New ends and old beginnings

I've been pondering about what to say today. On the one hand it's been a great year. I found a job and I really developed as a knitter. On the other hand, I've felt pretty lousy the first six months because no one seemed to want to employ me. My selfesteem is still pretty low and I constantly worry if I'm doing things the right way or not. 2007 wasn't all that great.

2008 will have to be the year of positive re-inforcement, a growing selfesteem and a little bit of weight loss (maybe).

On the knitty side of things: I've managed to complete the socks for BIL and they'll be given to him today. (I'll post pictures later) This means that I managed to give everyone in my close family a pair of socks this year. That's 13 out of a total of 31 pairs of socks for grown ups. Well, I got to go now. See you next year.

Time is on my side

I just did a little experiment. In one hour of pure knitting time (and some tv watching) I knitted up 5 grams of sock yarn. The first sock of my Last Pair for 2007 weighs 41 grams and I have about 15 grams knitted up on the second sock. So I need to knit up about 25 grams more... 5 hours. Piece of cake.

(yes it is)

Smells like...

I was at my parents' place last weekend and my mother, who's cleaning out the cluttered house of a 50-something creative person (herself), dumped a bag of "all sorts of old but perhaps still useable craft stuff". At the bottom of the bag there was a little treasure, but it sure smelled like... my parents' attick. Ugh.



So I washed it and treated it with some hair conditioner. A real treasure from the 70's or 80's emerged. What shall I make of it? Surely I could just make a scarf. Great colors, a little scratchy maybe... Or maybe pillow covers for my father's old campervan from the 70's. I just love fantasizing about all the possibilities of a yarn, a color, a texture. The girls of the Stash and Burn podcast (fabulous podcast!) talk about their fantasy knitting life. About the things they would like to make, or fantasize about making. It's not good for the stash, since it appears to be growing faster ;)

Geen sinecure (No sinecure?)

It was no piece of cake. I've had my share of humps on the way, but I've finished them! I master the waving lace socks. I've had to rip and knit no less than three times because silly old me didn't pay enough attention and forgot one or more pattern repeats...


Yarn: Lorna's laces in Cool (about 1.6 skeins)
Pattern: Waving Lace from IK favourite socks book

They look awsome and even better on feet. My SIL's feet are really slim (as slim as the rest of my 45 kilo's SIL) so these slim socks are going to be just perfect for her.

And this is pair.... 27 ! (Sorry, no pics of 26. Forgot to take them and they are allready given to their recepient)I'm past the half way point!

Still working on the second wave.

I wish...

... I could knit faster. I'm working on the foot of the second Waving Lace sock I'm making for my Second SIL and I just don't seem to make any progress at all. Just 1.5 more pattern repeats before I can start on the toe. And after finishing this second toe... I can start a new sock on my new Knitpicks needles! Yeah, they're here!

I have to focus and finish the Waving laces.

Now, Pron



This is one of the Rowan Tapestry skeins I bought last week. The colors are just amazing! Dark blue, light blue and a hint of beige. Just perfect.

Yarny goodness 1 & 2

Let's start out with a thank you. Thank you for commenting on my blog. I really appreciate the effort you taken. I get such lovely comments. They really lift up my spirits.

Now: Yarny Goodness nr. 1 & 2



Frabjous yarns Banana Silk. The green one's for me. It's an apple green that's just perfect for me. The lilac one (a lot more lilac than is shown on the photo. Winter daylight sucks) was chosen for my grandma. One of the reasons I picked up this yarn was because I'm really curious how this will turn out to be. It's really soft, but not very stretchy. I guess it'll be perfect for a nice shawly thing like a clapotis :) I might even start tonight...It would be a lovely Christmas gift for granny...

Oh, and I finished one of the four pairs. I'll probably have pictures this weekend. Can you imagine that I don't get to see the sun this season? It's still dark when I leave the house at 7.30 and it's getting dark when I go home at 17.00. A little depressing.

Coronet

So much knitting news, so little time. Where shall I start? Lets start with the knitting progress I've made, 'cause I've made a lot of it.
Pattern: Coronet with some adjustments for the particular yarn I chose
Yarn: Katia Nepal 5007 (?), about 65 grams
Needles 8mm

The hat is a little tight, but in my experience, hats tend to stretch after a couple of wears. Wednesday night I was really tired and well, my brain just jumped from one thing to another. I figured I could make a hat for my friend P. who's having his birthday last friday. I guess I was right.



Another showcase of my ADD lately. Four completed first socks. The second ones are all in various stages of completion. The second kid sock in DK Merino, is allmost finished. It will probably be done tonight, especially since I have the magic loop thing under controle. The second raspberry kneehigh, on the other hand, is barely even started.

Other news: I got some Yarn yesterday, but I'm not showing yet for I have no more time... Well, I'll have something to talk about this week.

I've been a bad bad girl

I must confess to something... But first things first. Sundag was just awsome. Carla M and Hilly really gave a splendid workshop. I learned how to cast on for a moebius scarf and a couple of interesting ways of casting on for socks and mittens. I had to rip out the moebius though. Dropped some stitches and could not repair the damage. Have to start again soon (and maybe with some not so sticky yarn). I casted on for a pair of kid's socks on the way home. Toe-up! I also bought a couple of really nice balls of rowan Tapestry in a blue colorway to good to be true. Perfect for a shawl for my mom.

Then, some other damage I have to confess to. I placed some yarny orders and I'm waiting anxiously to get them. First of all, there's an order from Storm op Zolder coming my way with some awsome new needles... Shall I tell? I ordered knit picks interchangeable needles and harmony double points! So exiting!

As if that wasn't enough... I also placed an order at Tommies Wol for some interesting yarn. You'll just have to wait and see what I've ordered. They'll be pretty, though :)

Next time I hope to have some photo's of knits in progress and new stash.

Remember...

Ariel's lost socks? They haven't been found again, but I did send her some new socks and they arrived this week. Check them out at Ariel's blog.

Pair nr. 25 is in the pocket!

Tomorrow I'm going to a workshop in De Afstap in Amsterdam again. This time I'm going to learn how to cast on for a moebius scarf and how to magic loop. And I'll grab some yarn :)

the mad hatter

Pair nr. 24



They are small, but they are a pair and will look so cute on a little baby. They only took like 15 grams of yarn.

Now another project I've been contemplating: Coronet



This Silke-Alpaca from Drops is just to die for. Www.hobbydoos.nl has it on sale... and I'm longing for another order. A blanket with this stuff would be soooo nice. BF will be happy with his hat. It's going to be knit quite tight around his ears so he won't loose it.

the cutest little bag

Isn't this the cutest little bag? My mom's friend makes fabulous felted jewelry and bags. I really like the shape and colors. Perfect for transporting projects.

Scarred

I slayed the dragon. Pair nr. 23 for the 52 pair plunge is done and drying in the bathroom.



specs:
Trekking XXL ProNatura Jeans
Needles: 2.25mm Lantern Moon ebony
Sockwars Scar pattern (adapted for fingering weight)

What will I knit next? I still have SIL's socks to finish and another gift pair is in progress. It should be wise to proceed on one of those pairs... or should I just pick up one of these:

Still working on the Trekking socks, but I'm getting closer and closer every day. I would go faster if this little grey kitty beside me wouldn't be asking so much of my attention. He's a great kitty.

Fall's entry

Fall's arrived here in Holland. The weather is changing. Rain is falling down like a cold shower. On and off. On and off. It's time for some cool socks and warm coco.

And I'm plowing through the Trekking XXL socks for my brother in law. I love the yarn. It is soft and stretchy like wool, but still light and strong like cotton. I just can't seem to make any good progress on the second sock. I'm allmost done with the leg. Allmost. If I don't sleep tonight I might get them done... next week.

I know, it feels like ages ago... Last Saturday was the second Dutch national S'nB day and it was again so much fun! My mouth was moving from the minute I got there till the moment I got home. There was yarn everywhere and so many people to talk with! I felt like I was on a cloud, a yarny one. And I bought some lovely balls of Drops Alpaca (the dark green one), and I found some lovely Drops Silke Alpaca, and I found some awsome hand dyed angora, and I got some Estonian wool... the colors are just amazing! Sigh. I'm still tyred, and busy, and I love my new job, and I really need to sleep more. Thanks for the support.

I got it!

As you can see, I'm a bit tired right now, but very happy indeed. Not only because I am on the couch with a kitty, my yarn and my laptop, but also because... I GOT THE JOB!!! 36 hours a week, excellent benefits and great co-workers! I do have to get up a little early - 06.45, not too early really - but I get off really early too. Working for the community is a great thing. My former co-worker got laid off. She was just not going to make it in the jungle. Any jungle really. Too bad for her, but I get to start my new job tomorrow and I'm happy about it. I hope she'll join me to the S'nB day saturday, though. She was a nice person after all.


I also got a great project going on. I can't show the whole sock since it's a gift for someone who might read this, but I've been experimenting with the twined knitting technique I learned two weeks ago. These socks are being made with a really nice, soft but 100% natural fiber yarn. Since it's not really durable, I thought of re-enforcing at least the heel with some regular Fortissima sock yarn and twining seemed a good new approach to me. I think it looks really good so far and the yarn is just a dream to work with.

Just three more nights till the second S'nB day. I am really looking forward to it eventhough I wasn't able to subscribe to any courses. I was able to volunteer though and I'm going to take (excellent) care of a guest. Get them coffee, show them around, you know, be a host. And I will be able to buy me some yarn.

I want his job

A simple thing...

Sometimes the simple things are just what we need:



Pairs nr. 21 and 22. The blue one's one of a pair of stockinette socks. The grey one is a pair of Thuja socks. Both were knit with Scheepjes Neveda noorse supersock extra (or something like that)on size 3,5mm needles. Just splendid. Fast and simple. Just what I need at the moment. My job is highly stressfull with officials breathing down my neck every day... And still no certainty about wether I will stay there after November 1st or not. I'm dead tired. I need stockinette. Badly.

Sockwars, a little victory

Check out Bridget's mom's blog. She finished the sockwars socks I started!

Still no certainty from my employer. Arg.

Gloeiende gloeiende/ darn

I tried, I really tried, but alas, i got killed before I could get sock two to a finish. They landed on my doorstep this morning.



They were made by Bridget's mom A gentle death, I may say.

Oh well, the good news is that I can work on my new lace project. I present to you the lovely, wonderfull Kiri in a yarn that's also known as Crack Silk Haze:



(Offcourse I bought more stuff, but this will a suffice for now. Don't want to get you into a yarncoma :)

I casted it on during the workshop 'lace knitting' at the fabulous shop De Afstap. It was given by Carla M and was a great incentive to finally start a lace shawl.

The other workshop I did, also by Carla M, was a workshop twined knitting. It was a really good workshop. The technique of twined knitting is fabulous.I am determined to use this technique for some mittens or slippers. It really makes a great thick and firm fabric.

Needles of doom

I've finished my first sock of doom! Sockwars victim, be ware, my needles are smoking whoo ha ha!

btw. I'm going to Amsterdam tomorrow to follow two courses at De afstap. I'm so looking forward to it!

They like me! They really like me!

Nothing's final yet, but I'm closer to getting the job after today's meeting. It's a weird feeling, knowing that some hotshots are discussing your future. No contract yet, but I'm confident that I will get it soon. If all goes well, I'll be working less (36 hours), making more money and doing a better job. And they are paying for my education. Not bad, right?

Anyway, it's a great compliment. And I'm gratefull for the confidence they have in me.

Have i told you yet that I love Ravelry? I think I'm an addict.

18, 19 pairs so far

One last thing about the missing socks, if the package were just lost and never to be seen again I wouldn't be really upset about it. Things get lost. The fact that someone who we don't know but all trust with our messages took the liberty of violating my privacy is just appaling. It's like someone breaking into your computer and reading your e-mails or stealing a wallet from a bag when you've hung your coat in a (guarded) wardobe.

Okay, enough about that. I have ordered some new nice sockyarn for you, Stariel, and I'm going to knit you even nicer socks.

So, that stolen pair was pair nr... 17 for the 52pair plunge? I think so. In Barcelona, where I had a wonderfull stay, I finished another pair. Here's nr. 18:



Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, colorway River Run
Needles: 2,5 mm Inox
Pattern: Monkeys with all the purls knit.

and this is nr. 19:


Yarn: Trekking XXL Pro Natura Antraciet
Pattern: Garter Rib from Sensational knitted socks
Needles: 2,5 mm bamboo

Seriously, working with this yarn was great and the pattern was awsome too. So far I can really recommend this yarn, but I'll have to wait and see how these will go through wash and wear.

A sad tale

A while ago I participated in a nice knittyboard swap. I got some great socks from Stariel. Remember the socks in Lorna's Laces Camouflage colorway? I chose a love yarn for her socks, one that Stariel herself did not have in her stash and I knit her some nice socks. (It's merino-cashmere from The knittery in moonlight)



About 5-6 weeks ago I asked my hubby to take the package with the socks and two sets of yarn from the natural dye studio to the postoffice and I was patiently stalking Stariel's blog... Nothing.

Last week the package arrived, finally, but no socks were to be found and one of the sets of yarn was gone. So unfair. This never happened to me before and it has seriously damaged my faith in the postal system. :(

they like me, they really like me

I kind of feel like "Yabbadabba doo!!!" I am a good person and good things happen to good people. This is my break, my luck, my moment to grab. Regardless what will be the outcome of next Tuesday's negotiations between employer and future employer - I hope - I feel great.

This is the situation I'm in. I'm working for this agency at a city's archive together with another girl. We're preparing a FREAKING load of old files for scanning and it is BORING. The only thing making this project worth taking it to the finishing line is the possibility of getting a great job.

You remember me buying yarn not so long ago because I was feeling awfull about a job I wouldn't get? They want someone with the right diploma's (I just started my training) and some experience. My co-worker does have the papers they need and would actually be the perfect candidate if only... she would be me. I'm getting the job if the negotiations will be good. They want me! And you know why? Because I'm a weirdo. Because I have given them the impression that I have the potential of making this job my own. Because they like me.

I'm crying now and I'm going to sleep, happy. But what to tell my co-worker?

developments

Littledragon's on ravelry and I freaking LOVE it. I'll have more time to blog this weekend, I hope, to tell you about what's happening in my life. I'm so excited. I feel good, I feel appreciated. I have a chance at getting where I want to be because I am who I am. A weirdo who's not affraid to show people what my greatest power is: to be a fresh, energetic, quirky person. This is my chance.

Barcelona!

Sometimes you blink and time has flown by. Tomorrow I'm going to Barcelona for a short holiday and next Tuesday I'll be back again. I'll look for yarnshops when I'm there ;) and knit in weird places.

From the bright side of life: I might get the job after all. Nothing is sure, though, so I'll just be a little bit optimistic for now.

Yarn!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you the new additions to 'Le Stash'- collection:


From left to right: 1. Lana Grossa Cotton stretch 2. Trekking Fruit 3. Online Bambou 4.Regia Kaffe Fasset (drewl) 5. Colinette Jitterbug Monet.

I was feeling particularly sad and lonely last monday night. BF was not home and I had just heard at my job that I'll probably won't be working there any more after november 1st. There's just not enough money to keep me eventhough they really like me. So I wondered off around the internet and found myself at wolhalla ordering some things I really wanted. And some needles too. Squee!

CTH Monkeys

Ever since I bought my first two skeins of Cherry Tree Hill Supersocke - they popped in my basket at last years Stitch 'n Bitch day - I've been longing to cast on and try out this delicious soft stoff. The cool colours are to me like honey to a bee. I hoarded more but had not tried this yarn out untill I casted on the third pair for my mom, the pair that just has to be right. Why I waited so long to try out this yarn? No idea. It's a dream to knit with.

One of the great plusses of 100% wool yarn is definetely the butter like softness. CTH is certainly not an exception to this rule. It is soft yet reasonably tightly spun - though not as tight as Jitterbug or STR - and therefore the yarn has a natural negative ease. For my US 7.5 feet I'd need only 56 to 60 stitches on 2,5mm needles and they would fit beautifully with a nice firm fabric.

There are a couple of things that bother me, though. First of all, is the yarn durable or will they wear out relatively fast? Second, I've read about CTH's colors bleeding. Will the colors last? And third, do I really need to handwash them? Or in this case, will it be a big disaster if one of my parents (I'm not going to name one in particular) would accidentally throw them in the washing machine?

Time will tell. In the meantime, I love working with CTH and I love the pattern I've chose. I chose to make Cookie A's Monkey socks but not regular monkeys. I saw these socks and liked them much better than the regular monkeys. Well, I'm going to knit on now and maybe fondle my new stash a little more.

NEW STASH?

HUGE...

See, I can make possitive progress. Not every inch needs to be ripped back.



Even mom's sock's been going just fine... Untill I was checking out my mom's feet. They are HUGE! Just three sizes longer then mine but at least twice as wide. The Waving Lace socks will never never fit.

What to do now. Rip the sock? I had allready past the gusset on this sock and it fits me perfectly. It would be a shame to rip it. If it fits me, it should fit someone else as well like the stickslim SIL who's celebrating her birthday in December. I'll save them for her.

But what to do about my mother then?



Cast on new socks, I suppose.

Frogable

Well, I didn't get a lot of knitting done this week again. Work is just a pain in the but when you really want to knit. Thereby, I had some frogging to do which really doesn't help on the progress front. For example, I started the Waving Lace socks for my mom, but didn't like the way the yarn and the pattern interacted with eachother. So I frogged two inches and started with another pattern (Diamante from Knitty) and I like it so much I'm going to keep it for myself - hate it when that happens. For my mom I grabbed a skein of Lorna's Laces Cool and started a zigzag pattern from a Dutch sock knitting group. It's actually pretty cool yet I don't feel that these should be mine mine mine! In other words, I can give them away when they're done. I had to frog some on these socks too 'cause they were getting rather big on 2.25 mm needles.


Lorna's laces on the left, Sunshine on the right

But, there was a finish this week. This Mama-e's yarn was first going to be socks for an unspecified adult, but alas, the colorway is so sweet that one could get diabetes from wearing them. But perfect for a little girl.

You finish some, you start some

After finishing three pairs of socks my needles have been impatiently waiting for new projects. Three new projects as I have three more birthdays in October.

* Stockinette todler socks for the little girl next door. Mama-e's sweet sock yarn is going to be perfect for these socks. It's soft and the pink-green-white combination should be great for the little girl. I should have them finished by October 13.

* Mom loves pretty things made with care and lots of time. After carefull deliberation I'm going to sacrifice a skein of Sunshine yarn to make her the Waving Lace socks from Interweave's Favourite Socks. Hope that mum will be pleased and I'll finish them in time. They should be finished before October 17.

* Father In Law. He really wants handknit socks like his mother used to make him socks. Simple yarn, simple pattern, size 11. I made BF choose the color from a couple of manly skeins I had in my stash and he chose a skein of Trekking XXl Pro Natura Antraciet. A really nice dark and soft yarn. It's a great pleaure to work with, even if the pattern is simple and the color is dark. I think I'll get some more the next time I order from Wolhalla. These socks should be finished before October 29.

pairs 14 and 15 out of 52

Finally some FO's to show on this blog! I finished both Daan's socks in Trekking sock yarn and my Jitterbug Snake River socks. The trekking was nice to work with, like allways. It knits up fast and the result is a good, durable sock. Hope that the little guy will want to wear them.

The Jitterbug on the other hand was fabulous to work. I really like the tight twist on the yarn, just like Socks that Rocks and Cherry Tree Hill. Really special about this yarn is the awsome coloring. That really makes them stand out. These socks are not perfect. I made some mistakes and they are a little bit too big, but they remind me of the summercamp to Sweden. They are the reward to my hard work at the campsite.


Yarn: Jitterbug Florentine
Pattern: Snake river socks
Gauge: 8spi Needles: 2,5 mm
yardage 260 meters (I have just a couple of meters left!)


I love you little Nebbus.

Two projects I've been working on. Todler socks for my five year old nephew in some blue trekking. They look fancy and they are so fast to knit. I decided I love knitting todler socks. And there's the Jitterbug Florentine socks. How I love knitting those socks. I only really knit on them during my lunch break, but since the yarn is thicker than fingering they knit up pretty fast. I made the first sock at summercamp in Sweden.

Two pairs allmost done. Great feeling.

go vote!

I'm in the summer of socks contest! Go vote for nr. 21:

http://zarzuelaknitsandcrochets.com/summerofsocks2007/

(if you like the picture, offcourse)

got my camera again!

You know how some weeks can just pass without really know it? This week was one of them. But I got my camera back and that makes me very happy.

Got my camera back from the shop and have some stuff to show you! First of all my sockapalooza socks. Aren't they beautiful? The color is so rich and the pattern is lovely. Thanks again, Sockapalooza pal!


I also have another exchange pair to show. This pair was knitted by the infamous sockgoddess Stariel and check them out! They are tough looking scout socks. Too bad I can't wear them at the moment. I have declared war to all things musquito since my feet and lower legs are covered in red itchy bites. Some have even swollen up to a hard disc with a diameter of 15 cm. I can't wear socks now. I hate musquito's.



On the knitting front, I have finished and given away a little dress for my friend's baby, but couldn't take a picture yet. Hope she'll wear it soon so I can have a picture on a model. I also finished Stariel's socks and I'm very happy about them. I love the pattern and the yarn.

Getting Llow

There are just no words to describe how this weekend. I don't know where to begin.

The feeling is always so double sided the day after the festival. A part of me is glad to be home. That part contains only of physical agony (my poor lower back), the rest of me is homesick and wants to go back to the lovely place called Lowlands.

There was so much to see! Too much even. I couldn't possibly see everything I wanted either because of the programming or because of the fatigue in my legs. Anyway, in order of appearance:

Friday I saw Alamo Race Track, de Heideroosjes (weer ouderwets gezellig), Mad Caddies, Editors (I am now officially in love with the singer), Eagles of Death Metal, Air Traffic (AWSOME new band, go see them, go buy their cd), The killers (Very good show)

Saturday: The Riffles, Turbonegro, Saybia, Chris Cornell (he is the best singer in his genre in the whole wide world and the show he gave was perfect), Kaiser Chiefs (Awsome, just awsome)

Sunday: Alpha Blondy (The best reggea I ever saw), Funeral for a friend, the Shins, the Answer, The Pigeon Detectives (awsome new band, go see, go buy their cd), Nine Inch Nails, Sonic Youth (possibly the worst act on Lowlands), Motorhead (very very cool), LCD Soundsystem (surprisingly entertaining), Dinosaur jr. (sucked), Tool (a bit disappointing, not a great act to finish off the festival)

Another thing I love about Lowlands are the festivities after the bands. Usually great alternative music to which about 20.000 people dance to. On Friday there was a 'Best of Brittish' dj and he sucked big time. We went back to the tent at 1 in the morning (which is early). At the tent we drank a couple of beers and had a lot of fun just hanging out there untill early in the morning. It was cold, though, and I was glad that I took some woollen blankets from the car to wrap myself and my friends in. On Saturday the situations was considerably better. Great guitarrock in the Alpha tent. No matter how tired I was, I danced and danced and sang to familliar songs till the bitter end. Sunday I was all tired offcourse, but there's nothing good music can't cure. 'Grunge and Alternative' was food for my soul that night and gave me enough energy to go on for a little while. Walking back to camping 6 was a bit of a sinecure, though. My back was killing me, my feet were hurthing, my legs had problems going forward...

My weekend rocked. Oh, and I knitted a mini-sock in the Alpha tent (the biggest tent in Europe).

two more nights

I'm going to take some knitting with me to Lowlands. Knitting in Public in front of 55.000 people... just can't let that chance pass by.

Just two more nights.

lowlands' just around the corner...

Just 6 nights and... Lowlands!!! I am so excited!

Lowlands is a three day alternative music festival with a lot of different kinds of music. Three days of going to great bands and feeding of the positive energy of 55.000 people. Squee! I've been going to lowlands for ehm 10 years now and every year the same feeling of exitement comes over me. I LOVE this festival.

I've been going to lowlands for a couple of years (nine) with a funny assembly of friends. We don't really see eachother on a regular basis but when whe're together we are having so much fun! We are all crazy!

So, what bands will I see this year: Tool, Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, Editors, The Killers, Pigeon Detectives, Saybia, Klaxons, Eagles of death metal, funeral for a friend, Mad Caddies, Mika, Chris Cornell (Squee, squee, squee, squee) So freaking good. So amazing! I am so going to have a great time with great friends. Sigh. Only three days of feeling amazing, enough for a whole year.

sockapaloozed

Today I got home to find a lovely envelope with my sockapalooza socks and OMG they are great! They are made with Colinette Jitterbug in the green velvet colorway. Awsome. And the pattern is just beautifull. I wish it was winter allready so I can wear them!

The socks came all the way from Finnland. Eva made them for me and did a wonderfull job. Wish I could make pictures... but the camera is in the shop to get repaired. There will be pictures in 2 to 4 weeks.

On the health side, I lost my voice saturday and it's still gone. My throat is sore and itchy. Hope it won't take long to get back because I really want to be able to sing and chat at Lowlands next week. (just nine more nights)

about a blog without photo's

I hate it that my camera is not working.

I would love to show you the little dress I'm making for the little girl of a friend of mine. It's going to be adorable. I hope it'll fit her. I've never made anything but a pair of socks for a child. I'm following Anouk's pattern from Knitty and I'm using Paris Yarn from Drops Garnstudio. It knits up like a cotton yarn - because it is a cotton yarn - so I hope it'll look better after a wash or two. The ball band says that I should wash the yarn at 60 degrees but that sounds a little hot. I know my friend will love the gift anyway.

Then I would love to show you the progress I made on my mystery stole and how I'll rip that progress out. I don't think that the color of the yarn is right for the pattern and there were a couple of VERY visable mistakes... First time lace, can't do it all the right way at once. Don't need to anyway.

Just two weeks left before Lowlands.. I wish it were today.

tyred and bored

I think I've recouperated from my Swedish adventure, just not sure if I'll ever get used to a life working full time. Ugh. Getting up each morning at 7, doing the same louzy job each day, the cash on my bank account is whispering yarny thoughts to me... No, I need to save some for the Lowlands festival that's going to be in less than three weeks.

On the knitting front I've made little progress on any of my existing projects. I did start knitty's 'branching out' shawl with some lovely silk/merino. Since my camera is broken and in repair I can't take any pictures. Ugh. I want to knit more.

I allmost did something stupid last weekend. Not anything knitting related. Real life stupid and I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I can't discuss it here and I can't see how I got myself into this situation. Drinking is not good for me.

I'm back!

After the two weeks I had with 15 scouts in Sweden I can only say that I survived and I won't ever do it again. We were at a Jamboree where I felt like I was doing slave labour. Up from 6.30 in the morning till 1 in the night. Running around for the kids, trying to motivate them to participate in the boring programme with too much reflection time. I've had just about an hour to myself over the whole week to write an e-mail to my parents and take a shower. Yes, that is one shower in a week of surprisingly good weather. And when you think you've had it all... home sickness. Three kids that were crying all the time. I did not feel the Jiingi spirit.

I had very little time to knit, except for during the boring obligatory ceremonies and shows. They were in Swedish so the 2000 international guests could not follow anything that was said. I'm so pissed off about that. We travelled for 20 hours on a freaking bus to get ignored by the organisation. Thereby, everything that was translated in English at the activities was so poorly translated that I could point out the errors in the translation. They surely didn't have a native speaker to check their translations and to make the texts understandable for kids that are not native speakers. I did have some fun though and the kids were happy most of the time. I need to hang on to those feelings and get rid of the irritation. Here are some happy knitting pictures.

Me knitting during the closing ceremony which wasn't all bad. The Swedish king made a great speech, partly in English for the international guests. That was great. The music wasn't bad either.


Me knitting in the train to Stockholm.

I'm at scouting camp in Rinkaby Sweden

Hi everyone! I'll be at scouting Camp in Rinkaby Sweden till july 28th! Don't worry, I'll have some knitting with me!

i might have the most boring, least interesting job in the world

At least I can listen to podcasts when I'm working. At least I can think about knitting when I'm going through ancient building permits (that fence from 1986 is probably not there anymore. Why keep the file?)

Con's: It's monotonous (even after juar three days) and no challenge for me. Ugh. I get paid. I get yarn. I get paid. I get yarn.

edit: And I seem to have lost my knitting mojo. Seriously, I watched Frost tonight without knitting in my hands. I need a day off.

I have a job!

I can hardly believe it myself but I managed to get a job today. It's only for four months to begin with, but still. A job.

Do you know what that means? I'll have 45 hours a week less knitting time than I have now! Sigh. I'll never get those socks and sweaters done. But I will have some money in the end... To celebrate I visited a yarnstore in Amsterdam, De Afstap, and bought some pretty things.




On the left: 3 skeins of Kid Silk Haze to make the beautifull Kiri pattern. This yarn is so pretty and soft! I hope to get working on this shawl after the mystery stole (Clue one is all finished up, clue 2 is just out!). On the right Rowan Bamboo Tape. Very nice and soft. I'm really curious as to how this yarn will knit up I got the Tori (below) pattern with it and I think I'll make it. It looks really pretty.

A picture says more than a thousand words

I love them. They feel great and the color is awsome. I think my Sockapalooza pal is going really going to enjoy these soft, luxurious socks.

I'm getting closer and closer! Just 10 more rows and I'll get to start the toe. I love toes.



The stole is knitting up nice. Do you see the lifeline I've put into it? Smart, right?