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...

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.

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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.

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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.

Discontinued yarn!

On my way to work on Tuesday, I decided to stop by Bette Design on Klosterstræde, to see if she had anything left of the Drops yarn Highlander, that is being discontinued.

It's a very unique kind of yarn, it looks kind of felted, and I'm hoping it is able to keep some of the Danish wind out. All the mittens and gloves I had from Norway are almost of no use here, the wind goes straight through. The exceptions being a pair of felted mittens and a pair that are lined.

She had a lot of the yarn left, so I got the colours I wanted. I got four skeins of brown, for the Martin Luther hat from the Danish book "Hippe huer, hatte og kasketter til ham og hende",
and a pair of mittens to match -




two skeins yellow-green for a crocheted Drops neckwarmer (I have a skein of Vienna in Norway, that I think is the right colour to match, but if not I'll have to go back to the store to get some, as that colour is discontinued also!).



The three blue skeins is probably going to be a vest similar to this on Ravelry. It's this Drops pattern, but it looks quite different in Highlander.



It's kind of funny how my blog makes it look like I'm this huuuge Drops-fan. In fact I have only made one pattern. I guess I'm just in that mood right now... Plus the yarns on sale helps, of course...

DROPS fall winter 2008

Inspired by gaffah , my favourites from the new DROPS pattern release.



I hope to knit at least the vertical striped cardigan FA051 (bottom left) and the 'fair isle'-cardigan Z338 (bottom right).

The patterns can be found here (eventually).