Ostud 2008 aastaks / New purchases for 2008

Minu lõngavaru, küll 12kilone, on väga kudumisvaenulik - naljaks eksju, kugii mahtu nagu oleks, sisu pole - kõik on kas jäägid või üksikud kerad, mis ma olen endale kokku ahminud lollis lootuses, et ükskord kasvab ka minus vabaheegeldaja!

Nii et ma käisin poes. Ja poes käin ma Eestis hea meelega, sest mulle meeldivad nii Epu pood Kosmose vastas kui ka Liann Lõngad. Müürivahes enam hea meelega ei käi, sealne teenindus on nii külm ja kahtlustav, et ma sugugi ei tunne tahtmist sinna ostlema minna. Arvestades veel seda, et Liannis on nüüd tunduvalt suurem valik ning Epul on alati midagi üllatavalt uudset ja mõnusat pakkuda. (Minu jaoks vähemalt, ma tulen ju kodumaale harva)

Neitsi tähtkujule sobilikult teen nimekirju:

My stash, even though still high on kilos is low on material to work with. Sounds funny, when I say that I have about 12 kg of yarn, but quite understandable, if you look at the content - it's all odds and ends and odd balls I've bought thinking I will try freeform crochet soon (yeah right, but I still can have that dream can't I?)

I must say that buying yarn from Estonia is real fun! Mainly because the prices ARE much lower than in Europe, even though the brands and yarns might be exactly the same or at least same quality.

Like any Virgo, I must make lists, so here is my list of Holiday purchases:

Kaks ca 280 grammist Aade Lõnga Artisticut. Mul on kuri kahtlus, et tegu on sama lõngaga kui Kauni Effektgarn. Pead ei anna, eks aeg annab arutust.

Two 260 gram hanks of Artistic by Aade Lõng (it looks very similar to Kauni Effektgarn), but I am not convinced fully, I would have to compare. I have serious feeling that it is the same.

8 kera BBB filati Meriseta't. Selles on 70% meriinot ja 30% siidi ning hind taolise kombinatsiooni jaoks soodne kui mitte öelda odav. Usun, et sellest varrastan midagi elegantset.

8 balls of BBB filati Meriseta. It has 70% wool and 30% silk, and I have a felling it will turn into something really beautiful. It's price - low for a silkblend.

6 kera Rowan Tapestry't, üleülehomme koju jõudes loodan eest leida ka Jaapanist tellitud Noro, eks siis näe, kas mõttepojukesest saab ka asja....

6 balls of Rowan Tapestry. Like the feeling of the yarn, have an idea, something to do with the Noro I ordered from Japan....

Kaks vihti Titan Wool Merinos Extra't pitssalli jaoks. Jah, Eestist on Itaalia lõngu osta odavam, kui tootjamaalt.

Two hanks of Titan Wool Merinos Extra for a lace shawl in mind. And yes, it is more convenient to buy Italian yarns from Estonia, rather than from Italy.

Kolm vihti erinevates värvies Käsitöölõnga Liisu, et saaks traditsioonilisi mustreid ja tehnikaid proovida.
Lisaks siis vajalikud juuspeened kudupulgad, numbriga 1,5 ja 1,25.

Three hanks of Estonian 100% wool by Elotroi (name: Liisu) which is excellent to knit traditional socks and mitts from Estonia.

To achieve the patterns of handknit mitts of Estonia one needs correct tools: I bought new double pointed needles, for which it seems US folks even don't have numbers - 1,5 mm and 1,25 mm needles. The lowest if I'm not mistaken is US 00 which is equivalent for 1,75 mm needles?

Lisaks laiavale lõngahullusele, ostsin ka kirjandust samast teemast:

Claire Halliku mustriraamatud "Silmuskudumine" eelmise sajandi keskpaigast ning tolle uuem ja värvilisem variant 20 aastat hilisemast trükist.

As an addition to my serious yarn addiction I also bought knitting books:

A vintage knitting pattern collection from 1950ies: Claire Hallik "Silmuskudumine" and it's newer colored version from the 70ies.

Ja kõigile Eesti mustrite armastajatele soovitan soojalt (lisaks Aino Praakli Kirikindad I ja II) riiulisse ka Elo Lutseppa ning Irina Tammise Eesti Kindakirjad muretseda.

And something I suggest even if you don't read Estonian, but can read colored charts (that's 100% of you): Eesti Kindakirjad (Estonian Mitten Patterns) by Elo Lutsepp and Irina Tammis. Since I am the proud owner of Aino Praakli's booklets of Patterned mittens (Eesti kirikindad I and II) I can fully recommend this book as an addition to the other books. There are none (or very few) overlapping patterns as I've conculded so far. The book is entirely in Estonian, with a short introduction to knitting mittens and gloves, but an experienced or even advanced mitt-knitter should find no problems by the lack of language knowledge, all patterns are colorfully charted so that the knitter can decide on its own how she or he wants the mitten.

Minu raamaturiiulisse kuulub nüüdsest ka : Vatid, troid ja vamsad - silmkoelisi kampsuneid Lääne-Eesti saartelt Riina Tombergi sulest.

As an addition I bought a book: Vatt, Troi, Vamsa - Knitted Jackets from West-Estonian Islands by Riina Tomberg, it's a bilingual book (estonian-english), but doesn't have any patterns, it is a research based reading for people interested in this type of subjects illustrated with many photos.

Poolevale-roositud / Faux-roositud

2008 esimeseks need roositud küll ei kvalifitseeru (esimesed olid titekindad, mis on praegu veel Katu pildimasinas), aga esimesena saavad esitletud poolvale-roositud. No miks siis ei ole päris õiged roositud? Sest roosimislõng on kahekordselt. Aga ma juba ostisn endale ka 1.5 mm vardad, nii et varsti proovin ka roositud ja kihnu kindad. Muhu kinnaste jaoks oleks vist veel õhemaid pulki vaja?!?

These mittens are not the very first FOs of the 2008, I managed to finish a pair of baby mitts beforehand, but I won't present them without a decent picture, so there Faux Roositud have the honor to be very first ones presented on 2008.

Teabeks:
Lõngaks - tavaline maavillane, teadmatult tootjalt, lõngakulu kokku umbkaudu 80-90 grammi.
Muster - omaenese mõistusega välja nuputatud.
Varras - varre jaoks 2 mm, muu jaoks 2,5 mm.

Why are they Faux, one may ask. Quite simple, roositud inlay is supposed to be done with just a single thread, but I used it double, otherwise I would have had to go down on needle size and there simply wasn't much to go down to. But I already bought 1,5 mm dpns, so soon I want to go for another attempt.

Info:

yarn - simple estonian homespun, no idea who made it though, approximately 80-90 grams.

pattern - my own.

needles - for cuff 2mm, else done with 2,5 mm.

2007

2007-l kudusin:
7 salli ja 3 õlasalli
6 mütsi/baretti
5 beebi või lapse kapsunit
2 täiskasvanu kampsunit
2 seelikut lastele
2 paari sokke
1 paar beebipükse
1 paar käpikuid
1 heegeldatud lauakatte komplekt

In 2007 I knit:

10 scrafs/shawls (including 3 lace shawls)

6 hats/berets

5 baby or child pullovers/cardigans

2 cardigans (one is a bolero)

2 child skirts

2 pairs of socks

1 pair of baby pants

1 pair of mittens

1 crocheted table set

30 asja ühtekokku, lisaks mõned, mis jäävad 2008sse.
Siiski on palju veel teha ja õppida:
Mul tundub, et peaks tähelepanu pöörama rohkem ühe asja lõpetamisele kui mitme asja alustamisele. On jäänud mulje, et kudujad, kes töötavad korraga ühe asja kallal, suudavad rohkem.
Tahan kirjutada rohkem mustreid jagamiseks.
Tahan rohkem kududa. Aravn, et stardimaaniast jagu saades see mul ka õnnestub. Limiteerin ehk interneti aega.
Tahaks tegeleda rohkem Eesti rahvuslike kudumise mustrite ning tehnikatega ja võibolla juhatada mõni teinegi Baltimaade huvitavasse kuduellu.
Tahan värvida taimedega. Algus on tehtud. Suvevaheaja kulutan sellele.
Need ei ole uusaastalubadused, ega -soovid. Pole viga, kui nad sel aastal ei täitu, tegu suhteliselt ajatute soovidega.
Olen alati endaga kandnud üht motivaatorit või soovi: kududa uudishimulikult, loominguliselt ja armastusega. Seda soovin teie tegemistessegi!

30 items all together, plus some that will be FOs in 2008.

I still have a lot to achieve this year:

I think I ought to pay more attention to finishing than starting, because in my mind, people who work on 1-2 WIPs at a time, accomplish more.

I want to start writing down patterns.

I want to knit more, and I think I can do it by limiting my internet time and increasing knitting time.

I think I ought to work more with my native patterns and techniques and maybe help other knitters enter to the wonders of Scandinavian and Baltic knitting.

I want to dye wool with herbs and plants and hope to use my summer vacation for that.

These are not wishes but things I really want to do, and it is not very important that I manage to do them in 2008 - any year is good.

I do have one thing that will come with me to the next year as well: knit with Curiosity, Creativity and Courage. And that's what I wish for all of You as well.

Miinus-20-kübar / -20C wide brimmed hat

Minu vanaema on juba nii väärikas vanuses (80+), et talle meeldivad kübarad (tegelikult on alati meeldinud, aga nüüd kohe sobib igaks päevaks laiaservaline peakate). Talviti on muiudugi jamps, sest ei pane ju ometigi -20kraadis laiaäärelist, mis kõrvad nelja tuule hooleks jätab. Aga nüüd saab kübaraga käia. Selleks tuli mul küll nuputada ja ise vardaid välgutada, aga talvekübara mu vanaema sai.

Rohkem pilte näeb siit.
Oluline teave:
Varras 5,5 mm ja 4,5 mm
Lõng: Argentiina käsitsikedratud naturaalpruun umbes 40 grammi ja naturaalvalge Apuulia meriino ca 50 grammi
Muster: peast

Hat with a wide brim this time, I used the white merino wool from Puglia I made the Inspiration aka first BSJ with, and leftover yarn from mitts. Designing this I had a very clear idea of what I wanted - a strong, big folding brim, two earthly colors and something my lovely grandmother in her 80+ years could wear daily yet provide a lady-like feel, something that she could wear with -20 degrees C and still have wide brim!

More pictures here!

Details:

Needles 5,5 mm and 4,5 mm circulars

Yarn: Argentinian handspun (natural brown, about 40 grams) and natural white merino wool from Puglia (about 50grams)

Pattern: mine

If you are interested knitting this type of a hat, leave me a note and I'll write the pattern down.

Rüütli labakud / Chevalier Mittens

Nüüd võib viimasedki isetehtud jõulukingkid emakeelsesse kudupäevikusse üles riputada, uudishimulik pere on need ju kätte saanud.
Põhjanaabreilt tuleb viimasel ajal palju ilusaid palmikukudumeid ja mulle kohe meeldisid Tikru Rüütli labakud (Chevalier mittens)

My last Christmas gift got done on the plane to Estonia, I blocked them a night before Christmas Eve and packed them just half an hour before the gifts were handed out (here the presents are brought by "Santa Claus" on the 24th after a huge dinner with family).

I made the mitts slightly shorter but that was all I changed, kind of nice to knit mitts again, haven't done it for awhile.

Esimene kinnas tuli liiga pikk, ja liiga tugeva tihedusega, nii et käed said natukene haiget kududes. Alustasin siiski teisega ja kudusin tolle nagu niuhti valmis, lühema ja lõdvemalt, siis tõmbasin teise ka üles ja kudusin uuesti. See tähendas, et jõulu kuduutoopia (inglisekeeles saab temast lugeda siit) läks vastu taevast ja praegu alles lõpetan Equinoxi pulloveri.
Kasutasin Argentiina käsitsikedratud naturaalvärvilist villast, ühekordsena, vardad olid nr 4 ja kulus lõnga ca 75 grammi.

I wish You peaceful and joyful Christmas! And yarnful and FO-rich new year!

Annimanni soe talv

Tere, saage palun tuttavaks - Anita, minu viimase isetehtud kingi saaja, väike rõõm oma emale, isale ja minule ka, neil harvadel kordadel, kui ma teda näen (oh kuidas lobiseb see armas väike tirts). Viimasel ajal pole mu tutvusringkonnas palju tittesid olnud, nii et topeltrõõm on väikesele maailmakodanikule kududa. Tundub, et Annile meeldib ka. Mõnus soe kampsun ja karukad, et Eesti loodetavasti tulevas pakases oleks hea ja mõnus olla.
Naljakas lugu nende mõõtudega, mis ajakirjades ja veebisaitidel antakse. Omaarust kudusin aastase mõõtudega (pluss mõned lisasentimeetrid siia-sinna), aga seitsmekuusele istub valatult, hea on, kui jaanuari lõpuni venitab välja. Kaalun hetkel, kas muster kirja panna ja too tasuta levitada või proovida esimest korda ka natuke lõngaraha teenida. Eks näis, mõtlen veel pühade aegu.



Ilusaid ja helgeid jõule teile!

Annimanni`s warm winter

May I present - Anita, the latest recipent of my creations and a little joy to mommy, daddy and me (what a talkative cudly baby she is). I do not have many baby girls around lately, but if I have just one, I`m happy. And today I`m especially happy of this set I managed to finish to keep little Anita warm for the winter holidays. Unfortunately the measurements I had for 1 year old, fit Anita who is only 7 months old. I suspect that either Anita is really huge for her age (doubtful) or the standardized measurements don`t make a good clue of what one really ought to knit. Anyways, right after holidays I hope to finish writing the pattern and post it here. I`m not sure yet, whether it will be my first attempt to make it paid or maybe a another free one. Have to reflect on it.

Get set, ready, go!

Take a big breath and go for it!

One down (nearly) 4 more to go.

Remember yesterday's post?
Well I finished the hat and ripped the mitt. Hat with a wide brim this time, I used the white merino wool from Puglia I made the Inspiration aka first BSJ with, and leftover yarn from mitts. Designing this I had a very clear idea of what I wanted - a strong, big folding brim, two earthly colors and something my lovely grandmother in her 80+ years could wear daily yet provide a lady-like feel, something that she could wear with -20 degrees C and still have wide brim!



More pictures here!

Details:
Needles 5,5 mm and 4,5 mm circulars
Yarn: Argentinian handspun (natural brown, about 40 grams) and natural white merino wool from Puglia (about 50grams)
Pattern: mine

If you are interested knitting this type of a hat, leave me a note and I'll write the pattern down.

Reality check

These days I am doing this most of my time:


because I'm faced with this:


Taking it all to pieces:

Chevalier mitts - one is done, but I need to frog it, because I knit it way too tight. Second is just a few rows from the end and looks a lot better with the changed gauge and modifications I made.


This is going to be my granny's mitten-matching hat, which just awaits until I finish mitts and can use the leftover yarn to knit top part of the hat. Did I already mention that it ought to be done TODAY?

Next on my knitting schedule:

Little lady's warm winter depends on whether I will stick to my plan and finish a pair of pants and /or mitts, socks, scarf and hat in the next three days. Which is doubtful, because I'm behind with my granny's gift. I may do the smaller pieces on the plane. Note to myself: get bamboo circulars and dpns. And oh, yes, buttons.
Make second note: find all the notes on scraps of paper and write together the pattern. Maybe on the plane? Erm.. the flight is during the night... shooo....

Next Monday should start with this:

I've planned total of 2,5 - 3 days on it, because I need to do my maths well and then cut - and not just one thing, but 4 - two sleeves and two body pieces! Pick up the stitches, knit the body and sleeves longer in stockinette stitch and then graft the sleeves. Then hide the million and two ends... yeah, can do it... in my dreams...

And then I have this:

Which is Anke Leen's sweater. Yeah, I know... plus she needs mitts, hat and scarf and maybe, just maybe, I can squeeze in some woolen socks as well. Deadline: 18th December. Planned number of days for sweater - 4. Planned knitting of small pieces: before or during flight. Oh, right, the flight is already planned full.

And this:

Which isn't exactly a Christmas project, but was meant to be traveling project. Looking at it all now: for my !next! trip over continent... maybe.

All my knitting right now totals to 16 days, and it ought to be done for the 22nd. Most of these things have to be ready for the 18th though. But knowing all sorts of things always come popping out, I'm not that confident.

Not not mention housework, some shopping for other gifts and household items, finding a maid for when I'm away and running tons of other errands, meeting up with some people and such. Luckily Saturday evening's dinner was canceled and I do not have to spend near 8 hours shopping and cooking and cleaning. Woohoo, knitting time.