In Tallin

Tallin is very much a Hansa city. Looks just like Visby in Gotland (Swedish Island) and is only 83 kilometers from Finland. Anyhow, it has an old wall, and many towers. And is known for its knitted artifacts (among others). This time of year (summer) filled with tourists that walk in guided tours. Myself attending the conference is mixed feelings. Both happy to have done my presentation, and a bit sad nostalic from when I worked here 91-93 just after it got free. Anyhow, Now city is tourist shops and I sniffed up the yarn store - filled with acrylic blends. Anyhow - succeeded to find the only sale yarn (12 EEK) I mean 6SEK (less than a Euro) for one ball of italian cotton. But the true wool (which I already have a lot of) was the same price (or more) than in Sweden. So... no, Not a big buy. Of course two one threaded white wool (a shawl?) was cheap enough, and some "förgarn" "fleece" cut in strings....! Good SEX! Stash growing. I have for the first time the luxury hotel SAS Radisson (especially when I remember all the hard years and many tears I had for my therapy education and supervision here. I definitely learned a lot about pain and compassion from this country. Im so tired, my feet hurts, and Im have so much to do, I just had to take a break and blog. So, Have a look... The cotton balls with ¨pink, beige white and beige are great. And the fleece is planned for two socks. The problem with great hotelrooms is the minibar. They have displayed all choclats in a glass-box so you see it all the time. And I was good this time not buying Toblerone at the airport. Really Torture when I cannot kiss my dear husband. I guess Im a bit lonely. Im so tired. But have to show you the great view from my window, the sun setting and reflecting in the tower. A bit fuzzy but on the 13th floor the windows are definitely shut tight. Tomorrow it is the conference dinner, so I will be late to get home. And I have not even started on any knitting here. It is interesting. The Sweater a month KAL have me being true to ongoing project. I do not really want to start anything new (again).
I decided. Your great respons got me to choose. I ordered (5) hanks of Kochoran nr 10 from the US. Might as well. Now it will have hood, be long and have pockets. Not such a bad idea and thanks for playing. Also, realized that the 203 is not Kureyon but SILK GARDEN. And - Im done with Circular Jacket - or "Twisted floated shrug" Vouge front Fall 2005. Anyhow, still are fixing all those loose ends, and then needs some pressing. Maybe Saturday. We will see. Take care - and do stay out of the rain and heat.

Noro Kochoran 10 Update - Midsummer! and ECF!

In my Rose Pergola I proudly present the unfinished Noro Kochoran nr 10 Update.
As you see sleeves are done. And I desperately need a collar - since it is WIDE in the neck. And it is short. My Budda Belly sticks out, though in this first picture I cleverly hide that fact. Im so sorry I have not been updating as often as I would like. You see my free time is really sailing, knitting and garden. But this week I put in 14 - 21 (!) workhours a day trying to keep all my committments. Im so thankful for my work, I love what I do. Now an odd task has been putting together an internal conferences and selecting speakers, and Im preparing a course to go to India (Chennai) to teach collegues more about my expertise area. Meanwhile Im at the embassy getting visa, handling mail, planning program, and writing frenetically on my Licenciate thesis (A very Swedish degree- it is "inbetween" the Masters and the PhD). It is like a dress rehearsal for the PhD. I love it. But of course I blog about my hobbies. Right? Anyhow time for some Knitting science! Im having a long conversations with myself on what to do with this Shrug/Cardigan. And I need your help! Some of my options Im contemplating. 1: I have ONE yarnball of the same colour but in IRO (much darker) my plan was to add this on a VERY loose almost large lace/net knit to get length, and then add the colourway (203) of Kureyon who surprisingly is the same colourway (and that I just bough several balls of - and started a separate cardi) - Pro: I use what I have. Con: The 203 could be put to better use in other cardi, and - it might look ridiculus with the dark lace bottom and collar. 2. Accept the fact that this is a HOT and warm cardi - but sneakily and colourblind just go for another Kochoran - I happen to have stocked 4 skeins of in nature beige. That could easily go for a collar and a bottom part. Pro: All Kochoran at use. Con. I just do not like the colour combo - otherwise that would already been done. And that Iro ball is just waiting to get used. 3. Crawl to the altar - and just be a rich bitch and buy the yarn in US (and pay up my nose) - to make it a GREAT sweater. Pro: Obvious. Con- the idea of this Sale yarn is lost, and it a simple and rather boring solution, isn't it? 4. Use the Iro to finish the edge and make a collar - AND GO ON A DIET so Budda belly is not such a eyecatcher. Pro: That was the intention when yarn bought. Con: Im such a computer geek that Im glued to the screen - When will I have time and energy to slim down? Im such a couch potato. Solution? HELP! Being a Libra, I cannot choose this! Also a great trick I learned when I was doing my Therapeut education is: If someone tells you to choose something - you will immediately know if that choice is wrong! My garden is fantastic. This last picture had a good setting, but pinning it together with the needles were not the hot solution.. No, not my house, the next door in background. Im not a fan of tiles. Today is Midsummer Eve. The shortest night in the year in Sweden. Does not get dark until 10 and gets light about 2-2.30. That is SHORT. But a bit cloudy.. still a fantastic time in Sweden- I would call it "the best". We got married on this day many years ago. And Im still happy and in love. Peonies and Clematis competes with the Roses for my attention. Husband - Hubby (australian nick name of husband) got it. And I just feel that summer vacation like Paradise (mening garden!) Only three weeks of work and studies. First Tallin- Estonia next week. Then India Chennai. And then finally London - 9-12 July (ISSTA). Definitely some yarn hunting between lectures and teachings. Unfortunately I will miss the Thursday evening knittinggroup at Liberties in UK.
But I doubt there will be time to reach Stash. Anyhow. Fantastic situation. I must say I have never been so happy in my life. And I have worked for it (and are still working on midsummer)... So, It will be short Saturday updates here for awhile. But On my vacation I will keep you much better posted. And Yeah Zoe- I think the teacup idea is great - It is more about WHEN... now I feel I have to much on my plate to sort it out. Ill swap you. PLEASE dear readers - VOTE on what option you think I should go for - or if you have a new creative idea to solve the Kochoran puzzle. I have contemplated going for a full angora as well. Hmm.

Blank - Really blank!

More stressed than ever -dearest husband and I decided to have our premier sailing tour for the year. Furlex on, and off we went to Ladviken. We had no boat in our near sight and it was quiet - and a bit cold. But waking up to the sunshine morning with the sea completly flat was amazing. All stress form work just had disappeared. My hands went immediately to my recently bought Noro Kureyon 203 sweater - which is alike a Rosedale- imitation. (Since I did it form memory - and invented the pattern). Now this is the last week of being home for a long while.
I will just "drop" in to swap suitcase once a week. Anyhow, what will I do with the cashmere? Well I have browsed all my magazines I bought from Phildar and Anne Blatt and found one in the later spring "houte corture" version, and a pullover with a lace pattern. I just glanced at the angora last nite and thought It would really spiff-up the camel yarn with just some few lines. Anyhow, the Anne Blatt mag had a great knitted jacket that looked like weaving - that I fell for, so that might be something. That jacket used a variety of yarn qualities to make texture. I must say that the french sure know their textiles and fashion. Great inspiration. Isnt hubby cute when he does the boat-dishes? We got sunburn on the way back yesterday meeting all boats on the way out. Today we knew we planned right - since the rain is pouring down. It is so nice to wake up at home. And - both sleeves knitted - and almost 15 cm on the cardi from the bottom. Thinking raglan. We will see. Yarn tells.
And now, when Im home I can browse Rosedale at Knitty.

FO - Back home to heatwave! More Stash Enh.

Ballet shirt from Loop-d-Loop - Thank you Teva for a great pattern (just some small adjustments - with extra sleeves, and ) and mabe not so wide in the neck! Trying to look decent. It was 12 hours approx. knit. That is the amount of free time I obviously had this week. A lot of plane, bus, taxi and a short breaks before fainting to bed. Anyhow, the garden and weeds compete now - and and unfortunately the blooms come and go so fast in the heat that you miss them in a breeze. My blog really became a conversationpiece. And I think D. took it ok. You now BertnFelix... he is a bit young ;-) Did have a quick check on your blogs - and really what have you been busy! Hi NY - H. I luve that scarf! And Z. Those cap's are Great!
And many Swedish are now on the boatride to Mariefred -and Cornelia Hamilton - our Noro, Malabrigo importer! That is probably great. But I need this day to wash, and swap suitcase - because tomorrow is off again (Linköping then Lund). Anyhow! My "knit in public-day" ended up just before rushing to the bus from Grenoble to some great experiences. First - I bought this left box of Angora at Phildar: Really at a bargin price! Then after spending 45 minutes at Phildar: I mean - have a look at this: Isn't it fab? But all I saw was acrylic, acrylic cotton acrylic, wool acrylic, superwash wool .... and acrylic. Of course in hot Grenoble weather you tent to look at cotton, and they had Cotton and seacell (which is polyamide) - I for sure would like a lecture in acrylic, polyamide and microfiber.... Because right now, seacell and bambo feels soft, as well as microfibre - but how do they behave? Sun? Colour? Against skin (meaning) breathing? handling sweat? I no for sure some do not breathe and feels great but wears like a plastic bag. And Im a silk girl. Any how, angora is really winter great. Anyhow In addition to Phildar and a bunch of frensh knitting magazines, I took a lazy stroll to be back for lunch on time, and walked right into Anne Blatt. Not only did I get my right box fun I also met this very frensh lady, that warmed up when I bought 15 (!) cashmere balls at full prize - yep, covering the counter and emptying my credit. Well, Too far away from the Factory, but I need that adress Mary ;-) Precise! Anyhow, I feel I do rank Grenoble a city to return to. Expensive - but OK! (This posting would definitely quickly bore all my research friends to never return here again - so - be good boys and loose the link!) OKOK, I will post the recepie (hoh - that could NOT be spelled) I mean CAKE patterns. Now reality hits me, and I need to dig in to work preparations..Take the best care!

From 90 years, Jössefröjda and to Grenoble!

Swedish Smörgåstårta (sandwish-cake) is the starter of getting 90! Hubby's granny on the right (yep, she had baked all the other real sweet rasperry cake and all small cakes and buns).. Im sure to use some pics of them when have a dry-spell. After digging into this twice. Yummy! So I have had a FAB Yarn experience in the fantastic city of Arvika. They have a jippo called "Jössefröjda" which is like happy hour in all the shops. I went 9 sharp saturday morning and bought myself 11 skeins of Noro Silk Garden, Nr 203 (!), 2 others in an odd colour and some PT2 (Per Tyving 2) a Norweigan honest woolyarn. What a blast - was it 30% off? That is what I like a lot. And that is how I end up with yarn shortage... 11 skeins is plenty. So that will be no problem. I have already knitted one and a half sleeve in that (just on my was home from Arvika). Anyhow, after this I packed and went with my research group to Grenoble in France "Rhone-Alpes". Just a fab city... of course I casted on a short top directly when the airplane was locked. I started a Ballet Tank top from Loop-d-Loop book, which I had scribbled notes of the pattern in my carry-on of bag 4 balls of Patagonia Cotton and some big wooden circular needle. Anyhow I can share my secret trick of knitting on planes: Thick wooden/bambu needles- circular - put with lap-top cords, and pens - passes 99% of all security - and then you do not show your needles until take-off. Noone will say anything if you are discrete, lady and passionatly safe and focused). They are not sharper then a pen, and not more strangling than any belt or lap-top power cord. So, if you are on -you are safe. And Im not asking for a no. Cost? The risk of loosing a pair of needles. Ill take it. It is still less than a boring magazine (they NEVER have knitting magz on swedish airports!) Anyhow: Helen (local swede in Grenoble) joined us for dinner - and draw a map to me. Result - I will desperatly try to get to a yarnshop tomorrow (Phildar), but I suspect they keep us busy. Now when I have revealed my very secret alias to this blog to my research collegues - I also expect some comments from you. I suspect my yarntalk will bore them quickly. Hi guys ;-) ok, and gals (ok we are two..) Anyhow - we visited both Chartreause liquer distillery (hey, it is GUYS that plan this trip), but I ended up with raspberry liquer (like candy). We also had time to see THE monestary where this secret liquid is created (see pic above), a gang of "total silence".... looks isolated in the hills. Fantastic stone and story- All in pouring rain of course - and the busride was excellent knitting-time, except to my surprise I knitted a whole ball of yarn - and the other ones were in the hotel. Some math have me calculating that one ball is three hours, so it is max a 12 hour knit. Goal: To be finished by saturday. Of course I have the Bohus yellow lace collar as reserve with me, but that is not airport friendly. so Im counting the paranoia is on liquids at the moment ;-) Today weather has cleared up (and the reports of 28C at home in Sweden - and all roses and peonies in full bloom mad me....) -it better is nice here! Anyhow nerds as we are- we are all booked at a hotel with internet connection, so I got challenged into writing on my blog (should I not do that EVERY DAY?) well, sorry folks.
Im not THAT interesting. Anyhow- All knitters - sorry for this people late nite wine bubble talk.... I will surely get back to Knit, fibers, spinning and many sweater progress. I feel Im getting 2 ready very soon, and 2 more in great progress so.....I leave you with some great pics of flowers... and not hero-supervisor paying the taxi-driver! Anyhow, FYI, D. next to My roomie, sideways and wears wine-coloured shirt - announces he is single. Does not cook, luvs food, and I vouch him as a great potential sincelast year he was kind enough to 1. follow me around for many yarnstopps without complaining and also carrying bags and patiently (and with curious questions) waiting in yarnshops and 2. Actually carrying home yarn and stuff in my overpacked luggage - since I was going directly to China last year..... So, a great catch ladies. Recommended. Lives in Karlskrona - but probable moveable as any software nerds ;-) /Ha - NOW Im in trouble... for this posting;-) There you have it for sneak peaking at my blog!

ECF- Peonies

No-one missed that I ran out of yarn. I have now a very short shrug, with a very wide neck. But I have two yarn balls that is "sort of" similar in colour but in other yarn qualities. One Iro and one Silk garden. Im planning (worst case) a Silk garden "neck". I will wait for all you wonderful people that nicely saying they should check around in there yarnshops. I will of course put this fantastic Noro Cohoran "shrug- with hope of being a sweater" into a wait state for a while. Anyhow, then - It is time to dig up some other UFO. Im going to Arvika (and Fantasy- yarnshop) to celebrate my husbands granny getting 90 years. And then Monday rush rush for 6 days in Grenoble- France! So might be some hidden angora-shop (haha) there - it IS close to the ALPS so they cannot only have baby acrylics ;-) But If Im awake sunday - you might get a short update otherwise - This blog is sniffing peonies (working) and knitting somewhere else.

Secrets in Garden of Eden!

Next project is growing out of my new knitting friendly handbag. Noro- Yes, Kochoran- yes. Nr 10 - does not exist in Sweden (and Denmark anymore).. If you find 1 or 2 hanks in your LYS I would definitely reimburse you! But - Not enough yarn speaks to creativity. I just love this colourway - it is to bad

Eisaku do not understand how well it fits the Nordic "blue hour". Anyhow- thank you for your nice comments. It feel a little vulnerable for exposing myself, but hey - nothing for a Pippi double! Anyhow - the mast is on, and the sweet peas are planted next to suger peas. Anyhow - the garden is amazing. I have never had such a bloom of rhododendrons - Truely the first mild winter. And having Tulips, peonies and Tall bearded Irises next to syringa. It is amazing. I could post every day with all the flower shots (at least until Im done with this knitting!) Well, Mary, what do you know. Im going to Grenoble for a week 4-9th of June, so Ill be in France too. Busy schedule visiting research labs - but also time for Chartreuse munks. Then we (hubby and I) discuss if it is Midsummer at the Riviera- I have some work that weekend I should do - but hey - largest holiday in Sweden is something you want to spend in the sailboat. Decisions. I just love theese decisions - how fortunate Im that I have a choice.

Tagged - 7 random facts about me!

Dearest Texas Mary tagged me ( I hope the storms didn't get you - I just watched CNN) and I will not pass this along.. Sorry - feel free! Anyhow some Random facts about me:

One: I use knitting magazines as a visiulizing aid to get to sleep, when Im wind up from work. Dreaming about great sweaters and indulging in fiber and colour (and yes - I admit) thinking about how much better I could desing, choose yarn and improve the pictures - gets me in a great mood of self-worth and fantasies that makes me tired with good dreams. (and I am a night owl - so Im constantly trying to go to bed earlier and get up earlier).

Two: I was a man-eater when I was younger. After 10+ years of intensive gestalt theraphy (becoming a gestalt therapist) and meeting my husband - I have eyes for no one else! That is true character change!

Three: Being on the subject of hubby, he is an excellent cook, so we are really wining and dining toghether - and a lot of candel-light dinners. First we chewed us through all resturants of Stockholm, then Melbourn Oz and now his great home-cooking. Being lazy by nature (and a computer-geek) I have gained weight like a hippopotamus- baby.

Four: Now being a hippo, I indulge in my earlier "greatness" in sports. I competed horses in show-jumping and cross-country events (have owned four of them), - which filled my bookshelf with prizes. I have danced classical ballet for 15 years, competed in volleyball ladies and mixed, have practiced Kioukyshin Karate, and I was definitely a disco-diva for years. I have run Solstastaffetten, Maja Gräddnos and DN-stafetten and other small races (no not marathon) with decent results.

Five: I have a ceramic studio in my basement - I loved it - but I saw great potterist (?) living of "nothing" and I do love economic security, so It is just another hobby alongside knitting, sailing, gardening and house improving.

Six: When I was 10 I posed as the Swedish Pippi Långstrump (Pippi longstocking) double, since we were at the same riding-camp. I handled the media -without them knowing! That was a true moment of fame for me. I think I would have been a great actor if I ever tried it.

Seven: Im a screen-addict. I watch to much TV in parallell with playing Civilzation (a computer game) , knitting, working, blogging etc... I feel this addiction is my greatest problem - which makes me a couch-potato. Anyhow, I seem to get a lot done in my life - I guess that is because absence of kids. Anyhow, I have really pulled my self into walking my 10 000 steps a day and cutting down a little on the choclate. And If I had lived in NY - I would take up Pilates with a very special great teacher - that is for sure!

Ttthatts alll foooolllllkkkss! Back to writing my Licenciate Thesis.

FO: Enterlac-Sweater

Finally, (big sigh of relief) Im done with this 2(!)-year old UFO. Yarn is Jaeger - Matchmaker Merino in lilac and light blue. (3 lilac leftovers- 2 in my hand). Needlesize is 4. (and I think 3.5 had been better). And- this was my first attempt to make an enterlac sweater. I learned a lot with this sweater. First - NEVER use superwash yarn for an enterlac, since it will not be so smoothly when you lift the stiches, it doesn't fluff and is not even. Secondly, it must be an even number of squares - and even back and front. This is not, and the sleeve I have cleverly hidden ;-) is a bit bumpy in the connection to the body - since they just do not match. Anyhow, I really do not like this knit - having frogged the sleeve 4 times, so "lost it"and of course started a new knit which feels so much better. And I realized I do not like superwash. Never again. It has a plastic feel about it. Yepp, it is soft, and the colours are great, so I think I will definitely wear it. I have used it today and it was quite ok on the windy sea-side (yepp, we were fixing on the boat), so maybe it will be ok for "around the house".....Sweden has summer tempratures (19 Celcius) and very windy, so It was too hot to wear. The good thing is that this finished item brings me to the APRIL sweater in the Sweater a month KAL, so Im catching up. Before end of May - the May sweater should be done ;-) Anyhow, I guess bug was temporary, now comments are back. So check two posts down... I still think M-I-L sweater is fab. Had to put one more pic of it!

Bug in Blogger?

Sorry - Im trying to get comments to work, but blogger decided they shouln't... Buggy!
Anyhow! Peace and love to you out there. The rain has started to drip, and almost one more enterlac done. (And sneakily started on a Kochran shrug).... Got to have a CAR-knit. Today I had a quick NYSTA visit to find if there are more of COLOUR 10 of the NORO. It is out. So if you have one - I will buy it. Or hint me if you see a store. (If those bloody comments work!) We will see! Hugs!

Peonies- and M-I-L Sweater

Favourite Peony - "Molly the witch" or "Molkowitch" is opening its short - but fantastic show. It is holiday in Sweden, and I just love spending the day in the garden. Both Mother-In-Low with Hubby, and my own mother is visiting! And - M-IL is fantastic knitter. Look at her in her "Knitters" wrap (front cover 2006) It is so great - done in Garnstudio Alpacka and Maria's garn hand painted by her. Well, this baby needs a close-up. Anyhow, I translated the pattern, and participated in yarn-hunt (I think I showed you the little pile and and the ball of yarn earlier). Anyhow, I have been planning to knit my first baby-gear to a friend of mine, Carmen and Klaus who recently had a little-one. And asked M-I-L about pattern. She had it in her head (!) and knitted a little cap and footsies to the infant. Looking great! And I must say, really easy pattern. Basically, you start with any number between 20-26 stiches. Then knit as many rows as stiches - just straight - and every second row you add on one stich (2 stiches in) and at the end on the same row you take away one stich (2 stiches in). After for example 10 rows (20 stiches) you turn the slant the other way for 10 rows, and then turn the slant back for ten rows (half number of stiches). Then you end by turning another 20 stiches slanted the other way. You will have a zig-zag like a W. Then you saw toghether"the outside of the W and the middle point is the little point in front. And add to bands. The footsies were equally simple. Just 30 stiches, and back and forth for 8 rows.(this is writst) then 10 in middle straight forward for a bit (10-rows- or upper footlenght) then pick up the left over 10 at each side, and "around" the side of the flap you just knitted. Back and forth 4 rows (makes edge). Then cast off all but in the Toe (the flap end) 10 stiches, and knit the sole. Make a little "round" by casting a few stiches off in the heal to shape it. Then cast off and sew togehter in back and sole to edge. Out in a band to tie it. And - Done. One day knit by M-I-L. Impressive. Very. And less than one ball of yarn. Otherwise, the theme has been children. My mother is really engaged in "Save the Children" charity - and has taken on (at 74 years of age) to support a day-care for children outside Vilnius in Lithuania. So, we picked her up at the airport, and she came back filled with stories of abandoned children, and alcoholic parents who use their child-support money to buy booze instead of food to their small ones. She is such an impressive lady doing it - even if she has a hard time to walk herself. Then singlehanded just goes in and make things happen. I think it is healing for both her and them - just sharing and caring and bringing practical gifts to all the children. She does not see her own beauty, it is so sad. Well, not the best picture of her, but I had to "steal it." She does NOT like her picture taken. Dear mom. Otherwise, Im after some hard working weeks finally got the go-ahead to take my Licenciate Thesis (A scandiavian construct, sort of half-way between Master Thesis and PhD). So Im now into desperate writing - or should be - if it was just such a great holiday day. Ahh, I love Sweden in spring. Light, flowers and a lot of holidays to enjoy them. Knitting? Well, there Im going at it.. Enterlac-war. Soon ready to join an unmatching sleeve to a body. That will be MAGIC.

Presistence! 4 Times Frogged!

What IS this? Apple Blooms! And the purple Jaeger Matchmaker Merino... For my second Enterlac (who is really the first). It is just never finished, since it had uneven number of squares, so this one sleeve is just not working out. The result. I have reknitted it four (4)! times. No kidding. No wonder I stress out. First time it left a gap above the shoulder - that was just too big to be nice, The second - same thing. The third seems to work fine until I realized I closed the hole for the sleeve completely. Then it have rested for two winters- and I have done the turqoise inbeetween - much easier to have even number of squares (on back and front ;-) Anyhow, this last time - brave after finishing turqoise enterlac, I have been knitting away - and it came together. But, I started to run out of blue yarn..Weird. So I lay the work down, and I have done a cone, the WRONG way. Back to ripping again. And then I returned to the last possible solution. Knitting the sleeve from the bottom, and HOPING I will be able to solve when I get up there. It is a math- grafical problem. And it is NOT going to fit. But hey, I love challenges. So.. this is what I have been doing - watching American Idol (I just cannot stand Musikfestivalen -the European song festival)... I of course know the top three in US are Melinda, Blake and 17 year old...(hey it is available on the web!), and even if she isn't the greatest, Gina is really great. Evanesence cought me back early. I know Lakisha was voted off in US but I sure hope someone give her a FAT contract - she sings great. She deserves it. Melinda is in a class of her own - but she need to stop shrugging - she looks like she has no neck. Also a master of voice. But lately Blake has grown. I just love his beetboxing. What a showman. A bit young but sexyhot. Anyhow, Sweden showed "British Invasion" and I must say my favourite song was chubby curlyheads (Chris) song - "She not there" by the Zombies- but hubby claims it was the song, not the vocal was great. But that Stephanie is voted out? She needs help - I really liked her (more than her song). So the top 10 tour? That is interesting. I would luve that. And Sanyayas little fan in the audience. That was sooo cute. Ah, I know, all Americans have forgotten, and all Swedes watches "musikfestivalen". Sorry for being off-beat. Anyhow - thanks for all comments, I have like lace and Im ok with shawls, but I really luve sweaters. AND NOW my Knitting block is gone. The cure was going at my cicular cardi last sleeve (Twisted KAL) in my yarnroom. Sitting there and knitting, and watching all great yarn I have collected makes me itchy again to go at it. Designed a great kid-silk mohair sweater in my head (that colinette TAO) - and realized that Im going to use Solveigs 2 hanks of silk to blend with white baby alpacka and not with the yarn on the left (original plan!). That will be a great top. Sorry Mary, I postponed US and Canada for now. Im just in such a mess with my research and arranging a conference (and participating in several) that I cannot cope. I also got invited to India NOW! when it is 50 C HOT or monsun-rains will start any minute. Here in Sweden it is SO beautiful. Blooming! And I feel so good. Busy, but good.

Rainbow and other gossip

Yesterday I came home after hefty rain- showers, and magically it cleared up with strong evening sunshine. It was two ( fantastic double rainbows, but those few seconds - going inside to grab camera - they faded , so only one over the neighbourgs house was captured. Moral - just enjoy the moments - they are so short and pass by so fast. Im still struggling with what to knit. A great knit leaves a big hole. I realize that all my knits are in very complicated states - and not using patterns is asking for it. I simply have not stamina to work it through. So Im rummaging the yarnroom! Checking all your blogs, walking through every pattern at Knitty, and I must say WOW, Im so impressed - the needles are on fire out there. Complicated socks, fair-isle, lace - so much lace. I just looked at the latest Vouge - and it is all white! And then all yarn has- mixed and blended colours. Where are the great patterns for all those mixed coloured yarn? That is not so easy. Maybe it is just going easy - non-complicating "self" patterned by colour. So, I have silk, 3-4 mm in blend colours.... I just have not MATURED into anything special. I need some focus, decisions. Do it. Maybe because Im stuck in solving Enterlac-tricks, and free form solutions.... I would just love doing ISLAND- LOPI Circular quick knit.Yeah, right. I need a spring sweater. Maybe lace - no something to cover up the flesh! This is a scream for help Send the rainbow! Maybe a rainbow sweater. Or go for another Tudor Rose - that was rewarding. M-I-L is coming - She will get me going for sure! Maybe a silk-alpacka? In pink?

ECF: The world is blooming!

Spring brings hope. No real heat yet, but that means I have enjoyed my Enterlac! I must say I was just amazed of all wonderful comments. Thank you! Thank you so much! It felt a bit wild, but It very cosy. Yes I did a neckline, very thin (just four rows), but it is true, It binds it better together. You have no idea how great it feels! I took my sweater to work and I had a someone I never met approaching me (Hi Uppsala Knitter!). Actually I have been working on my "all directions, all colours - free form- happening sweater". I try and put it on, and yepp, It need structure. But I notice a bit craze running around, finding the right pattern and yarn for the next knit. It felt Cotton or silk. I have a great silk yarn that I really want to knit, but I have just not found "THE pattern" for it. That is rare.
Anyhow - I noticed had great pleasure finishing, so maybe I should keep on working on UFO's. (But I got to start some new inbetween). Time to use all those great books and mags! No, time to go outside.. Spring - is sneezing and runny eyes. Attjo, as we say in Sweden. Mitten is from Museum in Hälsingland - Got to have some related eye-candy.

Presenting: Enterlac-Noro- Malabrigo sweater!

So I'm done with a very enjoyable knit - the home-designed enterlac with Malabrigo (colour Emerald) and Noro Kureyon (colour nr 183). I still have three skins of Kureyon left, so Im still debating a neck-line, and yes, it is still unpressed and unwashed. I noticed it is a bit slanted on the pict. but that is more me being exited throwing it on (and a cold husband taking pictures before he fell asleep on the sofa). Knitted on 4.5mm (and on sleeves ending up with 3.5 mm at the cuff). Circular knitted of course. So, I thought it would be rather useful without a high neck/collar, but now (contemplating the picture) I see a neckline would probably make it feel more even... Dear H. 24 hours yarnshopping in NY I just say WOW! - I would go crazy in a city like that - but it sounds wonderful! Do you not end up after a good dinner with a lot of wine (and somewhat lost judgement) buying your Amex to the limit? Waking up with a headacke and 6 bags of yarn? I would - I do it sober! Unfortunately - I have little influence on trips booked at work, so I do not see that easily happen, but, the year is not over yet. This sweater brings me just one month (and 1 day) behind on my Sweater a Month KAL! But Im hanging in there, and I have still not given up to finish some UFO's. Anyhow, Im extatic by this sweater. I will definitely wear it during this coldspell! At least the cold perserves the flowers to a long blooming! Today we are off work on national Holiday. It is really political holiday, but a great recovery from Valpurgis (Valborgs) night yesterday! The students worst party time - but for me now, very quiet and relaxed - my memories of Uppsala champange-galopp are still vivid in memory. This is the time of year filled with hope of a long nice summer. The light is back (4.45 am- 8.45 pm) and it is getting ligher by the day - and the sailing boat is (unmasted) but in the sea!

ECF - Spring and stories...books..

I couldn't believe this week. Wild strike among Danish SAS (plane) cabin personnel, and I was stuck in Copenhagen. After confusing information and 5 hours (!) in 2 different queues, I was shipped to Sörups herrgård for a great buffe with wine instead of going off to Dusseldorf. Of course - without luggage. Interesting experience. No Asthma medicine, not even a toothbrush.. Anyhow, after inteste days with no knitting and some airport crazy shopping (NOW I know what a "hipster" is...) I came home, and after a long hard sleep, I woke up to a long weekend into my garden bursting of flowers. OK, I paid a little visit to Knitlab (a new yarnshop in Stockholm), and Yep, as new yarnshops look like, a bit careful, but great. A lot of Manos the Uraguay (great colours) and Alchemy -mohair-silk (with one small skein - 215 SEK = 31.27 USD!) It is just too much But those colours.. Ahh.. Anyhow, I got some more interesting books "Victorian Lace Today" and Pam Allens "Lace's Style", not to forget "Heriloom Knitting".... Im Laced up!and ohhh so many beautiful pictures. Anyhow, Im working like a "dog" to both do tax declaration, clean up the garden and finish the wonderful Enterlac before work begans again. Hugs and kisses, and maybe, just maybe - I will be going to Texas about two weeks. But, nothing is set in stone! Then Mary, you better be home for a tour of your LYS's ;-)

Spagetti-arms!

Hibby and I have washed, scraped, and painted the blue, and the whit is washed, rubbed and waxed. And - I now know why "Wax-on Wax-off" is such a great exercise in Karate-Kid. After this trying to knit is really a fumbling exersize, since my arms are like spagetti, and have no control. But half a sleeve done. And - 1.5 to go. It feels so good to knit again, after (it feels like) a long break. Anyhow, Birches are blooming and eyes are clogging up (allergy)... so it feels great when the rain came tonite. Tomorrow is early - and Im tired (of all medicins). This week - Linköping (tomorrow) and then Dusseldorf (Germany). More work, but some time to knit I hope. You know me by now... I had to throw in some great yarn there. Old, but hey.. We can have a second look at Färgkraft- swedish wool hand-dyed. It is a bit fall colour, but I really want to do something nice with it. Thinking about a Aran - but it might be to busy with the colours and pattern. Or just simple cardi. Just some nice trimmings. Thank you Epstein!