Caps - Mössor and more ramblings

OK, First I swear to not do any simple knitting. I desperately needed some time off my Queen knit- and I guess the Sweater A Month KAL already will throw me off (but hey, I will knit at least 12- maybe 14 sweaters this year! I is just, the Queen is such a delicious complicated knit. I promise you, I will make it up. Im not striktly one a month.) And now, I have just parted for front and back in the circular, so it is still hope. And determination. Anyhow, It was a cold couple of days, and my sweater needed this matching cap. Unfortunately, I have weared my hubbies patience to the brim, so he will not take more photos. Most are dark like the coal in the oven behind. Anyhow. This actually took me all last weekend, and some days. Maybe because I was trying to be smart about it. Then I bought more yarn (are you even surprised). More Malabrigo. I cannot get enough of that stuff. My new cosy love. Anyhow, I also bought alpacka-silk (thanks Mary) for the the blindfold to put over the cap. Anyhow, I of course immediately decided that the great advice on quick-knitted night-cap was great (thanks Hila). You see that It has become urgent - draft problem in bedroom, that and a few days off the queen and I yearn for her company again. So this morning (!) I knitted a nigh-cap for my hubby. Definitely a 2 hour knit! He refused to be in picture (but I will get him in his sleep some time ;-) so you have it with me (and the sweater to match the other cap). Sorry, should have been more arranged. Sorry for looking like a maniac. I have just realized I have bulldog cheeks. Wow, It is so not me. But I guess hours tied to the computers does its job. I would definitely get a private trainer and do Pilates if I lived in NY! Guess who? ;-) Anyhow, it seems like it is paying off, I have had a great break-through in my research this week - and even if I KNOW it is not true, some of my research-pal's called it "seminal work". That is the FIRST person with an idea, that everyone will be referring to the next 10-20 years in research. I wish. I sure made me feel good. Did you fix the pairing? Bottom picture sweater and top picture cap? Actually I have reknitted the collar on this sweater. Ripped, and did it narrower and dou ble. You can compare with the old photo. But I forgot that this yarn looses its elastisity. It is just to short, soft. Hmm what is the opposite to elastic? Im thinking swedish for "stumt". Anyhow. You must pick up the latest VK. Beth did a great article about Sweden (and scandinavian knitting). What I do not get is 1) I love Wincent, but this is so English - why visit it in SWEDEN? Why not visit a SWEDISH yarn shop with SWEDISH yarn? Instead the two were Wincent and Cornelia Tutte's stuff. She has Japanese (Noro) and Colinette. I sure hope they went to Ann-Torps väv in the Old town. She carries some swedish yarn. Or Maria's or Garnverket... Well. Sigh. Also, noticed that Beth missed that Cornelias hometown Mariefred is actually SOUTH of Stockholm. What surprised me is that the picture had so dark colours. That is NOT typical Swedish. Anyhow, great to be on the knitting map. Sweden have a lot of fantastic knitting designers. Anyhow. I was visiting Wincent (since I realized I have not been there for some weeks) and boy is Nicole the sweetest person there is. I just adore her. We just chatted away, until they had to drag me out when they closed. She was surprised I wasn't at Maria G's 1 year yarnshop celebration. I had forgot. So I immediately took the sub across town to give Maria a big hug. Great - Some dear Knitting-friends was knitting away in the corner. And a lot of new yarn to squeeze. As always. I just HAD to keep control. It worked. Im so glad for her! That is just such a yummy shop. With a lot of quality handpainted yarn. Anyhow, I must do another bohus. Hubby walkes around in this and claims it is GREAT! Skogsmörkret is really a hit. Cuddle.. Cuddle.

Talking in a nightcap - tala i nattmössan!

Ok, I guess I have bored my readers with endless shelfs of Yarn. Of course, I will not go through all my boxes (and I tell you, they are still more than a big number). I guess I go back to this, very slowly exposing a little pack of goodies. Anyhow, the title, comes from a wish. My husband wants a night-cap. Due to my bad Asthma I like to have it cold and fresh air in the room when I sleep, but I agree. It is a bit drafty. So, how do a great nightcap look like? A beanie? Snug, but going down on the neck a bit. Cannot be around the neck though. And I think a pair of nigh googles soft, to put over the eyes, when I come in late and must turn the light on, My lovely will not be disturbed. Yarn? Cannot be angora, to fuzzy. Designing a nightcap? Cute, Ewok? Or Pirate? No, I think any nerd stuff would do. Like a fractal - after all, he is my great brain! Must take care of it. What have I been up to? Had a break from the queen. I have reknitted an old collar I was unhappy with (panic - it got cold and I needed a good sweater!) And, I desperately need a cap to go with it, since no other match it. I feel so busy, so much to do, that knitting (and life) is second place. I really need to ease up. At least, I will be in hotel and many hours to work on the queen tomorrow, she is good company when you are lonely and tired after a long day in a hotel room. At least we got to go swimming today. It was great. Mum, if you read this. Take care! I do think of you!

More yarnstash? Yarn case nr 4 More and more

So, In my fourth Billy (yes, the doors are waiting for assembly). I have two boxes, And what do they contain? ehh, ehhh. Wool! I guess it is Evilla, Estonian yarn on the left, but on the right? Hmm, I return. The dark spoton top self is Finish three-threaded yarn, Syksy (autumn) that is a bit varigated in brown. I planned it originally for Catherine Parr, but realized it is not enough. Now, being half through Parr, I know it would have been. But, It is saved for another project. Thinking, Knitting Nature (and have those fractals ripping....but colour.. hmm, blue? Maybe... Blue and brown, or gold and brown. Or orange and brown or, lime and brown.. or....beige, golden, white and brown?) Yep, definitely.The right side there is LACE-weight shawlyarn. Some Shealdan Faroese, Some Mora. Some unknown yarn shopping accidents ;-) Anyhow, Im still trying to decide what I should do for the Faroese- KAL. Going through the Faroese book like a maniac! Half of the next shelf reviels it is the overfilled Noro-shelf. And, My very recent Noro shopping is not even there. Ok, If you know Noro, you see it is a LOT of Kureyon. My great thin balls from US, and on the left a two colors of a great soft Kochoran. It is silk garden, it is at least 2 set-ups of more than 10 balls. I love the colors of Kureyon, and I think it really hints on what is coming. Ok, not the greatest quality wool, and sometimes bad knots, but who cares. Colours! Next is just a mix of great stuff. Most sale and Great shopping. The purpule is Rowanspun, the light lavender and light blue also Rowanspun. The pink is the great Twinni yarn (or was this Nikolaj yarn) Denmark anyhow. The reddish purple in the middle and the blue next to it is New Zealand merino from DK (Århus). Very left corner is from a great swedish spinnery - Wåhlsteds. On the right... hmm Isnt that all the WOOL-Cotton balls from Rowan? And some Jaeger matchmaker merino, And som more Rowan and Jager wool. Ok. Next shelf is a lot of Kid silk Haze from Rowan, and some novelty yarn (Lana grossa). Also colinettes new kid mohair and some other mohair. On the right is a since long planned LIME enterlac that is coloured by HV in a rather harsh woolyarn. Great spring colours. The last two shelfs could be said in one word. Twined knitting - or Two-end knitting yarn. It is all Z-twined yarn for this very special and extremely time-consuming technique. The pink plastic bag does contain my very normal (?) bag of just pink off yarns, that I thought I would create a real princess cardigan. So many different yarns. There is also the pink purple just underneath that is Garstudio Angora-.wool, that is also planned for a aran sweater with flossed sleeve (in black-white pink/purple). The darker purple is for my Two-end knitted sweater. Most of all my twined z-spun yarn is from my dear friend Anne-Maj Ling, own yarn-collection, who also wrote a fantastic book about the technique (available from Interweawe knits). A master-piece. I will definitely do a lot of socks, mittens, caps in it. Some few hanks are from Wåhlstedts who also does this yarn. Maybe Im not weird, but this hording of yarn puts me into very weird for non-knitters. I thank you knitters out there for encouragement. And Lene Lovic... ah, Mary I would hide in the NY disco and dance for hours. And Cecila, I remember that ad, you might be right. It is made based on me (or, Im not the only one). And dearest Hila, you so brighten me up! Well not going to smootchy now.. you know I luv you all out three! And hell-work week (10 days in a row) is over. Ahh. Weekend.

Im Back - It is winter - Im tagged

I came back from Marseille after working maraton (to 3 at night) and 6 hours flight with a rather windy stop at Frankfurt on the way down (half the plane were in prayers). I Knitted of course. The best praying there is.No time for shopping and Knitting, but between Hotel, taxi, food and work I realized that it was 18 C outside - about the same we have indoors. Our host was freezing, with wool sweater and jacket outside. I was in T-shirt. Inside it was 26 and we call it Sauna. I realize Im a true Viking. Coming back the winter had hit Sweden, and this is actually my house (and you can see the balcony were I take a lot of my pictures). I measure this trip in cm (no guys.....) I have now knitted 37 cm on Catherine Parr. another 10, and it is ready to split for front and back (sleeves).I learn the mistakes, to not show every prouch inch of progress. Someone said, (Marika was it?) I have seen you blog so much, it is not NEW. Ok.. I do my best. It is now only a week until 12 sweater KAL has there first Show off. (my reserve quick-knit is the half-sleeve Twisted flaoted shrug (Circular, Vouge) that I only have a half- sleeve to do. And block!.... OK,
I have been tagged by Zoë. After much thinking here it is..

6 things that is weird about Garngamen:

1. I have owned and competed 4 horses (and ponies) for 30 years of my life, (Show-jumping, cross-country, dressage, voltige, etc you name it) when I complety stopped and only been riding like 5 times since then. My horses was the luve of my life for so many years. No, that is just a row of ribbons and medals collecting dust. Is that weird? I have no explanation.

2. I have a ceramic oven and about 300kg of clay in the basement, and honestly - Im better throwing pots on that wheel than on the spinningwheel for sure.

3. I think that mustard looks like excrement from a kids belly, and are appolled by the sight of it, especially on a weiner. Cannot kiss husband if he does not brush his teeth first (and the poor thing loves the stuff!)

4. I have lived in a room 23 years ago at YMCA in New Orleans, who was infested with Coack Roaches (Periplantera Americana, kackerlackor), got so hysteric screaming BUGS that the reception was sure I was on drugs (jepp, just in my night-gown!), when the guard went up with me tio my room, the roaches had hidden from the light under my pillow (in my bags, everywhere). I still cannot stand roaches. Not even on pictures.

5. Im so horrified by the cruely in the world, that I cannot stand imitation killing even in a movie, hate horror stories, and blood and gore. So even small tendencies get my juices cooking. I still close my eyes for bad images.(Other reasons is maybe from realizing that the world is so much harsher than any movie can capture, a too loose boundary between my imagination and my great ability for empathy that gets me carried away).
6. In my family, weird is a positive word, which have over the years put me into a lot of trouble. It is hugely important when you work at a stiff office (Dilbertian) Tele-company to behave¨. Of course few knows the inner me, that rather rock all night to Nina Hagen -Ich bin so heiss, Linkin Park, Stained and Pearl Jam, and dancing like crazy all night to Disco- Staying alive!!!! and Popfrom 60s to 80s...So, occasionally I just can't resist behaving like my idols "Dr Cox, Turkelton, Elliot, JD and the Jan I Tor from Scrubs, or Men Behaving Badly, or Absolutely Faboulus. I tell you, NO-ONE gets it. Im shameless. So cool calm and collected you wouldn't guess unless you pourd some Harvey Bristol Cream into me and dragged me to the Disco (ha!)

More Stash. Book case nr 3. Mostly WOOL!

Sorry for being weird yesterday, yepp H. I was just tired and sleeping helps thanks. It is raining again, and I got a running nose (again). Synchronization. Anyhow, that big cardboard-box is filled with Quivit fleece. I got my manager to buy it for me on location. But, I do not feel like a confident spinner to dig into it yet, So the entire black-box on the right is fleece from merino and islandic wool and all sorts of collections. The top shelf is the yarn for Catherine Parr that that is my WIP right now. That will create a "temporary whole" but my guess is I will have enough for gloves, a hat, a scarf, and socks. Maybe also a bag and a Parr Ipod case ;-) Well, we see. The big white, is just 1 kg (2.2 pounds?!) plain two-threaded white wool, that could be dyed, but also could stay white. On the right (in a plastic bag) is the Färgkraft 2-threaded great hand-coloured yarn. I have a lot of thoughts for that, but I think a plain Aran or structured knit will look great.
Next picture has a "repeat" of the top (sorry, didn't think when I took the pictures.) But shelf below reveals more secrets. To the left is the yarn fo Bohus in plastic. It is definitely the Grey Mist, and Blue Shimmer. The whitish plastic bag with some pink in it reveils yet another Bohus pattern (from Karin Kahnlund) that got it exclusively (I think, I do not remeber its name)... Anyhow the yellow/limish is a bag of Gunga-Din yarn 2-threaded. I had a plan of doing a "plain" Guernsey out of it. But plain yellow is a bit sharp, it is not matured enough to be knitted just yet. Also 1 Kg (which seems to be my standard buy when I plan a sweater and do not know anything about lenght of yarn.) And to the right is the collected Rowan Yorkshire Tweed 4Ply that is already out of order but still available and has a faboulus feel to it. Definitely the next fair-isle pattern will come from there. A lot of greens and blues and very little white and such. This next two shelfs are filled with goodies. From top left, 3 Alpaca big-wool, behind is some Anny Blatt green mohiar. The darker blie is Cashmere mix bought in Croatia (but from Italy), and the light blue is some weird fuzzy German novelty yarn. The grey all shades are Naturgarn's Alpacka Sport (1 kilo each. You can also find the yellow alpacka I plant-dyed myself on the bottom. The grey and yellow is for a "bubble-sweater". Then some thinner alpacka in lime (Denmark). On top some dark Jaeger Alpaka thin from London. These goes into mittens and to highlights in machine-knits. Topshelf to the right is Felted Tweed in my lime, that a have great plans for - I luve reading the Rowan Magazines over and over.
Bottom shelf I go from right to left. It makes sense. It is Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed in red about 15 hanks, and than 8 in blue and 8 in green. It is a very non-soft wool. I would call it harsh! But, I got a great magazine for just this yarn, most of it bought at a Yarn-sale at Fantasy (in Arvika). The left of that shelf is all Norvegian yarn. Norsk Kunstvevgarn, and Norweigan Spelsau. Im sure there is also Old-series and some other. Basically it is Mitten yarn for "Håndplagg" (author Heide Fossnäs). Just a fantastic book. Buy it for eye-candy and mitten inspiration. Thick and beautiful. The last two shelfs are PT2 (Per Tyving 2-thread wool), which I have lots of. Definitely planning to do Norsk Strikkedesigh or Poetry of Stiches patterns. The ribbed jacket, and some other pattern.. Also some Rauma Finull's yarn. Do not tell it all. But a lot. Last shelf is dedicated to Mojärv spinnery. It is all two-threaded yarn with a great colorscale, and honest yarn from North of Sweden (which do not have a blog - guess if they are missing out!). Here are a number of sweaters planned. You can actually spot a little color swatch on one of the patterns in the middle. Yepp, that is on my list and I will eventually decide. Now it is work again. Late night. Compensation for sleeping in.

Weird existence - so OT but some knitting.

It is too late for the Swedish gnomes, and now they are gone. But the mittens are great on them. It fits with the winter storm (usually blizzards with snow and below freezing (0 C) now, a storm with a lot of wind and horizontal rain warm (5 to 8+ C)(for Sweden in January) not that we beat NY! Anyhow, work has a habit of piling up. Hubby ok again (Thanks) and all over creeps the winter-barfing virus. Im on my way to Marseille (see how this goes), more work all weekend, but definitely a friday nite at a hotel with my knitting. Decent girls do not go out in a sailor-town. Sorry - and pardon my french, but it is not as great as it was (huh, I know Im not funny - but constant Scrubs (Telly series) makes you weird!) I did half a row on the sub yesterday. But oh, Im so tired and I realize my time is not enough. So much work, so little time. Bought Knit simple! With a huge discussion trying to make patterns simple. Well, Im quite happy - when is the "knit complicated" coming out? Not today.
I would also like the magazing - Knit tired. (travesty of wired!) Im so tangled up! Ok, you get it? Too tired to blog. No blogging this weekend - just a short hold. Im here. And no time in Marseille for yarnshopping. Must plan holiday. Yarn-vulture hits US of A. Find me a pool. Fill it with yarn and swim. No, Im hallucinating now. I have enough. Time to hit the sack. (huh, not cool calm and collected at this blog). Knit the dreams. Dream the knits.

Si, more yarnshopping and Queen Parr Progress

OK, I admit. Ihave been shopping. Was it blogging around, and remembering that I had not bought GOLD in Bohus? Or was it the very special letter from Nina (Nysta) about the sale? Well, I did it. Both, I got Gold and the "grey mist" in Bohus. Bless you Solveig. And then I strutted to a surprisingly empty Nysta. Hey this is the real yarn deal. 20% off ALL, and 30% on some!. So, a bunch of odd balls Kureyon. Some silk-garden, one Malabrigo etc...
You can see how this goes on and on. And I realized that Mary had that great Malabrigo picture... I so got that and it fits like yummy icing, when it so go with Kureyon. That is the Male Japanese colourful and Sensual Peruvian Indian softness in a mix. What a marriage. Two souls. I just love them together.So 7 Kureyon, that is interesting to create something from. Anyhow, I so missed one sweater in my 12 sweater rally. So I think I will have a 14 sweater rally. But month of January is going to be long, Im so knitting Queen Catherine Parr for the Tudor Roses- Along, and it looks great, is fun but slow. Ohh so slow. It is working it every row,and just breaf rows. Also, it is BIG, I mean BIG. I think it will hide every resturant visit I ever had.
But please. Say something Nice. I have actually worked between 1-3 hours EVERY day on it. And, I have not so much time to blog. I will KNIT it. I want it so bad that there is not room for anything else. Well, alittle something something is there always room for. Like Yarnshopping, blogging and generally surfing and kissing my sick hubby.

12 sweaters in 12 month. I luve Knit-alongs.

This is the time of year to do a Knit along or be a Knit alone. All KALs are found on this page for this year. And, as I discussed the other day, even if I want to knit from my stash, and also want to finish UFO's they all had this rules and confessions etc. Like it would be BAD to buy yarn? That is the best thing there is, why not enjoy every fiber? I just believe people who brag about having none are jealous (they must be! every day I go to my yarn room and get blissed). So, a better motivator for me would be the Sweater A Month KAL. Of course, this does not say you cannot finish UFO's or use your stash, or prevent you from any yarn bargain. So, I have made up my mind. Im IN! IK knitting finally arrived. The KAL for knitting the front page, already shows how someone is finished. That makes me boil. But, they are nice enough, every page was so filled with great sweaters I gasped. Hey, Of course, what a combination of KAL's of sweaters, finishing UFO's and KAL'ing about it. I did not do a good list of what I finished last 2006. I couldn't remember and was too lazy to go through my blog and count. But this year. I will flaunt it. (first pic. is Angora from luxury yarn shelf).
OK Here is the list of planned 12 sweaters.
1. Tudor Roses KAL - Catherine Parr. Ok, will definitely take time. done 20 dm on body, and grows by 1 cm a day at max.
2. Circular nono, I mean Twisted Floated Shrug KAL!, ok. technically it is only one half sleeve and blocking (and a million of threads to fasten). But, then, I have a big belly, so Im going to add short-rows in the front. Definitely a brain-problem there, or is it? Im walking "almost" every day.
3. Hanne Falkenberg KAL Studio 9. I have done one triangle. 99% needs to be done.
4. Green Silk- Definitely the summer knit sweater, started, sleeves done. Simple and nice.
5. Bergå- brown swedish with embroydery and take-away sleeves. Done west, and both sleeves half-way. Now I need to figure out how Im going to attach them, so it is both with, and without sleeves and look great. Then it needs embroydery, and maybe add extra length...own pattern, so nothing is for granted.
6. Of course I will finish a BOHUS this year. The yellow lace-collar. I have just started on the neck, so it is 2 month hard work.
7. Enterlac one (matchmaker merino) that needs a clever solution on last sleeve, since it is uneven and squares do not match!

8. Enterlac Noro- Malabrigo - Working on getting neck ok, then sleeves. but should be for I should be able to do it rather quick.
9. Then I have my Spinning sweater. I spin, and I knit a square, and I attach it.
10.Ohh I almost forgot my Färgkraft Patent (brioche) two-colour on one-thread cardigan (my forever shirt, named after one row (twice) took 40 minutes!). one half front, two sleeves, collar. A month with hard work.
11. Ishager sweater in Östergötland Wool-spinnery yarn. Also a summer month knit. See picture:
12. Definitely finish my TWO but at least one of the machine knitted sweaters, and fix it to a wearable status.
12 (oops) The Noro Shinano-sweater. Sleeves done,. Might rip them when body is done...This is th
e UFO list...
but, I also have a "if time is given" extra list of new stuff: X1: Faroese sweater - have not chosen which. X2: Islandic cardigan. Patter ok, but color? X3. IK Winter is just great. Which.. or is it another Bohus?
I will do my best. I will not promise order. I might do anything inbetween, like the Faroese shawl, like the Birch to my Aunt, like finishing my alpaca Lavian mittens, like a couple of great socks. But, Ill try to be a good girl and do this challenge. That would be fun. AND Im doing Project spectrum KAL 2.0. Í will just GO for it. What a year.At least the following trips are planned: Marseille (France). Korea, London (UK), Montreal (Can), Dusseldorf (Ger), and US.

More of that 2nd Luxury yarn-(book )case

You see more of that islandic yarn top shelf. Really itches to do the cardigan free pattern on that. Islandic sweaters are really quick knits and all on cicular with very rewarding pattern.On the second shelf to the right, you see the lime colour in the Lett-Lopi, pre-fabricated. You know Im so into Lime. And my plan was to use that with any left-overs from the other yarn (if it fits). The rest of that shelf is so filled to the brim. There is from top left: Angora merino from Gepard in Lime, Angora.merino from Henrichsens wool spinnery (in Denmark). There is also a little yello plastic bag with fur-thread from Norway. And I found a whole bag of angora hording collection I showed most of you yesterday. Then there it is a FIND. First from dearest Gudrun in Enköping. Where I learned how to spin. She raised angora-goats for a while. This is her colouring (she also does colour courses), and it is spun by Wåhlsteds many years ago. It is turqoise and white, and to my luck she said she sold some to "Hemslöjden" and I think it was just one week later, I found it in Uppsala Hemslöjd, just on that little corner, on sale. I just bought it all! How fantastic (red!). Snuck to the Lett-lopi are those Cashmere yarn from La Drougerie. In perspective, it did felt like a rip-off. But how soft it is. Below is scatterd finds from yarnsales. I think I was rather early in capturing the great yarn, before the knitting-boom have caught on. Next shelf is a lot from my UK shopping spree at Knitting and Stiches show.. Some alredy winded, some wating for what to become. In plastic are the Egg - Bohus pattern, and the Yellow-lace colour (divided to left yellow and right white), Bohus pattern both from Solveig of course. Here is all sorts of silk, yak, Nikolaj yarn and Lornas lace hanging in front.In that mess, who probably would look great if spread out, is quit a collection of Solveig's practice colouring yarn. Practice makes perfect is so true in her case! You know she is trying to recreate the original Bohus, and she has really become a master of colouring, thus she does not quit until she got the right colours. She sells her experiments, and I definitely buy them. Great to have a very nuanced colorscheme to work with. Underneath you can get a glimpse of the handcoloured Kempe yarn from Gammelvala. For years I have been dragging my husband and his family (who lives in Arvika) to this event nearby, and really gone mad in their colours.Well, here is the last two shelfs. Both my color experiments, but most from Gammelvala. The yarn they use are not the best, but ok, it is Kempe's. It is all done in the old ways. With collected dye from plants. I guess, purple is something else. But here are at least 3 great sweaters waiting for their making. I have planned one in purple (only) aran. One in the "fall" teal, yellow, mustard colours, and one in the green nuances with some yellow. The next shelf is my Mohair from Svalan and Älands Mohair. Both looped in lime and blue, and then the kid-mohair in purple and so on. On the right, hey, what is on the right there in plastic? Don't know (yet). The bottom shelf (hardly visible) are 20 packs of Jaeger Shetland Tweed woold in some weird turqouise light blue (for the rinding cable jacket in LoopdLoop). To the right white? And below for sure is Alpacka from Garntjänst, in blue (sale). One of the cheapest internet providers of yarn. But occassionally great finds (too much acrylic blends for me though).Finally in yesterdays blog-hopping, I found 2007 Project spectrum (Lolly). Im so in. Difficult colours, but that is a challenge in itself. "Must finish the Queen first"...Also thinking about "Knitting from Stash 2007". Do you not agree that would be good for me?? But a short quote from the rules (and the fact I just mailed Solveig for more Bohus knit-kits):
"We will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:
2.a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think we are made of stone?
2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift.
2.c. If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project.
2.d. We each get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time....."
You can see how I fail on the first sentence of the rules. Now you have seen my really "expensive" yarn book-case...Somehow I know there is a stach of Camel yarn in-there in brown from Italy. But Im a bargain shopper. Yarnvulture. That is my name. And maybe Yarn dragon would be better, since I cherish every ball like my jewels in my collected treasure. So, Yarn-cave was quite a good name Mary!

On top of second "luxury" shelf in yarnroom.

Here is the start of the second shelf. On top a number of boxes, with some of my most dear yarn. I bet you are curious of what the boxes contain?
Anyhnow, top is my Islandic yarn from Halla. A great dear friend who has a special place in my heart. She has a small yarnshop at home just north of Stockholm. But I think what I really like is that I special ordered islandic fleece from her, and her mother carried this 2 kilo of fleece on their vacation around Europe before coming to Sweden. I luv her mum to, but I have never met her. I definitely have planned a yarn trip to Island (with the Blue Lagoon) in the next couple of years. Including one day at the Factory outlet of ISTEX. So, there is this "carded, cut yarn that you wire three of these disk's of pre-yarn" together in a ball. Then you knit this great Islandic sweaters. Im planning a cardigan from Sticka, and at least two more warm sweaters out of the top shelf, and If I ran out, I now where to find it. The green in the middle is the left-overs from my hubby's islandic sweater. Remember?
Well hidden and in packages, I reveal the three white boxes here. All from sale at Liberty wearhouse in London, where a knittinggroup meets on thursdays in the Cafe (this bought on a winter sale!!)The two left is Cashmere, and the one on the right is silk. The two on the left have an individual plastic box package for each ball. That is a wow factor. Colours are Teal and Royal. The silk on the right is of that fantastic colour GOLD: It is really gold. Im actually thinking about combining the three into one sweater. Reason is simple. Even if it is 10 balls of 25 gram, 250 gram is like a very small top. I think next pic is really fuzzy. Must be the lack of caffe latte. As you can see, it is a "luxury lime" silk yarn from Filatura di Crosa).
As you guessed, this is also too little to make a sweater, but a top? or maybe mixed with Kid-silk haze to become a sweater? Up some size? I think it would look great in cables. So, this is maturing. It is well packed anyhow. This last picture for today is my Angora collection. Definitely hording here. Most of it is 100% angora. The light turqoise were bought in Denmark, but was bleached from the sun, so I got some extra yarn instead. Reds and some from Valencia. And Angora is just great (but not for babies) since the fiber really sticks in your nose and is great. I think I learned that if you use it as a highlight, the angora will "be eaten up" by the other yarn. So have soft companians. But would work in a Bohus collar! So that is the plan! My own self-made Bohus inspiration.
Thanks for the very nice comments.I have become "inlove" with Queen Catherine. Time-consuming, But fab. Take care out there fantastic people!

A stich a day...Catherine is coming alive!

Wow, two days in front to the computer, and the neck hurts already. Well, knitting is great. Catherine Parr is like a mysterious woman. But, Im almost (after several reknits and struggles, ready after a few more rows and knots to start the long and interesting body. But it is big enough I think. But fall colours. I admit, I should stick more to it. But knitting is fun, fun, so I will do what I want - HA!

New year, new hope, Hello 2007!

Lets make this new year the best ever. Reach out and touch (a friend, a new yarn, a new needlesize) - or just cuddle with what you have. That is not such a bad idea either. I got a 4Gb Ipod from Santa Husband. He have spent all weekend filling it up with all my favourite CDs. What relaxing weekend. I have done nothing but knitted on Catherine Parr - and eaten too much food. Thank you all for a great and wonderful year and all your nice and encouraging comments from around the world. Now work begins again, and I wonder what will be done with my academic and professional ambitions. I watched a program about being happy. And some of the trick was, be social, laugh with someone, do not worry, be positive and stay in the present. So, lets make this a happy year. Many meetings around the world. One of the highlights was watching Wallace and Gromit and the stolen sheep. That was just great. All woolshops and those furry ones we love. I lauged alot. What a treat! Keep knitting warmth stich by stich! See the creativity grow and enjoy the patterns and colour. And, a correction: I missed of course the summerfugeln shetland yarn in the bottom right of this picture. Of course, it is was not obvious when I told the story the other day, but the label reveals them. Any how, I will continue with some stash pictures. Soon ready for a heavy yarn moment. Love and hope.

The Garngamen 2006 Chronicle - Persistance

So after a bad asthma night (those darn Billly's) Im slowly recovering. Hubby said. This could be 6 oclock in March, but instead it is 3 oclock today. View from my balcony. Pretty neat. Saw a GREAT dvd last night - Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter .. and spring again, from Korea. Really deep buddism movie. I just say WOW. If I had yarn there....and could knit. Anyhow. It is the time of year to look back and to a chronicle of 2006. I must say, it was rather hard to make a choice. I have really been busy in my blog this year, and visitor number is slowly creeping up.
Here it is: And - if there is something you think I missed, give me a comment, I can always add it on ;-)
Most fun knitted project 2006 ? Well, surprisingly I would put my summer-socks there with hand died yarn. Quick, pleasing and done in a whiff, ort was it because it was one of those fantastic sailingtrips with time to knit and fantastic weather? Say NO MORE!
Most unpleasent knitted project 2006?
Are there any? Hmm, When I ripped Alice Starmores Tudor Roses (Catherine Parr) for the 3 time... but she is moving over to the good side too, it is not her fault.

Greatest 2006 Yarn experience?
This is a very tough one. Is it visiting Östergötlands Woolspinnery and then the visit to Copenhagen (Summerfugeln, Uldstedet, etc) now,
The entire Knitting and Stiches 2006 experience with my dear HPNYKnits friend and Mary! And Stash. That entire London trip was really a yarn galore shopping spree. Was it the sock yarn from Nickerjack?

But lets go into detail. I think BEST NEW YARN of 2006 is: Kidmohair from Älandbro mohair outside Härnösand. Looks like wool, soft, great colours (lime, blues and purple is great), durable, and just fantastic and great price (if bought directly).

Very close second, with one strand on the first prize is MALABRIGO. (togheter with Noro). Filling, soft and lasts forever in great colours, love emerald. Reasonable price! Then third is Östergötlands Wool spinnery, and third fourth is Sork wool yarn from Fardhem (Gotland) spinnery.

Worst yarn experience? I do not think there exist worst yarn experiences, but ok my dissappointment on the supersoft CashCotton from Rowan, that looses its shape in ribbing after one wear was intense. Great colour, soft, cosy, but expensive, and flat.

Most inspiring knitting books 2006?
Knitting Nature with Norah Gaughan is first, then shared second are two swedish knitting books: Sticka med Kaffe Fasset (his patterns of Kaffe, but also great additions by Eva Wincent) and Sticka with Nina Saugelin (Nysta). Third place is Three-cornered & Longshawls by Sigridur Halldorsdottir. Of course I could add some old finds: Got Alice Starmores Fair-Isle that was really good! Worst knitting book? It must be Alice's first book, Scandinavian Knitware. Full of faults and bad research. But I guess she was young and unexperienced. But I payed dearly for it, so I feel cheated! Most wanted book(s); Alice Starmore: In the herbrides, and Aran patterns and....

Best pattern !! I must say that Rowan pattern in Julia (summer collection 11) was a great lace pattern. I really enjoyed it, and it was not super easy to knit at first, but then the skies cleared and the beauty was shown. it worked surprisingly well. Worst pattern!! The ones I do not follow, so maybe my own? No, I do not have one this year. Maybe ambigious Knitting Calender.I luve Johanna, I luve her idea, I luve her patterns, but she is not great in writing clear patterns. Most wanted pattern. I like Rouge (thanks to Monica) but I never seem to get around it. And of course Heirloom lace patterns and book looks fab!

Best Fiber This year it is Fardhem Gotland sheep fleece. Precarded in sheets. It was fun to spin. But this is unfair of course, because I have not tried it all. Also the merino spun itself.Worst Fiber Unwashed Gotland sheep - spinning directly from the fur. "Spinna tott". The urine-stench takes over the sheep fragrance and my sensetive nose (otherwise it was ok). Most wanted fiber: Possum and Buffalo.

Improvement this year: Persistance! I did actually start and finish some great projects. The OS-knitted coat with gloves and cap was a success, and Julia that took forever - But I was presistent. I stayed with these projects to the end. That is new for me. But I think the best improvement have been for you, readers. I have blogged. Boy I have blogged. I feel like Carrie writing her column for Sex in the City. But this is more yarnvulture/garngamen: Sex through YARNshopping and fiber. And all those great yarn festivals and yarntrips.And the colour course. And Stickstämma. A rich knitting year
Insights this year: When Im inspired I can really knit much in a short time. Even 20 minutes on a commuter train is enough for doing some rows. I luve inventing my own patterns. Im a sweater person, but quick knits are great. My unmentionable large size takes a long time to knit.

Good path this year I can rip things up when Im not satisfied (That is definitely NEW). And I have persistance. Staying-power. Yeah! Happy pappy. I can fix patterns. Bad path this year: Im blogging far too much, which takes too much time from knitting. Im avoiding knitting cafe's since I do not knit very much on them, I just chat. I do struggle with some UFO's.

Wishes for next year: Finish most UFO's, visit a Stiches event and go on a US Yarn shoppingspree when the dollar is nice and low with my friends.Spin more (and better!) - And loose some size around the belly to go down one sweater size ;-) And again. Visit more knitting cafes. It is fun.
Favorite new colour for 2006: Turqoise. It is the Greek deep sea of green and blue in a marriage.

Big Projects for next year: Hanne Falkenberg, and some a FAIR-ISLE. Otherwise it will be finishing already started knits. And more and greater pictures. Also, finding someone to make a better Garngamen header.

Finished objects 2006: OS coat with half-mittens and cap. Julia. Socks. Cerise sweater. Scarf..Hmm. My mind is slipping... What have I been doing?

Started objects 2006: AS: Catherine Parr, HF: Studio 9, mittens (3 pairs), Scarfs (2), socks (3). Spun sweater (2), Green silk sweater, Enterlac malabrigo, hmm... I better stop here. it is so much more I have started. Most used knitted item. No doubt this swinging scarf.
And it is done in just some yarns. I wear it almost every day.

2006 Conclusion
I realized it is the knitting in itself that is the best. Not finishing (even if that is fun). And Yarnshopping.and fondling with my yarn. My pressious yarn, and dreaming about great sweaters to make from it. Happy new year to you all!

Stash order in Yarnroom(s)

Inspired by Mary (just look at that pool-yarn photo - great blog she has!) who recently cleaned up her yarn-cave, I gave up the internal fight. I have promised myself to never buy IKEA bookshelfs again (since Im very allergic to the formaldehyd glue in the chipped board). I had of course hoped to find some big clumsy old glass-door thingi to stash all my yarn into. But no. No luck! Anyhow, with the mixed feeling you have as a winner and looser in an internal fight, I went to the very near IKEA (in Sweden they are never far away) and got 4 Billy with glass doors in Oak venear. Of course, why 4? Well, that was the number that could fit the Mazda 626 (yep, the ol'gal). I wanted at least 5 (but to be honest 6 is the number here!) Hubby was a darling putting them together, and I was busy filling it up and emptying my scattered boxes. I had about 15 of these white ones (also from IKEA) and 10 of the red cardboard (double size) that you can glimpse a bit of, in my yarn-room. Yarn room was not only yarn, but a bunch of clutter. Anyhow M-i-Law and F-i-Law came for a visit, and as you know from earlier picturs, she is a knitter too. So, I thought, why not have one Billy to tempt her in the guest room? Here it is. The result: A yarnilishious Billy! I guess you would like to have a better peak of what is inside? I do. And I got so exited with this very orderly yarn stash.I almost ripped all plastic off. Im hysteric about moths and other yarn-destroyers. Lets have a look from the top: First, top left is the very fake corner of Lana Grossa. All from Dusseldorf. All soft and almost furry, eyelash yarn, and some novelity yarn. Middle (light silver) and to the right is Rowan summer tweed that ends up with the lime Garnstudio linnen-wool tweed. Very nice yarn, but a bit short in the fiber. Next row is all Färgkrafts wonderful colourings. To the left you see Bronzegold, Troll-woods, and Raspberry dreams (and other inspired yarn-names) and to the right is a bunch of turquoise lime yummy yarn. Most of these are one-threaded, some are two threaded. It is all from Swedish sheep, hand picked by Margaret herself, and spun by Kempe's (?), and of course coloured by her. More about the great course at Färgkraft see earlier postings from this summer. Definitely both scarfes and sweaters in there! The next two shelfs are from a Norway happy meeting. It is the Great (but crazy expensive with customs) "Du store Alpakka". Left are the Babyalpakka-silk, mid are other alpakka (from Catalina! and Debbie Bliss) and to the right on the top - all in plastic is alpakka. Great colourscheme. Below (left) is one of the best of Swedish yarn quality: Östergötlands Ullspinneri. If you are not from Sweden and want a luxury wool yarn, soft as cotton. This is the yarn for you. Great in blue colours. If you are into green, their colours there are so so.The great lime in the middle is PATAGONIA - Nature wool chunky from Nysta. To the right (white and more darker green) is the Elsebeth Lavold yarn, silk-tweed. I do have a pattern from her. She is also one of the great Swedish exports. A true pattern-producer that is soo elegant. Can you take it? Or does this little report make you as happy as Im? Just the last bottom two shelfs: . Here top left are the yarn from Ullcentrum (but I still believe it is spun and coloured in Estonia/Latvia if you look at the colour-schemes!)
The white, green and red are special yarn for the Hälsinge (Swedish heritage) sweaters: Forsa, Delsbo etc. That is special made in Finland I have heard). Wonderful wool. And to the far right (purple and dark) as well as on the lower shelf to the right is yarn from Estonia and Latvia. The top is bought at Ullomera, very reasonable, honest woolyarn, but not supersoft and a bit "dull" colours. The pre-yarn (blueish) is also from there. Ok, finally bottom shelf. To the left is Guernsy yarn from UK (darkblue) and the pelswool (for scarfs) from Östergötlands Woolspinnery (again). And more Estonian/Latvian yarn bought on location. So, now I just need to do a more detailed list. But - it is a start. Now you have time to protest: Do you want all my shelfs in this detail manner? You tell me. Im not done. Not nearly done. And I still have yarn in boxes. But finally weekend again. (Yepp, I DID work these inbetween days!)

God Jul - Merry Christmas!

God Jul alla vänner och våra kära familjer!
Merry Christmas to all my friends, knitbloggers and family!

Take care, and we hope all your dreams and wishes will comes true! Breathe and think peace! With love, from all of us to all of you!

And to all knitting bloggers, yes, that is the new cerise wrap-around.

Dan före dan före dopparedan...

The day, before the DAY, before the dipping day (is the translation of the title of today). Dipping-day, is when you dip in the ham-broth on christmas. We celebrate the Christmas- evening in Sweden. Not Christmas Day. Maybe it is because Santa is busy in the anglosaxian world (hihi). Do you like my little Santa? Mom did it for me when I was small. I still luv him. So, an extremly lousy picture, but - Yes, Im done with it. Maybe the wrap-around need some posing to do it justice. I have had it to work once. It was warm. It is such a warm winter. Green this year, which is not that common, but we do had a short spray of cold and white, which now is melting. I have been struggling with my cold, and still trying to get my work done, which basically have left me with no energy for anything. I call this "survival mode" but I guess in all perspective, that is not really true (compare to some unfortunate parts of the world).
But, The flue/cold have also hitted the knitting nerve. Or is is a Post-knitting depression? After cheerful cerise- quickknit, I usually dig in to something I have started with good energy. Im so energy drained. The worst part is all these GREATchirstmas cards pouring in. I have written none. Not that I do not care, Im just out of it. OK. Time to stop being a bore. So, Panik. What should I do? I mean. Look at the "small" pile of "ongoings", that have started to build in my library. No. this is not the yarn room. Here I have my WIP' KALs. Hanne Falkenberg to the bottom left. Tudor Roses on top right. Bottom right is fleece for spinning. Top left you might recognize my Malabrigo/Kuyeron enterlac. OK: I picked up this mess in the right picture, lying next to the christmas Calender shawl, which Im desperately behind in. Especially when I realized I have not followed pattern (it was a picture in it, that I missed until NOW). So I would have know. Ambigious instructions. For sure.Anyhow, I hoped that this mess would be a quick knit to finish. The Twisted Floated Shrug, One sleeve and some yarnstumps and hopefully not too much fat belly corrections.(Yes, me and hubby have already worked us through Lindt choclate-truffles, and a box of "Aladin" Two layers of yummy choclate pralines.).. Well, at least it is VERY dark. A Final "hello Mum" - She have found me! She was extatic about my OS knitting coat. Well, Why not? So, dearest busy knitting friends. What to do for hubby in two days? I guess finish my machine-knitting sweater would be an idea. (Ahhg). Anyway, I got my first real wish from my aunt. She want's a Birch in blue. Well, I will sure try. For NEXT christmas!
She doesn't blog, very safe.

Ive got it again! Bad!

Sorry fuglings! I was not well, and that horrible train-ride put me back. Yepp, I was on the train again today (shorter, just 2.5 hours x 2) and Im on my 3 big Kleenex box with a big running red nose. Not the knitting update I was planning (almost done with my cerise). Will be shown new photo when I can take a picture without dripping on it. I just so did not take care. Just ONE more important day and I can crawl back to get well cave and blog through entire holidays. Also done some serious Christmas calender knitting. Ohh! Take care! Think happy thoughts. Many! I just HATE being sick! Second round. Im not winning. Typical, when I get so good promotion from the Big country and the Big Apple over there. Well...If you are a first time visit. Do me a favor and scroll. Plz! Attjo!