2009-05-31

Greetings from the woods

We spent the weekend at my parents’ summer place and hopefully future residence .It was so relaxing I can’t even begin to describe it. The weather was HOT, the sun was shining and all you could hear was birds tweeting, mosquitos buzzing and occationally the coffee machine.

In the picture above is the outhouse, of course. It was the first building my father built there when they bought the lot.

The rhubarb was about to bloom. I sliced some rhubarb to bring home with me – I plan on making a pie next week.

The closest lake is about two miles from our place, but we went there to feel the breeze (we hoped) and rest our eyes on the shimmering water.

The main building is slowly getting ready. My dad builds it pretty much on his own, on the weekends and holidays. By the four of us we could finally carry the wood-burning stove inside from the trailer. It weighed something around 200 kilograms, at least that is what my dad said. Here it is, in their future kitchen, with its new friend and neighbor, the electric stove.

My dad also drained the well so he can wash it – I didn’t realize that needs to be done every year! I was asleep on the garden swing while he was working hard with the well.

The permanent water pump will be assembled this fall and then they will get running water too. Next weekend an elecrician will be there to continue his work and they hope to gat the electric stove working.

Next summer the balcony will probably get built and we will finish painting the front of the house.

I did not knit one row whil there. It was a vacation from that, too. Instead I drank some sparkling wine, burnt my scalp, read comic books, played with my mum’s cat, slept well and loved my life.

2009-05-30

Granny

My first adult-sized blanket is ready and I am thrilled!

It took 1200 grams of worsted-weight cotton and around 70 hours of my time and I love it.

Also note that the birch tree in the background has full-sized leaves. Summer! Lori, now the lilacs are blooming here :)

2009-05-29

Paper buttons?

Did you know you can use recycled paper to finish off your nxt cardi or bag? Check out these fantastic paper buttons from Etsy. Not only are they ecological and innovative, they’re damn fine-looking!

Another advertisement – not paid, though :) – if you carry any knitting or crocheting around, you’ll definitely want to check out Zigzagstitches on Etsy. I’ve bought maybe five of these boxy bags for myself (and my boyfriend, as they arre great for cosmetic bags etc. too!) and one for a Secret Pal gift.

I also strongly rely on her Sock and Go Mini Case:

It’s lightly padded but still very thin.

I only have 2½ weeks of work left. Anyone want to hire a knitter? I am willing to relocate, but I do need to get a salary :D

2009-05-15

Broomstick!

My (hopefully) future mother-in-law taught me to broomstick crocheting a couple of years back. I have used it to make a large triangle scarf for my mum, but that’s it.

I happened to have a ball of bamboo silk sock yarn, hand-dyed by Handu, and knitting socks out of it didn’t inspire me one bit. Oh well, I thought, mum will surely appreciate another scarf for her birthday late this month…

I am using a 5 mm hook and one knitting needle, size 20 mm. 40 stitches across. It is very airy and somehow subtle, like cherry flowers or something.