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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 October 15, 2006 7:51 PM
Comments
That would be so awesome to meet Alice Starmore. Have fun at the SnB.
Posted by: wanda at October 16, 2006 5:46 AM
Wat een geweldig verslag van een geweldig evenement!!! Hartelijk dank daarvoor. Mijn vingers beginnen te jeuken van al dat moois wat je gekocht hebt. Zelfs spul om te vilten!!! Yes, Saartje vilt.
Wat een prachtig effect die 2 sokkengarens samen met zo'n werkje erin. Zelf bedacht?
De dames van Klazien zijn erg aardig en enthosiast net als die van Wolhalla. Wat zijn er dan toch ook nog veel leuke mensen op de wereld. Dat zou je haast vergeten als je de kranten leest en het journaal ziet.
Wat is dat Chibi? Naalden, kabelnaaldje?
Posted by: Tijm at October 16, 2006 7:14 AM
Hoi Saartje,
Wat leuk om je verslag te lezen! Ben ook nieuwsgierig naar Chibi. En de sokkenwol is weer erg mooi! Wat een leuk patroon heb je in je sok gebreid, de kleurencombinatie vind ik prachtig!
groetjes, Martine.
Posted by: Martine at October 16, 2006 8:07 AM
OOOOHHH!!! I am loving those socks. The trek changing color looks so awesome against a blue background. Fabulous!
Posted by: bunchkin at October 16, 2006 8:29 AM
Hi, Wow I love your socks book, didn't notice it on the fair..
And the colourcombination in your trekking/klaziena sock turned out great!
Really nice. You have a very good "colour-eye".
See you soon in Rotterdam, I hope!
Posted by: knitting ajour at October 16, 2006 8:36 AM
Hi :)
That looks so lovely! Must have been a wonderful event :) Arwetta is a relly nice sock-yarn... the softest I have tried so far! I have several times used it for baby-knits. Of one skein, it is possible to knit a little hat, mittens and a scarf in size 0-3 months ;) It should be wonderful for sweaters as well!
Elisabeth
Posted by: Elisabeth at October 16, 2006 10:34 AM
Ha Saartje,
Leuk je ontmoet te hebben op de beurs! Je sokken worden prachtig. Je ziet het patroontje heel goed, en mooi die aflopende kleuren.
Groeten Hanneke
Posted by: Hanneke at October 16, 2006 1:23 PM
Oh my goodness, the socks you're making are gorgeous! I love the colors! And those are some great books that you bought at the fair.
Posted by: whitney at October 16, 2006 1:37 PM
Thanks so much for mentioning "Ethnic Socks and Stockings"! What regions does it feature? I'm doing research into Hungarian craft, and leads on information are scarce...anything promising? Thanks!
Posted by: Szarka at October 16, 2006 4:30 PM
Hi Saartje,
I just recently borrowed that Poetry in stitches book from the library. You are absolutely right, the colorwork in that book is stunning, but the patterns could have a bit more shaping. Maybe it's because the book is not very new, and the fit of the garments have a sort of 90's look to them. I'm not familiar with the other book, but it sound very interesting:)
The socks you started look amazingly gorgeous, colorful yet subtle. You have such a great sense of style and color!
My parents are travelling to Amsterdam (and maybe Utrecht too) next month. Do you have any good tips on what Dutch knitterly specialities I could ask them to bring me?
Posted by: kaisakaisa at October 16, 2006 6:37 PM
Oh, wow! That stranded sock is incredible! How clever of you to use Trekking in that way. Is it a pattern from the new sock book? (It reminds me of a pair in the Estonia book, but I'm guessing it's actually from your brand new book.)
And I just love Poetry in Stitches! :-) It's one of my very favorite knitting books. I haven't made anything from it yet, but just looking through the pictures is very satisfying.
Posted by: Beth S. at October 16, 2006 9:11 PM
Was Nancy Marchant there? I kow she is going to the one with Alice Starmore. Love that sock pattern, stunning design and yarn.
Posted by: Chris at October 16, 2006 10:47 PM
I bought poetry in stitches when visiting Norway eight years ago and have been meaning to knit something out of it since. Like you, I think the sweaters are a bit shapeless, so I'm just going to use the book as an inspiration source. I don't know if you know that you can order the hifa yarn that is used in the book, directly from Norway. I did so a few months ago, from "www.pinnsvindesign.no". THe price of the yarn is very reasonable, even if you add the charge for shipping, and the colours are great. Like the quality too.
I really like your new socks!
Posted by: saskia at October 16, 2006 10:52 PM
Hoi Saartje, het was leuk om je eindelijk te ontmoeten, ik lees je blog al een hele tijd. Je sokken zien er prachtig uit, je twijfelt nu dus niet meer over een eventueel gebrek aan contrast?
Posted by: Arja at October 16, 2006 11:06 PM
Hi Saartje!
I think those books are fantastic! "Poetry in stitches" seems very inspirering to me. Does the book about ethnic socks has surprises and new ideas for you? You have knitted already so much different kind of socks..
Greetings, Ineke.
Posted by: Ineke at October 16, 2006 11:43 PM
I love what you're doing with the Trekking and the Arwetta. It gives me an idea for some mittens!
Posted by: Brigid at October 17, 2006 12:20 AM
Sounds like you had a great time! The sock is looking gorgeous - I love it!
Posted by: Shelley at October 17, 2006 1:51 AM
Saartje,
Love those socks! What pattern are you using? I have some trekking that I wouldn't mind doing that with....
Posted by: Kyla at October 17, 2006 3:00 AM
OH--I love Poetry in Stitches. I bought two kits from the book at Nordic Fiber Arts (online). The yarn is gorgeous and the colors of the yarn are even better in person. Enjoy!
Posted by: Amy at October 17, 2006 2:08 PM
Prachtige sokken en het patroon is om te smullen. Wat is een chibi? Is het iets zoals een "breivisje" maar dan handiger? Ben erg benieuwd,
groetjes Sonja
Posted by: Sonja at October 18, 2006 2:19 PM
Dag, Saartje! I just have to thank you so much for the link to Wishing Wonders! Through her page I found links to several anthroposopical shops, which I have been searching for for a while.
I am a Waldorf teacher (and former student as well) and all my making is kind of related to that.
Thanks again! And Yes, I could have written this in either Dutch or norwegian, you would understand it, I know, but it came out in english...........
Posted by: sofen at October 18, 2006 10:13 PM
Je hebt een leuk verslag geschreven, Saartje. En, weer mooie aankopen gedaan. Je bent eventjes onder de pannen. Nou ja eventjes..... tot 18 november dan!
Posted by: Berthi at October 18, 2006 11:01 PM
It looks as though you enhanced your stash with some beautiful yarns. I adore the little bootie pattern, how sweet.
Posted by: Sue at October 19, 2006 12:56 AM
I also really love the poetry in stitches book. I saw it at the Afstap in Amsterdam but it wasn't for sale (I do agree with the lack of waist shaping). I just had to tell tou I love the start of that sock, it's really beautiful! I hope that I can make a sock like that someday.
Posted by: nadezjda at October 19, 2006 11:39 PM
Dear Saartje,
I have been enjoying your blog ever since you appeared in Landleven, but never sent you a comment, so it's about time. Love the patterned socks. We visited Hillesvag Ullvarefabrikk this summer, where they make the yarns for Poetry in Stitches. Lovely shop and one of the managers even gave us a private tour of the factory. It's rather small, really. Very interesting. I bought two kits, the blue leafy sweater and the pink and green cardigan. I agree about the shaping, but do not really mind. The colours are lovely, the yarn is 'truly Norwegian'and the price is very reasonable.Thanks for your blog.
Posted by: Marijke at October 20, 2006 9:21 AM
die combinatie van wol ziet er echt fantastisch uit zeg!
Posted by: astrid persons at October 20, 2006 12:21 PM
saartje, ik lees jouw blog nu al een tijdje en ben al onder de indruk vd mooie foto's. De beurs in Den Bosch was super, zo te horen. Ik had die ook in mijn agenda, maar jammer genoeg geen tijd gehad. 't Is ook wat ver voor mij. Binnen 2 weken ga ik met de kids naar Centerparcs Kempervennen. Suggesties voor interessante wolwinkels ih zuiden van NL ? (ik woon in België)
Posted by: Dominique at October 20, 2006 2:46 PM
I have recently just moved to Urecht from the UK. I was wondering if you could help me find the nearest wool shop! I am desperate for a new project!
Many thanks
Donna
Posted by: Donna at October 20, 2006 9:11 PM
Wow wat een prachtig stuk in de Leeuwarder Courant! Leuk stukje promotie voor breien en SnB Fryslan!
Posted by: froukje at October 21, 2006 10:52 AM
AAAH 'digt i masker' wat een superboek he. Ik haal het steeds maar weer uit de bieb. Maar ik moet zeggen dat je er zelf ook wat van kan - wat een supermooie sokken worden dat!
Posted by: Rineke at October 22, 2006 5:35 PM
donna, do yourself a huge big favour and join snb utrecht (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/snbutrecht/) for a ton of info and even more enthusiasm. great group, very active.
every tuesday night @ winkel van sinkel.
Posted by: nrrdgrrl at October 22, 2006 9:51 PM
I love the way that sock is going. I've been meaning to try a fair-isle sock and now you've gone and tempted me again! And yours is so beautiful, I love it!
Posted by: Nicole at October 22, 2006 11:18 PM
Dank je voor je verslag, ik zit te genieten van al het moois dat je laat zien!
Posted by: Juul :o) at October 23, 2006 4:58 AM
Ik ben ook heel benieuwd wat de chibi is.
Verder heb je een prachtige site las erover in de L.C ben meteen gaan kijken en kom zeker eens langs in jullie cafe.
Posted by: anneke at October 23, 2006 8:51 PM
hi Snb-group Fryslaan .
enjoyed reading the leeuwarder Courant Zaterday21
Oktober 2006, where do I find the cafe Wouters in Leeuwarden ? sure would like to met yous.
Posted by: sietske at October 27, 2006 12:18 AM
Hoi Saartje!
Dat boek van marie claire lijkt me ook wel wat heb je het isbn nr voor me?
Groetjes Yvonne Goudzwaard
Posted by: yvonne at October 28, 2006 4:47 PM
That sock is incredible! I love how I can stumble upon things like this on blogs: those things that are so obvious (like using Trekking for stranded colorwork) we ignore them.
Posted by: Tipper at October 29, 2006 1:39 PM
Oh! The new socks are just fantastic. I love the combination of yarns.
You're right, Wishing Wonders' booth is beautiful. Thank you for the link to those inspiring pictures.
I'm looking forward to see what you choose to make someday from Poetry in Stitches. I've coveted that book for quite some time. My mother has two Oleana sweaters that she has bought in Norway and they are incredible. It would be quite a challenge to knit from her patterns but so worth the effort.
Posted by: Siri at November 1, 2006 7:03 PM
