Hey, I'm back!

For some reason, I've been unable to access my old blog or move to new Blogger, but finally I've regained access. Don't know if I'll keep the new one I've subscribed to, or just keep posting here. But I'll give you a quick update on my knitting. I've finally caught the sock knitting bug and so far made one pair in Opal Crazy, colourway 1900. I never knew self-patterning yarn were so much fun! Didn't bother matching the yarn perfectly so the two socks are slightly different, but I don't think it matters much. I've also bought my first hanks of Lorna's Laces, and OMG is it wonderful! Incredibly soft, and the colours are just gorgeous. The one I got is called Gold Hill. So far I've done a whole pair in Crazy, and a sock and a half in Gold Hill. Easter plan are finishing (or at least working on) the wrap cardi, and starting a pair of knee-high socks.

Look, socks!

They are soooo comfortable, I want to wear them all the time... They've been for their first ride in the washer&dryer and came out just fine. Well-behaved yarn...
Here's the Gold Hill pair...

Oh yeah, and I got some Estonian yarn too...don't know what I'll do with it yet, but I'll think of something...

SP8 and knitting updates

I've decided to sign up for SP (Secret Pal, for those less familiar with the term) at Knitty and this morning I received my spoilee's details. I've already started thinking of things to send, and she's got a birthday coming up soon, so I guess I'll have my first package on its way by next week! Knitting-wise, I'm making good progress on the clover wrap. I love girly knitwear, and this should be perfect to wear over a shirt or dress for spring and summer. Hopefully, it will turn out looking as nice as the picture :-)

Christmas knitting

I've finally finished the Sonnet -still not set in the sleeves, but I'll get to it eventually -and I had to start a new project straight away. Bought some yarn with money I got for Christmas and started working on a clover lace wrap cardie from S n'B Nation that I've been coveting ever since I got the book. So far I've finished both sleeves and I started the back yesterday. Can't wait to finish it...It's knit in a 4-ply cotton from Garnstudio in a light cocoa brown colour with a hint of lilac...it's gorgeous! Hmmm....already considering making another one in a different colour...

Moving house

Or small flat, at least...I decided I wanted to live on my own again a couple of months ago, and was lucky enough to find a nice, affordable place. Been dreading the whole process of moving, but everything went very smoothly. So now I'm settled in my new place, and spent my first night here last night. It's great! At the moment it's a bit bare, but more stuff will arrive next week. No kitchen gear yet, so I've been living on crisp bread and ready-sliced cheese for two days :-)I've taken some pics for you to see, and one of me posing with the Besotted Scarf. I know, I know, I haven't weaved in the ends yet, but my darning needles are packed away in one of the boxes...

Manly scarfitude& Christmas preparations

The manly scarf is coming along nicely, and turning out to be a real chunky piece of work that should keep out any cool air...The yarn is super easy to work with, fairly cheap AND machine washable! How nice is that! I'm making it extra long so I'll probably end up using nearly four skeins. And I really have to start planning Christmas present -I'm running late this year, so desperately searching for easy knits for a selected group of friends and family. The weather has not been the best int the last couple of days, and no snow to get me in a Christmas mood... Also I'll be moving in a week's time, so I need to start packing. Luckily, I don't have that much stuff where I live right now, so it shouldn't take too long. My new place is located ten minutes by underground from central Oslo, in a nice, quiet area. Can't wait to move in... And there will be enough room for a small Christmas tree as well! Yay!

The cable girl

Since I recently finished my first cable project I've been looking for simple patterns to develop my skills. A posting on manly scarves on Knitty lead me to this pattern. I've used the leftover yarn from the previous project, so I'm waiting eagerly for payday Friday to go buy some more! It'll make a nice Christmas present and the yarn is not too expensive either. It will probably be a surprise present for a friend who spends a lot of time outdoors and could use something to keep him warm. The design has a viking feel that I think will go down well... Oh, and I've finally found the time to continue my work on the long neglected Sonnet... Finished the first sleeve today, and cast on for the second right away to maintain momentum...

The first snow

So this is it...the first snow! Not a lot, but it really took me by surprise. It comes as a total shock every year. I haven't even had time to fully enjoy autumn yet! And suddenly it's less than two months til Christmas...If you look closely, you can see the little white flecks of snow. It melted as soon as it hit the ground, but still...
I've been so busy the last couple of months applying for jobs that time just seems to fly by. But I really enjoy this time of year -the cool, crisp air, chilly walks outside and staying in at night, reading, knitting, drinking tea or red wine...And it's time to start making the first of those homemade Christmas gifts! Bought some yarn for a cable scarf and got to work on it last night, and since the yarn is so chunky and I'm knitting on big needles I managed to finish it today! Got some yarn left over that will make a nice matching hat.
I really like the finished result -it's made for a man, so I've decided to go for neutral colours, but got a yarn that has little specks of colour in between so it's not all beige and boring -for me to knit, that is!The cable work was so much fun and a lot easier than I imagined it to be, so I'll probably whip up a few more to keep male necks in my family nice and warm for winter.

Need some inspiration...

Because I'm bored with my knitting at the moment. I've finally cast on for the sleeves for the Sonnet (finished the body in May...), and I'm doing them one at a time. Next time, I'll knit up the sleeves first, and leave the fun for later :-)I've also started learing cables, and it's really not that difficult. Plan on making a scarf for my BF for Christmas, so I need to get cracking! Also really want to make the Pomatomous socks from Knitty and currently looking for yarn. Oh, and I could really use some job fairy dust...applying for jobs at the moment 'cause I need a change SOOO bad! Sooo, good luck wishes are more than welcome!

Final One Skein SP package

Thank you so much, Magni,for the gorgeous package! Received this wonderful felted bag, a skein of 3-ply Rauma yarn, some beads AND candy! You really made my day! Now I jsut have to come up with something beautiful to make of the yarn -shouldn't be too difficult...

My first sock. Ever!

And I have to brag just a little...because it looks great! I've never attempted sock knitting before, but really wanted to make these lace ones from Knitty. And it was so easy! What fun pattern to knit! Ok, so they might not be totally perfect -I had some trouble picking up the stitches evenly along the edges, and I've dropped a couple of stitches, but with the lace pattern it's hardly visible. I'm visiting my aunt this weekend, and she's a really good knitter...can't wait to show her these! Oh, and I managed kitchener stitch too....I feel so clever right now...



It's knit in a silk/alpaca blend that is just incredibly soft, and the colour's lovely. The yarn does tend to split a little (almost like cotton) but otherwise it's very well behaved. Bit expensive, but I just had to have it :-)

Summer knitting

It's been ages since I've posted, but finally I have the time to leave a few words. Lately I've been working on the sleeves from One Skein, but I guess I'm doing something wrong...I've used a row counter to keep track, but somehow I keep ending up with different length sleeves. It's a complete mystery to me, as I was sure I got the row count correct, but no...Luckily, I've still got enough yarn to have another go. So I decided to make a super-easy project to relax with. Suprise -beaded wristwarmers -again :-) They make great presents though. Red baby wool and clear glass beads in a traditional Norwegian pattern. Also planning on making some in the broken-heart and skull patterns from S n'B. Other projects on the wist list include a pair of lace socks from the Knitty website. Pattern can be found here

My One Skein SP package has arrived!

Just got back from a week's holiday to find that my One Skein SP has sent me my first package! It contained a hank of Ekatra wool/silk blend and a small skein of Opal sock yarn. Oh, and not to forget the two handmade stitch markers! Thanks, SP!

Sonnet pics

As promised, pics of my Sonnet progress! Since these were taken, I've actually finished the body and will begin working the sleeves shortly. I'll be going to the Roskilde music festival in Denmark tomorrow, so I thought I'd bring something simple to keep me occupied during the long bus drive. The silk sleeves from One Skein will be the perfect companion!

Sonnet update

Just a quick word to let you know that I'm making great progress on my Sonnet sweater. I've even tried some short row waist shaping as suggested on the Sonnet knit-along blog :-) Hopefully it will turn out ok. At the moment it looks a bit long, but hoping it will sort out during blocking. So far, I've done the right front and the back, and now working on the left front. Took some photos of the evidence, but I left my camera at my mum's when I visited last weekend... I also treated myself to some Rowan Kidsilk Haze -horribly expensive, but I just had to have it...so it will be made into the sleeves from One Skein. It's a gorgeous greyish lilac colour...mmm!

17.mai champagne breakfast +Sonnet progress

Thought I'd post some pics from my 17th of May celebration! My flatmate+I had friends over for champagne breakfast, and then went downtown to see +join the parade. The weather wasn't the best... I hadn't bothered to bring my bunad this year (it weighs a ton and takes up too much space in my already bursting wardrobe), so I just wore a pretty summer dress. Good thing I have so many knitted shawls to keep me warm :-)Just managed to get a few pics as I ran out of batteries (as usual -I'm a terrible photographer...), but it will give you the general impression. Apologize for the bad quality...





The Sonnet is coming along nicely. I've even tried some short-row shaping at the waist -hope it turns out ok. Looks like it'll be a bit long, but hopefully that will straighten out when blocking.

No knitting at the moment...

Sigh. I'm just focusing on my exams at the moment, so no time for knitting. Hopefully, I'll both have more time and money for new projects in three weeks' time. Still need to get yarn for the Sonnet sweater for my KAL, thinking of using an alpaca/silk blend for a sweater that's not as warm as wool, but still wearable for most seasons. Also plan on making something for my friend's five year old daughter as a surprise. Oh, and a nice tank top for summer for myself...and, and, and... So many ideas, so little time!

To be assembled

All the parts for the children's colour block cardigan are now done. This must be the quickest project ever! But really fun to make. It knitted up so fast, i just couldn't stop once I got the hang of it! Planning on making another one for my friend's daughter, who's five. Other projects to start are the Kitty Pi for the knitalong, and go look for yarn for the Sonnet jacket for myself (another knitalong project). Wonder how I'll ever find the time to study for my exam with so much knitting to do...

Wha-hey!

I'm finally working my way round those ***** (insert naughty word here) html codes, and getting a decent look on my blog. Spent the last few hours adding new buttons to the page, and trying to figure out why it didnt't look the way it was supposed to. And by freak accident, I seem to have gotten it worked put! Still not quite sure how, but as long as it looks better than it used to, I'm more than happy! Can also tell you that I've finished the back piece of the colour block jacket from One Skein, and currently working on the right front piece. With the thick yarn and large needles, I'm making great progress! Really having fun with my knitting at the moment!

Brand new pair of wristwarmers, fresh off the needles!

Finished my pair of wristwarmers tonight. It's been so much fun and so easy working with the stitchmarkers that I had to finish them straight away. Also I've picked up my package from Amazon today. Fell instantly in love with One Skein! So many nice projects! Think I'll have to brush up my crochet skills too, for those cute little bags. I had to buy some yarn for that gorgeous colour block children's jacket, which will make a great present for my friend's son who's 17 months. The smallest size will fit a child age 2, so it will be a bit large, but on the other hand it will have a longer life-span :-) It looks really easy to make, and will be an ideal project for my first "real" garment.

Amazon, I love you &the wonders of stitch markers

Thanks to all the people at Knittyboard for ideas on new knitting books to buy. I've ordered One Skein, and it was shipped yesterday. Can't wait! I've also discovered the point of stitch markers, working on the matching wristwarmers for the shoulderwarmer. It was easy enough following the pattern for the shoulderwarmer without using stitchmarkers, but for the wristwarmers....not so easy. Lost count on where to start the pattern, som now it's all off and not in the place it should be. Looks like some frogging is called for....sigh. Hopefully I can just frog the second repeat of the pattern.