Let It Snow!

Oh yes, it snowed overnight, are we lucky or what?  {smile}

And while I was taking these photographs, all these geese came flying over: so magical...

A Visit To Poulsbo...

Poulsbo, WA...

Because of all my knitting adventures,  I was not able to post these pics of our visit to Poulsbo a couple of weeks ago...

Our main goal was to buy Dutch Sinterklaas candy, but their shipment hadn't come in yet and so we traveled three hours (one way) for nothing. Well not quite for nothing: 1. we bought lots of other Dutch goodies anyway of course and 2. look at this sunset on the way back on the ferry to Seattle!  (click! to enlarge)

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Tomorrow Master C. will arrive home on the Greyhound bus to celebrate Thanksgiving. Can't wait! {smile}

So Much Fun!

Picture by Anna Dianich

Oh boy, the last couple of weeks have been filled with knitted-bliss for me! Last Saturday Anna Dianich celebrated the one year anniversary of Tolt Yarn & Wool. The first 50 visitors would receive a gift so there I found myself 25 minutes before the official opening, shivering in line with a lot (!) of other knitters; so much fun!  

Click! to enlarge...

I ended up finding a great knitting chair and spend 7 (!) hours in the shop, chatting to everybody and receiving tons of compliments on my Maren cardigan,  Gudrun Johnston was there to sign her books (which all ran out!) and in the afternoon she gave a lovely presentation about the Shetland Isles and their knitting traditions. What a great, great day it was! {smile}

I must admit that after knitting such a fabulous garment I fell a bit into a hole, some kind of knitter's block. I'm trying to snap out of it by knitting a lot of hats. Here is the first one for Mr. G., made out of that lovely YOTH yarn (pattern also by Veronica Jobe):

And then I just made one up for myself:

(Bernat Softee Chunky on US13 needles)

Right now i'm in the middle of yet another hat, but that one is a surprise for my nephew so I can't show it quite yet...

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The cold snap is finally over and we're back to rain once again. Had a lovely walk with my friend and her two Labradors a couple of days ago. We always take the Tolt River trail which suits us all just fine! {smile}

Click! to enlarge...

Have a wonderful weekend everybody!

Knit, Knit, Purl...

Twins!!!

Wow, lots of knitting experiences happening these days! I don't only mean the knitting itself, but meeting so many well-known and lesser- known knitters in the knitting community in person!

Last night I attended the meet & greet with Karen Templer from  the blog Fringe Association. The event started at 6pm so I thought I'd get there a bit early to get a good seat: the place  (Tolt Yarn & Wool) was packed already!

Click! to enlarge...

I ran into my 'twin' (see very first picture above) with the same Maren Cardigan only in a different color way. (also very pretty!) Later that evening we found out that our kids actually know each other so that was an extra fun event in itself...

Not only was Karen there but also Gudrun Johnston from Shetland Trader Designs (she will be book-signing and speaking tomorrow at Tolt Yarn & Wool), Kathy Cadigan photographer extraordinaire of knitted items, Dianna Walla of the blog Paper Tiger, Tif Fussell of the blog Dottie Angel and of course Anna Dianich, owner of Tolt Yarn & Wool and our wonderful hostess! 

I chatted with a lot of different people and was quite exhausted after.. (I usually spend my days home alone, not a complaint, just an observation) What fun to meet so many like-minded people and tomorrow I get to do it again!  {smile}

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Of course during this week I finished my Maren Cardigan and I've been wearing it just about every day: it is so comfy! (and I am so proud of course) The steeking worked out quite nice if I say so myself, but it was rather nerve wracking... I liked working on this sweater so much that I'm even considering knitting another one in a different colorway, but that will have to wait for a bit since I have several other projects lined up first...

Right now I'm knitting a beautiful hat for Mr. G. out of Big Sister Yoth yarn, designed by Veronica Jobe (who was also there last night of course) We visited her stand at Knitfit last weekend in Ballard, (Seattle); the place was packed and it was a really fun event. Veronica's booth was just spectacular. All the displays were build by her dad (and other family members?) and had a great industrial and vintage vibe. It was so busy that I couldn't take proper pictures of the displays unfortunately, but I snapped a few little corners...

I also visited the Tin Can Knits booth and purchased their latest 'Road Trip' pattern book. I fell in love with their 'Clayoquot' pattern (it also comes with a hat pattern!), but their other patterns are also beautiful so I will have a hard time choosing...

Oh boy oh boy, who would have thought all this would happen within a year of the opening of Tolt Yarn & Wool? I love knitting and I love the knitting community!  {smile}

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Off I go now to Little Bit. It is still absolutely freezing outside (both literally and figuratively speaking) and all classes before noon have been cancelled because of the cold and the frozen footing: that is just fine with me!  <wink>

Have a wonderful weekend everybody!

Frosty Morn', Part Deux...

Again very cold but bright outside this morning. Here a few more impressions...

I'm keeping busy with a new knitting project, which I will take with me tonight for the knitters' circle at Tolt Yarn & Wool. Karen Templer from Fringe Association will be visiting!

Frosty Morn'!

Brrrr, very chilly this morning: 20F / -7C! Bright blue skies already and lots of sunshine so I think I will go on a little walk this morning before I have to visit my periodontist... (dentist for the gums)

And a lovely memory of summer...

So Happy!!!

Click! to enlarge...

I have so much more to tell you, but I will just post this one picture for the moment. May I present to you my proudest moment yet: the Maren Cardigan!  

{smile}

PS: Plus today we woke up to 32 F / 0 C so perfect timing, Maren is keeping me warm already!

Some Recent Makes In The Making...

Ha yes, only five minutes ago this came off of my needles: the Icelandic Maren Sweater, soon to become a Cardigan!  (by cutting it open in the front: yaiks!)

Love this ribbing detail on the sleeve.
The colorwork in the round was a bit of a pain but so worth it...

This has been such a wonderful knit up so far. I've used Lett Lopi yarn straight from Iceland (via my trusty wool store Tolt Yarn & Wool). I was rather hesitant to use this wool because of its scratchiness but so far it has been wonderful! Tonight I will wash it with shampoo and then rinse it with conditioner (once a hairdresser, always a hairdresser...) <wink> as per Ragga's recommendation and then the steeking will commence! I will keep you posted on the progress...

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Click! to enlarge...

In between things I've also sewn this little skirt that you see above. I've used this pattern many times in the past since it is a quick and fun sew-up. I bought the flower fabric in Amersfoort last September. A bit of much needed color in this dreary weather we're having...

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I'm also working on this little Dachshund pattern from Purl Soho, but I haven't gotten very far with it yet...

Well, that's it for now, stay dry!

Just So...

I don't really have a lot to say at the moment, but wanted to share these pics of last Friday with you. ..

We are in the middle of Fall here (not like in The Netherlands where they are experiencing the warmest temperatures for this time of year ever!), the rain seems to be never ending over here...

Fortunately when I arrived at Little Bit that afternoon, we had a short dry spell and we were able to enjoy the outdoors with our rider. Afterwards she helped me brush the horse. So wonderful to see that bond between rider and animal...

Getting ear plugs inserted to 'protect' her from the scary noises outside. 

Always smiling...

Zoey warming up for our lesson...

Touching...

 I came across our red barn-cat Oscar in where? Yes the tack barn. Look at him snoozing away...

And a quick selfie on our way back home (Miss M. was my private chauffeur!).

Right now I'm listening to 'Ending Theme' by Ryuichi Sakamoto, so beautiful!