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....

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.

(Chinese green) tea for two

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 :)