Wednesday 28 December 2016

Out On The Playground


It started as a scarf from my pattern Lifelines. And is about to become a new design instead. A large scarf in bright colors. I totally fell in love with the combination of red and pink compaired with yellow green.

I call it Playground because I love to play with colors, and to wear colorful scarves and shawls. In all that grey and black it makes my day a little brighter. So, I hope to bring out some color lovers hidden in their closets and knit Playground just because it makes you happy.

I have a plan for the end of the scarf and I am excited to see if I can pull it off. Writing the pattern as I go. Hope I have it finished in january.

Saturday 24 December 2016

Christmas Stitches

Finally show time for the christmas gifts. Not a lot, but a lot with bad shoulders. I started knitting on the dress in september in order to have enough time for it.

I would actually have knitted it in purple, but the purple color I wanted was discontinued. I managed to get some of it for stripes. Grey is quite boring and yet practical for the garment.

It is after all an every day garment in use for anything. I used Rauma Panda for the grey and the purple is from Sandnes yarn.

I had a tote made with the name on the child. Using it as gift wrap.

I managed to knit two hats as well. I used Sandnes merinoull for them. The only obstacle was that crochet flower.

The pattern in the book, Klompelompe, gives absolutely no sense.

I emailed them, but they never answered. So I was left with youtube - and I found a video that was totally for beginners.

It seems I am not even a beginner... LOL! I managed to crochet wrong two times even with excellent instructions. I ended up using the first attempt and saved it with sewing and a button.

It will pass, I think. The hat looks so much better with a flower - and there should be a good pattern for it in that book...

Wish you all a merry christmas. Hope you can relax and enjoy the holidays.

Sunday 18 December 2016

Pink Christmas

So many color combinations and so little time. To put bright pink and red together would normally be out of the question. At least for most people. I simply had to try them out. And I think it looks wonderful.

I have started to knit another Lifelines but this time I am planning to have a little more freshness added to it. I am not sure how it will turn out - but I am sure I will have a lot of fun with it.

This is my christmas knit. Finnally done with all the gifts that took a lot of time. I enjoy every stripe of this and cannot wait to get it more colourful. I am ready for a pink and red christmas.

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Rauma Finull
Needles: 2.5mm
Pattern: Lifelines
My Ravelry Page: Playground

Sunday 11 December 2016

A Little Something

I always think that small knits are quick and easy. That is before I start knitting. But this time it actually was quick and easy. At least the hat.

This is for two birthday children and I knitted the dress in bright pink with some orange details. It was such a great knit from Paelas. Yes, it took some time but it knitted up fast and I like the design.
A little detail on the dress.

They are both knitted in Sandes merinoull that is super wash. It is a great yarn to knit with although it splits very easy. 

I like the stitch definition and that the garment endure a lot of washing and using. 

The hat is from the book Klompelompe. After knitting a few of them I was told that the sizes are very small - I will remember that. 

And hats are really difficult to find the right size for when you do not know it. Hats are great childrens gifts and also hard to find the right size for. 

Wish there were some magical rule for it. 

But it seems like one have to know the circumference of the head. How can you know that sort of thing - and then the sizes are in ages and not in centimeter? Maybe you have some advice for me?

It was great fun giving them away. Handknitted gifts are just so giving to make and to give. 

Tuesday 6 December 2016

Color - That Is The Question

Bright or not? Bright colors it is :-)
I can use so much time finding the right colors for a project. In fact I have spent days to match colors, finding them in my stash or online. 

To me, the right colors makes my project as I want. If I want bright colors, which I normally do, pale colors will not do.

The chosen ones - finull in pink, red and green.
I wanted to knit a green scarf with pink and red pattern. And I wanted to find a fresh take on my design Dot The I .

Well, I tried to find my supersoft yarn in those colors. They look good - but not at all as bright as I wanted them. I found them in Finull.

Not that green color I actually wanted but this will make a really bright scarf.

I miss a good yellow green color in proper wool that is not pale.

Been searching for a long time but never found it. But this will do just fine.

I can get the yarn in my local yarn store and get a move on the project.

Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to start knitting at once and have to wait for yarn in the post that in the end turns out to be a wrong color after all...

The scarf will be half with dots and half with stripes. I already love it. What a great project this time of year.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to 
make you somthing else is the greatest accomplishment
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Stitch Story
Needles: 2.5mm
Yarn: Rauma Finull
Pattern: Dot The I
My Ravelry Page: Color Me Happy


Monday 28 November 2016

Traveling To Space

Another scarf from my design Lifelines. Knitting it in Kauni.
They are often called UFOs. All of those unfinished objects piling up all over the house. Instead of finishing I have started new projects over and over again... Scarves and more scarves. To start new is just much more fun than to finish.

A bright red shawl in Finull and mohair.
But, I have knitted gifts for christmas and a birthday - and that should count for something. I will show them when I can.

Another pom pom shawl in Kauni and mohair.
After tedious training my shoulders are better and I can knit more again. Not as I used to. But I am so happy to pick up the needles and just knit and enjoy it. I think it counts as a very important christmas gift.
Also another pom pom shawl in Kauni and mohair.
Now, I should get a grip on those needles and finish some of these. I am on the Lifelines scarf. Stripes are after all medicinal knitting if you ask me...

Sunday 30 October 2016

Dancing With Pom Poms


I wish I did not knit this. Because it was such fun to knit - and I would love to do it for the first time again. Know that feeling?

To wish your book never ended or your scarf could be knitted on forever because it make your inner woollen heart dance?

Well, it got finished and I really enjoy it. Kauni is my number one rainbow yarn.

I pared it with several colors of kid mohair and the softnes it gives - need I say more???

I cannot get the color flow in Kauni to match exactly with the mohair so the transitions are not that even.

But that really do not matter. I like it anyway.

Entirely garter stitch and pom poms for the ends is a mindless and giving thing.

It took me quite some time to knit and I really enjoyed every stitch of it.

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Kauni effektgarn, kid mohair in matching colors
Needle: 5mm
Accessorice: Pom Pom
My Ravelry Page: Rainbow Of Course
Pattern: Happy Pom Pom Shawl

She stood in the storm and when the wind did not 
blow her away she adjusted her sails
Elisabeth Edwards



Sunday 23 October 2016

Red Is Underestimated

Everyone looks good in red. If you find the right shade. I have always wondered why we wear the same color, black, in both funerals and parties.

Oh, it is because I look thinner in black, you might say. But really, what is the point in looking thinner if you look really sick in black?

Anyway, that was todays color talk. Back to my red scarf with some yarn balls.

I started this late spring and needed something I could knit a few rows on here and there. It got finished in august, but I needed some photos.

So, here they are. I love this red color. It has a touch of orange in it and still is bright red. This is a great scarf to both wear and knit. Easy and light.

I love those yarn balls as they give the scarf a great finish in an easy way.

Pom poms eats a lot of yarn too - great for stash busting.

I cannot say how happy I am to have found those pom pom makers. I use the ones from Clover. They come in several sizes and is so easy to use.

No more card board cutting and spending a lot of time pulling all that yarn through a hole in it. I really like this scarf and the design. And it is sure time for using scarves now. In red :-)

There is a shade of red for every woman
Audrey Hepburn

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Rauma Finull
Needles: 3mm
Accessories: Pom poms made with pom pom maker
Pattern: Happy pom pom shawl
My Ravelry Page: The Red Thread

Sunday 16 October 2016

Happy Rainbow Knitting


I LOVE knitting this rainbow scarf so much. The fact that I can knit more than just a month ago is giving me so much joy. I will never be able to knit the way I did.

But I can knit and take precautions. That is truly enough right now. Isn't it just strange what is enough when you do not have what you use to have?

Anyway, I knit garter stitch on wooden needles. That seems to be the thing right now. And what is better than to find a Kauni rainbow and some mohair and knit it together in a hot scarf?

Beginning of the scarf.
It is always so much fun to see the colors come to life in stitches like this.

Kauni is magic in a skein to me. Best quality yarn and great colors.

I found some stashed mohair in various colors so I shift when I see they fit.

There will not be the smooth transitions as there is in Kauni - but it works and the scarf gets so soft.

I have in fact knitted this scarf before. I tend to repeat and repeat the repeats because repeating is just fun. Get it?? LOL!

This is from the free pattern Happy Pom Pom Shawl. You can see some madness pom pom scarves here.

There are four of them soon to be a pom pom family of five when this rainbow is done. I cannot wait until it is finished. And it sure uses a lot of yarn. That is good news about getting that stash used...

Life is not a problem to be solved, 
but a reality to be experienced
Søren Kirkegaard




Monday 26 September 2016

Bottled Up For Knitting

I do not only have yarn stash. I also have a lot of jewelry stash from when I made jewelry from polymer clay. I once bought some tiny vials to use.

When I discovered them again I realised that they will be great stitch markers as well as jewelry.

So, I made a couple to see how they work. One of them is made with one of my wedding photos and tiny glass balls inside.

I added a fresh water pearl and shiny glass beads. It is quite spesial to use this one as I knit a little now.

I also made one for a friend with the blessing inside a long with tiny glass balls as well.

This is one of those stich markers that can stand alone and that works great as a gift.

Not another stitch marker will be alike. I fancy that.

Planing others as well. Found a butterfly wing in the fur of a neighbours cat.

The only thing is that whatever I put inside it has to be tiny. Really tiny. And that is the great fun of it.

The desire to create is one of the deepest 
yearnings of the human soul
Dieter F. Uchtdorf


Wednesday 14 September 2016

Out Of The Closet

They were hiding back in the closet. But suddenly popped up in the back of my head. 

In 2010 I made a necklace I used once. Then it broke and the beads were stashed away. Back in a closet.

Nothing is like finding already made beads and put them together again for a bracelet. 

This is truly mixed media. Polymer clay, decoupage and felted beads for a light and colorful accessorie.

Since my knitting is a little off for too many months more my brain is obviously trying to find new ways to get that creative itching off... LOL!!

I could actually have made this again if it was not for the felted beads. 

It took a lot of power to get them properly felted. 

I used rowing to make them and a lot of soap and water. But it was so much fun. 

The decoupage beads are made of napkins and those white light beads you find in craft stores. 

Decoupage is actually quite fun to do. And alomst anything can be decoupaged.

Anyway - I suddenly have a new bracelet. Not that I need more. Or something like that... LOL!!
Some left over beads could easily become another bracelet. I may have some other stashed beads that match...

Sunday 28 August 2016

Making Every Stitch Count

Being creative and not being able to create much, is harder than I thought. It will be christmas before my shoulders will be better, I am told. I pray it will be tomorrow... LOL! 

Again, I knitted the design Red Katana. Garter stitch with a little graphic twist and only two colors. I love wearing this and knitting it. 

Polymer clay bracelet to match my new scarf. 
I finished it in May. And took a chance on making a bracelet with a match a month or so ago.

Not the best thing to do, but I could use my pasta machine and make the beads as I wanted.

Polymer clay is a really fun medium to work with.

And these bracelets takes little effort and still makes a great accesorie for some knitted garment.

Such a wonderful thing to make a bracelet.

It takes little effort and still gives that good feeling of making something I can use pretty quick.

And I have started another scarf and knit a few rows every day.

It is like taking some kind of vitamin to just have those needles and the yarn.

Garter stitch and some great colors and the world is in balance. The little things are often those that makes the biggest difference, is it not?

Have you experienced a long period of not being able to create? What did you do?

Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability 
to keep a good attitude while waiting
Joyce Meyer

Sunday 31 July 2016

Pom Pom Madness

All four pom pom scarves is quite a handful...
Getting all four scarves on to show them off was not easy. The photo session turned out to be more like a comic stripe. 

The orange pom pom scarf was finished a while ago - when I could actutally knit. Had been lying there to get photographed. 

I have knitted four of them and love them all. 

They are so nice to wear and I love those large pom poms at the ends. This time I also chose fur fake pom poms. 

And about those pom poms - the local yarn shop raised the price on them because so many people bought them. 

I had to wait some weeks before they got them back into the shop. 

Then they raised the price again.... Well, I must say that I will buy them online after that. 

Only a third of the price. I am truly into supporting local stores - but this is just not worth it. 

A playful cat want that pom pom :-)
Anyway, I love this pattern and is on the move with a bright red one. Only a few rows a day. 

Garter stitch and only a little effort with increasing and decreasing. Me like :-)

The pattern is in Finnish and now in English too. 

I have translated it into Norwegian but have not heard from the designer yet. But knitting from an English pattern is really easy - in fact easier.

There will be more of these - nice to have a color for every occasion. Or so I tell myself... LOL!!



The Stitch Story
Yarn: Rauma Finull
Needles: 3mm
Accessories: Fake Fur Pom Poms
My Ravelry Page: Sunshine



Friday 22 July 2016

Getting Out Of Hand

No matter what you do in life - never get a creative person to stop creating. Cause that creative urge will pile up and take dimensions never thought of.

As my knitting stop continues my head is still trying to get that creative constipation out of the way... LOL!!!

In order to get something created I have started on a path that might end with me drowning in stitch markers. Check out my rainbow frogs here.

These are the latest - and the set is not yet complete. Blue and turquoise beads are on their way in the mail.

Now, these are created from a very lovely tutorial.

If you are thinking of getting some stitch markers done you can check it out and get started very easily.

The beads are found on eBay and I have used washers between the beads.

They are found in a hardware store. Wires and crimps are found on both eBay and Easy.

I do not fancy the tiger tail found in Norway - mostly grey. I think colored tiger tail makes the markers much more complete.

Anyway - I have some other markers in the making. Where will this end??

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul
Elder Uchtdorf

Friday 15 July 2016

Frogged And Overweight


What a ridiculous title for a blog post. This is not about me getting older, eating too much chocolate or not being able to knit.

Well, for knitters the word frogged is well known. For others this means that you give up on a knitting project for different reasons.

Bottled up for gifts or for me...
But this is about frogs. The silver ones made into stitch markers with a rather large belly.

What fun it is to make these and to add some color to them. I made 14 in bright neon colors and 10 in fake pearls.

I had to order more frogs. These are excellent gifts.

I found some great vials to put them in as wel. I love the fact that I can see through and that they make nice gift wraps. You always know where they are.

It is a nice thing that I already have all the tools needed for making them.

I had all the wires, crimps, beads and the pliers. Not to mention eBay for ordering more beads, frogs and what is fun to put on a stitch marker.

There may be a conciderable amount of them. But right now, I enjoy making them. What else is there in life? Oh, chocolate of course... LOL!!

Made me realise - if life gives you lemons you make stitch markers...

When life gives you lemons 
throw it back and ask for chocolate
Unknown
The rainbow frog gang all together.

Sunday 10 July 2016

Sort Of Precious Stitches

When I had to stop knitting I found myself in a limbo. I love knitting. I love creating in stitches and see a garment grow from the needles. Well, that is not the case right now. Not getting better from that shoulder strike in a long time. 

I bought some red yarn and is knitting that happy pom pom scarf a couple of rows a day.

And what a joy I feel when I knit those rows. Of course I would like to knit a lot more. But those stitches becomes so precious. Like small treasures made every day.

In addition I have been making stitch markers. Some of the sets are private for the receiver but I will show you some of mine and one for a friend.

Made for a friends Tour de Fleece.






































I really enjoy making them. And to choose words that means something special for the knitter getting them is such fun.

Something about those thought about being happy about what is - not what should be.

It´s not a bad idea to occasionally spend a little time thinking 
about things you take for granted. Plain everyday things.
Evan Davis
My stitch markers to use under Tour de France - they will have to wait until next year...

Sunday 19 June 2016

Desperate Knitter Seeks Relief

Suddenly my shoulders decided to go on strike. They found out that they have been overworked, underpaid and lacked proper benefits. They simply laid down their arms with a lot of calsium in them...

The owner of the striking shoulders got knitting stop and regardless of all kind of negotioations the situation is still unsolved. The only thing really working is listening to that knitting stop.

But a desperate owner of shoulders on strike tend to hit the end of a thread at some point. Although the stash is just sitting there, a very small purchase was made. The smell of wool, the feel of wool and the thought of it becoming a scarf gives some kind of relief.

Maybe I could be a strikebreaker? Sort of bypass those guarded shoulders and fool them to think that knitting is really not that bad? It could be some lucky step. Or it could be even worse.

I decided to go on a 3mm needle in wood. Knit only a few rows. And maybe, just maybe the joy in creating and living a knitters life can heal those shoulders?? Or not... I know!!! Be patient, get treatment and think that it will pass. After all, this is not the end of the world. Or someting like that...

Anyway, as I hope for better days I dream of that red thread becoming a new scarf. In the meantime I read books. A lot of them...

Sunday 22 May 2016

Quick In A Hurry

I thought I had longer time. But then the little girl decided to come earlier. 

Extra yarn and a label.
This romper is called quick knit suit. And so it is. 

Really easy to knit and yet fun also, as there are things happening all the time. 

Increasing and decreasing a lot and the best thing: It is knitted in one piece apart from the stitches picked up for legs. 

I knitted this in Sandnes merino as called for in the pattern. I simply love to have knitted something that looks so cute, is a great gift and that is quick to knit. The pattern is easy to follow.

Going to give it away today with some other baby clothes. Bless you little girl :-)

The Stitch Story
Needles: 3.5mm
Yarn: Sandnes merino
Pattern: Quick Knit Suit, Kjappstrikka drakt
My Ravelry Page: Purple Blessing
Wrapped with a little angel for an angel just born.