Obsession...

I think I have a problem. I can't stop knitting. I'm completely consumed by this sweater, and it's progressing at record speed. I just want to finish it, to see if it turns out the same as the image I have in my head. At the same time, I never want to finish it, because the yarn is so heavenly!

This is not the real color of the yarn. The weather just doesn't want to cooperate with me today, and it insists on being gloomy. The picture in my previous post is closer to the actual color.

So what will this sweater look like when it "grows up". Well, the cable runs up the right front and back side. I'm making it fairly long, almost like a tunic. I'm decreasing at the fake side seam from the waist up underneath the bust, and then increasing to make it form fitted. It will have a large turtle neck with some kind of cable detail, and the sleeves will be slightly flared.

I'm so excited!

Eyecandy...

Look! A mountain of pure bliss!

This is Rowanspun DK (discontinued) in "Catkin" that I scored from Cucumberpatch a while back. It should be more than enough for a sweater. I already have some ideas (big, wide turtleneck, cables...). Yes, it's going to be another one of those making-it-up-as-I-go-along-projects.

Subtle, and not so subtle... I went to my LYS here in Turku for the first time last week. I usually order yarn online, so this was a new experience for me. I can't believe I haven't gone before!
And I really can't believe that this and the Trekking in the pic below is all I brought home with me! Talk about self control! And if you Turku:ians are wondering, I went to Käsityö Elisa.

I also had to order some sock yarn online. Of course!

The two gorgeous skeins in the upper right corner are from Socktopus. It's an organic sock yarn called "Dazzle" from Natural Dye Studio. Amazing! The Cherry Tree Hill is from The Woolly Workshop, and it's a new sock yarn called "Sockittome".

This is something I've been working on lately. It's my own pattern, and I'm having some serious problems deciding what to do with it. Should I send it to Knitty or Magknits or Ulla, or should I just put it up on my blog... Hmmm.... What do you think?

The yarn is Rowan 4 ply soft, one of my favorite yarns for socks, in "Beetroot" and a discontinued shade called "Irish Cream". Yummy!

A test of character...

WARNING! Do not click here if you like sock yarn and it's convenient for you to order it from the UK! Even the name pulls you in with its long arms, Socktopus...

I can't remember who posted this link and made me click on it, but my credit card really resents you!

The most picture heavy post ever...

I tried to get some decent photos of the finished cardigan today, but it's a real pain to photograph oneself. I was sweating and trying to turn around in strange angles, and don't even get me started on photographing your own back! And yes, I did use the timer on my camera, but it just didn't want to co-operate with me. Oh well, this is the result.


Don't you just love the colors.

Yarn: Kauni Multicolor
Contrast yarn: Novita Nalle

Pattern: Improvised cardigan pattern, made it up as I went along

Hearts: I adapted a lace pattern I found on Anne's website, here, and made it into fair isle.


I think I chose the perfect buttons.


View from above.



This is what happens when you try to photograph your own back, holding the camera in your hand. Classy!



Picture of back taken with the camera's timer. Notice how the fair isle pattern is pulling in the cardigan at the waist. This is exactly what I wanted to happen, and the reason why I used a sturdier contrast yarn with polyamide in it. I'm so happy it actually worked!

I didn't expect it to be so difficult to photograph the little heart on the shoulder.

Close-up of heart.

And finally, the whole thing lying on the couch.

And same story from behind.

Phew! What an ordeal!

A trip to the post office...

I brought this package home today. It's from my Secret Pal, it's sent from Germany, and already when the lady behind the counter handed it to me, there was this wonderful scent coming out of it. It smelled like coffee and chocolate. So my hopes were already high, because I'm a typical Finn: I looove coffee! :)


I was so excited I almost opened the package in the car, but I somehow managed to stop myself, and I drove home as fast as I could (observing the speed limits, of course!). When I got home, the scent got even stronger, and I had to rip the package open. This is what I found inside.

A really nice letter from my SP. I already have a vague idea about what kind of person she is. I imagine her to be around 25 years old, give or take a few years. And yes, it's a she. (Haha, you didn't fool me by putting a boy's name on the package! And if you're really a boy, I'm so sorry!) She hand dyed this yarn for me with Kool Aid (And yes, SP, I also question how safe it is to drink the stuff!) I got a really great pattern that will teach me to knit two socks on two circs, and the two circs to go with it. She also included a notebook for all my knitting ideas. This would have been a great package in itself, but there was more, and this is where coffee addicts, chocoholics and tea fanatics might want to look away.


When I saw this, it was no longer a mystery why the package smelled so heavenly! These are all my favourite things. First of all, the coffee! I almost fainted with bliss when I put my nose into the beautiful tin! I could sit with my head over it all day, but I finally came to my senses and decided to make a cup to drink instead (if you didn't know, that's what coffee is for...) It's brewing right now, and the scent coming from the kitchen is wonderful. And the chocolate! I absolutely adore dark chocolate, and this is "Noir de Noir". It's delicious! The tea also smells great, and I usually drink tea in the evenings, so I will try some tonight. And finally, some olive hand lotion. I love olive oil and olives, so this was a perfect choice!

Everyone says they have the best Secret Pal, but I really do! Thank you so much! It really feels like you can read my mind. Scary! But in a good way! :)

My precious...

She is blocking, and I think She might be a success.
She still needs her wooden buttons, and some finishing touches to the steeks, but She's almost ready for her big photo op.

I don't have a name for her yet, though. Do you have any suggestions?

New sock...

I've been working on a new sock. It's my own design, and I've adapted a stitch pattern I found in a Japanese stitch dictionary.

The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi, and I think the color is called Sherbet. I'm knitting this on 2mm needles (US 0), and I really like that the colors aren't pooling at all!

The mittens in my last post have already arrived at their new home, and their new owner loves them! Yay! :)

An actual Finished Object

I can't believe it! I managed to finish something! Woohoo! And if I want to be really accurate, it's two things (count them, I'm not trying to fool you with the FO action here)!

This pattern is from Rovaniemi, and can be found in the book Sata Kansanomaista Kuviokudinmallia (100 traditional/folk stranded knitting patterns) by Eeva Haavisto. The book is really difficult to get hold of, so you can imagine how happy I was when I tracked it down at my local library!

Now I just need to find someone to give these to... Mimmi? Vill du ha dem? Eller e di för vita?

10.000

The counter is ticking, and it's almost at 10.000 already! Wow! So who will be visitor number 10.000? Leave a comment if the counter shows the magic number when you visit!

Nothing much going on...

This blog has been on the back burner lately. Partly because I haven't managed to finish one single WIP, and partly because I've had so many other things to do.

The results of my little poll were kind of interesting. Apparently, people who visit my blog are not interested in getting a message across with their own blogs. :) Most of you are in it for the feedback and comments from other knitters. That one got my vote too.

Not much else this time. I promise I'll be back soon with some pictures of finished objects. Happy Knitting!