FO- Falling Tears finished.

Finished the Falling Tears socks - with the wonderful yarn I won (Zauberball). StickaMera Sockklubb - April.
Still have half a sleeve, since I got interrupted with moms urgent request from a "Ebba Stålhandske" -pattern called "Dragspelsmössa". I was really trying to find Kochoran nr 31 to finishe my long coat, but dearest Ann (Ann-Torp's Väv) in the Old town did have a lot of wonderful yarn, but not just that. Had a great stroll in the city - and got to see the horse Cavaleri (hmmm) have their change on the castle. And then paining kitchen. And pruning apple trees and enjoying the wonderful cookies of my aunt. Dear husband made a claim of the socks... so, they do have some ease.

Falling Tears on the needles

Not ready just yet, but I guess it was time to show you that there is lots of progress here in all aspects. I have knitted one sock of the "Falling tears" pattern, from StickaMera SockKlubb (you see the banner on the right). Progress is good since all knitted under transportation (mostly car, but also train) it is the time to get the boat ready for summer-time. I have also done almost one sleeve of the Hisdahl "Wedding cardigan", and yes, now half the kitchen is painted, but still many more layers to do. I also celebrated my "new job" - same company, with getting myself a present. The Solveig Hisdahl "Festjakke" from Hifa, in white and lilac. Beautful. Might move up the PIG's ladder. I am so exited. The pattern just went bust, and I hunted it down - I am so happy I got it. I have glaread at it for years. Our Japan travel will be rebooked, but neither hubby or I are sad about it. We still need to paint kitchen, prune 6 Apple-trees not to mention prune many many roses.... gardening is wonderful. and most of all we need to work more on the boat. Never have we been so happy to move a wonderful vacation. I guess it is the ashes, and my heart is with all in consequence. Well, better to be safe than sorry.

OT - Paris in spring!

In business suit - matching the cherry tree at Jardin des Plantes.. Sometimes work brings you sun when you need it the most..... Paris in spring.. do I need to say more? and yes, I also got to buy some cashmere to my "collection". The Magnolia were superb too... and I started to knit a sock..... "Falling tears" with Zauberball. I feel so blessed, but a bit tired. Also succeed to catch a cold..or was it just the "other side of spring"?? It was much warmer than at home, where it is still some snow... a tiny pile lingers on.

FO-Garngamens Braid

Wonderful Noro Silk garden in my favurite colourscheme is finished. A typical garngamen sweater, invented on the fly, reknitted more than once, and finally from a very old UFO into working.. and I love it! I can tell I threw in the cables on sleeves and the front a bit late - to ease the fitting, but it did the trick. Also notice I have it on a bit slanted, but hey, I had to catch the last light of this weekend - busy as ever. Yes China was fab - forgot my camera, but my mobile pics needs some special work to get here, so "later". So - why am I so busy I cannot blog? I have been on a funeral - my mothers man for the last 22 years, have stopped feeding the wonderful birds. I got a picture of Mr Woodpeckar (or is it Miss?) and also a wonderful quick snapshot (sorry for poor quality) of my dear cousins "OS-cap". Remarkable. He just got all info from the web - and just did it. He is really smart. He told me that the ladies in the shop really gave him a stare.. The story going like this....He just liked it - and he needed a cap... so he went to the yarnstor (I think it was Yll and Tyll, Uppsala) and asked for the OS-hat pattern yarn and hook. He asked what a "luftmaska" was (rather basic)...The lady asked him if he knew how to crochet - which he did not. But there were many people in the store, she did not have time to teach him.. He explained not to worry, "how hard can it be?" walked home, and got all information from the web. That is pretty cool. He have now done two more (girlfr5end and his FIL), and also made a lining inside (in fleece) to handle the artic visit they are planning... Sweden "very up-north". He sure impressed both me, mom and hubby... And his mom also want one... I wonder if he gets hooked?? One can hope. Anyhow - the rest of the weekend has been painting the kitchen - it is a bit crazy in there - we are doing "flax-seed oil paining"- which really means doing it three times....So it is a slow process, but it will be so wonderful. Real wood-kitchen cabinet. Rare this days... I am so exited. But most of all - it is lack of space - so slowly it will get painted in the light clear grey...With the "dove-blue" walls it will magically become a blueish kitchen. Where the white is - that is where my home-made tiles will go - oh no, I have not even started them, but it will be a busy spring. Somehow I do feel very happy. A lot of exiting things going - and I LOVE wearing my new cardi. I mean - the colourscheme is just fab. I still have some yarn, so I am heavily discussing pockets, and collar. I am not sure.. It works fine as is, but it is very rewarding to have all the extra's and additions too. Ahh, I love the colour and comfort.

FO: OS in the Bag and Hubby scrap Socks

First there is the "final" entry of the Ravelympics. "OS in the bag".. finished on time, but long time for me to blog about it (oh yes, I did get a 4 gold medals ;-) I am still thinking of "embellishing"... and maybe a larger "lid" to cover.. But not much yarn left. This was also Noro Kureyon brown 3 hanks. Button from Laura in Blue Mountins in Australia - who is by the way flooded (I do feel for them). We are only suffering a little leak through the already fixed roof... which of course make us very confused. It might be the thick is in the gutter that created a build-up. Anyhow - we have to mend the ceiling. I am on my way for two weeks to China - whilst hubby holds the fort here. So it might be hard to make a posting next week (have not found the cord yet! for the small camera) To make hubby a bit happier - I at least got him some loving socks, made of scrap-bits of Östergötlands Ullspinnery yarn. Lots of Cable's it is. Both of the patterns are my own invention. No time to chat now. Dinner, then shower and off to airport... so stress....
Take care out there.. I brought 3 socks and one UFO/WIP with me (cardigan)... That will be intersting to see how much time I will have. I feel so over committed right now.

FO- Hearts on my Sleeve (Ravelympics)

Hearts on my sleeve - Finished! My Ravelympics "sweaterboard cross" event sweater. From scratch and done in a week. Ok. Today was a bit hectic - especially today. When I realized the sleeves were not fitting, I had to do the little extra" underneath. Now they might be slightly too big. But it is 17 wonderful hanks of Noro Kabuto yarn, and - yes - maybe hard to see - but there are pockets. Two of them, and real ones - with home-made cearamic buttons. This means I concluded the third of the four events. Unfortuntately no "beads" involved so I have to drop out of that event, but definitely sweater board cross medal. I also used a small very expensive ball of "Habu" in a strange flimsy yarn for the sleeve edge, the collar and the pockets. Now - this is gray hour in Sweden. Look at the next pic done at the same time with a flash. Amazing. It is pretty dark -blue outside. Tpmorrow our kitchen will arrive! How great! then it is just three layers of Linseed-paint to get it in shape. So, this is the first days there has been warmer than freezing here, so it is becoming wet!
Have a nice knitting Sunday. I will at least attempt my last event... "OS in the bag".. but I might not get it. I have to work tomorrow.

FO- Freeform sweater - WIP Dance!

Finally the Free-form sweater is finished. I entered this at the "Ravelypics WIP Dance Event" The sweater has long been lurking, and with 60% to finish, it was a bit more work than anticipated, but it has been a fun ride. It is a little pocket there (black-patch in front). And of course I had to add a heart on the Valentines, a lot of weird twists and turns and some parts knitted in pieces, and added on. It all started with the long "filled with holes" lime green beltshaped thing, that swings around - and from where I built the sweater. I just LOVE it. This is REALLY true me, when I let go of conventions and express my inner fun. Of course It is super cold outside - and there are still a lot of small see through "holes" that might have some additions. And I am still contemplating doing a turtleneck (Swe: polo-krage). Being a bit behind on my OS-tracks, I need to get going with the rest. I am not sure if it is flattering, but it is fun! Of course not the same from front and back. One sleeve knit in a spiral. Yarn: Most it is Debbie Bliss Silk-Alpaca Aran, then there is three wonderfully thick and lush silk-alpaca from Catalina yarns (bought at the London Stitch and Knit show 2004). A tiny todd of a discontinued Noro yarn, that had "glitter" in it (here it mostly looks grey) but it sparkles in green! I am so happy I am finished. It was a lot of stitches putting it together, sohoho nice... to get done. This also concludes second sweater - February for the IntSweMoDo (International Sweater Month) the Do we are still discussing if it is the Simpson "Duh" or "Doit" or Done or Dodedacon (12) which I think was the original...Happy knitting....

Olympics! FO - OS Hat! One skein!

It is the Olympics! And also Ravelympics for us knitters.This is HatHalf-pipe, Stash busting and one-skein! Good old Noro Kureyon that I had in an odd colour. Embellished of course in good OS colours! Still short days, but it slowly getting better. But we are painting doors, and fixing wardrobes... The usual work at weekends, except wash and dishes and all that everyday work that seems to pile up on week-ends. Anyhow, this little gem did not take many hours to knit - it is fun-crazy... An the colours are so wrong they are right. It sure brightens up a dark day. Now I am "wip-dancing" with a sweater... Rather fun actually. Then it is off to the complete new sweater... But I had to do a "warm-up" event first. We knitters - so much fun. Heja Sverige! Go Team Sweden! Soon preparing for Sock-Hockey....

Did you like the change?

Ok - The layout is changed. Do you like it? Cleaner some how. At the same time I managed unfortunately to drop a lot of info. That is life - going with the flow and embrace change. I have for example totally changed the colours of the "Butterfly" cardigan - originally designed by Solveig Hisdahl (you know - the main designer at Oleana). And - I am using PT2 (Per Tyving 2-thread) for the pattern - so I am using the colours I have collected. Starting with the sleeves for a change. Is yellow ok there? Hmmm, I am still not sure about the colour combo - it feels wild. But burried in snow it feel ok to knit warm wool. I am of course working on many knits as usual, and this "scrap" yarn collection is an inspired cable-galore for husbands socks. Nevertheless, it feels good. I have only three balls left to knit on the huge Windfell coat! That will be so wonderful now when it feels like winter never ends. Happy knitting my friends!

FO-Kristina socks, and FO: Stinglingar mudd

First these wonderful socks. StickaMera (or KnitMore in Ravelry) has done the pattern "Kristina" - my middle name, Yarn: Gepard CottonWool (from Trassel), and the January knit/KAL entry for StickaMera SockKlubb 2010. If you have not joined - do it NOW! and I love the simplicity with the running cable. Pure joy to knit them. Thanks Ulrika! But - the wonderful times does not stop there! I was the very lucky winner in the SockKlubb draw - and I won these wonderful sockyarn from Garnkorgen! It is amazing. I got to choose the colours myself - and I took something that worked with jeans - since I use my socks all the time now. So the third year of socksclubbing And then - Santa's little helper - my dear friend from the US, send this fantastic shawlpin in silver as a chrismasgift.. Is it just so beautiful... Thank you so much Sue! You are truely the most generous person I know. The silverartist is Brenda Rajkovich, also known as "Silversiren" in Ravelry. Just so fab looking. Million dollars. And yes - I have picked up and old dear UFO from the pile. Started 5 years ago - when we were the little knit-group "Sticklingarna" - Dear Pia made this pattern of leafs to make cuffs/wrist-warmers. With Beads I tell you - and Kid-silk Haze yarn, they actually turned out great. Many many shortrows, and pre-stringing.... I am still very happy it is over. Sorry for this terrible photo... But the light goes so quickly. Still VERY cold here and lots of snow. I definitely feed the birds a bit extra. Otherwise I am planning for Team Sweden Ravelympics (like a knitting olympics ;-) and I am of course entering in more than one event. Knitting on and working. But happy when the fireplace sparks.

FO Opal Rush!

I am so happy! My Opal Rush is finished! And also my research paper is finished and sent to print. Yippie! It is pitch black outside, when I got the last button in, so I had to do an indoors shot, but I will take one outside with me in it - next weekend. Then it might be washed and pressed to (or it might not ;-) A really great project, started on boxing day, 24 days of knit! The yarn is 2.8 "cakes" of Plötulopi (förgarn) and 1.5 ball of Färgkraft (one in Peony, one in Tulip) and one strand of Forsell's merino in colour Amethyst (it is superthin, even if it is called "3-ply"). Where one of each yarntype is held together. The buttons were horrific expensive at Mattsons band, but since this is a gem - I thought it needed pearlcoated (sv. pärelomor) buttons with a little print. I must say, the original pattern is from Vouge and called "Cropped cardi" and the bell pattern on the side is just fab. Of course, I cannot have cropped, so I elongated it to cover the belly - and also re-shaped the straight "military jacket" to a more A-shape - this especially accentuated in the front! The big picture is way to light, and I think the colour is more true inon the button picture. But - I think the extra is that I found a little piece of Angora, in navy blue that I coated the inside of the neck in. I think that was really the thing, since Lopi can be a little scratcy, a smooth neck makes it so wearable. Another feature with the coated neck is that it got some stability, since it is a very lightweight cardi/jacket. Of course - now I wish I could do sewing, then I would put an inside in thick silk, also in dark blue, so it would be a wearable dress-jacket for work. Ahh, well, I guess it has to do. But are the buttons not just great? Finally - 2010 is for the year I do "break" it. Not only am I going to knit from stash, I am also aiming to finish off a lot, and then both doing 12 sweaters and 12 socks. So, first sock of the StickaMera (KnitMore) SockKlubb 2010 is Kristina. My middle name. And the sock is going well in this supersmooth grey!

Still cold - and that drives knitting motivation...

The cardigan is still in my head - but here is a project - The Butterfly cardigan (Hisdal). Probably ready when the butterflies are flying.... But brrr,,,, it is so cold here... Windows have big frost roses, the snow is lightweight and making sounds went stepped on... glittering like dimonds. I have so many ideas on what to knit - it is hard to stay true to a project, but this colourful gem in the snow is in my mind - but knitting the raglan part on Opal rush. I have also not only promised to knit a sweater a month but also a sock a month this year (StickMera/Knitmore SockKlubb) is so great that of course we hang on for the third year in a row. Another "new-years promise" is to try and clean up the UFO list. One for two. One new - two UFO's. It is not starting neat.. It is more two new and....hmm--- but if I focus on sleeves it should not be impossible. At least I brought out some unfinished mittens, and more socks, hats and scarfs should be there.... So many new fab projects coming up. Now I only need more time!

Reflection 2009 - and Opal-rush started!

Vouge Fall issue calls this "gold-rush", but more as one hommage 2009 to our fantastic vacation to Australia, the colourscheme really asks for an "Opal-rush" (which is really a cropped jacket). One strand of Plötulopi, one strand of Färgkraft (Tulpan (tulip) at bottom, then swapped to Pion (peony)), and the one strand of Forsell superthin 3-ply merino. A great mix, that has thouse wonderful colours of an Opal. What a wonderful quick knit, with the "bell-shape". Also funny is the colour difference in the photo. Same sweater. In SNOW, with and without flash. It feels a bit delicate but I'm sure it will work out. It is cold and snowing (again). Yet another "jacket" /cardigan started. I think was fitting for starting a chronicle of 2009. I have started so many items, but also, I have finished some too. Of course Windfell is also progressing. Im half-way on both sleeves, and done the "bottom-part" of the body, but Im worried (as always?) if there is enough yarn. This has definitely been the "theme" of 2009. Starting projects without knowing it will be enough. But I have done some calculations.

I think I have knitted more than a Swedish mil and a half (16,3 km) this year (!) producing 13 sweaters/cardigans (full sized) and 3 pairs of socks, 2 blouse-bunny holders, two hats. and one entire kit for a baby (2 hats, one dress/pants, 2 sweaters, one pair of sock). Time for the yearly list of reflection:

1. Best (summer) knitting project 2009 in garngamen design: The "indie-top".. I love it... it is cheerful and fits great!




2. Best (warm) knitting project 2009 in garngamen design: The Jaeger cable sweater. Wonderful yarn, wonderful warm, perfect for work, and great fit.



3. Greatest yarn to knit with 2009:The wonderful Naturally Karamea: A Possum merino wool blend. Again a garngamen design, and a close tie of the second spot, but looses it, becaus it is not as figure flattering as 2. But ohboy, how warm and soft that is. Yummy. Also - the fond memory of having this knit as my main knit during Australia, and the fun visit to my relatives in Norway. The buttons were just perfect (from Paris!)



4. Most knitted yarn of 2009: Definitely the lovely Plötulopi (förgarn) from Alafoss Istex - any my dear friend Halla. You bundle three strands to make one - and both then you are not supposed to carry more than 3 yarn-threads at one time in the pattern, but both of these had 4. Anyhow, this wonderful fast knitted yarn resulted in 3 wonderful sweaters.. where I do feel my dear brother poses fantastically in one... and I know it is also warming my dear friend across the world.
   


5. Maybe I should mention the one item that got "most hearted" in Ravelry of all 2009 items. The "viewers choice" is the swimmingpool top - really Angela Hahn's Leaf top Yoke -where I added sleeves (and an extra leaf boarder on the bottom). This does not win my summer top because of fit, and - after some wear - it has "hanged" out. Maybe I do need to knit that brim on the collar... and it is a bit long. Almost like a dress... Hmm.. But hmm honestly - it was made in paradise - Langkawi in Malaysia.


6. Most cherished knitting book: Must be the new Britt-Marie Christofferson book "Stickning - ett hantverk att utveckla".. and from the english speaking pile: I love "French Girls Knit", but the golden "oldies" - Starmore, Hisdahl, Norah G, Debbie Newton.. well you know I cannot choose.


7. Best Knitting magazine - I love the new UK "The Knitter", though many patterns are just copies from books I already have.., but it does still not compete with Interweave Knits and Vouge (or Designer) Knitting, that always are fresh, contemporary and has great stuff. Unfortunately both Knitscene and Knit1, or Knitters, are hard to get here. Glad to see Verena though, but I do not really fall for their patterns.


8. Best yarnshopping 2009 (world-wide ranking): My stash!! I have been a good girl this year and not indulged too much.


9. 2009 Yarnshop city ranking: 1. Stockholm (even if favved Nysta and Warp & Weft both went off-shop to on-line). 2. London and Copenhagen (tie) and 3. Vienna (Wien). Worst: Sofia - Bulgaria! (Sorry Kuala Lumpur was exotic, but not for the yarn - more for patterns!)


10. Best pattern: I guess I count St Brigid here! It is still not super-finished, otherwise I'm sure it would nock all items off the list (and since I have not USED it 2009) I cannot really tell if it survive the long run, but it was sure a great and fun knit. And the yarn is just fab... Wåhlstedts "Vålberg" yarn. Yummy handcoloured from a great spinnery.

With this little 10 top list I wish you all a wonderful "Happy New Knitting Year of 2010" - with many wonderful things on the needles. I have already signed up for StickaMera SockKlubb 2010, and also the IntSweMoDo in Ravelry which will definitely have me focused on knitting another 12 sweaters. Otherwise - 2010 will truely be a fantastic year for me. Since I plan to finish my PhD this year, so if nothing bad happens - lets hold our thumbs for a wonderful, fun and happy year - and remember 2009 as learning and challenging as it was - but with wonderful sparks of bliss - and filled with hope. Lets open the champange and toast for us all (I'm just going to knit some first....). And again dear readers - thank you for all your wonderfully warm and encouraging comments. It is so nice to know you are out there: Gott nytt år!

God Jul - Merry Christmas!

It is snow! It is quiet in Stockholm! And a Merry Christmas. We are looking at our favourite Disney at 3, a Swedish tradition for people "my age".... And my dear loves his Jaeger Alpaca Christmas present. Secretly knitted late at night... of course with a pattern of trees- or "gran" as we call our swedish cristmas fir-trees. So the had of course is called "Gran". (Swedish of course note the twist with gran,,garn= yarn!) For you that do not see the riddle. Why do our gran have the trees with the branches upwards? look at the gran inbetween ;-) I also throwed in a little victory bay-leaf twig as well...
Warm, and fitting! He is so cute! Btw - check the colour difference (with and without flash of the hat. The colours are more true with the flash (which is unusual), but it also becomes clear how dark it is. But now we are going to lighter times.

My thoughts goes to all my dear knitting friends around the world. Thank you for convincing me to continue with this blog... and for the patience and all the nice comments. We wish you all such a merry holiday time. Yet another year of many interesting happenings and learnings. We have made the great home-made Swedish Meat-balls, boiled and glazed the ham (this year with a orange taste) and this non-vegetarian feast does also have a green cabbage soup....and of course a lot of fruit-cake, saffron buns, and mandarins... And let us all rejoice over the love that exists in this wonderful world. Now - I must join Ferdinand the bull who sniffs on his flowers!

So with this - I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Santa Lucia - Saffron buns...

St Brigid colours... Could it become any better? It has the same wonderful colour as the "Leila bakar" (Leila bakes) saffron bun's, with a great filling (and very much Muffin shaped, haha). They sure made a mess of our "preliminary" kitchen, since we did not make it with our own until the Holiday times. Yes, I know you are waiting for the full pictures of St. Brigid, but she still misses the zipper (!) in front, and I must have some order in the yarn-room, which still looks like the battle of the things collected. And some courage....Anyway, this does not stop me from knitting other stuff though. For dear mom, (and you other curious) this is the new (very old) William Morris wallpaper for the bedroom. So green, and so cosy.... And yeah, hubbie LOVES pistachio nuts, so I though a great mix in a (swe. kladdkaka) moist cake, would do the trick. We have already been there to get something - with a mix of ice-cream it is great! No healthy things this weekend, but we are so low on energy that we can bearly keep it up - and we needed some distraction to our cough serenading....viruses are NOT something to take lightly. The throat hurts again.. And this week the real cold out there will hit us. -15 (Celius) will hit us. Deepf-reezing without snow kills the garden. Sigh...Anyhow, we at least got the christmas lights outside - it is needed. It is dark, but then - this is the darkest week of the year... and also on the winter solstice, the 15 year anniversary of hubby and me falling in love. Anyhow, much work coming up at the research - Statistics - here we come! Ahh, it is still Santa Lucia. In the darkness - the queen of light shines for us all. Take care out there. More knitting and yarn....

FO- Twinkleberry Socks, and some progress

The wonderful Twinkleberry socks from Knitzi, in StickaMera's SockKAL is the december sock. Sticka Mera has competitions ongoing now before christmas (for swedish speakers). And I'm so behind this KAL, having put my energy into 12 sweaters (that might be 13 or 14).... But now I'm catching up. So, these socks were very nice and easy to knit. I followed the pattern "exactly" except the final grafting on the two - which I turned the sock inside out and did a 3 needle-bindoff on the inside to make it look perfect. I'm not sure I like the short-row heel, since it tends to be a bit "gap"s in the turns, how much you pull. The yarn is a wonderful gift from a visiting american "Castingaway", a fellow knitter and sailor. Of course her sailing boat is absolutely fab! Wow!The yarn equally fab. Thank you again! Handpainted in very nice greeing blue. The socks fits perfect. And I still have a lot of yarn left for two more socks. I'm so happy, today is the first day in THREE WEEKS, my throat is not hurting so bad, that every time I swallow - I feel like someone is cutting my throat with razorblades. So, now it is just the eyes that needs to clear up a bit - and cough to disappear. But at least I got some energy - to pick up a "three-weeks - I have the flu and I have done NOTHING"-mess... So, if you waiting for me - there is hope I will catch up on my "item-list" this week. The second picture is what I just started. A WARM wonderful Noro Kochoran cardi, pattern called "Windfell" from simply Noro. Mine will be in the same yarn as the picture, but with a little red edge. It is great, since it is based on 2009 years goal, that this year was to knit up all "bulky yarn". I still have some left - but this opend a great gap in my Billy book-self, and I want something warm to wrap around me. This final picture is the worst best thing (?) It is my EVERST in knitting... A speede sweater - on 1.5 mm needles. I realize I hardly can see the stitches, so just based on this - it will take some serious time! I plan of course to do my own speede - mixed pattern, based on a series of speede sweaters. We will see how this develop.
I'm so not sure if the yarn will last for the entire sweater and if I'm then to mix it with a nearby colour.... It is Twinny from Ishager - which is now obsolete yarn. Otherwise Im thinking if I actually Should do it short as the original. So - Im at a loss before starting. Otherwise, we are NOT getting a kitchen before Christmas - sigh. But we got the bedrooms back, so it is not THAT bad. Slowly we are trying to fix things up. Painting the radiators, and putting wardrobes together - and chasing old crystal lamps for the rooms. Take care out there - and send me a high on the comments, ok?