The weekend in short

Tuesday already! Thought I´d begin by showing you some pictures from this weekend.

Saturday. I went to Slöjdhuset (The Sloyd/Crafthouse) and attended a papercuttingclass, held by artist Agneta Flock. The papercut on the top was made by a very talented woman attending the class.. The next three pictures shows the papercuts made by me, Satoko and another friend and shows some of the exercises we went through: a tree, different kinds of trees, hearts with things growing out of them and so on.

I really enjoy papercutting and it is something I have devoted some time over the past eight years. I think I will spend even more time cutting now, as I have noticed Valdar really enjoy playing around cutting shapes in left over pieces of paper and cardboard.

Nikki McClure
Tord Boontje
Scherenschnitte
Peter Callesen
Robert Ryan





Sunday we went to Överjärva gård to visit this years eastermarket. Of course I visited Karin Erikssons newly opened shop manos, where we are not only able to purchase Karins wonderful ceramics, but also other carefully selected items from artists and crafters like Port 2 Port Press, Camilla Engman and Processor among others. It is a great shop, a welcoming atmosphere and I will return - at the launch of this if not sooner.

Afterwards we visited the market, bought some freshly baked walnut/olivebread, caramel almonds (or is it candied), had some tea in the and visited the baby lambs. Valdar, of course, vistied his favourite tractor. This time, hiding (resting?) beneath a blanket. We also past by Eva and Nicke - admired their items: handwoven doubleweaved rug rags, steelwire baskets and handcarved birds.

More pictures form this weekends various adventures at flickr.

Yesterday we entered a three day intensive woodturningclass. I thoroughly enjoy it, although I have to admit I am not completly relaxed around machines that size. And I do enjoy fairly quite forms of crafting. Our teacher, Åke Landström is vastly competent- both at his craft and as a teacher. Should you ever get the chance to take one of his classes, you really should. Tomorrow I hope to make a nystpinne. And maybe a small spin (snurra helt enkelt). Keep your fingers crossed for me, hopefully I will be able to show you some kind of result.

On the needles:
Finally I have decided what to make from the lovely Noro Silk Garden I bought about two years ago. It will be a Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole - pattern by Kathleen Power Johnson from Scarf Style. This far, I enjoy it. I think that this will be my easterknitting. I am in a very impatient mood that goes well with the possibility of making one square, seeing the result and then decided whether I want to make one more.

Now, time for tea and som blogreading.

Collages of shapes

Collages of shapes
Originally uploaded by Wynja

Midnight collages. I am beginning to realize I really like to play with images, words, scissors and glue off the computor aswell as on the computor..

Sunday

After a short visit at Nysta yesterday me and Satoko ran some arrends, had some lunch and went for a walk through Södermalm. As we passed these two houses I fell for the wonderful combination of colours.

The late daylight has a very special impact on these limewashed jugend houses, I noticed the same effect in Helsinki. It might the "Baltic Sea-effect"..

If anyone, and I say anyone, has a flat to spare around in one of these houses we are more than happy to take care of it for several years. Promise. I am quite good with tile stoves.

After a quick stop a Nysta - in which I managed both having a chat with Karin AND avoiding to buy any more yarn we went to the japanse shops to make some grocery shopping and then we ended up at morkarin.

Here is a picture of the article in Elle Interiör I mentioned the other day.

And this is some great news! They sell prints by Camilla Engman! I mentioned her prints to them a month or so ago, and now they are available in the shop. Great gifts, if you have got them for yourself...

One of the things I am looking forward to this spring is defintly the exhibition of the exciting collaboration between Camilla Engman and Karin Eriksson in late may at Överjärva Gård. Although I will go to Överjärva next sunday. Time for Eastemarket! I am excited about the newliy opened craft/design shop manos and to see talented craft by my dear friends over at Hand & Tanke (Hand and Thought).

And here´s a finishing pictures from morkarin.
I bought some stamps by The Small Object.
They make me immensly happy. Valdar loves them too.

This afternoon I went to Ikea, hoping to buy some fabric to make cushions for our lillberg rockning chair - no luck. I ended up buying plants, candles, a chunk of parmesan and a picturefram to frame a lovely print by Stina Wirsén. This is another of her prints I got hold of some weeks ago. You have not missed the Stina Wirsén stampcollection? I think I will frame mine.

Todays inspiration comes from making beadnecklaces with Valdar, reading Fine Little Day and planning a tweedie-project. Soon to be revealed.

Have a nice week!

Colours

A picture from this Saturday, I really liked the combinations of colours. Light blues and red are colours I often return to; in planning of projects, in sketches, in things I immediately react positive to.


OH God I am bored. You know that space of time between when you are sick and well? I am there. Not yet fit to go about my normal every-day-life, but still - so bored. Lucky for me, Elle Intertiör arrived today. This is a new subscription to me, and I am still surprised everytime the magazine appears. In this issues "Right now" (just nu) -spot the magazine covers a favourite shop of mine of which I written before - morkarin. This is a shop at Tegnérgatan in the central parts of Stockholm, selling indie items and more. The article also mentions The Small Object, one of my personal favourites.

Time for pasta, and then some more knitting.

Links:
Sofia Karlsson - great musician! Went to her concert this Tuesday at Rival in Stockholm - despite my sinusitis. I suppose she might not remember, but we used to sing together at Skeppis "Visstuga" - sort of a folk song-lounge almost every sunday about twelve years ago. If you´re not yet familiar with her music and enjoys Dan Andersson, swedish visa/folk tradtion, do visit her website.

My Folk lover Etsy store Great artwork!

Resting

My spot
Originally uploaded by Wynja

Thought I´d show you where I often sit when I update the blog, and where I spent the last four days - recovering, resting, knitting, and listening to music or radio.

The pillowcase comes from Afroart. It was woven in Nigeria. I simply love large striped pillows. The striped thingie on the table is the -soon-to-be-sock I wrote about yesterday,

It is time for bed. We´ll see about tomorrow. I am bored. I want to go to school.

I have an idea, or actually more of a wish. Since I am a very curious person, I really would like see where you sit when you search the internet, update your blog och simply where you sit down and rest, knit or write. Show me that or those corners of your home. If you want to that is. You could also invite me for tea - as soon as I am well.

<3

Sinusitis

So. I´ve been down for a couple of days. Today I finally went to the district health care centre and got some antibiotics. I am still here, a bit fuzzy though. I spent my day listening to P1, a radio channel at the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation and knitting. The project of the day was a pair of socks for me. Knitted out of Regia sockyarn, the Kaffe Fassett "landscape fire" colourway. Love the striping!

Valdar

Valdar
Originally uploaded by Wynja

Well. I admit. I could not resist. This is Valdar trying to convince me he is not up to something.. Well. Go figure.

BOOKS!

BOOKS!
Originally uploaded by Wynja

These arrived today! Two GREAT books on crochet by Maria Gullberg and one by Elizabeth Zimmerman. So, I guess I don't have any excuse for not knitting the Tomten-jacket for Valdar.

As the two previous days, I really enjoy my week at Afroart. I am the MASTER of folding gorgeous quilts from Bangladesh. I want one. I want one in each colour. That makes ... eight.

There was another parcel arriving in the mail today. the Hairy Lady towel by Camilla Engman, Lovely. I will frame it.

TACK Camilla. (Om du av någon anledning skulle se detta :-) )

I also received the wonderful news that me and B are going to a concert next week. It is the wonderful Sofia Karlsson at Rival.

Looking forward to this weekends knitting-related-events: The textilefair - Syfestivalen - and the "Knit Out" at the Museum of Stockholm. And all in one day! This will require a great deal of logistics. The knitting-bag has to include at least one bottle of water, two wips, lunch, camera, sketchbook and well, money - should I find something...

Tjilevippen, as Nils Karlsson Pyssling aka Simon Small says.

Baskets from Ghana

Baskets from Ghana
Originally uploaded by Wynja

Day two of my trainee-week. Today I was at the Nybrogatan-shop in another part of town. A considerably large portion of my day was spent getting to know these GORGEOUS baskets from Ghana. I wish I coould do this every day, my feet are not convinced. They want me to buy better shoes first...

Måndag

Concering last nights tv-show. Of course there is always (at least) two sides to a story. I am looking forward to next weeks programme where they will continue the discussion.

Today I have spent my first day at Afroart. Love it. My feet hurts (like hell), but I LOVE it. Will spend the rest of my mondayevening in bed, knitting.

Have a nice week!

Concering mulesing

Earlier this evening Kalla Fakta - "Cold Facts" a weekly inquiring journalism tvshow - featured a piece on Mulesing. If you have not heard of this horrible, sickening pratice concerning the merinosheep in Australia; maybe you shuld have a look. You are able to watch the programme at Kalla Faktas website or/and a spot on the news.

Still tired

It is no more exciting than a cold. I inherited one. So, I mostly spent this weekend in my bed - reading, sleeping, knitting and reading to Valdar. Tomorrow I will start as a trainee at one of my favourite shops in Stockholm: Afro Art. I will also appear as a guest-blogger at Kravallslöjd next week, starting tomorrow. Kravallslöjd translates into something like "Riotsloyd" or "Riothandi-craft". It will be in Swedish, but I might translate bits and pieces into english and put it up here. It will be a inspiring and interesting week! My cold sadly compelled me to miss both a long wished-for birthday and a gettogether with the Spinning Guild in Uppsala.

And some pictures.

I am SO happy about this yarn! Bought it from the owner of Herrviks Gård at the Woolday last weekend. The yarn is spun i Estonia from the pälsfår and finullsfår they own, but the farm is situated about 100km from where we live.
Hopefully the dark brown one will turn into a faroe-shawl in a while. I have been searching for the Perfect Yarn. This just might be it.

This is a close up of one of my WIPs. A shawl knitted from single ply yarn from Grimslättgård - frequently blogged here! Hopefully I will be able to present some kind of pattern in a while. I am trying to unravel the copyrights concering this technique.



My still feverish, but always happy, Valdar.

Time to have some tea again. Bought some LOVELY jewelery this Friday. I have to show you all soon. I am looking for the perfect sockpattern - any suggestions? Two balls of Kaffe Fassett Regia and one ball of Opal - one pattern each please, socks for me :-). Maybe I finally got the sockbug? Finished a pair of socks for Valdar today and I think I actually like it (she said, quite surprised)!

Do check out Rob Ryan and his WONDERFUL prints, found him through Camilla Engman. And, if you need any inspiration regarding pathwork - Rosa Pomar is always a goog place to start.

Tired tuesday!

Well, I guess that that says it all. I am quite happy but tired. Very tired. Yesterday I posted the final version of my paper. This means I am partly finished with my degree, in a couple of weeks I will start the concluding part of my degree project. I will tell you more about it in a while. I can tell you as much as it will be knitting related. And, I am very excited!

I got home just about an hour ago after a committee meeting with the Stockholm Handweavers. We are planning the annual meeting, with elections of new committee members and also practical stuff as how much the tickets to VÄV 08 in Leksand will cost. VÄV 08 is a large weavingfair held by the Swedish Weave council. We will also have an exhibition at Skansen in June showing the results of a six months long project. More information to come!

Now, time to sleep. Tomorrow we will hit the new Sápmi exhibition at Nordiska Museet. Lucky us!

Todays inspiration!

Todays inspiration!
Originally uploaded by Wynja

It is friday, and I am tired. Oh so tired. Here's todays inspiration from Flickr.

I am going to have a cup of tea, a blanket and then probably fall asleep on the sofa. Today "Last-minute fabric gifts" arrived. So far, I like it. I am not jumping up and down, as with the other two. Not yet anyway.

Tomorrow we've arranged a wool-day for the Stockholm Handweavers - (Stockholms handvävare) I suppose you could call it a guild, or an association of guilds. Since one year I am part of the committee, and this is the first of two days with a wool-theme we have planned this far. Hopefully I will be able to show you some photos tomorrow. Before I get to fall asleep on the sofa, I should probably pack all my books on wool and fibers for tomorrow.

Have a nice friday!

On the wishlist:
A subscription to one of the best magazines EVER: Selvegde.

Take a look at anaventura.com ! This is one VERY talented woman,

So! Today we made cards for St. Valentines day at Slöjdhuset! Fourteen children. They made cards and pencils. Cards from paper, wool, broadcloth and more paper and pencils from fresh twigs - given we have No Snow At All in Stockholm -perhaps due to global warming.

I really look forward to every wednesday at Slöjdhuset. Love the way the children immidiately gets to work, how they encourage eachother and the discussions. Today we talked about God, the swedish Royal family, the spanishlessons at school, footballpractise and whether you should write your name at the Valentine-card or keep it a secret.

These are some of the cards I made. I thought about showing you the sketches I wrote about, but I am just to tired to fix that today.

Comicstrip by one of my favourite illustrators Nina Hemmingsson.

Woolly heart. A classical Lord Byron poem: "She walks in beauty like the night..." Made another one with a poem by Karin Boye, a personal favourite.

A piece of Morris-pattern and one of my terriers cut in the front.
____

I really enjoyed making cards! I liked used the sewingmachine and paper. As always it is my happiest moment when I get to work in mixed medias.. paper and textile, wool and paper, paper and thread.

More books on my wishlist!
Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter. Found her webpage with ALOT of desireable things via Shash at Mecozy. Lotta Jansdotter is soon to release a book on printing fabric. I am excited!

I actually knitted a couple of rows today at my third Lace leaf scarf. I will TRY to finish this before I start my next laceproject - the one i pirrka-lanka I blogged about the other day. Guess I've got the startitusbug aswell...

Now, I will have a cup of tea and some of Björns freshly baked bread.

In my lunchbox tomorrow:
Baked salmon and wholegrain basmatirice, broccoli and onion fried with some soy and honey.

Follow this link to see the original photos and the artists behind them!

Todays inspiration. I am really looking forward to the papercut workshop. I am also getting more and more convinced I not only need to spend some time exploring the art of patchwork, I also really need to make some stamps.. But how?

I am indulging in some new books:

"Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted gifts"
by Joelle Hoverson

I really really like this book. It is a beautiful book, lots and lots of inspiring projects, tips and also photos by the super-talented Anna Wiliams. There is several patterns that makes me want to get to sewing right away and I know I will try some of them.

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of another book from the same series: "Last-Minute Fabric Gifts".

"Om Konsten att Trycka tyg"
by Anna Häggblom

This is a swedish book, written in swedish about the art of textile printing.
Yet another modern, graphically winning book which manages to balance the content between inspiring views over classical prints, techniques and artists, such as Viola Gråsten, Marimekko, William Morris, Josef Frank and Astrid Sampe.
I have heard from others, much more experienced people that the author might make the reader think that the process of screen-printing is much easier than it really is. On the other hand, that might de-dramatize it all - and maybe beginners like myself will be less intimidated. But then again: these eager beginners may fail hopelessly, but isn't that always the challenge and the risk of trying and conquer new skills and techniques?
...

Anyhow, I am planning a tag - or rather a series of them depicting a fox, a terrier and an oakleaf. I really would like to print something on these tags - which will be made from broadcloth. I will put these on the tweedies - should anyone want one. And on the scarfs.

I will try to get some pictures up here - showing you some of my sketches. I could use your opinions.

This was a book I stumbled over this evening, over at author Amy Karols blog angry chicken.. Maybe next month...!

Todays inspiring mosaic

Originally uploaded by Wynja

<3

I am finally sitting in our new rocking-chair! The acutal rocking part of it all wasn´t really that exciting, but I am really enjoying to have a chair. Now I only have to sew a new cover for the cushions. Valdar is sleeping, B made some tea and I am going to knit a couple of rows on the laceshawl I am making from the finnish yarn. For now I am following the swallowtail-shawl pattern. Love the yarn and the pattern.

Found this wallpaper earlier, over at http://www.grahambrown.com.



Looking forward to...
The release of Amanda Soules "the Creative Family" over at Adlibris. I am standing in the virtual line as-we-speak.

Todays newly discovered blog! http://domesticali.typepad.com Visit her right away.

Bye!

Blue sunday. Not as far as the mood concerns though! I am soon off to the subway and Heléne. But first, we will make a stop by IKEA and buy the remaining parts - nuts and bolts - for our Lillberg rocking-chair.

In the knittingbag:
"Hourglass sweater" - working my third skein now. I am changing the pattern somewhat - I do not want a sweater that feels uncomfortable because it is to short.

Sockor - Socks for Valdar in Garnstudios selfstriping sockyarn "Fabel"

One skein of WONDERFUL pirkka-lanka - just to fondle it. Pondering the fact it might be a fusion between Ene's scarf from Scarf style and a Swallowtail shawl.

On my whislist:
Tickets for the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss concert in May.

Have a nice lazy sunday.

Egil and the Giraffe

Egil and the Giraffe
Originally uploaded by Wynja

Today we had the great pleasure to meet Egil. He was born on Helloween and since I haven't been well this past months we haven't met until now. He seemed to enjoy his new giraffe aswell! Found the giraffe some time beföre christmas. He has a quite suck-able snout.

Afterwards I went to Katarina to celebrate her birthday. Valentine moved to her place today! He is among friends! Roslagsmuseet has to wait...

I knitted up my second skein of Nature Wool in my Hourglass Sweater. I must say I really enjoy using the Addi lace needles.

Katarina showed me a book by Benjamin Lacombe, and I have to say I am really, really impressed! I hope to find a print or something of his work. Kind of Burton-esque - and that is a good thing.

Just have a look at this!

Tomorrow I will spend some time knitting with Heléne and some painting birds with Valdar. Totaly inspired by the Creative Mom Podcast - Thank you Amy!

Pappersklipp
Originally uploaded by Wynja

OH! I forgot earlier! Yesterday I finally remembered to make sure that I will attend a workshop with artist Agneta Flock at Slöjdhuset on the 15th of March. The focus will be her paper-cuts and we will use all kinds of paper. I am excited! Have always been drawn to the traditional papercuts, and I have seen her work everywhere since I got aware of them so to speak. I am REALLY looking forward to this!

If someone who reads this is interested, there were still 3 spots open when I spoke to the workshopbooking at länshemslöjdskonsulenterna yesterday. You really should call!

Mosaik
Originally uploaded by Wynja

Todays creative mosaic, made from some of my favourite photos from flickr. They are all so talented and inspirational!

A small update!

Yesterday...
I went to school as usual, attending a great lecture on the history of Basketry by Jonas Hasselrot. A follow-up to the basketryworkshop he held last term. Inspiring as usual!

Today...
Enoying the silence and calm at home. Drinking large amounts of tea, knitting at my Hourglass sweater, listening to older the Creative Mom Podcast. In a while I am off to the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Meanwhile; I am browsing Ravelry, flickr and various blogs for inspiration. Also, need to get a new sketchbook. Noticed that Me & I got up their springcollection.

This Weekend ...
Time to celebrate Katarina tomorrow! Maybe I'll go to Roslagsmuseet in Norrtälje first, attending the opening of the Roslagstextilier exhibition.

Found my way to Natascha Rosenberg today! Do visit her!

This one just wanted to say goodnight. I am thinking about calling them Tweedies. Haven't decided yet though.

Well. Good night then.

WOHO! I just got a large order! 8 scarfes! Time to get warped...

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Becky from Vävstuga.com. She showed me her ingenius tie-up system. I am lost for words, again. Weaving will be much less complicated! I just want to go and buy more shafts to really try out the system...

There will be a new Glimåkra model out soon - it's a small two shafted loom and it's a pretty red thing - called Julia. According to Becky four or six shafts was not a problem. Exciting! I hope I will be able to try one in the near future.

Here is a link to a movie, introducing Julia. See also some of the other highly instructive movies.
Thank you all at vavstuga.com for sharing!

Tomorrow I am off to Uppsala!

Lazy lazy sunday.

We had a blizzard here last night. There were actual snow, as we normally have this time of the year in the northern parts of Europe. But it all went away this afternoon.


At least we had some cardemombuns me and Valdar made last night. The first thing he said when he woke up this morning was "Bulle mej nu" - "Bun me now". What can one say...

He was quite helpful making the buns, although he would much rather eat the pink and purple hearts than put them on the bun...

Today I had some writing to do. Me and Valdar had a look at a "Pettsson & Findus" computergame and tried to throw enough potatoes in a bucket. He was quite amazed.


We had an early lunch consisting of panncakes, äppelmos (mushyapples with cinnamon really) and the cherryjam I made this summer. It still tastes of summer.

I also had time to have a good look around at Etsy and some blogs - old and new. Some -to me-new discoveries of the day were: Little Red Stuga, Rosa Pomar, Lolly Knitting Around and - if you have not been there - Fine little day.


Later I prepared myself for this wednesdays Craftworkshop at Slöjdhuset. We are going to make small companions - the theme is "monster och mucklor".

There is no way to translate mucklor, they are creatures invented by the author and illustrator Sven Nordqvist.

Anyhow, my contribution is these two fellows.

Time to go to bed. I have an exciting week ahead..

Almost forgot!

This is a MUST HAVE. I am waiting to get mine, they will be delivered in may.




It´s a pair of converse, designed by the utterly talented Camilla Engman. I am actually lost for words.

EDIT: Here is a link to these shoes at converse.

I love it how parts of my hometown suddenly becomes more interesting, how they evolve and change. I have a couple of things to say about the area Sveavägen and Tegnérgatan in Vasastan, Stockholm. Earlier I primerally went there to visit one of my local yarnshops - Nysta.

Since Satoko opened my eyes for Japanska torget and the japanese bookstore I go there at least once a month to shop for tofu in various shapes, lovely salty sweet rice crackers, tea, sauces, soya, nori and now - FUDGE!

And you will to as they come in these lovely cuby thingies...

As I went there a couple of weeks ago I noticed a newly opened shop called "Mor Karin" (Mother Karin). And, as I walked inside I utterly and completely fell in love with almost everything in the shop! Have a look for yourself! Among other things, they sell stuff from "The small object" - which I love!

This is what followed me home after that first visit. A needlecase and a rubbestamp from "The small object" and a übercute japanse glassjar. I am thinking about keeping my favourite buttons in the jar. The jar, among other things in the shop, come from Shinzi Katoh. Lots of lovely things!

Here is a link to the glassware series.
I want it all!

I promised some pictures from Sätergläntan, the Artmuseum of Leksand and Helsinki. I also wanted to show you the start of my Hourglass sweater:

The colour is acutally slightly more greyish green and lighter than the picture show. Inside at night it looks more lite this though. Olive.

I really enjoy using the addi lace needles. Smooth and fast knit!


And here is the result, or part of the result, of a days shopping in Helsinki. I am really impressed with the finnish yarns. The colours aswell as the quality.

I am thinking about knitting a shawl from the skein on top - a charcoal/purple/brown 8/2 two ply yarn. Maybe "Enes scarf" from Pam Allens "Scarf style" or a modifyed swallowtail? The thicker yarn - or at least the light blue and the brown will be a sweater for Valdar. I am thinking ribbed and striped, with a fifties touche. It might change.



This is part of a quilt from the exhibition "Memory" at the Art museum of Leksand which I fell in love with.

I love the way it reminds me of papercuts and snowflakes! Love the small blue squares and the orange stripe further down. If this exhibition comes anywhere near you, you have to see it.

Basta.

Well. That was that. I re-booted the new computer today and I think that we will get along just fine. For the first time in a month or so I was able to download some of the podcasts I listen to. We had a visit from Malin and Valdar and I baked cardemombuns. Tomorrow I have to spend some time weaving. Maybe start listening to an audiobook? I also hope for better weather! I really need to go for a walk...!

Have a nice sunday.
(if you want to see more pictures, have a look at flickr...)

New Years-eve. Anna, Valdar, Björn and Liam.

Good news! Finally I seem to have solved my computerproblems – I have inherited a portable pc, less than one year old. Happy happy, joy joy. It has been to long. New year and everything! We've moved to a new -larger– flat in the outskirts of town on the first of December last year and have almost settled in. And I acutally and finally got room for a small working space and my LOOM!




Quite crappy photo taken when we got up some of the shelfs.

On the needles: Hourglass sweater by Joelle Hoverson from the book ”Last-minute knitted gifts”
Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool (700g)
Yarnsource: Nysta
Dyelot: VA09
Needles: 4mm

In the loom: Scarfs! 4 shafts herringbone twill
Yarn: Yllets 2 tr lightgrey for warp and a charcoal/purple for weft

Last week I went to Helsinki with my dear friend Anna. We spent two nights at sea and one day in Helsinki. Since I have never been there, properly, I was happy to receive a small manual to Helsinki from Tove. Our first stop was at the Taito Shop – and I had my first encounter with loverly finnish yarn Pirkka-lanka. Love at first sight. At least for me. Then we went to the Iittala shop and one of the Marimekkoshops, had a ”fika” (coffee and pasteries) at Café Strindberg, Artek and lovely bookshop ”Hobboks” at Högbergsgatan – where I found another book by Joelle Hoverson. We went for a walk to antoher yarnshop, serveral small shops with great finnish design and then off course Stockmanns, where I found Spin-off magazine, which isn't avaliable in shops i Sweden. On our way back to the boat we went by the Taito shop again and I bought some yarn.. Me and Björn have decided to go back together later this spring. Maybe we stay a night in Helsinki as well, I really enjoyed my visit but it was to short! If you know something we shouldn't miss – please leave a comment. We will try to visit the Arabia/Iittala outlet and some museums.

The week before our trip to Finland me and my class went to Sätergläntan to have a three day knittingclass with wonderful Karin Kahlund. And I finally got the hang of tvåändsstickning – two-end knitting. As a friend of mine said before I went: ”When I grow up I want to become Karin”. We also hade time for a short visit to Leksand – both the Hemslöjdenshop and the museum where there was a wonderful exhibition showing a collection of traditional textiles from Pakistan. I'll try to get up some photos later!

O dear! I have been a bad bad blogger, or - at least a quite ill and busy one. I finally got a gallbladder-surgery scheduled to the 22nd! Yey! And I have been spending quite a lot of time trying out different stitches on different materials - in short - embroideryweek at school. Surprise! I really loved that, aswell.. I´ve finally got some knitting done aswelll. The Startitusbug bit me and I started another lace leaf scarf, this time in the fabolous, super soft Malabrigo Lace.




I have also visited Östersund at a material fair - "Härdat spunnet" - "Tempered Spun" - where I represented my school. Great fair, great shopping. I arrived to Stockholm with a pair of woolcombs, two skeins of lovely 2 ply pälsull (wool from Gotlandic freerange (?) sheep) from Åre - spun and dyed at Wåhlstedts in Dala Floda. I also purshased a large cone of lin-tow to be the warp of rough twill towels.

Anyhow! Tomorrow I leave for the "Visa mig" conference at Nääs on the west coast if Sweden. It is held by and for the crafts consultants of Sweden and our class is invited. I am really looking forward to it, but why is my bag not yet packed - why am I not sleeping? After the conference I will go to Bohuslän and Grimslätt. It is time gentlemen!! It is time to... sheer the sheep. I will give you a report.

See you soon. And now, I am also avaliable at ravelry.com - please stop by.

/E

Since my gall bladder is giving me a really hard time I won´t be able to update as much as I would like to today either..

But I must say I really enjoyed this Basketrycourse, held by Jonas Hasselrot. We made frame (rib) baskets from spruce roots. And frankly, I would love to to it again, and I think I will. I enjoyed the whole process from fetching the roots, sorting and cleaning them to the actuall basktry. But I guess that anyone interested weaving has a chance of getting the basketrybug.

Hope to write more later.

Crafty weekend, everyone!

I am still here, and I have lots of pictures to show you - but that´ll have to wait since I am have a fever and need to be awake and well at half past six tomorrow.

School started today. We start of with one week of basketry - happy happy.

On the positive side.. I´ve started a pair of socks for Valdar in Fabel. Liked the colours, we´ll see about the pattern though. I really would like some tips on good childrenspatterns. Any ideas?

So, I finally got to move my links from the old blog to this one, which I hope I am going to stick to. It´s nearly time to go pick up Valdar from daycare. Just wanted to write a line or two, wish for some crafty inspiration - which seems to have left me these past couple of days - and show you a freshly made Mosaic using this site. The picutures are not taken by me, but by talented people over at flickr. I just collected them!

1. raitasukat5, 2. asymmetrical cardigan - front, 3. 1, 4. claudine_ong_photo2.jpg, 5. IMG_3467.jpg, 6. whee small.jpg, 7. replica sweater, 8. replicadoublemint, 9. Fiber Club, 10. Hand-Dyed Sock Yarn, 11. satoko and anna's daughter, 12. Neopolitan Squirrel Mittens, 13. The Thrum Side14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

Have a nice day. Tonight it is S n B over at Marias Garn. Come and join us!

O dear.

Time flies. We left Bohuslän almost two weeks ago and since then I have been quite sick. After having three attacks it turned out they were attacks of biliary colic and after two hosplital visits I am awaiting surgery to remove a gallstone measuring 3 cm. Well. Should I say I have been laying down for most of the time? The first week we went for all kinds of adventures. I knitted away at my wristwarmers from Bohuslän:

On our way home from Bohuslän we always make a stop at the Bohus Museum in Uddevalla where some of the classic Bohus-Knittes sweaters are displayed. To my undivided happiness they had some kits for sale in the shop, an since I couldn´t afford a kit for a sweater or cardigan, I settled for a pair of wristwarmers.

The patterns is a favourite - Gröna ängen. One of them, I should say. Follow this link to see a part of the yoke of a Gröna ängen-cardy.
Design by Anna-Lisa Mannheimer Lunn

As for now, I only yesterday received "Knitting Ganseys"by Beth Brown Reinsel , which might just be the trick to make me finish (reknit) the Guernsey for Björn I started last summer (I have to change yarn... *grr* the pattern does not show. At all. So I knitted the body and then the yoke twice. And then two times more. Finally i have decided: It Does Not Work..WHY am I this stubborn?).

I am knitting the "Flower Basket" shawl - using Pälsull from Östergötlands ullspinneri. Lovely yarn. This is a pattern I have knitted several times, but in different yarns and this one, I am going to keep. I won´t give it away, mostly because I really like the pattern but am so tired of knitting it. But we will see. Maybe someone claims it in the end?

Looking forward to either continue working some of my wip´s or to .. maybe start a quick fishermanssweater for Valdar. Maybe a Guernsey? I would really love to spin aswell, but for now I do not have the energy.

Time to have a lie down and knit a couple of rows and make plans for the house-to-be.

Take care.

We left Stockholm about a week ago for Bohuslän. A couple of close friends got married and held a wonderful ceremony and dinner by their house. Since we brought Valdar (at first we were not going to) we did not have to hurry home - so here we are.

We are staying at another couple of dear friends and their two children, which is great for Valdar. They own a farm - mostly sheep (Gotländska utegångsfår), poltery, cows and horses. Needless to say that we enjoy our stay deeply. The farm is called Grimslätt <-- visit their site! Today Sara and Markus received three large packages of..... YARN and WOOL! They send their wool to be spun at Solkustens Ullspinneri. Mostly it is 100% lambswool, 1 ply and 2 ply. This far I´ve tried to knit a 40 x 180 cm shawl using the knittax - a knitting machine (vad fasen heter det på engelska? Stickmaskin liksom) and I love the yarn! Soft, oh so soft.

Knitting a shawl. A shawl in one afternoon :-) Sweet.

Trying out some lacepatterns using the 1 ply aswell. Very exciting!

The spring semester is long gone and since three weeks I am attending a four week weavingclass at my school - HV Skola in Stockholm. Thus far I am very pleased, and I´ve learned heeps.. The problem is that I have not got a proper swedish/english craftlvocabulary. This makes it somewhat frustrating trying to describe my endevours... Anyhow:

We all started out planning a striped weave - towels, fabric for a bag or a tablecloth. Since I´ve always had somewhat of a problem with making things not-symetrical, I decided to practise this and made it an asymmetrical striped cottonwarp (8/2) with linenweft (16/2).

Trying out - plain weave and twills.
Greys and greens and the occasional fuschia.

The knitting-bag-to-be

So, I decided on the cross-twill (korskypert på svenska, vad katten heter det på engelska?) and after weaving the one meter piece for the bag I also wove a 12 cm piece and made a small bag for my weaving notions as soon as I got home the day I was finished. I washed it and used our lovely mangle. Linen loves mangles... And then I took my poor sewingmachine out of the cupboard, lined with a vintage marimekkofabric - Voila! (Yes I will add a photograph. I would right away If I had´nt forgotten it at school. Pure Happiness. Pure satisfaction. Warping, weaving, sewing, using.

And then, time for the second weave. Earlier the second week our wonderful teacher showed us twenty or so swatches to gives us some ideas. There was loozengetwills, houndstooth and other coloureffectweaves (det heter färgeffekt på svenska, vadfasen heter det på engelska) and techniques. I instantly fell in love with this strangely checked but not checked fabric. So, come weekend and I took this piece of fabric and started to count threads and analyse it. I ANALYSED IT! I did. (gasp) It´s like making gold. I Understood The Fabric.

Couting threads

So. I wove it. But I wanted to have a warming shawl in colour, so of I went to Marias garn and bought some Shetland wool in purple and orange. The magic of this fabric is that the squares only appear as long as every other thread in warp aswell as weft is orange and every other is purple (light/dark). If I was to use a solid colour, the pattern has a kind om a diamond look.

I know it is a large picture, but it isn´t a good one - so if you should se anything.

So, before I leave for the sofa and some knitting time;
a picture of Valdar reading and eating cupcakes. Take care, knit and for God´s sake make some cupcakes!