2013, hopes and dreams

2013 will be the year I finish knitting a proper Norwegian fair isle jumper - Marius. Final deadline is the constitution day in May.
2013 will be the year I will get a proper job in the field I've dreamt about and worked hard towards - Architecture. If karma strikes, then maybe even in social housing.
2013 will be the year I get to walk around in a project I've contributed to. In 1:1 scale.
2013 will be the year I get to spend more time with the man I've chosen. One way or another.
2013 will be the year I spend more time off line/off tech.
2013 will be the year I get back to reading, and hopefully read more than the two nearly finished books from last year.
2013 will be the year I go on a proper holiday, maybe even somewhere I haven't been.
2013 will be the year I finally run 5k.

2013 will be the year the year I get back to blogging regularly....

Mystery knitting

I have joined my first knit-along, AND my first mystery knitting project!

The mystery knit-along is a Leethal pattern, and is a total mystery, the only thing we’ll know is that it is an accessory, and that it is a one size, fits all-item. You can read more about it in Leethal’s blog post.

Tonight I have been trying to choose yarns for the project, and I THINK I have ended on these two alternatives -

Lucca Fino, worsted weight merino – a multicoloured white/pink/sand/lilac, and a wine/burgundy solid.

Same multicoloured Lucca, with Drops Silke Alpaca as contrast colours, in chocolate, lilac and purple.

 

If you’d like to join too, check out the KAL-thread in the Leethal Ravelry Group!

Can’t wait for the first clue!

On my mind…

 
except for packing…

School’s started -

and I’m preparing for an introduction meeting with my teachers tomorrow morning.

 

A real apartment

I have bought an apartment!! I will be moving from our tiny student flat in the beginning of October, and will be living in twice the space..!

 Pictures from DanBolig realestate

I’m having a lot of ideas for decorating, and trying to keep sketches and notes to not forget anything, and to sort out my mind a little.

The first things I have purchased for the new place are a set of three keisler&fiedler bowls, and a set of lattecup and bowl from Hapilu/Pia Lund Hansen, both mentioned in a previous post.

 

And a cool retro coffee set, seen in BoligLiv and purchased at affär.

Picture from affär

I don’t know what the design is called, but I really like it. If you know, please tell me!

Kunsthåndværkermarked 2010

Today I went to The Crafts Fair at Copenhagen’s Frue Plads.

As I will be moving into a real appartment this fall, I was interested in looking for a few items, for example a teapot, tea cups, bowls, vases and so on.

These are a few of my favourites from today. Photos borrowed from the artists’ websites.

Hapilu by Pia Lund Hansen, ceramics 

I love her bowls and cups, and one day I’ll get one of the beautiful vases in white or black, or maybe a unika bowl.
I will probably buy a couple of cups and small bowls tomorrow.

 

keis&fiedler by Helene Keis and Jakob Fiedler, ceramics and jewelry

I will get a set of three bowls. My favourites are the matte white ones with glossy insides in black, green or yellow. 
Helene Keis is also making mussel painted earrings and brooches, which are beautiful and interesting.
I love the tall, lean vases as well, I would like one in yellow or black.

 

WAUW design by Maranke de Vos and Sussi Krull, glass and ceramics
  
The most BEAUTIFUL crystallized ceramic vases. I will never be able to choose one of these!!

I also like their Raw series, especially the light containers.

 

clibklap by Claire Maria Lehmann and Iben Harboe, ceramics

Lovely teapot, and their sugar container is so cute. They also had some pretty teacups.

 

Hygild by Leif Hygild and Helle Grangaard, ceramics

Japanese inspired tableware.

 

Lars Glad, jewelry
Pretty necklaces, my favorites where the ones with red string and either a cube or a heart. Unfortunately there are no photos of those on his website.

 

If you are in Copenhagen and would like to visit the fair, it is open tomorrow (Saturday 14th August) from 10-16.

I was fortunate that my mom wanted to give me a few items as a belated birthday present, so I’m going back tomorrow, if I’m able to choose from all of it.

The eight tens meme

 

TEN TO START.
1. Are you single? no
2. Are you happy? mostly
3. Are you bored? yes
4. Are you naked? no
5. Are you a blonde? no
6. Are you moody? not really
7. Are you a lover/hater? lover
8. Are you hot/cold? cold
9. Are you Irish? no
10. Are you Asian? no

TEN FACTS.
1. Name: Line
2. Nicknames: secret
3. Birth mark: two on the left side of my belly – one light, one dark
4. Hair color: golden brown
5. Natural hair color: same
6. Eye color: blue and green
7. Height: 168 cm
8. Facebook Mood: huh?
9. Favorite color: many
10. One Place to Visit: a mountain

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE.
1. Do you believe in love at first sight? no
2. Do you believe in soul mates? no
4. Have you ever been hurt emotionally? yes
5. Have you ever broken someone’s heart? not that I’m aware of
6. Have you ever been cheated on? no
7. Have you ever liked someone and not told them? yes, when I was younger
8. Are you afraid of commitment? no
9. Who was the last person you hugged? boyfriend this morning
10. Who was the last person you kissed? boyfriend last night

TEN THIS OR THAT.
1. Love or lust? love
3. Cats or dogs? cats!
4. A few best friends or many regular friends? a few
5. Television or internet? internet
6. Chinese Or Indian? Indian
7. Wild night out or romantic night in? romantic night out ;)
8. Money or Happiness? enough of both
9. Night or day? day
10. MSN or phone? msn

TEN HAVE YOU EVER.
1. Been caught sneaking out? no
2. Been skinny dipping? yes
3. Stolen? yes
4. Bungee jumped? no
5. Lied to someone you liked? no
6. Finished an entire jaw breaker? no, not sure I ever had one
8. Wanted an ex bf/gf back? not really
9. Cried because you lost a pet? no (I was 2 years old)
10. Wanted to disappear? no

TEN PREFERENCES IN A PARTNER.
1. Smile or eyes? both
2. Light or dark hair? dark
3. Hugs or kisses? hugs
4. Shorter or taller? taller
5. Intelligence or attraction? intelligent
6. Romantic or spontaneous? romantic
7. Funny or serious? both
8. Older or Younger? older, I think (haven’t tried younger, though)
9. Outgoing or quiet? both
10. Sweet or Bad Ass? sweet

TEN HAVE YOU’S.
1. Ever performed in front of a large crowd? yes
2. Ever done drugs? no
3. Ever been pregnant? no
5. Ever been on a cheer leading team? no
6. Ever Been on a dance team? no
7. Ever been on a sports team? no
8. Ever been in a drama play/production? yes
9. Ever owned a BMW, Mercedes Benz, Escalade, Hummer or Bentley? no
10. Ever been in a rap video? haha – no

TEN LASTS.
1. Last phone call you made: boyfriend (woke him up, I think…)
2. Last person you hung out with: had lunch with Henriette and Rebecca
4. Last time you worked: two weeks ago
5. Last person you tackled: physically?? no one…
6. Last person you IM’d: little sister
8. Last person(s) you went to the movies with: little sister, I think (it has been a while)
9. Last thing you missed: a bit of extra sunshine yesterday
10. Last thing you ate: leftover Chinese

via Sunday Stealing

Unconscious mutterings

1. Burrito :: wrap
2. Spike :: vampire
3. Tougher :: fist
4. Mock :: test
5. Slurp :: ice
6. Knock :: wood
7. Conference :: auditorium
8. Madness :: wild hair
9. Minds :: floating
10. Connection :: click

from http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

New way at looking at things

The most important of my knitting goals for 2010, is to continue my process of knitting up some of my old stash yarn, trying to see new opportunities in the stash, AND be better at “just doing it” – every little project doesn’t require detail planning, and there is always a recipient for a baby sweater or a hat. I don’t like not having anything to knit while watching TV, for instance, so I need some “go to” alternatives, as in just picking up a skein and knit something.

All of these goals combined, resulted in starting a “bestefargenser” (“grandpa sweater” – basically just a plain long sleeved sweater with a centre front button placket) from the Norwegian book Strikk til Nøstebarn (Christmas present!).

I’m using the leftover yarn from my Serafia’s vinter top, and hoping I’ll have enough. The pattern says 60 grams for the smallest size, I have a little less than a 50 gram skein, so I’ll knit the sleeves top down in the end. I do have some matching yarn in denim blue that I could use for stripes on the sleeves.

This, and other Nøstebarn patterns, seems like great “canvas patterns” that can be styled in a lot of different ways. I especially like Murf’s version of this and other basic Nøstebarn patterns.

I am also doing some test knitting for Leethal, it’s a fun project but NOT really mindless, so I started a game knitting hat while watching Flash Forward yesterday. Game knitting is REALLY great for meeting my goals too!

What I’ve been up to

 

Summer in Kragerø (south-eastern Norway) – sailing and “hunting”

Stockholm – architecture and yarn

Working at the zoo

Internship at WITRAZ architects + landscape

 

And just because my cat has the cutest feet…

Blocking

I got "blocking wires" from the school's supply shop (I think it's called piano string, and is supposed to be stainless), and the Gnarled Oakwoods shawl for my Grandma is now finally blocking!

Since the shawl is so long, I had to fold it in half, but I think it works out okay. I might have to steam the middle a bit, if there is a fold.

 

 

The wrong side is up on these pictures.

I think this is going to be SOOO pretty! The blocking really makes wonders.

I have to figure out some clever way to photograph the finished shawl...

 

 

 

 

I also finished the first Hap Blanket this week, it will be next in the blocking line. Unfortunately, I fell really hard for this blanket (and the colourway) while knitting it - I almost won't be able to part with it. But as we have plenty of blankets already, and it doesn't go with the colourscheme (-to be) in our apartment, I might as well give it away. It probably has something to do with me not knitting THAT many items as gifts before, and it should be a good sign that I like it so much, right?
I will knit one for myself ONE DAY, though...

I started the second Hap Blanket, which I have decided to give to my Grandpa (he's in a wheelchair, and I think this blanket will be perfect for him), before I bound off the first. I forgot to take a photo before I picked up stitches for the edging, so it is a little wonky...

WIP Wednesday

Inderst inde

Finished the knitting on Friday, have about half a skein left over! Will bind off the shoulders and crochet a picot edge.

I haven’t decided whether there will be buttons on one shoulder or not. I really don’t have much baby-experience, and I don’t know if it’s really necessary. There aren’t buttons in the pattern, and most people don’t do them. I have knit both armholes the same height now, so I’ll probably just crochet some button loops if I decide on the buttons.

I thought about making a sun hat with the left over yarn, I have some same weight cotton yarn in plum that could be used for stripes. I’ll see how much time the other baby stuff takes, and what I want to make when the time comes.

Daylight

Not very excited about this at the moment, but it’s coming along, slowly. I frogged the first 30 rows once – the perfectionist in me had to make a new plan for the increases, and I redrew the chart to be able to concentrate better on the knitting. The pattern has the front and back of all sizes on the same chart, so I had to think to much about where to work pattern sts or not…

Then I forgot some increases several times, and had to frog again. And again. But now I’ve finally passed the spot where I frogged the first time, so I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Hap blanket

Got Alaska yarn at the 40% off Drops spring sale to make a Hap Blanket for another baby. I love these colours together, they’re not “too baby”, but still suitable, I think. I hope a worsted wool blanket isn’t a bad gift for a June baby, it’s difficult to come up with summer baby projects, and I love this blanket. It will be big enough for quite a while though, so he will still be able to use it during winter.

The yarn is slightly lighter than recommended for the pattern, but hopefully it will turn out okay. If it does, and is fun, I’ll consider making another for a third baby.

Check list

Found on the Ravelry forums -

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

• Afghan
• I-cord
• Garter stitch
• Knitting with metal wire
• Shawl
• Stockinette stitch
• Socks: top-down
• Socks: toe-up
• Knitting with camel yarn
• Mittens: Cuff-up
• Mittens: Tip-down
• Hat
• Knitting with silk
• Moebius band knitting
• Participating in a KAL
• Sweater
• Drop stitch patterns
• Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
• Slip stitch patterns
• Knitting with bananafiber yarn
• Domino knitting /modular knitting
• Twisted stitch patterns (I'm not sure what they look like)
• Knitting with bamboo yarn
• Two end knitting
• Charity knitting
• Knitting with soy yarn
• Cardigan
• Toy/doll clothing
• Knitting with circular needles
• Baby items
• Knitting with your own handspun yarn
• Slippers
• Graffitti knitting: knitting items on, or to be left on the street
• Continental knitting-ish
• Designing knitted garments
• Cable stitch patterns
• Lace patterns
• Publishing a knitting book
• Scarf
• Teaching a child to knit
• Knitting to make money
• Button holes
• Knitting with alpaca
• Fair Isle knitting
• Norwegian knitting (assuming it's the traditional colourwork-thing)
• Household items: dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…
• Knitting socks- or other small tubular items- on two circulars
• Dying with plant colours
• Knitting items for a wedding
• Olympic knitting
• Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
• Knitting with dpns
• Holiday related knitting (oh, I read that as knitting related holiday...does it mean Christmas or what?)
• Teaching a male how to knit
• Bobbles
• Knitting for a living
• Knitting with cotton
• Knitting smocking
• Dyeing yarn
• Steeks
• Knitting art
• Fulling/felting
• Knitting with wool
• Textured knitting
• Kitchener BO
• Purses/bags
• Knitting with beads
• Swatching
• Long Tail CO
• Entrelac
• Knitting and purling backwards
• Machine knitting
• Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
• Stuffed toys
• Knitting with cashmere
• Darning
• Jewelry
• Knitting with synthetic yarn
• Writing a pattern
• Gloves
• Intarsia
• Knitting with linen
• Knitting for preemies
• Tubular CO
• Freeform knitting
• Short rows
• Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
• Pillows
• Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
• Rug
• Knitting on a loom
• Thrummed knitting
• Knitting a gift
• Knitting for pets
• Shrug/bolero/poncho
• Knitting with dog/cat hair
• Hair accessories
• Knitting in public

Yarn overload(?)

As I just got my first paycheck in months, I had decided that I was going to spend a share of it on yarn. I have almost not bought any yarn, clothes or anything else fun since summer, because the world economic situation has been hard on the conversion rate from Norwegian to Danish currency, meaning that my living expenses has gone up quite a lot, and I’ve not had any money to spare. Also, I have been on a break from school since February, therefore not receiving any education support from the government.

I have been working full time since April, though, and that’s why I finally get to spend some money on yarn. And I DID spend quite a few hours last weekend organising my stash ;)

First, Lynghøjgaard is closing, and have 25% off or more in May.

I got Kauni Effekt (first time I’m trying it!) in three colourways, solid coloured Kauni 8/2 (100) in three different colours, 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden Lite (first Noro), one for the Queen Anne scarf and one for the Quant entrelac headband, and one skein of Filcolana Merci, mentioned in my last post, to use for a baby vest.

View Full Album

Figos mor was recommended by a friend from the knitting café, and there was 50% off on some Rowan and HP/Løve yarns.

I got a ton of Rowan Summer Tweed in a few different colours, there ere mostly leftovers, but I got 8 skeins of Ghost (grayish white, LOVE it) that I might use for a Liesl by Ysolda. 3 skeins Raffia (light brown) and one of Oat (beige, the same colour, but not dye lot, as my Daylight yarn) - these go well together (stripes?), 2 skeins Denim (blue, this is really pretty) and Dew (light green, the colour is weird but cool), and enough Løve Heavy (bulky cotton/acrylic) for a cardigan or 2-3 baby sweaters.

View Full Album

And of course, just when I’ve ordered all this, I get a newsletter from Garnstudio/Drops, saying that they have 40% off on selected yarns all May… I will probably get some Vivaldi, at least, because I want to knit a new bolero, to replace the one that felted.

Swatching

I’m not knitting much on actual projects these days – the red shawl for my grandmother is finished, except for blocking, and the lace cape is being stupid and is on time out to think about what it’s done…

I’m in the mood for summery projects, and have been swatching for Daylight by Martin Storey, using Rowan Summer tweed in the colour Oat.

 

The chart in the book (Rowan Kasbah Collection) is a bit difficult to follow, because it has all three sizes, front AND back on the same chart, so I have redrawn the chart for my size in Excel.

The top is very short, so I will be using a provisional cast on, and knitting the lace pattern bottom up first, then picking up stitches, and knitting the waist rib top down afterwards. As I have one extra skein of yarn, I will probably be able to make it a bit longer.

The second project I’m swatching for is the Bubble Pullover by Norah Gaughan. As many others, I would like a more fitted version of the sweater (it’s really oversized), so I have been trying to figure out the right gauge and measurements. I’m using Marianne Svit Supersoft yarn, in Crocus (which is beautiful). Two strands will make worsted weight, and I tried that first, on 4.5 mm needles. The pentagon got too large, though (I’m aiming for 12.5 cm sides), so I tried again with a single strand on 3.5 mm needles.

That seems to be about the right size, which is a bit annoying, as I don’t have a 40 cm circular in 3.5 mm (and I just bought 2.5 and 3 mm to make baby stuff, forgot the 3.5, apparently!)

And last, but not least, I’m knitting a vest ‘Inderst inde’, in Filcolana Merci, 50% merino wool, 50% cotton, in Lavender. It is for my stepsister’s daughter, who will be born in July. Three of my friends/relatives are having babies in June/July, and I have had a hard time coming up with ideas on what to knit for summer babies, as I can’t knit with 100% cotton (always knit too loose). The Merci yarn is working out, and since it’s just a vest, it hopefully won’t bee too hot, even with the wool content. It’s really soft too.

I don’t have a picture though, as I had to unravel it because I was converting it to knit it in the round, and I messed up something (well done for 2x2 rib!) so that the rib wouldn’t go with the lace pattern on the chest.

Also, I bough A LOT of yarn, and will post about that in another post.

Yarn Forward Magazine

I ordered issue 12 of Yarn Forward Magazine, because I really wanted to read (and keep) the huge (6 pages +) interview with Terry Pratchett about the Pratchgan and his opinions on knitting, spinning and sheep.

 

 

Unfortunately, I am not too fond of the patterns in the magazine (which only would have been a bonus, anyway…), I find most of them quite boring and uninspiring. A thing I love though, is their yarn sub recommendation for each pattern, “Save, spend or spoil yourself “. That is really a nice detail.

Most of the articles in the magazine were interesting enough, especially one about weaving.

Ooh shiny!

I have wished for a row counter bracelet by Crimson Orchid for around 1.5 years, I think. I have almost bought it for myself a couple of times.

Monday was my 24th birthday, and I finally got one! My boyfriend wanted me to pick out one I liked, so it wasn’t a total surprise, but I really like it.

One thing I’m not too sure of is the closing mechanism, which I can’t really figure out. I think I will be attaching a clasp to it, to make it work better.

It will be interesting to see if I’ll actually use it for what it’s meant for, but it’s pretty anyway, so I will definitely wear it. Now I want matching stitch markers…

These pictures aren’t great, but there are better ones here!

Lacing along

The red shawl I’m knitting for my Grandma, has grown quite significantly during the last week.

It is knit in two equal halves, which then are grafted together in the centre, and I have alternated knitting both halves, so it would be easier to finish. The first half is now finished, and I have started the second of two charts on the other half.

I had dreaded the second chart, because there is patterning on every row (as opposed to only RS rows on the first chart), but I actually think it went faster than the first. I can really see the end of this now, and I think it’s going to turn out great. Phew :)

A picture of the first chart is here.

Knitting mail

Today, my copy of Ysolda’s Whimsical Little Knits finally arrived! I pre-ordered it in January, and have gotten the individual patterns as pdf-files along the way.

It’s the cutest little book, with ten lovely patterns from one of my favourite knitting designers. Ysolda even signed every copy!

I’m so happy I chose to get the printed and digital versions, for just £2 extra it was totally worth it.

I will probably be knitting the Hap Blanket ravelry and the small Ishbel shawl ravelry first :)

I’m still waiting for my copy of the British Yarn Forward Magazine, where there is a huge interview with Sir Terry Pratchett about Ankh-Morpork Knitter’s Guild's Pratchgan! It will probably be here tomorrow.

Yarn dyeing 1.1

As promised, here are the finished skeins from my first yarn dyeing experience. I'm quite happy about the result, and looking forward to see how the yarn looks when I knit with it. I'm thinking baby cardigan or possibly a blanket. Or something entirely different...



The first colourway, the one with blue in it -


The two other skeins were kind of supposed to be the same colourway, but the red is a bit brighter in the last one -




And all three skeins -




What do you think?

The process pictures from the yarn dyeing are here.