Radio Silence

I have been silent the last months, the reason is that we bought a flat in end of September and moved out of our rental in end of october.  We temporarily moved in with my in-laws from end of october until 13th of desember.

In that time I have finished my blue sand cardigan, that I started in March 2014, I got money for my birthday from my in-laws and I bought yarn.  Albulita,  so soft and I had high hopes for the yarn.  It does knit nicely and it is nice the garment, but there is a big BUT, it has a lot of lints... but I haven´t shaved it yet, so that might help?

I haven´t been able to take pictures of it, but here are some pictures I found on my phone, that represent my last few months.

We had to rennovate the bathroom, it was in bad state (tiles falling off and etc), my dad tiled the bathroom for us, he took of time from work, it was a major work and I couldn´t be happier with his work/help.

Me in my blue sand cardigan, with my Camomille shawl, and a homemade headband, normal sight now in december when it has been minus 10 degrees on celcius. 

Headband,  I have made two, one for me and one for my brother, he gave to his girlfriend at christmas.

 I bought this at goodwill, a few years ago, and finally had the space to paint it, and now it houses, yarn, ongoing projects, yarn books, needles and etc.

And then last but not least, this beautiful girl is turning 2 in less than 2 weeks. 

Mistery mittens

I took part in mystery knit along in september,...   sadly the mittens are a bit to wide for me.





I also tried another yearn, and they came out even bigger.. and didn´t knit up very well...so they are on my frog list... but I learned a new method for thumbs, that I will definately use again, the picking up stitches for the thumb took about 10 seconds, instead of my frustrated trying to see which stitches I shoulc pick up :)

Free knitting patterns - toys

I´m planning to use some of the small various scraps of yarns I have, and make some toys for my girls for Christmas.  As with all good intentions, they often don´t become a reality , but at least here is what I found and I think my girls would love.

Miffy and her Balloon.



Icecream 


















Monkey


Cat:




Babar (Cartoon)




Ragdoll:





Doughnut:

Pear:



Apples:



Egg and Bacon:




Banana:



Watermelon:



Slice of Pie




Sheep backpack:

September mystery mitten

I saw hos Monstermønster that she is participating in September mystery knittalong in the group "i make mittens" on Ravelry and I got tempted to also take part.  I have already bought the pattern, and I'm contemplating which yarn combinations to use (took these photos on my phone last night, sorry for the quality).

1

2

3

4

Which of these combinations do you prefer, 1,2, 3 or 4?

There must be something wrong with my comment sections, I haven´t been able to respond to Heidi at Wool rocks, I called the Fana sweater I´m working on the danish island Fanø. Thank you Heidi for pointing that out to me :)

Summer love

The summer went by to fast,  I however knitted a lot (frogged a lot)

The blue sand cardigan has half of arms,  inside of pockets is also missing, and the edging.  This is probably at least one weeks worth of evening knitting in fromt of the TV.

We enjoyed the Icelandic summer (aka rain and some more rain.. or heavy clouds), in two summer houses in the south of Iceland.

Then we went to Norway, to visit my sister in law and her family.

What ended up in my suitcase, was both Finull and P2 from Rauma. 

the black and white Fanø in progress is for my 4 year old, in P2.

I participated in  10k race (Reykjavikurmarathon), on cultur night in Reykjavik. Where this yarn bombing caught my attention (on the way from the car to the start of the race).

My summer ended last night, with a Justin Timberlake concert (hence the title summer love ).  The first time Justin comes to Iceland and the concert was everyting I expected and then some more.  When I watch this clip from last night I get goosebumps and whish that I could go again. 

Neckwarmer the sequel

Last September I knitted this neck warmer, and it was used all through last winter, but it got lost this spring... yes we indeed need neck warmers during spring, and if to be honest also on occasion during the summer.  I therefore had no choice but to knit another one, it also had to be marked with S as the previous one, but the mouse was forgotten luckily.  I took the pictures at the place where it will be used, kindergarten.
And now I have only one neck warmer to go, since my younger daughter will also need one.

Pattern : is from the book strikk til nøstebarn

Yarn: Dale alpakka, 

needles: 3.5mm

made for: my soon to be 4 year old

Time flies when having fun

This is the only finished object from May,  let´s hope they will be more in June.  I´m working on a Cardigan for me, it´s not knitted in the round, and I must say I prefer to knit in the round. 

The socks are for my can´t wait until I´m 4 year old (birthday in august).  I still have yarn for socks for my 1 year old, not sure whether I should just knit more socks for my 4 year old, because It seems that I never can find socks that match. 

Camomille - Finally finished

The weather is not optimal for photos today, but since my Camomille I took some quick photos (it is 5 min sun, 5 min crazy wind, 5 min snow.... on a loop these days).

yarn: Isager Highland wool (100g) and Isager alpakka 1(100g)
pattern: amimo knit collection 2010 - Camomille
needles: 3-3.5mm

Yarn shopping in Iceland.

I´m not finished with my Camomille, but still I have bought yarn for the next 2 projects.  I have never made a guide on where to buy yarn when in Iceland (or should I say Reykjavik and surrounding area), so here are a few tips.  Organized by Location:

Hafnarfjörður:

Yarn for my next project, bought with money my inlaws gave me for my birthday, intended in a cardigan for me, but very tempting to make cardigans for both of my girls. 

If you are in need of Abuelita, Madelinetosh, Cascade, Randalína (I tink it is Evilla/Kauni from Estonia or something similar).  Handprjón.is , is in my beautiful hometown of Hafnarfjörður, only 10km from Reykjavík city center. The crazy thing about this store is that it also sells showers (yeas you read right, shower/yarn store, it used to be part yarn mostly showers but now it has turned around, yarn is taking over the store and the showers are in the back)  If you visit Hafnarfjörður I would Recommend to go to one of the Swimming pools there (Suðurbæjarlaug (outdoor) or Ásvallalaug (indoor) and then take a stroll in the town center with your newly bought yarn and get some Ice cream, and/or to Súffisstin (coffe shop), or a bakery where you could relax eat something delicious and knit with the new yarn.  Hellisgerði is one of my favourite places for a picnic, my grandmother used to live right across from it so I spent countless hours there playing as a kid.

Another store in Hafnarfjörður (well should I say supermarket corner) is Rokka. I know as a knitter you should support yarn stores and not big supermarket chains,  but this store is not like any other supermarkets. This store is not a chain, it is a family owned and they only own this one store. They have a big selection of Istex (Icelandic wool), all colors available and they have a big selection of Sandnes .They also carry a more modest selection of other yarn brands ; Navia, Hjertegarn, Rauma, Lotus Yarn.

Reykjavík

picture stolen from Litla prjónabúðin´s facebook page

If you are looking for something fresh, Litla Prjónabúðin is your place (if a yarn store could be a hipster this would be one). They sell Pom Pom magasin, several danish and organic yarns .  The owner is active on Facebook, and you can browse for pictures of the yarn that the store carries, which includes Geilsk, Dieforyarn, Strikkebogen, Shibui baby alpacca, Askeladen, BC-garn, Juno, Istex. 

Crazy Zauerball bought at Storkurinn - intended for socks for my girls, very tempting to make a pair for me instead.

If you need Debbie Bliss, Noro, Zauerball, Schoppel Wolle, Brooklyn tweed, Istex.  Storkurinn is your place, right in Reykjavik city center on Laugavegur. They have a big selection and are worth the stop.

Erla, carries drops, and has a big selection of needlework. Love the traditional Icelandic needlework kits.  Facebook page link 

Picture "borrowed" from Amma mús facebook page.

Amma mús (grandma mouse) carries Isager,Rauma, design.club.dk yarns, and if you are into needlework this is your place to be. They aren´t exactly hip at this store, but they do carry lovely yarns. The store can be found in two places both on Laugavegur (city center) and Ármúli.  I however haven´t been in the store in the city center so maybe that store is more current?

Garnbúðin Gauja, this is my mother-in laws favourite store.  They sell lang yarns, Filcolana, Katia, Rasmilla, Istex *update - this store is only a web-shop now*

Handprjónasambandið.  Icelandic wool and handknitted Icelandic wool sweaters.

National museum of Iceland,  is not a yarn store, but they do have a lovely gift shop that sells some yarn kits with tradional icelandic patterns. You don´t have to go into the museum to enjoy the coffee shop and the gift shop.  

Kópavogur

Rósa Amma (grandma Rósa), is a store that I have never been to it is rather new. I will maybe go this summer, when whether is nice and I need a long walk.  But in my defence I´ve been running several times past this store (not like I can stop by all sweaty in my running clothes, and asking my running buddies to wait while I go yarn petting). This store carries Mayflower, yarn for knitting machines, unspun finish yarn (color changing yarn)

Föndra, carries drops and phildar. I however never seem to find the colors I want there, but they also sell fabric and other craft things.  This store is very close to my home, only 5 min walk, so I often drop there by, but rarely buy anything. 

Hannyrðaverslunin Mólý, didn´t find a website or active facebook page and I really can´t remember all the yarns they sell, but I think it is Navia, Sandnes and Istex. 

* I may not have listed all the yarns the stores sell, I only listed what I found interesting.  The opening hours below might also be subjected to change so please check before you make a trip on the facebook pages of the stores.  This post is also long enough , so I will just have to make another post at one point for tips for yarn worthy stops in another parts of the country. 

Mosfellsbær:

Álafoss Factory store.  Any serious yarn loving tourist would make the trip out there. Beautiful surroundings, rich history, coffe shop, and last but not least the full range of Istex yarns, and also a big selection of already knitted souvenirs.

Addresses:

• Handprjón: Reykjavíkurvegur 64, 220 Hafnarfjörður.  Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11-18, Sat 11-14 (only open on saturdays during winter). 
• Rokka, Fjarðarkaup: Hólshraun 1, 220 Hafnarfjörður. Openining hours: Mon-Wed 09-18, Thur 09-18:30, Fri 09-19:00. Sat 10-16.
• Storkurinn:  Kjörgarði, Laugavegur 59, 2 floor, 101 Reykjavík.  Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11-18, Sat 12-16.
• Litla Prjónabúðin: Hátún 6a, 105 Reykjavík.  Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11-18, Sat 11-14.
• Amma mús: Ármúli 18, 108 Reykjavík  and Laugavegur.  Opening hours Ármúli: Mon-Fri 09-18:00, Sat 11-15. Laugavegur: Mon-Fri 11-17, Sat 11-17, Sun 12-17.
• Garnbúðin Gauja, only webshop now
• Rósa Amma, Nýbýlavegur 14, 200 Kópavogur. Opening hours; Mon - Fri 10-18, Sat 12-15.
• Föndra: Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur.
• Hannyrðaverslunin Mólý, Nýbýlavegur 30, 200 Kópavogur.
• Erla Hannyrðaverslun: Snorrabraut 38, 101 Reykjavík. Opening hours; Mon-Fri 11-18, Sat 11-14.

* I did not list addresses for stores that already have an english version of the webpages, and are known turist stops (Handprjónasambandið and Álafoss).