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October 29, 2006
Getting there
First of all: thank you for all the lovely comments, I really appreciate them. I'm a little behind in answering, but give me some time and I'll get to it. In the meantime, I'll answer some of the questions here.
What is a chibi, like you got at the fair in Den Bosch?
A chibi is a plastic holder for sewing needles [een naaldenkokertje], shaped like a fat little knitting needle. It is made by the Japanes firm Clover. I got it from a quilting shop called Quilting Together, based in Kaatsheuvel. They do have a website, but it is so very ugly, that I don't dare linking to it.... Oh well, alright, here it is. I told you so, didn't I? Anyway, they do sell some lovely stuff, and I heard they will be at the first Dutch SnB-day in Rotterdam November 18.
What is the pattern you are using for the socks beneath the chibi?
The motif comes from a pattern called Tiit's socks in the wonderful Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush, incorporated in the standard sock pattern that I keep in my head.
The socks for my aunt are coming along nicely. I finished the first, the second one already has a heelflap. I hope to finish it tomorrow (during my two train rides of 5 hours total).
Friday night, I took a break from the socks after I found a very cute knitted kitten at Knitting Iris (you have to scroll down, it's the last picture). And she included a link to the pattern!
It's really very easy and fun to make. I thought my cats would love to play with it, but they're not interested at all, go figure.
Last but not least: I hope to meet some of you at the second SnB-Fryslân meeting this Wednesday night (November 1), at 7.30 PM in Café Wouters (opposite to the train station) in Leeuwarden (the Netherlands, obviously).
After being interviewed for an article in the Leeuwarder Courant (a regional newspaper) together with Tijm, we're hoping lots of people will join us on this Wednesday. I forgot to take a picture of the article, so the link I included is to Tijm's blog.
Posted by saartje at 6:58 PM | Comments (21)
October 22, 2006
Comfort knitting
One of my aunts received some bad news about her health last week. I decided to knit her some socks, because I figured there's nothing much I can do to help her, but at least I can make sure her feet are warm.
I'm using a pattern from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush, called New England. I've made these before (twice actually) and I still enjoy knitting this pattern very much. And the socks are a pleasure to wear!
While spending some time in a bookshop on a train station [Bruna in Groningen], waiting for the train to arrive, I spotted a new-to-me knitting book. It's a Marie Claire book, though I can't seem to find it on their website or anywhere else on the internet.
It has 50 very classical French baby knits by Phildar. Great basic shapes for sweaters, cardigans, pants, booties and more. And the best part: it costs only € 7,95 [$10]. Of course, I snapped it up. It's a great little book. I just don't like the bare pregnant tummy on the cover, but that could be just me I guess.
More good news: the Interweave Knits Winter 2006 Preview is online! This is what I've been waiting for:
I love it! I might change the olive green to a different color, but apart from that, I love everything about it: the shape, the Fair Isle knitting.... Unfortunately, the other designs in this issue aren't really calling me, except maybe the Refined Raglan and the Old World Booties. I'm contemplating wether to get a new subscription, or to order just this issue. When my subscription ran out last year, I didn't renew because there just weren't enough designs in the last issues I would consider knitting. Mmmm, difficult decision....
Posted by saartje at 9:07 PM | Comments (15)
October 15, 2006
Back from the fair
I spent two days on the Needlework Fair in Den Bosch and I had a great time! I even forgot to take pictures, I was shopping, knitting and talking the whole time. Stitch 'n Bitch Nederland had a big table right in the middle of the space where we sat and knit. And talked, of course. It was great meeting lots of SnB-ers and bloggers in person! We got lots of attention from other visitors, most of whom were amazed you can knit straight pieces on a circular needle and thought knitting socks takes way to much time (and using satéprikkers.... just madness).
I sat at the table for most of the two days, taking a stroll along the market every now and then. There was a fair amount of yarn booths, in between the quilting and embroidery (even embroidery machines!?) supplies. And I scored!
Two great books I had seen before and finally decided to buy. Ethnic Socks and Stockings is a book about socks from Easter Europe and the Middle East. It has a great technical section and lovely and interesting designs. The other one is Poetry in Stitches by Solveig Hisdal. She's a Norwegian designer, designing beautiful things for Oleana. Her knitting book is just as stunning. The only thing I would change about the knitting designs is the fit, I like my sweaters some waist shaping. I'm hoping to figure out how to incorporate it myself when the time comes.
Next is a felting kit for making these darling baby booties. It's from Wishing Wonders. She had by far the most beautiful booth in the market, check it out here (pictures from some other market).
And of course: sock yarn! I got some Trekking, Regia and Lana Grossa Meilenweit from Wolhalla. And Klazien was there. She had a new sock yarn called Arwetta, a 80% merino 20% polyamid blend. It's so soft! I can't wait to try it.
Oh right, I already did! I started right away, sitting at the big table. I'm using Arwetta and some Trekking. I really like the way it is turning out. And what's that to the left of the sock?
That's right, it's a Chibi! There were serveral booths selling Clover things, and I just had to get myself this Chibi, complete with three darning needles.
So what's next? The first Dutch SnB-day, to be held on November 18th in Rotterdam. Alice Starmore and Debbie Stoller will be there, among others. It will be great!
Posted by saartje at 7:51 PM | Comments (38)
October 13, 2006
Fair
I'm off to the needlework fair in Den Bosch!
Posted by saartje at 9:05 AM | Comments (6)
October 8, 2006
Hourglass Sweater started
There hasn't been much knitting going on here lately. Somehow, I just didn't feel like it (gasp!). But now I'm slowly getting the vibe back again.
I frogged Cherie. I just didn't feel confident about the way she was turning out. And when I received Last-Minute Knitted Gifts for my birthday, I knew I would be much happier using the yarn from Cherie to knit the Hourglass Sweater from it.
The color is more accurate on the right picture (such a difficult color to capture!). If you want to see lots of Hourglass Sweaters - in progress and finished - go check out the knit-a-long.
Posted by saartje at 4:02 PM | Comments (13)
