Can you spot the difference..

..from these two pics?

The cable looks exactly the same from both sides, as clever ones have already noticed. What a genius pattern this cardigan is. Yarn is from my frog festivities, a re-used wool-mix from pre-neanderthal age.. :)

In addition to this reversability, I like the fact that this presumable very warm cardigan will have short sleeves, so I can also wear it inside without feeling too hot.

All things great and small..

..have happened. Today was my First Day of School - well, actually, just the first meeting and info session, as the studying happens 99% in the comfort of my own home since it's virtual/multi-form/selfstudy kinda thing.
So far so good - this particular line of study seems like a right choice, and I think the self-studying will go quite well, as we are all adults here and know how to share our time between work and play and don't end up watching TV, or reading knitting blogs, when we are supposed to be studying and taking part in virtual lectures, right? RIGHT??!

A little piece of news caught my eye last week (and again today), about Bob Dylan. He was caught by the police lurking around some people's house - when actually he was only being curious about a house on sale and spending his free time before going on stage with Willie Nelson (talk about sweet harmony of voices there...). The 20-something cops did not recognize this legendary poet, and it took the personnell of his tour to ensure them that yes, this man really is mr Dylan and haven't you really heard about all his accomplishments and tens of albums... Poor Bob. Being a celebrity has seldom been easy for him.
(If he would just try to be a bit more nice - like smile in concerts and let people photograph him and such....)

What else.... hmm.... oh, knitting!
I've finished another "Thermis" cowl already, and tomorrow will hopefully see the starting of "Rosamund's Cardigan" from the latest IK. Pics will follow, so stay tuned...

I almost forgot...

...to share some photos and thoughts on my latest visit to Ye Olde Home Town last week.

We went to the Castle - I haven't been for years, but no need to fret: everything was exactly the same.

Some complaint resulted from this (of course!) - hey, how about re-doing the permanent exhibitions, e.g. changing the horrible grey plastic/vinyl/whatever flooring from the '70s?!
How about opening up a little those guide texts on the walls of the different chambers and rooms - ok, it's a "Queen's room", but what did she actually do there?
Also, how about installing some escalators to the towers - it's really hard work climbing up those stairs, as they are not really designed with the latest information in mind about the proper height of a stair, and ergonomy?

Well, the last comment aside, I guess it's good that somethings' don't change...

One, more positive, thing (aside from the lovely light inside some of the rooms, which resulted in nice photos) was the museum shop - really nicely planned and put out, and the goods were of good quality and most of them even closely related to the Castle or Turku. And that's always a plus, eh? :)

I bought some rhubarb tea and a cookie cutter shaped like the castle. Guess who's getting gingerbread cookies in a weird shape this Christmas..

A one night stand (a.k.a "third time's the charm")

Oh, the joy of cowls - quick to make, and will most likely prove to very crucial part of the autumn/winter couture in this part of the world.
This beauty was made in one night (ok, cast off today and still missing buttons, but who counts.. and we know where to get buttons, don't we....) from the lovely apple-green Katja merino wool used previously for the 'Kingscot' I made for my sister for last Christmas.


It's such a pleasure to knit, this yarn - so soft, and resulting in very even stitches. 'Nuff said - here's "Thermis" by Kirsten Patay:




I'll be definitely making more of these, with different colors/yarns.


And, for the third time, here's "Lace Ribbon Scarf" (by Veronik Avery, Knitty / Spring '08) - this time from some discount tweed yarn, the name of which I cannot remember. Some of you may remember, I've made this number already once from Rowan denim cotton, and also from a hand-dyed Knittery merino. Why, you may ask, did I do it again??

It's a very easy pattern, and results come quickly - that's why. And there's never too many scarves in a lady's wardrobe. I rest my case.

Aren't ears meant for keeping your hat on..?

This beret ("Lace Beret" by Kate Gagnon, VK autumn '09) is of the loose kind - although it was defined as 'close-fitting' in VK's description.. But hey, I like it just the way it is!





And it's stash-busting, as well, made from a very old Regia Silk. There's enough left still, for a matching mitts/gloves, so a set is on it's way, for sure!

These small items for autumn/winter seem to spring (sic!) up quickly now - let's see what comes off the needles next....

Frog Fest, part I

In the name of the good cause of recycling and re-using, we here at Chez Kudos have also taken action.

During this rainy day it's been good to dwelve into our cupboards and discover those sweaters which haven't been used for a couple of winters.

Re-using the yarn from them will help to ease the Very High Inspirational Level which was caused by the arrival of the new IK yesterday... and, first and foremost, with very low cost!

Cute as a button!

These wee things were crocheted in a flash from scrap yarn (some of you may recognize which yarn...) and some lonely embellishments just looking for this kind of project to shine. Original idea is from Frida Pontén's book "Virkkauksen ilo". A nice way to decorate a collar of an old jeans jacket, for example:

Some can be used for festive occasions:

Or they can just be grouped together and admired:

Getting ready for you-know-what...

...which is not yet mentioned here, since there's plenty of summer left still, right?!? But anyhow, one must be prepared. And what better way than making those pretty little things that make the you-know-what just a little more bearable. I'm talking about items like these:




The fingerless gloves are made with Peruvian 'Mirasol' hand-dyed merino wool + some Debbie Bliss cotton added in for extra comfort. Pattern is fresh-from-the-oven VK fall '09, "Meander Mitts ".




The hat is also from the latest VK, "Blossom hat" by Nora Gaughan. It's made with Debbie Bliss 'Prima', and a stripe of Mirasol added in for that extra flavour (and using up all the yarn...).







Of other things: I will start studies next month - it's for a degree in a field where I've never been too strong, involving numbers etc... But I've decided that one must face one's fears head on, in order to conquer them. As it will be mostly virtual lectures and self-study, it will require a lot of self-discipline. But, up and at 'em, I say!