Cast On Mania continues: 3rd week

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

Cast On Mania continues..

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

Cast On Mania - COM for entire September!

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

FO- Hommage at Linnalark a Dot Ditty bag and COM

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

A short update - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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

FO - Wildfell coat

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

FO FLS - Summerversion!

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

OT: Redang, Malaysia!

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

FO - Estonian Lace Sox, and some new!

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

FO- Persephone Shell

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

FO - Cloud 9

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

FO - Broken Rib Top (with sleeves)

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

FO- Diagonal Lace Sock - and Cast On Mania

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

FO- White Peony sweater

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

Wonderful Summer!

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

FO- Sunkist

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

FO- Wedding Cardigan - Poetry of Stitches

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