Mariannes loves knitting and spinning

Just stopping by to let you know that I am still alive :p Busy times, and both the inspiration and time has been missing. But, I have made something. Another hat and mittens for my nephew. They are very popular here in Norway, and my brother said that my nephew really needed this. I totally agree with him :p

Knitted with double yarn, using needles size 6mm, and felted.

I’m really bad with the writing, I know. But I have a lot of things to deal with right now, things that I don’t feel comfortable writing about. But anyway, I hope for better days and spend some of my time with my knitting.

I have started on a little costume for my nephew. Here in Norway we have national costumes, and I am making one for him, with the national costumes as inspiration.

I have also been spinning, I’ve been test spinning some batts for HK design and spindles, and finished a skein of sock yarn. First the test spinning:

And the sock yarn, 228 meters Cheviot, 3-ply and sport weight. Hand painted by me:

Okay, I have a lot to blog about today! Nothing big, but several little things. I am a bit tired these day, so there is not that much energy to brag about. But anyway, I’ve gotten some knitting done.

I have been knitting on several projects the last week, my TGAAA, my Kauni cardigan, a Preemie blanket and some preemie hats. And also, I’ve spend some time with my sewing machine.

Barbara McIntires patch is now finished, which is patch number 6 out of 20 on my afghan. Patch number 7 is already casted on.

The ribbing on my Kauni cardigan is done, haven’t started the pattern yet, but I’ll do it soon. No rush.

My preemie project is still going strong. I have now knitted 6 caps (three wool, and three cotton), 3 blankets. The last blanket is below, knitted log cabin in baby wool, using needles size 3,5.

And, three bibs I have made for my Nephew, works perfect.

Okay, I will start this post with showing my progress on the “Hearts of Kauni Cardigan”. I have now finished both sleeves, and I am ready to start knitting the body. I’ve been doing my math, and have figured out how many stitches to cast on. I will start right after this update, actually

Maybe not necessary to say that I am really proud of this one???

Socks update! I have finished the socks for my little nephew, and they fit him really well. He can’t get them of, and they keep his little feats warm. Mission completed!

The socks in the sock-a-long called Sokker 2008 are done too. This month the pattern was Flutter-by socks. I really enjoyed the pattern, and knitted with Drops Fabel yarn and needles size 2,5 mm.

I haven’t updated much lately, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been knitting. The last week I’ve been knitting on my Flutter socks, and I have finished one and a half sock. But I really needed a break from the socks yesterday, that’s why I started a pair of socks for my nephew. I am using alpaca for his socks, and a Norwegian pattern called “Mosters babystrømper, fra Nøstebarn”. I’m really pleased with the first sock that I finished today.

Before I started my Flutter socks, I managed to knit another preemie cap. This time in baby wool, using 2,5 mm needles. The color is purple, but the pictures doesn’t show the color well.

Last weekend I got to spin with my neighbour and Rhonna. We got to learn how to spin with beads, and I’m really happy with my first try. 100 grams merino, haven’t measured the wpi or length yet

I have to show you a picture I took of my little nephew this week. Here he is ready for a stroll in wool clothes (Nøstebarndress) and his blanket which is a heirloom blanket named Lilleprins sjal from Denmark. He loves his blanket, and has used it everyday since he was born in June.

I have made a new pattern which you can download for free, you find it here.

Size: 13*13 inches
Needles: 3,5 mm
Yarn: Cotton - fingering weight

Since I finished the Pixie hats, I’ve been working with the preemie knit-along that we’re having here in Norway. I’ve finished 3 hats, and I’m now working on the second blanket. I’m knitting in soft and thin cotton yarn. The things in cotton I’ve planned to donate to my local hospital, and I’m also going to knit something in baby wool, which is going to another hospital. Great projects in between bigger projects.

It’s finally Friday again, and I’m looking forward to a night in my sofa with knitting, TV and maybe a glass with something red

Anyway, first a little knitting talk. Yesterday i finished a pixie hat that a friend of me wanted. She has bought several pixie hats from me, and this one is made a little bigger. This one fits a 20″/52 cm head and I knitted it with Alpaca and needles size 3,5 mm. To finish it I sewed on three small buttons as decoration. Hope she’ll like it when she gets it.

My fiber of the month from Spunky Club (Thermograph) is finally finished. I made it into two skeins, ended up with 488 yards (447 meters) and Sport weight (15 wpi).

Hope you all have a great weekend!

After I finished my Dancing Lady socks, I started on a pair of wrist warmers. Sometime I knit for sale, and this pair is already sold. I’ve knitted them before, and they are knitted in lovely Drops Alpaca on needle 3mm. The pattern I used is a free pattern from Garnstudio.

I’m really in a spinning mood right now. In my bathroom 2 skeins of BFL drying, and on my wheel I have hand painted Cheviot.

A few sneak peaks, below, the skein of BFL from Spunky Club

And my hand painted Cheviot, really pleased with the colors: