+24 celcius

..and what better way to celebrate this warmth than start off with a new pair of mittens.

I don't know what's going to happen with these ('Green Autumn' by Jared Flood from the Fall '08 issue of Vogue Knitting) - I first started with 3mm dpns (as indicated in the pattern), then started again with 2.5mm dpns, and now am working with 2mm dpns. And still my wrist and the mitten wrist are worlds apart size-wise. But since I don't own any smaller dpns, I will go on with this, and maybe give them a bit rougher bath in the end, to reduce the size. Or then give these as a present to someone with a bigger wrist circumference. A big-handed person.

There were some warnings about very heavy thunder storms coming this way in the news today - hailstorms that could really put a bump on your head, should you happen to find yourself outside without any cover (I guess an umbrella would be pretty useless..). A couple of years back, there was just such a hailstorm in July, and what came down from the skies were really the size of a small-handed person's fist. Those could really damage e.g. cars, which leads us conveniently to the next topic - have you ever listened to Car Talk? For a person such as myself, with no driver's licence, and obviously no car (and with small hands), I can honestly say that that's the most fun I've ever had listening to radio. People can call in and ask about any car-related issues, be it actual mechanical/technical things, or more human-interest, and the two brothers running the show give their answers, which usually do have factual basis, but always manage to make the listener laugh out loud. Give it a go - you can listen to the latest show free-of-charge via their web site. I think the show airs in the States on Saturdays, so this a good way to spend 1 hour of your Sunday.

"After"

Here's the more neat looking scarf+gloves after their bath - ready to be presented in public. This set was made from Knittery's merino 4-ply fingering, colorway is "Passionfruit". A lovely yarn, (and a nice reduction of the stash).

As you may notice, the scarf is "Lace Ribbon Scarf" (Knitty, Spring '08) by Veronik Avery, further embellished by some plump, pink pearls. I've made this scarf already twice (the other version with a thick cotton yarn) - it's such a handy and easily remembered pattern, and produces an airy looking wrap around your neck.

The gloves are my own 'design' - wrist is following the scarf pattern, otherwise the hand-part are carefully mathematically calculated (i.e. just go along as you please, making the fingers more or less the correct size). Here's a close-up of the lovely pearls once again:

Voilá!

What's in a name?

Why I decided to call this blog "Kudos!"?

Well, in Finnish it means something like "Go ahead, girl, do your knitting!" (freely translated), also "a piece of knitting", "texture", "fabric" and "weave". For those more medically oriented, it also means "tissue". And of course then in English, it stands for "fame" and "glory".
So, in addition for being a multi-purpose word describing Our Favourite Things, it's also very modest and plain.

And now, here's my new friend - meet Miss Orchid, also known as Polly (but only to the most nearest and dearest). She came to our house last week, and has gotten used to her new surroundings - well, at least she's still alive.. It's such a pleasure just to watch her, such beautiful lines and curves and delicate features.



It's difficult to keep hands off her, I must admit. You can only water her once a week, otherwise just keep out of direct sunlight and spray some water on the leaves every once in while. I'd like to do something more, but I understand that she needs her privacy, and must protect her delicate complexion from the sun. Here's a close-up, feast your eyes.

Just as I mentioned yesterday the new issues of VK and IK, today mr postman brought Vogue Knitting Fall '08. Lots of autumnal colors, naturally, and thick woolly thingies - although I don't know how much those are of use, due to the effects of global warming.. Anyway, here are my favourites so far (after glancing through the magazine during lunch break).


Both of these mittens tickle my fancy, they look very smug and snug. ("Yellow Harvest" by Mari Muinonen, and "Green Autumn" by Jared 'the brooklyn tweed' Flood - I guess you can figure out which one is which..). I have some wool in my stash (oo, what a surprise..) so these might get on the needles quite soon.

..and another pair of mittens (by Tanis Gray) - these could look great with some darker, earthy tones, and maybe some alpaca yarn... to be contd.




I like the out-of-the-ordinary structure of this cardi by Rebecca Taylor - this original color is really not me, but maybe in black, or really dark grey / brown.. Let's see!



And finally, this scarfe by Sandi Prosser - would make a good wintery neck-wear for both girls and boys, so let's see....

Stash, here I come!