Friday 26 December 2014

Still Gifted


Two cowls from the pattern Millwater knitted in Puno alpaca for good friends.
Not a whole lot of gift knitting this christmas. But there have been some of them. Two cowls for a couple of friends in the soft Puno yarn from Rauma. They are so nice to knit and I think they will be nice to wear as well. And yes, the purple one is obviously knitted a bit looser than the orange one...

Newly born twins needed tiny hats to keep them warm.

Two really small hats for twins born before christmas. Knitted them from the pattern of Lene Holme Samsøe. In my opinion these are so beautiful with those fake cables on them. And she has so many sizes to choose from. The mother was so happy about them. Knitted very tight to fit small heads.


A local pattern from the town I live in - Mandalsvotten. These mittens have only ladies size but they are knitted with the patterns recommended needles and therefore they will fit my husband as I knit very loose. 

That is about that - merry christmas!!!


Monday 22 December 2014

Take A Big Yawn

Uaaaa, is it summer yet?

I have been polishing silver for days. I have baked enough kakes for a whole army. I have cleaned the house every day and it is filled with matching christmas things. Everything shines like stars - and I have put on my fake nails and my designer dress. And over 100 presents are wrapped in the finest paper. Oh yeah, it is finally the best online Facebook christmas ever...

Am I pulling your leg? Yes, I am. Sosial media is about to burst from all the perfect christmases and every year it makes me wonder: Where is that super woman everyone is trying to be? All I see is worn out women trying to keep it together through all the demands made by society and them selves.

So, I try to avoid all those cake, silver, christmas tree ornaments and "see my perfect" christmas online sharing. I will rather share a photo taken of my cat in a big yawn. He seems rather angry, but he is just watching out for other cats trying to take his territory.

I am no super woman. I do not have a perfect christmas. I do not know anyone who has. Christmas contains all human feelings - and a big yawn is is a way to get some air into it all. Do you feel the urge to make a big yawn?

Sunday 14 December 2014

The Cowl Girl


One should be a cow girl riding in a wide landscape and camping by a bonfire. At least that looks really nice on movies. But dreaming is free...

Anyway, this is not about horse riding or bonfires. This is my recently discovered cowl pattern. I knitted one as a gift - and suddenly there were two more finished.

One in a soft Malabrigo worsted and one in my Riga yarn. Totally different outcome.

Thats what I love about knitting. Yarn is not just yarn - it makes a garment and shape it in its own way.

Cowls are decorative and always makes a statement. I have not knitted so many of them as I think they tend to be more decorative than warm around the neck.

I freeze wery easyli so scarves are the best since I can get them really tight into my neck.

But these cowls are double and that makes them better. I keep warm in them. And the best of all is the fairly easy pattern with a great outcome. The cable on it is so decorative.

You will not see me riding in that wide landscape. I may stay here and be a cowl girl instead. But sadling up is not always about riding - it is not being afraid of taking the next step into the future.

In riding a horse we borrow freedom
Helen Thompson

The Stitch Story
Pattern: Millwater
My Ravelry Pages: Something Orange, Something Red
Actually knitted to fit my Flea Jacket which was a perfect match.


Sunday 7 December 2014

Cat(ch) That Garter Shawl

Well, what cold be better than to run after a tassel on a garter stitch shawl? And jump as high as possible and try to kill it and pretending it is a mouse?

I may try this out - but after dark. I mean, men in white coates are a bad combination to the upcoming christmas...

Nevertheless, this is one of my never ending knitting garter shawl projects. 

Tassels and a little sparkling bead is a dot to the i.
This time I used a free pattern called Josephine. Starting with three stitches and increase a stitch every other row until the shawl is large enough. Simple and totally mindless. 

What is not mindless is that red mohair I talked about in my previous post. Since Rauma has taken out the bright red and only makes those pale reds, I used my stashed yarn I was lucky to get on sale. 

I got a lot of great tips from you about red mohair - and actually ordered some from Denmark. 

Their photo showed a bright red - I got a brown one. Really not impressing - seems to be a problem in that shop with their bright colored photos and live colors differing a lot. 

Anyway, it seems like the only place I can get a proper red mohair is in another danish online yarn shop. 

I have searched all over the net - and have not found any place to buy bright red mohair. It will take some time to overcome my last experience in that shop - so I will keep searching.

I am so very pleased with this shawl. The orange with a lot of hue and the bright red are a perfect match. Keep the garter coming :-)

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Rauma Finull, Secia Plumet
Needles: 6mm
Pattern: Josephine Shawl
My Ravelry Page: Autumn Sunset
Never underestimate the craziness of shoe wearing...



Thursday 27 November 2014

Mystery Solved

How about that. I really did this. This has been a knitters ride with a lot of knitting and learning so much. I have enjoyed it so much.

I wish we could take life this way - we have no clue about the future. But we use most of our time to worry about it. Knitting this shawl was all about giving away the control on something I have no idea how would turn out.

I loved that this was out of my control. That I just needed to trust that Stephen West knew what he is doing. And he does.

Oh dear, getting older... LOL!!
Well, back to that knitting. The recommend yarn has a gauge on 28st. The gauge for this shawl is 10st. That means that I would have needed very thick needles to get that gauge.

And that the fabric would be very loose. I am not that happy about loose knitted fabric. Especially when it is merino - it gets even looser over the time.

And there are so little warmth to it in winter time that it will rather be suitable for a cold summers day.

So, I knitted with smaller needles and got a very small shawl. I regret that I did not use a thicker yarn.

West has very loose garments, and I like them tighter. Another thing I learned.

I actually have no idea how to use this as the wing span is so short. A head scarf maybe? But hey, it does look good....

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Madelinetosh sock, Dream in color, Koigu
Needles: 2.5mm (should have been at least 4mm)
Pattern: Exploration Station
My Ravelry Page: Parrot Station


Thursday 20 November 2014

Heavenly Garter


Sometimes it is enough with at couple of needles and some garter stitch. Sometimes life takes up so much energy that the simple stitch fill all the gaps and gives so much joy.

I have been gartering a lot lately - and I really enjoy it. Not that I need the shawls but I need the stitch.

This is made from stash. I had this sock yarn in the most wonderful color. But it had that stiff feel to it.

A little like bad and cheap yarn sometimes have. Well, I added some luxury to it as an experiment.

Also mohair from my stash. Some blue, some turquoise and some pink mohair.

And it really worked so well. The color is of course a bit hidden because of the mohair but that is ok.

It is now so soft and nice to wear. And of course - those tassels are a must.

A very easy and mindless pattern with casting on three stitches and increase a stitch every other row until half desired length. Then, decrease a stitch every other row until three stitches are left. And then, bind off. Easy peasy.

I actually had my very pink garter shawl on me to my local yarn shop on knitting café. When the other knitters heard about it the yarn sale took off. A nice gift for someone or for your self. Happy knitting!!!

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Katia Olé Socks Rainbow, Rauma Plum
Needles: 5.5mm
Extras: Tassels
Pattern: See above
My Ravelry Page: Katia And The Garter Stich

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Climbing The Stitch Mountain

Clue one is the part before the brioche section. Clue two is the rest of the shawl.
I never give up anything. I like a good challenge as long as I do not have to climb Kilimanjaro. I mean, who need to climb that mountain if you have brioche stitch in knitting?

Well, I have always wanted to learn the brioche stitch. I even have a knitting book about it. But it has been collecting dust - and so has the wish about learning it.

Clue two: Brioche and slipped stich sections.
But then I joined Stephen Wests Mysterie Knit Along (MKAL) this fall.

And the surprise was rather breath taking when clue two was published friday: Knit a whole lot of brioche.

Thankfully he provide a video of the technique. He advised to do a swatch - but I would rather knit a scarf than a small swatch.

I just started knitting the brioche right on the shawl.

And it worked. I was so proud - I have learned a new technique. Although it felt like I knitted and knitted and never got anywhere.

So much knitting and so few centimeters in length. Clue two ended with a large slip stitch section.

I must say that there is a lot of knitting in this MKAL. Maybe a little too much. But hey, I am half way through it. And there are 371 stitches on my needle.

And since he calls this Exploration Station I must prepare to climb another mountain.

It seems like the shawl is a giant swatch in knitting techniques. So stay tuned - next clue are waited friday. Prepare the climbing gear...
This is what first clue looks like. See more in my blog post about Parrot Station.

Friday 7 November 2014

Waiting At Parrot Station


He said it is the most colorful ever. The word colorful made me gone stash diving. The Mystery Knit Along (MKAL) by Stephen West was launched last friday. A friend bought me the pattern - and I do not say no to a gift. I simply had to try this.

I joined for the first time last year and knitted quite a special little shawl.

There is something about giving away the control and just knit something I cannot predict the outcome of. Colors, lines and holes just emerging by following the pattern.

Apart from the green I had to wash all of the yarn...
There are four clues for this mystery and the second will be published today.

I am so excited to see where this is going. Stephen West have great patterns and he publish videos of techniques so I know what to do.

I really love the colors I found in my stash. The red and turquoise are Dream In Color, the orange is Koigu and the green is Madelinetosh. But, this must be said: Hand dyed yarn gives a lot of extra work.

I had to wash it before even begin the knitting because the colors are not set properly. And it bleed color so much.

This is why I mostly use ordinary wool - the quality of hand dyed merino yarn is simply not good enough. The only thing I really like about it are the colors. This is an attempt to use some of that stash. A colorful shawl is just fine for that.

There are still time to join up for this fun knit on Ravelry. Clue number two is on today - hit the needles and live a little.

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Dream In Color, Koigu, Madelinetosh
Needle: 2.5mm
Pattern: Westknits Mystery Shawl KAL 2014
My Ravelry Page: Parrot Station
This is the first clue finished. A lot of short rows with no W&T and just a lot of garter knitting. Really fun outcome.



Sunday 2 November 2014

Will It Ever Stop?

My repetitive knitting is beyond all good explanations for the pile of Viajantes that is about to get even bigger. This is my sixth in bright magenta. Taking photos can be a challenge...

A bit of a challenge getting the garment in the right position - could it be advisable to have a better vision?

Ok, seems I am about ready for the photo shoot...

- Is it going to rain - and why is it this dark? And why does my cat seems so uninterested? 


- Oh, here we are - are you getting the picture? Still crazy after all these Viajantes?

Getting a grip of it...

And so the story goes - a bright red one in the needles now...

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Wollmeise Lace
Needle: 2mm, 1.75mm for lace part
Pattern: Viajante
My Ravelry Page: Whatever

All dressed to go with matching polymer clay bracelets.














Sunday 26 October 2014

Color Craving Autumn


Days are getting darker and it seems like an eternity until spring is here again. I love bright warm days - so I could easily move to a warmer place from now until May. But there is this problem with the wool. When should I use it? And what should I knit? It sure is a good thing that I avoid those huge problems.... 

Anyway, I found the brightest colors of autumn some large needles and went for another mindless knit. Orange and red are wonderful colors together. 

I use Finull and Plum, my absolute favorite yarns. Those two together is like hot chocolate and freshly baked croissants.

From red to something dusty colored...
And I must add: Rauma has changed the color on their red Plum mohair yarn. 

And shame on them for making it dusty red - it is nearly not red anymore. 

The bright red I use is from a sale I came over. That bright red is just wonderful but nowhere to be found anymore. 

If anyone know of a bright red kid mohair yarn - please tell me about it. 

What I do not understand is that they have all those bright colors in Finull and have a lot of patterns with the combination of the two yarns - but no red color in Plum. Well well, no problems are too small to be made bigger... LOL!!

But, I think my shawl is going to be lovely. Still knitting on some gifts and all I need is those garter shawls for relaxing in between. While I watch the leaves fall from the tress in all those wonderful colors.
Knitting garter stitch and inreasing every other row until the whole shawl is finished. I use the Josephine pattern for it. 
 

 

Sunday 19 October 2014

Pink Mission Completed


Never ever underestimate the use of a new color, I said to myself. I could never wear pink, pink is for young people and pink is a matter of the 80s is just some of those stupid thoughts.

Well, I told them to move out and went for the pink. The very pink color.

Tassels with swarovski beads were added.
I am so pleased with my garter shawl. So nice to wear and so soft and warm. Just the perfect color for me. A totally mindless garter project.

Just casting on three stitches, increasing every other row on the one side, and then decreasing on every other row after half desired length. And it knits up fast too.

Well, since I totally love to have some accessories to go with my knitting I made a polymer clay bracelet in pink.

And I must admit - the boots came first. Pink boots are so fun - and the shawl and the bracelet is made for them...

I am already thinking of knitting a cardigan with some pink colors too. Where will this end?

Would there be more colors for me to examine and fine suitable for me? I will think so.

There are so many colors out there that will make us look fresh. Life is too short for the wrong colors.

The Stich Story
Yarn: Rauma Finull, Rauma Plum
Needle: 6mm
My Ravelry Page: Pink Sky
Pattern: My own - see above



Wednesday 15 October 2014

Winning Birds And Hearts


I am so lucky!! Two birds and a lot of hearts flew into my mail box and brought smiles and daylight into the beginning autumn.

I won two giveaways from bloggers that I have known in blog land for years. All the hearts are from Debbie over at Craftymoose Crafts. She is a master in beading flowers and creating all sorts of art in altered books, on playing cards and like the one I got, an AECO (art card editions and original). I love the colors and all the hearts. Thank you so much Debbie!!

And look at the crows and the colors with them. Stacy over at MagicLoveCrow paints crows also on ACEOs and a lot of other artist elements. This is a painting with frame and everything. I really love it. It has a tenderness and yet a very strong message. Thank you so much Stacy!!!

Isn't it just wonderful to get such gifts from artists in other countries? I just love the fact that in blog land there are no borders. And everyone has a voice in their creating. We are blessed!

Sunday 12 October 2014

Where Did That Come From?

There is nothing like cleaning out my studio and getting rid of all those "I will start a new hobby" things. They were piling up all over. In order to get good at a new hobby time must be spent. And even more things must be bought. 

I have enough with my knitting and polymer clay. I have finally decided to not start anything new and that is actually a relief.

That was sort of a long induction. Well, when you clean up and get everything out in the open there are always some surprises. 

Like the six ball of Mini Mochi yarn I found hidden. It is odd with yarn - it tend to hide all over the place and suddenly surface. 

Since I earlier saw Anne knitted with multi colored yarn and added some nice soft mohair to it, I saved the idea in my head. 

When I found that bag with the Mini Mochi I dug out some Plum mohair from the stash as well. And what a great idea. Mini Mochi found its match. I am knitting another mindless shawl and feel so good knowing that I am knitting from my stash. 

I cast on three stitches and increase one stitch on each side every other row until half done. Then I decrease one stitch every other row until there are three stitches left. Easy, mindless and I really love that there are no long bind off edge. They tend to be either too loose or too tight. 

Cleaning is just putting stuff in less obvious places
Unknown

Sunday 5 October 2014

Healthy Candy Floss

It contains a lot of fiber and should be the healthiest thing to not eat... Or something like that. Candy floss is totally sticky and yet so nice to get on your fingers, clothes and every thing else while eating it.

Anyway, this is not about sugar but something almost as sweet. For some time now I have been thinking about the color pink. And that should probably qualify to some condition that would make the medicine companies rich.

But I tend to make the yarn companies rich instead. This time the norwegian mill Rauma. I really love the fact that we have a proper norwegian yarn company supplying knitters with gorgeous colors and great quality (no, I am not sponsored).

So, since pink thoughts are somewhat annoying they have to be taken seriously. I found that wonderful magenta in my stash and went off to my local yarn store. Finding two pink fluffy skeins of mohair was just what I wanted for my intended color.

Since I am knitting baby gifts right now I needed something that would knit up fast, have a sort of new color to me and would keep me bright pink during winter. I cast on three stitches and increase one stitch every other row. Nothing to it, but this is soft, warm and pink. I must add that a pair of really pink Dr Martens boots will be added to this shawl. More about that later.

So many colors and still so much to learn about it. And still I find new ones that fit.

Never underestimate a color - it could be the one to make you look younger, fresh and spark your energy.

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Rauma Finull, Rauma Plum knitted together
Needle: 6mm
My Ravelry Page: Pink Sky
Pattern: CO 3st, knit garter st, increase 1st every other row until half desired length, decrease 1st every other row until 3st left, BO

Sunday 28 September 2014

Woollen Fleas Getting Aired

A little lovely cat walked by when taking the photos.
It is finished and out in the open air. My cardigan in the colors I just love. I do not often use colors in the same scheme but I really found that both interesting and colorful. I never thought these colors could make a bright colored cardigan in this way.

I of course chose some orange fleas and bright orange buttons. That is the playful me getting out there.

I did a cardigan with a cat pattern and that has some of the same color scheme.

I just loved working with colors this way - and now I am bound for new colorful adventures.

Learning about color is really a journey that takes me places I have never been.

Too baggy for my taste - must eat more chocolate...
Now, back to that cardigan. I should have knitted a size smaller.

But I do not like tight woollen garments - they tend to be too warm.

But this one came out at little too big. Actually I can live with the front of it - but the back is way too baggy and uncomfortable.

There should be about 20-30 stitches less on the back than in the front.

I wish I knew how to custom fit a garment - I always end up with too big cardigans.

Well, nothing to get all that unhappy about. I like my new cardigan.

It is a dream to wear, nice and warm and yet not too warm. All I need is something orange for my neck. A small scarf or something. Always a great excuse to knit one more scarf...

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Pt2 and Finull both from Rauma
Needle: 2.5mm
My Ravelry Page: Flea Bites
Pattern: Damejakka Loppa / Flea - a ladies cardigan

Learning about color is really a journey that takes me places I have never been
Flowermouse Design

Sunday 21 September 2014

Tour de Turbo Knitting


Tote: I got a tote made with a personal message on the back (this is the front).
To get hold of Wollmeise lace is as rare as finding gold. I spent a couple of months to find the right color for a friends Viajante. Every friday morning at 8 a few skeins are made available. Mostly not in that orange color I wanted.

But patience pays off. I finally found it. Now, to knit a Viajante is not done in a flash. It takes time - a lot of time. I sat a three weeks deadline for it. And started knitting.

Every day for 13 days I knitted and knitted. I am blessed to have a friend who likes a bright orange. The color itself was a motivation.

So while Tour de France rolled over the screen I knitted and knitted. And suddenly it was finished. I was so proud - I never thought it could be done so quick.

The color is just fantastic and is a juicy as its name, Clementine.

I must add that I have never seen anyone being so happy for a gift ever.

I knew she would be happy - but this really touched my heart. She loved it and have be wearing it so much already.

The moral must be: 
Knit something beautiful for people who will appreciate it - and leave the rest to freeze.

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Wollmeise lace, Clementine
Needle: 2mm, 1.75 (for lace part)
My Ravelry Page: Tour de Clementine
Pattern: Viajante

Friday 19 September 2014

We Have A Winner


A huge thank you for all your birthday wishes and for entering my giveaway. I really enjoyed that.

I used random.org to make the draw and Dorte is the lucky winner. You can meet the danish knitter on her blog. I have known Dorte for over four years and we are following each other here in blog land and on Ravelry. How great that you won, Dorte.

Again thanks to all of you for making my life in blog land such a lovely experience.

Friday 12 September 2014

Your Ears Are Burning

The giveaway is now closed. Winner is being contacted.

It is my birthday today. A rather high and round number it is. It happens to all of us - if we live long enough. Well, I will not talk about that number but rather about the birds in the photo. They are a part of the celebration. And not only my birthday.

My blog celebrates over 300.000 visitors and I have over 400 followers. To me that is huge numbers considering that I do not blog all the time, do not blog about private things and do not blog unless I have something creative to share.

I love to share my creative life with all of you. I grow by sharing, I learn by sharing and I connect by sharing.

That deserves celebration. So, the birds in the photo are up for a giveaway.

They are made of polymer clay, textured, cured and antiqued with acrylic paint. Also, the findings are all sterling silver this time.

So if you would like to show some colors this winter please leave a comment.

I do not like giveaways where everyone have to do a lot of stunts to even participate. This is free of all that.

Just a comment is enough. The giveaway is open until next friday until 12pm, CET.
The winner will be contacted - please leave email address if you do not have that in your profile. Also very important - winner have 24 hours to reply to my email. Another winner will be drawn if you do not reply within that time.

Ok, good luck and enjoy.

Friday 5 September 2014

Orange Flea Bites

They are all over the place. Emerging from yarn gliding on a circular needle. Here and there they are having a woollen feast between my hands.

No I am not talking about the fleas crawling around in hair. If the really do that? But about my new knitted cardigan. It is actually called Flea Jacket. The reason is that it is knitted top down and what is called lice are now upside down - and then called fleas.

The colors used in my cardigan.
Finding the colors for this took some time and a bit unraveling. I started out in really bright colors.

And since that looked too much like my colorful jacket I frogged it.

I took all my stash from Finull and Pt2 yarn and started on a new color scheme.

And the knitting of this scarf really helped me finding the right colors to put together.

I really love the outcome of that stash diving. These colors are so perfect together and I added some orange fleas to make them jump a little higher than the rest of them.

I can not wait until this is finished and I can wear it. Sometimes colors just click - and nothing is more satisfying than that.

You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategical 
can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation
Marian Wright Edelman

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Rauma Finull and Pt2
Needle: 2.5mm
Pattern: Flea Jacket by Ann Myhre
My Ravelry Project: Flea Bites