Perfect Christmas

I had the most wonderful Christmas. Yes, I celebrate Christmas even though I am not Christian, and don't feel bad about it. As I've said, every reason to love and cherish each other is worth a celebration, and even though Jesus is not divine for me, I sincerely appreciate his teachings.

I managed to avoid all stress and rushing this Christmas. The gifts were ready in time - well, except for my father's socks, which I steamed on Christmas eve right before we left for my parent's. We had time for everyone, my older Granny was pretty much herself and happy, my younger Granny wasn't mean and no-one was drunk. Woo-hoo!

Everyone who got hand-knits from me seemed to really appreciate them. I gave five pairs of socks, six hats and two child-size cardigans. I must admit I was a bit surprised myself - I have never been able to stay focused on and excited about anything this long. *pat pat* Go me!

Only one picture today, and not knit by me either. My hopefully future mother-in-law knit me these for Christmas. I didn't knit anything for her and I felt bad, so I cast on a pair of Maelstroms a couple of days ago. She deserves socks knit by someone else. Everyone does.

Wollmeise!

The second Wollmeise package was delivered last week. If yu haven't got yours yet, do not scroll down! :)

I still haven't knit anything from my Wollmeise yarn. I am too stingy - having seen their price on eBay and such I just can't open the packages. It's not like I plan to sell them or anything, no, but I need to have a SUPER plan before I cast on with Wollmeise :)

The pictures will follow shortly...

Here they are. You have been warned.

This is where they dwell. In a large glass bowl on top of a dining room cupboard. Five skeins is all the bowl can hold, so before the next package I need to knit some of them.

On the left is a skein of La Digitessa, the others are from the sock club. The December package contained the third skein ("Saami") and the fourth skein ("Jultomte")

The theme was childhood memories. These memories have to do with Christmas and of Lapland - the native people in the Lapland of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia are the Sami people, hence the name Saami. As a Finn this made me very happy.

We also got small cookie cutters, some candy and a yarn sample. I was absolutely thrilled.

Not all the members seem to be in love with Saami as it is rather striking, but I love it.

A meme

My little English blog (the one so often neglected by me) has received its very first comment! :) The_witty_knitter has challenged me into a game. Here's how it goes:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six random things about San

1. I have been bitten by a dog four times.
2. I used to study English translation.
3. Owls are my favorite animals. Except for snowy owls, there is something sinister about them.
4. I haven't eaten red meat or poultry for 12 years.
5. I believe lack of compassion is the biggest problem human kind has.
6. I am afraid of ants and suffocating, but neither fear affects my day to day life. When I feel masochistic, I read stories about caves. Cave ants would be the ultimate nightmare.

Here are the blogs I would like to read answers from (all are on my regular surveillance list):

Knitlob's lair
MadeByMyself
Tuin kutomo
Poodles and Wool
Pikku-Kettu Knits
Need More Fiber

Can't wait to read your answers!

Santa's little helper

I've been working for Santa these last couple of days and today I delivered a bag of gifts to my sister's house. My niece will get this pretty (if you don't mind me saying so :)) sleeveless February Lady Sweater:

These hand-made, washable buttons are from Buttons by Robin.

Finally I finished something

Santa was starting to act all anxious already and said I'll run out of time with 14 WIPs. Something about thinking too much of oneself and being overly ambitious? Go figure...

My nephew's sweater is done. I found these 50 % cotton / 50 % acrylic balls for 1€ per piece and the yarn is perfect for children's clothing. Easy to wash, dries quickly and is not so expensive you want to cry when the sweater is suddenly too small after two weeks of use.

I am not all that satisfied, I should have used smaller needles.

Sweater for a 2-year-old
Pattern: Runaround Raglan (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Samos Lollipop
Needles: 5mm
Buttons: Little shanked buttons from my LYS

This is the next thing Santa needs to worry about:

Buttons!

Sorry for being so quiet for a long, long time. Blogging in more languages than one has proved to be rather exhausting at times. Still I decided to keep my blogs separate.

Today I want to talk about buttons. Many of us are in constant search of great buttons for different projects. I find it hard to find perfect buttons for cardis. Wooden buttons are also hard to find if you want anything special.

Etsy seems to be an answer to this, too. As always. My answer to everything (except "where to find perfect wrinkle-free office blouses") seems to be Etsy nowadays. I love all things hand-made. I love entrepreneurism in people, I love creative spirit, I love non-industrialized production (I made up most of the word in this sentence and can't be bothered to look them up - I hope my point gets across anyway). So I buy on Etsy.

One of my favorite button shops in Etsy is definitely Heatherknitz. The dinosaur buttons above are from her, as are many others in my stash. Absolutely adorable fabric covered buttons in many sizes + super friendly service. I can recommend her shop from all my heart.

Etsy buttons are not just for kids or kiddie clothing, though. Take a look at these ginkgo leaf beauties I got from Eclectic Oddities:

They are absolutely stunning - scrabble tiles, fabric, rhinestones and some sort of glass-like varnish. Super special!

Magic's buttons I've used in two garments already. She works with polymer, so the buttons have a funky feel to them. They look rather like metal due to the finishing, but the feel is more like flexible plastic.

Beautiful washable buttons can be also found in Buttons by Robin. I ordered a bunch of raccoons, skunks and owls from her and they are brilliant. I haven't taken any pictures of them yet, but do go check the shop out. You'll like them!

You might wanna go grab a cup of coffee - I am not nearly done yet :)

More fabric buttons. Buttered parsnips is one of my royal suppliers. I love her buttons. I love, love, love the ones with toadstools. Look at the hat I made for my niece:

SewingRabbit has provided me with these super cute kittie buttons. This hat is for my mom. I've also bought a bunch of piggies from her and they are ever so sweet :)

 Greenjelly I have tried also. These buttons are from her. I think it is fairly safe to say fabric buttons are not just for kids - they spice up accessories for adults too. I know my sister will love her new matryoshka hat.

People, do buy hand-made! And leave me a note if you know any good places to shop for buttons.