Follow Your Arrow 2

The wonderful designer Ysolda Teague organised a mystery KAL last year that I participated in (my first one) and loved and got me hooked on doing MKAL’s. In January I saw that she was doing a Follow Your Arrow 2 MKAL so off course I signed up.

Pattern: Follow Your Arrow 2 by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Loft in Plume (I used 2 skeins)
Needles: 3.5mm
Clues: B-B-A-B-B

I love how it turned out, and participating in the MKAL was loads of fun. Ysolda is a brilliant designer, to say the least. Each clue had an option A and an option B and each went with either so you could mix and match it any way you wanted. I wanted to have my shawl with texture and learn something new each week, and this is how it ended up. The only thing that I did not like was the yarn. What a disappointment. I had read so many great reviews about this yarn and had been excited about trying it, but I just did not connect with it at all and am safe to say that I will not be using it again. Thankfully, there is plenty of great yarn out there!

The baby knitting continues. There are so many babies being born this year around me. I love it, I love knitting baby clothes. My sisters baby girl got her name on February 8th.

Emilý Rósa Snædahl Ragnarsdóttir

Off course she got a knitted gift from us.

Pattern: Camilla Babe by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Yarn: Lark from Quince and Co in Pomegranate
Needles: 4.5mm

I loved making this little sweater. The hat is based on a free pattern from the Purl Soho website, but I did a lot of changes as the decreases were not adding up.

Yarngraffiti for Vitatorg and Gay Pride

After a long break from doing some yarnstorming, I have done two pieces in the last week.

First, I was asked to do some for Vitatorg as a part of a project by the city of adding more life and fun to the squares around the city and using the open spaces more, having some events there.

The theme colours were turquoise, blue, white and a bit of orange so I went through my stash of already made items and pulled out what I could use. Turned out to be more than I thought at first, not having looked through the stash for almost a year.

And here are some photos from what it ended up looking like.

Yesterday was the Reykjavík Pride walk. As a big supporter of LGBT rights, I have done a yarngraffiti piece for the past two years, and decided to do it again this year.

The piece ready!

Me putting the piece up in Lækjargata, close to Arnarhóll.

Me and Sumarrós at home before heading down town to take part in the walk yesterday.

And I am back at work

I started working again last Friday. Off course things are super busy, but I have gotten a lot done since I have been back. It also helped that I left a very clean desk and practically a clean slate with everything balanced, booked and orderly.

On our last weekend of vacation, we went to a family gathering in the south of Iceland to visit Helgi’s mothers family. We had a blast! Here are some photos.

See those mountain looking things on the horizon? Yeah, those are islands called Vestmannaeyjar. You can see them pretty clearly when driving the south part of the main road around the country.

We went on a hike and the weather and the view were breathtaking.

Helgi’s little cousins had loads of fun, and so did I!

In the evening and long into the bright summer night, there was a barbeque, some drinks and live music. And the place looked like a lopapeysa festival!

I got myself some rubber shoes so my feet would not get wet. Best thing I have bought in a long time!

Prestsbakkakirkja. Old country churches are absolutely stunning and this one was just breathtaking.

I am working on some fun projects, both knitting and crochet. I will post again soon with some photo updates of what I have been working on lately, but here is a sneak peek.

Summer vacation stuff

It has been a good vacation so far. Much of relaxing and some home improvements have taken place, as well as Sumarrós’s birthday celebration.

We tore the horrid carpet of the floor in the living room and put down new flooring. We also painted the living room and I almost feel like I moved without the packing and unpacking. It is so cozy and nice to hang out in it now that it is pretty much all we have been doing since we finished.

This is the blanket that got thrown out. It was old and absolutely disgusting.

Here is the new floor! We also rearranged the furniture and it looks much bigger now.

My daughters doing what they do best, being adorable.

Emma gets her hugs from Karítas.

Biking sisters.

Karítas finger knitting at Litla Prjónabúðin.

Sumarrós turned 15 (OMG!) on June 14th. She got a haircut and some highlights in her hair.

Off course we invited the family over for some homemade cakes and stuff.

After the birthday celebration, I got a manicure.

And so did the man.

I also finished my second seminar at school and got 8,8 out of 10 and was second highest of the 30+ people who were also studying at the same time. I am off school until the middle of August but I go back to work in about a week so I just know I will be super busy until school starts again. And then even busier after it starts. Oh well, it is only for a few months and brings great benefits for us and our future, so it is all worth it.

Karítas is leaving for The Czech Republic with her father and his family on Sunday and will not be back until August. Gah, it is going to be hard being without her for such a long time. She was there also last summer and had a BLAST and we spoke on Skype almost every single day, so I am just going to focus on how much fun she is having and enjoy it through her and her very lively stories and updates that I will be getting from her while she is away.

Cardigan, with a twist!

I finished my green cardigan last weekend and it has been attached to me ever since. It is so light and comfortable, yet warm enough for these cool spring days. I found the pattern (free in one size) on the Pickles site, it has a great range of patterns and most of them are offered free in one size and then you can buy the other sizes. The patterns are simple and easy to follow. I have done a couple of projects from them, and they are always great so I can recommend them.

Pattern: Jakke med tvist by Pickles
Yarn: One thread of Plötulopi (un-spun Icelandic wool) and one thread of Isager Strik Spinni Tweed (Wool 1)
Needles: 7.0 mm

The pattern says that you are supposed to knit it back and forth. I started out like that, but I really, REALLY do not like knitting sweaters like that since it is so easy to knit them in the round and then just steek them in the sewing machine. So I quickly changed to knitting in the round and it just flew of the needles. I then steeked it and crocheted one row of single crochet around the bottom, up the front and around the neckline and to the front of the sleeves.
When I first saw the project on the Pickles website, I got the image in my head what color combination I wanted to use. At first I thought I would use plötulopi and einband, but the einband (Icelandic lace weight wool) was not available in the color I wanted. I thought about just dyeing the right color, but then I found the Spinni in the exact color I wanted. Even though it is a bit over priced in my opinion, I got it anyway. I do not regret it one bit, it is just perfect with the other yarn and I love the outcome. And how rare is it to get a vision of what you want in your head and then get the exact outcome when you are finished? So I am one happy knitter!

Pattern: Súld by Rósa Tom
Yarn: Araucania Aysen
Hook: 4mm

A very fast project, only took me about 3 hours from start to finish. It was a birthday present for our little friend, Þórkatla. This is my third time doing this hat, I just love it.

Happy Mothers Day yesterday! These two daughters of mine are the best! And then there is my own mother, who has always been my safe spot to fall when I tumble, my strength when I am drained and the push I need when I am unsure of myself and my own strengths. I love you, mom!

A new shawl and more

I participated in Romi’s new MKAL. After Ysolda’s Follow Your Arrow MKAL, that I had so much fun with, I was on the hunt for a new one and this one popped up in my friend activity on Ravelry, so I decided to join in the fun.

It was challenging, but not difficult at all. What I love the most with MKAL’s is the fact that you only get a small-ish portion of the pattern at a time and with that I do not get overwhelmed with a HUGE pattern that covers many, many pages. And you have a week to do each portion so keeping up is usually not a huge deal. The portions are reasonable and I have learned so much from both of these.

Pattern: It’s a Mystery by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
Yarn: Grey is Design.club.dk Duo Merino – Orange is Isager Strik Tvinni (Wool 2)
Needles: 3.5mm

I have been wearing it pretty much every day since I finished it. It is very light, yet warm and I adore the colours and how well they work together. I got the grey yarn some years ago while traveling in Denmark and the orange I got on sale as it was being discontinued.

I finally picked out a pattern for a Lopapeysa for myself!

I have been wanting to make myself one for a long time (we are talking about years, people!) but I have always been struggling with what design to pick and then what colours would go well with it. After being introduced to Snældan (wool from the Faroe Islands) by my friend Dagga, I absolutely fell in love with it and yesterday after school I went to her store and bought the colours I wanted. I casted on last night and this yarn knits up like a dream! Very excited about this project.

When I got home from school yesterday, my girls were wrapped in in their blankets I made them and watching cartoons. Warmed my heart!

A pile of projects. That green cardigan is now finished, but I haven’t managed to take photos of it yet as it was raining heavily all day yesterday. I’ll share photos as soon as I take them.

School started again yesterday and I am looking forward to finishing this part. It is harder than the previous one, but I am up for the challenge. Then we have an exam in June and the summer off and then it starts back up sometime in August and is ongoing until December. Bring it!

Sunday catch up

I have been on a long Easter vacation that started Thursday last week and tomorrow I return back to work. It has been wonderful and I have gotten many things done but mostly I have been relaxing. I finished the first seminar (out of three) in my studies and the next one is starting on May 3rd, so having some time off both from work and school was very welcome.

I started my vacation by finishing up these two wool jumpers for my girls.

Pattern: Loki by Ragga Eiríksdóttir
Yarn: Léttlopi
Needle: 3.5mm and 4mm
This one is knitted top down! A great change from the traditional way of making these sweaters.

Pattern: Ranga by Védís Jónsdóttir
Yarn: Léttlopi
Needle: 3.5mm and 4mm
The pattern is this one is supposed to be purled, but I decided to do it in stockinette like the rest of the sweater.

New project bag that I adore!

I made this jar and gifted it to a friend at school

Karítas is the cuddliest kid I have ever known

Mother & Daughter

Our little friend, Þórkatla turned 3 today. Happy Birthday!

Bits & Pieces – April 6th

With going to school 3 times a week, for 3 and a half hours each time (on top of working full time and everything else I have going on), it seems like my time for hand crafts should be limited but somehow, the busier I am the more I get accomplished. Well, at least sometimes and lately that has been the deal. I am not complaining.

We spent 5 days with this sweet dog. We miss him terribly but fortunately, we do get to see him quite regularly.

I visited our store in Haukadalur again to do some work. Always enjoy going there.

New window display at Storkurinn. I wouldn’t mind sitting there for a day, knitting and listening to that beautiful old radio.

I got some Madelinetosh goodness!

I finished clue 2 in the Romi Mystery KAL. I am absolutely loving my yarn choice!

My girls on the bus today. Cool cats!

And Karítas got a new summer dress today. She is growing up so fast!

Bits & Pieces – March 23rd, 2014

Another Sunday, another update.

I started another Mystery KAL! This one is by Rosemary (Romi) Hill and is also a shawl. If you want to join, you can find the info here on Ravelry.
I am using the grey (Uno) and orange (Spinni) yarn for my shawl and Karítas helped me wind them up with a huge smile on her face.

Sumarrós went to the yearly school dance in a dress that she designed and my mother sewed for her. She looked so beautiful!

Karítas got new knitted socks.

I have spent most of the weekend relaxing, knitting and today I baked a french chocolate cake and my mom came over for cake and coffee. I am knitting a lopapeysa for Karítas and decided to knit it top down this time and love it. The yoke is done and I am about to set aside the sleeve stitches.

Lopapeysa in the making, the wrong side.

Bits & Pieces – Sunday March 16th

I was sick this week with a stomach flu on Wednesday and Thursday. I am all better now and have spent the weekend relaxing and meeting good friends, a bit of cleaning and finishing up some projects.

A very talented group of knitters met at Litla Prjónabúðin yesterday. It was a wonderful day and I look forward to doing it again as soon as possible. Kristín Hrund, Rodrigo Urðar & Gummi, Hildur Ýr and Sigurlaug. Dagga, the owner of the store is sitting next to Sigurlaug, but unfortunately got cropped out of the photo by mistake. I will get a better group photo next time.

Going home on the bus after the knitting meeting.

Some crochet jars that have found their home in my daughters bedrooms as pen and pencil holders. Just plain jars were not an option since they are well aware that their mom can make them prettier by crocheting over them.

Socks for my nephew Adrían
Pattern: Rye by tincanknits
Yarn: Novita 7 Veljestä
Needles: US 4 – 3.5 mm

I also finished a wool sweater (lopapeysa) for my older daughter, Sumarrós. I still have to put the zipper in it so I will post photos of it when it is all finished and I get my daughter to pose for a photo shoot.

I am now working on finishing the same socks as I did for Adrían for my younger daughter Karítas and Sumarrós wants a pair also. I also have wool ready for a lopapeysa for Karítas but we need to decide on a pattern.

Bits & Pieces – March 9th 2014

This past week was an eventful one. I started school again! Yes, I am going to school 3 times a week (Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings) to become a certified accountant. I have been working as one for 14 years, so it is time to take the degree for sure. So far it has been easy, but it sure is fun to be back in school and I know that gradually, it will get harder but hey, that’s why I am there.

On Match 3rd I opened up Ravelry (as I do daily) and to my surprise, the blanket I blogged about in my last post was on the front page! Damn, that makes me proud!

Since then, 80+ people have added it as a favorite and many have commented on it also.

I worked at our store in Haukadalur for a day. It sure was a nice change from staying at the office.

New favorite juice. So incredibly good!

Ash Wednesday in Iceland, the kids dress up in costumes. Here are my girls, Karítas as Clawdeen from Monster High and Sumarrós as a doll, though I think she looks like Wednesday from the Adams Family with that wig.

And I met these awesome kids on Laugavegur. The dog is Ringo, they told me.

Esjan – February 27th. It looked like a spring morning.

Esjan – March 6th. Winter struck again.

The man and Karítas built a snowman in our backyard yesterday. The snow was wet and sticky, perfect for building snowpeople or snowhouses.

March is for mustaches and raising cancer awareness. As you can see, the man is participating and we are cheering him on!

Bits & Pieces – January 7th

It’s a new year! And, it’s my mother’s birthday today!

Happy birthday, mom! And thanks for still braiding my hair, even though I am all grown up!

Christmas gifts

Christmas Tree

Christmas kids

Christmas me

I made myself a new headband for the cold.
Pattern: Parisian Twist Headband Ear Warmer by Elisa McLaughlin
Yarn: 1 strand Cascade 220 and 1 strand Malabrigo Twist
Needles: 6mm

I gave my sister the Safety Scarf as that pink looks so good on her!
Pattern: Safety Scarf by Stephen West
Yarn: BC Garn Semilla Fino in grey and Koigu Premium Merino (KPM) in neon pink
Needles: 3.5mm

This scarf is supposed to be knit on much bigger needles with much thicker yarn, but I wanted a more delicate look and I really wanted to use the Koigu yarn that I got while visiting New York in September. I am very happy with how it turned out with my changes. It still wrappes twice around the neck but is not too tight. It was a very fun knit! Stephen’s patterns are just incredible.

Bits & Pieces – December 1st

It’s December already! Amazing.
I have been busy with fun things. Doing some Christmas gifts, and test crocheting for my friend Rósa who is finally releasing some of the ideas that have been rolling around in her head for a while. Two of them are already released on Ravelry and I link to them below the photos.

For Sumarrós
Pattern: Vettlingar/Mittens by Rósa Tom
Yarn: Yarn: Dream in Color Classy
Hook: 4.5mm for the cuff – 5 for the mittens
Link to pattern in Icelandic

For Karítas
Pattern: Vettlingar/Mittens by Rósa Tom
Yarn Alpaca Select Kusi held double
Hook: 4.5mm
Link to pattern in English

Pattern: Súld by Rósa Tom
Yarn: Araucania Aysen, color 824
Hook: 4.5mm
Link to pattern in Icelandic and English

These are super fast and easy projects, and easily adaptable for different sizes. My girls are very happy with their new mittens, and Karítas wears the hat all the time and was super proud to be asked to model it for the pattern relase.

I have also been crocheting some jar covers. I made my first jar about a year ago and I keep my crochet hooks and some of my DPN’s in it. But they are also very pretty as candle holders. You just put one tea light in it and it makes the nicest light.

Here are three of the ones I have made so far. I gave the orange one away yesterday, and it was very well appreciated. I love finding patterns to use and try to make each one a little different than the previous one.

I made this one also, but I think I am keeping it for myself. I put some straws in it as my daughters use them a lot in their drinks. So you can basically keep anything in them that you want, pens and pencils, straws, crochet hooks, or use it as a candle holder.

Bits & Pieces – November 18th

Past week was great. I had a busy but good time at work and at home and last Friday, Geysir, the company I work for launched a new ad campaign that is absolutely stunning. The new photos were shot by Elisabeth Toll from Sweden and are absolutely breathtaking.

We also launched our first TV commercial and you can see it here.
We have a new clothing line by our designer, Erna Einarsdóttir and everything she designed is so beautiful, from the hats to the blankets. We are all very proud and happy that everything is going so well for us.

Launching the new ad on Facebook on Friday.

Elevator party!

The guys that own the company invited us and our partners to dinner on Saturday and we had loads of fun and went out dancing after.

I want this. Cape by Farmers Market.

It has been snowing and pretty dark and gloomy. I try to make it a little more bearable by lighting candles around the house, and keeping warm under blankets and knitting.

Bits & Pieces, November 10th

Another week has flown by. I was busy both at work and at home, did a good deal of knitting and some crochet, along with everything else one has to do on a day to day basis.

The man got a new hat for winter.
Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood
Yarn: Cascade 220 and 7 Veljestä Raita for the stripes
Needle: 4mm

I got a new knitting book that I surprisingly won in a game on Facebook I did not even enter myself, but was nominated by a friend.

My friend Yuka from Japan gave me this really cool Japanese knitting magazine that is all about Icelandic Wool.

My favorite Joe in the world was visiting Iceland.

I started a new cardigan for myself. I am using one ply of Plötulopi (un-spun Icelandic Wool) and one ply of Isager Spinni Tweed. I love how those two very different types of wool come together and can’t wait to see the outcome once I have finished the cardigan.