May 28, 2005
One down, one to go
click for a larger picture
I finished the first Estonian sock yesterday. I really like the way it turned out, the colors and the fit. I'm curious to see how it behaves with daily wear: will it stay up?
I haven't cast on the second one yet, it's too hot today. Maybe tonight, when it cools down a bit.
Posted by saartje at 4:52 PM | Comments (0)
May 27, 2005
Progress
I got some knitting done on the Estonian socks. I decided to decrease to 72 sts (in stead of 80). To keep the clock patterns centered on the sides of the leg, I had to place the extra decreases on both sides of the clocks, not just on the back of the leg.
I think the sock looks a bit odd because the circumference of the cuff is very large, but then, it will go up mid-calf and that's where my leg is, well, wide. I tried it on and it fits so far, so I'll just keep going! (click for a larger picture)
The new couch
It arrived wednesday! It's much smaller than the couch we had, so our room looks bigger. I'm happy with it!
Now we just have to find some nice pillows to put on it, and some spray to keep the cats from using it as a scratch pole. They were allowed to do this with the other couch, but with this one, I will at least *try* to keep them off it.....
Here are two views of our living room as it looks now:
The weather is beautiful, finally! Well, it will be for three days, with temperatures of around 25C. Of course, on monday, they will drop to 16C, so I will get the most out of it while I can!
Posted by saartje at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2005
Colors and socks
I started a new sock project yesterday: Estonian Socks from Nancy Bush'Folk Socks. I almost finished the cuff and so far I like the colors I chose. Choosing colors can be difficult and I'm not always succesful. I liked the colors in the book, but the main color is white and I don't have any outfits to go with white socks, so I chose a light blue tweed instead.
The cuff looks huge! But when I tried it on, it was ok. I'm just a little worried about the rest of the sock. The pattern has you decrease on the leg to 80 sts. I'm using 2mm dpns (sorry, didn't measure my gauge yet) and usually with this yarn I use 64 sts. There are some cables on the sides of the leg, so some extra stitches are good, but 80 is A LOT.... I think I will decrease some more away along the leg. We'll see, so far so good!
Posted by saartje at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2005
Mmmmm.... Sunday....
Beautiful view from the Wageningse BergToday was a beautiful day. Quite sunny and about 20 C. We went to Wageningen, where I went geocaching. I found this cache after a nice walk with great views.
De Markt
My walk ended on De Markt in Wageningen with a 'witbier' and some knitting on the blue Fortissima socks.
And I finished them! Here is a picture of them, together with the red Fortissima socks and the lettuce I planted. I hope the weather will stay this nice, but I'm afraid that is too much to ask...
Well, at least I get the fun of choosing what to knit next (or maybe pick up one of the SIPs? Naaahh...)
Posted by saartje at 9:44 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2005
A new couch
We bought a new couch today! The one we have is really too big for our living room. I'm taking it with me to Groningen, I'm going to sleep on it (it folds out to a double bed). The new couch is smaller and a nicer color, a light purple/lavender. Because it was a showroom model, we got 25% off and it will be delivered next week! I hope it will look great in our living room. This is what it looks like now:
Socks
On the knitting front: I finished the small red and white socks and started another pair of these in blue and white Fortissima, leftover from a big pair.
Here you see my progress, along with some lettuce plants and sweet pea I bought at the garden center today.
Posted by saartje at 11:03 PM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2005
Cats
We have two cats, Panter and Dropje. They're both black with little patches of white. Dropje is especially interested in wool, she drags balls of yarn but also finished items (socks, gloves) all over the place. When I'm taking pictures of something I've knit, she's always sure to inspect the process. Here's an example:
These are the Finger Puppers from the Summer 2003 issue of Knitty.
I can't imagine life without cats!
Posted by saartje at 9:49 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2005
More socks....
After I finished the red and white Socka socks, I couldn't decide what to knit next (or which UFO to pick up again...) so I continued with the same yarn. I cast on 45 stitches for a small sock. Since I have no children of my own, I have no idea of the age of the child who can wear this sock. I guess I will give them to some newborn baby, so it can grow into them.
This is the first sock (picture taken with webcam since I am in Groningen without our camera)....
....and this is how far I've progressed with the second one.
Posted by saartje at 7:02 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2005
Fortissima Socks
I finished the red socks yesterday (click for a larger picture):
It's Fortissima Socka in color number 8052. The blue ones are the same yarn in color 8057. This sock yarn is treated with something made of horse chestnut. This is supposed to make the sock softer and nicer on tired legs. After about 5 washings, the effect disappears and you have to reapply the chestnut stuff. I haven't tried that yet, but I have worn the blue socks a couple of times and I like them, they're soft and comfortable, but so are my other socks!
Gaming
Today, we comleted Myst IV Revelation, an awesome game.
It is just such a beautiful game, with lots of difficult but solvable mysteries. It took us a couple of weeks, and it was worth it.
Posted by saartje at 3:50 PM | Comments (2)
May 13, 2005
Wristwarmers
A couple of days ago, I finished these wristwarmers. They are my own design, inspired by a pair of Oleana wristwarmers I saw in a shop. They costed €63(!), so I thought I could try something like that myself. They were quick and fun to make and great to wear if you're cold handed like me.
New book: Andean Folk Knits
I am the owner of this wonderful book for one day, because tonight it will be a present for a friend. She is married to a guy from Peru, so she has been in South America many times. I hope she likes it!
The book is written by Marcia Lewandowski, of Folk Mittens fame. I had a chance to leaf through it and I liked what I saw. It has 35 patterns, mostly for small bags that are used to carry money and small items. A lot of them have even smaller pockets attached to the sides, which looks funny and interesting. The book also contains lots of info on the countries featured (Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia).
If you like books on traditional knits, especially small items, be sure to check this out. I think I will get myself a new copy!
Posted by saartje at 12:50 PM | Comments (3)
May 11, 2005
Socks
I knit these socks for a collegue. She turned 40 last week and gave a big party. She also loves to knit, so she appreciated the socks a lot!
I'm glad they fit. They have beads on the cuff.
I took this picture on my balcony. We actually have quite a nice balcony. It's big and we're on the top level, so there isn't another one above us. It's facing south, so lots of light and sun! Here is a picture:
Mmm, the oleander in the left corner is looking a bit sad, I think maybe our winter was too much for it.... Notice the Clapotis on the chair.
Posted by saartje at 11:14 PM | Comments (0)
