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October 31, 2005
More mittens....
Thank you for all your kind responses to the translated korknisse pattern. I hope they will multiply and spread all over the world this Christmas!
So because I don't have enough yarn to finish the lining to the second red and white mitten until I get the chance to go to Utrecht, I decided to start something new.
You'd think I have enough mittens, wouldn't you? I just like knitting them. For these, I'm using a pattern from a Swedish book called Vantar, mössor, sockor & sjalar, written by Anita Gunnars. The yarn is Rauma Finullgarn that I bought in Norway many years ago. And 2.5 mm dpns. I like the feeling of this yarn, it's 100% wool. I think it will be a lot warmer than the sock yarn I usually use. Although some people will find it scratchy, I guess.
And here is a picture of some of my knitting books, just for fun. I'm glad I have so many great books, inspiration is always at hand!
Posted by saartje at 10:00 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 30, 2005
Pattern for korknisser translated
Remember these?
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I made them a couple of weeks ago, using a pattern I found on Manne's site. The pattern is in Norwegian, and Rita asked if I could translate it.
After consulting Manne, I translated the pattern to English and Dutch. You can find it here. I will put the link in my sidebar as well.
So now you can all start making these lovely korknisser! They make great Christmas decorations. If you attach the hat to the cork and add a loop of yarn, you could even put them on a Christmas tree.
I would love to see your korknisser, let me know if you made some!
Red and white mittens
Still working on these. I need to get some more yarn for the lining. The problem is, I have to get it in Utrecht, which is one hour by train from where I live. I won't be able to go there until next weekend.
In the mean time, Elli asked: Is the inside mitten the same size as the outside mitten or is it smaller?
I took a picture to show you the difference between the two layers:
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I used smaller needles for the inside mitten. I was hoping I could use the exact same number of stitches and rows and end with a smaller mitten because of the smaller needles. I discovered that this works for the width of the mitten, but my row gauge changed too much. I had to put in extra rows, otherwise the inside mitten would be way too short. I think I got it right this time.
And indeed, the weather is much too warm for mittens (and scarf and hats) right now, but as Tina says, november is supposed to start like it should. Even though I like the warmth and sunshine, I wouldn't mind some colder weather, just so I would need to wear my handknits!
Posted by saartje at 12:36 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
October 28, 2005
Unexpected
Last night was totally different from what I expected. I was planning on knitting, watching tv and updating my blog. Instead, I spent some hours in the car and at the hospital. A close family member was diagnosed with appendicitis [blindedarmontsteking, had to look it up in the dictionary!] yesterday evening. He had to have an appendectomy [blindedarmoperatie] right away, so we went to the hospital to give him moral support. He had the operation and is doing well now.
Of course, I took my knitting, but I didn't get much done. I'm still working on my mittens.
Here you see I'm knitting the lining for the first mitten. Boring..... miles and miles and miles lots of white stocking stitch. The outer layer of the second one is ready, so all I have to do is knit another plain white mitten. That makes four mittens in total. But this pair will be warm!
Not that I will need them any time soon. The weather has been exceptionally warm here. I'm leaving you with this nice fall leaf. I have no idea what tree it's from, but I really like the shape.
Posted by saartje at 6:14 PM | Comments (4)
October 22, 2005
Long time no see
I'm back again! Well, sort of. After three days of no internet connection at all, I can now use our laptop to write and upload this entry. My own dear computer is still unconnected and email is wonky. Anyway, it's time for an update.
For starters
I made a pair of Ugg Booties, using the well-known pattern at DIY Network.
Even though I know a suede-like yarn is available in my LYS, I didn't feel like going out and buying it, so instead, I used yarn from my stash like a good girl. I don't know what the yarn is, I bought it some years ago at a mill on holiday in France, when I still thought I was an autumn type.
These booties aren't difficult to knit. They're knit flat, so you have to seam the bottom and the back. The white fluffy parts are sewn on except for the top. I felted them a bit by hand. So there you have it. I really do not like Ugg Boots and would never ever wear them, but these are kind of fun!
And on to the red and white mittens
Still working on those. I finished the two outer mittens, including the thumbs. Here you see the moment right before that:
Even though it means I'm almost finished, I don't like this part, wrestling with all those dpns! I've started the lining on the first mitten.
And finally...
My sister and I went to a Crafts Market in Den Bosch last weekend. It wasn't very big, but we managed to spend about 3 hours there. There were some booths that didn't interest me, like the ones with sewing machines and quilting, but there was enough yarn to make the visit worthwhile. Lots of self striping sock yarn and novelty yarns, but I went for the Noro Kureyon at Wolhalla". I'm making a scarf, following a picture on Yarnstorm's blog. The idea is that you take two balls of Kureyon and knit two rows from one, two rows from the other and so forth. I just have to put on a fringe, and for now I've put it on the table for Panter to sit on.
At the market, I also bought this book:
I love books like this, with lots of historical information.
From the comments
Irma asked about the red and white mittens: Do you have a strand of each color in each hand? (in iedere hand een draad?)
Well, yes, that is exactly what I do!
And Sharon noticed the problems with our internet provider when she tried to reach my Noro hat pattern (on the side bar). The link should be working again. Sorry about the inconvenience!
Posted by saartje at 9:05 PM | Comments (10)
October 14, 2005
Mittens
I started the red and white mittens I was thinking about for some days. I decided I want them to be really warm. I usually wear gloves with mittens on top of them. So I figured I could make lined mittens, so I have two less items to lose when it's cold!
For inspiration, I used a mitten from The Mitten Book by Inger and Ingrid Gottfridsson. I'm using sock yarn, Scheepjes Invicta. First, I used 2.5mm dpns, but when I almost had reached the decreases for the tip, I decided it was turning out too small, if I was going to put a lining in. Frogging I went....
So now I'm using 3mm needles for the outer mittens. I made the cuff extra long, so my wrists will be warm too. The weather over here is still much too warm for this time of year, but I heard temperatures will drop next week. As long as it doesn't rain, I don't mind!
Posted by saartje at 5:28 PM | Comments (2)
October 12, 2005
Nisser
While surfing the internet this weekend, I came across a pattern for a nisse. The base for the nisse is a wine bottle cork for which you knit a hat and a 'sweater'. Very easy and very cute, I think!
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I want to make a whole bunch of these for Christmas decorations. I found the pattern on Manne's site. It is in Norwegian, but I don't think it is difficult to understand. Check out the rest of her site while you're there, she makes nice things.
Posted by saartje at 7:26 AM | Comments (7)
October 11, 2005
A baby hat
After finishing a pair of socks, I felt like knitting something simple and fast. So I knit a baby hat from some yarn I had lying around (I think it's Lana Grossa Numero Uno, but the ball bands are gone).
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I didn't use a particular pattern, I just made it up, combining different patterns I've seen. I suppose I should write it up, so I can make more without having to think about it. At this moment, I don't even remember which needle size I used...
In the mean time, I'm thinking (just thinking...) about the red and white mittens I want to make to go with my new winter coat. I'm wearing it today, even though the temperature will be around 20C/68F today!
Posted by saartje at 7:32 AM | Comments (2)
October 8, 2005
Finished Mega Boots Socks
Finally, I had the chance to get the finished Mega Boots socks photographed. Here they are in all their glory:
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Details:
Yarn: Lana Grossa Meilenweit Mega Boots Strech color no. 707, lot 9158 (70% wool, 23% polyamide, 7% Elité)
Pattern: based on the 'Highland Schottische kilt hose' in Nancy Bush' Folk Socks
Gauge: 9 spi
Needles: 2 mm dpns
I like the way they turned out. I'm not too crazy about the abrupt change of color after knitting the heel and starting the gusset, but I'll get used to it. I like the way the yarn and the stitch pattern look together. I think I can recommend the yarn, even though I haven't washed it yet. It looks very loosely spun in the ball, but it knits up nicely.
More snakes
Tina asked about the snake I made for Jamie: Will your kittys also get some to drag around the house???
My cats, Panter and Dropje appreciate your concern! However, they did get the first two snakes I made before the one I gave to Jamie. They played with them all evening and they still do. Well, that is, they play with what is left of them.
I tried to take a picture of the few remains I could find around the house, and Dropje was there to help me!
Next time, I will try drying the snakes first after felting, before giving them to Panter and Dropje. They do seem take bites off of wet snakes more than off dry ones.
Posted by saartje at 10:08 PM | Comments (4)
October 5, 2005
Snake
I made a snake.
The pattern I used is a very simple one, using I-cord technique. You can find it here. The only thing I did differently is that I used wool yarn and felted it afterwards. I did this because the intended recipient was the Spanish kitten, Jamie. I didn't want him to swallow pieces of yarn in case he would bite a piece of the snake. I think he likes it:
Jamie is doing really well, by the way, considering the way he started his life. If you want to know more, read my 22nd of july entry. He is such a sweat, lively kitten, and growing very fast.
On a different note, I finished the Mega Boots socks. In fact, I'm wearing them right now. If I get the chance, I will post a picture tonight. I'm knitting some baby socks now, but I'm thinking about something nice and complicated to start. Maybe mittens, red and white with Norwegian stars etc.... I've allready got the yarn, now I just need inspiration.....
Posted by saartje at 7:26 AM | Comments (7)
