mettetations

so... what did you learn in school today?

2011-11-02T15:16:00.003+01:00

well... where to begin.

First of all - I love it out there. I love the long bike ride through the city. I love being in beautiful buildings, learning from talented people (some younger than me - imagine!), having fun, working hard, drinking bad coffee...

uh - and taking a machine knitting class! Now, that was fun. And fast! I used a whole cone of Shetlandwool to experiment (thank you stash).

I ended up with a huge cowl in Kauni (took me about 20 minutes!), and a pair of wristwarmers, still neding to be sewn together. So, all those cones in the stash are in good use now. Pictures when there's light.

Speaking about my beloved stash: you want some? I've come to realize, I have no where left to hide my yarn, and not enough time to knit it all.

So, I've listed quite a lot (and more to come) over here

September Dim

2011-10-09T15:24:00.001+02:00

This is pure luxury - love it.

The pattern is Simmer Dim by Gudrun Johnston.

The yarn is Casbah in Smoke.

The result is luxurious and buttery soft.

(iPhone photos)

Golden Holden

2011-10-02T20:20:00.001+02:00

This skein, wanted to become a Holden Shawlette, and I'm so happy it did.

(iPhone photo)

Favorites

2011-10-02T07:54:00.001+02:00

Cheap indian bangle from Tiger.
Enemal earrings from my boyfriend (from a small shop on Ryesgade).
Brooch from H&M.

Necklace made from Christmas ornament from Thora Finnsdottir.

Brass star from Sackidet Road.
Plastic skull earrings from the boys department in H&M.
UncommonThread turned Holden.
Owl earrings, I was lucky to get from Amalthea - Sum of a Ditch (amazing work).

And my bracelet made from a bit of leftover Casbah. I've been wearing this for 2 weeks now, and it's starting to look a bit worn, I think I need a substitute in a yarn with less cashmere... (But I adore the smoke color of this particular yarn - and the softness!).

I also need to stop using my hand as a notepad. It's just so... handy...

(iPhone photo)

Then & now

2011-10-01T21:32:00.001+02:00

Just when we started to think about fall, this happened:

Today it's been all blue.

And green:

(Did you spot the squirrel? No nuts for me this year).

(iPhone photos)

Mini Longsleeve

2011-09-20T17:24:00.002+02:00

This has been missing buttons for a long time, finally got around to fix it yesterday.

It's the classic Mini from Designclub, but with long sleeves and knitted in silk.

Soft and cosy, another in-the-house-cardigan, maybe it's time to knit a wear-in-public-cardigan?

(iPhone photos)

End of season

2011-09-12T11:38:00.001+02:00

Taking down party remnants.

Closing up.

Waiting (at least) 5 months for a new season...

Picking the last flowers and herbs.

Taking the last evening walk around the lake.

And stocking up on wool for a long
winter.

It's all okay...

(iPhone photos)

This is what happens

2011-08-27T10:54:00.001+02:00

when you go shopping in the boy's department:

(iPhone photo)

Those special things

2011-08-26T06:14:00.001+02:00

making our Kolonihave one of my favorite places:

The one and only pear - eaten today. And the rhubarbs! Oh, the rubarbs...

That chatty little fleemarket squirrel and his friends - and the real squirrel in the hasselbush outside, impossible to photograph.

The long lawn and Violas clogs - the possibility to let my kids find snails, eat wild strawberries, have waterfights and don't watch tv.

I know the season is changing, soon we have to close down the house for the winter, but I close my eyes for the brown leaves and take a nap in the sun.

(iPhone photos)

Bleeding

2011-08-22T16:39:00.001+02:00

Aruancania Nature Wool and Little Tealeaves. A perfect cocktail. Despite the bleeding.

Made the buttonband smaller, to match the neck (and to save yarn, with only 2 skeins and a size 6 years, I was cutting it close).

Finished the sleeves thursday night, at a social gathering at Designkartellet - good fun to met a new bunch of bloggers.

Now: buttons!

(iPhone photos)

Boat & neck

2011-08-17T11:06:00.001+02:00

Simplest sweater.

So much so I'm using the same pattern as a base for a dress.

Love the increases, and the wide boatneck.

I used five (5!) skeins of discontinued angora tweed. Just enough for the right length and 3/4 sleeves. Making the sweater light as a 250 grams feather.

(iPhone photos)

Indulgence

2011-08-15T20:23:00.001+02:00

Yellow is the new grey.

And TheUncommonThread is the new Wollmeise (at least it is for me).

Oh, what a lovely way to lighten up a weathergrey monday.

Another Holden Shawlette is on it's way.

And a new yarnaddiction is born...

(iPhone photo)

Doing laundry

2011-08-14T20:00:00.001+02:00

is way more fun, after a bit of thriftshopping.

Apron with peg-pockets:

And those seventies hotpads:

(iPhone photos)

True love

2011-08-11T21:34:00.001+02:00

Simplest headband ever: a "bra-strap"elastic and iron-on textile tattoo.

True haircolor shown too (sigh).

(iPhone photo)

Match

2011-08-10T10:07:00.001+02:00

Remember this odd thing?

It's finished.

It's a match - and a bag.

(iPhone photo)

Granny did it again

2011-08-08T20:49:00.001+02:00

This time my grandmother crocheted a neon pink and glitter version. Obviously it belongs to Viola now (but I like it so much, I sneak it out in the livingroom from time to time).

Yes, she still got it - Granny. She's 90 now and has partly lost the sight on one eye.

I deeply hope she'll be able to crochet as long as she wants to. And I know, that the day she puts down the needle, it's time to prepare a goodbye...

But so far, she is still going strong. And colorful!

(iPhone photo)

Big smile!

2011-08-03T11:55:00.001+02:00

Because I was accepted at my dream-education!

I'll be studying Textile Arts at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design.

The cowl is part of my application, I finished it the night before the final interview.

The smile I had forever. And I'm using it. Big time!

(iPhone photo)

Judith

2011-07-17T20:35:00.001+02:00

In an industrial area, a small biketrip from our Kolonihave, there's a grey building.

Packed full of crap, and great finds. Amongst those is a woman, called Judith, making funky scarfs of scrapyarn.

I bought this one:

What I payed?

20 DKK...

And yes, I told her she was being way to cheap, underpaying herself, but no - she wouldn't let me pay more.

Instead, I'll urge you guys to get your own Judith scarf at Loppehallen.

(iPhone photos)

Hey, grey day

2011-06-23T10:24:00.001+02:00

- get your color going!

Art by Viola - can't decide if we should frame it?

(iPhone photo)

Ceramic Pinterest

2011-06-20T13:45:00.001+02:00

A local craftchain is having a sale, got my hands on a bunch of ceramic pearls.

Lately I've been spending (too much) time on Pinterest, and it's such a great way of gathering inspiration and also: making you aware of your style. At least it has been for me.

I like simple monocolored or striped clothes, huge scarfs (the linen on the photo will be another), and statement necklaces.

Now I'm playing around with the beads, while figuring out what I need to add to my wardrobe for the fall.

Fall will be a change - a good one - but it also involves much less money to buy stuff, so using Pinterest to avoid spontanious sale-shopping is good, albeit a bit on the time consuming side.

My username overthere is Mettetation, I think I've got a few invites? Leave a comment (with your email) if you want to join, and I'll see what I can do.

(iPhone photos)

Camomille & paprika

2011-06-16T20:54:00.001+02:00

Huge, soft, fancy.

Tassels, texture, wool&alpaca.

And the wrong color for me... Unless it's christmas...

Casting on a grey version soonish, not all the original yarn this time - substituting alpaca1 with bc garn alpaca, because it's in the stash, together with a single skein of grey tvinni.

Grey Camomille - yes, please.

(iPhone photos)

Apfelstrudel and such

2011-06-15T09:32:00.001+02:00

I've used my old keystrap to frays - luckily I had an Apfelstrudel liberty backup.

Goes so well with my loyal MiuMiu keyhanger and the old Fatimas hand I bought in my early twenties in Tunis.

I love the quality and finish - would love more Apfelstrudel products (so sad I missed out on Werkplatz!). Get your Apfelstrudel here.

(iPhone photo)

Napping

2011-06-15T09:24:00.001+02:00

at Kolonihaven.

I love how easily we all relax at our tiny getaway - to the point where we shop in clogs and forget to look in a mirror.

(iPhone photo)

Print

2011-06-09T20:05:00.001+02:00

A quick look in H&M, after buying yet another gift for yet another 5 year old birthday, revealed a huge scarf on sale - love the neon spots on a classic sofa print.

Now it disappeared - some 5 year old hid it in her room. I'm guessing she likes the print too...

(iPhone photo)

Hear me roar

2011-06-08T19:25:00.001+02:00

with joy! The Bobles lion arrived and has become a part of the family.

We already had the whale, but visually I prefere the wooden look - and hope an elephant will join us eventually.

(iPhone photo)

Best friends forever

2011-06-08T07:58:00.001+02:00

Grey wool and I.

I refreshed knotting friendship bracelet yesterday evening. Loads of tutorials outthere.

(iPhone photo)

Look who lives here now

2011-06-07T15:57:00.001+02:00

Found a wedding gift at Mariann's shop, and the dizzy cat jumped in the cart too. Happy it did!

(iPhone photo)

Gardenparty

2011-06-06T07:42:00.001+02:00

Adding color to our garden and shed for the party.

I want to keep these up all summer

(iPhone photos)

Flagnilly

2011-06-04T11:04:00.001+02:00

Finally flags for Violas window - took 7 min. to sew, a bit more to cut.

I made 7 meters for the birthday party - they might end up permanently this summer, getting frayed and faded.

(iPhone photo)

Someone turned 5

2011-06-01T14:09:00.001+02:00

And I'm busy whipping up a few extra gifts, for her big party this sunday:

Skirts:

Duvet cover (front & back):

Haven't been sewing for ages, completly forgot how much fun it is!

(iPhone photos)

Paula por moi

2011-06-01T11:41:00.001+02:00

We all need a grey poncho, don't we?

I had 4 skeins of rough Faroise wool from Snældan, and the new book from Lene Holme Samsøe.

One week later I had Paula. She's a rough but warmhearted lady. Perfect length. Beautiful grey tones. Love.

On the other side, she's the Parasoller from Isager I didn't get my hands on.

Different lacepart, I know. But easy to change on the second one - I just need to decide on a color.

I knitted this lace differently from the pattern, stockinette on the inside to make the lace more defined. Good choice, I find.
Even unblocked.

(iPhone photos)

Forgotten 3

2011-05-30T12:54:00.001+02:00

Never got around to show you these:

Food wrapping paper stars in spring.

My Marimekko teacup - favorite!

Simple alpacca sweater for Sylvester (topdown Wilfert pattern) - fitted him for a month. Need to cast on for a new soonish!

What I also keep forgetting is to answer your sweet comments - I read every single one of them and appreciate them very much! Somehow I keep forgetting to answer - I promise you; I'll keep up!

(iPhone photos)

Honestly...WTF

2011-05-25T09:59:00.001+02:00

Don't miss the great tutorials over at Honestly...WTF.

I went to the hardware store to buy a stapler, and picked up a few hex nuts to make the bracelet. Easy peasy - with a great result!

(iPhone photo)

Waiting for the plummer

2011-05-24T12:44:00.001+02:00

finally made me fix the chairs, from this:

to this:

Bliss!

(iPhone photo)

Unmatchable?

2011-05-17T14:21:00.001+02:00

Ugliest sockyarn ever meets lovely cashmere blend.

Will they end up in a happy relationship? Stay tuned...

(iPhone photo)

I didn't go to Odense

2011-05-11T06:47:00.001+02:00

Every Danish blogger went to Odense this weekend for a market - not me. I stayed home and got inspired to crochet me a ring. Superfast and glowing yellow. Cotton bling!

(iPhone photo)

From me to me

2011-05-09T12:24:00.001+02:00

Happy Mothers Day yesterday.

This is from me to me. Vintage glass bead earrings from here.

I got cake too!

(iPhone photo)

Note to self

2011-04-21T20:48:00.001+02:00

Next time you plan a give away - make sure you'll be having the time to make a handmade gift... Seriously!

Sorry, Ulla - the package is finally on its way.

Meanwhile Ulla gave birth, so there's a little gift for her new son in the package as well.

(iPhone photo)

Let's dance

2011-04-11T13:04:00.001+02:00

Viola and I are making paperdolls.
She draws - I cut.

She's so inspiring - I love creating with her!

(iPhone photo)

Army Dress

2011-04-06T08:38:00.001+02:00

My new winter favorite (since winter has taken over spring apparently). Pattern by Helga Isager, two strands, one strand black new zealand wool, one strand unwashed armygreen shetland wool, which bloomed beautifully after the first wash.

I'm planning a lighter version in a wool and silk blend. After the lace part, it's plain knitting - a perfect social project.

(iPhone photo)

Collaboration

2011-03-24T09:18:00.001+01:00

Viola & I had fun with wooden beads and tusch. Not sure how long they will keep the color, but I'm wearing it a lot, and so far it still looks good.

(iPhone photo)

Long'n done

2011-02-24T15:16:00.001+01:00

A Wilfert design, a bag of angoratweed and a decision to keep on knitting til the bottom of the bag, resulted in this cosy piece. Loving it!

Supposedly the pattern on the top are little hearts... Oh well.

(iPhone photo)

A bit early on the easterthing

2011-02-18T14:54:00.001+01:00

But Viola has been home sick, and we needed a simple project.

Not fond of the traditional easterdecoration, but loving the circus, we decided on these simple shapes in hama beads. Really quick and easy - instant easter, 2 months early.

(iPhone photo)

Aaaand the WINNER is

2011-02-14T08:45:00.001+01:00

number 20: ULLA!

With the blog ULLAIB

Congratulations!

I hope, you have the patience to let me read your blog, and hopefully come up with a great gift within a few weeks.

Please e-mail me your adress (my mail is found on the right).

I wish, I had the time to make you all a gift - this is a great way of getting to know new blogs (some of you I knew allready), and I don't think this will be the last time I'll be doing this!

Now - where are my reading glasses?

3 days left - did you join my handmade give away?

2011-02-11T07:51:00.001+01:00

I can hardly wait - I already discovered new blogs, and I wonder who will be the lucky one!

iPhone photo

Handmade GIVE AWAY - finally!

2011-01-31T20:14:00.006+01:00

I promised you a give away in january. I've been juggling ideas, but wasn't able to decide on which one was suitable for my first and only give away in almost 5 (five!) years.

And then it hit me - I'll do this again! I had so much fun reading Puk's blog and coming up with ideas for a gift especially handmade for her, so I'll repeat the fun.

So - the rule is:

Be brave enough to let me read your blog (yes, you need to have a blog) & leave a comment with a link to your blog.

I'll let random.org decide on a brave and lucky winner the 14th of february (so in case you don't have a Valentine, at least you'll have the chance for a gift - though delivered later) and I'll come up with a handmade gift - especially for you - after reading your blog.

Sounds good? I hope so - I'm looking forward to the handmade challenge!

When you have a mother in law

2011-01-24T11:13:00.001+01:00

Like mine.

And you recieve this:

You get this:

Handcoloured Icelandic Nammi yarn (meaning goodies) and ceramic buttons and the newest Lopi pattern book - in Icelandic (better get cracking on learning more phrases).

Lucky me!

(iPhone photo)

Granny love

2011-01-20T18:03:00.002+01:00

Pillow from Mette. Bear from my grandmother, she made this while only being able to see with one eye, and now she doesn't knit anymore.

She still crochets, but had to give up knitting a gnome for Sylvester this Christmas. So we got these from Danish Maileg for the kids:

I find it difficult to accept her getting this old...

(iPhone photo)

Vaseholic

2011-01-15T11:42:00.001+01:00

Finally got my hands on Claydies grass vase. And a Winblad one. And suddently the old black one had good company.

(iPhone photo)

Jar of good

2011-01-13T21:43:00.001+01:00

A whole jar of cool fabrics, pins and instructions for the coolest brooches ever. Oddbirds rock!

I found my jar at Garn-iture on Frederiksberg. Oddbirds are from Sweden. I'm from Jutland and soon I'll have great brooches.

My angel got company

2011-01-05T22:33:00.001+01:00

Lovely company.

Bestest Christmas Gift

2011-01-02T09:32:00.001+01:00

From Viola.

Lucky find

2010-12-30T15:58:00.001+01:00

They are not from Liebe...

Stashing inspiration

2010-12-29T23:20:00.001+01:00

Some thrifted - some gifted (more than 30 magazines from the seventies. Great gift!).

Favorite

2010-12-28T22:59:00.001+01:00

Made by Viola. Worn with love.

Mara and me

2010-12-27T12:00:00.001+01:00

Sometimes all you need is a bit of patience, loads of garter and 3 skeins of cascade.

It's the little things

2010-12-21T12:55:00.001+01:00

- that makes you smile <3

Giving

2010-12-19T21:57:00.005+01:00

Giving is so much fun!

Trying to figure out a good gift, wasn't too hard. Puk has a great blog and even had a wishlist, and being the colorful person she is, she would be brave enough for a funky necklace. But if she thinks it's a bit over the top, I made her a pair of pink candyjade bobble earrings.

And then I decided to challenge myself with a bit of patchwork. Oh my freaking God! I really have to practise my zipper-skills...

But I did it, mostly while Sylvester was taking one of his really short naps, and now I wan't one too!

Making these gift, makes me want to make more - so stay tuned, there'll be a give away in January. Why? Because my birthday is in January, and because one should give gifts even if Christmas is over!

Did you get yourself a present this year?

2010-12-19T15:54:00.001+01:00

I did! My own Christmas Star:

Get your own at Lonni Birch

Striped Christmas Stocking

2010-12-19T09:14:00.001+01:00

In lopi.

Still loving the roughness of this yarn, and the non-traditional Christmas colors.

The stocking is for my son, my daughter has one too!

The stars arrived

2010-12-15T11:04:00.001+01:00

Thank you so much, Kolorista.

Angel

2010-12-15T10:34:00.001+01:00

From Africa with love

14th

2010-12-14T08:24:00.001+01:00

Today it's my turn to open a present, and look what I got:
2 handmade hearts, and loads of chocolate!

Thank you Pia, I can tell you put a lot of work in the hearts! And thank you Karina for the great idea. I really hope we are doing this next year too.

Unable to make up my mind about gnomes

2010-12-13T11:17:00.001+01:00

Are they scary, like this secondhand wallhanging with ~~aliens~~ gnomes?

Or cute, like this Waldorf doll? Sylvester found him in a shop and refused to let go. He still makes him smile.

Lucky

2010-12-10T20:06:00.001+01:00

Awhile ago I got lucky and won a great book over at Sabines. Sabines studio did the layout, and as always they did a great job.

I feel like feng shui'ng everything in our place now...

I did start collecting stuff to make one of Ranvitas strings - there's more than one corner in our appartment in need of some love.

While making the string, I'll sip a cup of almond coffee from Karen. I can't knit with the yarn she mailed me too though, because it's allready been used - for a Christmas stocking for Sylvester. More about that one later.

I'm feeling lucky! And I am.

It rattles

2010-12-10T10:34:00.001+01:00

But I can't look before the 14th...

Stars

2010-12-09T11:31:00.001+01:00

I've got a thing about stars.

There, I said it...

The necklace is from Sakdidet Road - I love their raw style and unusual material.

I got beautiful earings from ByBlank.

Another star is on it's way from Lonni Birch.

There's fabric waiting to be turned into a huge scarf.

And yesterday I got lucky and won even more stars!

Speaking about winning, there will be another post soon.

Touring Frederiksberg

2010-12-04T18:21:00.001+01:00

Karen Marie wrote about a Designer Christmas Market at Frederiksberg, and since I'm home alone with Sylvester (someone went skiing together) it was the perfect excuse for a walk in the snow.

I'm so happy I went, my arm almost fell off carrying Sylvester while watching all the goodies, so I didn't stay for long (yes, I'm considering going back tomorrow with some girlfriends - share the good stuff, right?). But look what I got:

An angel from Stine Illum, illustrator:

And a brooch from Thora Finnsdottir:

(Stine has a give away with some of Thoras work, I cross my fingers and hope for a vase! Love her work, even more after meeting her - she's a sweetheart. She gifted me one of her tiny ornaments too, a small bird, which I forgot to photograph)

Are we loving the mobile blogging thing?

2010-12-01T08:51:00.001+01:00

Hmmm...

Thumbs up for the on hand possibility and for making me able to blog more frequently.

But... I hate the pictures!

So... What to do? Blog with mobile pictures and then swap to good photos, whenever life lets me turn on the computer? Silly?

(the heart is from Lou, thank you Kirsten!)

Christmas market

2010-11-30T14:10:00.001+01:00

Third time makes it a tradition - right? This year I met up with knitting friends, and continued Ms Snowwhite, I sense we'll hang out for a long time, she's going quite slow for some reason:

Got my hands on some handspun:

A kit from Rasmilla for Sylvester:

And great homeproduced yarn from Textilgården. No pictures of the yarn yet, but believe me, it good stuff - she is the main reason I go back every year.

Icky but nice

2010-11-29T08:52:00.001+01:00

This years glass decoration. Meet the snail:

With her around, we don't miss our Kolonihave so much.

First sunday in Advent

2010-11-28T17:49:00.001+01:00

Always a surprise - isn't it? It was to us, so we went out to buy a finished decoration, but everything was sold out. Luckily we had a ring of straw in the Christmas box, and with a box of fabric scraps, some needles and 4 candles, we made this:

As soon as we find a more solid way to place the candles, we'll probably ad sparkle and glitter on Violas demand.

I like it like this, and recall wall decorations in purple scraps in my childhood home - yes, I'm a seventies child...

Snowwhite

2010-11-27T10:32:00.002+01:00

We've got snow. I love it! Snow before Christmas - whats not to like? I'm going to a Christmas market later today, to met up with knitting friends, and I need a "no brainer knit" - chatting, laughing and shopping doesn't go well with lace knitting in my case...

I spotted a cool scarf in a window, but with my stash and a pricetag saying 1299,- DKK, I cast on last night.

Size 3.75mm needle.
One strand mohair.
One strand blueface leicester.
Cast on 50 stitches.
Purl 2 rows - knit 2 rows.

I've go 300 gram BL, hoping for a long scarf.

This is one hot Snowwhite!

P.S. I'm blogging from my iPhone, hoping to update more often - this is why my posts look different. I'm not to happy with the photos, so I'm not skipping blogging from a computer yet.

Done

2010-11-26T16:37:00.001+01:00

This year, one girl got a brilliant idea: to host a christmas calendar. I joined. So did 133 others.

And today I posted my package. I really hope Puk will like the content. All is made with her in mind - but I also challenged myself and did something I have never tried before. It involved sewing. And a lot of swearing. And then some more swearing. I do like the end result. But I could definately do with a bit of practice. I made 2 presents - the second one didn't involve sewing...

What I made? You'll have to wait and see. I'll post a link to her blog the day she is opening the package.

Oh, I'm opening a present too. The 14th of december. Can't wait! I wonder who is my secret santa.

Absent

2010-11-05T20:34:00.009+01:00

Made a big decision and a heavy stone fell of my shoulders.

Still saddened by the fact that dreams weren't reality.

Sad because so much time and energy was wasted.

And truly happy because my kids and boyfriend are coloring my world. Making me dream new dreams. Making me laugh. Loving my life.

I've been here before - jumping of a plane, hoping the parachute will unfold. It did then - it will again. I'm not too happy about the freefall, but the beautiful glide is awaiting.

Holy Cowl

2010-09-23T11:58:00.007+02:00

I finally get it!

Spending quite some time on Ravelry, I have wondered: What's the deal with all the cowls?!?

And then I made this:

In the softest angora blend from Textilgaarden, bought last year at the Christmas market in Remisen.

Simple broken rib pattern.

I didn't make a mobius - next time I will!

Bag lady

2010-09-19T20:25:00.011+02:00

Ever wondered where to put all your WIPs?

How about a handmade bag? So I thought. (But don't be fooled, the following bags are not enough to take care of all my WIPs.)

Again, Amio offered tempting handmade stuff.

First bag is from Faster Mette, she lined the bag in the flower fabric, sadly she doesn't do many bags, but loads of other really wellmade stuff. I'll show you the coolest little pillow I got for Sylvester.

Next up, is a huge bag from Lou, she combines old needlepointwork with cool fabrics. Hanne does the same, and I still love my bag from her. I want (I need) a teacosy from Lou, and Viola asked for a bag in girly colors, with an animal also. Christmas presents anyone?

Last but not least, is this one from Westmose,

and this really is the clue to buying handmade stuff even if you might be able to do yourself - I would never ever have surprised myself with this little fellow hiding inside the bag. Viola immidiately adopted "her" and demanded an owl pillow. (Which is on the todo list, maybe I need a bag for that one too?)

Is it fall yet?

2010-09-16T22:02:00.005+02:00

Time to wear wool allready?

Good thing I finished one of the ravelympics challenges then...

Half a Kingdom, half a Shetland shawl. Didn't have enough of the (soft, tweedy, handdyed) yarn, and skipped the border for a picot bind off. Liked it so much, I made another shawl with the same bind off as a gift (hasn't been gifted yet, no pictures on the blog).

I don't mind fall - I'm a knitter!

(yup, another unsharp picture - I blame the light, and the fact that my camera manual is in french!)

Icelandic souvenirs

2010-09-14T12:03:00.002+02:00

Besides a lot of photos, including several of horses by popular demand from Viola, I couldn't leave these behind

This is an acrylic earring version of the Icelandic Rose, traditionally used in knitting.

Hélène Magnusson is famous for her use of this traditional pattern. I bought her book last time we visited Iceland, that was before the English translation. I'm still to knit from it... I've promised myself to learn how to knit from Icelandic patterns though - my mother in law gave me a bunch of old magazines with cool recipes, and I'm currently spelling my way through a cardigan.

Amio

2010-09-13T11:46:00.003+02:00

In august, a Danish version of Etsy opened. It's still small, but there a some really nice finds to be made.

Just look at these beauties:

porcelain earrings, they look even more stunning in real life.

You can find the seller here.

Faroe Iceland

2010-09-10T11:19:00.002+02:00

How do you pack, when you know you are going to an island full of yarn, and know you will need to fully pack the suitcase on the way back.

You bring the Faroe Islands with you.

One skein of Noda.

One entertaining pattern.

The Haruni shawl.

I loved every knitting minute.

And had plenty room in the suitcase. This wasn't the case on the way back...

Today is once in a blue moon

2010-09-02T10:52:00.004+02:00

because this, rather bad, photo is one I managed to snap this morning, before Viola put on the poncho and took it with her in the Kindergarden.

She
is
wearing
something
I
knitted
her
!

would you believe it?

I know, she asked for a poncho, after cuddling up in mine a few evenings (I'll show you that one next), She approved of the colors and commanded a bit of sparkle to be added, which I did.

And she loves it!

She was so proud this morning, telling everyone I made her the poncho, and that it had sparkly bits in the yarn.

I'm proud to. Because she loves it.

The poncho took 3 evenings, a few skeins of leftover yarn, a pink sparkly thread. I made the pattern up as I went along. nothing fancy doing that: 54 stitches, no shoulder shaping (next time there will be), and increasing on every second row. Simple as that.

Icelandic Street Art

2010-08-24T11:16:00.002+02:00

(giggles)

this is in fact the result of a "paint a hay ball" competition, there were some cool ones amongst, I'll try to find a better picture of those. We had a lot of fun running around in the field, some Dutch tourist competed in jumping over as many as possible against each other, Viola and I just photographed and picked our favorite ones.

this is what was left of a knitting festival at the Nordic House in Reykjavik, it ended a few days before we arrived, would have loved to participate. Instead I did a yarn crawl and visited all yarn shops possible. Did I need another suitcase for all the wool this time too? No, but only because I really restricted myself. Not when buying yarn, but when I packed back home.

I brought 2 skeins of yarn with me, for 2 projects. Both are finished, but you'll have to wait for another post - someone is finished with his morning nap...

Short season & candy

2010-08-13T14:43:00.003+02:00

because we went to visit family and friends in Iceland (spot on, Frida!), our "kolonihave" suffered a bit, as you can see:

However, I did manage to start on a summer project, dedicated evenings in our tiny red house (forget about crocheting during the day, Viola and Sylvester wouldn't let me, I sometimes try to sneak a few moments with the hook in during the day, but always feel like stealing candy. That, combined with the yummi colors, gave the name to the blanket: "Candy stripes":

Granny stripes in bamboo/cotton, soft as a baby, and with a nice drape to it. Viola already insist on the blanket being hers. It's gonna take a while before I finish, but it's nice not having to decide on a project to bring with me. That's something I really dislike, the panic just before you leave for a knitting appointment, and you realize you only have complicated projects in the basket. Since I often bring Sylvester with me to knit cafe's I really need simple projects, he's all over the place now!

Where we went

2010-08-13T14:09:00.003+02:00

Did you guess?

We visited friends and family - I bought yarn (nothing new there), and loved spending 3 weeks with my boyfriend and the kids, after half a year with him taking his final exam... and I had me some whale - oh yes (and yum!).

(the wallpaper isn't a clue, it's just so cool!)

Ooops

2010-08-11T21:32:00.002+02:00

Didn't mean to stay away for so long.

Life got in the way - in a good way, and so did 3 weeks somewhere else

Good times!

- and now?

I guess I'm back.

Blogging again.

dots

2010-04-06T13:11:00.002+02:00

grow your cress in polkadots. Just wet an ordinary cotton pad - dip it in the seeds, and remember to water daily.

Last frame

2010-03-31T13:03:00.003+02:00

a sweet goodbye to the old camera.

It's been with me on my long travels. Short ones too. It's been with me for almost 4 years of blogging, and watched the birth of my 2 kids.

One should never get too attached to physical things (lesson recalled recently, thanks to the bastard who stole my beloved bike Friday! If anyone sees a red Pilen bike, complete with a bobike children seat and a withered wicker basket, missing it's mom - please let me know) - but sometimes it's almost a bittersweet goodbye. I traveled alone, and only share my memories because of this camera.

But now the new one is on it's way, one that fit's in my pocket too - hopefully it'll be as good a companion as the old one.

What's wrong with this picture?

2010-03-26T12:08:00.003+01:00

(besides bad light on a poor quality photo - new camera is on it's way)

The buttons:

They don't suit the cardigan, although they are stunning on their own. Handmade ceramic. Fantastic color. And just plain wrong in this context...

The cardigan is a Danish classic: "Mini til voksne" from Design-club; a quick and easy knit, in a lovely rough yarn. It looks way better of the hanger, and was a perfect pregnancy cardigan. With new buttons it'll be a perfect spring cardi - I'm off to dive into the button stash!

Colors change

2010-03-25T13:17:00.000+01:00

My favorite one for the season, that is.

Last summer I, like so many other, fell in love with coral

I even found shetland wool in this, and the year before I bought a skein of Malabrigo lace in Barcelona. Lovely lovely.

But I didn't make time to knit with the skeins - and now they sit there and stare at me, because I have abandoned coral. Completly, I might sneak it in, combined with light purple, but rarely. It just got too much.

And then I realised. I have a new favorite. One that surprised me.

Midnight blue.

I don't DO blue. I even prefere my jeans in black.

But this one, is my new black - for the season.

Bliss.

Dusty

2010-03-22T12:57:00.005+01:00

Things got dusty in here, but I'm about to clean up. Babysteps - one thing at the time. Let's start with bigger pictures (and more - thanks for the camera recommendations - I haven't had the time to do further research, so still no new camera. Yes, I'm kicking myself for not having ordered one yet...)

So here's an oldie but goldie:

A garniture design, using EZ wing-pattern. It was such a slow knit, the yarn is lovely, the color stunning - but it just took forever. I remember finishing this while Viola was sisk, which means it's quite a long time ago (knock on wood).

Has she worn it yet?

Nope - she continues to refuse.

But, you see - that really isn't a problem, because I washed the thing - and now it fits me! (OK, it might be on the tight side - nothing to do with the post-pregnancy layer... ehem...). The yarn is, as I said, lovely, but it groooooows. Good thing is she'll hopefully change her mind about clothes and start wearing this at some point, It'll fit her for years!

Feels good to post again, now I'll just have to convince Sylvester to take looooong naps (he's skeptic) and this won't be the last you hear from me.

While not blogging, I did have the time to participate in give-aways (mostly because I browse on my Ipod while breastfeeding, the computer is all dusty, I don't have the patience to wait for it to start - my Mac died, and I've been using a borrowed PC laptop, it ain't the same... this thing is huuuge, and slow!) - and I won! A beautiful key-strap from Jeanette:

Well, hello there & Ravelympics 2010

2010-02-13T14:54:00.004+01:00

Well, hello again. I didn't forget about you, there's still knitting, although not as much as before 17.11.09. He is doing fine, and it rocks being a family of 4!

My camera is doing bad, and it's not much fun blogging without pictures - but I got some money this christmas and is on the lookout for a new one (any recommandations? I need a compact one, although a "real" camera would be better, but I need one I can carry on me all the time). So soonish I'll be back blogging again - or so I hope.

And now it's time for Ravelympics 2010, I'm with Team Danish Design, and have been looking through all my books, but couldn't decide on a project, and then this morning it occurred to me that the games had already started...

... and then I remembered:

a year ago I started this fabulous cardigan, it's designed by Britta Wilfert and I'm almost half way to the finish line. Perfect.

There's also a vest, only missing one front and an edge, this one is designed by Lene Holme Samsøe. Wonder when I started that one, it's not on my projectspage on Ravelry?

And there's half a Shetland Shawl, although I don't really consider this one Danish designed, but I am following (out of convenience) the directions by Liselotte Weller.

IF I make it through these 2-3 projects, I'm going to start Hyld, a beautiful skirt, haven't decided on the yarn yet - from the stash, mind you.

Now: where did I stash the pattern and the remaing skeins for the cardigan???

Merry Merry

2009-12-26T10:22:00.003+01:00

Merry Christmas, I hope you all are having a fab holiday.

Above one of the only decorations made this year - a plastic wreath, some hairclips, a metal heart, leftover ribbon and a metal hanger.

Viola and I did manage to do a snow landscape though, and her father made a honeycake house with her. To Viola the most important tradition in Christmastime is singing and dancing around the tree (and on the stairs in the building) - even more important than presents! She was very pleased with the Pippi Longstocking playhouse though (and so am I - Pippi is cool!).

Sylvester was pretty oblivious with the whole thing, but has started to smile at everyone - Viola in perticiular.

And I just feel blessed with my family.

This is the season - and here's the reason

2009-12-21T12:39:00.002+01:00

I don't get much creative done:

Sylvester 1 month old.

It rocks being a family of 4!

Some small projects are being made; stars for a Star.

(this is - actually - a pair of nursing pads, pree-blocked, made with leftover silk/wool...)

THANK YOU

2009-12-02T11:00:00.003+01:00

Thank you so much for all the sweet comments and mails. It's such a warming gesture! All 4 of us a doing very well, Sylvester is 2 weeks and a day now, and Viola thinks he's just too lovely, so he's getting loads of kisses, even while he's asleep.

Being a family of 4 rocks! But leaves little time being crafty, so bear with me if I'm being a bit quiet on the blogfront.

I found Viola's Christmas stocking yesterday, the gifts I bought over the last few months, so no stress - but we still need to do some Christmas decorating in the appartment.

Meanwhile: take a look at this fabulous crochet advent calender (in Swedish)

the Star arrived

2009-11-21T09:52:00.004+01:00

Sylvester was born the 17th after about 6 hours of labour - guess that makes him a shooting star?
We almost didn't make it to the hospital arriving just 20 minuts before he was born, but it was such a great experience, he's a big healthy boy and we all are very proud and happy.

Twisting

2009-11-16T10:16:00.003+01:00

while waiting.

New Twist is up.

I like Tanit's Jacket, but If I'm going to make a asymmetrical cardi right now, I'd go for Garter Stitch Swingy Jacket - mindless knitting is more my thing at the moment.

I love Slinkymalinky's version and have got a few handmade buttons in the stash that would be perfect.

Maybe this from Isager:

and the cardi knitted in this:

or this:

but there's not nearly enough yarn stashed...

hmmm... I would love the cardi in grey, and there are a few more options in the stash, one is pure cotton:

which I don't feel like. I want springe natural wool, me, but there are these:

just feels silly to use a few balls out of 10....

Lesson learned? Allways (!!!) buy a sweater worth of yarn.

waiting...

2009-11-13T17:07:00.003+01:00

for buttons.

I love this retro jacket, pattern from Nøstebarn, yarn from Isager (Højlandsgarn, 2 strands knitted together), but I'm having a hard time finding the right buttons in the stash...

And then there's me - waiting for Babyboy to arrive (I was due Monday the 9th)...

Karius & Baktus

2009-11-06T09:24:00.006+01:00

Or in my case - just Baktus:

Knitted from one skein of Arauncania handcolored sockyarn, I almost bored myself to sleep - but I love the end result!

Karius & Baktus is most commenly known as a book in Denmark - but apparently it's a Norwegian tv-show? See - knitting (and youtube) makes you wiser.

When a star is born

2009-11-04T10:17:00.003+01:00

in November - you have to dress him appropiatly. I used Rustic Tweed, but there's nothing rustic about it, it's an incredibly soft blend of wool, alpaca and Donegal tweed - a favorite!

I haven't yet packed the bag for the hospital, but I kind of know what to bring and besides the 5-hour baby boy cardigan, I'll bring this "Baby i Rib" made in the most luxurious cashmere/silk (the front one - the back one is made in Merci a cotton/wool blend, and will be too big for a newborn. I know they look the same size, but the blue one is knitted losely and is more fitting for a 6 months old).

Viola wasn't as blessed with knitting, when she was born - but it was during my pregnancy with her, I picked up the needles again, and now just take a look at my stash (no don't!) or my queue (definately too optimistic)...

Viola herself refuses to wear anything knitted. The other day she told her dad: "I have got 2 hats. I only want to wear the purple one, the other one is knitted!" But she will still sometimes tell me to go and knit (and leave her alone to make stuff she knows she is not really allowed to...) and the other day she requested red yarn in a yarnshop, so she could knit me another salad.