New Baby Blanket

Another baby blanket was completed this weekend.

The yarn is Drops Merino Extra Fine. The pattern is from Drops, with some minor amendments like adding in the heart in one of the squares and not including the little bobbles which is part of the original pattern. I envisaged they could be uncomfortable for a little body to lie on if the blanket was wrapped around him. Yes, it is for a boy due this week, so done just within time! Unfortunately, the blanket isn't perfect - I noted several (very annoying) mistakes when it was done, but I am still pleased with this first attempt of cable knitting. Or perhaps I could hide behind the old saying that mistakes should be added to anything you make as "only God makes things perfect"... ?

;-)

 

Anyway, here it is after washing, resting on Our Student's old foam blanket last in use many, many years ago... I have many times thought of getting rid of it, but it is actually brilliant for stretching out washed knitted or crocheted garments on...!

Flattery Gets You Everywhere...

 

I make a lot of knitted and crocheted things for myself and the family - whether they want it or not...

 

But I was flattered when one of the Student's friends asked me to make a pair of felted socks/slippers for him. Not often the teenagers take an interest... He requested them in 'coffee and cream', but this was the closest I could get.

I hope they keep him warm and he likes the result.

 

The pattern is free from Drops.

I used Rowan Brushed Yarn and no 7 stitches.

They are knitted in one piece and sewn together.

Then I washed them on a normal program in the washing machine and stretched them into the appropriate shape/length.

Very easy.

 

Now on to a baby blanket I have been asked to make for a friend expecting in a couple of months time.

 

:-)



Graduation in Durham!

 

Students gathering outside Durham Cathedral

I was up in lovely, but very blustery Durham on the weekend (incredible winds - think it was the storm 'Nina' that was making all the noise!) in connection with the graduation of one of the Professor's PhD-students. I don't get to know all his students, but every so often some of them become like friends and it feels natural to be there with them on their big day - particularly if they are not able to have their own families with them.

 

Borrowed from the web - we were not allowed to take pictures inside during the ceremony

 I had not been in to the amazing Cathedral before, but I will definitely go again soon (have wanted to save it till we have guests to take around!). Simply beautiful. After the ceremony in the cathedral there was a reception in the school.

 

Fitting decoration for the occasion - from the reception in the Business School.

We then proceeded to our house for a couple of hours before we went for dinner.

 

Picture borrowed from Finbarr's webpage

The new Doctor invited us all out to a delicious meal at Finbarr's . Finbarr's is an excellent  restaurant for a special occasion. We ate very well and it was such a nice way to mark the day. I strongly recommend the restaurant if you make your way to Durham.

 

And the socks I was knitting...? No, they were not completed on the train, but on Monday evening. I have two more 'UFO's to complete before I start anything new. Wool has been ordered for this new project, but I have PROMISED myself to finish off these two other projects before I get going on anything else.

 

Looking at the new wool waiting will be a good incentive, I think...!

There Is A Chance...

 

I am heading up to Durham for a long weekend and with about 3 hrs on the train there is a chance I might finish the socks I am making for The Professor on the way! Socks like these are such a great way of using up leftover yarn from other projects. I can't abide the thought of throwing out the leftovers, and I hate having leftover yarn cluttering up the knitting basket. Making something useful is therefore a win-win solution.

 

I really recommend Bitta Mikkelborg's book "Sokker - Strikking Hele Året" - there are just so many ideas and patterns to chose from. The patterns and techniques are very well described making it a pure joy to knit

(sorry - to my knowledge, the book is not available in English)

Embarrassing Moment and Knitted iPhone Cover

I managed to make the same mistake as many others apparently have done - I dropped my phone in water... It all happened as as I was walking around the house looking for my iPhone and gave up as I needed to use the bathroom... Why did I not simply call the phone to hear it ringing...? Sigh...

Need I say more? The phone was in my back pocket...

Ok, so I found the phone, but chucking it in a bag of rice to revive didn't work so a new phone has been ordered and in the meantime I am using the simplest version possible of a mobile phone. For somebody who has become used to organising my life via the various apps on the phone, not to mention the calendar, this has been painful! No internet, no usable calendar, no emails... Actually, it is rather peaceful...!

But the new phone is on its way. I wanted to use up some left over yarn and knitted an iPhone cover (pattern taken from the book Knit Nordic). Quick and easy even if I managed to miss a round (yup, you can see it in the pattern if you look closely) but since I think it will be too small for the iPhone - it fits perfectly the current simple phone- I couldn't be bothered undoing it. But I will make a new one for the new phone. I realise the knitted texture makes it much easier to find the phone in my handbag!

Have you had any 'phone related' incidences...?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Knitted Tie

Scandinavian (and particularly Norwegian) patterns are all the rave these days. You find them in anything from clothes to kitchen ware! 

Our Young Man was on a quest rooting through my old sweaters and was very pleased when he discovered my Marius sweater and others I knitted for myself when I was 16 or 17. Still in pristine condition! But he was equally disappointed when he realised that he is of course much broader/taller/bigger than I was at 17... However, he struck lucky when he found a beautiful hand knitted sweater that had been made for his father by a very dear neighbour. Now he is just hoping for colder weather. Hand knitted woollen sweaters require a colder climate than we generally have...!

 

But he did ask if I could knit him a tie. Apparently, that is also all the rave - sporting knitted ties. Obviously, we have to show off our roots, so I found a pattern for a knitted tie based on a Setesdal pattern in the book by Eline Oftedal called "Knit Nordic" (I think "Marius, Setesdal, Fana, Voss, Norske Strikkemønstre på nye måter" is the Norwegian title of the same book). The bottom part carries the pattern and the rest is knitted in moss stitch (perlestrikk). I must admit it was a bit boring knitting the moss stitch, but it is simple to do in front of the telly.

Let's hope the Young Man likes it.
♥

A Blanket of Roses...

 

My blog is turning into a craft blog!

Well, I am enjoying it and I know my current state won't last forever :-)

 

A couple of weeks ago this baby blanket was handed over to the expecting mother. Something so pink is obviously for a little girl who will be making her entrance into the world later this month (unless we are all in for a big surprise...!)

 

 The pattern can be found on Garnstudio in several languages (click on the link). I used as suggested Drops Muskat Soft yarn and needle no 5. The yarn is a mix of colors and I enjoyed not having to change color and yarn as I went along making up the squares and then crocheting them together.

 

Very girly and a fun blanket to make. Not sure it is the best blanket for a baby with its big holes that little hands and feet might get tangled in. But then again - it might just be used it for decoration.



Poncho!

I am really pleased with the poncho I made after the pattern I got from Fru Tunheim's blog. I know I have a propensity for small and quick projects, but with thick yarn and crochet hook no 7 it really didn't take more than a couple of days to finish. Remember these balls of yarn? I still had 'tons' of it leftover after my knitted cushions and as part of my decision to reduce my yarn stash before I allow myself to buy anymore, I thought it would be a good idea to use the cream yarn for the poncho... Alas, it was not enough. So, I also used up the grey ball of yarn and I am really happy with the project and the fact that these two huuuuge balls of yarn have now been used up and turned into something useful!



Just a couple of strands of yarn to fasten and then it is good to go! Ok, I admit it was a very warm project to work on as we have had record temperatures here with many days with well over 30 degrees, but it was so inspiring to see how quickly the project grew! Hopefully, the nice weather will carry on and it will be some months before this poncho will be needed!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Learning a New Technique: Daisy Stitch

I am constantly looking for new challenges, but I am too impatient to start any new large scale projects. A friend of mine had a her birthday earlier this month and I was thinking of what to get her when I thought about MAKING something for her. She is a great cook and loves to spend time in her cosy, country style kitchen, so I thought a pair of oven mittens would be the right thing and a not too large project!

I picked up this yarn called 'all season cotton' and found a knitting technique new to me called Daisy Stitch on a blog. The blog is in Norwegian, but at the end of it is a small video which should make it clear how to make this stitch.

I made the oven mittens with 26 stitches and alternated the colours so the stitch would be more visible. I made two identical squares which I crocheted together back to back to ensure they would be thick enough and then crocheted a simple border around it.

My friend seemed to be happy for the two she got and I have already made one for myself.

I so love a quick project!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sometimes Life Changes Suddenly...

It has been a VERY long time since I wrote anything on the blog. Life suddenly changed when I at short notice had to undergo a rather serious procedure a couple of weeks ago. I am pleased to report that I am doing well and trying to enjoy my summer of recovery.

Being rather house bound to start with, I expect a summer filled with craft projects of various kinds. And that is not bad at all...

Talking about craft projects: I attended a wedding in Oslo at the beginning of June before my ordeal started and the bride had requested a shawl in case of a chilly day (before anybody asks - no, she did not wear orange!). I found a pattern on the wonderful website Garnstudio. The site offers patterns in several languages and I made the shawl above (finished the day before the wedding - yes, I know - cutting it fine...). The pattern (here in Norwegian, but it can be had in other languages as well) can be found here
I used the yarn suggested, Drops Kid-Silk and to be honest it was like working with the threads in a spiders web. That said, it was well worth the effort and I wouldn't mind using the yarn again on a suitable project.

I am almost done with another new project - a very pink baby blanket (also found on Garnstudio) for a little girl due to arrive in September! Pictures will follow once the mother-to-be has approved the size of the blanket.

So, blog friends, a bit philosophical ending to today's entry - Carpe Diem seems appropriate to say.
And remember to value beauty around you and the good things in your life.

Falling Out of Rhythm...

Let me start by wishing all Norwegians everywhere "Gratulerer med dagen".

17 May is the Norwegian constitution day and celebrated and revered by all. Yet again, I am not able to be in Norway on this day, but I am there in spirit!

 

♥

It has been a while since I wrote on the blog and my only excuse is 'life'. I have missed the blog and reading about what people get up to and getting inspiration from so many. But it has been a hectic month, both at work and at home with exams looming for Our Boy. In addition, I have been struggling with a bad back since Christmas and have tried to get this under control with physiotherapy sessions and daily walks which does wonders for both body and mind. I hope to be back on the blog more regularly now!

 

Here are some picture from what I have been up to the last couple of weeks:

 

Capturing the chestnut tree in bloom in the street behind my office...

 



Business meeting in London...

 

Afternoon tea with Our Boy

 





Fundraising event at work for the children's charity Barnardos

 



Another course to learn to make leather-wrap bracelets

 



A glimpse from my daily walk by the river.

A little piece of heaven on earth

☺

 

Some Small Projects

Simple in white.

Those of you that follow me on Instagram might have seen that I have found time for some small crocheting projects. Our Boy and I went to Edinburgh for a few days last week as it was half term, The Professor's birthday and Valentine's Day. Talk about having a lot to celebrate! It was probably the last time we visit before we sell the flat. I must admit it was a little nostalgic, but a new chapter opens and we will hopefully soon be househunting again.

 

On the way up to Edinburgh on the train I crocheted this bib which will be making it's way to Switzerland once I have put some decorations on it. I found the pattern via Fru Tunheim who had found it via some other blog, but here is the link to the original blog (in Norwegian). I am also working on a special item for a friend of mine (almost a secret so no pictures yet), but I like having more than one thing on the go, so last night I started this super easy scarf pictured below.

Purple - my all-time favourite colour!

It is the simplest pattern ever and can be done 'in your sleep' or at least while watching TV. I am pleased to have found a way to use up some silk mohair yarn that was just 'hanging about'. I must admit I have forgotten where I found the pattern, but I will get back with the link once I have had a look at the IPad where I stored it...

Knitting Baby Socks...

Our little friend in Zurich needs some warm woolen socks/babyboots

These are super easy and fast to knit - a few nights in front of the TV and they are done!

I hope these will help keep him warm

I found the pattern in a blog, but I can't remember the blog to refer to (sorry!). I used the Norwegian yarn Dalegarn Falk and knitting needles 2.5. I got the yarn from Dragonyarns who sell Dale yarn here in the UK. Another place for various Norwegian yarns is Scandinavian Knitting Design.

Here is how I did it (size 3-6 months):

Cast on and knit 36 stiches back and forth for 9 cm

Then only knit the middle 12 till it all measures 14 cm

Pick up 11 stiches on either side of the middle knitted bit

Knit 12 rounds with all the stiches

Now for the bottom of the sock:

Knit only the 12 middle stitches but at the end of each round you knit the last stitch together with the side stitch

Continue like this till you only have 4 stiches left on either side plus the 12 in the middle.

Cast off and sow it neetly together.

Fold down the sock

Or in Norwegian:

Legg opp 36 masker og strikk rillestrikk 9 cm.

Str så kun over de midterste 12 maskene til arb måler 14 cm.

Plukk opp 11 masker på hver side av fotlappen og strikk nå alle maskene på pinnen igjen.

Strikk 12 pinner med alle maskene.

Avfelling under foten:

Strikk over de 12 midterste maskene, men på slutten av hver omg strikker du den 12 masken sammen med sidemasken. Fortsett slik med å strikke to masker sammen hver omgang, strikk til det kun gjenstår 4 masker i hver side i tillegg til de 12 midtmaskene.

Fell av og sy pent sammen.

Brett sokken ned. 

4 Blue...and Freestyle Knitting

4 blue degrees this morning and bright sunshine makes the world look pretty

☺

But it was awfully cold biking in to work...

I have been busy lately with the "knitting bug" - knitting socks and other things.
One of the projects was to re-vamp a cushion we were given last year by good friends. Being very creative people, they had in a joint project made a scatter cushion for us. I loved this cushion as they had all contributed with the layout using different textures and materials in the panels. So, I was really upset when one of the panels made with lace got worn and torn!

The new panel in the cushion is made of the same yarn I used when knitting the "Marius-cushion"

To repair it I knitted freestyle two new panels, making up a pattern as I went along alternating knit and purl stiches (rett og vrang) and simply covered the broken lace.

One of my favourite shapes is the heart, so I included a couple of hearts.

 Now we have a unique scatter cushion jointly made with 

love!

I Used To...

Great book with very easy explanations - in Norwegian.

I used to collect cooking books...

I still do. I have a lot... 

No, I have not counted them...

♥

But lately I note that another collection is starting to take shape - knitting and crocheting books. Even if I know how to knit and crochet, it is always good with new inspiration and to learn new techniques! Just like I know how to cook, but it is still good with new inspiration and to learn new techniques...

Do I sound like I am trying to justify myself here...?

☺

Inspiring book and the description of the shawl I am hoping to make is in this book

Here are three of the latest ones that have found their way to my bookshelf the last month

Original book is in Norwegian, but you can now also get it in English (as you see!)

Nope, my hands are not idle in the winter evenings. 

☺

At the moment I am knitting socks to use up some old yarn after making some of the Christmas balls.  I have promised myself NOT to buy any new yarn until some of the old stock has been used up! I have finally cracked how to do the heel nicely! Very satisfying!

So proud of myself!!!

But I have also promised to try to crochet somebody very special a rather intricate shawl. Even if I have got myself a special lamp - with a magnifying mirror which is excellent for doing bead work -  I prefer daylight to do that so it will have to be a weekend project.

So, what is YOUR project these days (or evenings)?

Country Living Fair 2012

Yesterday I went with my two Welsh friends to the Country Living Magazine's Christmas Fair 2012, in Islington, London. I didn't bring my main camera, so you will have to do with the IPhone pictures.

 

The fair is an annual event, although this was my very first time.

 

It was almost a bit overwhelming, to be frank, but well worth going!

 

So much creativity and inspiration!

 

I didn't buy very much (ok, a few things...), but  I enjoyed even walking around making notes on creative suggestions. Got to love the "Notes" function on the IPhone...

☺

 

I simply loved the fair and I think it will become an annual event for me!

♥

Making More Bling!

 

Time for autumnal activities!

Last week I attended a new class at The Beaderie.

 

Friendly and lovely Sally taught us how to make the embellished right-angle woven bracelet.

 

The classes are small - max 4 people so we get plenty of assistance if needed. Since this is my second class I felt it was quick to get my head around it.

 

Not a bad way of spending a couple of hours on a blustery autumnal mid week evening!

 



Colourful Burano and Wishful Thinking

We made good use of the water buses (vaparetto) while we were in Venice this summer. I get restless in these lovely sunny and hot places as with my freckly and fair Scandinavian skin there is a limit to how much time I can spend on a beach so we try to go to places where there is lots to see and do.

Venice was a perfect combination of city/culture/history/beach. One day we took the vaparetto to the island of Burano. Most people have heard of Murano where they make glass (yes, we went there too), but a little further on you come to the island of Burano where they make beautiful lace. Little old ladies were sitting in the numerours lace shops making lace. So intricate and amazing they see these small stiches and thread... Each lady specialises in one particular knot so each piece of lace is made by many hands and takes MONTHS to complete!

But the quiet car free island of Burano which is also criss crossed with canals like Venice was also a sight to see and we wandered all over (it is very small) looking at the amazingly colourful buildings.

There doesn't seem to be any rules as to which colour you can choose...

these buildings are not sinking (I think)... we can only blame the photographer :-)

The place was so peaceful and obviously with a lot less tourists than Venice.

I started thinking perhaps I wouldn't mind spending a year there, perhaps writing a book of sorts and spending the days just 'thinking'... It was that kind of place.

a tile on one of the colourful walls of Burano...

Ah, well, just as well this is mere wishful thinking.

It isn't only Pisa that has a leaning tower... Not sure I would dare to live too close to this church tower...

Knowing me, I would probably get bored...

Could you spend a year in a quiet, secluded place away from your normal life?