While I was at it, I also made a pair for my significant other.
I feel so rebellious knitting mismatching stripes! :)
I have also cast on a lace scarf, but it's not really in "photo condition" yet...
Monday, February 26, 2007
Long stockings
I finished these socks yesterday, and I couldn't be happier! They are so warm, and I love the way the stripes don't match. Plus they were a piece of cake to knit. A perfect TV knitting project. It's a basic toe up sock with k2p2 ribbing. The yarn is Noro Kureyon, and I could go on and on about how great it is for socks when it's around -10 C outside.
While I was at it, I also made a pair for my significant other.
I feel so rebellious knitting mismatching stripes! :)
I have also cast on a lace scarf, but it's not really in "photo condition" yet...
While I was at it, I also made a pair for my significant other.
I feel so rebellious knitting mismatching stripes! :)
I have also cast on a lace scarf, but it's not really in "photo condition" yet...
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Lingonberry jam
I took a break from the knitting yesterday, and made some lingonberry jam. I had to make some room in the freezer, but there's still a lot of berries left.
Finnish people (and Nordic people in general, I think) have this obsession with berries. When the days are getting shorter in August, everyone starts talking about if it's a good "berry year" or not. We pick blueberries and lingonberries and other kinds of wild berries, and it doesn't stop there. If you live in your own house, it's very likely that you have some kind of berries growing in your back yard. And when berry season is over, mushroom season starts, as well as the discussions about whether it has rained enough, or if it's too dry. If you know a good place to pick mushrooms (especially chanterelles) you only share that secret with family members and a select few. The same goes for really good blueberry spots.
So you see, I have to start making room in the freezer for more goodies! :)
I also made some progress on the border for my fair isle pillow, but I'll wait until it's finished before I post a picture...
Finnish people (and Nordic people in general, I think) have this obsession with berries. When the days are getting shorter in August, everyone starts talking about if it's a good "berry year" or not. We pick blueberries and lingonberries and other kinds of wild berries, and it doesn't stop there. If you live in your own house, it's very likely that you have some kind of berries growing in your back yard. And when berry season is over, mushroom season starts, as well as the discussions about whether it has rained enough, or if it's too dry. If you know a good place to pick mushrooms (especially chanterelles) you only share that secret with family members and a select few. The same goes for really good blueberry spots.
So you see, I have to start making room in the freezer for more goodies! :)
I also made some progress on the border for my fair isle pillow, but I'll wait until it's finished before I post a picture...
Friday, February 23, 2007
Fair Isle pillow
I've been working on a Fair Isle project these last few days, and I've actually made some progress! (applause!)
What you see here is the middle part of a pillow. I still have the edges left, but I'm loving it so far! I was a little bit hesitant when I started, because I haven't done much Fair Isle, and the chart looked really complicated (not to mention the instructions!). But after a few rows, I was getting the idea. And Fair Isle is so satisfying, because you see the results almost instantly.
This first picture is a close up of the pattern. I found this pattern on the Two Swans Yarns website when I was browsing around. They use 14! colors, but I wanted to make it a little more simple, so I'm going to use only 6 colors. Two for the middle, two for the edging, and two for the borders. In the picture below, you can see the whole shebang on my fridge door fastened with magnetic hangers. Oh, how clever I am! :)
What you see here is the middle part of a pillow. I still have the edges left, but I'm loving it so far! I was a little bit hesitant when I started, because I haven't done much Fair Isle, and the chart looked really complicated (not to mention the instructions!). But after a few rows, I was getting the idea. And Fair Isle is so satisfying, because you see the results almost instantly.
This first picture is a close up of the pattern. I found this pattern on the Two Swans Yarns website when I was browsing around. They use 14! colors, but I wanted to make it a little more simple, so I'm going to use only 6 colors. Two for the middle, two for the edging, and two for the borders. In the picture below, you can see the whole shebang on my fridge door fastened with magnetic hangers. Oh, how clever I am! :)
Monday, February 19, 2007
Socktopia socks and more yarn
I finally finished my heart socks for Socktopia.
The themes for february were:
Life is like a box of chocolates...
Forever in my heart
Bed of roses
Short and sweet
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
I think these socks have a little bit of all the themes in them. They were really fun to knit. The yarn is Colinette Jitterbug, a very easy yarn to knit with. The white fluffy yarn is Novita Teddy. I have a lot of it left, so it will probably be knitted into something nice and warm sometime in the future.
I have also somehow managed to order more yarn online. I just can't figure out how that happens! For some mysterious reason, I keep finding myself on yarn websites, looking at all the beautiful colors and textures, and more and more yarn keeps dropping into my shopping basket. What is going on!!?? I do have something to say in my defense. This yarn will actually become a dog sweater for my friend's dog Viggo. So there, I'm not completely insane!
Zitron Unikat, again. I soo love this yarn!
The themes for february were:
Life is like a box of chocolates...
Forever in my heart
Bed of roses
Short and sweet
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
I think these socks have a little bit of all the themes in them. They were really fun to knit. The yarn is Colinette Jitterbug, a very easy yarn to knit with. The white fluffy yarn is Novita Teddy. I have a lot of it left, so it will probably be knitted into something nice and warm sometime in the future.
I have also somehow managed to order more yarn online. I just can't figure out how that happens! For some mysterious reason, I keep finding myself on yarn websites, looking at all the beautiful colors and textures, and more and more yarn keeps dropping into my shopping basket. What is going on!!?? I do have something to say in my defense. This yarn will actually become a dog sweater for my friend's dog Viggo. So there, I'm not completely insane!
Zitron Unikat, again. I soo love this yarn!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Finished object, UFO's and Noro
I've been knitting a lot lately, but I can't seem to finish much. I knit half a sock, or 10 rows of a shawl, and then I frog it. If it doesn't feel right, I can't make myself continue. In spite of all the traumatic frogging experiences, I did finish one object yesterday. This scarf. It goes really well with the beautiful mittens and I can't wait to wear it.
I've also been working on some ankle socks for Socktopia. I don't want to reveal too much about them before they're finished, but the process has involved a lot of frogging (again!) and a really sore pinkie... The yarn I've finally decided on is Colinette Jitterbug in the color Fire. I love this yarn. It's perfect for socks with small details and lace patterns.
I also received some more yarn in the mail today. Superfast delivery! I ordered on Monday, and it arrived on Wednesday! Thank you Priima. It's the oh so wonderful Noro Kureyon. I test-knitted a sock with one skein, just to see how the yarn would work with the pattern, and I really liked the effect. So I just had to order more of it for another sock for me and a pair for my significant other. Let's hope the cold weather continues for a while so we can cuddle up on the couch with our matching socks!
I've also been working on some ankle socks for Socktopia. I don't want to reveal too much about them before they're finished, but the process has involved a lot of frogging (again!) and a really sore pinkie... The yarn I've finally decided on is Colinette Jitterbug in the color Fire. I love this yarn. It's perfect for socks with small details and lace patterns.
I also received some more yarn in the mail today. Superfast delivery! I ordered on Monday, and it arrived on Wednesday! Thank you Priima. It's the oh so wonderful Noro Kureyon. I test-knitted a sock with one skein, just to see how the yarn would work with the pattern, and I really liked the effect. So I just had to order more of it for another sock for me and a pair for my significant other. Let's hope the cold weather continues for a while so we can cuddle up on the couch with our matching socks!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Kool-Aid
Yay! I got an interesting package in the mail today. My long awaited Kool-Aid arrived! I ordered 8 different flavors online from the UK a while ago. And now that they're here I can try some Kool-Aid yarn dyeing!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Simple mittens
I've been making all kinds of complicated projects lately, with lace and cables and fair isle. So I wanted to make something really easy and quick. These mittens are as simple as they get. No thumb increases, no pattern, just plain knitted mittens. And this also brings out the beautiful colors of the yarn in the best way.
And yes, one is bigger than the other. I always knit the second mitten/sock tighter than the first one. I guess it's because I knit faster once I get going and that makes me pull the yarn tighter, or something... It happens every time!
And yes, one is bigger than the other. I always knit the second mitten/sock tighter than the first one. I guess it's because I knit faster once I get going and that makes me pull the yarn tighter, or something... It happens every time!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Yarnalicious!
I got some yarn in the mail today! Beautiful! I always forget what I ordered and then get really surprised when it arrives. Funny!
Some sockyarn of course...
And some puffy things that I don't know what will become of...
Lately, I've been buying yarn that I think is cute first (usually just one skein) and then try to find something to knit with it... Not the best system, but the most fun one! Don't you agree? :)
Some sockyarn of course...
And some puffy things that I don't know what will become of...
Lately, I've been buying yarn that I think is cute first (usually just one skein) and then try to find something to knit with it... Not the best system, but the most fun one! Don't you agree? :)
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
More yarn...
Yay, I dyed some more yarn! It's sooo much fun. I'm a little more pleased with this one than the first one, but the brown was supposed to be lighter and more beige.. Oh well, I'm sure this will make a nice pair of socks!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
First attempt!
I have an announcement to make. I've dyed my first skein of yarn! I wanted it to be a nice deep red with light olive green stripes. The green is a little darker than I intended, and the red is not dark enough, but I'm pretty pleased with myself...
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Finished Baudelaire
I finally finished my Baudelaire socks! The details are sooo beautiful! The pattern can be found here.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
SP 10 questionnaire, answers
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
A: Oh, there are so many favorites! I love selfstriping merino sock yarn, or shiny wool yarn that is good for making socks. I can't stand yarns with "things" on them, anything that resembles this.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A: At the moment, I store them in the packages they came with. Older "stray" ones that aren't complete sets, I store in a bunch with a rubber band around them. Clearly, I have some organising to do in this area.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
A: I have been knitting from a very young age. My grandmothers taught me. I used to raid their yarn stash and knit stuff, and remove their projects from the needles I wanted to use.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
A: Nope.
5. What's your favorite scent?
A: Difficult one. Anything that isn't too strong. Fruity and flowery.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
A: Dark chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
A: At the moment, I'm just starting to learn how to dye my own yarn. I also recently bought a drop spindle and I can't wait to try it out when I have more time. But most of the time I just knit like crazy.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
A: Yes, I can play mp3s on my computer. I like so many different kinds of music, it's hard to point anything out. I'm not a big fan of country music, though.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
A: I have so many favorite colors that I can't decide on one or a few. I don't like orange and yellow.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
A: I live with my boyfriend in a 3 room apartment. We don't have any pets or kids or other creatures running around here.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
A: All of the above.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
A: At the moment, socks, socks, and socks. And in between the socks: mittens and some more socks.
13. What are you knitting right now?
A: A dog sweater for my friend's dog Viggo, a fair isle pillow, Noro Kureyon socks, and I'm about to cast on some mittens and a shawl.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
A: Yes, definitely!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
A: Straight needles. I've only knitted with aluminum, so it would be nice to try something else for a change.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
A: I do have a yarn winder, and a swift is on my "things to shop when I have time/money" list.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
A: Probably around 3 years.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
A: I would have to say Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
A: Not really, if you don't count yarn.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
A: I am absolutely in love with handpainted yarns! I just started subscribing to Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting. I would love to get my hands on the pattern for Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave's fall 2006 issue.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
A: I can't think of anything specific. Learning new things is always interesting.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
A: Yes, big time! I have a size 38,5 foot (European), 8 (USA). That is 25 cm (Eur.), 9 3/4 inches (USA).
23. When is your birthday?
A: February 27.
A: Oh, there are so many favorites! I love selfstriping merino sock yarn, or shiny wool yarn that is good for making socks. I can't stand yarns with "things" on them, anything that resembles this.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A: At the moment, I store them in the packages they came with. Older "stray" ones that aren't complete sets, I store in a bunch with a rubber band around them. Clearly, I have some organising to do in this area.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
A: I have been knitting from a very young age. My grandmothers taught me. I used to raid their yarn stash and knit stuff, and remove their projects from the needles I wanted to use.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
A: Nope.
5. What's your favorite scent?
A: Difficult one. Anything that isn't too strong. Fruity and flowery.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
A: Dark chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
A: At the moment, I'm just starting to learn how to dye my own yarn. I also recently bought a drop spindle and I can't wait to try it out when I have more time. But most of the time I just knit like crazy.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
A: Yes, I can play mp3s on my computer. I like so many different kinds of music, it's hard to point anything out. I'm not a big fan of country music, though.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
A: I have so many favorite colors that I can't decide on one or a few. I don't like orange and yellow.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
A: I live with my boyfriend in a 3 room apartment. We don't have any pets or kids or other creatures running around here.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
A: All of the above.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
A: At the moment, socks, socks, and socks. And in between the socks: mittens and some more socks.
13. What are you knitting right now?
A: A dog sweater for my friend's dog Viggo, a fair isle pillow, Noro Kureyon socks, and I'm about to cast on some mittens and a shawl.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
A: Yes, definitely!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
A: Straight needles. I've only knitted with aluminum, so it would be nice to try something else for a change.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
A: I do have a yarn winder, and a swift is on my "things to shop when I have time/money" list.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
A: Probably around 3 years.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
A: I would have to say Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
A: Not really, if you don't count yarn.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
A: I am absolutely in love with handpainted yarns! I just started subscribing to Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting. I would love to get my hands on the pattern for Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave's fall 2006 issue.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
A: I can't think of anything specific. Learning new things is always interesting.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
A: Yes, big time! I have a size 38,5 foot (European), 8 (USA). That is 25 cm (Eur.), 9 3/4 inches (USA).
23. When is your birthday?
A: February 27.
The horror of faulty knitting
Crap! I had to rip my green sock and start all over again! It was far to wide for my foot. Oh well, it looks so much better now. I hate ripping! It disturbs my inner peace.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Yarnoholic
Help! I had trouble sleeping last night so I turned on the computer. And lo and behold, all kinds of yarnselling websites appeared on my screen! Nothing wrong with that, you might think. Just browse around and enjoy the beautiful colors. Well... it cost me almost 70 euro to look at the colors, because I have no self control! I just had to have, have, have! I bought a few skeins of Noro, and a whole bunch of other stuff that I don't know what to knit of. I'll post pictures when the packages arrive.
Sneak preview...
A little taste of what's going on with the Green Sock Knitalong project...
The color looks very different compared to the first picture I posted of this yarn... I guess it has to do with the difference between daylight and "lamplight".
The color looks very different compared to the first picture I posted of this yarn... I guess it has to do with the difference between daylight and "lamplight".
Secret Pal 10
Yippee!
I just joined Secret Pal 10. It's going to be sooo much fun! I was casually browsing around for SP events, and I found this one. I can't wait to go out hunting for nice and interesting things to send to my pal. And it's going to be so exciting to see what I get in the mail! :)
I just joined Secret Pal 10. It's going to be sooo much fun! I was casually browsing around for SP events, and I found this one. I can't wait to go out hunting for nice and interesting things to send to my pal. And it's going to be so exciting to see what I get in the mail! :)
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