Long shadows, cold light

silent, careful steps of winter
I hear them approaching
light is clear and sharp
black and white

Quelle surprise!

The two-fold surprise in this post:

1) I've been sewing again
2) I'm happy with the result


Inspired by the 'Mexican belt' pattern in Hanna Välitalo's book "Silmukoita, siksakkia ja pala suklaakakkua", I put together this - made from two cotton place-mats cut in half and sewn together, satin from my stash for lining, and velvet ribbon for tying up.




More than Mexican influence, this reminds me of Japanese kimonos...




As it's quite wide and sturdy, it feels almost like a corset when wrapped around your waist - good to keep up one's posture.




For some reason, this project was very hard on my neck and shoulders - I already started to make another one, but just couldn't continue. Working over the table, looking down and pinning fabrics together is not something my neck is willing to co-operate with today. Maybe tomorrow.

Point three missing things from this picture

Exhilarated and engouraged by my success in making swell men's gloves (they were well received by the Significant Other, just to let you know - and no, I didn't wait until Christmas to give them...) I decided to venture out to the unknown territories of Gloves Made Top Down.

Meet thumb and little finger, waiting for their turn to be united with their unborn siblings.

This work in progress is "Opera Glove" (by Elli Stubenrauch, DK Winter 08/09)
made with 100% alpaca, coal black.

I guess black is the new grey in this blog :)

The perfect (men's) glove Part I, a.k.a Monsters, Inc.

It's ready (was ready already on Friday, but network was not working), and I'm ready also - to make the 2nd one, that is.

Did I already mention that I really like the folded cuff? Nice'n'thick.


***

My sister went to London and all I got was this strange bag of goodies.

It's filled with bits and pieces cut from knitted garments, some stuffing, and felt for eyes/mouth(s)/ears etc. The outcome will be lovely, I'm sure. My Own Monster!

Building the perfect be.... umm, glove

In search of the Perfect Glove for One's Significant Other, perchance to be given away for Christmas (and preferably this year), I looked up the source of all patterns knittable, Ravelry, and came up with a pattern which I think will fit perfectly. With small modifications and added features, of course. The work has begun.

Notice the manly yet bold statement-making color of the yarn, the fact that it includes jojoba oil for his extra comfort, and the double layer cuff for that additional warmth.

Yes, we have no bananas..

..but we do have new socks - from this lovely yarn (bought from here), which you met already before, back when it was just an innocent ball still..

The socks are "Sunday Swing Socks" by Kristel Nyberg (Knitty, summer '09), and they indeed do have a nice swing to them. A great pattern to knit, simple and yet interesting to look at when finished.

Button up!

Here are fingerless mittens by Ysolda Teague, called "Veyla" - I've made them with an alpaca yarn (two shades of purple) and some pretty pearly buttons to dot the i.

They are warm, soft and nice to look at. What more can you want from your pre-winter accessory?