very apologetic...

ein post auf deutsch.
meine blog-müdigkeit ist meiner generellen prüfungs- und umziehaktivität zu verdanken. nachdem ich nun schon zum zweiten mal innerhalb von fünf wochen alles gepackt habe, und meinen bachelor hinter mich gebracht habe, habe ich nun endlich meine SnDnRnR Sachen auspacken und noch wichtiger: fotografieren können.

Vielen, vielen Dank, liebe Garnprinzessin!

Ich habe ganz wunderschöne Wollmeisesocken erhalten, in der Farbe Kräuterbeet (ganz wundervolles dunkles Violett, dazu ein quietschvergnügtes Grün). Das Muster erkenne ich nicht spontan, es sieht aus wie Monkey, ganz sicher bin ich mir aber nicht.

Aber genug geredet, hier sind sie:
So far so very good, und wie geht es mit D and RnR weiter? Gleichzeitig habe ich noch wunderschönes Tausendschöngarn in "Fata Morgana" bekommen, also definitiv Drugs :D, in türkis, olivgrün und fuchsiapink. Wie gut das zusammen aussieht seht ihr hier:
ein Projekt dafür muss ich mir allerdings noch überlegen, und vielleicht warte ich auch noch bis Herbst.

Weitere Drugs gibts in Form von Dolfin Edelschokolade mit rosa Pfeffer- wird wahrscheinlich auch erst bei kühlerem Wetter verkostet, aber dank Erfahrungen mit Dolfin bin ich mir sicher, dass sie mir super schmecken wird.

Die RnR CDs sind auf jeden Fall eine ganz neue Erfahrung, und genau das hatte ich mir gewünscht. Ich glaube, ich habe das Star Wars Thema erkannt, aber weiter ist es noch ganz neu.

Vielen Dank, liebe Garnpprinzessin, für dieses wunderschöne Paket, und die tollen Überraschungen!!!Und noch einmal Entschuldigung bitte, dass ich erst mit so gewaltiger Verspätung zum Auspacken kam...

I have been spoilt!

And in the oh so very truest sense of the word.
My swappartner jacqui has been incredibly attentive and generous.

It all started with receiving this big box.

Getting the big box to the house wasn't that easy, but thankfully a friend with a motorbike popped by, and the two of us, and the box made a nice trip from the post office.







Back home, i barely found the time to search the entire house for batteries for my camera. and i ended up raiding the remote controls :D

Ok, then i opened the huuuuge box. and found many layers of lovely tissue paper.
The bounty was then put on our couchtable- but it barely fit.

I then unwrapped frantically. I hope i don't forget anything.
First of all there are three (!!!) bags, because i complained how i can't decide what to keep my knitting in. One of them (Dark blue) is a proper knitting bag with several little pockets on the inside, i suspect it might be handsewn (well i can't see any label, this is not to indicate quality!!!), and it is exactly the right size to take a medium-sized project (great for my bolero atm!).
The second and third bag are simpler in design, bt especially the purple one absolutely hits the spot, and will be my new uni bag!

The edibles: I received two absolutely delicious looking packs of cookies- brazil nut (my favourite nut!) and stem ginger (another all time favourite). These will be fantastic with the two varieties of looseleaf tea i received. One delicious black tea (have already got it in the cup...) flavoured with natural vanilla, and a rooiboos variety with orange and cinnamon, which smells amazing. These will come in so handy during my essay sessions of the next weeks! Thank you so much!

I also received a lot to spoil my body, including lovely almond hand cream and a matching soap. I also received little nail files- very useful! It is funny, because i have received the same hand cream three years ago as a gift- and i love the smell. It has long run out, and i really enjoy having it again.

in crafty stuff: I got fimo (I am a big fan!), and looooots of knitting goodies. I got two skeins of natural sockwool, and koolaid, to dye it. This is just perfect, because i have been toying with this idea for a while, and I cannot wait to try it out. Thank you so much!
I also got two sets of lovely stitch markers (again, much needed) - sorry, there are no photos, the camera gave up on the cheap alkaline batteries. I also got (i laughed tears, and i really really love it!) little labels, to sew into my handknits. They are really cute, and say "hand wash only" "wool wash 40°C" and "handknit with love".
I also got little rubber sweaters that are designed to hold your DPNs together. Made for a messie like me! The final lovely thing is a cellphone charm with a knitting theme. LOVE IT ALL!


Thank you Jacqui, i feel so spoilt! You met my tastes brilliantly and have introduced me to a lot of new treats. Online hugs all around!

weekly topic no.6

Have you done a swap before (doesn't have to be a knitting swap)? What do you like best about swapping? Are there any personal "requirements" that a swap has to have before you join?

Well, as trusting as I am (see previous post), I still like to be safe rather than sorry. So I like swaps with good organization, some kind of safety net. This could be that there are angels in the swap, or that everything has to be dispatched by a certain date, and a postal tracking number needs to be sent on by email.
It can also just be a general awareness by the hostess(es), that things happen, and not everything might work out perfectly.
Another good thing is easy contact with the host- do they answer emails quickly, and adequately?

I have done swaps before, but not knitting swaps. Also usually these swaps were not blogbased, but with people i knew from a forum. There was an initial questionnaire, but you just bought things based on that, no further stalking needed. I have sent out (and sometimes also received, sigh) chocolate, books, audio books and music cds before.
Generally, my experiences are good. But my piece of advice: trust your gut. If someone is really evasive (sort of " the cat ate your parcel"), it is never a good sign. Neither is, if contact just stops.

Anticipation

I am a very trustful person, and it will take me a long time to acknowledge that no, my swap partner has not moved to japan and customs are holding up my swap parcel, but yes, i have been left out. I believe in the good in everybody, and will therefore not get too anxious if nothing arrives for a while.
That said, i like being in contact, and i like knowing that there is someone for me.
I like expecting, and certainlydon't mind waiting, but i love little teasers.

due to my cold this weekend, and classic procrastination at the same time, i decided to make myself some slippers.
our kitchen floor is notoriously cold, and so are my feet when i indulge in cooking sessions.
so i knitted these huge socks from yarn leftover from two sweaters i knit for other people and felted them in the washing machine. Careful: they get teenytiny once felted...







ich hab mir spontan noch aus Restewolle (Achtung: Farbe ist strikt aus Schmutzunempfindlichkeit gewählt, außerdem hatte ich die noch von anderen Pullis da) Hausschuhe gestrickt. Außerdem mein erster Filzversuch. Die werden ja winzig...

Valentine's Day (weekly topic no. 4)

I have to say, being european, and having been single for a considerable amount of time, i have stopped thinking about valentine's day as a legitimate "occasion". Too often have i sarcastically thrashed it, too often have i read cynical columns about blind consumerism and the cut flower industry.
Now, that i am actually part of a couple, and beyond that "we are celebrating every day" stage, i should probably take refuge in valentine's day. Claim my gifts, knit my loved one a scarf, and well, get on with it.

But somehow, it never happened. We are in a long distance relationship, but we are also in for the long haul. A combination that does indeed make us treasure every day that we have together. the 14th of february won't be part of those days, and so i don't see a celebration coming up. but maybe a long phone call ;-)

the FOs of January/FOs im Januar

Although i am still fighting with my bolero, thanks to amyknits i have continued knitting, and have now arrived at the sleeves.

Bin endlich bei den Ärmeln angelangt, nachdem das Projekt erstmal ein Jahr "reifen musste" ;)







my red mittens (red variegated regia yarn) are lined with unspun red wool- see the little dots?

die roten Fäustlinge haben meinen Polentrip an Neujahr gerettet, weil sie dank ihres Wollfutters kuschelig warm sind.







also, i had plenty left, to do Saartje's Bootees. My friend will have her babygirl this month, and has promised to take them with her to the hospital.

außerdem hatte ich viel übrig, und hab damit Saartje's Bootees gestrickt. Ein tolles Muster, ganz schnell gestrickt, aber sehr filigran und mädchenhaft.
Meine Freundin will sie schon gleich ins Krankenhaus mitnehmen!

Fragebogen „Socks & Drugs & Rock’n’Roll“Socks

Schuhgröße:
39
Woll-Vorlieben bzgl. Material, Garnstärke, Farbe(n), Muster…:
am liebsten ganz normale 4fädige Sockenwolle. Möglichst maschinenwaschbar ;-)
Ich liebe die Wollmeise, und auch sonst gemusterte Wollen, einige Regias zum Beispiel Ringel, oder Canyon oder so. Alles geringelte ist toll.
Farblich liebe ich Grün, Rot, dunkles Lila, und auch sonst kräftige Farben. Gut finde ich auch noch klare Blautöne, Grau. Ich bin das, was man einen "Wintertyp" nennt.

Das geht gar nicht (Material, Form, Farbe):
Orange und Gelb nur minimal (also gelb mit Grün, Orange mit Rot...), Erdfarben stehen mir überhaupt nicht, und Tweedmuster finde ich nicht so prickelnd.
Hast Du einen Ravelry-Account?
missfriday
Rauch/Tierhaarunverträglichkeit?
also meine Socken sollten lieber weder nach Rauch riechen , noch sichtbar Tierhaare anhaften haben. Allergisch bin ich allerdings nicht.
Drugs
Ohne folgende Leckerei(en) kann/mag/soll ich nicht leben:
Ich liebe Schokolade mit hohem Kakaogehalt (70-85), außerdem Lindor. An anderen Dingen mag ich getrocknete Mangos und Äpfel. Ich bin absolut teesüchtig.
Gar nicht leiden kann ich:
Weiße Schokolade
Allergien/Nahrungsmittelunverträglichkeiten etc.:
Milch

Rock’n’Roll
Lieblingsmusikrichtung:
Klassik, Renaissance, Barock, Singer/Songwriter-Pop, 60erJahre Twist etc.
Lieblingsband:
-
LieblingssängerIn:
Bodo Wartke, Katie Melua, Tori Amos
Lieblingslied:
Winter- Tori Amos
Lieblingsmusikvideo:
-
Lieblingsmusikfilm:
Sound of Music
Lieblingssongtextzitat:
Father says bow your head like the good book says
Well I think the good book is missing some pages
Gonna lay down
Gonna lay down
Lieblingsinstrument:
Cello
Hast Du ein Instrument erlernt?
Ja, Klavier, Geige und Klarinette
Spielst Du es regelmässig?
Hm, nur Klavier
Welchen Namen trüge die Band, in welcher Du spielen würdest, wenn Du nicht bereits in einer spielst?

Erste gekaufte Platte/CD:
Die Prinzen, alles nur geklaut
Erstes besuchtes Konzert:
Mozarts Zauberflöte
Bestes besuchtes Konzert:
Tori Amos
„Leiche im Keller“/ Musikalische Ausrutscher:
Die Kelly Family ( ich war jung)
Momentan läuft in meinem Player ständig:
Hörst Du Radio? Wenn ja, welchen Sender?
nein, ich höre nur manchmal Deutschlandfunk
Last-FM-Profil vorhanden? Unter welchem Namen?
-
Möchtest Du lieber etwas, was zu Deinem Geschmack passt, oder würde es Dir auch gefallen, etwa die spezielle Lieblingsplatte/-band vom Pal zu hören?
ich bin da offen ;-)

weekly topic no.3

Q: What is your process when planning a project? Do you shop for yarn and then find a suitable pattern? Do you find your pattern and then go out to buy the yarn? Or are you stash-busting? If your stash is out of control, how did it get that way?

Lots of good questions this week, and i have to say, i never quite thought about this one!
On the other hand, dealing with comes naturally as a knitter. In practise, i usually find a great pattern, and then go out and decidedly buy wool to the requirements of it.
The exception is sock yarn, which i buy in advance, and later decide on a pattern to knit it in. I do this because i find it hard to buy expensive wool, and then later find out that i need more/less for a certain project, but it is impossible to match the dye lot (or even the yarn itself, if you buy abroad). I like having everything planned out.
With sock yarn, 100g are always enough, so that saves me the planning and i go yarn-mad.
Lately i had an exception to this rule, and i bought the most extraordinary amount of kidsilk on ebay (ba-aa-aa-ad for my budget). Oh my god, receiving this packet was surely one of the most exciting days last year!!! But i still haven't cast on, simply because i cannot decide on a pattern.
I am trying to find that perfect lacey cardigan to match this truly gorgeous yarn, but nothing has hit me yet. Well, i'll just continue stroking the yarn ever so slightly every now and then.
In conclusion, my stash is limited. No yarn closet for me :)
I have some left-over green aran wool, from a pullover i made for my boyfriend, some chunky brown yarn from a jacket for my mum, two or three skeins of sock yarn, and well, about 26 skeins of kidsilk *blush*

a little help for my upstream pal :)

as i already filled in my questionnaire i should really leave it a this. but as i read through other people's answers i got some new ideas, and also some clues on how to specify my given answers. i do not wanna restrict you in any way, and i also do not necessarily want something from this list. but i thought it might help you to know what i like, to find something that is up my street.


i really like lush, especially their shower gels and bath foams. As i have dry skin, the bath bombs aren't for me, but i really enjoy all of their cocoa butter/other oil based products. i do care for some of the body shop products, but am not a huge fan of the intese fruity smells.

as food treats go i talked about dried fruit before... again, i am trying to limit my sugar intake, and start by avoiding added sugars. i also like nuts, and have no allergies against whatsoever nut/fruit. i also thought of "breakfast/granola bar" type things. i am a big fan of tea. expecially loose leaf. i drink herbal teas (rooibos, licorice, verbene, lemonbalm are just a few of my favourites) and i like them flavoured with natural ingredients, such as jasmine, lemon/orange, bergamot, cinnamon... i also like weak black and green tea, which can be flavoured. i do not like fruit teas or artificial flavourings such as "cookies'n'cream" or "peach icetea".

finally, the most important part: knitwise treats! i always thought i'd never use stitch markers ever, but just yesterday, a pattern fell into my hands, that used them... there goes me, fiddling with paper clips. i am also a pretty blank slate concernign any other knitting goodies: i have a row counter, but it is one of the 30p plastic kind. as for bags: i am wide open.
i would also really like to start dying my own sock wool as a craft challenge, and have heard good things about kool-aid dying, which seems easy even for beginners.

well, that's it for now... i will keep you updated about new desires ;)

topic of the week (1+2)

Q:With 2008 in full-swing, do you have any knit-years resolutions you are trying to keep to? Stash-busting? Knitting just for yourself? Gift-alongs or starting Christmas knitting early? Do your knit-years resolutions affect your other resolutions? Such as watching your spending, or putting yourself first, or even loosing weight (yarn weight....)

A:
I think i generally want to scale down. I have a big move coming up (involving changing countries), andI want to make things that are needed, learn new techniques while at the same time using the resources i have. I do not want to buy any more wool that i need to move in june. So resolution number one is: use what i have, and use up what i buy.

Another resolution would be to think outside of the box, and not only make socks according to the pattern my grandma taught me when i was ten.
I really want to get into lace, and work stylish, wearable items. I also have to look into finishing and sizing.

Q: Do you subscribe to any magazines (knitting or otherwise)? Or do you prefer to purchase magazines at the newstand? Do you subscribe online to any knitting magazines/newsletters? What does a knitting magazine need to have to catch your fancy and get you to fork out that well-earned cash?

A: No, i do not subscribe to anything, mostly because i cannot afford it. I sometimes buy magazines at the newstand, and i read the ones my flatmate purchases.
I like knitting magazines for the inspiration, but i can use the internet for that just as well.
For me to buy a magazine it needs a pattern or idea that i definitely want to use.
I sometimes buy the rowan magazines for inspiration, because i really like their designs.

from knitlit a nice overview about the knitting 2007. as this is my new year's blog... voilà

1.your best FO of the year
probably the jaywalker gloves i made, or maybe the scarf for my grandma

2. best FO of the year made by a blog you link to
-

3. best yarn you tried
i liked the Schachenmayer nomotta Regia, as ever.

4. best new book/mag/pattern of 2007
www.ravery.com

5. best new knitting technique or gadget you tried in 2007
i tried raglan knitting, and i really liked it :)

6. top 5 inspirations--what five things inspired you the most over the past year?
-
7. designer who most amazed & inspired you throughout the year
can't name a single one, there are so many creative minds out there.

8. knitting resolutions for 2008--what's next for you and your blog?
well, the blog is next for me, and some more lace knitting as well.
i guess finishing the unfinished is a great resolution :)

The sign-up questionnaire for the UK Swap, i learnt about at www.ravelry.com
Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
***i exclusively knit

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?
***i love socks. and cardigans

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
***i like silk, mohair and merino. i am not such a big fan of cotton as i prefer stretchy yarn.

favourite brands include rowan (i drowned myself in an kidsilk offer on ebay...) , but i also like paton. favourite sockwool would be regia, i like their massive range of colours. i also like the look of wollmeise, but have never worked with it.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
***as i said, not a big fan of cotton, and i have a certain dislike of manmade fibres and novelty yarn.

Do you do any other crafts?
***i do a bit of felting, toy around with fimo, and occasionally sew something (but i am an amateur).

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?
***socks. always socks.

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?
***hm, i have a little sturdy pastic bag, that once contained a set of shower gel and body lotion. turns out: it is perfect to hold a small project, and needles can't pierce the material. it zips up as well, and is waterproof...
what i am really on the look out for: a knitting bag for bigger projects. i have a walmart holdall, but it has no extra pocket for little things.

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
*** as i said, i just splurged on a massive amount of kidsilk, but i just love sock wool, and could buy it forevermore.
books: i am still looking for a decent introduction into fairisle, with fitted patterns that look good on a size 12/14... But apparently this book doesn't exist.

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?
*** i love what cosmetic counter girls call "winter colours". Strong, clear colours: most greens and blues, cherry reds, dark purples, black and white, also grey as long as it isn't too silvery.
I absolutely cannot stand pastel colours, and yellow and orange sadly look aweful combined with my english rose skin :)
What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
***i like lavender, bergamot and everything citrussy. again, something clean and clear. i also like herbs and spice smells such as cinnamon, clove, rosemary.
flowery scents (rose, partchouli, jasmine) aren't really my thing, as well as anything sweet (apple pie, vanilla).

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
***i have nice hot showers and baths, and thankfully my boyfriend is brilliant at massages and also dishes them out quite freely (sooo lucky ;))

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)
***as i am trying to lose my christmas weight (and go back to this size 12 i've been talking about...) i prefer dried fruit (especially mangos, yum!). but if i have chocolate, then i prefer the really dark stuff. i can't have dairy, but i do not mind, as the 70% and plus is really my cuppa ;)

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?
***i love tea, mostly green, weak black (think ceylon) or anything herbal.
i have a giant cup and saucer (fits about a pint!) that i bought on holidays, but i am still looking for the perfect way to prepare loose leaf tea.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts
***i watch episodes of House M.D., or listen to classical music.


Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)
***southeast

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
***i grew up in mainland europe

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
***new zealand, norway, mongolia

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)
***i love yoga, and i go running with a friend. i also sing in several choirs.

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
***i guess i am quite traditional and outgoing with a few quirky touches. not too girly, as i dislike glitter and baby colours (except for on babies :) ), but i like to stress my feminine side, wear skirts etc.

Final Part:
Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
can't have dairy or coffee, and i like to stick to organic/fairtrade.