unspun (a day too late...)

I tend to push deadlines. That's why, on this blog, KCCO Tuesdays turned in to KCCO Wednesdays when I gave in to always posting about my current knitting project a day too late. And now that I've changed it, well, I have repeatedly been posting on Thursdays instead. Ay,ay,ay. No harm done really, although I do like to get things done on time. This is an area where I have a chance to improve my ways, one of the few (!).

This week's knitting project is an indulgent little lopi sweater for Ósk. I had a strong craving to work with single-ply unspun Lopi (the best kind of lopi wool!!) and had some white and pink in my stash. I also had the perfect sweater pattern, so, voila! I am already done with the body and have started one sleeve. I am anticipating a very sweet looking little sweater for my sweet looking toddler, perfect for the sometimes not so warm Icelandic summer. It's a nice project for working on in between long shifts, as well.

I am linking up with Frontier Dreams for this week's KCCO. Do check it out!

would you look at that

I really wanted to bring some rare foreign yarn home with me from Helsinki, preferably Finnish. As it turned out, I had no luck finding Finnish yarn. They don't keep a lot of sheep over there and only spin a tiny bit of wool which is hard to find for sale. My friend who used to live in Turku told me about this little yarn shop near the Kaampi shopping mall in the center of Helsinki, Fiinaneule, a lovely little shop indeed and the shop owner was so helpful. She completely understood my yarn hunting mission and had even been in Iceland a few months earlier, going from yarn shop to yarn shop with the same in mind! 

Fiinaneule mostly had Rowan and some other rather common brands (all very nice) which I bought a few skeins of. But the best part was this exquisite Indian silk which they buy directly from a Finnish woman who lives in India and gets is by fair trade directly from local silk farmers. Oh, yes. I have never, ever, worked with such a quality fiber before. Never. Ever. It is simply wonderfully soft and the color is perfect. It's not quite as finely spun as silk so often is, more like DK weight, not quite fingering weight. I bought this one skein to make a toddler silk cap for Ósk now that she's outgrown all her baby silk caps. But I might have to buy some more, this stuff is seriously drug-like. Luckily I have tracked it down on Etsy as "Gorgeous silk yarn by Craftamma" so my addiction can be easily fed. 

I am using a pattern called Junie Cap which I found by using the advanced search in the Ravelry pattern database depending mostly on the fiber weight and quality. I am about halfway done and looking forward to trying the earflaps with the short rows, it might be a disaster since silk can be so unforgiving with such knitting maneuvers. If it turns out really bad I'll just make something up. 

Linking up with Frontier Dreams - are you crafting along as well?

when the going gets slow...

After completing three clues quickly and with a smile, I had a huge setback in this week's clue in the mkal. I made one.single.error. in row 10 and didn't discover it until row 20. And oh, the undoing that awaited me! With my busy time in school it literally took days just to set things right. I stuck it out though in the hope of still having a chance of finishing this clue before next Friday. I have an early morning flight to Helsinki tomorrow so I have some spare time, I'd say. 

It's only me and Oddur going so we'll be having a lot of just-us time. Love it. And even though it will be hard to be separated from these sweet little artists of ours they will be in the very safe hands of my mother who's moving into our apartment for the weekend. And she'll have help from Oddur's parents and our sisters and brothers... so, plenty of family my children can count on! We are so very blessed with all this great people around us.

Leftover yarn alien mittens (First day of summer 2015)

Pattern: Pacman-púkar by G. Dagbjört Guðmundsdóttir

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and Shibui Baby Alpaca

Needles: 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm

Leftover yarn hippie skirt (First day of summer 2015)

Pattern: Dorritarpilsið by Sigríður Margrét Jónsdóttir

Yarn: Tern, Geilsk Uld/Bomuld, Yaku and Gepard Cotton Wool

Hook: 3.5 mm 

MILO

Pattern: Milo by Georgie Hallam

Yarn: Phildar Pur Angora and Shibui Baby Alpaca

Needles: 4.0 mm 

Well. When I have a tough time with my knitting, such as I am having this week due to my stubbornness with the mystery knit-along, it really does brighten my mood to stare long and hard at my already accomplished things, be it actually modeled on my beautiful babies, placed on shelves or in baskets around our home or made eternal by photographs. I did manage to finish the kids' First Day of Summer gifts last week and was rather proud of myself. The skirt is a bit on the larger side for Ósk even though I went down half a hook size but that's fine since I suspect she'll grow into it eventually. The mittens were a hit and as you can see in the photo they have already, in only a couple of days, taken on a worn kind of look. 

To try and further lighten up I also finally got around to photographing the little vest I made for Ósk a few weeks back. It fits so perfectly and is so soft and we just love it. I modified the pattern a bit, inspired by the way Nicole did earlier but instead of the garter stitch going all the way down I switched to stockinette after the yoke was done and then did a little garter trim before casting off. It's a nice little pattern with the cable though and I might just try that when this one starts to look too small. 

I'll be back here on Friday with my second "Moments" photo and then again on Sunday or Monday with photos from the trip (eeek!). Until then - it's Finland, baby!

ps. I'm linking up with Frontier Dreams and can't wait to browse through all the inspiring crafting links being shared!

last day of winter

I am cutting it close with my children's Summer gifts but I am almost done with the mittens and almost done with the skirt. Almost almost. I hope I can finish it tonight since the national holiday of The First Day of Summer is tomorrow. This gift stressing moment ironically enough is a major help with not stressing over my finals and school research deadlines. Such instant gratification crafting can be a real boost of energy when times are stressful. Especially when I feel I don't have time for anything. I find that it is exactly then that it is most important that I make time for some crafting. 

So today is the Last Day of Winter, according to the Icelandic national calender. I am so ready for spring (as readers may have noticed already, ahem) and my future summer salad seems to agree since the lettuce, rocket and spinach have all begun peeking their little green heads out of the soil. Oh, yes, only four days since we put them in there. How I love instant success!

Joining Frontier Dreams for KCCO :)

grand plans

This is the beginning of a mitten. It is posing ever so casually next to our collection of pebble animals, all of whom have been gifted to us in the past few years, indicating that we look like the sort of people who seem to appreciate a nice pebble animal. The mittens are to be a First Day of Summer's gift for Úlfur this year since he needs lighter mittens for spring/cold summer activities. I am relieved that he needs these - spring must be here when the thick lopi gloves are too warm! I am also planning a new bike helmet as a gift (no, not a home made one) so that his old and too small helmet can be Ósk's First Day of Summer's gift. She'll also get a mamma-made piece of clothing; A crochet skirt. Note that this gifting will happen a week from now, that I am in the middle of a big research while taking my finals, and this cuff in the photo is the only part of my grand plan that has actually been realized as of yet. Deluded, I must be!

Linking up with Frontier Dreams, lets all keep calm and craft on, shall we...

easter in the north

Milo vest all completed and fitting perfectly.

With my youngest brother at his confirmation party. We are told we look alike. 

Playing at my old kindergarten playground. 

Clue 1/5 is ready and waiting. 

Testing, testing.... it passed. 

I feel obligated to tell you my children did not finish all this chocolate by themselves. They happen to have very helpful parents who came to their aid and did some serious eating for them. 

We have just returned from our Easter brake in the country. My brother had his confirmation party on Thursday and then there was a big family dinner party on Easter Sunday - over twenty adults and children. Very busy indeed! But fun, lots of fun. In between all the food and parties we enjoyed the company of my family, played instruments, met up with dear friends and strolled around in this breathtaking scenery. Lots of nature, lots of relaxing. Good stuff. 

I do have some knitting projects to share. First, An ongoing project - a jumper for myself from the most amazing knitting books I have seen lately, Kofteboken. Have you checked it out? It is just amazing. I chose one of the simplest designs in the whole book but it still involves a first for me: knitting top down. This is going slowly but surely and I hope to be wearing it before autumn, hopefully late summer. Lets hope I finish it in early summer and then ironically enough never get a chance to wear it due to all the warm weather we'll have, yes? Here's hoping. 

And even though I really shouldn't have, I did decide last minute to participate in Romi Hill's MKAL which started on April 3rd. I don't have time. I still really want to since last year was so fun. So I'm doing it anyway. The first clue was a blast and I finished it in a few hours. Can't wait for the next one!

In other news, I am just very busy with school and the secret knitting project not-to-be-mentioned-just-yet. I still plan on posting here at least two times a week. So A bientot, my friends. 

knitting a milo and considering a new craft

You'll have to excuse my absence the past few days and the horrid quality of today's photo. My camera has been visiting dear friends of ours who recently had a baby. I am a bit jealous of the darned camera for getting to spend so much time with a newborn (although I am so.not.having.more.kids.any.time.soon.or.maybe.ever) but in the meantime I am learning to live without having to photograph anything and everything we do. It seems to be a lesson well needed. I had no idea this machine had such a grip on me! Letting it go is probably the best way to reconsider our relationship a bit, I'd say. I can still use my phone camera for emergencies, such as photographing works-in-progress to share with the world.

This week's project is a little Milo for my Ósk who, well, needs another little vest since the last one I knit was too big. I'm using the softest pink angora, leftovers from the hat I made myself a few weeks ago, and this lovely Shibui baby alpaca in grey-blue. It was a gift from my amazing friend Linda, who brought it to me when Ósk was just born. Only a true knitter friend knows what's even better than receiving the softest baby handknits: Receiving the softest baby yarn to handknit! It did take me a while to find the right pattern but Milo is so it. I am changing it a wee bit, inspired by this incredibly cute one Nicole made, and skipping the cable. Although I'd like to make another one someday and try it with the cable as well. 

I have also just discovered Soulemama's blog and books. Oh, my! The inspiration! The goodness! I might have to start sewing soon, I even got out my (tiny) stash of fabric and contemplated on just how courageous I really am. We'll see if this goes anywhere. My sewing skills are very poor though I've always wanted to be one of those people who can just whip up a sundress or a pillowcase or a last-minute-gift or whatever. My great-grandmother, grandmother and mom are like that... perhaps it's about time I lived up to the legacy!

...

Go check out the KCCO link up at Frontier Dreams - inspiring as always. 

all is well in sock land

A few years ago, probably in my first year or so of knitting, I made an effort to try and learn how to knit socks. This was a very painful process. I ended up frogging a few attempts and only finished a single pair, which took me weeks to get anything close to right and their shape was so ill-fitting they never got much use. That was that and the few (maybe one) attempts I've made since have been just as tragic.

Until now, that is. I finally found a GREAT pattern, Rye from Tin Can Knits, which has clear and simple demonstrations and no room for misunderstanding. So far I have one perfectly fine looking sock finished and am about half way done with the other. The yarn is traditional Lopi sock yarn. I have already decided to make another pair right after I finish this one, as to completely establish my new skill.

Linking up with Frontier Dreams' KCCO as usually.

And I think from now on these work-in-progress posts of mine will officially be posted on Wednesdays, since that seems to work out much better for me :)

sunshine balaclava

I have been working on this little crochet balaclava, using leftover Term yarn from the Lillies Top I made for Ósk. (Although, as it turned out, I had to buy more of it anyway and will have leftovers from this project as well...). This is yet another pattern by my talented friend Hildur Yr, and a very quick and cute one it is. It has that hippie vibe about it, as so many crochet projects do, and will make a fitting present for our friends first baby, who is due in the next few days. It's nice to do some crochet along with all the knitting, it's been a while and I somehow forgot how fun it is.

I'll make it a short post this time, I've had a very long day and have an early meeting tomorrow morning. I am linking up with Frontier dreams as usually and highly recommend checking out at least a few of the KCCO links over there - so many interesting and beautiful things being made all over the world! Inspiring indeed!

third time sure is a charm

My friend Hildur recently published this fun mitten pattern, Hlekkir (available here for free!). It is a classic color work, nice fit, worsted yarn kind of pattern and perfect for all kinds of yarn leftovers and stash for worsted-weight-lovers such as myself. I'm currently working on my third pair this year and I guess it's not even the last.

I am using leftover 3-ply Snælda, brown and white, and this beautifully green-blue lama wool from Strikkebogen, which gives just the fluffyness needed. I plan on finishing these in the next few days since I'm just about ready to give mittens a rest now and move on to a different topic, one marked with defeats and losses: Socks. More on that drama later!

ps. Linking up with Frontier Dreams for this week's KCCO! 

the coldest season

We woke up to a white world this morning. Winter's first snow! Ulfur and I celebrated by lighting a winter candle we have patiently had stored away, singing winter songs and of course going out to play in Winter Wonderland. We made a snowman and took a walk, it was all very cold and white. Afterwards we had hot chocolate and Ulfur felt that his little Elf should wear a wool sock to keep warm. I agreed.

Things are progressing well on my Morganite sweater, I keep to my promise of finishing at least one row per day and thus, slowly, I have reached the final bit: The short rows and the collar. Which means I am so very close to be done. But since I really need to have one project that I can work on anytime, anywhere I cast on a little wool vest for a newborn friend. The yarn is very soft, baby merino wool. Almost fluffy! The best thing about the snow is of course how well it goes with all this knitting... 

ps. Why not Keep calm and Craft on with Frontier Dreams ? ;)

must.finish.Morganite.

As much as I look forward to wearing my Morganite sweater (almost as much as just finishing that thing), my actions seem to speak to the contrary. I just can't seem to bring myself to finish these last few rows. It's a mystery to me, but still, absolutely true. I've been putting it off for months now. I mean, I started this sweater on January 1st! It's been almost a year, for crying out loud! So since Birthday Knitting is over, and since due to all the secret knitting designing I'm doing there'll be almost no knitted Christmas presents this year, I am making myself pick up this knitting project. Seriously, I have no excuses and I don't even have any other knitting projects going on right now. (That's a first in months). Do any of you have such a must-get-around-to-finish-that-darned-thing project going on? Please share with me if you do, misery loves company...

As usually, I'm linking up with Frontier Dreams for KCCO Tuesday. Best wishes!

good old home stretch

Photo du jour is a schoolbook example of how NOT to use the ISO and WB effects on one's camera. Totally intended. Not a mistake at all. Not even the slightest bit because I was in a big hurry. Please excuse the spots of blue light all over, they do no justice to the real thing!

My hurry comes from having a million things to do today (we have invited 20  five-year-olds over for a birthday party tomorrow, more on that decision later..) and still having to finish weaving in the ends, stitching down the collar, grafting the underarms with kitchener stitch, washing and blocking Úlfur's sweater, which kinda has to be dry and ready and gift wrapped tomorrow morning. So today's crafting is all about the home stretch. I can see the finish line. Better get to it. 

With a special focus on the "Keep Calm" part, I'm joining Frontier Dreams in the KCCO linkup ;)

a belated Tuesday, otherwise known as "Wednesday"

Although I usually try to keep up with posting project photos on Tuesdays, as a weekly rhythm and linking up with Frontier Dreams' KCCO, yesterday was a miss. So here it is a day late. Truth to be told I didn't really even have anything to show yesterday morning. My current priority project are the longies I'm designing and they are now too far along to be demonstrated in public. I did buy yarn for Úlfur's Birthday sweater before leaving for Greece and it was my travel project, for knitting in the airplane and on car rides. Only problem was that the store was almost out of this particular kind of yarn so I could only buy one skein! I finished it ten days into the trip and have been crossing my fingers since I got back that the shipment would arrive soon enough for me to finish the sweater before his birthday (which today is only a week away, might I add). But yesterday it finally arrived and Birthday Sweater Knitting is now resumed. Wish me luck time wise, dear readers, I might really need it. 

our birthday Wish

A year ago, on September 2nd, our sweet little Ósk was born. Her name is the Icelandic word for "Wish" and it is truly the most fitting name we could ever have given her.

Look at that sweet newborn face!

We decided it was time for her Christening ceremony and had a birthday/christening party only for our closest family on Sunday. We have rather big families so it was plenty of people. The ceremony was beautiful and we were all beaming with pride when her big brother held the candle as a symbol of the light that will guide her path in the future. Ósk was wearing a new family heirloom, a Christening dress my grandmother knitted. Úlfur also wore it at his Christening four years ago.

Ósk was feeling a bit under the weather as she had a massive cold. She was tremendously patient through all of this. Hugs were needed, though.

Oddur's sister Una decorated the cake - we were all pretty blown away. She's 14 and it looks as if it was done by a professional. Takk, Una <3

Hah! Rascal baby strikes again. 

We had a rainstorm during the party so the lighting was pretty bad. The candles made us feel like autumn really had hit us and it was so incredible cozy.

Her birthday was on Tuesday (yesterday) so we wanted to save some presents and have a little celebration then as well, very modest though. Úlfur felt that his sister needed a birthday crown so we made one for her.

A baby for me! 

Trying on new mittens.

I knew Úlfur would want to make a gift for his sister as well so a couple of weeks before her birthday I told him a story about Big brother who finger knitted his Baby sister a headband for her first birthday. Days later, when I asked him what he wanted to get her he said he wanted to finger knit a headband, go figure ;) He had visioned a striped one, and I have no idea how to finger knit with two colors (is that even possible?), so I came up with just making two pieces in different colors and then weaving them together afterwards. Came out pretty well and Úlfur was so proud and happy with it.

Ósk's First Birthday Sweater

Pattern: Kría by Védís Jónsdóttir, modified to be a closed jumper

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden and Snælda, 3 ply wool

Needles: 4.0 mm and 5.0 mm

I love our new tradition of home made gifts, it is so much more fun and meaningful to us! We will definitely keep it up, at least partly. I'm already planning Úlfur's birthday presents, his birthday is only a few weeks from now. Better get to it...

My current WIP actually is a present for Úlfur, although I don't really plan for it to be a birthday gift. I want him to start using it immediately since fall weather has arrived and the hat I knit for him last spring got lost *grunt*. I'm following the pattern Barley and using a yarn favorite, Strikkebogen Lama wool. Perfect for knitting during lectures - more on that later. This is long enough for one post. Then I'm off to Greece on Friday and I don't know if I'll be able to post from there. We'll see :)