haekelmonster

The Green Dragonfly

Veröffentlicht am 13. Dezember 20121. April 2026 von Carina2 Kommentare

Yesterday’s post by The Green Dragonfly with all its flowers really got my imagination going. The photos she shared were absolutely stunning – every detail so vibrant and alive! I especially loved the one with the tiny dragonflies seemingly admiring the butterfly. It was such a perfect, little moment captured on camera that I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The Green Dragonfly and her family live all the way in Australia – down under, it’s full-on summer right now! While we’re bundling up against chilly weather, she’s enjoying warm sunshine, blooming gardens, and long, bright days. It’s fun to imagine her little dragonflies and butterflies thriving in that heat, a whole other season happening on the opposite side of the world.

This morning, inspired by her post, I went outside to take a picture of the „flowers blooming“ in front of our own house. Of course, they don’t quite compare to her magical garden – the little patch is more ordinary, less artfully arranged—but still, it felt good to pause, notice the colors and shapes, and try to capture a bit of that same joy.

If you like to compare – here is what it looked like in summer (we only moved in June, no „real“ garden planted yet):

My own labels

Veröffentlicht am 12. Dezember 20121. April 2026 von Carina

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.

wrist warmers

Veröffentlicht am 12. Dezember 20121. April 2026 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 😉

And the very warm ones:

Be 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!

Oscar Niemeyer

Veröffentlicht am 6. Dezember 20121. April 2026 von Carina

With the passing of Oscar Niemeyer, I keep coming back to this quote:

“Life is very fleeting. It’s important to be gentle and optimistic. We look behind and think what we’ve done in this life has been good. It was simple; it was modest. Everyone creates their own story and moves on. That’s it. I don’t feel particularly important.”

— Tom Dyckhoff, “Why Oscar Niemeyer is king of curves”, The Times Online (London, 2007-12-12)

Here was a man whose work changed the skyline of a nation, who created bold, iconic forms, and yet – he understood the fleeting nature of life. This perspective, that life’s value is found in simplicity and modesty, in quietly creating one’s own story, reminds me that impact doesn’t have to be loud to be lasting. Niemeyer’s legacy lives on in his curves and in the inspiration he leaves behind, a testament to a life thoughtfully and beautifully lived.

African Flowers

Veröffentlicht am 1. Dezember 20121. April 2026 von Carina

Are you familiar with African Flowers?

This morning we woke up to snow! It didn’t last very long, but still – SNOW. Just seeing everything dusted in white, even for a little while, felt like a small surprise gift from winter.

I guess that means it’s officially time for me to start another blanket – something warm and cozy to work on while the weather still insists on being cold. There’s just something about working on a blanket when it’s chilly outside that makes it feel extra comforting, like you’re creating your own little bit of warmth one stitch at a time.

This time it’s going to be African Flowers in true ’70s colors – pink, purple, red, and turquoise. I’ve already started, and I have to say, I really love how it’s coming together so far!