Schlagwort: wrist warmers

Some Knitting

Veröffentlicht am von Carina1 Kommentar

Lately, I didn’t do much with regard to knitting or hooking as my hand still hurts and is slowing me down. However, when obtaining a German copy of „More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts“ by Joelle Hoverson (sent to me by the publisher) I could not resist. I had to knit the beautiful baby hat and those wrist warmers.

Joelle Hoverson haekelmonster.comThe first hat turned out to be way bigger than I wanted it to be (very cute nonetheless), the second one – made of schoenstricken llama yarn with a little glitter – will be just perfect for my baby goddaughter.

Joelle Hoverson haekelmonster.comJoelle Hoverson haekelmonster.comThe wrist warmers are knitted in Wolkenspiel Abendrot (= sunset) hand dyed merino. I fell for the red when I saw it. The pattern was easy to follow – I changed the top and bottom though as I am not a huge fan of k2/p2.

IMG_4030In case you’d like to see more of the book and its patterns: A detailed (German) review with more pictures is on schoenstricken.de.

I am really tempted to knit the elf’s hat from the book cover now 🙂

Book review: „Knitting Hats and Mittens from Around the World“

Veröffentlicht am von Carina

Sometimes, skimming through a book is like travelling the world, picking up new experiences every time you turn a page. Seriously, when getting my hands on a copy of (the German version of) Knitting Hats & Mittens from around the World (Voyageur Press) the photos made me long for the faraway.

Knitting Hats and Mittens from Around the World Haekelmonster.com
by Kari Cornell (Editor), Janine Kosel (Photographer), Sue Flanders (Photographer)

The books 34 patterns cover an awesome variety of traditional knitting techniques from lace to braiding, from Scandinavia to Central Europe, Asia, South America, New Zealand … including knitting customs and history. You’ll find a French beret as well as a Peruvian Ch’ullo, the Greek fishermen’s hat next to a Finnish hat named after their sun goddess Päivätär, a Japanese Sashiko and an American Fenceline hat, just to mention a few. I particularly like the twisted rope cables, a pattern based on Maori tribal creation myths and pretty much all of the two-color designs. Most of the hats come with matching mittens or gloves.

Mützen und Handschuhe von Welt haekelmonster.comEach pattern covers several pages with written instructions, charts, and extra notes that seem to be elaborate and according to custom.

However, when surfing the net I happened to read a rather critical review that should not be overread. So I gave the book a closer look. Unfortunately, most complaints are true for the translated (German) patterns as well: not all of them are correct, charts are missing, and mitten seizes are weird. However, there is an (English) errata list on the publisher’s homepage for the Min Ulla hat, the Greek Fisherman’s hat, and the Aran Islands hat. (Thank you!).

Nevertheless, some of the patterns look highly complicated to me, long-winded and awkward. To find out whether this is actually true I decided to knit the French lacy fingerless gloves („Französische fingerlose Handschuhe“ p.69). I had to start over once after rereading the pattern, but that is me: I tend to be confused if a pattern exceeds two pages. However, so far I am doing good with my 2nd attempt and I am perfectly happy with the outcome. The lacy part is an easy 6-row-repeat that looks spectacular und the medium size instructions work very well for me.

IMG_0766Summing up, I would still recommend the book, if only to experienced knitters or as a source of inspiration for any armchair tourist.

A little bit about my choice of yarn: „Wannsee by schoenstricken“ is a beautiful, luxuriously soft, 100% cashmere yarn, very nice to work with, while perfectly showing off the lacy pattern. Its color fuchsia isn’t even for sale (yet) – Jessica gave it to me for testing purposes. So far, I have used one ball (25gr., 115m) wth both fingerless gloves being done, except for the thumbs. Definitly a must buy :).

The book was not sent to me for review. I didn’t receive any financial compensation for what I wrote. Opinions stated are my own.

Fall vacation in Poland

Veröffentlicht am von Carina1 Kommentar

We spent a week in Poland and just got back tonight. I’m way too tired to write much, but luckily, the photos pretty much tell the story. Just look at those seagulls—can you tell they’re slightly annoyed? No surprise, with the boy putting on a full performance right in front of them 🙂

Over the years, some of the photos that used to be here got lost – thanks to a total blog crash, a stolen hard drive, and whatever else can possibly happen to images along the way. The same goes for the link to the pattern – it seems the instructions have disappeared from the web as well. If I happen to come across either of them again, I’ll be sure to add them back in. Thanks so much for your understanding.

Most days were windy and grey. Sometimes rainy. But honestly, no one cared. We still spent hours at the seaside. That’s why we go to Poland in the first place. We always stay in the same house. It feels familiar. Almost like coming home.

As every year, I added to my collection of stones. Smooth, beautiful palm stones. I love how they feel in my hand. The man walked the beach for hours. Back and forth. Thinking about everything and nothing. And the boy? He ran. And jumped. Then ran some more. Until his rubber boots were filled with sand and water. Good thing we had a wood stove in the cottage.

And of course, we bought honey from the roadside stands in Poland. Acacia, erica, buckwheat, and canola. One jar of each. That’s tradition.

Whenever the weather allowed it, the boy and his friend (we brought him and his mom along) flew their kite. And every night, the man patiently untangled the strings. No one is as patient as he is. No one.

In between, I knitted wrist warmers. One ball of Opal sock yarn. The colors reminded me of the sea—pale blue, olive green, with bits of dark blue and off-white. It took four pairs to finally use it up. Whoever brought that yarn to the YarnCamp swap—thank you. I love it.

And I love fall. At least at the seaside. Coming home felt a little sad. Most of the leaves are gone now. Just last week, everything was bright and glowing, full of color and light. Now it’s bare, and it’s been raining for days.

I really need to go to bed. Hoping for a little sun tomorrow.

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!