrmmm My knitting is a mess. My stash is a mess. My knitting books is a mess. My patter is a mess. My organised mind has totally lost it. I think knitting in small size needles are great, a small mistake does not show.. well, it depends on the yarn. But this comes from a promise I have done to myself. I promised I would try to fight my ambitions in my private life. I would allow myself to be disorganised, doing exactly what I please, knit this, knit that, just follow my feeling, no rules, no "must be ready", no knitting for others (if I didn't want to). Ok. and no "be perfect". Especially not for others.
I would like to think that is an evolved thought. But sometimes I hear snickering from others pointing out my mistakes. So, good for them, they are just so much better than me of knitting. I definitely do not want to be best. I just want to have that feeling of knitting. And my largest fear is that I will loose it. By loosing it, I will end up with a yarn room, and my favorite past time gone. So, I guess I will entertain my blog the same way.... Or maybe this confession is still OS post stress syndrome, or pre Latvian mitten syudrome. Take care! I will.
Clicketi Click. My knitting friends coming over - to my knitting mess!
At least we will stich and bitch. That is what friends are for.

Memories, sniffles and strange knitting aches...

What is happening? Blog was down, I'm down, no comments on my blog, just silence. Just when I thought I was getting so much better (went to work today), my cold just hit back. Muscle aches that are just in the knitting areas. Nose dripping, and my throat. Where is the Ice cream?? Ahh but most of all: Are you out there?
All knitting away? Well, bad conscious got me last evening, (read up on yesterday!) and I finally decided what to do with my summer pattern sweater in Muscat! It is a west now, and I did a neck-opening on one side (shoulder).
Now I have started the sleeves. Feels great to knit and finish something..... Anyway. All the pictures are happy memories. So called self inflicted happy thoughts (hmm that was not good english!)
Estonian Mittens on wowen cloth from Kihnu Island. People from the Nordic Knitting Symposium in Estonia 2005.

More Stash Enhancing Exursions!

So, I thought I would be spinning more... But, This is UlloMera's cut fleece, that in swedish is called "förgarn" which means Lopi-like ready to be spun!. But Crazy experimenting Barbro, knittet a wonderful cape directly in it. I started, and it was slow, wow how easily it breaks. cast on? Ha, broke and broke..So after some frustrating rows, I did finish my Latvian mitten. And moved on to my Baby-alpacka one (both could be found pictures below). But, I do not have yarn to match the first one, now finished. And the other is still excellent and very time consuming to knit, but perfect for concentration. So, Instead of being a good girl, hey the competition is still far away (17 April), I thought I would visit NK and theur yarn shop. But, that was Saturday, and I felt sicker than the whole week, and I just WANTED to get out... so, in full OS hat, mittens and coat I was dropped off outside Wincent. Goal, to CHECK out their new yarn. Well, Cotton Rope looks great, cotton "Holiday" was weird. The "natural Silk" did not hardly contain any silk (what a fake name!) But I Irritation rose when 100 % Merino Wool was not declaring if it was superwash or not. It sure felt like it. So, It is fashion to mix with microfiber? Well, I had a long discussion why I will not pay for Cash Soft and get fooled by that lushious feel. So, I though! Ha! but then I saw the Rowan Classic Summer, book 11, Cashcotton 4ply sweater Julia, and that green. (Not yet on Rowans own web!) Ahhh, So, fell into that trans, Cotton Angora and just IGNORING all the other sh*t in that yarn, and stayed with the soft beautiful feel and the eyesoothing green colours Ahhhhhh! Totally seduced. Give me a 10 packet. Now! And after waíting around, seeing that wonderful Yokrshire Tweed 4ply, THAT is a quality woolyarn. Wow. So I just have to have the oddballs. Petrol (?)and Graze.. And of course no plan. Why do they not print the NAME of the yarn on the lable? so instead of petrol (my name) it is shade 271 ;-). Getting home, curing my rinning, nose, Attjo, taking something nice for my coldsores on my tounge (!) (gulping Ice-cream! ) And hitting the sofa, I just had to surf around to by 6 more balls of the yorkshire yarn. colour Ocean! Well. Crazy. Crazy. So, It felt like a releaf to cast on 336 stiches on needles 3. Two days now, and I'm almost 3 cm (of 13) on the edge... And it is just so smooth knitting. A joy. So, I had a look at NK today. Surprisingly interesting. Only "Summer yarns" and a Staff that "got the vibe". A lot of glitter, mostly thin yarn, worth to mention is Idena silke yarn and bambo (which will be a hit!). And Rowan, all sesons cotton, kidsilk haze, calmer and much summer tweed. So, all in all, a got place for "boring sundays". So - just must comment on your favorit yarn (and yarn store) ! Or is it spinningtime? Machine-knitting time?

Amazing what you can blog when you are sick!

So, after having fever, being tired, and just feeling very sorry for myself missing out on a great party, I just had energy to blog around. I have to say wow! Wendy, who knitted through Alice and Jade Starmore brought me to www.virtualyarns.com which is their trademark. So for 115 pound (approx 2xx Dollars) you can get their faboulus designs. So, the afternoon light made me do some pictures. So, here is the weekend result. Now I just wish I had energy to do someting. My throat still throbs, my nose is running. And my neck aches. Sigh...And I still do not feel up to any knitting. First picture is the two Colinette One Zero that I knitted Sunday (half-mittens) to fit my OS winter coat. Then is the OS-cap, that bulks a little (it is on a matchbox!). Both on 6mm needles. The added black is Lovikka. It was atleast easy and fast to knit. And it looks better on, than here... And, then I tried to finish the thumb of the latvian mitten (notice you in the KAL, this is the "wrong pattern 19" that Marianne warned us about). I of course didn't remember that until I saw I was knitting something on the frontpage of the book... realizing.. well. It is not my best knit, that is for sure. It is a bit too tight, to small needles for the yarn etc. So, what to do with the next mitten? Hmm. I'm not even sure I have yarn for it. But enjoy! It is an attempt. A "Latvian Swatch mitten!" of Visjö yarn, on needles 2mm. Of course the colours on the right are more accurate.
But, now I need to blow my nose, take another cup of tea, and really think about what I should do next. I was so sure it should be more mittens. But, maybe it is time to size it up. Work some more on colours, because this was a disaster. Maybe I should enter them just so that the other can feel good beating me Hehe... Anyway, how long does it take to knit these? . The brim, was about 5 hours (hmm... then the rest I have knitted during 4 trips back and forth to Västerås - Research time at Univeristy (MDH). Well, I have a deadline for my paper, and this unconcentration is disaster. But I just must make it. Spend 5 hours on two pages today. And I'm still not happy.That is the reason why I write in English. Practice! Practice! Practice. And, I forgot to tell you! I made a subscription on Knitters. And, as a god tester as I am, I of course found a bug on the website. Interesting.

Yearly Sticka meeting, report from Yarn festival and more

So, now it is confirmed I'm rambling. I succeed as planned to stay away from the yarn festival on friday. (Sorry Cina). Work all day. So, Saturday I took on my OS coat (well, sorry, it just got that name).. and drove to the yarn fair, and was let in for free in the VIP-line. One hour to shop - with no intention to shop.(Ha!) So I really ran into the only thing I missed last time, the Danish Kartehuset. 100g Merino fleece for 48 SEK (turquoise), and some silk, silk- alpaca blend, and silk merino blend. The dear lady also gave me an extra 100g merino dark spots..So It will be great to try and Spin ! into yarn. So, 100g ahh merino, could be compared to the 100g Colinette one zero for 100 SEK (Svalan) in colour neptune (that I also bought!). Now you wonder, I just finished the OS coat, why?? but, that cap just doesn't match (see pictures below), you agree?? So the evening saturday I knitted a cap "pillerburk" or pilljar which means a wide band and a oval flat top. Piece of cake. Looks weird enough. The rest of the hank I just finished two half-gloves. You know, knitting sideways, and when joining, just leaving a whole for the thumb. Must be the easiest pattern. But I thought that would go well with the OS-coat. I also got me thinking. I knit on average between 50-75 gram a day. Which means It probably take a year if I knitted full time to finish my stash!. So, back to the fair. A great meeting of the Hoya-fan Katarina, who really handles such a boring meeting with sass! Great. And 501 members in Sticka. Fantastic. and 88 at the meeting. And people from the entire country. Wow. We also got a Lavold pattern, and a stitch holder. Those little free-bees are just great. Anyhow, Elsebet Lavold gave us a good walkthrough of the history of knitting, and I must say the years of studying have made me rather informed. It was only very few of her pictures that was new to me. What I have missed is how recent the Aran knitting was. That was interesting. But a great repeat, and a good overview. She also showed a picture on the Latvian mittens. So I held mine up and waved. Then we got to see the charts of her yarn, it is lush. I think the AL yarn got me but also the angora blend. She looked smashing in her knits, as did so many, Triinu with her estonian shalw, and Tanja with her Sysky finish yarn in a Vouge pattern look fab as always, and so many beautiful knits was there, that I was speachless. As usual I felt like the elephant stomping around. Must get off those cookies! A great meeting, talking to Claire and other really nice poeple, finally coming face to face with Liisa and the Uppsala gang. And of course, Marika, poor her, suffering from neckpain after the OS knit. Well, after the meeting I really lost everyone and was alone again. So, after having a good socializing, it feels empty, and I just had to sign up for a colour course at Färgkraft. Maybe that was stupid... But Mrs Kållberg is fantastic. My plan worked (see friday rambling), since they were out of two-stranded yarn....so it just became Baylan. I got some black and white cones of thin alpacka from Naturyarn, and the only mishap was getting seduced by the wonderful "förgarn", cut fleece, and one-strand thin hank of yarn from Ullomera. Not too bad at all. But I missed Solveig - she was home with a broken arm. I hope she will recover quickly. But it was very empty without her. She is my definite yarn-fix. Every time.
So, it was a light backpack, that I have already knitted up one hank from it. And going back home from the yarn festival was really snowy. It is late to be 60 cm with meterhigh piles of snow in March. Sigh. Interesting fact is that today both me and my hubby got the worst cold. Interesting fact is that today both me and my hubby got the worst cold. So, I wonder how this will go on. I must finish my first latvian mitten, and get back to the otherone.

Ahh yarn festival!

Wow it is time to enjoy another yarn festival. I forget that all Sweden gathers on the friday, and at noon, it the small place is packed with little ladies and big ladies (me). My usual shopping is - leaving the coat in the car, having an empty backpack, filled with to plastic empty bags (somehow they all run out at the end of the day). That is my maximum. And then I just cash up, since after 3 times waiting in line or walking to a broke-o-mat, I have had it. And every time I swear I will not buy ANYTHING. This time I have prepared. I have spentmany hours in my yarn room. Yes, you read it right, it is a room. Large too, with about 15 large boxes and 2 smaller boxes, two "stuck under the bed" special bags - all filled with yarn. Should I flash my stash? Too embarrasing.. Pinelich, pinsamt. It was not a joke when I confessed to yarnoholism. So, going to the festival is both bliss and CURSE.

This time the highlight is the knitting organisation in Sweden, Sticka, and Elsebeth Lavold that will talk at the annual meeting. So, my plan is that this year I will stay away until saturday, hoping all bargins are gone, and that the only yarn left is what I already have got (fat chans!).... well, It might just be a visit to Solsilke (you can see her yarn, ready to go in the picture). There is also the wonderful Noro yarn, Debbi Bliss (Nysta, your tempteress)....And of course, Ås, with a colour-chart like heaven, and true honest yarn, ready to be mixed into a wonderful new design. Ahh, yarnbliss not debbie..;-). Yarn heaven. Weekend.... and wow, I believe I will be content with what I have... or just maybe some more from Naturgarn, to be dyed. No, I have enough have I not? Time to colour Lovikka!! Hmm, that read is only for christmas. What to do with red Lovvika? 1 kg (2.2 pounds!) Hmm, time for bed. Still one day of work tomorrow.

A beautiful gold medal - and "after OS anxiety"

The gold medal is beautiful, and I'm still happy about it, I really feel I deserved it. Thank you again Yarn Harlot with wonderful support team. Think that the notorious non-finisher actually finished. And so many comments from all wonderful people. That someone cares to take a moment and leave such a nice support. I tell you, it feels great. Just fantastic. Anyway forgot to tell you it was knitted on needle 7mm except one pocket which is knit on 3.5 mm (wanted it tight), that pocket was three nights (and that was the first week, still thinking I had plenty of time).

Yes I have slept (for those who asked) but some late knits. The problem is, what to do now. I feel a little "loss" after finishing this. You get attached to the coat. It is heavy... but just right to wear. I will take it on a longer trip tomorrow to test its wear and tear. So, it is time to get into Latvian Mittens again. But an AdLibris book spree, have me looking at old vouge vintage patterns, and the new "over the edge". Aha, now I get all those loopdloop edges. Well, getting back to the knitting joy! Dreaming about all those wonderful projects to be. Glad some of them come to existence.

OS GOLD!

I did it! I'm done with my WINTER COAT! Just when Sweden won the Hockey final. Not only did the women beat everyone in Curling, Anja took her gold, but even our favourite icehockey! Wow how exiting. The best Swedish winter-olympics for a long time. And I also feel like a winner. It was tough,I was up unitl 3 this morning to make sure I would make it.


And - I'm just so happy. The idea was to get it done on time before the outside light disappeared, (bad flash in camera!). So, to the OS Winter Coat facts:


My own pattern but inspired by Vouge knitting (Winter), done "freehand". It is Lovikka in black from Kempes (bought in Långevak trailer - Cheapest in Sweden?) more than 1.4 kg Lovikka. And the colours are of course celebrating the OS colours, are in Colinette point Five, in Kingfisher, Blue Jay, Parrot, and Neptune, about 8 hanks, all bought on sale some years ago in Fantasy in Arvika (except one, bought at Nysta). So front is "fine lady's cape" which makes it "curl" so it streches. The back is just flat.
Big collar, that I have up on most pictures (but large to have down as well. Pockets of course, Im going to use it!) Last picture, (you see the light going into the blue hour!) is when the collar is down. There you have it! And thank you for dropping in to my website!
Hip Hip Hurray! Time to get back to the rest of my life. Hip Hurray for Sweden's OS Knitting team! Hip hurray for Yarn Harlot who arranged it!

OS closing in - and desperate

Wow, no really the count down have begun. I'm now 3 days behind schedule. I need heroic knitting time to make it. And it is just too big and heavy to carry with me to work or anywear. So, I'm just knitting the last front, having still not decided for buttons, nothing (belt) or any other interesting joining. It really makes me about double weight or I have been blind tomyself (very probable). It is just a bit to narrow so my behind magically becomes what we in sweden name "a barn door" or, deperately thinking of the famous very dead artist Anders Zorn who called this dames "Kulla". Curvy, I tell you. But colourful and intense. And fun, you are all sure to get a laugh on Sunday. So what time is the deadline? I will take a picture outside on the day, because my flash is probably not ok inhouse. So, still 2 arms to go, and a brim, and a collar, and two pockets, and maybe a belt... Will I make it? No sleep from Friday! Picture? The new Noro Aurorayarn that was a quickyproject, a one day scarf.

Midtime- Olympic knitting, and some explanations...

Haha... Cecilia, You have not looked at my entire blog have you? Lower right is "ongoing?" How long is the list? Well, I just have one arm to go, but - I'm not happy with the Vougue Knitting Circular cardi - the frontpage fall 2005.. So I'm wripping the other arm up to make it tighter, then, I will reknit the last 2 dm of the big circle. So, What happened? Christmas! Trying to finish the Bohus on time (as you noticed, it became done after) so I tried to interviene with the lopi mittens. Ok. approximate Christmas. Then, the Latvian mitten craze got me, just enough for starting three projects, and- the The Harlot got my attention - it is OS for all what I got. So, here is the update of the OS knitting. I'm running out of my fancy Colinette Point Five yarn! But, I have one front from being a long vest. Then the arms, a collar, and the pockets, and some brim. It will be VERY tight to make it on time, but that was the purpose, to challenge yourself. Anyway, I think it will be great. Staying positive!
After OS-knitting of my Winter coat, I will go back and finish my Latvian mittens, and THEN is the time for Circular Cardigan. It just felt like a bad design for me. A bit too heavy going down to my knees (in the back) and absolutely no cover in the front. So, I'm thinking of redoing (with some short-rows) the front. But then it is not a circular cardi. So I need to think about it. I will give you a picture, and then you will immediately understand the problem. (Where is the camera now!)... Ok, later. Must knit my winter coat now, I'm loosing seconds in the hill... by I might make a Bronze medal ;-) Your Yarn volture/garngamen.

Wow - How many great people there is!

So, the net is a saviour for any sick flu depression. I just bought knittingbooks en masse..... and then a large walk around the world visiting other crazy knitbloggers. Just amazing. I wanted just to treat you with a bohus from my archive - no, I do not have the chart or or the knitted piece, or even the name - it is not blue shimmer... but someday maybe?Right now, I have enough just knitting all pieces from Solveig. Yes, I cannot forget to mail her before our sewing festival. Im just hoping that she would go into the lime/green or autum colours like Dean... I guess she is into the fashionable Reds and pink....

Ohh my biggest dream would be to go to either Pitti Filati that goes in Florens, or to any of the Stitch events. Of course Stich West just sounds better, since I spend a highschool year as an exchange student at Bullard highschool in Fresno. Oh, I miss my wonderful families there. To sad I was so screwed up as a teenager. I still feel a bit sorry for everything I messed up. Well, it made me a better person, and I did my best in the circumstances... Care for another picture? This one is the Swan! Reminds me of the birdflu. The poor swans are just outside the Swedish coast, and it is a matte of time until the beautiful springbirds makes it back from there winter holiday. I sure hope it doesn't become an epedimi. No, catastrophic fantasies. Just knit, keep knitting out there.

Feeling sick...Arrghh!

So, Finally - Yippie - The invite to the summer swedish knitting symposium at Gotland is on its move. I sure hope my electronic submission works. How exiting! Also, I think I have got a flu. My nose is dripping and my belly is not cooperative. Maybe too many Semla's ! My OS knitting goes too slow, This will be difficult to reach! I'm still working on the pocket (that needs to be very tight, so I don't drip things out of it..) Otherwise I wonder if I will look like a Michelin-man (more bloated than normal) in my winter coat. Just feeling sick and sleepy. Any Knitting thoughts? no, I think about my friends. So, since I did not manage to send my report about BMC in to Sticka, I will show some here. Note that this knittings are copyright to Britt-Marie Christofferson. But I think that doesn't meen we can apprechiate her work.

Os-Knitting has started!

GO team Sweden! My friend did a knitblog for us Swedish patriots... anywayMy project - the winter coat was started. Now I realize I should have checked gauge and counted a bit more careful, but it was such an interesting start of the OS! From Pavarotti to Sophia Loren, Allende and Susan Sarandon. Wow- Peter Gabriel felt a bit old. I have not swatched enough - and this morning, I measured my coat (it was to the floor), now it is FROGGED! And I re did it- I will do the "fine lady's cape" pattern, which naturally curls a bit, and is good for my non-flat body. I'm knitting vertically, so it doesn't hang out. Anyway, it is Lovikka from Kempe and Colinette point 5 in 7mm! And Sweden ladies have bet Russia in Hockey! 3-1! Wow. They were great. I decided on a realitivly simple pattern, so I could keep up with the OS on TV. Also, I'm doing pockets, which concerns me as much as having time to blog a bit. Took a break and revisited Maria's Yarn again, for a closer look, when it wasn't yammed packed. Still very busy. I doub't she will be able to close at two on saturdays. I got some 50 Mohair 50 wool in white from Estonia. TO socks I think.

Well the good news is that the Hemse Stickstämma are on the send out, so I was worried for no reason. It will come next week. So relax friends. Anyway back to knitting my OS entry. Will I make it? Will it be great, wearable and functional? And will the yarn be enough? I might give you a picture on the progress.
Meanwhile a closeup on Lopi mittens.

Latvian Mitten Latgale in progress

This is a hazy picture of the Uptis latvian mitten attempt, and it is Latgale 16d. The first very time consuming 42 rounds. The yarn is Baby-Silk Alpacka (Indicita) in white and grey and the medium blue is Jaeger Alpacka 4ply. I'm happy with the texture, and knitting on 1.75 mm. It feels great, spongy. I have cast on 80 and I have small/medium womens hand. I will probably need to make it a bit larger no entering the hand, so it is not too tight. One thing I advice is that maybe have a tint of darker blue, since the contrast between grey and blue is a bit hard to detect. I still love the soft colours, that fits great to the swedish "blue hour" - the slow winter light when the sun goes down.

Fantastic - I managed to kill an already posted post!

So, have you read my blog lately (i.e. between sunday and now)? Did you notice my PRAISE for MARIAS YARN OPENING just disappeard? if you did. Sorry. It is gone. But, what do I have to contribute - It is said best on Marika (Stickigt)s blog. Well, Sorry - but not my fault. Hardware trouble. I will come back. More pictures. More comments. So, I'm doing rehearsal for the Olympics. Knitting a mitten in no-time! What? Latvian of course! So my winter-coat. I'm thinking to go down in size in smaller needles. I'm also worried that I do not have yarn enough. Anyone knitted a winter-coat in Lovikka? talk to me! BTW: The one moth is found dead!

Dearest Husband - Bohus and Lopi!

After initial blogproblems (started friday), where there is an inconsistency between my managed posts and the actual blog, I keep trying getting back online. SO, to the left. The hubby in the ready Bohus! Finally ready to dig into other stuff. Started August 2004- sept 2004 (the yoke) and then waiting for better times to nov-2005. Ready Jan 2006. Does he love it? Yepp. Yarn-package from Solsilke.

To the right the very sameposing in his last years lopi sweater (3 weekends). Cap 1 day, and mittens 2 days (the mittens, this christmas). Yarn (well, 3 strands of those carded but not spun wool) from Halla (Pattern from Lopi). Fun and fast to knit.

Weekend! Moths and yarnbliss!

So, all days are not great, but I was awaken by an happy husband calling me (ok, I had a sleep-in today) and said that the bohus got its first review. A collegue had been sitting behind him - and admired the sweater -but when she saw it again today on him in the corridor she really told him how fantastic it looked. My husband waved like a maniack since I have been asking him every day if anyone commented - and said she was the first, and that guys never comments cloths, and she replied - never women either - if it is not something really special. So, a bit of swedish computergeek office inside. He luvs it anyway. And - He is fuzzy! And - yesterday I spotted a moth INSIDE my livingroom. (thank good not in the yarnroom). And I have knittings and fleece all over, and tons of wool blankets, wool carpets, knitted items and wollen coats. So, I chased around like a madwomen, and have not found any origin or where the heck the moth went. So it is still a tradegy or could be. I wish there was a SPRAY that I could just spray over the wool without it being destroyed. But there are no easy solutions. Ok. How much yarn do I have? 100 kg? (200 someting pounds?) I'm worried! Major. But then - I'm knitting away on my Latvian mitten in alpacka.. and it just wonderful. And now it is finally a weekend where I can have some hours rest - get some pictures and update my blog again.

I'm Back - ohhh wonderful blogging!

Dearest readers. Suddenly my laptop broke down. With all my wonderful pictures. Gone (to France! - interesting support there). I hope they can rescue it. So, panic struck, all was tied to "the other computer". I'm glad I'm geeky enough to have more computers, but some are like fortresses, so it had to be a more open laptop. So, after some days of panic, I'm back - and guess what I miss my wonderful computer - all tags, all favorits. Hmm.... Why! So bad news and good news. I got my Bohus - Skogsmörkret Finished. It has already been used - with very positive review from my dear. And - I digged right into my summer sweater - another UFO! So, it the pattern is really hard. But it was fun - Muscat, lightblue with a lot of purple, lilac and other blues... it is just great for the sailboat. So I'm contemplating a hood. Also great on a windy sailboat even if it is summer - it is cold - it is after al Sweden, and Sweden is a contry that has a part in the polar circle!! Ahh. Well, So - I missed to tell about my shopping shoppingspree at Nysta's januari sale. And it became expensive - Ohhh and soo nice. 30% on most lovely stuff, so I got myself a wonderful yarn - unpronounsable Aruncaunecauen.... well wool in lime (hmm) and one hank of blue. Of course I spotted it in the folder.... so I'm sold. But it turned out I bought chunky and the pattern is in DK, so, so it needs rework. But I didnt buy the pattern. THAT was not on sale, 190 SEK is baaad. I can buy more yarn fir that, and I was alone, with a fat wallet and the husband at the library... hehehe so I got som Noro Kochran....600 g... Definitely a shrug!.. and some brown alpacka....thin for latvian mittens (which I buy the way are working on - my new travel knit! It is tough with needles 1.75 and superthing yarn!). Well, Cannot wait until Saturday- to visit my neighbourgh's new yarnshop Maria's garn at Maria square in Stockholm. I figured out it will be Garnstudio at least. but that is what I know.
Pictures? Wrong computer! I see if I can rigg it up! Cherio!

Machineknitting?

Ahh - stolen picture (sorry) - but free and a fan ad for Gormit. Just wish I could get the Hitchhikers knitted scene as well.... I'm just too naive. Well, I totally forgot my Silverreed 280.. well, I struggle occasionally, since I'm just a beginner, and most of the knitting I do is by hand moving around the world... so the machine? Well I think when someone said - if it was called a sewing machine, (it is!) noone believes that the machine did all the work, yet, in the knitting machine, that is often what knitters conclude. No, you have not tried one. It is soooo hard until you get all the small little details ok, and then, it becomes so much harder. So, first, the yarn must be vaxed, and thin - and hopfully on o cone, otherwise, you can really get stuck with your yarn. And, that is NOT fun. SO THIN, and smooth..So, you figured that one out. Then you realise, that thin also means that the tension becomes weird. It looks like you are using all needles for a XXXXL backside, and then you lift it off? it shrinks down to a small... So, knitting swatches yes, over and over.....

Then you start thinking about doing some other tricks, and you realized you forgot if it should be on the o or the filled o, or should it be up or down, or..... And then you breavly changes to a different colour, and - it realise you just didnt hold it correctly tight, and the whole things drops to the floor. Start over or spend and hour putting it back, and fixing all dropped stiches...

Hand knitting - piece of cake. Then you have the sound..., and the repetetive movement back and forth, and - if you are lucky you can spend a whole day in isolation.... half the weekend is gone. And -then you have to put the pieces together. Does it look nice? Well... maybe after a long while.. I think I will go back to simple scarfs.... But I'm a techno, patient - nothing is to complicated girl... it is all about time. So...
I guess It is possible to make a sweater in a weekend. And I have to figure out simpler patterns.

A Harlot challenge: OS in Knitting - I'm in (I hope!)

How fantastic the web is - The Yarn Harlot is the Chair of the Olympics in Knitting. It will coincide with the real winter olympics, and last 16 days. So hopefully we get a Swedish Team together to tag along.

So, It took me awhile to get the spirit. First - which project is really a challenge - ok, any project where I need to create the pattern as I knit it,
therefore the DaCapo - Hanne Falkenberg is out that I for a short while contemplated when I noticed another swedish Marika is doing Mermaid! I just say WOW! So, what to knit - no, I'm rather slow actually if it is not "motorway knitting" - circular just one colour with just knit... So, my second idea browsing the Harlot's enteries was an Icelandic lopi Sweater. That would take about 16 days (working full time and chairing some organisations in evening).. but I know I would make that if I wanted, so - that is not really a challenge. So, that is OUT! Then Sticklistan suggested Latvian mittens (since I'm in the KAL), which would be good, but that kind of knitting (1.75 mm) I'm more preoccupied with result and fit, and I'm not to happy with the alpacka yarn that splits easly.... So that will go anyway... so, here I stopped my plans. Then Linda talked to me on the blog about it, and when Sticklistan finally pushed me over the edge - So I have entered a winter coat. In a true challenge it must be my own pattern. The design is ready, it will be on 8mm needles, with Lovikka Yarn (black) and Colinette Point 5. Since it is cold I will not have larger needle size. It will have a large collar, and pockets, and be wrapped around, and length around knee or a bit above - I do not want it too heavy. And as you have guessed - I'm a big girl, XXXL. I have swatched it last winter in 15mm and very disappointed, so I frogged it. Also, The last number of Vouge put my interest back in full about this project. Wish me good luck. Buy they way, I have now 5 cm edge on the bohus, so, just do the finishing yarn attachment - And I will give you a picture!