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!

Snowstorm, and soon time for

Knitting of course! I look forward to a weekend of klicking needels. Of course I will do some wall-painting, washing up and all that cleaning stuff too... I tried to talk my lovely to take the broken car to Mariefred, because I would like to se Cornelias shop for real, but, snowstorm (big time!) and a car that sounds like well, not nice... maybe it will be a very local sofa weekend. Just knit! Or it might be just time to check out the local knitcafe's. Ahh, what a comfort with yarn. It is warm, creative, comforting and inspiering. The picture is a bohus designed - Blue Shimmer cap, not knitted by me, I guess it might be Karin Kahnlund, a well known Swedish designer (she poses with a sweater way below). Unfortunately I knit to get up of the sofa and look up the real patter designer, was it Baldini, or is this Mannerheim? I do not have them on top of my heads. But I still admire it beyond words.What I do not get is the PINK hysteria. Ok, pink is in, but a cool woman like me? I'm to old for pink. Orange, yes, wine is fine...well, I just keep looking at the pink ones and may I will knit a pink Bohus. Or I just go crazy and do my own colorcombination.

I'm tagged! not much knitting there!

Well, whatdayamean? TAGGED? Alltid taggad! But looking through my tagger Marika did explain it. Well.. Enjoy!

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life:
1. (Hand!)-Dishwasher at the Pub on Färjestads Travbana
2. Graveyard garden keeper - Rud's Kyrkogård
3. Software Tester
4. Manager

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
1. Groundhogday "Alltid Måndag"
2. Lord of the Rings, TT, RoTK
3. Tampopo - The queen of the Noodles
4. Pretty Woman

Four Places You Have Lived:
1. Sundsvall
2. Uppsala
3. Fresno, California
4. Melbourne, Australia

Four TV Shows You Love To Watch:
1. Scrubs
2. Sex in the City
3. Extreme Homemakeover
4. På spåret

Four Places You Have Been On Vacation:
1. Hawaii
2. St Petersburg
3. Kyoto
4. Tvättfatet, Stockholms skärgård

Four Websites You Visit Daily:
1.Garngamen
2. My research
3. SSTB
4. Google (www.leta.se)

Five Of Your Favorite Foods:
1. Caffe Latte with cinnamon and cardemom and Lindt 85% Chocolate
2.Sushi - Most wanted sushi is: Morimoto
3. Green Chicken Curry done by my hubby and a god wine
4. Swedish cream waffels with couldberryjam, homemade vanilla Icecream and whipped cream
5 Yum Chow (dim sim's) or Curry laksa

Four Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:
1. In my Sailboat (if it was summer)
2. I'm just fine where I am (in my sofa;-)
3. Darwin or Katherine, Oz
4, Any large yarnshop in US (New York)

Four Bloggers You Are Tagging:
Are there any non-tagged bloggers out there?
1. Susanne
2. Cina
3. Ulla G.
4. Kia

Grey Sunday - Knitting day!

Here, a blurry camera cosy. It is my eyes that is the problem..need'em glasses. So, I finally got my hubby's cold. And yesterday I was just buying some extra yarn from Ann (Ann-torps Väv) so I could continue with my Noro, Shinano (nr 3, and nr 1). Well, as always, temptation is a bummer, it also made me buy yarn for a little scarf just to test the new Noro Aurora together with Cash Iro in old rose colour. As you can see, I updated my list and moved it down, my progress-bar's died, so... That is a confession. I realised, this lists are STILL not complete...so, understand that my stash is big - no huge! I know I should link my FO's and WIP, but, I decided to have them on my own homepage, and that is still wrestling with me.Grmmzschbla! Now - back to knitting...Grey Sunday, with ice-cream (bad throat is a great excuse!) and a fast in-between knitting... Ah!

Braid-pictures, and a Mitten Exhibition

Accepted to the Nordic Knitting Blog ring - Great! You new visitors/surfers coming here must excuse my broken English.. and occasional Swedish. Hope you will link me up to your favorites ;-) And PLEEEEAZE comment ! I love feedback!


What do you like my BRAID from Rowan 32, that is of course reworked in XXL, (do they not have well built women in UK? or are the designers too lazy to work the pattern out??), and not in the CHUNKY but ARAN yarn. Reknitted three times, and I'm still not happy with collar, that I plan to reknit. But I have already used it many times... but, avoided the pressing because of this (I "pilot test" it before it is really washed up and pressed, hmm. probably a reason for my assembly not being great).. Here in the snowy balcony! And close- ups!

And, went over the weekend to a visit to my Mum in Rälta, Dalarna, and we went to Leksands Hemslöjden (neither Sätergläntan, Jobs or Wåhlstedts yarn were open, sigh). And they have a Mitten competition and exhibition. Interesting collection of two-end knitted mittens in their drawers. Anyway, It still hangs there, so.... But the exhibition was very traditionally knitted, with only a few creative and new designs. Interesting that the winner was a Håndplagg imitation...
Well, many well-knitted mittens - and many two-end knitted mittens in this mekka of two-end mittens. And, what shocked me the most was that you could actually BUY traditional two-end knitted mittens in pure white with a red brim for less than 100 dollars (695 SEK!) wow, that is cheap for this hard work.
My final picture is the progress on my Bohus knitted. The flash didn't light it up enough, but you might figure out something is going on there....My dearest poses for the picture. Wow, just the name, Skogsmörkret - Forest Darkness...Angora-Merino. Yummy

A New Year full of Hope!

New years promise, enjoy the moment. Which in a Swedish world i NJUUUUTA! (with one U in original!). Well, chirstmas was busy, doing the cuffs of my Bohus, I managed to slam the needles so hard in the sofa that one popped through the skin and through my hand. My first thought was the fear of never being able to knit - but I think the christmas angels were busy, because I have never had such a deep wound that healed so quickly. I think metalneedles 2.5 mm is probably better than wood. I will not argue with airplane personnel claiming needels are weapons any more. But, it healed, and after knitting with safe think needles (6mm) - a 10 hour project - two mittens for my dear husband, in the wonderful LOPI yarn (well not really yarn, more ready carded and cut fiber) that turned out great, I could turn back to my dangerous project ;-) So, both arms are done, and I'm half way on my way down.... around bellybutton (yes, Bohus is always knitted from the top down!).. So, soon. I did a fast count and it is about 30 hours left, if you knit one stich every two seconds...I have not really clocked my knitting, but just plain knit is fastest in a circular.

And - the news are true, my dear friend and neighbour Maria G is opening a yarnshop near Maria-square. What name-coincidence. I'm sure it will be a success, she is really a great knitter with good knowledge of knitting and yarn. That is wonderful. I wish her the best of luck. Unfortunately I'm not buying as much anymore, but occasionally...Anyway, my favority mother-in-law Arvika visit at yarnshop Fantasy was almost a disappointment. All yarn on sale were just the kinds I avoid. Acrylic multicolour ... no, I just added som PT2 yarn for my planned project - the Solveig Hisdahl Jacket in Norsk Strikkedesign. The pattern is of course too small (only availible in M), and too red, but I will definitely change that. That is what knittingskills mean. Change size and colour, but use the basic idea.
Unfortunately Santa did not bring a better camera or new software, (but Gwen Stefani!) so you have still to wait for good quality pictures on this blog. And the real work has begun.. Back doing my research....

Well, I did check out my Rauma Finull yarn in my stash, that would be great to the swan sweater that is in XL in the same Norweigan knitdesign book. I really do not like the colours shown, but I think mine would be great.Hard to see, but on the left: Purple, light blue with marinblue as background and some lime and green borders. I'm really thinking a lot if the pattern at least half the way could be done on machine.... on the other hand I think Solveigs other, the white with blue and mustard triangels could be reworked for a machine pattern. Definitely have to look into this.

Well - still working/reading slowly through my Latvian patterns, thinking to do a few of them... Many could be very nice. Too many. After the Bohus is done I will definitely do a pair of mittens - Latvian! They do not very difficult. But I need to change colours. And I have not decided on yarn yet. I might go for the Latvian yarn I bought in Tartu (Estonia)... Sportwight size D. What size? wpi please? meter per 50 gram? Sigh..

Confessions in 2005 year chronical - I did it my way!

Great idea from my supporting friends at Sticklistan. Adjusting it a bit of course

1. Most fun knitted project 2005 ?
Birch Shawl. It is great and psychological, You start on the wide of the triangular, and than diminish until you run out of yarn, and need urgently to find a yarnshop to do it. When it is starting to feel boring, you are almost done. And also, supersimple lace, looking fabulas. Done in Kid Silk Haze (think there is a picture if you scroll down) minty.

2. Most unfun knitted project 2005?
None is, but frogging my Rowan Braid 3 times to get accurate size and getting it to fit...(since I did not knit in Chunky but Aran, and I' too big size to any of Rowans patterns....) (Result great)

3. Greatest 2005 Yarn experience?
They are too many, but the recent Eustasia 25% final sale (going out of business) wasn't bad, the arrival of the new Gotland yarn loosely spun, and seeing it handcoloured in lime... or was it finding out that My idol BMC is using Tuna yarn, I just have heard "filtgarn" from her. Or the handcoloured yarn from Ann-torps väv in silk. Or maybe freakout at Husfliden in Oslo and Strikkedilla. Or the great Du store Alpakka (the latter who still ows us money for the Norweigan taxes.. Grrr), but the yarn is innocent to that.

4. Worst yarn experience?
So, I guess worst goes to ordering yarn from DU Store Alpakka. Only sending us half the package, and many turns later... sigh. Making us pay BOTH norweagan and swedish taxes....We have been fooled. Eat it. I will definitely chase them...

5. Greatest knitting books 2005
Teva Durham - Loop-D-Loop, Handpainted Country, and finally finding my antique Dandanell- Tvåändsstickat. Of course, the new pattern ideas from BMC from her new exhibition is worth GOLD.

6. Best pattern !!
Circular Knitted Sweater from Vouge Fall 2005, is excellent and fun for mixing yarn and looking interesting.. Fun to knit.

7. Worst pattern!!
The same (circular), it is not obvious that knit one increase one will result in three stitches. That is definitely TWO in my world.

8. Best fiber
Shetland fleece - so easy so far

9.Worst fiber
Merino, I still get it in clumps

10. Improvement this year
I have stopped going to every knittingcourse, and gotten back to my own core knitting - my own creations bring me more fun. And also, I have learned to enjoy other patterns. Expanding horizons. Also proud that have almost, but not really, recovered from yarnoholics. I have actually entered yarnstores without buying all I want (or buying nothing!)

11. Insights this year.
I'm quite lousy in embroidery. But please, never point that out to me (as some stuck up bitch did at the Estonian Nordic knitting symposium) - it truley hurts my feelings, since I'm rather ok with design and colours in general. Second big insight is, I survive frogging without loosing faith.

12. On the good path of self guidance
Finish what is already almost started. I think I have more UFO's than space ;-) And allow for switching between them. And I started blogging.

13. Bad path
I'm still buying more yarn than I can keep in mind, they are unorganised, since now I have no order at all, and I'm too lazy to update my computer list by my self. Some hording tendencies. I hope colours are not completely out of fashion when it is time for them. And my blog has not enough pictures. And the quality is not to my standard. I'm a great photographer (educated actually) that needs better glasses!

14. Wish for the rest of the year and beginning of next...
Finish Sweater during Christmas Holiday.
Have time to: Start a Latvian Mitten for the Kal (still has not decided what yarn!!!) and (forgive me) start my Islandic sweater for myslef, new from scratch. It is fast, and I decided last christmas that it was a great holiday knitting project. Finished within a week and some...
Oh... Hubby needs gloves (in islandic yarn) and I have not started....
and finally, fixing up the almost finished sweaters (that just a little adjustments).

15. Big projects for next year.
Do my specially designed coat. Yeah. Vouge Knitting Winter 2005 really got my old project feel totally new, after having ripped it all up. Get some closer knitting friends, and attend more knitgatherings.

Merry Christmas my friends
I hope Santa brings me a better camera....and some new software

Stash Enrichment at a Closing Yarnstore...

It is soon christmas, and I just did my Swedish tradition - the one of the few left, julskinka (whole ham, boiled and then in the oven for a nice crust). As usual I missed sending all those postcard to all people that matter. But not many care these days. I just lost my edge. Rather depressing. Existential lonelyness. Writing my blog out in nowhere. I just invited my old aunt and uncle on Julbord, and she asked what I knitted, and I said exited that I worked on my bohus-sweater, and she remarked, didn't I do that last christmas? Oh no, what a disaster. I'm sure she didnt mean that in a bad way. Just factual. She finished her embroyderies, it is just fantastic. And at least one person I can give a good gift to.

Poor husband will never get his knitted bohus sweater. One arm almost done, and the other, half way.

And then - the entire body (well it is knitted from the top). On the other hand, I have been such a good girl all fall, that the 25% sell out at the knitting shop Eustasia in Sickla, was just too much for me. I just dived into handpainted green silk yarn, and 3 babyalpacka, and some chenille yarn, and do not forget the white silk yarn and well I'm sure some colinette tape yarn also made it. Totally lost..... Totally bliss. I really spend too much of my savings, but hey two full bags of yarn - that is just heaven. And I also bought dearest Nancy Bush Vintage sock, because here it is below freezing -6 C. Brrrr. COLD! And Andean Folkknits, really lovely book. And all those patterns....Wow!



And then I magically ran into Pia and her great daughter Frida, who will be the future of knitting and textile arts. She has really grown tall. Pia is a very nice knitting friend. Had lots of good info to tell. Well, we exchanged knitting bookes... and back to Eustasia (why is it that one bag of yarn isnever enough?) and I was on the lookout for Latvian yarn, and I just blew it. So I feel like it is time for a holiday, but first it is all those workprojects that just got TO BE READY. No, no, not work. Think about the ahhh... knitting is bliss, relaxing, no demands, just fun creative inspiring fun. Soft.. ahh.... Ohh.... nobody puts Baby in a corner....I'm telling you Patric Swayze.... Passion in our eyes... You are the one thing.... time of my life, I never felt this way before...I guess it is time to go into my stash again. Merry merry christmas to you. Cheer yourself up. Buy yarn.