Socktober fest!

It's still a week and a little to go, but it's time to start preparing oneself :-)

Here's a nice blog entry on how to photograph socks.
http://lostpurl.blogspot.com/2006/09/how-to-take-pictures-of-socks.html
It isn't always easy thing to do by yourself and with nothing to be used as a modell to wear the sock... So either one takes a picture of a sock on a flat surface
(Here the date is correct - my own design, clog socks to my hubby)
- or more ambitious ones make a nice setting ;-)
This is from a "sock of the month kit" club... I think it's called "mystery cables" or something like that.
- or you take a picture from "above"
These are Godzilla socks
or the classic "soles together yoga" kind of sock picture.
(Ignore the date - I didn't know how to disable the dating system, and it wasn't set either... the picture is taken in mid-June this year. Six Sox Color Blox)

It is really interesting to start looking at sock pictures with this in mind...
Here's Flickr group "Socktober Fest" which is an excellent place to start looking at sock photos.

BTW, here's "Island of Misfit Patterns"

I have a problem...

This is the peacock sock from Maggie's Rags...
I like the pattern. I would like to make it in peacock colors...
It's a tiny square stitch pattern, which would do fine as anything... but I don't know how it's done... And it's a copyrighted pattern too, and I have no possibility to get the pattern :-(

There are so many fascinating knitting stitch patterns out there... it's amazing that this variety has been created with k's, p's, yo's and k2tog's...

You can for example look at these stitches
http://www.ashidome.com/blogger/archive_craftystitch.asp?c=25
Here's some more http://knitting.about.com/library/weekly/blstitches.htm
and here's a couple... http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns-stitches.htm
and here's some too http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/stitches.php
Here's A LOT of stitches ;-) http://www.knittingfool.com/pages/StCatalog.cfm?alpha=A
Italian site with stitches in charts and words (Italian...) http://digilander.iol.it/MarcellaMaglie2/i_punti.htm

added 7.11. http://www.thedietdiary.com/blog/lu-stitch_patterns.php
corrections to "365 knitting stitches a year" calendar

added 2.12. http://www.geocities.com/love2knit_dishcloths/DishclothIndex.html
Yes, it says "dishcloth index", but they are actually stitches. Dishcloth 21; Feather Lace, looks like this sock...

I'm snotty Ketty...

Second week flu... yuk. But I have been doing things.

I joined a washcloth KAL group. We are to knit two washcloths a month, and we'll get the pattern just a few rows a day... so it's a surprise what will come of it :-D
It's just that I'm Finnish, so we are not used to use washcloths... or dishrags. I still find the idea of using the dishrag to wash dishes pretty scary... I am used to use a dishbrush. But one can always use some cute rags to wipe the counters and tabletops and so on. And I love knitting easy, quick and interesting patterns :-)

I made some doll clothes this weekend. My mother had found a couple of (really ugly) dolls in flea market, and they didn't have any clothes, so my sisters and I made them two sets of clothes. My brother has a daughter, who is 4 years old, who loves dolls and is a real girly girl :-) Loves pink and clothes and being a princess :-)

I am knitting a shawl for my "shapely t" - just a simple garter stitch triangle with japanese effect yarn borders as only decoration.

Then I need to do some wrist warmers to my big sister. It's getting a little chilly now, and we are not getting any younger ;-)

I have added a couple of blogs to my links
Faery Crafty
Knitting in Color
and antiblog.knitting
I suppose I need to add a couple more Finnish and Swedish blogs too, to make my Finnish and Swedish speaking readers happy ;-)
So, here's Hikihelmiä ja piikkilankaa
and here's Knittermarie's blog :-)

Antiblog has some absolutely amazing double knits... really inspiring :-)
Knitting in Color's Nanette Blanchard has self-published a couple of pattern books :-) They look pretty interesting :-) I think I want those knitted Christmas lights LOL

Faery Crafty has a list of free patterns, and this is the reason for this blog.
She has a link to Adriafil yarn company. I went there and couldn't find the free patterns, but then I noticed that when you click on the magazine covers, you get a new page, where it says "fashion" and "baby", and when you click on either, you get into the page where the free patterns are. And then you just click on the "Instructions" link under the picture of the "desired" pattern, you'll get the pattern. Some of them are such that "You Knit What" would have had a fugly moment and needed to dig out their own eyes to stop puking :-D But some of them are interesting. The baby patterns are nice, and I like the crocheted thingies... well... of course the fuglies are "interesting" too, but I wouldn't make them. :-)

Cute Baby stuff
She has collected cute baby stuff (duh! LOL) links on a blog entry.
Carole Bareny's seamless yoked baby sweater is not where she gives the link, it's here: http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babysweyokecard.htm
and Canadian Living's "Baby jacket" is here. It is really cute LOL
She has also bag links, bikini links (!), poncho links, shawl and wrap links, bolero and shrug links, summer top links and sweater links...
I am not too fond of bikinis, ponchos and shrugs... I find it hard to understand why anyone would WANT to have links to SEVERAL knitted or crocheted bikini patterns... how many pairs do you want? And can you actually use them for anything else but sun bathing? And how many people have a body that goes with knitted/crocheted bikinis? Or ponchos? How many of those wretched things you want??? Anyway - I am fully aware that people have different preferences and what is fugly to me is nice for someone else. Anyway, Faery Crafty has done a huge and very nice job, and deserves all credit for it :-)

Stargazer's free pattern links.

There's also a link to Ornaghi's yarn company.
So I suppose I'll give a link to Drops and Garn Studio. Something Swedish for all :-)
and here's Novita's patterns... in Finnish, I'm afraid. And here's more Finnish, Pirkka-lehden neuleohjeet. Those of you who are unfortunate enough not to speak or read Finnish can always look at the pictures... and if you find something you JUST MUST HAVE, I can help... perhaps... at least a little.

And here's Yahoo! group "Free Knit Patterns" :-)

Enjoy :-)

two-end knitting, twined knitting, two-toned or two-color brioche stitch...

I have been interested of this Scandinavian specialty for a very long time... then I finally looked it up, and to my "disappointment" I found out that I already know how to do it... I just haven't known that it's "two-end knitting".

"Twined knitting is a peculiarly Scandinavian method of two-stranded knitting, now most commonly practiced in rural forested areas of Sweden and Norway. Stitches are alternately knitted with two strands of yarn of the same colour, which are twisted after each stitch. The resulting fabric is durable and warm, only slightly elastic, with an even surface that rivals machine knitting in its appearance of knitting perfection. Twined knitting was traditionally used to make mittens and gloves, caps, stockings and sleeves. Knitted ornamentation was added with purl stitches or by the use of a contrasting colour. Twined knitting, with its firm fabric, was particularly suited to decorative embroidery."

Here's Anne-Maj Ling's homepage. It's in Swedish.

Here Theresa Vinson Thenersen tells how to do it.

On-line demo with pictures.

Knitting in color; twined knitting I and twined knitting II

Two-toned brioche stitch watchcap

Two color brioche stitch scarf

Then there's socks and mittens done with Karelian pattern, with twined knitting cord on the cuff. But that's in Finnish. I might translate it one day... Hopefully someone else does it first ;-)

My first knit design :-D

Lobster washcloth
(Goes fine for greyfish too... för kräftkvällar ja rapujuhliin ;-))

Size 7 (US) = 4.5 mm needles, cotton yarn in any color.

Cast on 41 stitches.

1.- 4. *k1, p1*, k1
5. k1, p1, k1, p1, k33, p1, k1, p1, k1
6. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
7. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
8. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
9. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
10. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
11. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
12. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
13. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
14. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
15. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
16. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p11, k1, p1, k5, p1, k1, p11, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
17. k1, p1, k1, p2, k11, p9, k11, p2, k1, p1, k1
18. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p12, k7, p12, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
19. k1, p1, k1, p2, k13, p5, k13, p2, k1, p1, k1
20. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p 13, k5, p13, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
21. k1, p1, k1, p2, k13, p5, k13, p2, k1, p1, k1
22. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p8, k1, p5, k3, p5, k1, p8, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
23. k1, p1, k1, p2, k8, p1, k5, p3, k5, p1, k8, p2, k1, p1, k1
24. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p9, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3, p9, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
25. k1, p1, k1, p2, k 7, p1, k4, p7, k4, p1, k7, p2, k1, p1, k1
26. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p8, k15, p8, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
27. k1, p1, k1, p2, k13, p5, k13, p2, k1, p1, k1
28. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p9, k13, p9, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
29. k1, p1, k1, p2, k8, p1, k4, p5, k4, p1, k8, p2, k1, p1, k1
30. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p10, k11, p10, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
31. k1, p1, k1, p2, k8, p3, k2, p5, k2, p3, k8, p2, k1, p1, k1
32. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p11, k9, p11, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
33. k1, p1, k1, p2, k10, p11, k10, p2, k1, p1, k1
34. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p10, k2, p2, k3, p2, k2, p10, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
35. k1, p1, k1, p2, k9, p2, k3, p3, k3, p2, k9, p2, k1, p1, k1
36. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p8, k4, p2, k3, p2, k4, p8, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
37. k1, p1, k1, p2, k8, p4, k2, p3, k2, p4, k8, p2, k1, p1, k1
38. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p7, k5, p3, k1, p3, k5, p7, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
39. k1, p1, k1, p2, k7, p5, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p5, k7, p2, k1, p1, k1
40. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p7, k5, p7, k5, p7, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
41. k1, p1, k1, p2, k7, p2, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, p2, k7, p2, k1, p1, k1
42. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p8, k1, p1, k1, p9, k1, p1, k1, p8, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
43. k1, p1, k1, p2, k8, p1, k13, p1, k8, p2, k1, p1, k1
44. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
45. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
46. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
47. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
48. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
49. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
50. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
51. k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p31, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
52. k1, p1, k1, p2, k31, p2, k1, p1, k1
53. k1, p1, k1, p35, k1, p1, k1
54.-57. *k1, p1*, k1

Bind off loosely

If you want to, you can omit the 5 first and last lines, and 5 first and last stitches in every following row, and replace them with any edging you wish. I can think that wavy lines, even lacy edges, would fit very well with the theme.

Also, the 5 first and last lines and the 5 first and last stitches in every following rows are the edging, and you might want to add a little more space around the lobster - it's very close the edging as it is now.

This is a test cloth I knitted with the earlier pattern, and I wasn't happy with it, so I have added quite a lot of space before and after. It should be fine now :-)
NOTE THAT THE CHART IS THE OLD ONE!

Shrugs?

There was this One Skein Wonder... and suddenly I was made aware of that people LIKE shrugs! So much so that the Knit-A-Long I'm participating in is DYING to make a shrug. That's another thing I just don't get... Perhaps I need to knit one to get it ;-) But time being I shrug off the shrugs ;-)
Not really... I had nothing else to write, so I post several links to shrug pattern :-D

Wrath of Khan
The Gray Ghost
Hot Lava

I do

Reminds me very much of Elann's "Esprit"

Berrocco's shrugs

Cameo
Kid Merino Lacy Shrug

White Lies' Lacy Shrug

Shoulderette drop-stitch shrug

Scrawl

Drops' Vienna shrug

Little Fancy Fur Shrug
and other Lion Brand shrugs

Everyone's Doing It Shrug

vintage pattern: 1952 Bow Tie Shrug

Camille

Well... I have to say that One Skein Wonder works perfectly with White Lies Shapely Tank...

Knitting...

My camera has eaten up all the power from batteries once again, so no photos... but scanner works... the glas is dirty, so the pictures are a bit weird as well, but...

This is what I am doing right now. Six Sox Scale Skin Socks, picot edge.

I have already made the other sock. It's funny. It looks like dragon toes. I also like the fact that the yellowy green yarn turns into blood red in the end of the sock... really... dragon toes.

I feel absolutely awful...

I must be the worst swap pal ever... I totally blew it with One Skein and Secret Pal. Of course, there was a reason for that, but... *sigh* I'M SO SORRY!!!

I tried to make it up by sending a little better package, but the quality of the swap is so high, that my "little better" is just average... and I feel even worse... :-(

Uh - get over it, Ket.

Here's a great swap idea.
http://www.mittensmittensmittens.blogspot.com/

Sweet September

Isn't it funny how time flies? It feels like yesterday I started this blog... and in the beginning I think I posted like twice a day, and now it's once a week - if I'm lucky... *blush*

So, it's September and another month for all the projects :-)

Whip-lash is about hats :-) I love hats :-) This red amazing creation is by Ella J. Kidd.

Apron "tie one on" pinafore theme has been extended through September.

Pincushion "Recycle" theme is for August and September.

I just wonder if Maria has thought of arranging another journal swap...

Anyway, I managed to knit my t-shirt and it's very nice. :-) I was a bit worried of that it's too big - and I still suspect that it IS a little too big, but I'm sure it will become better after a visit in the washing machine. The color isn't quite right for me, a little bit too strong and muddled, but it's ok.
I managed to knit the bag, and I have send it to a swap pal. It's a bit sad that I couldn't take any more pictures of it, but when there are no batteries in the camera, there are no batteries. I hope my swap pal will post pictures. I hope she's still there... I haven't heard of her for a couple of months now...
Now I'm knitting yet another pair of socks. For Six Sox.

I found a couple of nice patterns at "Crystal Palace Yarns"
I was also told that Elann adds new patterns... and some of them ARE good :-D
I also would like to remind of Knitty's Breast Cancer awareness special

I'm an idiot...

Yeah... I just joined another swap... It's... it's the Swap-Bot!!! It hypnotizes you and FORCES you to join swaps! I swear it does! I'm not the only one who have noticed this.

Anyway, it's "Hot Socks" and you need to send some sock yarn, something to make a cup of hot drink; coffee, tea or cocoa, to someone, and then a little suprise or treat :-) So - just join you too LOL

Right now I'm in 9 swaps...
Cherry Red and Tangerine Orange
Red & Aqua Swap
Paper Doll
Magic Yarn Ball Again....
Warm hands, warm hearts
Samhain fiber craft swap
Hot Chocolate And Book - International
Trick or Treat goodies
Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap

And I think it's a pity that I missed the Nordic Secret Pal Swap LOL

Wardrobe surgery

Picture: Angela Johnson; redesigned, reconstructed and recycled clothing

• mu-mu land::janellepietrzak
• myuglysweater: kureyon skirt::myuglysweater
• swing-back blouse::ruthsinger
• Dragon Pants::redgedesigns
• Not a boring blazer::karrie
• Heralding Fall::Valerie Cheel
• Craft: Skirt::CraftyGinger
• Little red dress tutorial::muppinstuff2
• Scarf Skirt::beesnest
• grey redo skirt::iHanna
• silver::charlotte
• Skirting the Issue::Art Esprit::artesprit
• classy strapless dress::planetjune
• Edwardian Scissorhands Bag::jixichick
• back to school::mo
• Jeans Clutch Purse::marthawinger
• Summer top from old dress::giseleschoene
• Baby hat tutorial::mdhaworth
• fresh summer pants::dozodozo
• Leg gone dess::Strikkelise
• conventional coat hat::completely cactus
• baby that\'s simple::greetingarts
• dress shirt to shirt dress::stoneamazon
• Boring Jacket into Corpgoth Fab!::aiar
• Bohemian Jacket::lucette
• dress to skirt::bekka
• the \"transvestite shirt\" w. tutorial::katrin
• matisse::true stitches
• that ol\' (Kara) Janx spirit::jenfullmoon
• Sweatshirt transformation::clutteringmycouch
• Western Wristlet::funkyfinds
• Bridesmaid Dress Revisited::kcquilts
• correct link for happy kitty sweater::whizzzzme
• Stellar Tank::hvonmarko
• Budda Bar::Brahdelt
• Pants and a Pal::orinda5
• Jumpah::dorie

Yeah... I didn't do it this time either *sigh* Ok, so I'm bad. So? *grrr*
So look at all the nice stuff all the others have made and get inspired :-)

P.S. "Junky Styling" specialise in recycled eco friendly fashion, deconstructed clothing, wardrobe surgery, unique bespoke fashion and made to measure clothing in East London.

Sock Wars

Ok, I joined the sock wars :-) Perhaps idiotic, because I live in Sweden. I'm pretty fast at knitting socks, but... I live in Sweden. It takes at least 4 days to get anything to US... So - what happens, if I have sent my sock to kill my "victim", but someone else have sent her sock to kill me at the same time? I have to wait to get the sock from my victim before I can sent it to my killer, and during that time someone else might have killed my killer, and SHE needs to send the sock to the next killer, and... Er...

It sounds really funny! :-D And it will be nice to get a pair of socks :-)

So, please join you too! Go to Yarn Monkey's blog (http://yarn-monkey.blogspot.com/2006/07/are-you-ready-for-sock-wars-2006.html) and send her a message :-) You have about a month to join :-)

The battleground will be the Sock Wars Forum :-) Now BE THERE!

P.S. It's ok to practice a bit ;-)
Two socks on one circular needle - toe-up
Two socks on one circular needle
Casting on for two socks on one circular needle
Straight-laced socks - two at once on one needle :-)

Knitted handbags

What is it with these knitted designer bags?

Valentino, Ferragamo and Fendi have all made their version of the "knitted bag". And the knitters all over the world are exited...

Black Dog Knits: Attitude
hitbyabus's Ferragamo bag photoset

Er...? I don't get it. I think these bags look all a bit... er... how to say it... self-made.


Well, sure, they are a little bit classier than "Interweave Knits' "Give Me A Handbag"
(I like this "Via Diagonale" Knitty pattern)

Projects...

This is what I am currently doing. The pink bag is the little unsuccessful effort of making the "French Marketbag". On the right is the blue "White Lies Shapely Tank" - I'm going to make it with sleeves. It's a bit bothersome job, because I have to multiply my main cotton yarn. I'm using a large cone of one-ply cotton, and I am using it 4-plied. And I don't want to just use four yarn balls, so I'm spinning it into yarn. And I have to wash it so that the spin relaxes, so... it takes time. But I'm sure the top will be nice.
The multidirectional, orange thingy is "The Felted Bag with Mitered Squares". It's the current knit-a-long project. I am using the one-ply wool yarn I have plant dyed myself, three-plied, so that I get the colors to mix better. I don't like the bamboo handles, so I'm knitting the handles. It's going to be interesting to see how it works in felting... I'm considering giving the bag away in a swap, but I might want to give it to my mom instead, as a Yule present.

I really have been a bad girl with my swaps. My poor One Skein pal haven't got more than one skein, and she should have got already two AND the final thingy... I'm going to send her something extra, as thanks for her patience with me.
And my Secret Pal is also going to get a BIG package this month... I hope at least that 10 days are enough to get the package to Australia...

I would actually like to be doing some Mabon crafts, but I don't have time for that. Perhaps I need to draw down all the swaps for a while at least... *blush*

more swap packages :-)

I love swapping :-) I love selecting the items for a package, wrapping them and sending them, I like knowing that I have managed to bring a little joy to someone's life :-) This really is addictive :-D
And eventually you get a bit more substantiate rewards too LOL
I have got two swap packages this week. One Skein last package - my swap pal was Swedish LOL She managed to keep her identity secret very well :-) Tack, Ulla, du är underbar! I just wish I knew where your blog is - if you have one... She has been sending me these wonderful, luxurious yarns in perfect colors, and wrapped so beautifully in nice scraps of quilting fabric.
Now she send me a card revealing her identity, a wrist warmers and pattern for it :-)
I have a tendency to get my wrists cold and aching, so she didn't know how well her gift suited me :-) I really cannot pour enough praise over her LOL The best One Skein pal ever :-)


And the Secret Pal :-) I got a note saying that a package was heading on my way, and today it arrived! YAY!

It was in a silver box. I love boxes :-)
Inside was a card - very nice card, with a picture of Whitby Abbey in sunset. Very mysterious and nice cards :-) You can see some of it behind the flash... *blush* I'm not good with pictures, I'm afraid...

Then there were the fashinating stone candles...Very nice :-)
A wool fat soap from Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap Limited :-)
Then there was a bag of sugar candy :-) Joseph Dobson's Yorkshire Mixtures :-D So I am munching away these "old fashioned sweets" as I sit here :-) The English apparently enjoy their sweets stronger than we do ours. These candies taste a lot :-)
A big package of Indian Spiced Chai tea bags... Cardamon, cinnamon and gloves. My husband is especially in love with chai, strong spiced tea with sugar and milk. :-) (By Whittard of Chelsea ;-) I really enjoy the fact that she is sending me products from where she is :-) It's fun to find out more about these companies... they should give her something for it LOL)

The scents were wonderful... candles, soap, tea, candies... Not too harsh to cause headache, but just enough to make me feel as if I was in a colonial ware store... I don't know if they are called that in English, but when I was a little girl, there were these stores that sold everything brought from the exotic, colonial countries; tea, dried fruits, candy and things like that. They smelled like my package, and I still remember how I loved just passing by these stores, because when the door opened, the smell of orient poured over me... Sweet and spicy *_* So my secret pal don't know what a treat she gave me :-)

Then there was a little cupcake pincushion ornament. Very cute :-)
There was a skein of beautiful pink mohair, wrapped in green tissue paper and closed with a beautiful little pink tassel in gold ribbon. I love tassels. I am really happy about that tassel too. Makes me feel a bit like a baby who doesn't much care what's inside the packages, because the paper and ribbons are so interesting LOL But no, I do care a lot about what's in the package, I just love tassels ;-)
And I have saved the best for last. There was a tiny green package and when I opened it, I saw a pair of most beautiful earrings! It looks like a shard of quartz or glass polished by ocean, wrapped with silver wire... and they are just so beautiful! I wonder if she has made them herself...

Thank you very much, my secret pal!

I feel so blessed with pals like this!

It's been very busy lately...

so I haven't been here for a while. Poor Robbi, nothing to read ;-)

Anyway, I made myself a knitted and felted bag, the French Market bag. It didn't work out quite as I had thought, but I know where's the problem. I didn't have the right needles, so I used #3 for parts of it and #6 for other parts - and the #6 parts felted more than the #3 parts. Naturally.
So I need to figure out what to do about it... I have been thinking of cutting it in half and either knitting more in between, or adding a quilted piece there. *hmm* I also didn't sew the handles into tube, and I should have. So I could just as well cut the first effort into potholders or something, or make toys of it, and knit a new one, this time with one size needles and making the handles better. They need to be a little longer too.

I have also been making some jewelry. Here's the red candystripe earrings.

Currently I'm knitting the White Lies Shapely top, using the nice Kureyon I got from my One Skein pal and some old industrial cotton yarn I "stole" from my mother. It originates from my aunt, who used to work for Finlayson. So I assume it's as old as I am... perhaps older... but it's about the same color as the effect yarn, and very soft. I hope the top will be nice :-)

About August challenges and such:

Whiplash AUGUST is officially WARDROBE SURGURY month - re-fashioning/freshioning your wardrobe, you can deconstruct/reconstruct or embellish/decorate and of course you could do a tutorial of either of these.

Tie One On August apron is the pinafore.

"Pinafores are often confused with smocks. Some foreign languages do not differentiate between these different garments. The pinafore differs from a smock in that it does not have sleeves and there is no back to the bodice. Smocks have both sleeves and a full bodice, both front and back. A pinafore is a full apron with two holes for the arms that is tied or buttoned in the back, usually below the neck. Pinafores provide protection above (at least in front) and below waist and aprons are a protective garment worn below the waist. Here the difference is a fine line. Pinafores have complete front shaped over shoulder while aprons usually have no or only small bibs. A child's garment to wear at school or for play would be a pinafore."
-- Wikipedia (They have an entry about everything... I love Wikipedia :-))

The theme for August and September Pincushion Challenge will be: -- Recycle!
Fits nicely with the Whiplash AND pinafore theme... make a pinafore of something in your wardrobe and make a matching pincushion :-) Very housewify ;-)

Project Spectrum's August is neutral - basics, naturals, black, white, greys and browns...

The Color-iffic Swap-o-rama colors for September are white and silver. :-( Of course, there's a lot of ideas, and things can be used for Imbolc, but... er... I'm not too fond of white/silver combination. A little bit too minimalistic for me...

But Feline Flip-Flop has "August - Cherry Red and Tangerine Orange"
Red and orange... nice :-) I especially love red cats :-)

And here's the wonderful package I received from my One Skein swap pal already last month... I just have forgotten to add it here. This is Finnish silk wool blend (30/70), Silla by Wetterhoff, and it's just... *drool* LOL The color is nice too :-) Now I just need to invent what I am going to make of it... probably some kind of neckwarmer... For example something like this: Poikkiteloin. Knitty's Flora would be nice too :-)


I also love the packaging :-) So pretty :-)

Someone has stolen your stash....

THIS IS A HYPOTHETHICAL QUESTION! MY STASH AND BOOKS HAVE NOT BEEN STOLEN! SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION... *blush*

"Someone has stolen your stash and all your books: now what are you going to do?"
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
First I'll scream, then I'll cry and then I call the police.

What to replace first... I don't know. What ever comes on my way. I'll call my mother and ask her to send me a package with some of her stash and some needles too.
Some of the things in my stash cannot be replaced. I have managed to find a couple of skeins of the plant dyed wool from our own sheep I thought was lost forever, back at home. But - I thought already once that it was gone, so... There's a couple of skeins of yarn that isn't being manufactured anymore, and I am very happy about that - but when it's gone, it's gone, and there's nothing I can do about that.
The books are also a very hard loss...
Some things you just cannot replace.

Such an awful thought.

I am knitting the French market bag right now. I decided to do that instead of a vest, of the bright pink wool I bought from e-bay. I know I would have more use of a vest, but I'm feeling lazy, and there's no pattern for a vest I want - European size 48 (This with Women's Clothing Sizes is very interesting... European 48 is French 52, UK 22, Italian 54, American 20 (2X), Australian 24 and Japanese 23...) so I would need to make it myself... I might ask my sister, who is a miracle when it comes to things like this... but then I want to use my stash myself. (So if anyone steals it, he/she will have such curses flinged after him/herself, that he/she will leave it back... Grrr...)

Did I mention that I have been crocheting cats lately? I found an entry about THE Japanese crocheted cat at Crafting Japanese, and made first one to a swap pal - and my husband fell in love with it, so I made him a Siamese :-
)

Whiplash bag

Well... for certain reasons I didn't make any whiplash entry this time. So I'll just publish a picture of my handbag and what's in it :-D

I still haven't managed to make the Findus cat shopping bags I planned to make (for May color theme, uhhum ;-)), but look at all these great entries:

• Savored Moments: Finally Phfinished - The Tea Bag::dlgolden
• flowery bag::regina
• 3 Quitled Bags::kcquilts
• Las Vegas Wristlet from a Napkin::marymo
• DorothyBag:Ellen::Ellen
• a crafty beach bag::superstitchious
• Lunchbox knitting case::karrie
• *ugly duckling::mangetsu
• Ruined Lemon Bag::jixichick
• Heatwave Knitting Needle Roll::CraftyGinger
• garden gnome bag::Lillirosa
• Pink Patchwork Bag::azizzo
• Sensationally Simple Handbag::imyorehuckleberry
• Gym Jewelry Pouch::jenfullmoon
• work bag tutorial::whizzzzme
• Serena\'s Flask Holster::serenasue
• birthday bags::Marti
• Laptop Backpack::beesnest
• Grocery Bag Purse::stoneamazon
• snarky book bag::stephaniesykes
• longing for a night out ultra small, credit card, cash, and keys bag::QueenMum
• bag from a childrens dress::rineke
• Queen of Hearts Bag::luckypalm
• pirate´s bloody treasure bag::katrin
• bags and tutorial::Egater
• Irish Clutch Purse::LemonTreeTales
• Wedding bag:Sew Recycled!::sewrecycled
• Water Bottle Carrier Tutorial::PinkChalkStudio
• Queen of Hearts Bag::luckypalm
• Pink Cupcake Purse::pincstuff
• Shirt bag::CarinaWardi
• http://www.azizzo.com/blog/2006/07/12/whiplash-entry/::azizzo
• Blowin in the Wind Bage::cherryghost
• Chinese Takeout Bag/box::Jagged Rose
• Cotswolds Bag::rooruu
• wedding loopbag::MagFly
• Summer flower messenger::Larici
• Quilted Bag::wgratz
• Small Flowers handbag::31Summers
• fabric sack::melba
• Quilt for Ixus::iHanna
• sparkly monks bag::true stitches
• Retro Green Bag: Birds in Love::thrifty one
• Knit Socks?Sew a Tote::2paw
• Sail Away Tote and Zipper Pouch ::LittlePurl
• Bolivian Weekender::KristinL
• FOLK BAGS + zakkabags::eireann
• clothes pin bag::k8tykat
• Round bag tutorial::giseleschoene
• Treasure bag::mo
• knickers evening bag::P
• Get out of the Funk Purse::dontlookback
• flamenco satchel::completely cactus
• Plastic Beach Bag::marcisenders
• Cocktail purse::dozodozo
• pieced box bag::tuttifruiti
• Crochet & Satin Bag::planetjune
• anastasia bag::knitknat1021
• Bubbly Ocean Girl Bag::foufigirl
• Frounchess Bag::dorie
• Kimono Obi Craft Case::annadilemna
• Summer tote tutorial::
• Inside-Out Bags::KnucklesTheDog
• Sail Away Tote and Zipper Pouch Set::LittlePurl
• Doll tutorial::soozs
• Apple tote::Strikkelise

And here's some more inspiration ;-)

Super Eggplant's "Tote Bags 101"
Tiny Happy's shoulder bag tutorial
Jordy bag - square bottomed lined bag
t-shirt surgery's pant bag tutorial
Drawstring bag tutorial
Sweatshirt bag
Black Sheep Bags - felted Booga bag
and felted Sophie bag
Circular felted bag
Felted french market bag

Oy! Long time no seen...

I have been in Finland :-) It was my brother-in-law's 40th birthday - and some other family business. We had a pirate party :-) I am really worthless in "live role playing games". :-( I couldn't act ex tempore even if my life depended on it. I'm pretty good at telling stories, but worthless in acting as something I'm not. So no SCA for me...

I have received a couple of packages, but I haven't been able to get them yet, so I don't know what's in them :-) I'll update when I know :-)

I also brought some yarn from Finland, from my mother's stash. She's over 70 and her hands aren't working well enough anymore, so I "pirated" in her yarn storage and brought with me 3 large cones of cotton - to be made into tees and tops - some other cotton yarn originally bought by my sister, some red and white wool I was knitting a cardigan to my nephew... well... I started it when he was one, and now he's 17... time flies ;-) And then I found some of my plant dyed, homespun wool! YAY!!! I thought I had lost it all to moths!!!

June is gone, and I didn't do much...

July - a new month and new possibilities.

Whiplash has started again, and July is the bag month. So - two weeks to whip up a bag... *hmm*

The color of July is violet/purple... *yuk*

The pincushion challenge has not yet announced the theme for July, and the apron challenge has extended the musical theme over July...

Crafter craft challenge #13 - for the first week of July - is "rocking sock monkey". I don't like sock monkeys... not even sock monkeys that look like professor Snape ;-)