the perfect sweater

I think I might have just finished knitting my perfect sweater.



What do you think ? Doesn't it look amazing ? And it's such an easy pattern, just four knitted squares sewn together. It's all about the yarn, really. Now I know what everyone is talking about when they rave about Noro. It is somewhat expensive (well, it is japanese handspun yarn) but totally worth it. The colors are just gorgeous, and after it's washed it does soften up a lot. I can actually use it against the skin now, which means it's really, really soft. I already have plans to make another one, maybe in tones of red this time.




Pattern: Klaralund, from the Noro - Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Collection Book Number 2
Yarn: Noro Kureyon, color 156 (6 skeins)
Needles: 5 mm
Size: smallest




Needless to say, I did make a few changes ... first the yarn - I used Kureyon instead of Silk Garden, but that's because I loved the colors on this Kureyon and their yardage and weight is pretty much the same. I think that Silk Garden probably has a better drape, but I've also read that it doesn't become so soft. I'm using SG on the Sparreholm, so I can later confirm if that's true or not.

I made a few decreases and increases on the sides, to give it some shape at the waistline, and although I totally improvised that, it turned out better than I expected. Also, I didn't make the garter stitch rib at the top of the body pieces.

Finally, the sleeves are much shorter than on the original pattern, but that's because I didn't have enough yarn (the pattern calls for 9 skeins, and I only had 6). I think I actually prefer it this way, but for my next one I might go with the full length sleeve version.



Totally unrelated, but I just had to show you these beautiful fabrics I got yesterday. They were a gift from Sean and Nanako, owners of Barcelona's Nunoya. They are currently in Lisbon for a short visit and we finally managed to meet up last night. Guys, I hope you had a great time and I'm not to blame if you become addicted to those egg tarts).
These fabrics and some other new ones will be available at their online shop soon.

So I'm off till the end of the month. Next week will be all about snow and hopefully some great skiing. Have a great week !

one row scarf

Another scarf, I hear you asking ? Yes, indeed ... I couldn't resist this yarn in such fabulous colors. To be honest, I compulsively collect scarves and hats (and lately mittens) so it's a good thing I can actually knit them. There will be a pair of mittens in this color as well, sometime later on.



The pattern is so easy, just one row as the name says (Stephanie is a genius). Plus, it's reversible, it doesn't curl, and it looks so good.



Pattern: One row scarf, by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: Terra, color 03 (3 skeins)
Needles: 8 mm (cast on of 26 sts)

a (small) shop update

I'm so-o-o-o sorry, but the weekend just flew by and I didn't finish any of the items I had planned to. The weather was just too nice, so we had another try at inline skating (I'm getting better), and yesterday we went hiking in Sintra. Actually, this whole month has been flying by since New Year's, can't believe we're getting to the end of January already ... I had so many plans and things I meant to do, but I guess other things just got in the way. I've been sewing less and knitting more, as you might have noticed, mainly because I find knitting is more relaxing these days. So the plan to have a big shop update this week kind of failed, but I decided to have a small update nonetheless. Just some regular bookcovers for now, the pencil sleeves and fairytale pocket bags will come next, in a couple of weeks, I promise. I'm also waiting on some new fabrics for that, some treats from kitty-craft



Next week we'll be going on our ski trip, and although the weather hasn't been very obliging, I'm still certain we'll have a great time. We are experimenting a new resort this year (La Plagne was fully booked already) so if any of you has any recommendations about Flaine, I'd love to hear them. We are staying at the new UCPA Flaine Lindars, and so far I've only read good reviews about it.



(The bookcovers are available here)

koolhas + fetching set

hello there !



My koolhas is finished.



And because I had yarn to spare, I also made myself a pair of Fetchings.



The yarn (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran) is amazingly soft and the color is perfect (it matches my ski jacket).




Pattern: Koolhas, by Jared Flood (available from KnittingDaily)
Yarn: DB Cashmerino Aran (1.5 skeins)
Needles: 4.5 and 5 mm
Notes: I only did the 4 repeat version, and the hat turned out long enough (I like my hats to cover my ears entirely).

Pattern: Fetching
Yarn: DB Cashmerino Aran (1 skein)
Needles: 4 mm
Notes: I did one extra repeat of the cabling at the end, since I like my mittens to be long. Also, they didn't turn out as snug as I usually like them, so next time I'd probably cast on less one cable repeat (5 sts) than the pattern calls for

stashing

It seems I've been yarn shopping lately ... most probably not, but I wonder if I can use all this up until summer ?

Anyway, some beautiful Noro Kureyon (shade 156, I think) for a Klaralund (already started, and progressing well). It's a bit rough when I'm knitting it, but everyone says it will soften up after washing, so let's see ...



And ... well ... I haven't even finished my first pair of socks yet, but there's no way I could resist this: Landscape Fire, by Kaffe Kassett for Regia. What can I say ? The colors are beautiful.



And for more socks: Hummingbird by Artesano (in Pheasant)



This one is hand painted and came from Uruguay ... four skeins of merino bulky in wine red, from handpaintedyarn.com. Planned for a Chérie amour later on, if I don't change my mind



That looked like a mess, didn't it ? But last Sunday during our crafts meeting the girls helped me out, and we used my (new) swifter and yarn winder to turn all that into this:



It looks so much prettier now. I think I'll just leave them on my desk for the time being so I can look at them once in a while ... back later this week with (hopefully) some more finished items