When nothing is happening....

I found this Skåne-embroidery that I started. For some reason the yellow thread kept breaking. Now, 4 years later I realize the problem. Not bad wool-yarn quality as I thought immediately, but I had too thin needle. So I started again (and you can see the yellow wings of the birds..... Anyhow, Yes I can sew, I can! Rewarding.. paining with yarn. I actually done a lot of sewing when I was young(er). But - no, Im not educated by anyone, so Im sure there are TONS of tricks that I can use to make things nicer.... And I have listen to everyone advice Ive got. But the needle thing I figured out myself. That is cool. Im proud of that! So simple... those little life mysteries. So over to another "Life" summary - Im working too hard. Most of my springs work got lost due to the "safety" system (I will trust myself from now on, not a bloody clearcase system i.e. - version-handler? my a-#¤%&/!) Sigh..The sun has been shining. Choclate have melted in my handbag to make a mess. I have slowly knitted a few rows on Luskentyre. (Note, I have different colours than this beautiful site from the pattern-maker and - when I look at this, I wonder why I didn't take this colours. They are fantastic!)...And started Fetching in teal - with yarn from stash (Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran)... and I do understand the buzz with it. Fast and fun! And why is it going so slow with my Poetry knit? I do not know. Im seriously planning a to knit during the weekend. My throat is tickling again. It is easy to dress off to early when the sun comes out. But it could be all Hazel and birch... Pollen is thick in the air. Sewn flowers are safe! No pollen there ;-) Thank you dear friends for your nice comments. Btw. Im always so exited when I see you dear dear people commenting. Really cheers me on... sail-fans, you realize that that webcam jumps around. It was two bridges in picture, where our little Nord 80 is, we are (still without a mast) on the left. (we forgot a sprint!) But tomorrow? Knitting? Hope it is not windy. Anyhow, Birch (check out Yarnharlot's Birch) is really moving on. It is my second Birch, and such an easy lace knit. I do not need a pattern anymore...so Im soon getting there... a week or two at this pace... And to the right? An old project Im thinking if I should turn it into a dress. (it is more like mid T-shirt now.. It is more suitable at the beach.... was handling some of the Rowan summer cotton (silk) and some Colinette giotto... A bit blurry, but taken without my glasses on... I blogged about it 2004, but just realized why blogger eats old blogs. It is gone. Terrible. Really! My Trip to India just gone.

Yarngalore! Stash up 2008 or...

Noro Kabuto (Wool, Silk, Alpacka, Cashmere) Do I need to say more? I have for ahwile being such a good girl, being able to go in and out of yarnshops and actually come out empty handed (even temptation has been VERY severe). I thank the "Stash down 2008" for that..... But since about easter, I have flipped out completly. So the yarn, which I fondled during Christmas break - was put away (like a special sale for me!!) at Anntorps Väv in Stockholm Old town. Not only did she give me a great discount, but the yarn... I mean... I just love this one. 34 hanks of yummy Kabuto at a bargain. It is 12 coloured and the rest in black, which is just great to get my creative juice turn into champange! So.. I have already planned two or three? sweaters). Of course my eye catched a glimpse of another favourite Noro Kochoran... With a purple tone. As always. I have no exuse. It is just to easy. They just came along - three hanks. Im thinking LACE shawl! (ok, I know it is weird, but it could be a Scribbled lace shawl, you know, mix with thinner yarn? I will think about it. Ahhh! Yummy! Ann is a weaving artist, and handpaints her yarn... and she inspired to the first Cornelia Hamilton Noro book to a shawl. What a fantastic sweet lady. Not only have I worked with her dear husband, and son, but she has been around for such a long time (you know survived the time "before" the knitting craze picked up again here).. We had a boom in Sweden in the 80's as well, that was just crazy. Everyone knitted everywhere! Now it is more moderate. OK, do you think my yarncraze have stopped here? No. That is why I think joining Stash Down is counter-productive. I "have" to buy some yarn..... So, when I do, I do. So I have ordered Jamieson & Smith Woolbroker like there is no tomorrow. Of course the main reason is the fab fantastic Starmore pattern, and the great and rare booklet "SC=Scottish Collection" that I got as a fantastic gift by my dear friend Sue). Anyhow, there is no excuse. I can blame this first two yarn-crazes on my recent 3 day visit to Budapest... and the public transport was on a strike - which put everyone into panic, and that you had to try and go to the airport 4 hours before. Well...everyone was so hysteric, the city was empty, and I saw a huge amount of empty cabs just waiting... so - I missed the last day of the conference, and spend it in an airport. I truley deserved 37 hanks of yarn. End of discussion. Anyhow, back to the Starmore and SC patterns. So I have in addition to my yarn-flashing of Luskentyre and Cold Duck also ordered Catriona - and the yarn and some extras just came in the mail. So great! I love it. And dinally the colour shars. Oh, they sure have fantastic yarn! I strongly recommend them for anyone that like quality yarn! And the colour choice is fantastic. Ok. The truth is. I have 33 unfinished or should I say "ongoing" projects. It is time to do something. So, even if it is "stash up" time instead of down (hey, now - really I will ONLY buy yarn when I go to Seattle... Vancouver in July ;-) but, I should get knitting. At least I got somewhere on the Birch shawl. Anyhow, for you sailing-crazy, you could follow us tomorrow. We will be masting. Our sailboat is the only one (this weekend) on our bridge. (the left bridge) Here is the link to the webcam. Then you need to go and click on "more pictures" = mer bilder in the bottom. In the mid row, furthest to the left (or if you count left to right top to bottom it is picture 5´) You can click on the picture to enlarge it... And since it is a web-cam, you might see us putting the mast on, right there! Spring is here! Enjoy... Attjo (sneeze!)

FO Maya Vest & some stash, and Birch-Shawl

One of my fav yarns. Debbie Bliss "Maya". The last 4 hanks in a shop (in the world?): Found at Görg und Görg at Annastrasse in Aachen. I snatched them like the yarnvulture I am. And I knitted a cabled vest... Pattern is really my own, where I twisted those cables around 1,2,3 times..and it is just a bit to small. I got the neck and the cables as I wanted, but just a tiny bit longer would have been fab. But this is exactly as I have viewed it, with a white blouse underneath. And sorry... it is still unblocked, so a wash and block would make it a bit more even... But! I "have to" show you right? I hear you want STASH! and Sailing boat okok.. we were good last weekend, were it felt like SPRING was here. The sun was shining (and yes, I was BACK LAST week from my pneumonia, the worst was during Easter... So, Im fine! Just still a bit "spring tired"). And - that might be Im knitting all night (and planning sweaters in Raverly) instead of sleeping... back to Last weekend, where we did fix the sailboat. Now it is only that last coat of paint before it goes in the deep. And this week it did snow again. And some chilly wet weather, making me really anti-everything. Anyhow, for you dear Sue: Here comes Jamison & Smith Woolbrokers fab balls in endless of colours. First picture being Luskentyre (Starmore from Scottish Collection). It is slow, and all the colours (almost) are not appealing to me... but I think the mix will move me into a new realm. The yarn is very much carded quality spun yarn. But fast? 2purl with colour Q and 2 purl with colour N I do not think so. But, that never stopped me. Ok, so a better look is on the J&S Wb: Cold Duck Cardigan, which I bought all the yarn from. Much more my colours at the first glance. Also Starmore from SC. Well, while I was at it I also plunged into some greens from J&S.... Just good to have colours. No real plan, but will probably be an alternate Starmore colouring. Who knows? In the middle the discountinued "peach". So interesting. Loving it - but it is a virus, so go through all different patterns and planning yarn. Makes me crazy. Thanks I have support from the best.... Scanned colour cards from the original. you cannot go wrong there. Mommy dearest sent me the two hanks of turqoise for my Poetry cardigan. Now I do not have to change colours. It will be perfect. Thank you! So I have just passed the neck-opening.. But friend of everything... I have feeling guilty of not finishing my gift to my aunt - A birch shawl. So I have knitted on that this week. But I wait to publish that blob.

Yarn and knitting thoughts and some OT

It is a horrid picture of me. But that captures how I feel. Pneumonia and antibiotics. Away from the work, and back - now all is delayed. I really tried to conquer my hate to formal methods in research by at least attempting the course on program analysis (you know fix-point theory and such).. sounds great, but as my lovely supportive husband puts it... even my brain get an allergy reaction to it. Well, it is typical me. I attempt what is harderst for me, instead of just using my skills. And - in a whif - it is spring - meaning. Sailingboat must be uncovered, cleaned and painted - garden must get rid of old stuff, and appletrees pruned.. And now! Weed before it is too late. So, what to do when the world is "crumbling down"? Easy answer! Knit! So Im floating on my lovely Poetry of Stitches - Wedding cardigan... reaching the neck - or should it be a bit longer? Wipping away on the Birch-scarf for Aunt Viola, and my socks yah, they are not my fav. I must visit the frogpond, and I hate it. Plus side is: My bald boss I knitted hats for - actually bought me a load of Lindt 85% Choclate. Yummy. An act of hope. Another one is Internet. I sure have ordered yarn! and books. So Stahmans Shawlbook, and Debbie New's Unexpected Knitting finally landed in the overfilled Knitting library. And I and Jamieson & Smith Woolbrokers have started a love-affair. I have already ordered 3 sweaters for that great Alice Starmore book I recieved - Scottish Collection, which is such a gem. Luskentyre already casted on. Cold Duck cardigan and Catriona on its way. Then I decided to go more for my own yarn-mixes. So - you see - when I talk about yarn my brain works fine! It also sounded promising that my dear mom chased down more yarn from Gunga Din, to finish the wedding cardigan...So dear bloggers. Sorry for skipping a weekend. I will be back with a vengance... and lots of pictures! And - yeah I do spin. I just have not spun for awhile. I just have soo much to knit. But this looks really good. So there is hope! Lots of hope!

Old FO's Faroese shawl and Twinni gloves and set!

This is the first gloves I knitted in the danish yarn Twinni (Marianne Ishager) it was on needles size 2mm. Improved pattern. Golden rings around the fingers, and ready made red nails. Lace eding. I have done many hats before, so this was done with the rest of the yarn. I do not know why I never attempted gloves before, since it is really not that difficult. I guess I just did sweaters mainly. Anyhow, this was a rather fun project, that made me convert into tiny needles. Unfortunately I found them a bit chewed on by some bugs, so I have mended them. Not too bad though, but since I had not many cm yarn left, it was a bit of a challenge.Holding an easter egg done in the 90s in stoneware (by me). It is really a box. It has some goldplating on top, and since we played with the photo this easter, I thought it was fitting to wish you a good remainder of Easter with it. And unfortenately - not filled with candy! In the Background are my Hoyacollection now infested with bugs (sköldlöss!) Pyretheum - best cure, but still a lot of work. Anyhow. I promised I show my Faroese shawl. It is also an "old" Finished Object. Done in Snaeldan yarn from Faroe-islands (and Falkland-islands! - to get the best Quality!) That is what I call an Island mix. Knitted on a course for Osva Olsen. So dear Stickigt, At least I have one entry in the Faroese KAL. Now it is time for the second one! But just too many WIP's to finish first. A lot of knitting photos can be found in Flickr - see garngamen! But mostly you find me in Ravelry! The knitting community where we all want to be.

Progress: Wedding Cardigan . my poetry babe!

Poetry in Stiches - Wedding Cardigan. My easter joy! The pattern in the swedish book is of course incomplete (when to start sleeve steeks?) but Im guesstimating until someone tells me facts. With sidelight, every uneveness shows. And Im running out of yarn. The winter is strong in Sweden, and I knit and get served great healthy dinners and T by my beloved. And Im still sounding horse (hi, America Idol 2009!) Im knitting my easter away, watching old movies and Shaun the Sheep. It is so great.
Found bugs on my Hoya. Now they need all need treatment.
Happy Easter blog readers.

FO- Julsjal - It is winter again! Huh?

Finally I finished my Christmas Calender Shawl. It is Johanna's little christmas booklet, that had you tear open a page at the time with a new pattern every day. Started to the Christmas 2006, and finally I mustered up energy to finish it. I felt it was going to be spring... so I really thought it was bad, but what do you know, not only do I have a really bad cold (caught on the way home from Gran Canaria) that my poor father-in-law is also suffering from! But it is Winter again, so this Drops Alpaca 3 skein shawl can be used immediately. Still not washed, but displayed in the snow which cover the current snowy landscape. Well, I like Johanna, but the pattern were a bit cumbersome written. Could be much more.
This is just hysterical spring weather, with snow one minute and sun the next. It will melt, but this particular winter has been bare. I would not call it green, but really dark and greay. Now it is light outside. White and Cold!Unfortunately, the grand plan of cleaning up the garden in Easter seems to change into a knitting period. And get well. The origin is that someone put broth made of shrimpshells in the sauce of the GC favourite resturant. I god slowly poisened- and I mistook it as sun allergy... Of course the immune system has been busy- reacting to everything, and my hole body swollen and itchy. Lightbulb moment the other day when I realized that some allergy pills will do the trick. So, Im soo much better. Now it is just a really bad cold. Well, do not feel sorry for me, I do not. I have really been in the sofa, under some blanket and tapped away on the computer. Nice to have a little break and update the blog here. Well, since GC, I have also been on a healthy streak, freeking out on fruitdrinks. Banana, orange, melon and a stalk of celery. Some pomegranade seeds (granatäpple) to top it. Yum. No cold can survive that.

Gran Canaria

A room with a view. The Atlantic, in perfect temperature, a Hotel by the beach, with sunny salty waves rolling in. A cool pool, calm. Too much good food. A great soft knitting experience. Lorna's Lace Lamb and Lion Multi in great colours. Hey, what else could one want for a week? The very empty beaches and a loving family all around. Mom, hubby and his parents. And me and the knitting. Just perfect. Except, yawn... I really got so relaxed I only knitted through a little piece of all that was planned. So, what does a knitter pack for a 5 hour flight (times 2) and 6 full days of leasure? Here you have my personal ambition vs reality: First day - transfer... from cold to paradise! I knitted on the Hydrangea sock all the way down on the flight. Still on heel... fell asleep on the plane..
Day 1. Started ambitiously on the Gran Canaria Pool top in Lorna's lace. Plan: Knit from top down in sneakily elastic (k2, p1) and then k4, p1, Just cast off for arm, and then cast on. Ok, the first 200 yards done in a day (according to plan). Tried it on. Too small. Had to rip half of it out, redo to larger sleeve-hole. Pool is great. Long walks! Here by Bouganville in my Ballerina (Loop-d-Loop) and yes, I do use my knitting ;-) It is so nice, you can see my super pale starts to rouge nicely. Sunscreen. Sunfactor 20.... Oops. missed a spot.

Day 2. Reknitted sleeve-hole and started on new ball ;-) Realize this is crap - too small. Swimmed in sea instead.
Day 3. Started from bottom. New ball (why ripp it, it looks great ;-) knitted half the ball. Added lace - after all - it is Lorna's Lace (hihi)... MMM.. sleeping in the sun makes you dizzy. More seadipping. Great sunbead in the shade. Great service. Ahh. Calamares. Un cerveza, por favore. Nein, we sind nicht Deutch. Danke. Grazie.

Day 4. Finishing one ball. Ahh. Sunshine. Swim. Walks.... Work? Say what? That great resturant again? sure!

Day 5. Half way through second ball. Ahh. Sunshine. Burns, more sunscreen... But what a great pattern a fantastic yarn. Full, soft, and real pool colours. I love it. Lace. Ahh. and hidden elastic. In my size. Yummy!

Day 6. Last day. Really bade that great sea. Wave-machine for real is fab. Ok, I knit a bit....

Day 7 Going home: Finish ball on and start on ball 3 on plane (of 4). Still have not ripped the first attempt.

Day 8. Unpack the following with a sigh. The not finish Gran Canaria top - but could have if I did not mess up the first two days! Now another UFO in my pile. Realizing that the great pic by the pool is not for the public. Hydrangeasock just got a bit knitted. But more: My ambition was: The Dominosocks in Nickerjack yarn for the March Sock Kal. Finish the Hydrangea sock. Start the Birch shawl for Viola and - I also have one great ball of Artyarns in matching colours to the Gran Canaria top, that would have been sleeves..... Im back! But ohhh what a holiday. Get this one! Almost empty beach. Ohh, I forgot. The pool. Since the pic of Mary (the contrary one...;-) I have this image of the pool on my retina. Etsed in. Like this... This is the evening shot. Still warm wind in breezing. The soft cotton cardi is great. It is still warm.. the pool is soft. The colours are fab. Ohh, Lorna Lace - be ready for this. When will we meet again?
But strangely enough, Work was fun today. The bed was softer and nice than in a long time. Without the roaring sea rolling it was so quiet that we heard the first spring birds singing with the early light. And I love my life. So what I didn't knit. There is always time. Captured in a top. The Gran Canaria top is tip-top!

FO - Sticka (HW's) False Cable sock

So Helen's masterpiece (available at Sticka's homepage for free patterns - in Swedish....) and the February Sock in Sticka Mera's Sock-klubb. I must say, a genious pattern! The super-elastic false cables are over 4 rows, and so fast it grows quickly. Very comfy and well written pattern, which I followed exactly (hmm, except I added extra stitch in two, before decrease... anyhow. This one is worth a second pair. The yarn gave me a blister, but I have knitted like a maniac every evening (almost). It went like this. Cast on and rib 30minutes. The first 12 cable rows until heel started 3 hours (with full concentration - 5 hours when watching exiting TV, like Scrubs, and Cold Case and the Cronicles of R...)
A heel was one way to Västerås (1 hour) and knitting gusset, the way back (including dinner on train).. the foot one night (with distractions) and the toe the next. And do it all over again ;-) Except, I have to add one extra hour getting the yarnmess (after travelling unprotected in my handbag) into a ball again. The yarn is Grignasco Champange. 70% silk and 30 % extra fine merino. Made in Italy. And a scrumptious yarn. Soft and durable. Im already in love with these socks. And tomorrow is the exiting Yarn-festival, and Sticka's yearly meeting, with Osva, the Faroese Shawl teacher/native speaking. What a treat. This year I will chase yarn for my US friend.... Swedish yarn, great quality! Hope I find some in just her colours!

FO- Jaywalker socks

In Regia - Kaffe Fasset Line, the classic Jaywalker socks are knitted. Simple, yet effective. I did a stronger heel, but followed the pattern to the letter. Even if I tried hard to avoid the second sock syndrome, by knitting them at the same time on two dpnds set. One set (of 5) was conveniend 15 cm and the other set 20 cm. Ok. 15cm is soo much easier to knit on. But that foot was slow. Somehow, 10 years warranty on yarn is fantastic, but I notice I just my ring-finger in a weird way, and really get a soar finger with this yarn. Not too good. Colours are great. Anyhow, The SC (scottich Collection) made my yarndiet totally bust. And when you are bust you are. So I ordered 2 sweaters (Cold Duck cardigan and Luskentyre) from J&S. Then today I spent (husbands) money on 3 hanks a 140 SEK on Manos del Uruguay. "Almost" the same as my Debbie Bliss Maya. Reason is Im running out of yarn for my vest.. And the Eskimo I bought in Uppsala will definitely look a bit odd if used otherwise than edging. Anyhow. I immediately have started the Helene Sticka's fake cable sock pattern. In Silver! I have just started, but I like old gal (from the 40s)... Most proud am I for cleaning my "ceramics" cellar. I think it is the first time (maybe second) this garbage collector has been really clean. One reason is we moved down the kitchen cabinets (hubby is soo good tearing them down), and that makes it so orderly. I even put out a carpet! That is an improvement. Otherwise Im thinking why my enourmus amount of Lavender does not do its job in the yarn room. Last night I found one small moth hitting the lamp. I saw it for a second - and gone. Now moth-paranoia started. Just bought the DVD's Shaun the sheep. So, we are really having "life is a treat". Bleet!

From Colour choice panic to a fantastic gift!

It is obvious my progress of the Poetry of Stiches (Dikt i maskor) is slow. But glass beads in place. Now - here is the catch. Neither of the two planned yarn will be enough (the one on very left or very right) but the middle hank is an angora, that is "almost" as the one on the left.. Instincts tell me that the pattern is busy enough without adding an extra colour. My original plan was darker body, lighter sleeves. but now Im backing out of that (for no good reason).. I wonder how much difference the angora does (and don't you dear say the word swatch). Help, I plead help. I have also thought, maybe this slight turqoise teint is taking the pattern a bit off. Should I go for new light blue? when I looked at it it just feel a bit boring. I do not know why. I like light blue. I guess I have been set so long on this colourscheme, it is a miracle if I would change. I of course went through stash, and somehow the only (!) feasible alternative was lavender lilac... and - no, that is too much of a change. Somehow, I like this combo. Please help me? Meanwhile I can show you some real progress... Jaywalker... come on, I must get started (and finish) the Sticka lace socka before Februarys end. At least I have turned the heal, and made the gusset on one of them, and it feels Im turning the corner to reach the finish. Some good knitting today. It is Kaffe Fasset Regia Line (yarn) if you are curious. This is a great story, and I met the grandson of the founder of Regia (which had a different namen in the 40s in Germany during the war). He was proud, and - he is one of my work collegues. Small world, hey? He also pointed out that the yarn is durable, and this has a 10 year (!) garantuee!
WOW is it stainless steel? no just kidding. But I agree, you can feel it when knitting. Not a knot, and very many tightly spun threads. Yes, Jaywalker is a great pattern, but pattern was not as easy to read around the heel. But I know what the aim was, so I got something...Anyhow, I guess this is not all items Im doing progress on. For example, I have a half hour I spend on my "christmas calender Shawl" from Advent 2006... Im at least finishing day 15... slowly. but getting there. It is long and heavy already. But I have noticed, the very dark green will be super-difficult to get a good picture on - with all details and pattern. Anyhow, it is still intresting enough. My last item here is the Maya vest. I really want to wear it. Im too hot for a big sweater, and too cold with none. This would be perfect. It starts with a simple cross, But Im making it more and more crossing the higher I go.... so - cable me down. The Faboulus fantastic great super gift that arrived is from my friend Sue from Virginia. A great person I met in Ravelry (where I spend too much time in all 115 knitting groups). She had found Starmore's et al's The Scottish collection and sent it to me. It is like the collectible item I have really search for. Im just so happy about it, I almost break out in tears when I think of her generosity. So now Im putting together a big surprise for her. I mean, some things just hit the right spot. What a Valentines gift. Wow. that is all I have to say. Wow. So, now, I really want to knit.... and husband is already out tearing down the kitchen cabinets. Great with sundays!

Standstill or just VERY much on my mind...

What a day, what a week. It feels like I have irritated everyone around me. And Im a bit frustrated as well. I was so planning to present Jaywalker socks, and a new slipover.. with my own cabled pattern. And instead I have But this weekend we have been totally crazy, trying to book a trip to Gran Canaria with mom, mother and father in law, dearest husband and me. And we were on our way to nothingness before we succeed in this fantastic trip. Wow, how fab. I will knit and hopefully see sunshine. And get a dip in the pool. But there is really no excuse. We have just being cleaning, trying to get my life, goals and jobs in order. And renovation. It is not that I have not been knitting. It it the fact I do a bit about every knit. Im reaching the heel-flap on both my Jaywalker socks. I have still one upper half of the vest to go (but it is growing), and then there is the christmas shawl, that i knitted one more ball (almost) of - meaning, only one ball left = 1/3 scarf. Finally... Im slowly, like sipping great wine, knitting on my stranded Wedding cardigan with beads of Poetry of stiches, by Solveig Hisdahl. Another great thing, is that I freaked out on books: I have now the following fab books in my Starmore collection:

22 Aran Sweaters for Men, Tudor Rose, Celtic Design, Pacific Coast, Fair-Isle, Fishermans sweaters, American Portraits, Scandinavian Knitwear, Designs from British Isle -- Lovely!

And I have also got a lot of Danish design-books, Isagers "Inspired from" series: Inka, Japan (added to Knitting out of Africa and Strikk) among other gems. Im truley blessed - having found Amazon! Also, I have placed a huge order on Japanese and other asian knitting books and magazines. Im feeling my knitting library and stash looks really good. And with all cleaning, this place is starting to shape up. No winter this year. I wonder if it will be an early spring, meaning high time to get out in the garden and start the pruning.

No FO. 2ManyKAL!

I love Shaun the Sheep. I rather watch every 7 minute session on You Tube than knit. That must be the most smart program after Scrubs. I have no FO's. I think the reason is I was too ambitious. Im now on Jaywalker (for one KAL) and then Sticka's socka is next. Also trying to work on the Christmas calender scarf, the Wedding Cardigan, the cabled west.. and hopefully cast on some mittens before month end. Im thrilled I have readers. My mom confessed she printed my entire blog, and read it all. Now, this entry is so coded mum, you MUST google it ;-) Im here. I will present. Meanwhile. What Shaun on You Tube and tell me. What is the best scene? How to pass a cat blocking the door is great! Painting sheep on windows haha...

My ears are RED....

No, my ears are red, is NOT due to the cold winter weather (it is surprisingly warm now) but to the fact that this blog have been nominated to "you make my day" at dear Millie's blog Stiches and Stories. Well, I think it is amazing that someone across the world even find me. Yet alone apprechiating my "broken" english/american... But it is encouraging, that I have an audience. Having trouble living up to this fantastic grace Im diving into my knits again. That is humbling. This is the current focus: Poetry of Stiches (Dikt i maskor) by Solveig Hisdahl. This is the Wedding Cardigan. But Im not using the kit, Im such a good girl taking the yarn from Stash (bought at Gunga Din) which I very much suspect is Kampes (!) yarn and beads from Indian market... Also, the lighter burgundy (not the purple) is a gift from Zoë in the tea cup swap - Jamieson Shetland spindrift. To this I have also added one strand of yellow silk (you will see...). The main problem with this is: The pattern calles for 30x34 and I have 20x ? (!!!) as gauge. Really something to laborate with. But it makes it easier to "fit" it to my size. Since the biggest complaint is that it is fjord-climing Norweigian models that Hisdahl is knitting for - meaning small and medium. She never met a full size women poor thing. Having also "nagged" at Oleana - who has the greatest patterns, but carries Max XL and only very rarely... Well, It is an experience, since the sweater is a completely different experience, when all patterns is enlarged. So Im knitting "small" and it will become a great XXXL. Well, I have started to exercise, but it is not even close shrinking. I think people who knit a lot - that are mini's that is another thing. But It is really a "third" more sweater on us. Anyhow, when it becomes too much "pattern", I swiftly jump over to a free-knit. Cable- vest done in Debbie Bliss Maya yarn. Quick and easy, but fun with just experimenting with cabling. Very similar to Braid from Rowan..this square lattice... But Im knitting it from the back-side. It is really great actually. It creeps up on me this "I must do things in a certain order" why did I sing up for all this? Two Sock KAL's and one Mitten KAL, and the Sweater a month KAL is ticking. I will so not live up to it all. But - knitting is fun, so keep them jamming! It is obviously the Sticka-sock who is February. And Jaywalker sock.. and then we have some great Cable mittens (in finish!)... Ohlala! BTW. Brother tells me it was Sandviken and not Gävle he had his exhibition, and it does not matter now, it is already back in storage. Sigh...Pictures, I say PICTURES! Im also in the "Knit a MILE" KAL for January - I will not make it. Im just reaching 900 meters... And then "Finish UFO's in February".. well yah, that is i feable attempt to at least finish ONE of all of them. Pressure! Now, I really must knit some more.
Love to you all my knitting - blogging friends!

Monkey Socks and more..

Monkey - the third pair of socks for January! A free pattern from Knitty, very popular, fun to knit, and just nice. I killed a sweater for the yarn, that is what knitting socks from stash means. The yarn is made in Italy, Gepard CottonWool bought at Trassel in Täby, ages ago. I have a whole sweater of this, in baby blue, baby pink and light grey. All of them is going to be my new socks - to be used. I decided to make reinforced heel, and also knit the pattern longer into the toe...
Thinking a bit practical, and having been warned that the pattern might be too tight, I went up from 2.5mm to 3mm. Idea was that socks could be thrown in the machine - and shrink comfortable. Since Im really going to use them, I thought that would be and advantage...But they feel a bit too loose right now. Anyhow, recomended. And also knitted for the Sockklubb 2008, as my January entry. At least I did all my main goals for January. Now it is only a sweater to finish (HA!) forget that. So, Im inbetween Poetry of Stiches "Wedding Cardigan", and Bohus "Vildäpplet". I picked Wildäpplet up, just to check where I was, and that soft great yarn. And I started to count stiches. Something aint right here, that is all what I have to say. Did I count wrong when dividing the collar into sleeves front and back? Hmm.. Im curious of next month. And - I found more now, when cleaning the Yarn-room that should go on the UFO/WIP list. I at least have started some other "goal". Do some repairwork in my clothing area. They are also thrown into the yarn-room, and the amount of busted buttons are surprisingly big. Im planning for a lot of things getting fixed. Now it is a matter of getting into Finishing Februrary. But I only have "heavy" projects... so that is not so easy with all KAL's ongoing! (KAL= Knit-A-Long, translation for my brother, who I know is checking in! ang complains about our knitting lingo) By the way, he and his friend has an exhibition in Gävle now. Have a look: Johan Mauritzson - skulptur och måleri Plats: IDKA Kulturkiosken Nygatan 41 mittemot musikbörsen, Gävle.

WIP or Unfinished Object (UFO) list...

Of course it was not 2009.. But I thought it was funny I wrote it wrong, and let it stay... Time goes fast, but not that fast.. still 2008. Am I trying hard to finish all unfinished objects? Hmm...
So I made a list of UFO's.
1. Bohus WildApple, collar is done, now on the short-rows
2. Cardigan (machine-knitted, but really hard to assemble and add brims.) See green bottom picture
3. Noro Silk Garden Cardigan (Rosedale inspiration), sleeves and most of body done!
4. Sleeves for grey Jaeger aran cable sweater
5. Sleeves for Bergå west (but I like the west…Hmmm)
6. Brioche one-thread in Färgkraft (lime and green) still half a front and two sleeves…
7. Märta-stina inspired bag (yarn is so hard I get blisters!)
8. Scarf (christmas calender) about half (from 2006)
9. Wedding Cardigan - fair-isle from Poetry of Stiches (just started... fun and diffucult)
10. Shinano cardigan (yeah,,,should I frog or?)
11. Two-end knitted cardigan, purple Anne-Maj Ling's (simplify...)
12. Speede-sweater (actually 2 of them, one green, one blue) Both are blocking needles!)
13. Bohus Yellow Lace collar -Needs frogging back a bit
14. Latvian mitten -Blue 2 place...one to go
15. Latvian mitten - baby alpacka more than one to go
16. Håndplagg vott (embroydery still…)
17. Hubby bottled green sweater. sleeves…(picture below)
18. Alpacka cap for cousin (!) must make more fun...lots of VM (Vegetable Matter)
19. Two-end knitted mittens (see Pic above)
20. Hydrangea Socks (just started)
21. Re-knit of Bohus Skogsmörkret (just around of waist)
22. And the very recently added Maya Vest (my new good nite knit)
23. And the Monkey socks almost half a sock left and Im working on it like a maniac...
24. Handspun sweater
25. Gotland Fardhem Sweater
26. The Gurnsey (just done the rib.... Still waiting for my decision on pattern
27. The Newspaper sweater variant (Marianne Ishager)
28. Hanne Falkenberg Studio 9 (pattern for short, but I want it long!)
What have I left out? Probably a lot more... At least these are in the box of UFO's. How many are realistic to finish this year? That is a question. Also, the KAL's will definitely force me into a whole bunch of socks and mittens.... so - a Sweater a month, and the socks and mittens. And the Sweater a month will be based on the UFO list? I have also a list of what I call "decided". that means, I have the yarn, I have decided on the pattern, and it is just waiting for me to want it enough to get going. Examples:
29. Enterlac in HV-lime yarn (been planned for years)
30. Kochoran II - Large Cardigan with Red brim
31. DaCapo Hanne Falkenberg
32. Hexagon-sweater by Norah Gaughan
And a whole lot of Bohus....No... this is a bit much. If I do these and can keep up with my KAL's. But we could all call them WIP's insted. Wonderful important Projects (or VIP - VERY IP!) or What I Produce ;-) just kidding...Time to knit some more! Got a pair of socks to finish.

...and 2009 is also Mittens, HATS and UFO's!

I really understand why knitting hats are great! You only do one, and then your are done. No need for another one with a pattern repeat, like socks and mittens. Anyhow, I got a flu just getting better from the cold. A real bad one. Lost my voice, and now Rudolf the rein-deer has competition with his red nose! But, a trooper like me... between kleenex, and lots of tea (and ice cream - great for a sore throat) -at least I can knit. So, with 3 balls of Noro Cash iroha, I started with the Mitten KAL 2008 january entry "Tweedy mitts". Then I

noticed that February had a great pattern - Hand/Wrist warmer from Canadian Living (that b.t.w. has a lot of great free patterns!). The twisted pattern became the second pair of "fingerless" mittens, with a hole for the thumb. So, what now? Still some yarn. Of course, I combined these two patterns and made a Twisted tweedy cross-bread hat. Of course, so the hat would fit both mittens. Warm, soft and cosy! Now it is really time to get the Moneky socks going... and finish some UFO's (unfinished objects). The "set" looks a little weird. You have to use your imagination! But quick knits are somehow rewarding. You cast on and off the same day. Big difference from the XX(X)L sweaters I usually do! Got to blow my nose again... CU! Attjo..

2008 - The year of Socks!

Starting strong in the new year, with finishing of an UFO (Austrian socks 1) Outer pair, and then quickly knitting the inner socks (Austrian socks 2) for myself. Husbands socks are a bit longer on the calf, and I got stripes. Hubbies are a but uneven, Mine just looks uneven in the toe. It encapsulates the year and all goals set for next year. Knit UFO's (Unfinished objects), knit from yarn stash and knit socks. At least Im going to attempt a sock a month, maybe be good and follow all the Sock KAL's, and in addition Im also doing a Mitten KAL and a Sweater a month KAL again. But Im not going to chase myself with it. I knit for fun, not to complete projects. I knit what I want, and really, I need socks. Anyhow, these socks are from Saalbach area, bought 2004 Both in two colours of Bergenzerwälder "Bauernwolle" naturbelassen, on 4mm needles. Of course my own design with a reinforced heel. Knitting from stash does not mean I will not buy yarn. I will just knit as much as I can from stash.

Chronicle over 2007 = NEKHIAD

Time for the chronicle with the title NEKHIAD = Not enough Knitting Hours In A Day! A travalling year. I have been to France (Marseille, Nice and Riviera, Grenoble) and some great Anny Blatt Cashmere (among others). Seuol in Korea, Shanghai and Beijing in China with some great yarn (picture), India (Chennai), London (Stash and Loop) and Windsor in UK, Aachen (with great yarnshop and finds e.g. Maya from Debbie Bliss from Görg und Görg in Annastrasse) , Dusseldorf in Germany, Budapest in Hungary, Tallin in Estonia and Gotland (Swedish great island.... with LOTS of great Fardhem spinnery yarn Huskroken etc!). Not to mention all Swedish great and new places...Travelling it has mostly been knitting on Lotus Blossom tank top (see last posting), time consuming lace! But lets LIST this years accomplishments!

1. Alice Starmore's "Tudor Rose" Catherine Parr in Kampes mixed with estonian laceyarn, and Mojärvs mixed with färgkraft. 10 weeks knitting! Posting a 18th of March here!


2. "Buttefly traces", own design, in recycled silk! Finished on 9th of April!


3. Turquoise Enterlac, own design, in Noro Kureyon and Malabrigo Emerald, May 1


4. My 1st "Enterlac", own design, in Jaeger Matchmaker merino, May 20 Definitely was an UFO....


5. "Ballerina" by Teva Durham in Loop-d-Loop, adapted (sleeves) by me..in Aracunia Cotton, June 10 ! That was quick... a one week knitting (in Grenoble!)


6. Circular Sweater or "Twisted Floated Shrug" by Annie Modisett from Vouge fall 2005, a UFO from 2005 finally finished 30th of June


7. Kochoran Cosy Sweater, own design and buttons. July 18. Got addition on collar...and might get more...


8. Handspun socks, knitted own design. Fleece from Kartehuset 6 oct


9. Six different "Jacuzzi hats for boss", own design. All six finished ad Blogged Oct 31 and on Oct 26. I hear the sun in the house adopted the dark blue for regualar use! Great!


10. Domino-modular Knitted top, own design based on Vivian Höxbro's square! Nov18


11. Good-night Quick-knit Sweater, my own design in yarn Colinette Point Five bought on Sale from Fantasy (Arvika) ages ago..., Finished Dec 9th.


12. Lotus Blossom Tank Top, from Interweave Knitting by Shoji, and added sleeves in yarn Du Store Alpakka Baby-Silk posted 30th of Dec.

And maybe a "cheat" entry, just outside the list... but I made this UFO into a west. Maybe it s a "half sweater"? anyhow, my own design, and Jaeger Aran yarn, on 27th of Nov. All in all a great knitting year. I did not achieve all I wanted, but I had a good run. at least 10.5 sweaters! Also, the stash got organized in shelfs with glass doors (some of it), and I got my tech. lic. degree. Not bad at all. Other great knitting news is of course me joining Ravelry, which is absolute fab for knitters. Im afraid I have started some knits in the same pace as finishing them... So I guess I will not make any promises at this point Finally a chronical also need some reflections.

• Best knit of the year? No doubt Cathering Parr. Great result, quick and fun to knit.


• Worst knit? My first enterlac sweaters last sleeve (the first was easy), which had uneven number of squares, which ment an unfitted sleeve, re-knitted 3 times, until I gave up and did it from cuff and up. No wonder it was an UFO!


• Greatest yarn-buy? I was extatic when I found the yarnshop in Shanghai! Not to mention my "find" in Aachen - Maya a discountinued yarn (now Manos del Uraguay) from Debbie Bliss. Or maybe was it the Kochoran buy (on the net and also at Strikk)... no it must be..


• Worst yarn? Match-maker merino from Jaeger. Not only superwash (which I did not see at purchase) but it also behaved like an acrylic and lost all spoonginess in wash, ruined the first enterlac.. How depressing!


• Best Knitting book? When I found the oldest Bohus knitting book original I have been searching for at least five years to find.


• Worst knitting context experience? Realizing on the Swedish Knit-meet in Leksand that the wedding was on Saturday and on Sunday, having me forced out after only 1.5 days. What a disaster.


• Best knitting context experience Gotland vacation and yarnhunt - Summer and fibers. What could be better?

On that note I let it rest for looking back. Beware of looking forward in the next few days. Take care out there in 2008!

Last day! Last FO Sweater!

Happy Old year. In the last minute the IK Lotus Blossom Tank top (with added sleeves outside pattern) is finished. Maybe I will add a lace row on the sleeves, but with just a few hours before the new year - I declare it finished. So, Sweater a Month KAL get another contribution, but I still have some more to finish 12. I must count. I guess I managed until September? or was it October? I still have some in the 90% bracket to be finished, but not this year.
Anyhow, a great KAL to keep me focused on finishing some sweaters. This was a time-consuming knit, and I used Du Store Alpakka's baby alpacka-silk yarn. It is heavy. Also I added on a bit to make it "my size". Sleeves to hide bingo-wings. They do look uneaven but I guess Im stretching around... it needs a press. Anyhow, In front of the librarys knitting book shelfs, re-organized. Typically vacation ideas.
Well, now we have lit the fire in the "kakelugn" (which is a special stove from the turn of the century). Most people go to parties, (except us, who are just enjoying a quite evening) wear silly hats, drink lots of champange, and toast the new year - with a lot of fireworks. Im glad there has been a bit wet snow in this rather green holiday, so the fire risk is not so bad. Also, I live in a neighbourhood, where it seems like everyone is competing to win the "most expensive and extravagant fireworks" because we just climb to our balcony and look out at the spectacle that lasts for 15-20 minutes where the whole neighbourhood is polluted with cemicals. At least, we are not buying any. I hope they forbid it, it has gone too far. Or an age-limit of 30 something. Well.. other New Years musts in Sweden? We also watch a stupid sketch with "James" and the countess (he pretends to be all 4 guests and the servant, and of course get drunker by the minute) We just saw it "I kill that cat" - said after he "accidently" drinks the vase instead of the glass of port....Tomorrow will be the 2007 chronical - and all new years promises, goals and hopes for 2008! Have a great Happy New Year to all of you!