Monday, August 28, 2006

New yarn!

I have been happy viewing my incoming mail during the past few days. Thank you for all comments I received for both the knee highs and the mittens.

The thick fringe in the mittens edge was crocheted the way it is taught in the book "Decorative Crocheting" (Koreaa virkkaamalla) ISBN 951-96888-4-6. It is a book of decorative crocheting combined with knitting in beautiful sweaters made in Korsnas Finland from the late 1800s. The book features also mittens and small purses and wrist warmers which are decorated with these fringe edges. If there is someone looking for a challenge, I would warmly recommend a Korsnas sweater. (I have made few wrist warmers and a purse but the sweater is yet on my to-do-list.) Here is a picture from the book.While dreaming of a Korsnas sweater I have been on the sock front mainly. Have put many rows on the grey knee high and the second one is around the heel. Last week I took a quick visit to my LYS again. I was not going to buy anything (the truth) but to have a chat with the owner and a look at the new yarn for the fall. And there was this Austermann Step sock yarn:At first sight that does not look too fabulous, but look closer: it says with Aloe Vera and Jojoba oil!!Did a test piece: another knee high. The yarn felt very nice, I have rough and irritated skin on my hands most of the time and this actually felt like a treatment. So instead of having your skin care money flow only into the pharmacies some of it could make a small stream into the yarn shop. Yet another excuse for buying more yarn, not only for your head and heart but your skin as well.

We had a lovely weather during the weekend. Here some pictures to prove it.

So it is Monday. I hope you all have a good week!

32 comments:

  1. The first picture of the sky reflected into the lake is just fabulous! You should have that one enlarged and framed.

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  2. Anonymous16:46

    Have a good week too. It's always a pleasure to see pictures of your knitting and your country.

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  3. Anonymous17:20

    Your photograpy is so artistic..
    Your knitting creative and original.
    How about a little knitting book with long
    stocking only patterns and your wonderful photography. You really should think about publishing. Second book could be mittens and gloves...third book lace. I would by them all.

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  4. I love the grey knee socks, but the new striped yarn sounds fabulous!

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  5. Stunning photos again! I like the little ripples on the bottom of the lake.

    I had not heard of yarn made with aloe and jojoba. What will they think of next. I'm sure those socks will be delightful on your feet too.

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  6. Fascinating, yarn with aloe vera and jojoba oil. And already you could feel the difference. I'd buy yarn with natural lubricants over lotions any day. I began spinning silk this weekend and had forgotten how it catches on every little rough spot.

    The water of your lake is so clear!

    Yes, please publish your patterns & photos in a series of books.

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  7. Anonymous18:34

    I agree with the prompting of publishing a series of books, and I also would buy them all. The grey socks are beautiful as always...is that one of your own patterns? (publish!) The pic from the book, that sweater is fabulous, what inspiration. A friend of mine recently knit up some socks using the Step and could not put it down..it is lovely yarn knit up.
    Thank you Lene, for the beautiful view into your part of the world and a happy and good week to you also!

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  8. Oh, NICE pictures!!

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  9. Oh. What a wonderful post to read on a dreary, damp day. I'm not sure if I like the knitting or the pictures best. Thank you!

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  10. If anyone could knit that sweater, it is you, Lene. Beautiful. I knit with the yarn with aloe vera, etc. It was wonderful and the socks feel great.
    Your lake is beautiful - especially with the sky reflection!
    Thanks for the book with the pattern for the 'fringe'!
    You never did mention if you were in Ohio due to being a Rotary exchange student.

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  11. Anonymous20:36

    The sweater pictured does look like a challenge! I would love to see this book, thank you for providing the number so I can look it up!

    Beautiful socks forthcoming once again. Your work is very inspiring. I wish I had more time to knit!

    I have seen this yarn online and wondered what happens when the sock is washed. Perhaps you can give us an update. As always, I am intrigued with new types of yarn, and this one looks like I muight have to try it myself! Seeing is believing, they say.

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  12. Anonymous21:52

    the stillness of the lake makes me feel peaceful—and i need it!
    those gray stockings are more beautiful ech time i see them.

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  13. What a beautiful place Finland is. You're lucky to live there!

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  14. Anonymous22:52

    Your knee socks are beautiful. You really should write a book of knee socks with your photos! Great scenery. Great model. Wonderful knitting.

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  15. I was just reading about Austermann's Step yarn with aloe and jojoba this morning, and wondering what it was like to knit with. Thanks for answering my question! :o)

    I love the knee stockings and well, everything you knit!

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  16. I also have some Austerman Step, but in blue. I'm happy you gave it a good review.

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  17. Anonymous00:59

    Wow, yarn and skin cream combined, what a great idea!

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  18. Anonymous01:07

    Your pictures are beautiful, and assorted to socks!

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  19. Anonymous01:32

    If you are looking for more excuses to buy fiber (I am feeling a little evil), then spinning in the grease is the best treatment for abused hands. Depending on the fleece condition, it can get very stinky, but your hands will thank you. :)
    I like to spin from a clean fleece, but I have friends who prefer to spin in the grease for two reasons: beautiful hands and no scouring. The downside is that you may not get all the grease out of the finished product, but that's not necessarily an issue if you are planning a fisherman's sweater for instance.

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  20. Thanks for posting about the sock yarn with Aloe Vera and Jojoba oil. Whomever came up with that idea is on the ball!

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  21. Anonymous08:21

    The book DECORATIVE CROCHETING is available in America from Nordic Fiber Arts (www.nordicfiberarts.com).

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  22. That yarn is beautiful. As you say, it doesn't look much in the ball, but when it's knitted up those gentle stripes are stunning. Plus the aloe vera and jojoba - what a plus!
    And the grey long socks are superb. Will hunt back in your post for the pattern, but if I can't find it - what one are you following? Or is it one you've worked out yourself?
    I must come up there and wander around - this time of year would be ideal. Until then, keep writing!
    Jo
    celticmemoryyarns.blogspot.com

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  23. Anonymous14:17

    I think it's pretty impossible to go into a yarn store and not buy yarn! I got lots of sock yarn for my birthday. My favourite is Opal, blue and white self patterning, from my sister. That sweater looks so complicated, but beautiful. And thanks for explaining about the mitten fringe. If you decide to make the sweater, please show us progress pictures!

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  24. Anonymous18:45

    That sock yarn seems wonderful--that would be one project bag without a tube of hand cream in it!

    Your posts are like a window into a very desirable alternative universe--so wonderful to realize that it's not imaginary, with your excellent photos. Thankyou so much for the glimpses you give of your life!

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  25. It looks like you have more beautfiul projects planned. Your gray socks are lovely and I so like the socks you made with that new yarn with skin conditioners. What a great idea. Thank you for the pictures of your gorgeous country.

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  26. Anonymous05:13

    So far I have made one pair of socks with Step and washed them once. They still feel wonderfully soft, almost like cashmere. I will wash them more gently next time, though, as the crisp green and brown stripes seemed to blur a bit and pill slightly. I love the soft neutrals of the colorway you chose, Lene, and will look for it at my LYS.

    I have no idea whether you have any interest in writing a knitting book, but if you ever do, any of the big kniting publishers would be nuts not to pick it up! You have a distinctibve voice and your stockings are gorgeous. And if you included some of your own photographs of Finland along with those of the completed stockings -- oh, my. I would buy it as soon as I could get my hands on it.

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  27. Anonymous06:21

    Yes, yes, a book! With your lovely photos of beautiful scenery and knitting, and your thoughts. I'd buy it.

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  28. Your knitting and landscape photos are so gorgeous. You should be very proud of your knitting. I know you appreciate the wonderful lake views you have. Anonymous is correct about you getting published. I think many people would love to see your photos and many knitters would love to learn your techniques. You are a very strong inspiration to me.
    I hope you have a wonderful week also.

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  29. Oi miten ihana blogi sinulla onkaan! Aivan mielettömän ihania kuvia ja piirustukset on todella upeita!!

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  30. I love step yarn! I just knit my mom a pair of socks and it is so nice to work with. Must be a dream to wear.
    Your blog is fabulous. You are a very talented knitter. Blessings!

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  31. Anonymous06:54

    ...and when she writes the book, it should not be edited so that it is in "perfect English". The lilting way in which she writes is charming. I feel like I have entered a fairy forest every time I visit this blog.

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  32. I can't believe how clear the lake is! So very beautiful! Just beautiful photo's!

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