Kategorie: gestrickt

My own labels

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Those little labels that say “haekelmonster.com” are an early Christmas present to myself this year, and I have to admit – they bring me an unexpected, almost guilty kind of joy. Every time I attach one to something I’ve made, there’s this thrill, a tingling, goosebump-inducing moment of satisfaction.

I know, I know – it’s pure vanity, a little indulgent, but it feels so good.

There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing your own mark on a handmade piece, a small, personal signature that says, yes, this came from me. It’s nothing big, but it makes all the time and care I put into creating feel even more special.labels

wrist warmers

Veröffentlicht am von Carina2 Kommentare

This year’s wrist warmers are decked out in classic Christmas colors – rich red, deep green, and soft light grey. With the temperatures as low as they are, it’s definitely cold enough to wear them. I spent the morning carefully packing them all up, and now I’m off to the post office to send them on their way.

There’s so much snow in Berlin at the moment that it actually feels like Christmas! The kind of scene you dream about in holiday stories… if only I had a sleigh to ride through it or a long white beard to complete the festive look 😉

wrist warmers häkelmonster

wrist warmers häkelmonsterAnd the very warm ones:

wrist warmers häkelmonsterBe that as it may, I’ve already started thinking about New Year’s resolutions – do you? One in particular keeps popping into my mind: I really want to learn how to knit Fair Isle properly. There’s something so appealing about the clean, even colorwork it creates. I know it would make wrist warmers (and other projects) so much nicer, without all those pesky loops and tangles on the inside.

I’d love any advice or recommendations – whether it’s a book, a video tutorial, or even a course. Anything that could help me get started and actually understand the technique. Has anyone tried it and fallen in love like I think I will? I’m all ears!

Another Blanket

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Another blanket finished! Fall always makes me crave the warmth and comfort of blankets, and this one was no exception. But this time, it’s for a baby boy, which makes it extra special. I made it out of diagonal knitted squares, pieced together from leftover sock yarn. That not only gives the blanket a soft and cozy feel, but also makes it surprisingly sturdy—perfect for when a toddler hopefully drags it around everywhere someday. Each square adds a little bit of charm and character, and together they create a playful, textured pattern that’s as fun to look at as it is to snuggle under.

Some more Wrist Warmers

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The whole weekend the weather was downright miserable—foggy, cold, and just generally gloomy. Outside it was the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a cup of tea. But inside, life went on as usual. The kid didn’t care one bit, as long as there was enough light to play basketball, and the man spent his time tinkering with computer stuff.

We also had a friend staying with us for a couple of nights—someone I hadn’t seen in years. She brought her knitting along, and the two of us spent hours talking, laughing, and knitting, then talking, laughing, and knitting some more. Conversation and stitches flowed back and forth so easily, it felt like no time had passed at all since we last met.

It turns out that nasty weather isn’t too bad after all 🙂

Memories

Veröffentlicht am von Carina

It was back in the ’70s, and I must have been around eight or nine years old. My dad’s aunt would come to visit, and it was during one of those visits that she taught me how to knit. The plan was simple enough—to make a red scarf. I don’t think it ever really turned into a proper scarf, at least not in any conventional sense. Instead, the stitches on my needles were unpredictable: some rows had just a few stitches, others had a whole jumble, and every now and then a stitch would slip right off the needle. But Tante Maritha was always there—ready to rescue a fallen stitch, patiently guide my hands, and cheer me on whenever I got frustrated.

I still remember that little red knitting (I don’t dare to call it a knitting project) growing slowly, unevenly, and somehow magically longer with every session. It was messy, bizarre, and imperfect—but somehow that’s exactly what made it memorable. Even now, decades later, I can feel the rhythm of those first stitches, and the warmth of her encouragement that made me fall in love with knitting in the first place.