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.

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.....

The world is indeed flat

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

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.... :)

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...),

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!

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.

Dear diary!

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!

...mum's the word...

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

Something brown, something black and something finished

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......

Point three missing things from this picture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


***

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

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

Building the perfect be.... umm, glove

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

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

There's progress in the air..

..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.

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

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


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




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


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

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

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

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





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

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

Frog Fest, part I

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

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

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

Cute as a button!

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

Some can be used for festive occasions:

Or they can just be grouped together and admired:

Getting ready for you-know-what...

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




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




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







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

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

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....

..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.