Friday, April 24, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Wednesday, April 08, 2020
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Monday, March 23, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
This is my house block for week 9 of the #fussycuttingsewalong #2020theyearofthehouse hosted by @naomialicec 💜 International Women’s Day - I’ve chosen these four ladies sipping tea (or coffee) with some lovely purple fussycutted corners. (A little behind schedule at the moment, but I’m working on catching up!) 💜☕️💪🏻👩🏻
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Sunday, March 01, 2020
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
This is my houseblock for week 7 of the #fussycuttingsewalong #2020theyearofthehouse hosted by @naomialicec 🔘 Although I have a few favorite colours, I always seem to gravitate back towards grey. Alone or together with other colours 🤍 Even my warderobe is a reflection of this, with it’s shades of grey and «dark» grey (eg. black) 😂
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Spinning around
Yesterday I went to Værbitt to learn something new. Something I've merely tried - unsupervised and guided only by a video on YouTube - but this time with a teacher.
Spinning yarn with a drop spindle.
Which might sound a little weird. I mean, you can buy good yarn in fantastic shops - why bother making your own?
Well, why do we try new things? Why do we test new notions and yarn types, fabric weights and sewing needles? New (or old) techniques? Because it's fun! And I think you're left with a better understanding of how things are made, how yarn has been and is spun. Mostly by machines, yes, perhaps - but also by hand.
And altough my hands and fingers are really sore after those three hours last night, I'm looking forward to giving it another go! Testing fiber (norwegian wool, merino wool, and so on) and trying to spin the fibre thin enough to combine with other yarn to make into something.
This is the drop spindle I used last night, with my freshly spun two treads yarn on. As you can see, the thickness is a little wibbley-wobbley (a Doctor Who-referance to time and space) but for a second attempt (ever) at handspinning I think it's quite OK. Maybe even usable for something.
And here it is, all wound up into a miniature skein. I still need to soak it in water for a couple of hours and let it dry. Apparently, handspun yarn needs a little TLC or spa treatment before one can knit with it. I didn't know that (until last night). But it makes sense, I guess. Spinning the fibres introduce a lot of tension and energy into the fibre - and yarn - and unless you want spagetti, it needs to relax again.
So, tonight, when I come home, I will put my little skein in a nice little bath, letting it's little shoulders relax - and letting it take some nice, deep breaths. And then it will be exciting to see how it looks, feels - and behaves after it has dried.
Spinning yarn with a drop spindle.
Which might sound a little weird. I mean, you can buy good yarn in fantastic shops - why bother making your own?
Well, why do we try new things? Why do we test new notions and yarn types, fabric weights and sewing needles? New (or old) techniques? Because it's fun! And I think you're left with a better understanding of how things are made, how yarn has been and is spun. Mostly by machines, yes, perhaps - but also by hand.
And altough my hands and fingers are really sore after those three hours last night, I'm looking forward to giving it another go! Testing fiber (norwegian wool, merino wool, and so on) and trying to spin the fibre thin enough to combine with other yarn to make into something.
This is the drop spindle I used last night, with my freshly spun two treads yarn on. As you can see, the thickness is a little wibbley-wobbley (a Doctor Who-referance to time and space) but for a second attempt (ever) at handspinning I think it's quite OK. Maybe even usable for something.
And here it is, all wound up into a miniature skein. I still need to soak it in water for a couple of hours and let it dry. Apparently, handspun yarn needs a little TLC or spa treatment before one can knit with it. I didn't know that (until last night). But it makes sense, I guess. Spinning the fibres introduce a lot of tension and energy into the fibre - and yarn - and unless you want spagetti, it needs to relax again.
So, tonight, when I come home, I will put my little skein in a nice little bath, letting it's little shoulders relax - and letting it take some nice, deep breaths. And then it will be exciting to see how it looks, feels - and behaves after it has dried.
Sunday, February 09, 2020
Tuesday, February 04, 2020
Thursday January 23rd.
I commute to work every day - usually taking the bus. And usually this is a very quiet and relaxed journey. However, on Thurday January 23rd the busdriver interrupted everyone's "napping" (well, yes, that is what most people do commuting on the bus at those hours) by excitingly proclaming that the SAS hotel was looking extraordinarily wonderful - and I cannot say that he wasn't right. I mean, just look at the picture below!
The sunrise reflecting in the glass facade of the hotel made it look as if the whole hotel was on fire.
Down the street from the bus stop where I got off the bus.
Crossing the railroad brigde.
And finally, the sunrise reflecting in the glass facade of the building where I work.
After a very long and grey winter, with hardly any snow, it was good to see colours again. The show of lights and colours shown in the sunrises and sunsets are energizing (and inspirational)!
The sunrise reflecting in the glass facade of the hotel made it look as if the whole hotel was on fire.
Down the street from the bus stop where I got off the bus.
Crossing the railroad brigde.
And finally, the sunrise reflecting in the glass facade of the building where I work.
After a very long and grey winter, with hardly any snow, it was good to see colours again. The show of lights and colours shown in the sunrises and sunsets are energizing (and inspirational)!
A finished project in February!
It's February 4th and I have a finished project!
A few (many...) years ago Anni Downs, the wonderful Australian designer, came to visit Norway. She had just released her series of Little Stitches patterns, and I think my mom and I bought quite a few of those.
Anyway, a few weeks back I was tidying up in my sewing nook, and I came across a plastic folder with a couple of these Little Stitches patterns and most of these already stitched! Among them was the butterfly for the Miracle Make-up Bag. Well, I'd already been thinking about finishing bits and pieces that I'd started to work on, but I had completely forgotten about this stitchery. So what's a crafter to do? Finish it!
And here it is, fresh off the ironing board, and placed in the crispy clean new snow.
I don't wear much make-up (nailpolish and lipgloss) so I'm thinking of using this as a small project bag instead. It is very sweet, colourful and just the right size for a small carry-with project.
***
Edited to add a comment about when I actually bought this pattern. Way back in 2014 Anni Downs came to Norway to host a workshop and a show & tell. And that was when I bought this (and a couple other) pattern! Thursday May 8th 2014. It's been maturing well, don't you think?
A few (many...) years ago Anni Downs, the wonderful Australian designer, came to visit Norway. She had just released her series of Little Stitches patterns, and I think my mom and I bought quite a few of those.
Anyway, a few weeks back I was tidying up in my sewing nook, and I came across a plastic folder with a couple of these Little Stitches patterns and most of these already stitched! Among them was the butterfly for the Miracle Make-up Bag. Well, I'd already been thinking about finishing bits and pieces that I'd started to work on, but I had completely forgotten about this stitchery. So what's a crafter to do? Finish it!
And here it is, fresh off the ironing board, and placed in the crispy clean new snow.
I don't wear much make-up (nailpolish and lipgloss) so I'm thinking of using this as a small project bag instead. It is very sweet, colourful and just the right size for a small carry-with project.
***
Edited to add a comment about when I actually bought this pattern. Way back in 2014 Anni Downs came to Norway to host a workshop and a show & tell. And that was when I bought this (and a couple other) pattern! Thursday May 8th 2014. It's been maturing well, don't you think?
Monday, February 03, 2020
Friday, January 31, 2020
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Monday, January 20, 2020
Following the January 6th post
On January 6th I posted about how I had a prize waiting for me, once I'd finished three projects. The three projects were :
- Baby hat no. 1
- Baby hat no. 2
-Nerven shawl
Well, these are now completed! Yay!
As you can see, there are three baby hats in this picture. I knitted the first one (purple one on the bottom left) before the parcel from Værbitt arrived. All three patterns are from a wonderful little knitting book called Myk start (Soft beginning) by May B. Langhelle. The book contains patterns for 40 knitted projects for babies from newborn up to around 1 year. The patterns are fairly simple, and the photos are just gorgeous (babies in knitted garments, what's not to love?). The dark purple and the brown yarn are both Filcolana Pernilla, and the softer purple (lavender) is Filcolana Arwetta Classic.
The last project on my list, was the Nerven Shawl (look it up on Instagram #nervenshawl to see other colour combinations). This was designed by the danish designer Karen S. Lauger (known as Lykkefanten on both Ravelry and Instagram). I knitted this in lime green and medium grey. The yarn is Filcolana New Zealand Lamuld.
I love how the neck is shaped with short rows. It falls really nicely and comfortable over my shoulders.
Short rows are also used to create the "bubbles" - giving it a fun and playful pattern.
And so, here we are.. three projects completed - and the box can finally be opened and it's contents revealed.
Six small skeins (20 grams) of six different colours - ranging from dark blue to deep purple will be joined with a medium/light grey.
With a little help from A, these skeins were made into balls of yarn in a wee little time Saturday afternoon.
And then it was time to cast on..
This is looking so incredible yummy - the yarn is a dream to knit with (pelsull - fur wool/pelt wool), the technique is new (but very easy to get a hang of) - and everything smells so lovely of real sheeps wool!
The yarn is Hillesvåg Sølje, and those six small skeins are dyed by Laila, who owns and works at Værbitt (she's an incredible dyer).
- Baby hat no. 1
- Baby hat no. 2
-Nerven shawl
Well, these are now completed! Yay!
As you can see, there are three baby hats in this picture. I knitted the first one (purple one on the bottom left) before the parcel from Værbitt arrived. All three patterns are from a wonderful little knitting book called Myk start (Soft beginning) by May B. Langhelle. The book contains patterns for 40 knitted projects for babies from newborn up to around 1 year. The patterns are fairly simple, and the photos are just gorgeous (babies in knitted garments, what's not to love?). The dark purple and the brown yarn are both Filcolana Pernilla, and the softer purple (lavender) is Filcolana Arwetta Classic.
The last project on my list, was the Nerven Shawl (look it up on Instagram #nervenshawl to see other colour combinations). This was designed by the danish designer Karen S. Lauger (known as Lykkefanten on both Ravelry and Instagram). I knitted this in lime green and medium grey. The yarn is Filcolana New Zealand Lamuld.
I love how the neck is shaped with short rows. It falls really nicely and comfortable over my shoulders.
Short rows are also used to create the "bubbles" - giving it a fun and playful pattern.
And so, here we are.. three projects completed - and the box can finally be opened and it's contents revealed.
Six small skeins (20 grams) of six different colours - ranging from dark blue to deep purple will be joined with a medium/light grey.
With a little help from A, these skeins were made into balls of yarn in a wee little time Saturday afternoon.
And then it was time to cast on..
This is looking so incredible yummy - the yarn is a dream to knit with (pelsull - fur wool/pelt wool), the technique is new (but very easy to get a hang of) - and everything smells so lovely of real sheeps wool!
The yarn is Hillesvåg Sølje, and those six small skeins are dyed by Laila, who owns and works at Værbitt (she's an incredible dyer).
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Monday, January 13, 2020
I'd rather be crafting..
A cloudy almost full moon picture on my way to work one morning.
I'm up early in the morning (well, more like in the middle of the night) in order to get to the office and get some work done - before I have to go home to go to kindergarden and back home to the house.
At times these things go well. Sleeping "works", the bus to work "works", working in the office "works". And then there are time when, well, I'd rather be crafting.
I sit at my desk (well, actually at the desk I'm sitting at that particulary day, as "free seating" is the current rule of the office) and I think of all the things I'd like to make. Patterns I'd like to knit, yarn I want to dye, fabric I long to use for a project - and patterns I'd like to sew.. not to mention blog posts I'd like to write - and comments I should've made on other blogs. And suddenly the hours spent at the office seem like a complete waste of time. Even though I love my job and have fantastic coworkers.
The winter's in Norway are tough. The sun's not up when I leave for work - and most days it's sunset before I come home. Some days I get to watch the sun set on my way to kindergarder. Some days there's still daylight when we're all home. But most days, like today, the moon shines on my way to work - the sun teases on the blue sky while I spend the day inside looking out through the windows - and I just know that when I'm on the bus, later this afternoon, I might be lucky to be blinded by the sun's final rays on my way home. And before dinner is cooked - and eaten - it'll be dark enough to feel like night again..
I'm up early in the morning (well, more like in the middle of the night) in order to get to the office and get some work done - before I have to go home to go to kindergarden and back home to the house.
At times these things go well. Sleeping "works", the bus to work "works", working in the office "works". And then there are time when, well, I'd rather be crafting.
I sit at my desk (well, actually at the desk I'm sitting at that particulary day, as "free seating" is the current rule of the office) and I think of all the things I'd like to make. Patterns I'd like to knit, yarn I want to dye, fabric I long to use for a project - and patterns I'd like to sew.. not to mention blog posts I'd like to write - and comments I should've made on other blogs. And suddenly the hours spent at the office seem like a complete waste of time. Even though I love my job and have fantastic coworkers.
The winter's in Norway are tough. The sun's not up when I leave for work - and most days it's sunset before I come home. Some days I get to watch the sun set on my way to kindergarder. Some days there's still daylight when we're all home. But most days, like today, the moon shines on my way to work - the sun teases on the blue sky while I spend the day inside looking out through the windows - and I just know that when I'm on the bus, later this afternoon, I might be lucky to be blinded by the sun's final rays on my way home. And before dinner is cooked - and eaten - it'll be dark enough to feel like night again..
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Monday, January 06, 2020
Three more projects - and a prize awaits
I received this wonderful parcel in the mail last week, and I've been very strict with myself, ordering me to complete three projects before I'm allowed to open the box and start the project waiting inside.
The parcel is from Værbitt, a norwegian yarn shop in Oslo, specializing on norwegian wool and handdyed yarn.
The owner, Laila, included a Christmas greeting inside the box - a stitchmarker and a lovely note.
The yarn is for a shawl called "Shalala just for you" - check it out on Instagram, if you want (#shalalajustforyou).
The projects I must finish before I can open the box and start working on this wonderful kit, are :
- Nerven shawl
- Baby hat nr 1
- Baby hat nr 2
With the speed of which these baby hats are knitted (I've started on the first one), I might be able to start the Shalala by next weekend.
I can't wait!
The parcel is from Værbitt, a norwegian yarn shop in Oslo, specializing on norwegian wool and handdyed yarn.
The owner, Laila, included a Christmas greeting inside the box - a stitchmarker and a lovely note.
The yarn is for a shawl called "Shalala just for you" - check it out on Instagram, if you want (#shalalajustforyou).
The projects I must finish before I can open the box and start working on this wonderful kit, are :
- Nerven shawl
- Baby hat nr 1
- Baby hat nr 2
With the speed of which these baby hats are knitted (I've started on the first one), I might be able to start the Shalala by next weekend.
I can't wait!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)