....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.
2010/10/20
2010/09/27
This morning...
...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.
almost 100 cows grazing on their field, with their backs turned white from the frost.
2010/09/22
A bit of this, a bit of that
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.
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.
2010/09/15
Olive Oyl
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.
It seems that we've managed to grow an actual olive in one of our decorative small olive trees.
2010/09/14
2010/09/10
Friday's finest
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.
2010/09/03
home of the brave
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.
Waiting for the postman, now just waiting......
Something apple green is flowing from my needles, illustrations following soon.
2010/09/01
Should have, could have, would have
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.
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.
2010/06/16
Gee, what just happened?!
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...?
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...?
2010/04/14
The resemblance is uncanny
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.....
2010/04/13
The world is indeed flat
Well, maybe not - but the bag is indeed very flat at this point. Steek cutting awaits this little knitter.
2010/03/09
Hibernating and being lazy
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.... :)
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.... :)
2010/02/15
The United Colors of Balls'of'Yarn
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...),
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!
'Raspberry heather', 'Masala' and 'Wallaby' - here I come!
2010/02/05
Knitting with Wwwool
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....
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....
2010/01/29
Yessirree!
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.
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..
2010/01/27
On frustration
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.
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.
2010/01/11
A Winter's Tale
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.
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