Winter hat & scarf

Yarn: Naturwolle in "Peru"

Needles: hat 6, scarf 8

Aren't the colours bright and pretty? This thick merino yarn is my new favourite and I think I need to buy more. It comes in several beautiful colourways and I had a hard time choosing. I bought the yarn from Vihreä Vyyhti.

The pattern for the scarf is just basic 1k-1p all the way except that I made a slit in the middle so that is would be easier to put on. The hat pattern is a modification of an adult hat pattern from Ravelry.

Here is a picture of Emma and her new accessories in action. We went to see the Independence Day fireworks to the city centre yesterday, great show! It was the first time that Emma was not afraid of the fireworks!

Knit cowl

Pattern: My own

Yarn: Alfa by SandnesGarn (grey), Smart by SandnesGarn (mustard yellow)

I gave up. The knit lump above is a cowl I made for myself. My first knitting project for over ten years! But, impossible to take a decent picture of me wearing this soft and warm cowl at this time of the year. Either there was not enough light or then my assistant photographer (otherwise referred as husband) was not home to take advantage of sudden light phenomena. So when I realised that there just might be enough light for a minute or two, I grabbed the cowl, placed it in the brightest place possible and took a picture.

My inspiration for this cowl came from several places: Kalastajan vaimo, lightbluegray and Kaitaliina, to name a few. I just started knitting, so I did not use any actual instructions. Maybe I could write the instructions by myself? We'll see about that. I am not familiar with knitting terminology in English. 

The yarn is merino wool.

Another pair of socks

I made another pair, this time for my daughter. The yarn is Novita 7 veljestä and again I used Novita's instructions (sorry, available only in Finnish or Swedish). I modified the pattern a bit since I wanted to do something different from the first pair I made. As you can see, not that many modifications, just basic ribbing to the whole sock.  Again I used size 3 needles and they seem to be good for this yarn, since it is a bit thicker than Nalle that I used for my socks. I did not bother matching the stripes, but started wondering whether others do. Matching stripes or not? What do you think?

Finished socks

I have been using these the whole weekend, I am so happy that I actually understood the instructions and had the patience to make both socks! I have tried kntting socks years ago, but managed to knit only one, then I got bored.  Anyway, next time I will use smaller knitting needles, since these socks seem to be a bit too loose. I used these instructions from Novita and they were quite easy to follow, even for a beginner like me. The yarn is Novita Nalle Kukkaketo and I used size 3 knitting needles.

Work in progress - socks!

Actually, I finished these socks yesterday, but I just didn't have enough light to take a proper picture of them yet. So annoying!  But aren't the colours pretty? I would like to see a bit more white, a somewhat calmer colour palette, but these are my first knitted socks, so I am happy! The yarn is Novita Nalle Kukkaketo (colour 817).

Knitting trials

I finally had the courage to try knitting. I somehow think that winter, wool yarn and knitting belong together, so I just had to try. It was surprisingly easy! I actually made something else first and these wrist warmers are made from the leftover yarns of that project, but since I have not had much success in taking acceptable photos of the first trial, I just had to start with these ones.

Jeans skirt

Jeans skirt made from my husbands old, really worn jeans. There were holes everywhere but that's OK. I kind of like the worn-out look. I just need to make sure my daughter does not make the hole even larger...

Apologies for the crappy image quality, it seems that November is too dark for mobile phone snap shots. Go figure. I need to buy a real camera!

Black, white and yellow

Black, white and yellow. My favourite colours, looks surprisingly good on Emma as well. The fabric is Marimekko jersey from Eurokangas, pattern is my own (drafted from some old shirt).

"Mom, can I go now???"

Baby toys

 I like crocheted toys, they are so soft and nice. I just had to make some after I found good instructions from Garnstudio. They have cute designs and I now have this urge to try knitting as well.. I just need to buy some knitting needles!

I found the instructions for the rattle from Garnstudio's website. The rattles are filled with wadding and since I wanted them to sound like maracas, I added a small plastic container inside and filled that with red lentils. The plastic container is from Kinder Surprise milk chocolate egg, those are very well made and do not break open easily. The rattles are not the same size, since I forgot to follow the instructions...

Everyone repeat after me: That ball is round, that ball is round, that ball is round... Anyway, it WAS round but then my daughter started throwing it around and it was ruined. Next time I'll add more wadding inside, perhaps that helps. Oh, and I will also follow directions and do not just improvise. So the ball is my own design, although I did check Martha Stewart's and Garnstudio's instructions. I just didn't have the patience to follow them!

Linking this to Tea Rose Home, please go and check it out!

Red and white scarf

Remember this post from May? I am finally finished with the scarf. It took a looooong time since I did not have any motivation to finish it - I did not have any use for the finished scarf... Anyway, it was a good thing that I did finish it, since Emma absolutely loves it and insists on wearing it even though it is now too cold for cotton scarfs.