Akhila's

2012

2012-01-06T14:24:00.001Z

Happy New Year Everyone!

I must admit that the 'proper' Christmas-feeling did not make it's way to me, mostly because the NOT so 'Christmassy' weather. At least that is what I blame it on.
Anyway, we celebrated Christmas in Sweden - looking as above... Yet another 'El Hatto Negro' this time for my brother. It is a truly great pattern, but however much I extend it, it never seems to be enough. The hat 'draw itself together' when worn, so make it much longer than stated - is my advise.

During the holiday I got some knitting done - even though the finishing bits missing - weaving in ends and blocking...

First out - Inspira Cowl (Ravelry link).

Yarn: Debbie Bliss, Donegal Tweed and Drops Delight. Both bought at Nest, in Crouch End London.

I followed the MESA ROCK pattern, but decreased 20 st three times to get a tighter ending.

New Year was met in Leeds while knitting 'Avery Cowl' with Fibre Company's Acadia colour Kelp from Loop in Islington London.

As I said: Still blocking to come...

Now I have Stolen Stitches cardigan Trilo on the needles. Fingers crossed for a lovely cardi. At least the yarn is - Manos del Uruguay Silk blend, colour Taurus.

Looong time ago...

2011-11-30T10:39:00.001Z

During half-term - which was a really long time ago... - I had the chance to go for a few walks all by myself! My favorite place is along the canal - a substitute to the archipelago of Gothenburg that I miss so much. Water is what my soul needs - comes rain, comes shine.

Another walk is across fields and into the woods.

(Holly that gave me a pre-taste of Christmas.)

A few things have been produced as well. Here are a couple of 'Heavy Babies' that have found new homes in kindergartens in Cambridge and Kings Langley as a 'thank you' for welcoming me to visit them. Another little one was also donated to the Winter Fair at the kindergarten where I work. All this was possible thanks to my lovely cousin M who sent me a whole load of velour fabric. Thank you so much!

As my son Elliot learns knitting now in Class 1 in Kings Langley, Zak must of course also show off his talent...

Winter hats for the boys using this WONDERFUL pattern.

...and finally of this belated and rather long post - a Nativity Scene I made and donated to the Advent Fair at our Steiner School in Kings Langley. It was very appreciated and I was very pleased that it went to a family in my son's Class 1.

Lettuce Knit Armwarmers

2011-10-11T15:39:00.002+01:00

Lettuce Knit Armwarmers, knitted in Berocco from Loop. (True colour more purple than blue...)

A bit of sewing

2011-10-05T16:22:00.001+01:00

Made some long sleeve shirts for the boys recently...

...and a skirt for me - made of an old apron. (photographed on a quite blustery day...)

2011-09-24T19:25:00.001+01:00

Via Monster Arkivet, I found this lovely and inspiring blog - where you now can be one of the lucky one to win a 'Pippi Hat'. Fingers crossed.

Graduation

2011-09-22T21:05:00.002+01:00

This is me today on my graduation in Plymouth. I didn't really had much of an idea of how it would be or feel, but I can tell you that it did feel great. It was a very special day and made my studies feel even more important and well worth it.

... and here are two graduates still to come...

The Hoe in Plymouth where the Graduation Ceremony was held.

Waldorf Dolls for Playgroup

2011-09-18T16:58:00.004+01:00

Before the summer holiday, I promised to make a couple of new Waldorf Dolls to the Playgroup at the Steiner School I work. So here are now the new friends ready to play with our playgroup children.

A Japanese girl in her new kimono.

'Heavy Baby' from this pattern - filled with Lavender scented millet.

FO's

2011-09-03T16:32:00.001+01:00

Cardigans for my boys. Pattern: Wonder Years Toddler/Child Cardigan.

Yarn: Malabrigo

Yarn: Shilasdair

MiA's Mystery shawl finished in lovely Malabrigo Sock, colour Archangel.

An Old Oak Tree and A Present

2011-08-26T11:48:00.000+01:00

Two happy boys in a funny old oak tree - almost as in Pippi Langstrump's stories.

Another of Stickfrossa's Ponchonette. This time knitted in Drops Merino Extra Fine and will be sent off to friend J today.

Shawls blocked

2011-08-16T15:32:00.000+01:00

... and ready to be wrapped for gifts.

FO's amongst all the others...

2011-08-10T14:53:00.000+01:00

My Fan Shawl has been finished for a while already, but I just couldn't get around to weave all the 'end-bits' until now. It is now having a little soak before blocking.

Charlie Pom-Pom Scarf has also been finished for some time, except the pom-pom's that is. But now they are there and soft as a baby's cheek.

...and finally, two quite resistant boys to model 'fusk-ollar' (Swedish for 'fake polo-neck) for the winter. Sadly I was seduced by the colours of Jarbo Fantasi yarn, because the feel of it is not as nice and I doubt the boys will agree to use them - 'to itchy'...

VickeVira's Mystery Shawl

2011-08-09T15:45:00.001+01:00

Three clues knitted so far and I absolutely love it. Both the feel and look of the yarn - Malabrigo Sock, Colour Archangel - and the pattern which is so fun and fast to knit.

Hemp Dress

2011-08-07T10:59:00.000+01:00

Last year I got a wonderful hemp-fabric from my mother, and finally I got around to sew something. Loose and very comfy fit.

Found the pattern in an old 'Allt om Handarbete'.

KAL

2011-08-07T10:56:00.000+01:00

I have decided to join Vickevira's Mystery Shawl KAL. Using Malabrigo Sock, colour 850 Archangel. Never joined a KAL before, so this is exciting and what I have seen of others, the shawl already looks great.

Bag

2011-08-06T11:01:00.004+01:00

Long time ago, I got this lovely fabric from my cousin M and started to make a bag from 'Home Sewn', a lovely and beautiful book. It has taken some time, but now it's ready to go. I put a flat/sturdy bottom in it to keep its nice form.

Swallowtail Shawl

2011-08-05T09:14:00.000+01:00

My Swallowtail is ready for a soak and to be blocked. I don't know what I expected when knitting in laceweight, but right now it seems so small...

Tilda Angel

2011-07-29T14:45:00.000+01:00

Bathing Angel for my mother on her birthday.

End of Term, Presents etc

2011-07-11T18:13:00.001+01:00

Last Friday was the last of our normal school term and the 'going-up-children' could take home their special projects they been working hard on for quite some time after they had their lovely ceremony. My Elliot was one of the children leaving kindergarten and will start Class 1 in September. It is so exciting to entering a new adventure.

He did have another sort of adventure already though - a close encounter with the edge of the stairs - and ended up with six stitches on his eyebrow... and many lovely colours...

I was a very lucky lady who got lovely presents. A pile of 'fat-quarters' from V&A from my dear colleague...

...and gift voucher to lovely Nest - which today resulted in another wonderful pile...

Today was also the first day of my Summer Craft School that lasts this week. Today was wet-felting.

All the children's lovely 'wool-pictures' hanging to dry.

Petra's Lilla Kofta

2011-06-14T17:43:00.000+01:00

Finally 'Petra's Lilla Kofta' has been sent off to baby Isla together with gorgeous little booties.

Baby Cardigan

2011-05-22T09:42:00.000+01:00

Finally sewn the buttons onto 'Petra's Lilla Kofta'. As I still have a ball of the yarn left, I will make a pair of baby booties before sending it all to baby Isla.

Instead of packing...

2011-04-19T20:46:00.001+01:00

April has turned out to be madly stressful.

We recently found out that we had to move house - four months earlier than we thought. Then it has been hard to find anywhere to move to. Finally last week, we found a place in Kings Langley even though it is just temporary. Anyway, now I am very busy packing and cleaning for the move on Saturday. Happy Easter!

We are excited to move out of London and to live within walking distance to the lovely Kings Langley Steiner School where Elliot will start class one in September.

Once there, I then has to tie myself to the computer and piles of books to write my biggest assignment yet that has to be handed in first Friday in May.

After that, I will breath out!

When everything has been to stressful, I instead of packing went to Nest in Crouch End - a beautiful shop - and got some lovely yarn.

Spring coloured Bluefaced Leicester will be a Margrathea Shawl (ravelry link).

The lovely soft pink yarn from Rooster (at the top) will finally be a little 'Petra's Lilla Kofta' for a little friend in the family.

Polly

2011-04-05T18:22:00.000+01:00

Here I am with a rare post, just to introduce Polly. My degree work is taking up all of my 'spare' time along work and family, so not much to present. (I just start a lot of projects to keep my spirit up when it all gets to much - but not much is finished...)

At least I sometimes get the chance to be crafty as part of my university studies so hence our new family member Polly. She is a quite large and heavy Waldorf doll with more details than I normally do - dimpled knees and elbows and both belly-button, nose and a 'real' bottom. Her cardigan is knitted from this pattern with Shilasdair lovely wool and pattern for her linen apron-dress is adjusted from one found in 'The Children's Year'.

Andrea's Shawl

2011-03-03T09:20:00.000Z

A still unblocked Andrea's Shawl by Kirsten Kapur, knitted in lovely natural dyed wool from Shilasdair.

Third time lucky...

2011-01-04T16:59:00.001Z

Some time ago, I made two felted hats for my sons Elliot and Zak. But Zak's got just a tad bit to small, so I tried to knit on a few more rows, which did not work - at all! So I knitted a new one, that turned out just a tad bit to large - for his teddy-bear...

But now I luckily got it right with help of Drops Alaska from Eks Lilla Bod, where I also got Drops Nepal for new mittens for me. Both yarn felt beautifully.

Have no idea what happened to the photo-placement now, but anyway...

As the end of the Christmas Holiday draws closer, I now say good bye to my lovely 'Tilda Tomte' for this time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS - GOD JUL

2010-12-24T09:57:00.001Z

Tomtar from Hemmets Veckotidning 50/2010 - a Swedish magazine

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T20:22:00.000Z

Yippie, Christmas holidays and hopefully lots of time to do nice things - like knitting - and not only course work...

December has been really quite busy. The boys and I had a weekend in Sweden which was lovely - and white...

Being back home, I of course had to visit Eks Lilla Bod - and came home with half the suitcase full of yarn. This hat is made in JC naturgarn from Jarbo.

Back in London again, still feeling very Swedish, I took the whole family to the Swedish Church in London for the Lucia Celebration. This was the first time the boys had experienced this lovely celebration and was as delighted as I was.

Even if I do not agree with the BBC's broadcaster reporting about 'killer freeze' and 'the arctic conditions' in England at the moment, but yes it has been and still is cold in parts of the country. Even we in London has experienced some fantastic winter wonderland.

These are both pictures from our school garden on Monday, when I led our Winter Craft School. Could it be more beautiful and winter-like? A perfect day for candle dipping out-doors in our shelter.

As I haven't been posting much lately, I just want to end with these lovely soft fingerless mittens in Blue Sky alpaca.

... and a still secret Christmas pressie...

Celebrate with Stickfrossa

2010-12-22T20:01:00.001Z

Another fantastic creation from Stickfrossa - an extra Christmas pressie for one lucky winner!!!

"Active Blogger Award" - will I never receive...

2010-10-26T15:59:00.001+01:00

No, I cannot hope for that award, if there is any...
I am back in 'study-hell' - well that is how it feels at the moment anyway. Sorry for moaning, but it has all got the best of me.

So, even if I don't have much inspiring 'stuff' to show off, I keep my blog as it is my little window to all you other VERY inspiring ladies out there. I do call in at time and I so enjoy you all.

Something, has been positive though. As a birthday pressie to myself, I went to a one day spinning course at Handweavers Studio - and had a wonderful day. These modest skeins are the results of my first ever try with a spinning wheel.

The weekend after that I spent the Sunday at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Alexandra Palace nearby where we live. Imagine that, an afternoon all by myself.

Got a few bits and bobs...

Wonderful alpaca from Purl Alpaca Designs - A scarf to come.

Blue Sky Alpaca from Loop, Islington - my very favourite shop was also at the show! Fingerless mittens.

Fun felted balls from Blooming Felt. So handy and quick to buy! X-mas pressies to come.

First try to knit with wire and beads - from 'The Crazy Wire Company'.

And some buttons for my Rosamund's Cardigan. I think I'll go for the patterned ones.

The cardigan is knitted, but it still needs to have the yarn weaved in, be blocked and the buttons sewn on.

And to finish the blog in good style - still moaning - something happened with my camera. Tiny little photos and weird colours and...

Sorry all, I wish you a wonderful time and I promise to be back happier next time!

Loop - Yarn Heaven

2010-09-27T18:24:00.003+01:00

Went to Loop in Islington, London yesterday to get a ball of tweed for a pair of Ysolda's "Garterstitch Mitts". The mitts are meant as a birthday pressie for a dear colleague.

But, as anyone who has ever visited Loop understand, I did not walk out of the shop with only A BALL of Berroco Blackstone Tweed color 2635 - but a bag full of wonderful yarn. Just take a look at this and drool...

I am absolutely in love with Shilasdair natural dyed wool since my Ishbel, came out with four skeins. The two pink ones will probably be Andrea's Shawl and Mitts and the two blue's a cardi for the boys. (All Ravelry links.)

And another of Berroco's lovely yarn, Ultra Alpaca color 6283. This is meant for these mitts.

All-in-all a great Sunday afternoon and soon it is the 'Knitting and Stitching Show' at Alexandra Palace, London. Yeah!

Ishbel

2010-09-12T16:43:00.000+01:00

Lovely Ishbel in wonderful Shilasdair Luxury DK from Loop. This shawl is soft as a kitten and sunny and happy to the colour. Love it!

Well, here is the reason why my pictures are not that good - my phonecamera... And my poor technique photographing...

Had a first go with straw yesterday. A mobile, probably for a colleague who's birthday coming up.

Warm Feet

2010-09-07T18:58:00.001+01:00

Mary Jane Slippers

Ragg-Socks for little boys

Virkligheten

2010-08-30T11:24:00.000+01:00

One lucky winner will indulge in this new and lovely book from Virkverket. Good Luck! I keep all my fingers crossed...

More felted caps

2010-08-26T11:40:00.001+01:00

On request from the boys, they have now got their own felted caps.

School start approaching

2010-08-25T11:40:00.003+01:00

Filurer

Soon I am back to 'normal' routine with work and studies on top of family life. Hopefully these bookmarks will make the reading easier to get going with again.

Little figures from Virkverket, Gecko (inspired as always by Anna) and Fan from Crochetroo.

If I can enjoy some treats while studying, it might be easier to keep going...

Princess cake

Dammsugare

Oops, a little mushroom in the garden.

Mushroom

KarMa's 2nd birthday

2010-08-23T20:15:00.006+01:00

Not living in Gothenburg and Sweden since a while (well 10 years to be exact...) I have not been able to visit the shop - just their webshop. Now they celebrate their 2nd birthday with a lovely raffle. Fingers crossed!

Felted Winter Cap

2010-08-21T17:15:00.003+01:00

Just back from a lovely week in Sweden visiting family. A lot of knitting has been done...

Made a hat for my cousin from this pattern. Knitted in Drops Eskimo bought at Ek's Lilla Bod. If you ever happen to be near Varnamo, it is well worth a visit to Irene and her shop.

We were all so pleased how the hat turned out, so today Elliot and Zak choose colours for hats for them.

Before felting...

... and after.

Someone else just learned to knit. Zak in action!

Just before we went to Sweden, we spent a few days with friends in Wales. The family's two daughter just turned 5 and 7 and I had made them each a craft/knitting bag.

SockPixie, Vivian and Kaellingesjal

2010-08-07T13:06:00.003+01:00

Today my package from SockPixie arrived. What a joy to see and feel the hand-dyed/hand-spun wool. Even more joy to find an extra added gift from lovely Caroline. Thank you!

Having finally managed to finish my Vivian, I am now busy to sew the zip in. I know this will be a very, VERY warm and snug cardi for the winter.

This is how my Kaellingesjal look like at the moment. Just the top lace and end bits to go.

I'm sorry the colors in the photos don't look exactly as in real...

Kaellingesjal

2010-07-30T18:31:00.003+01:00

Having finally finished my Vivian (it kind of been hibernating since last autumn due to study-frenzy) when visiting family, I panicked as I missed to bring anything else to get on with. I somehow thought Vivian would take longer than it did...
My husband realized he had to take me to lovely BaaRamEve - sooner rather than later...

So off we went and 15 minutes later I came out with six balls of Rowan Felted Tweed for a Kaellingesjal shawl (Ravelry link). I fell in love with the shawl when I saw it.

Vivian is now being blocked and then it is time for a zip.

Multi-tasking - Not for me...

2010-07-24T15:01:00.004+01:00

Thinking I could leave my hard-worked, hand-spun yarn to 'set' over a steam-bath while I just pop upstairs for a quick browse on the www...

Hrm! It seems it took a bit longer than planned and was just disrupted by the smoke-alarm as the water had evaporated and left the pot - and my yarn - burnt...

Anyone else that get distracted when on the computer?

Summer Craft School

2010-07-24T14:06:00.002+01:00

Children felting with their feet. Great fun!

Finished result - felted wool pictures

Just finished a week of 'Summer Craft School'. Even though we were very late to announce the event, we had between 10 and 14 children coming each day. Every day we made different craft, such as wet-felting, mosaic pots, clay modelling and tie dyed t-shirts.
Every day I told the story about 'The Five Goats' and on the last day the children helped make the puppets for the puppet-show that we performed for the parents who were invited to finished of our craft week.

As it was my first time leading it, I have to admit that some activities worked better than other. But considering working with a mixed age group of children, ranging between 3 till nearly 7 years old, it all worked out very nicely.

Thank you all children for a wonderful week and a big thank you to all parents who are already requesting another holiday-club. I will definitely be back with more craft! Last but not least a HUGE thank you to Emma for all your help and support.

Zak with his t-shirt, dyed with onion-skin

Tie dyed vest from Turmeric

End of term

2010-07-09T18:54:00.002+01:00

As we celebrated the end of Summer Term today, Pippi joined our kindergarten and we are looking forward to have her in our class when we come in September. Especially as she is now fully equipped with her new water proofs and wellies...

At the same time this brother and sister moved to their new family. I wish them all the best in their future 'life'.

Afternoon Tea

2010-07-06T19:50:00.002+01:00

Last Sunday, the staff at our school were invited for a proper - PROPER - English Afternoon Tea Party by our colleague Katherine. Oh boy, was it delicious.

Lovely Loop in Islington, London recently moved to new location and it is so beautiful. I visited them the other day to get some hair for new Waldorf dolls - and found this lovely yellow wool, which I just could not let go of. Shilasdair, color bright yellow (dyed with Skye Heather and onion skins) - true sunshine. Will soon become some kind of shawl.

More Hats and Crowns

2010-06-30T19:22:00.003+01:00

More crowns have been made and in kindergarten we are now enjoying many princes and princesses.

I also made myself another summer hat from this pattern in white Safran.

Just in time for midsummer, we could harvest a bowl full of our very own strawberries.

Crowns

2010-06-20T15:21:00.002+01:00

One of the parents at our Steiner School has kindly donated some wool, which I happily agreed to make something of. Initially I had no idea what - but coincidentally with the Swedish Roayal wedding, I started to crochet some crowns for our kindergartens and for our summer fair coming up next Saturday. I used a pattern found on this web-site with a few alterations and I think they will be very popular with the children to play with.

I am also so thrilled for my new Wool Winder that my mother and aunt gave me recently. Thanks you both!

2010-06-13T13:04:00.003+01:00

Back from a lovely five day residential at my course. Long days and very intense, but we all came back with a lovely copper bowl and felt bag/purse/slippers/beret etc we made during the week along lots of other lectures.

Just finished a summer hat from this pattern and this yarn color no. 05.

Pelle's New Suit

2010-05-24T18:26:00.002+01:00

As part of my course, we had to prepare and perform a puppet-show in kindergarten. As I am Swedish, I just had to choose one of Elsa Beskow's most beautiful stories - Pelle's New Suit. So with no further ado - here are the finished puppets and scene...

The children love the story, especially the 'magic' bit where Pelle dye his yarn from white to blue - 'how does he do it' - it the question every time.

The puppets are of 'Waldorf Style' except the two grannies that are needle felted.

Beginning of May, we celebrated our May Festival in beautiful Queens Woods in North London. This is our May-Pole, after the 'weaving dance'.

Assignments

2010-05-14T19:49:00.004+01:00

When I went to my course last weekend, I had a whole suitcase full of assignments to hand in. It has been quite full on this year to try to fit in studying with work and little boys. But at least one of the assignments were of practical nature this time - which is to be honest, much easier to find time for than all the essay's and presentations I also had to write and prepare...

So a little peep into the bag I handed in:

'Teachers Tools'

Clever way to keep embroidery floss.

Apron (sorry for totally different colours... it is soft pink in reality)

...and my new friend 'Pippi" who will start kindergarten as soon as she got her wardrobe sorted. On her 'need for kindergarten list' is: wellies, water-proofs, summer- & winter-hat

Brandywine & Amy Butler

2010-04-20T16:03:00.006+01:00

A couple more photos of my Brandywine Shawl which is now with it's new owner, who was thrilled for the pressie.

I just had my cousin and his partner here for a few days - and a few more days due to the Icelandic volcano. It was great to have Kalle and Sara here and after getting them on the Euro Star, they should now be on a train towards Hamburg and then hopefully back in Sweden soon. Anyway, visits always gives me a very loved visit to one of the many musicals in the west end. This time it was 'We Will Rock You' - and it was FAB. On my way to the theatre, I accidently slipped in to Liberty and got out with a little treat... Rowan by Amy Butler!

As often inspired by PetraO, I'm hoping this will be a beautiful poncho.

Bargain from a charity-shop in Helsingborg - a skein winder for £1!!! Yeah!

Brandywine Shawl

2010-04-10T19:25:00.005+01:00

I am so enjoying the Easter holiday. It has been very busy since Christmas with work and course work and I'm so thrilled that my first ever essay passed. Not the best marks in the world, but considering I thought I would fail - I'm more than happy. Anthroposophy is not very easy for me to grasp.

Anyway, having had some time off, I've managed to finally finish something - a Brandywine Shawl. It was meant to be a Easter present for my colleague, but I hope it will be ok with a 'Great to be back at work" pressie instead.

I've also been busy with more practical course work - which is so much easier than all reading and essay writing....

These dolls will be starring in my puppet show - Pelle's new suit by Elsa Beskow, and the scissor-cases, pin-cushion etc will also be assessed, when finished...

A stolen moment...

2010-03-02T19:17:00.004Z

Between work, studies, kids and house-work I sometimes 'steal' a moment or two to browse the blogworld. Thank you all busy and crafty bloggers out there. I truly enjoy all your beautiful work and how you share it with us all.

As there is hardly any time left for the most important craft at the moment, I don't really have anything to share - but...

Last Sunday when finally finished my Anthroposophical essay and notebook - I treated myself to indulgence from Loop.

There are two shawls that I want to knit and I just cannot decide which yarn goes to which. One of my favourite blogg-ladies, PetraO inspired me to knit a Panda Silk Fan Shawl. I just started off with the lovely wool from Nature's Palette.

But I might change and use that wool for Romi's Brandywine Shawl and do the Fan Shawl in this gorgeous yarn instead. I will have to try and see what feel best.

When I will get any knitting done, I have no idea. But as I said - a few stolen moments here and there must be ok! Or?

Cupcakes anyone?

2010-01-08T07:53:00.003Z

These cupcakes are up for grab at I heart retro. Drool!! Yum!!

A rather long update...

2010-01-07T07:41:00.006Z

Happy New Year to everyone!

Yes, this will be a rather long update of my being, as I never find time anymore to something so important as blogging...

At the last day of school in December, we have the advent spiral where the children walks the spiral with their 'apple-candle'. When all the children have lit their candle and placed in the cups, it is so beautiful with a spiral full of candles. As this is a magic moment for both children and adults, I could only take some photos before we started.

Some X-mas pressies I managed to finish.

This pincushion I saw somewhere in the blog-world, but cannot find it to link to. Sorry! Anyway, it is brilliant to use an old jar, which means there is room for buttons etc underneath the pins.

A rather blurry photo (taken late in no light) of some match-gnomes.

A velvet cat and mouse.

Cake-stand for Auntie.
Inspiration from PetraO and instructions from our green-team at school.

A couple of new gnomes.
My Uncle was so happy with his, which makes it even more rewarding.

Waiting for Tomten (Santa) is very exciting!

And if you don't get the drums you wanted, you use what there is...

A couple of baby-booties was also made before X-mas.

With this snowy lantern I wish you all the best for 2010.

Hopefully, I will be on my way to my course in York tomorrow. That is if the weather behave and not putting the entire UK to a stand still.

Secret Crochet - along

2010-01-07T07:12:00.004Z

Finally had time to sit down to do some proper blog-surfing and found a crochet-along (Swedish) with lovely Veronica. I love all her blog and followed another of her patterns last summer. Looking forward to start next week.

Teachers Presents

2009-12-12T15:14:00.003Z

It is that time of the year again...

Busy, busy sorting out presents. First for teachers and then for my family. I'm so excited as we will celebrate Christmas in Sweden this year, first time in three years. The boys cannot wait to actually meet Santa/Tomten again. I just about got away with it last year when I dressed up and acted as Tomten. My wellies gave me away - kids are sooooo observant!

Some home made chocolate cashew truffles (learned at this course - YUM!) for the boys teachers with crocheted lids from Froken Elsa's pattern.

Also made some felted balls for Michael, our Eurythmy Therapist.

And this is what the boys and I have been busy with today. Candle holders that now is put to dry before we will decorate and wrap them.

Last, I cannot believe that I forgot to take a photo of my latest doll before he moved away to his new owner. (Sobbing..) Anyway, I've learned that the doll was to great delight. (Happy again!)

Now, back to the pressies...

... and happy Lucia to everyone back in Sweden.

Christmas Competition

2009-12-02T19:32:00.001Z

Olala! Just how happy will the lucky winner of this fantastic yarn be. Wonderful Anna gives away this lovely handspun yarn.
I have all my fingers crossed.

More Gnomes

2009-11-23T20:31:00.005Z

Last Saturday was the day for our school's Winter Fair.

Again it was a great day with lovely, home made food, cakes, loads of activities for the children, live music and of course lots of craft and things from our school shop.

This year 'out-side' traders were also invited, so there were also stalls selling lovely truffles (I know because I've been to one of Liz's courses), hand-made soap etc. and we were a few parents from the school who had our own stall. I brought in some of my 'left-over' handbags, embroidered pot-holders, door-stoppers and some new Gnomes. And the best of all - I did sell some of it!! Yaha!

After being the 'Craft-Lady' for the last few years, it was a bit strange not being the one this year - but the new craft-team had made a great job and the stall looked fabulous.

A bit of this and that...

2009-11-09T16:57:00.004Z

As I'm not seem to get that much time for blogging - or crafting - my rare posts now-a-days are a bit of this and that...
This beautiful yarn, even though it is a sock-yarn, will hopefully be a hat for Elliot some time in the - not to far a way - future. My hope is for a lovely rainbow-coloured hat.

In the half-term, I was busy writing one of my many essays for my course. As always, I was to much of an time-optimist and had hoped to finish the essay, which I haven't!! But anyway, I
have got off to a good start. The module I was working with is about story-telling and puppetry. Except the essay, we are also supposed to give a puppet-show ourselves. I have chosen "Olle's new suit" by Elsa Beskow. I love her stories and all the beautiful pictures. So along with my writing, I also got started with the puppets for this. So far, I have two nearly finished grannies, a sheep, some pigs and a cow with calf. Pelle and all the other characters are still in the making.

Soon we are also having our Winter Fair at our school, so a few bits have been made for that - some pencil-gnomes and a few walnut-gnomes.
Here in north London we have a lovely shop called Handweavers Studio - a heaven for wool lovers. This is what I came out with the other day - beautiful wool for more knitted gnomes (as in previous post).

Update

2009-10-11T17:51:00.003+01:00

Long time no seen - again...

Since end August everything changed in my life - at least it feels like. I started working again after being home with children the last 5 1/2 years AND I started university. Still a bit in chock! It's all very exciting, but OHOY what a lot to do.

I started work as an assistant to the Playgroup teacher at our Steiner School which is great. I thoroughly enjoy the work and it is very handy to drop off my boys in the kindergarten and then just get into the next room for playgroup.

The university studies are a bit more scary. Even though I'm only away 2 days a month, it is a lot of reading that has to be done - and at this very moment I have no idea how I'm coping. Anyway, it is as I said very exciting. I'm doing a two years foundation course in Waldorf Steiner Early Childhood Education.

So with all this happening, there is not that much time for craft...

My Vivian by Ysolda is on the way - slowly, slowly.

This is my latest love. A gnome from this book. There will be more of them I can tell.

And to finish off - this was the way I celebrated my birthday by myself last Monday - with Swedish Cider!!! Just had to buy it when I found it in our local supermarket.

PS. Visited the Knit and Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace in London today and was stopped at least 30 times by people admiring my red ponchonette by Anna. So well done Anna! You are admired.

2009-09-11T19:01:00.002+01:00

Shetland Wool for Vivian

2009-08-14T18:06:00.005+01:00

I'm in heaven. While visiting family in Leeds I was dropped off at a wool shop I found - Baa Ram Ewe. Beautiful and lovely shop. Long after everyone given up waiting for me and gone off to the park, I came out with a bag full of lovely Jamieson's Shetland Heather Wool. The color is just as heather in full bloom, not as purple as it looks in my picture. Ysolda's Vivian is what it will turn into. Yeah!

My mother-in-law dug out some gems stored away for me to take home. Candy!

While in Leeds I took up my Zetor shawl that was frogged ages ago. I unraveled what I had knit before and am now knitting with two strings of this VERY thin lace yarn. Like it much better now, but as I just have to start with Vivian, Zetor will have to wait yet again...

A bag full of candy - Competition

2009-08-07T07:21:00.002+01:00

Who doesn't dream to win something this beautiful!

from Kamilla

Birthday Dolls

2009-08-07T07:13:00.002+01:00

We are going to a birthday party for two little girls today. So I have made these Waldorf inspired dolls for them.

Knit Bag

2009-08-06T07:53:00.005+01:00

Finally I got myself together to make:

a) one of these little hand-stitched flowers.
b) a knit/craft bag.
The flower is hand-stitched together, but applied on the bag by machine.

Inspired by this little tutorial listed on the great blog Monster-Arkivet.

Pink Competition

2009-08-05T08:35:00.010+01:00

Who wouldn't like to win lovely and beautiful things like this...

This would be so perfect when I start my new job at our Steiner School. Imagine to keep nice warm and dry in the wet UK weather... from Mirrezz

2009-08-01T17:25:00.005+01:00

The boys and I went to Parkside Farm today. A Pick-Your-Own fruit and veg farm just 15 min drive from us. This is what we came home with.

Yum! So now I'm looking for recepies to make home made jam for the first time in my life. Wish me luck!

And in between all of the fruit this little creature appeared - Minnie Mouse! My result of this pattern.

Hat for Zak

2009-07-31T07:43:00.005+01:00

Again recycled some old jeans to make a hat. I really do love this hat and the way it turned out.
Even Zak is now happy with it even if he was quite grumpy and not very co-operative when trying to take the photo...

Crochet on the go...

2009-07-28T08:41:00.003+01:00

Some small crocheting projects that's been with me in hospital, on holiday and in the sofa.

Veronicas lovely mouse - still need assembling and dressed...

Giraffe with limbs still missing...

... and the development of Pepika's heart from her original small heart - to mine bigger ones.

Hello Again

2009-07-21T16:43:00.003+01:00

Even though I have been REALLY slow blogging lately, I do enjoy calling in at all you other VERY crafty and inspirational bloggers out there. So thank you all!

As soon as the boys finished school on 10th July, we headed down to Bridport, Dorset for our friends Sammat and Lyndsay's wedding. A great day - and night - despite the weather. But some rain on the wedding day says bringing luck and wealth...

Elliot found his own dancing partner.

After the wedding we went on to St. Ives, Cornwall for a few days camping. Again, we all enjoyed it all despite the weather. First time and great adventure for the boys.

Even though I find myself busy most of the time, it is not much finished to show. Anyway, here is a little neck-lace (sorry, the blurry photo) that is just now making its way to the new owner. The pattern from Kristina-Lakris (Swedish).

Soon... a little mouse will move in

2009-07-01T10:40:00.004+01:00

I am delighted that Veronica has invited us all (well Swedish readers) to join in and crochet one of her little garden-mice. Today is the first bit of the pattern out and I cannot wait to get started.
Let me also introduce Wilson mini who is just about to move into his new owner Wilson 2 yrs.

St John's Celebration & Summer Fair

2009-06-28T19:36:00.002+01:00

Last week we celebrated St. John's Day and all kindergarten children could jump over the fire to burn all their grumbles away. Zak - as always prefer his own way and decided to just sing the song - but Elliot was very excited this year. ...and yes - RED was the color for the day...

A few days later we had our School Summer Fair with Music in the Garden, lots of kids activities, yummy home-cooked food etc - and of course our Craft Stall. Here is a little selection of what we made and sold.
Somehow, some strange person had made his way into the garden as well.

Swedish Midsommer

2009-06-20T20:53:00.003+01:00

The boys and I have today celebrated Swedish Midsummer at the Swedish Seamen's Church here in London.

Elliot had a great time playing traditional games...

...and some more hair-ties and brooches for our school fair - "Music in the Garden" next week.

Strawberries

2009-06-20T20:31:00.003+01:00

Strawberries in all forms off to Stonepitts Strawberry Farm in Kent.

Brooches and Key-rings are for sale in the shop...

...and a little hat for lovely Rufus. If you live on a strawberry farm you just must have a strawberry hat, or...

The crocheted strawberries is based on this pattern (Ravelry link), with some modifications.

Felting, Birthday and National Day

2009-06-08T17:24:00.005+01:00

Our craft group is busy making craft for the upcoming Summer Fair and here is the result of one of our gatherings - wet-felted balls and some brooches and hair-ties.
I made a needle-felted "bird-hanging" that we like very much.
Being Swedish and living abroad sometimes makes me very Swedish. So last Saturday I got the whole family + mother-in-law in the car to visit the Swedish School in London to celebrate Svenska Flaggans Dag or the Swedish National Day. Elliot and I really enjoyed the Swedish-ness and all the lovely songs - I'm not so sure about the rest... I even had a little tear in my eyes when singing Idas sommarvisa, Du Gamla Du Fria etc...

Elliot also had his 5th birthday and had a great time - and is all in a sudden VERY big, with a bit of an attitude...
Celebration flags
Astronaut Suit I spent the night before to sew.

...and at last a quick birthday present I made last night to one of the teachers at school. Tutorial found here. Internet is great!

Harisson Hat/Cap

2009-05-26T08:08:00.002+01:00

Made a new hat/cap for Elliot from tuition from Rättvisa Barns (Swedish). Doesn't look exactly as hers, but Elliot loves it and there now has to be another for Zak.

Needle Felting

2009-05-25T11:52:00.004+01:00

I haven't been very good updating my blog recently, mostly because most of what I'm busy with is craft for the school fair in June. But anyway, here are some photos...

Mother Earth in different clothes, colors and style.

Needle felted animals.

Knitted family of pigs.

The boy's latest favourite book is the story about Broken Bird who is born with only one wing. Eventually he meet Scary Bird with the same problem and there is immediate love... Very sweet little story.
As always, Zak has his own idea how things should be and his Scary Bird therefore has brown spots.

More Pressies

2009-05-11T15:23:00.003+01:00

I who never win - have won!!! One of "Two Little Banshees" new pattern - Pippa and Polly Platypus, and some fabric. YEAH! Thank you Kate for a inspiring blog, I will definitely try your pattern soon.

On Sunday 3rd, I went to my friend Annie's birthday (hence the crocheted jar-lid and truffles in previous post). On Tuesday 5th she gave birth to a baby-boy. I'm dying to visit them for a little peep & a cuddle... Knitted a little hat and some booties for him (I hope they will fit. They do look very small...)
Yarn: Freedom Sincere 100% organic cotton
DPN and crochet-hook no. 3
Baby hat inspired of this Drops-pattern, and the booties from Life is Sweet.
(again: sorry for the strange photo. The color is lovely soft blue.)

Garden Mouse

2009-05-07T19:31:00.001+01:00

Who doesn't want to win this beautiful little Garden Mouse from Ulliga Gulliga Saker...

Present

2009-05-04T14:24:00.005+01:00

Homemade chocolate cashew truffles (recipe from Sweet Sensation's chocolate course) and crocheted lid from Froken Elsa. Just added some beads.

Grumme Grön Såpa

2009-05-03T07:23:00.002+01:00

Is there any nicer and fresher smell than the scent from Grumme Grön Såpa?!.
After picking up Elliot's new passport at the Swedish Embassy last week, we popped around the corner to Totally Swedish and a few minutes of Sweden. The boys immediately went for Marabou's chocolate and I came home with Grumme Grön Såpa and Falu RågRut. Yum!
So, now the whole house has a lovely (and Swedish) scent.

May Day Celebration

2009-05-01T18:27:00.003+01:00

Today we celebrated May Day in Queens Wood, North London. And gosh how blessed we were with lovely sunny weather.

First the children from babies to 6 years did their dancing.

Then the adults got their chance to show off how to dance, skip, sing and weave the ribbons into lovely pattern... Well, it kind of worked (most of the time)...
Sorry for the blurry photo, but it does weave into lovely pattern - when you get it right that is.
Many thanks to the musicians that helped us all to stomp around.

All together a great day in the woods.

Chevalier Mittens

2009-04-19T18:09:00.003+01:00

So, this is how they turned out - Chevalier Mittens.

Knitted in double M&K Eco Baby ull and pins 3.75mm.

Ponchonette

2009-04-06T19:44:00.002+01:00

Given up trying to photograph myself in Anna's ponchonett - so here it is on the garden flower-bed. Lovely red Heaven's Hand.

Another little pet in our ever growing toy-family.

Tiny Keiko

2009-04-03T19:06:00.002+01:00

My dear friend Keiko has moved back to Japan with her family and I miss her so. She was my companion in both the craft-group and the Waldorf doll-making courses I run at our Rudolf Steiner school.
She also used to give me presents every now and then and last October she came with some wonderful wool that I since have spun some yarn of.
I wanted to give her something back and as a little goodbye present and in the end decided to make her her own doll.
So this little doll - that now is called Tiny Keiko because she reminds us about the owner - is knitted with my very own hand-spun wool.
Thank you Keiko for all help and inspiration and good luck with your new life in Tokyo. PLEASE set up your own blog soon, so we all can enjoy your beautiful things you make.

Tommy Gnome

2009-04-01T08:43:00.003+01:00

Two weeks ago, Zak came home from playgroup and told me that we have to have a Tommy Gnome for our Nature Table.
As we had a Mother Earth who woke up the Root Children, we also needed Tommy Gnome to tell the flowers it's time to come out now as Spring is Coming.
So now we have welcomed Tommy Gnome to our family.
Note: Tommy Gnome is inspiration from this book.

Chevalier Mittens

2009-03-30T10:35:00.004+01:00

One up - one to go...

Spring is coming

2009-03-30T10:29:00.007+01:00

Spring is in the air - both out-doors and here at our Nature Table.

Must admit that I am absolutely green with envy having read Petra's, Anna's and Mia's stories from their weekend at Groto.
So I got out my knitting-case I bought from Stickfrossa some time ago, just to feel a little bit connected. Thanks girls for sharing some of your weekend with the rest of us.

Pirate Costumes

2009-03-17T19:55:00.004Z

The boys were invited to a Pirates & Princesses birthday party today. So, last weekend we headed out to get some material for a costume.
After the disaster of getting my purse stolen in the shop, spending Saturday afternoon at the police station, we finally could get the fabric with us home.
Elliot was very pleased with his, but Zak decided he didn't like dressing up - he is just as Zak.

So - one happy pirate and one happy Zak - both having a great time at the party.

Finally some photos

2009-03-16T15:30:00.004Z

Just haven't got around to take any photos lately, therefore no posting...

Little booties made for a little - still unborn - girl. Pattern is this (just slightly modified).

Lovely red Heavens Hand wool from Garnharvan to be made into Anna's Ponchonett.

...and as London is in full spring, I'm busy making Chevalier Mittens... (doesn't make sense, does it?!) M&K Eco Baby Ull bought at Eks Lilla Bod.

Back from Sweden with my new Rug

2009-03-05T15:22:00.005Z

The boys and I spent some time in Sweden during half-term. The boys enjoying themselves in the snow and I made a rug, 2.5 m of it (with loads of help to set it up from my cousin Yvonne).

All in all - we all had a great time!

Another girlie present

2009-02-18T07:36:00.002Z

Lost track of how many of this hat (in english) I made for little girls, but I still think it's adorable. Sadly, the color of it doesn't show, but I have to be quick with the photo when using busy little boys as models...

Slipper Left-Overs

2009-02-08T11:19:00.004Z

...turned into kids mittens as there was the unusual use of them last week.

A spring Mother-Earth for the nature table.

...and some more winter photos, because it's probably the only time we see this amount of snow in London. Hopefully! The snow is lovely and both the kids and I enjoyed it, but it is rather boring that trains etc are still delayed and/or canceled four days later. Buses can't drive because the road is wet... HALLO! It's always wet in UK.

London freezing

2009-02-02T11:13:00.004Z

Not in 18 years it's been this much snow apparently... No buses, VERY limited service on the tube (Hallo! UNDERGROUND...) and the trains that do run collapsing when everyone try to get on what ever is running.

But very beautiful and all the school children (and I) enjoy a snow-holiday off school.

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-01-26T15:54:00.002Z

A million thanks to Fröken Elsa who sent me this award. You really made my day!

I know there are quite some awards zooming around in the blog-world - and even more creative bloggers, but I will forward this to my long lost friend PetraO who I re-connected with thanks to "blog-land". Petra is a bottom-less sea of inspiration and creativity and through her I got to "know" so many more creative ladies out there. Thanks to you all!

Pomatomus + Noro = Love

2009-01-26T15:45:00.003Z

Loved my first Pomatomus hat so much, I had to make another one. (The first hat is now keeping a friend warm.)

This time I made it in Noro's Silk Garden.
Sorry for blurry pictures, I have to be quick when asking Elliot to model... The first photo shows the pattern better and the second the colors.

Crafty Weekend

2009-01-25T12:55:00.004Z

What to do on a rainy weekend? Craft of course.

Some knitted animals for the school shop.
Brown Bear, Easter Bunny & Goosy Lucy - all patterns from this book.

Little wooden people...

...to live in this wooden lodge that Premen made for the boys as a Christmas gift.

Pomatomus KAL

2009-01-15T14:57:00.003Z

Finished Anna's Pomatomus KAL. This time a hat in Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed. Followed this pattern - with some adjustments/changes due to thicker yarn - and it got an added antenna.

I'm giving up socks...

2009-01-12T15:15:00.001Z

Less than three weeks after Christmas, Premen's present is in pieces...

Verity

2009-01-07T12:50:00.005Z

Unraveling the Rose Red that was too big, I now finished Verity - too small...
Lovely Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed yarn though.

Having joined Anna's Pomatomus KAL - I will go for another hat! Hopefully this will be a well fitting hat - not too small not too big...

A crocheted start of the New Year

2009-01-05T10:31:00.003Z

Coaster found at Froken Elsas Virkblogg

Monkey from Ana Paula's book ...

Geisha found at Monsterarkivet.

Nostalgia!
Fabric found in my great uncle's stash from the 50'-s - now working as a drape between kitchen and utility-room.

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R

2008-12-31T15:49:00.002Z

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !!!

I wish you all a fantastic start of 2009.

Yesterday, walking home from work... (YES work!, I did my first day after being home with little boys the last 4 1/2 years) there was the thinnest moon - so with new moon I hope for a new start.