kudos

I went to Italy....

2010-10-20T09:57:00.004+03:00

....and all I got was this text. Photos of autumnal Lake Garda, who needs them, anyway.

Well, some notes on Italy will follow, not necessarily in order of importance.

-Italian TV is unbelievable; every evening illogical game shows/singing contests/reality drama, and all with scantily clad ladies whose body parts have been tweaked and tucked here and there and everywhere. Who needs political correctness, anyway.

- the sun was still warm during the day (except on our last day, when playing golf on the mountain side meant walking literally in the clouds)

- the light is amazing - hazy and shining

- the food, the food, the clothes, the clothes - need I mention more...

- I'd love to learn the language; I get a glimpse of the meaning here and there, but just when everything seems to fall into place I get lost again

- cypress trees, such noble and classy creations

I almost bought a cape, but then I thought why not knit one myself.

This morning...

2010-09-27T12:26:00.004+03:00

...from the window of the commuter train I saw this:

almost 100 cows grazing on their field, with their backs turned white from the frost.

A bit of this, a bit of that

2010-09-22T19:07:00.007+03:00

Finished objects keep flying out of my needles these days, it seems!

Meet "Foxgloves" by Clara Parkes (from "Brave New Knits"). These fingerless gloves are made from 100% wool ("nagano"/Gjestal) and knit in no time. Simple and pretty. And useful.

Here's "Northumbria cowl", by Elinor Brown (KnitSimple, fall 2010). I had a skein of moss-green alpaca yarn, and what better use for such a treat: again, a simple lace pattern, a lovely end result. And useful.

I embellished the cowl with a piece of satin ribbon as a seam.

Olive Oyl

2010-09-15T18:15:00.004+03:00

How much olive oil would come out of one (1) olive?

It seems that we've managed to grow an actual olive in one of our decorative small olive trees.

I love it!

2010-09-14T12:41:00.005+03:00

"Oscilloscope" by Kate Gagnon Osborn, once again and now in it's full bloom.

Friday's finest

2010-09-10T19:59:00.009+03:00

As promised, here are the first pictures of the latest Finished Object, the "Oscilloscope Shawl" by Kate Gagnon Osborn (excellent new knitscene, fall 2010).

Knit from a refreshing apple green merino yarn, bought eons ago from Colormart. The pattern was simple and yet flashy when finished. This cone of yarn has been haunting me for a long time, and now finally it has received the treatment it deserved: to be the latest update to my collection of scarves.

This scarf is now drying up and getting its final shape, so more pictures to come soon to a blog near you!

* * *

As as extra bonus, here is actually another FO, finished about a month ago.

"Anney", made from Rowan Purelife Revive (recycled cotton, linen and viscose), is designed by Emily Johnson in Twist Collective / Summer 2010.

The texture of the yarn is really nice, a bit rough and spiky, yet the color brings out the summery idea.

home of the brave

2010-09-03T15:03:00.004+03:00

Brave New Knits, that is! Despite me convincing myself not to buy yet another knitting book (at least not during this week/month/year), I just couldn't resist this, and I'm sure there are many out there who cannot either.
Waiting for the postman, now just waiting......

Something apple green is flowing from my needles, illustrations following soon.

Should have, could have, would have

2010-09-01T14:12:00.003+03:00

On renovating, and how to keep sane.

Dear renovating men, renovating our house inside and out.
Would it be too much to ask if you could follow instructions, be hard-working and finish on time?

Our balconies should have been finished in August. They will be finished in October. Hopefully. Where did the 2 months go?
And now that you are also exploding up our front steps and the steps leading from front yard to the parking lot, do you think that you could have told us, the tenants, about it sooner than 2 days after you had already started the work?
Yes, we will be happy to have nice and even stairs for winter, I grant you that.

Oh, I know that your work requires great manual skills, and I appreciate you for it, believe me I do. I'm a bit of a renovator myself, and some of my best friends are renovators. But hey, does that really mean the total exclusion of brain function?
Like, when you were drilling those holes on our bathroom wall tiling to attach the new lamps, did it ever occur to you either a) to call us once again about the correct measurements, or b) to actually look at how the lamps and the new mirror would look together.
The mirror was supposed to be in the middle, between the two lamps. Not so that the other lamp was further away from the edge of the mirror. Small things, but for finicky, small-minded people like us, symmetry is important. Especially if you are looking at the mirror and the lamps many times a day. Every day.
Anyway, thanks for fixing this by attaching a bigger mirror over those first holes, and attaching the lamps again. To their correct places. Thanks.

***

Hey, don't get me wrong - I love our new bathroom and toilet. I love the new washing machine (which, by the way, was not installed correctly the first time - during its first ever spin, the machine actually started to rumble towards the bathroom door. Thanks again, dear renovating men, for not removing the transportation supports from the back of the machine, and causing us a few scary moments and aching arms for trying to keep the machine in its place). I will like the new balcony, too.

***

Neglecting ones blog isn't the biggest crime in the world, but somehow it manages to raise some quilty feelings. So, a collective apology to any and all who may have visited here during last months.

After reading some French literature and visiting my dear blogger favorites after a long dry spell, I decided to let myself be creative again. No, I decided I want to be creative again. Because it's good for me. As is French literature.

So here I am - hopeful that somebody will read this someday, somewhere.
And hey, everybody deserves a second chance - even renovation men.

Gee, what just happened?!

2010-06-16T14:07:00.003+03:00

It seems like eons have passed since I've last written anything on this paper. You will forgive me, when I say that during this absence I have both started at a new job and moved house (and suffered from non-knitting symptoms, so there's been nothing to show).

Well, I have now worked in the new place for a little over one month, and I like it there. I guess I should like it, since I sent about 80 applications within 12 months, before this one came along.... Although it means travelling by train daily to another town and therefore having rather long working days, but I have grown accustomed to that aspect already. There's time to read and / or sleep and / or think things through (or even knit, for sure) on the train, and, at least currently, the trains have been running on time, which is a sort of a miracle around here, I guess. The people are nice in the office, working pace is quite relaxed (compared with the previous job), I got my own room, and I get to apply my language skills and other previously learned things to various tasks.

I also like.... oh, what the heck... LOVE! our new home. It's in an old shoe factory, converted into apartments ~20 years ago. Roofs are high, walls are thick and surroundings are quite peaceful and green (except for that darn dog who is barking his/her small head off somewhere in the neighbouring yards, and is doing that every time and all the time he/she is alone). It's a bit long ways from the city centre, but buses and biking are good ways to get there. I've rediscovered my bicycle, and him and I are now great friends again.

***

Despite my non-knitting-feelings, amidst all these Big Changes in my life, I did pack my yarns'n'stuff when we moved, to come along - but the thing is, I haven't unpacked them yet. They are there, on top of the cupboards, in two white boxes with the tape still wrapped tightly around them. Waiting. For autumn, perhaps.... ? For those woollen wearables, perchance...?

The resemblance is uncanny

2010-04-14T15:41:00.003+03:00

The operation went well, and the patient is feeling ok. Steeking was painless, and now I have two halves instead of one whole. And oh yes, it's starting to look like bag now, don't you think?

Despite the un-blocked pieces and non-attached body and strap (and very curling edges...), there's a certain likeness to a real bag here. Moving on, moving on.....

The world is indeed flat

2010-04-13T18:13:00.004+03:00

Well, maybe not - but the bag is indeed very flat at this point. Steek cutting awaits this little knitter.

Hibernating and being lazy

2010-03-09T15:07:00.003+02:00

Yep, that's me. Even though the bright spring sun is shining even as I write this, lately I've been under some heavy snow, figuratively speaking. Other things crowding up my mind, not the usual space there for creativeness and excitableness (is that a word??).

Lazy in my blogging, sorry folks, and also lazy in getting That Special Feeling (which, from now on, will be called TSF), i.e. getting down with Startitis. That's been going on here for a long time now, as you may remember (the lilac cardigan enthusiasm was but an exception to the rule) - even though I've been pottering with my colorful bag, knitting bits and pieces here and there, there's nothing to show yet (let me get the 1st section ready first). There's one WIP which is definitely not getting done for THIS winter... yes, the woolly one... Oh, well.

But, hold on....

there might be something stirring now (with the arrival of the latest VK)....

Howz about some lace, ma'am? Howz about something light and airy and summery and envigorating - only today with a special price, only for you, m'lady. Go on, I know you want it - why don't you give it a go?

Hmm. Tempting.... :)

The United Colors of Balls'of'Yarn

2010-02-15T12:14:00.005+02:00

It's here, the long-awaited package from the States.

It includes 21 balls of Peruvian Highland wool, in all the colors imaginable ('suede', 'doe', 'bison', 'currant', 'pimento' and 'lipstick', just to mention few...),

and the instructions how to make this, the "East Meets West Satchel", designed by the friendly folks at KnitPicks:

Believe me, I did not hit my head - but I do see colors, all over the place :)

'Raspberry heather', 'Masala' and 'Wallaby' - here I come!

Knitting with Wwwool

2010-02-05T21:13:00.004+02:00

After the supple and soft yarn of the latest project, the cardigan 'Sabbatical', I've taken up the tunic from the latest VK, this one with fair isle borders.

I decided to finally use up some Pirkka-yarn which has been simmering in my stash since last winter - and man, it's tough. It's 100% wool, you see. Good ol', crunch-your-fingers, rough-up- your-hands 100% wool.

Somehow it's good to really feel what you're making, knowing that this is the yarn used by fore-mothers and so on. But, pheew... as I've promised to give this a Certain Person, I need to finish it - and preferably before the winter's over, and preferably before The Bag Kit (which I told you about earlier) arrives from the States. Pheew.

I try to be diligent, finish it up (back side almost done already, so I'm half way there) and move on. And be satisfied with myself for taking up such an arcane and traditional yarn.

The result better be good, or else....

Yessirree!

2010-01-29T15:49:00.007+02:00

I'm not frustrated anymore, nosirree!

My computer came back to me sooner than I thought it would, and now we are together again - both agreeing that we should be working together without harsh words or sulking faces, in perfect harmony that is the root of the co-existence between woman and her machine. (and I promised to be more pedantic with taking back-up copies of my files...)

And, and! I've also finished the First Knit of 2010 - here's "Sabbatical", by Connie Chang Chinchio / Twist Collective, Winter '09, in a modest photoshoot sans human mannequin.

I like this garment a lot; the color, the softness of the yarn (primavera/teetee, 75% merino+25% silk), the wearability and the versatile functioning with different accessories.

The lace pattern was easy enough to work on, although not maybe your basic TV-knitting if the plot on the screen requires much attention. The cast-on with tubular method certainly was worth the effort to make a nice, finished look.

I did not make any permanent fastening solutions, i.e. button or hook, but chose to go with whatever feels right - so it can be worn open, fastened with a piece of ribbon, with a brooch etc..

On frustration

2010-01-27T12:28:00.002+02:00

Last Friday I found myself, once again, face to face with the impossible unreliability of modern high-tech. My laptop, aged 6.2 months (!), went berserk and refused to co-operate.
It's now in some (hopefully skilled) repair-person's hands somewhere, and will be back who knows when.
Although this is now actually allowing me more time to read, knit and excercise, for example, I still feel strangely cut-out and lost. Peering at mails and websites from this mobile phone display somehow just isn't the same.

As you can see, I'm torn between my frustration about the poor quality of such products, and the fact that I'm more or less dependent on them. Hmph.

A Winter's Tale

2010-01-11T10:26:00.006+02:00

Sorry for the long radio silence, folks - first things first: happy new year 2010!

I have not been a non-knitter, despite no updates to the blog recently - 'Sabbatical' is coming along nicely, just need to get more yarn to finish it. Also something new on the way soon, one made-to-order tunic from the latest VK..

I also got very excited about the small news in the VK magazine about this bag kit from KnitPicks. As it happens, the kit is on it's way now to yours truly - unfortunately they don't deliver outside US, but if one has friends living e.g. in Texas, the package can be delivered there, and then another friend who happens to be travelling to that named Texas place in early February will bring it in her luggage back to Finland, then it's possible to order.... a bit complicated, but what wouldn't one do for this genious, glorious design?

Yesterday I visited here for the first time - although it was also very pretty outside with the winter at it's best, coming inside into the old hothouse of cacti, orchids and other exotic plants was an unforgettable experience.

Coccyxal thoughts

2009-12-19T17:50:00.003+02:00

Went to the north, the idea was to ski a lot. Noticed that skiing is not my sport - fell down on my rump on the first day, naturally, (hey, I hadn't been skiing for over 20 years, so cut me some slack...), and managed to land directly on my other ski. Hard landing spot, soft rump = huge coccyxal pain, i.e. pain in the butt.
Skied also the next day, but it didn't feel good. Now, after a few days, still cannot sit properly, and bending over is virtually impossible. Am really happy about this.

But hey, this too shall pass - and, despite of all these troubles, I have started on my cardi.... :) What we knitters wouldn't do for our passion!

(no pictures this time, but I think it's best that way, eh....)

Dear diary!

2009-12-10T09:11:00.003+02:00

I have been a bit worried lately. Knitting hasn't been the source of inspiration for me for a long long time, and that's odd. Yes, I know that every knitter goes through such periods when not even the thought of purchasing new yarn does the trick.
And yes I know, I myself have gone through such periods before. Maybe it's the approaching Christmas with all it's "necessary" knitting, maybe it's the low caused by this dark season, maybe it's the 7-year change of body's cells..... go figure.

And I've tried! As you remember, I bought new yarn recently and it's still lovely to touch, but it just doesn't call out to me, in that irresistible little voice that is the voice of new yarn: "knit me into XXX pattern, or YYY pattern, phleeeease!". I have leafed through the winter issues of The Mags (and all the old issues, as well), borrowed some pattern books from the library, hung around in Raverly, walked over to the book shop to look at pattern books, opened my stash boxes to look at yarn, tried to think of knitting before falling asleep, been counting sheep..... The excitement just wasn't there.

And then.... and then! Yesterday I got mail. From Twist Collective. An extra number added for their Winter '09 collection. This one. Be still my beating heart! It's a cardigan (check!), it's long (check!), it's feminine (check!), it's beautiful (check!), it's versatile (check!), it's challenging (check!), and I've got just the yarn for it in my stash (check!).

Once again I have managed to cross the void, swim to the other side, return from the black hole, and stop the clocks. Swatch, here I come!

Saturday night fever

2009-12-05T20:38:00.005+02:00

Meet the lot - gingerbread cookies, in all shapes and sizes:

*a little bit of home sickness..?

*Jungle Book

*Cats

*fancy ones

wheew!

...mum's the word...

2009-12-01T14:15:00.004+02:00

I bought some new yarn today. It's got merino and silk in it, it's lovely. Don't tell anybody!

Hats'n'Cowls-R-Us

2009-11-30T09:54:00.005+02:00

Every self-respecting woman wears twin sets - at least a hat and a cowl twin set, right?

Here's what I made from some Rowan Felted Tweed (which has been simmering at the bottom of the stash-stew forever), a "Turn a Square" hat by The Genius Himself, Jared Flood (which is by the way the best beanie pattern ever, but I guess all of you knew that already!), combined with the "Thermis" by KrisKnits:

And, just for the heck of it, I quickly made another "Turn a Square" from pink and white obscurity yarns also from the stash, as you might have guessed.

This one's for personal use, but the twin set.... who knows..... for somebody who has been especially nice this year....?? :)

Something brown, something black and something finished

2009-11-23T15:07:00.010+02:00

In my lookout for challenging and interesting knitting patterns, combined with the quest for diminishing my yarn stash with a heavy hand, I came across a perfect pattern.

Finished during the weekend, and photographed in the ever-dimming light of November, here's "Wrap Cable Jacket" from latest VK Holiday issue (pattern by Shiri Mor).

It's knit like this: first the back panel, then right + left side are knit separately by picking up stiches from the side of the panel. With a few decreases and some handy tricks, you get the short sleeves and the fron side nicely done.

I liked making it (it's seamless!), and what's even more important, it consumed some big balls of my ancient Debbie Bliss aran yarn which didn't seem to find its calling before this project came along. It's a warm, soft and versatile garment. Say no more!

As an extra bonus, here's my 2nd Koolhaas hat (by Jared Flood / IK Holiday Gifts '07), made with some obscure alpaca yarn, and embellished with a little something I made while attending a virtual classroom where I was supposedly learning how to calculate value added tax......

On ripping, sulking, getting inspired and eating chocolates

2009-11-17T16:48:00.007+02:00

Well, those black gloves blogged about a couple of posts back faced the horrible fate of ripping, despite their genious pattern. Somehow my gauge was fine for the fingers, but the palm part turned out way too big, and would've needed some kind of weird magic to look good (or very bloated hands). RRRRipping they went.

And, these days, as said by the dear doctors in the most-fun-and-touching-tv-series-ever ,"M*A*S*H", I'm catching up on my sulking. With this weather it's oh so easy.

But I've also been a wee bit inspired, mind you, so there's hope still. By new Twist Collective patterns, especially this, this and this (in single color, though), and also the new IK does not look too bad... I may get started on something.

If I'm not too busy sulking, that is.

Eating chocolate, on the other hand, is not getting in the way of the sulking. My favourite kind now is with whole hazelnuts - which is funny, because as a child I use to dislike that particular variant fiercely.

Long shadows, cold light

2009-11-03T15:38:00.005+02:00

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

Quelle surprise!

2009-10-29T12:32:00.005+02:00

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

2009-10-26T16:32:00.004+02:00

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.

2009-10-19T16:41:00.011+03:00

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

2009-10-13T10:10:00.004+03:00

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..

2009-09-29T12:49:00.007+03:00

..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!

2009-09-28T13:41:00.006+03:00

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?

The Grey Period

2009-09-21T08:49:00.008+03:00

Picasso had his Blue Period - I seem to have a grey one going on..

Meet "Mary Jane" (by Rachel Bishop & Sarah Johnson / Zephyr Style, Twist Collective / Winter '08). Made with the results of the Frog Fest, again - a dark grey woolly yarn. And, yes you guessed right, from top down again.

This is really really snug, with a minimum ease, but that's exactly what makes this such a favourite of mine already - warm, preppy, easy to combine with different styles.. Yum!

Rosamund

2009-09-06T15:01:00.007+03:00

Meet the finished cardigan, by Andrea Pomerantz (IK, fall '09) - made with un-identified woolly yarn from my frogging excercise a few weeks back.

I like it - it feels warm, without being too stuffy (with the short sleeves and open front), and the possibilities for layer-dressing are endless.

Le Weekend

2009-09-04T16:22:00.005+03:00

and The Buttons

There's progress in the air..

2009-09-03T12:37:00.007+03:00

..and here's proof:

Rosamund's Cardigan is progressing indeed - some rounds for the hem still left, and finishing of the sleeves. Knitting top down, I do love you.

And I love this cable pattern also

And this hedgehog is getting ready to become... yes, again! Socks! Here!!

Lovely light-shade aquamarine/turqoise sockyarn from here.

Can you spot the difference..

2009-08-28T15:28:00.004+03:00

..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..

2009-08-24T22:31:00.004+03:00

..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...

2009-08-20T12:27:00.010+03:00

...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")

2009-08-18T14:11:00.006+03:00

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..?

2009-08-17T15:31:00.007+03:00

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

2009-08-12T11:00:00.003+03:00

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!

2009-08-11T08:44:00.007+03:00

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...

2009-08-10T08:49:00.008+03:00

...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!

Ohboyohboyohboy.....!!!

2009-07-28T14:56:00.002+03:00

What treats to knit this Fall - check out both Vogue and IK Autumn previews...! They must've heard my (and others', too) complaints about bo-o-o-o-oring patterns, and really kicked up the design department - and we thank them!

Must start stretching the fingers and oiling the needles for the Great Knitting Autumn.

Happy 1st!

2009-07-22T17:54:00.005+03:00

Today is the birthday of my blog, so Happy Birthday, dear blog!

What?!? Socks?!?! Here?!?!?

2009-07-20T10:28:00.006+03:00

Yes, sirree! I knit socks. I knit socks from a multi-colored yarn. I knit socks from a multi-colored yarn and like them!

These are "Spiral Boot Socks" by Véronik Avery (IK, summer '07), made from Araucanía 'Ranco' yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide), colorway Multy (obviously..), which I bought from here on my trip to the Old Hometown a month ago.

This little piggy went to market....

2009-07-07T18:25:00.007+03:00

..and bought some very pink linen...

and then she stayed at home and sewed herself a nice summer tunic...

And tuned it up a bit with a discount necklace..

..and she was very happy because she cannot remember when was the last time she had sewed a piece of clothing that she could actually wear in public.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

2009-06-18T13:23:00.003+03:00

Hyvää juhannusta!

Miscellaneous

2009-06-12T15:36:00.005+03:00

Some small things have been made here, at chez Kudos:

These cards I made to my youngest sibling and mother include origami in a girly way from Cindy Ng's "Girligami", combines with pretty stamps with branch motives. Fun to make!

As everybody else, I'm getting acquainted with Yoshiko Tsukiori's book on dresses and tunics

It's lovely. Me like. I also like Betz White's "Sewing Green", and the latest Burda magazine, in case you are interested.... :)

the sea, the sea

2009-06-08T09:30:00.008+03:00

Well folks, after almost 20 years of being a total landlubber, yours truly ventured out to sea finally last week, for a total of 5 days.
The weather could've been better (I think I'm still freezing), but it was great to see some new places and enjoy the sea air. Our route started in Helsinki, and then we headed towards Viipuri and through the Saimaa canal - the boat which we sailed will be spending the summer in Saimaa area.

Here are some pics from the trip - old fishermen's tools, for example..

The first (of June)

2009-06-01T14:31:00.005+03:00

Hi there, I bet you can see more clearly now, right? With my new laptop, everything looks great :)

The first of June, the official first of My New Life. Brace yourselves!

Today's the day

2009-05-29T09:25:00.003+03:00

My last working day, after almost 10 years in the same company.
It's sad, but it's also a good feeling.

Change.

My boss just asked me what were the most positive things over these years, and I said: the people.

Gladly I'm not disappearing from the face of the earth - so there are ways to keep in touch still.

And who knows where we meet again.

Korean, anybody?

2009-05-20T13:09:00.004+03:00

I received a farewell gift (next week is my last week at my current job) from a business contact in Korea - it's something that every home should have, and I didn't even know that I needed...
It's an electronic photo frame. You can download pictures from digital camera / computer / memory card, and they will then show in the frame in a slide-show mode.

Well, its lack of usefulness and its total un-necessity put aside, there is a one minor detail which makes the use of it a tad difficult. All the menus and user advice in the screen itself are in Korean. According to the user's manual, there are language options - but what's "English" in Korean..

It's like the classic practical joke - take your friends phone and go to language options and change the overall phone language to ... well, for example to Korean. And then just watch closely as your friend (who, at this point, is quickly turning into an enemy) tries to tackle the usage of the phone with the new, improved language.
Do not try this at home.

Birthday girl

2009-05-18T14:26:00.009+03:00

Yesterday we had some cake and cookies and sparkling wine, to celebrate somebody who's turning 14. (Well, obviously she didn't have any wine..). She got presents, and on top of all the festivities she had the honour to model my latest FO - which kind of reminds me of a birthday girl outfit, anyway... it's very feminine and pretty, I think:

So, finally, it's the "Auburn Camp Shirt" (Chrissy Gardiner, IK Spring '08), made with Sirdar BabyBamboo, Olive color. I like it's tailored effects:

I modified the sleeves a bit (leaving out the folded cuff-link with button). This cardi is a bit big for 14 year old's size, as you can see especially in the sleeve department, but hopefully will fit perfectly the person who's going to receive it as a present. But don't tell her yet! :)

On mortality

2009-05-14T14:34:00.004+03:00

Today I noticed in the local paper that My Cemetery (which is of course a common cemetery for all to visit, but which I somehow feel is mine, due to the fact that I pass through it almost daily since it's located right behind our home, and I adore the old trees and calm athmosphere - I view it more as a park than a gloomy, scary place), together with some art students, has published a web site where you can find the location of the all the important or otherwise interesting people's graves. And there's some biographic bits and pieces also included.

Well, I know that there are more important and inspiring things in life than this particular web site, surely, but this is actually something I have thought of many times when walking among the old tomb stones. That why don't I know more about all these people, who could teach me more about them. And now, here's my answer.

I've been also thinking many many times to take photos of the fascinating old grave stones - they are like works of art, some of them - beautiful craftmanship.

Hello, I'd like to register a complaint - Vol. 2

2009-05-12T12:36:00.004+03:00

Dear editors of Interweave Knits,

I just received your latest issue, Summer '09, and with my normal eagerness started to leaf through the pages immediately. To my huge disappointment there was not a single pattern which caught my fancy - not a single one! And come to think of it, there hasn't been that many in your previous issues either..

I started to subscribe in 2006, and was very happy with your magazine for a couple of years - interesting, challenging patterns which always inspired me to do my best and teach myself something new. But now..... the buzz just isn't there anymore. To be honest, most of the patterns are dull and boring - and don't even look like ones that a self-respecting knitter would wear in public. It seems that you have chosen the middle part of the road - the most safe and simple way to go.

Sorry to sound harsh, but I think I'm not the only one thinking these thoughts - since I've been reading and hearing about complaints also elsewhere in the knitting community. I've continued my subscription for 1 more year - it might be the last.

Yours complainingly,

-N-

greens

2009-05-11T13:19:00.009+03:00

What's been going on recently at Chez Kudos?

*Finally, my green cardi is ready - a long time coming, that was.... ("Auburn Camp Shirt" by Chrissy Gardiner / IK Spring '08). You can see it enjoying it's bath in one of the pictures above. I'm not sure yet who will be using this piece of clothing eventually... might be someone else than the knitter herself.. :)

More pics to come, of course...

*I started a course. After 8 sessions I'm supposed to know all there is about InDesign (graphic design/layout tool) - but let me tell you, I don't know much yet, after 2 lessons.. Either it's me, or the teacher is somehow jumping from one thing to another and there are bits missing.. it can't be me, can it.. Anyway, it's just for my general personal improvement, so I don't take it too seriously - and heck, it's always good for the brain to get a little action.

*I've been wondering what to start next - knit-wise, I mean. .

*I've been enjoying loads of asparagus - yummy.

*..and yeah, Basil from Faulty Towers is still alive - and related to all things green, I'm planning to put our balcony into summer shape in the coming days.

World of more

2009-04-30T13:45:00.008+03:00

St. Basil the Great is doing fine, requires more water now, it seems.

I've been reading a book by John Nash called "Enough - Breaking Free from the World of More" (in Finnish: "Riittää jo - irti maailmasta jossa kaikkea on ihan liikaa", Atena). The main idea is that due to the relatively quickly developed culture of humans, our brains have parts in them which are still pretty much from the Stone Age and haven't evolved that much - therefore we are programmed to think that all this food, stuff, success and happiness that we have accumulated can be taken away from us any minute, and we must always get more, more, more, to feel more secure.

Back in the good ol' days when a few hunter-gatherers roamed the woods and fought for life and death, it was important to be the most clever one and have most food stacked in your cave for the bad, rainy days - the survival of the fittest, you know..

Now, we are still stacking our closets and garages and cupboards with stuff we don't need, stuffing ourselves with more food than we actually need to stay alive and well, work our asses off because it's supposed to be somehow cool to always say to people that "I'm soooo busy at work", and aim for Bigger Happiness even though we should be quite content with what we've got now. And, by doing this, we all know what we are doing to the natural resources of this planet.

All of this in order to keep up with the Joneses, with the needs that are instilled into our minds. It's no use blaming The Society or Advertising or the Modern Culture (the famous Them, root of all evil) for this problem - it's just that our brains are programmed to act like this, and marketing people have found out where to strike with most power. You are nothing if you don't own this or that gadget, if you don't care about which shampoo you use, or if, god forbid, you want to drop out of the rat race and don't want more money, more power, more of everything.

The message is very simple: it's way past the Stone Age, dudes, we have enough of everything and consuming more or shopping for more will not make us any happier - and we should somehow de-program our minds to settle for less, be content with what we have. And in this context, the terms 'to settle' and 'to be content with' should not have any negative connotations.

Well, I guess I'm somehow carrying these ideas out in my own little way, now finally implementing into reality what I have been feeling over the past years in my private thoughts - by letting go of my 'safe' job (and just who's job is safe anyway, these days...) I'm also happy to renounce the mentality where nothing is never enough and more-more-more is always required.

It was fun while it lasted, sure, and brought along with it many good experiences, but in the end I'm happy to let go.

* * *

To end this posting with higher note after the Thursday Sermon, here's a May 1st joke for you:

Two cannibals were eating a clown. One said to the other: "I don't know about you but this sure tastes funny to me".

Yeah, I know. It's so last season :)

(Chinese green) tea for two

2009-04-25T17:10:00.009+03:00

This week I was visiting my colleagues in another city, and also teaching my successor there - they had organized a farewell party to me yesterday, and oh, the multitude of gifts! First of all, something which I had actually asked for from a Beijing (or should one say Pekinese??) colleague who I knew was visiting Finland - some really, really good Chinese green tea. This "Tieguanyin" brand is a premium variety of Chinese oolong tea. Freely translated supposedly something like "Iron Goddess of Compassion". A total of 500g of this goodie should last quite a while, and make this girl a whole lot more compassionate.

Then, as the Actual Farewell Gift, they gave me Finnish design at it's best - an Aalto vase, and a miniature Marimekko bowl. Both in this Spring's new color, purple. The color actually looks quite pink, depending on the light, so it's right up the alley of my favorite colorway..

Funny how this photograph of the Aalto vase actually looks like a person's ear.... or is it just me?

And here, in a portrait with the Marimekko bowl, is Basil the The Great Mouse Detective, getting stronger by the day..

And hey, what do we have here?! Could it be...... oh yes, she's actually also knitting something!

I know, I know ... this knitting blog hasn't actually been much about knitting recently, sorry about that - but I hope you forgive me for keeping occupied with other, more down-to-earth things recently.
But I feel a small startitis creeping up my spine... and should really also finish this 'Auburn Camp Shirt' from IK Spring '09, knit in Sirdar 'Baby Bamboo'... So there's hope still!

Exactly 24 working days to go. Then it's bye bye steady income, at least for a while.. I'm excited and also a bit horrified. But much more exited :)

Oh, Italy..

2009-04-17T14:22:00.010+03:00

..again I've been charmed by the green, hazy days of Spring there. Florence was as beautiful as ever, and also new acquantaince Bologna managed to charm the socks off from me (well, literally, as it was quite warm and sunny).

Here are some occasional photos, some curves and moods..

There was zilch knittingly things going on during this vacation - I didn't bring any yarn with me, and didn't visit any yarn shops (although I saw a couple). Well, one good thing from this break is that my neck and shoulders feel much better - maybe blood circulating there again has something to do with it..

Luckily mr. Basil Rathbone didn't suffer too much from my absence and, therefore, from absence of water. But must wait until releasing him on the loose to the balcony, as the weather is still rather cold - actually looking at some snow now, falling down from the sky outside this window.. Oh Finnish Spring, where art thou?

A room with a view

2009-04-09T14:04:00.003+03:00

..will hopefully be found from both Bologna and Florence during Easter time!

Be back soon!

Green thumb

2009-04-06T13:11:00.004+03:00

is clearly working (day 7):

Basil Fawlty?

2009-04-02T12:39:00.005+03:00

I hope this basil won't be faulty - at least it seems to spring up from the soil like crazy. It's day 3 after the sowing, and already I could see these coming up.....

Yesterday I signed the contract ending my job at end of May. It felt good - of course also a bit scary, but mostly good. When one door closes, many new ones will open - that's just the way it goes. I've already applied for one interesting job in a totally different field, hopefully next week will show if something will come from that..

I'd definitely like and also would need to have more time for extra-curricular activities - I mean more things to make me happy and balanced. Not that I'm not happy&balanced already, but I know that with less pressure from work I could be that even more. Singing in a choir is one of my dreams, after many years of not singing in a choir - it does good for a person to sing in a choir :)

Plans, dreams and likes/dislikes - gradually they are coming together. But most of all, I'd like to live my life less prone to anxiety and accomplishing things out of duty. Duty calls, but one does not always have to answer, right?

Ol' MacDonald had a farm....

2009-03-30T11:54:00.005+03:00

..and she planted some Basil, Parsley and Oregano there, on the windowsill.

The seeds were from last Spring, but I hope they still have growth potential. I know this is like watching paint dry (or grass grow..), but I promise to keep you updated on the status of my kitchen garden :)

Wow, what speed..

2009-03-25T13:50:00.003+02:00

..life is now going!

Very busy at work, but also busy leaving it - I'm ending my 10 year career end of May, and jumping to the Great Unknown. Currently plans still very open (studying? another job? what?), but anyway it feels good to have made such a Courageous Decision to Change One's Life.

From now on, I'll be pouring this stuff on you (in addition to my knitterly escapades), so please bear with me :)

Pyramids and other micracles..

2009-03-14T16:10:00.010+02:00

Hey, I have something finished to show you! Meet "Puff-Sleeved Cardigan" by Stephanie Japel / 'Fitted Knits'.

Such a great pattern - no alterations needed, and the end-result is a beautifully fitted, pretty little jacket. Yarn is Debbie Bliss Cathay (cotton/microfibre/silk). And as you can see, also the Perfect Buttons were found again for this project.. In original pattern there's a whole row of buttons, but I opted for only two for the nice accent - more as a decoration than actual fastening purpose.

And some new yarn was bought today, to replace the huge void caused by this finished project (what better reason is there, anyway!?), actually a mountain of it, it seems..

It's a nice bamboo/wool thingy from Sirdar - in lovely Spring-budding-leaves-green

A Winter's Tale

2009-03-11T14:59:00.008+02:00

Last Sunday we went enjoying the sunny winter's day by the lake - my camera was on black-and-white mode, and this is what was captured on film (the small dot in the sky in this photo is a balloon)

The branches intertwining, the shadows between black tree and white snow are fascinating..

"Ch-ch-ch-changes" (lyrics by D. Bowie)

2009-03-04T13:10:00.005+02:00

Big changes planned for life in general, let's see if they will come true - I'm hopeful, positive and eager to Change!

Aside from this, I haven't given up on knitting. And Gromit is giving his full support!

"Before", but not yet "after"

2009-02-24T16:37:00.005+02:00

Here's my Enid, so far so good - waiting for steeking, I'm thinking of incorporating a zipper instead of buttons. And yes, I know, the sleeve looks quite ugly, but I'm hoping that bath&blocking will make it all better.

As this is made with not 100% wool, the steek would have to be made by sewing, in order to quarantee good hold on the stiches when cut. That will be my first time, so let's see how it turns

Anyhow, I got started already with a new project - did you really think I could keep my hands off of those purple (oh, sorry, 'Claret') goodies..?!

...and isn't lime just the most delicious color!

The light is...

2009-02-18T10:10:00.004+02:00

...almost too bright this morning! Birds are singing! (Despite the frosty weather) it's coming!

Also in the post yesterday came 8 cute balls of this deliciously purple (well, actually it's "claret", mind you) cotton/viscose/silk delight from the sale of Kangaroo. But we must be patient, my little purple friends - first we need to finish the 'Enid', and then... yes, then we can start to plan something for you..

Ode to Hands

2009-02-14T18:34:00.006+02:00

The things I did today with my hands:

washed, blow-dried and ponytailed my hair, and put on make-up
held a knife and fork to eat two lovely meals

gave money from my purse to buy a bread and some cheese

arranged 20 tulips in a vase

played piano for the first time, after a long long while

knit few more rounds of the 2nd sleeve of my Enid cardigan

leafed through a couple of magazines

turned pages of a book to read and learn more

wrote this post

Preview..

2009-02-09T11:58:00.007+02:00

..of the new IK for Spring '09 is here - based on first glances, it's your typical Spring issue with light colors and loads of cotton. Which is not bad, don't get me wrong.

My knitting radar seems to get ticking especially for 'Millefiori Cardigan' & 'Diminishing Rib Cardigan' (both by Andrea Pomerantz), and 'Sculptured Lace Scarf' (by Kenny Chua). And maybe more, once the magazine arrives..

As I have some cotton knits waiting to be frogged of their previous existence, there will be plenty of yarn available for these - waste not, want not :)

Origami for girls..

2009-02-06T17:41:00.009+02:00

..is of course "Girligami"! This little gem of a book (by Cindy Ng, 2008) came my way this week, and boy... ooops, girl.. what cutesy ideas it includes.. Take a look:

* * *

On the needles, after the start-frogging-start-frogging disaster on The Disastrous Sunday, is finally the famous 'Enid Cardigan' (IK, Fall 2006, by Véronik Avery) which has been haunting me to knit it ever since I first laid eyes on it.

I'm using Sandnes Sisu for the body and then lovely pastel shade Artesano Alpaca's for the yoke.

Fits like a... well, a glove!

2009-02-03T12:36:00.007+02:00

After last posting's despair, there's hope for me as a knitter yet! :)

At least I managed to finish these - 'Knotty Gloves' (by Julia Mueller, Ravelry link), from the Mokkasukka yarn mentioned a couple of posts ago..

You know you're having a bad knitting day when...

2009-02-01T15:37:00.004+02:00

1) ...it takes 3 attempts before you get the required provisionary cast-on going.

2) ...your scrap yarn and work yarn get tangled because, against the instructions, you didn't choose a non-sticky yarn as scrap yarn.

3) ...finally, after managing to get all stiches cast and after checking (of course I checked!) that the work was not twisted when knitting in round, you found yourself ending up with a twisted piece.

4) ...after a long sigh and a 'I-cannot-believe-I-just-did-that' look on your lonely sad face, you just pull out the circs and squeeze in your sweaty hand the remains of your efforts of the past 2 hours:

Oh, well.

What, me early?!

2009-01-30T13:06:00.005+02:00

This week I saw some nice apple green bracelets and necklaces at a clothing store - the color was so tasty that I decided I need my own 'Waiting for Spring' -set immediately. And luckily, the beads arrived with the pony express within one day from here, and I'm all set!

F i n a l l y..

2009-01-24T13:40:00.015+02:00

..I managed to put my teal Debbie Bliss 'Cashmerino DK' stash into good use, after a couple of rippings, as you may remember. Here it is, a sweater from Phildar Winter 07/08 magazine. Original looked like this:

And mine looks like this - I'm quite pleased with the sleeves especially, they have a nice drapey/slouchy feel to them, and are very feminine.

I made some alterations to the original pattern's neck band, since I couldn't for the life of me understand the instructions: "..work several more rows of st st in a different color. Iron these st st rows, when making up sweater you will simply unravel these rows to base color". Say wha?! So I just gave up (and thought myself real stupid for a while), and picked up the stiches from the neck and back, and knit with 1k 1p rib. It may not be as French as in the original, but hey, it works. I also added a press-on button to make the neck-line more sturdy and wearable.

* * * *

Hey, you know what this is?

It's an empty desk, a tabula rasa, a clean slate -- no WIPs, just open opportunities! New projects, here I come! :)

Finished Objects....

2009-01-22T10:12:00.004+02:00

..or more like Objects Interrupted. Some of you may recognise the cable..
These handy wrist warmers a.k.a cuffs are part of 'Cabled Cuff Gloves' by Tuulia Salmela (Twist Collective, Winter '08).

in order to defend my laziness when not knitting the whole gloves, I'd like to refer to my earlier posting about the Finnish folk tale of the mouse and cat and the changing end-results... :)

Deliveries and plans

2009-01-20T18:45:00.004+02:00

A lovely package came with mail the other day - thanks sisters! :)

As you can see, the colorway is 'Troglodyytti' - well, if my camera would show the correct colors, then maybe you could really see.... anyway, it's a lovely brown shade, hand-dyed by Mokkasukka. When this grows up, it may want to be a pair of gloves..

One wouldn't think that keywork 'knitting' would produce that much results in YouTube (other than knitting instructins, of course), but here's something you might enjoy..

In the theme of tea... I must of course now join the ranks of knitters who have designed and made their own tea pot cozy .. more to come on that subject soon!

A Finished Object

2009-01-13T16:20:00.009+02:00

Sooo, here it is, my combination of a designer scarf and hand-made knitted piece - I quite like the end result myself.

The pattern is my own, yarn came from Down Under (The Knittery, merino-silk blend in charcoal color), and the silk scarf is from Anna Sui. I knit as much as the 200g lasted and then just folded the piece into double and machine-sowed the two together. Voilá!

Thé

2009-01-08T10:12:00.007+02:00

I've been reading, or more like gulping, a book on tea ("Tee teematka",by Helena Petäistö, in Finnish). It's such a nice book - plenty of delicious descriptions on the best Afternoon Teas found in various European locations (mostly in grand hotels of the capitals, but of course also in actual tea houses and tea rooms), a lot of history (sometimes very bloody measures have been taken in order to guarantee tea to the salons and chippendale tables of the high and mighty), and personal accounts on different tea varieties. The lady who wrote this book is a long-time foreign correspondent of Finnish television, she's located in Paris, and is an expert on all things French.

Being known as a not-so-avid coffee drinker (meaning no coffee for me, like, ever...), I've lately taken up different coffees, and grown to somehow even like them - I guess more important is the mood and athmosphere of the café or coffee house than the actual drink itself. Although I must admit that the boost of caffeine for someone like me who's not used to it is quite something, and at times can provide good extra energy for a short period of time.

Due to this background of not drinking coffee, I've been always offered tea at parties etc., and mostly it has tasted bad, bitter and bland. The Lipton Yellow Label, which gets a special mention in the book for the most awful thing that has ever happened to tea, is the worst of them all. Rumour has it that it's made from the stuff they sweep off the floor after finishing the production of the better teas. Eww!

Anyways, this book has been really inspirational - she's comparing teas with wines, that it's possible to find as subtle and multiple differences between different teas (black, green, white, yellow..) as a wine-buff can find among red wines, for example.

If you take time to prepare the tea properly (quality and temperature of water is the key, and after that make sure that the brewing time is correct), it's really an experience worlds apart from the 'place-the-yellow-labelled-bag-into-boiling-hot-water-and-let-it-simmer-there-until-taste-is-unbearably-bitter' method.

Just imagine a fresh pot of delicious tea, some scones with thick cream and strawberry jam, cucumber sandwhiches, cakes and pastry.... Makes you want to jump on a plane and hurry off to London/The Hague/Dublin/Frankfurt/Vienna immediately (just to mention some of the best places mentioned in the book to have your afternoon tea in the old fashioned way).

In the meantime, you can also feast you eyes on the web pages of the top Finnish tea place. The calm effect of this alone will convert anybody from the rush of caffeine into a Slow Movement supporter and tea drinker.

Cleanin' up!

2009-01-05T16:20:00.007+02:00

If you want to offer a good home to these books, please let me know - I will give them away, with just the price of postage. First come, first serve - so give me a holler if you are interested!

"Scottish Inspirations" by Rowan / Sarah Dallas, 18 patterns using Rowan Scottish Tweed yarn.

"Inspired Cable Knits" by Fiona Ellis - 20 designs for sweaters and accessories

New year - new ideas!

2009-01-02T09:18:00.013+02:00

Since it's a new year, and I'm on the mend from the symptoms of Uninspiration by now (the lovely sunny & cold weather has helped..), I have started up with a new sweater (from some old yarn..), and also finalized my decision how to go along with the scarf which has been in production for quite a long time now....maybe some of you remember this grey thing..?

I will join two scarfes to make one - the white silk scarf is a gift from a colleague, and has not found it's way into my wardrobe yet, although it's a nice design by Anna Sui. I believe that the marriage of these two will end up nicely - let's see! There's still some of this lovely grey yarn (silk/merino) left, and I intend to use up all of it. Further report will come later, then...

The story behind the sweater is actually starting to resemble quite much the old Finnish folk tale of a mr Cat commissioning a coat from a tailor, one mr Mouse. When the cat comes to collect his coat, the mouse says something like this: "Oh, no sir, there is no coat, sir, but what I could do is a swell pair of pants for you, sir!". And when Cat comes to collect his pants, mr Mouse comments: "Oh, sorry sir, but no pants materialized from this fabric - I could make a beautiful waiscoat for you, however!" etc etc etc, until there's nothing left of the fabric... .... (and until the cat eats the mouse in his frustration, but that's not relevant here..).

So I gave up on the previous Phildar pattern which I planned to make with the teal Debbie Bliss cashmerino DK yarn which was coming from another cardigan which I ripped... phew!... and have instead already finished the back of this Phildar pattern - very simple, but I like the idea of the deep cut in the front and the willowy sleeves:

It's just me...

2008-12-30T14:58:00.001+02:00

...doing some re-decorating around here....

The end is nigh!

2008-12-28T16:37:00.004+02:00

Does the equation really go like this?

end-of-year = ideas x 0

Can you believe it - I've started one vest pattern twice (did I mention twice??!) with two different yarns, and neither of them worked out, both under rrrripping currently.. partly because I couldn't figure out the lace pattern (there must some mistake in the pattern, mustn't there?!? - it can't be me, can it?!??) and it went wrong each time, and partly because it just don't feel right, it don't feel like a garment I would eventually wear. And we've made a promise not to knit those not-wearable-but-just-knitted-for-the-hell-of-it thingys anymore, now haven't we....
Also otherwise not very inspired by anything right now. I guess I'm all knitted out for '08.

Gee. What a strange feeling!

I guess I just have to hang on to the hope of New Year bringing with it some New Ideas.

*sigh*

I know what you did last Christmas...

2008-12-23T11:54:00.004+02:00

...and this Christmas, as well (besides eating, sleeping, and knitting).

Merriment to you all during Christmas time - it seems to be a white one, after all!

Christmas Flowers Ltd.

2008-12-22T10:01:00.005+02:00

Also a couple of these were made yesterday and delivered to happy owners..

A small cup, some oasis foam and lichen, and one red rose+cone - voilá! So, flower arrangin' made easy :)

***

By the way, the new owner of the 'Kingscot' was quite happy with her gift - I received a really heart warming compliment from her: "This sweater feels like a second skin on me". I'm glad!

Meet "Kingscot"

2008-12-20T17:40:00.002+02:00

Finally, and just in time for Santa's delivery!
('Kingscot' by Nora Gaughan, Twist Collective / Winter '08)

Giftboxes 'R' Us

2008-12-17T12:49:00.004+02:00

I've tinkered with origami only a little before, but now I wanted to make some gift boxes for Christmas, so off to library I went... and found a basic book on paper folding, and inside it basic instructions how to make boxes. After a couple of not-so-good ones (it DOES help if one has one's measurements correct, i.e. all sides of the square the same length - go figure!), I got the knack of it, and now got all my box-needs fulfilled.

Coming up.... 'Kingscot' is almost finished, pics following up soon!

Christmas Cards, Inc.

2008-12-14T21:06:00.004+02:00

A regular Christmas card factory was in operation today on our kitchen table - with a little imagination, scissors, silver cardboard, stamping and christmasy red color you get these results:

Friends and relatives, watch out for the postman :)

Hello, I wish to register a complaint

2008-12-05T11:51:00.004+02:00

Phone call to LYS (not the one I was raving about before, but one of the Established Yarn Stores in town, practically a mastodon of yarn stores)

me: -Hello, this is so-and-so calling, do you carry Spanish Katia yarns?

LYS lady: -Oh, yes, but only a few... [with a tired voice, as if I'm asking something which could really tax her physically if she thought about it even a second longer]

me: -Well, would you happen to have currently Merino 100% on your shelves?

LYS lady: -Oh, no no.... we don't. [what kind of stupid question is that ayway....]

me: -Ummmm, ok... who is your importer? [Trying to coax her to give me service and suggest that she could order from them and I could then pick up the yarn from her store - just as the importer suggested when I bought Katia yarn for Kingscot at the crafts fair]

LYS lady: -Well.... it's firm X from Turku......

me: -OK, so I guess I'll just contact them directly and give my money to them then, instead of your store, right?

LYS lady: -Yes, you'd better do that! [sounding real happy... problem solved!]

Those who live in Tampere know which store I'm talking about. They are just legendary, aren't they.

* * *

Another thing, while I'm at it:

Dear young guy living in the opposite building from ours,

I know that interior decorating is not everybody's favourite past time, and especially balconies can be a real challenge to upholster into a cosy but practical extention of one's home. But. I think contemporary design has been taken into new reaches in your balcony, to which I have a direct view when I'm sitting at my desk working. Piling up plastic bags filled with what I presume are empty beer cans and/or bottles maybe makes a statement - so far I just haven't figured out what that is. I respect the nature as well, and I salute your recycling activities, but would it be too much to just take one or two bags at a time back to store to return the cans/bottles, instead of waiting for 3 months for them to pile up? And just how much can a person drink beer?
Oh, and one more thing - don't even think of making your once-per-year appereance with your truckload of cans/bottles at the supermarket just before me returning my two cans and one wine bottle.
Yours truly.

Keeping one's spirits up

2008-12-03T12:07:00.007+02:00

...is quite difficult these (murky, dark and rainy) days. It's even more difficult to find a good time to take pictures when light is so scarce. But I wanted to share my progress of 'Kingscot' anyways with you, so here goes - lousy photos, but hopefully showing even partly how interesting the pattern is.

It's progressing with good speed - only 20 days to go until You-Know-What.... :)

It's gorgeous!

2008-11-30T12:37:00.006+02:00

I mean this yarn, and the fact that it was bought last Thursday from a New Yarn Shop in my home town - based on the blog mentionings for "Lankaidea", this was a really big event for all of us. It was about time to get a real thing here - thank you whoever started this LYS up, I raise my hat to you, and promise to visit as often my budget allows :)

Also, 'Kingscot' is well on it's way - back almost finished. I love the color!

It's gorgeous! :)

Here we go again..

2008-11-26T12:57:00.011+02:00

..back to the grind. It's nice to be back!

A week in Madeira was great, filled with sunshine and greenery and warm winds.

Please kindly note that I did have my Noro and needles with me, but didn't make a one stitch during the whole trip - good rest for my shoulders and neck, mind you... But, guess who's fingers were really itching to get a-knittin'?? So 'Kingscot' is finally on the needles as of yesterday, and Katya is knitting up real nice, lovely soft merino.

* * *

As for the yarny stuff, here are some newbies which caught my eye:

(from latest Phildar magazine, with an Irish theme - nicely upgraded Aran..)

And my favourites from the new IK, coming up in the post next week, I hope!

Minimalistic, simple and pretty..

The loot

2008-11-15T16:13:00.006+02:00

As is common here in our bloggin' universe, we always show and tell what we've bought at crafts fairs, yarn meets etc. So here goes.

There were many interesting booths at the crafts fair yesterday (and a lot of people, let me tell you... I heard one lady sighing with frustration and saying to her friend "Well, I really must start crafting now, there's no way out of it...."), here's some I found very interesting. And please note, these are not yarn related - I am able to concentrate also on other things, thankyouverymuch.

Although I bought some yarn, as well, of course.

Joutomaa, who was selling postcards and small posters - here's an example:

"It'll all turn out just fine" the little doggy is saying.

And Think Today: Well-designed notebooks and framed pictures, made out of scrap pieces of wallpaper and other building / decoration waste. And then "Mary-me", for whom I couldnt' find any website (which of course doesn't mean that there isn't one....) - they had funny fabric printings available, both to be sewn on your own garments / bags / whatever by yourself, and also ready-made on aprons, purses and messenger bags. Meet mr Bear and mr Frog.

And oh yes, I also bought some yarn, almost forgot to mention...

That's a lot of green. The one in front is from a small farm close to my old home town, Finnish lamb's wool and dyed by the owner herself. The other greens in the back are Katia, extra-fine merino, which will turn out to be the 'Kingscot' mentioned in previous posting. Actually also this one was bought from a store who is located in my old home town. And Joutomaa is also from there..... maybe I should move back?!? And some Noro peeking under there, as well. And a set of 2.5mm dpns. I'm all set.

There's going to be a little break - so talk amongst yourselves, I'll be back after 1 week or so.. See ya!

It's here!

2008-11-14T11:15:00.003+02:00

Let's Twist again...

Me like:

"Kingscot" by Nora Gaughan

and "Cabled Cuff Gloves" by Tuulia Salmela

What's your fave?

Bleak house

2008-11-11T12:05:00.008+02:00

Oh man, what a weather - there's hardly enough light during daytime to get these pictures.. Bleak is definitely the right word for this rain and wind. And did I mention darkness already?

But hey, we can of course optimize and put all things together in one pic:

See?! Knitting, felting, beading - all in one. The 'East and Vest' has been continued, after receiving the package with 'almost the same' new yarn of Debbie Bliss. The color is a bit darker choc.brown, but I think it won't matter in the end result, as it looks like the striping was intended on purpose...

***

I borrowed a copy of 'The Ultimate Sock Book' by Vogue Knitting, and even though I've never been sock-knitter at heart, it's anyway interesting always to study new techniques. In the beginning of the book, there's this history section about sock knitting. During wartime, people were couraged to knit socks to soldiers with e.g. songs (even Glenn Miller recorded such a song, the book tells us). Who would make a song for the millions of knitters now?

..and advertisements:

This dude seems pretty serious about his knitting. And deservingly so - knitting socks for the president himself must put any knitter under huge pressure. Note the appropiate knitting attire!

***

And hey, here's the new kid on the block - meet my 2nd orchid. My sister gave this to me as an early birthday present this weekend. It's nice to have a blooming one, since poor Polly has been without her flowers for a long time now.

I think I'll call him Harold.

My own birthday present to myself will be going to a crafts fair this week on Friday / Saturday :)

***

To recover from this gloomy day, how about this as the next project?! (Moda, Nov '08)

The Novice

2008-11-06T10:40:00.007+02:00

I have succumbed. Finally. After years of reading about it in various blogs, finally I bought some. Meet yours truly, the Noro Novice.

As everybody knows, it don't come cheap, this one. But a lovely scarf is already in my mind, maybe mixed with some Rowan felted tweed, which has a similar kind of feel to it. But of course, it's like comparing silk with... well, tweed.

And another pair of earrings, lovely cloisonné beads:

His&Hers

2008-10-30T13:52:00.006+02:00

Yesterday evening saw the birth of these two colorful household necessities - cup cozies for him&her. The future lucky recipients of these have actually donated the yarn earlier to me (in past life it was some really old needlework wool by Anchor), so it's recycling in the best sense of the word. I hope they will like 'em!

and now from the back

One more thing, related to my recent bead-craze, here's a bracelet I made - categorically Hers, I think..

East and vest

2008-10-28T16:30:00.004+02:00

Well, I've finally started my new vest..

...with Debbie Bliss 'Merino Aran' which was naturally discontinued already (at least from all the net stores I frequent..) - and boy, is this eating up my stash fast...it seems that I only can knit few rounds and swoosh, another ball is gone.
Being the creative knitter that I am, I made the decision to order more yarn instead of frogging this and making something smaller, something that could be made out of the measly 8 balls that I had in my stash (one glove, perhaps?). I ended up with the closest equivalent, Debbie Bliss 'Cashmerino Aran' - hey, there's only one word difference, so it cannot be too different, right?? Let's see when the package come and these two are combined...

The bumpy pattern is created simply by alternating the k3-p2 rib pattern with k rows (2 and 2).

***

Today, the second episode of the lovely, über-British, janeaustenish tv-series "Cranford". Capital!