Europe is so gorgeous!

Tags

air france, amsterdam, antwerp, antwerpen, belgium, brussels, dutch airlines, Europe, holland, klm, netherlands, rotterdam, schroder, stephen and penelope, Stitching, travel, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

I have not been around here for a bit, and the good news is that I was travelling to Europe for a vacation.

It was very hot, and I got a lovely tan to show off now.  🙂  I only visited Belgium and Holland, and tried to see as much as is possible.  I absolutely loved every moment of it, and I think I left a little piece of myself behind in Rotterdam.  I fell in love with this city the moment I arrived.  Everywhere we went was stunning and gorgeous, and I did everything I could to see it all.  But in Rotterdam I had the best time.  I definitely plan to go back and spend time there again.

The first stop was Belgium, and we stayed in Brussels. I did not have any idea of where the woolshops or such was.  I did however discover these gorgeously soft yarns in the back of a huge store, and also got the sweetest little kit for a doggie to stitch.

European Vacation Shopping

European Vacation Shopping

In Rotterdam I took some time one morning and visited the store Schroder.  It was a quick walk there, and I had such a lovely time.  I spent time with the lovely ladies assisting me, and we had lots of good chats and laughs.  The choice was difficult.  🙂  I wanted it all, but had to keep in mind going home with it all.  So I settled for some Scheepjes knitting yarn, and Scheepjes crochet cottons, and of course, I could not resist a few stunning pieces of pretty blue dutch themed fabric.  I did not get around to Jawol in Rotterdam, as it was summer holidays and most stores were enjoying the holidays too.  I did go to the Markthal and was overwhelmed.  🙂  A must see to all.  And if you are not afraid of heights, Euromast!!  I went all the way to the top, and we even had lunch in the restaurant there, way up in the sky.

European Vacation Shopping

Amsterdam had to include a stop at De Bejinkorf, of course.  I checked out the routes there the evening we arrived already, so I knew where to go the next day.  🙂  And the lovely Stephen and Penelope is walking distance from there.  I am so happy I finally got around to the store, and loved the visit.  Such a lot of yarns, notions, pins, bags, needles and hooks.  I loved the yarn I got, “the Night Watch” as inspired by the famous painting.  And how cute are those little house needle size gauges.

🙂  yes I did see all the paintings and visited the museums too.

European Vacation Shopping

So worth the trip, and so worth the long haul home.  It was 37 hours from getting up the morning, last few hours before travelling later in the afternoon, layover in Paris, overnight flight, and getting back to Johannesburg the next day.  Collecting Miekie and finally home again.  I will do it again anytime.

Going home again

Thank you Air France and KLM for taking such good care of us.

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Time for some finished projects

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bag, bags, blanket, crochet, crochet bag, crochet bags, crochet blanket, crocheting, dog, dog bandanna, dog cowl, doggie, handdyed, handknitsocks, handknitted, handkntting, handmade, Little black Dog, nanhua temple, roadtrip, roadtrips, socks, yarn, yarns

It has been a very good and progressive couple of weeks.  The cooler weather has finally arrived, and it meant more time for crafting and relaxing.

Plus we have had some lovely long weekends to enjoy, and I made very good use of all the extra days.

I took a long road trip to visit the Nan Hua Temple.  It is an absolutely beautiful place to visit, and I spent the day there and enjoyed a beautiful vegetarian lunch.  I find it very peaceful and tranquil.

Temple Entrance

 

Nan Hua

Nan Hua

I crocheted a new bag that I could use the funky cheeky piece of fabric I had.  This time the fit was perfect, and I even inserted a zipper.

Crochet Bag

Crochet Bag Lining and zipper

Off my needles is my first pair of socks for the winter.  I tried a little something new / different on the heels, but I may need to practice a bit more.

Socks

The left over sock yarn became a cowl and bandanna for Miekie.  She seems happy with the new goodies.

Miekie New Cowl

Miekie New Bandanna

Do you remember this yarn I got from my daughter?  🙂  I decided to make a crocheted blanket.  The colourway is called Woodpecker, and I am calling this my “woodpecker” blanket.  The colours does remind me very much of a little woodpecker bird.

New Crochet Blanket

Happy crafting all.

Stash additions

Tags

lace yarn, new stash, openskyyarns, sock yarn, speckled yarn, stash, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

New stash additions

I am very sure the Easter Bunny brings yarns.  🙂  How else did I get these lovelies.  😉  😉

The lovely Charmaine at Open Sky Yarns  is having a huge discount on all her lovely yarns, and I had a very hard time to decide which of these to get for myself.

I finally decided on these, and I am totally in love with the speckling she created, especially in the two darker ones.

Even though they are different lots, I think they will knit up well together as complimentary to each other.

And who could possibly resist the creamy lace yarn with the hints of colour.  🙂  I swooned and got it immediately.

Keeping with my resolution to buy less blue yarns, I decided on a pretty green for a change.

The discounts are still up and running if anyone wish to order, do not miss out!

Have a wonderful and crafty time.  🙂

 

Time is not standing still

Tags

baby alpaca yarn, cottonyarn, cowl, crescent shawl, frisenvang, fynbos, hand knitting, handdyed, handknitted, handmade, hartlam, lace scarf, lace shawl, lacecottonyarn, laceyarn, leave cowl, scarf, scarves, Shawl, stellarfibreworks, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

Time is definitely not standing still this year.  It is February already.  And a week into the month already.

It has also been a pretty crafty time so far.  I have received beautiful yarns, some in swaps, and some that I bought, and some from my stash that I caked and got ready to start knitting them.  🙂

Yarn Cakes

The dark blue yarns were some of the yarns that my son in law brought home last year.  It is from Frisenvang in Copenhagen, and they get all their yarns from alpaca breeders in Peru.  The yarn is hand spun and naturally dyed.  It is so very soft.

The seagreen yarn was from my swap buddy in December, in the #SAFestiveswap.  I loved the colour so much, I could not put it away, so it was caked rather.  I have a pattern ready for it too.

From my stash I took out these 3 pretty pink 100% Cotton Lace yarns dyed by Colourspun, that each is slightly different from the other.  They will knit a pretty fade from dark to light.

And since I could finally get my hands on the “Fynbos” colour from Hartlam Yarns, I ordered two skeins.  🙂  which I have caked too.  I am keeping my eyes open for a pattern for them.

 

The blue has already been cast on.  No surprise there, as I just love blue yarn, and I had been gifted a gorgeous scarf pattern by Marianne at Frisenvang, specially for this yarn.  It is a very dark yarn, so I can only knit mostly during the day.

That was then a good reason to cast on the pink cotton for a small crescent shawl with a pretty and very easy lace border.

New on my needles

My leaves cowl is just about done, just the ribbing and some blocking to complete this lovely project.  I really loved using this yarn, and since I have a bit left I may knit something extra with it.

Leaves Cowl Progress

Happy crafting all.

#SAFestiveswap reveal

Tags

#SAfestiveswap2017, crochet, Gifts, goodies, lace yarn, mini skeins, notebook, project bag, scissors, snacks, stitch markers, swap, swaps, tea, treats, yarn, yarns

After a lovely long vacation, visiting Cape Town and a game lodge in the far north-eastern parts of my country, I am slowly getting back to my normal routine.

I had the most wonderful Christmas time with family, and we got to spend the day in the sun and enjoying the very warm weather.  The cool water in the pool made all the difference.

But of course, December is Christmas swap time.  I did a local swap, the #SAFestiveswap and got the most gorgeous package from Nicole (Divine Designs Crochet)  🙂  She knows how to spoil someone.

SA Festive Swap 2017

I got beautiful lace yarn, and sparkly crochet cotton, mini skeins, a notebook and pretty butterflies  (that I am already using) teas, bathsalts, treats, scissors, stitchmarkets, handmade decorations, a project baggie, and Miekie got her favourite treats too.  I even got colouring in sheets, that I am taking to work for those times when I need to focus on something else.

SA Festive Swap 2017

SA Festive Swap 2017

SA Festive Swap 2017

SA Festive Swap 2017

From Germany with Love!!

Tags

birgit freyer, die wolllust, laceyarn, scarf, scarfkit, schoppel, schoppeledition6, schoppellace, schoppellaceball, schoppelwolle, schoppelzauberball, Shawl, shawlkit, stole, stolekit, wolle, wool, Wrap, wrapkit, yarn, yarns, zauberball

Along with my Danish / Peruvian yarns, I decided that my second order would have to be with Birgit Freyer of Die Wollust in Berlin.

I have been wanting to try out Schoppel Wolle for some time.  Whenever I saw these beauties being knitted, I could not keep away from the beautiful shades and colours they had.

I choose very carefully.  I would have chosen way to many if I could. I got a selection of stunning colours, in Laceball, Edition6 and various Zauberball.

De Wollust Berlin Germany

But I wanted some of Birgit’s fine lace yarns too.  I spoiled myself with a very pretty sage silvery green lace yarn.  And a kit for a lace stole / scarf / shawl that is in the most beautiful colours.  I was gifted the pattern for the shawl, and it is so well written and easy to understand.

Thank you Martin and Birgit, for making shopping with you (even from very far away) such a lovely and warmhearted experience.

 

 

Peru to Copenhagen to Johannesburg

Tags

100% organic, alpaca, Alpaca Yarn, baby alpaca, baby alpaca yarn, einbeck, frisenvang, germany, handspun, natural, Peru, street art, streetart, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

That is the trip these pretty skeins of yarn took.

Frisenvang Copenhagen Denmark

I “met” Marianne of Frisenvang via the great wide web.  It all started when I started to follow Marianne’s journey to Peru on Instagram.  I loved learning about the alpacas and the breeders and the yarns that they produce.  All done naturally and sustainable.  It was absolutely amazing to see all the gorgeous pictures.

I wanted to order yarn, but was wary of getting a package with such precious goodies via the postal service, as I was worried it may get lost.  So when my son in law announced that he may be working in Europe this year for a bit, I quickly asked him if he would not mind bringing home a few skeins and balls.  He smiled and said yes, of course, knowing that he would be getting a hand knitted beanie or two for his effort.

I placed just two orders.  The first one was off course with Marianne of Frisenvang.  (I will tell you about the second order in a separate post)  Selecting just a few was extremely difficult.  Every skein looked prettier and softer than the other.  And the shades of brown that was available were just as stunning.  But in the end I settled for a blue and green order.

I placed the order and the payment was a breeze.  The yarns were packed and shipped within a day.  How super excited I was.  But I had to be patient.  The yarns went to Antwerp in Belgium, where my son in law got them.  Then they travelled to Germany (Hanover, Einbeck, Hamburg) with him where he was working and finally the took a long train ride to Amsterdam and a flight to Johannesburg.

They arrived safe and sound.  And I got a lovely postcard with the beloved alpacas, breeders and yarns.  I put the postcard up at my office.  And Marianne sent me a collection of samples too.  Oh so very tempting.  The browns and greys are so lovely.

Frisenvang Copenhagen Denmark

The texture of the yarns that I received is amazing.  They are super soft and has a wonderful feel between your fingers.  The blue yarn is slightly thinner and more delicate.  I have a pattern for a scarf that I got from Marianne a little while ago, that I may use for some of these.  But every pattern I look at now looks like it is just perfect for casting on with either of the two colours.

I will probably start something with them around Fall, as it is heading into summer here now and I am crocheting a bit more than knitting.

Frisenvang Copenhagen Denmark

And incase you are wondering what my son in law was up you 🙂   He was invited as a South African Street Artist (Graffitti) to Einbeck in Germany to partake in the StreetArtMeile.  The piece he did is 9,02m high and 4.9m wide. One storey off the ground. (3.78m)  Here he is in action, and the finished piece, super cute and colourful turquoise goldfishies and a big shark!  I am so very proud of him.

 

 

The Joy of Winter :)

Tags

Bee Eater, box project bag, box project bags, cables, celtic cable, cheerful, grey, handknit, handmade, Johannesburg, johannesburg mornings, johannesburg weather, Kingfisher, knit, Knitting, linda's treehouse, project bag, project bags, sheep, south african yarn, stash, Sunshine Grows, sweater, travel, wool, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

I find winter in Johannesburg very pleasant and a joy.  It is not extremely cold, and the sun is pleasant and comforting.  I would not mind very much if we had our fair share of snow, since I do love snow.

But in Johannesburg we make the most of the pleasant winters days.  Like spending a glorious sunny cozy morning, having a cup of coffee and enjoying the stunning view of the country clubs’ lawns.  I bit dry in patches, which is to be expected in mid winter.

Winter Mornings in Johannesburg

I have been patiently knitting away at my grey sweater.  I have already reached the under the arm length, and have now cast on for the sleeves.  The progress is steady, and I am loving the way the cable insert is turning out.  I have no pattern for this, so I will need to look at the top construction as soon as the sleeves are long enough.

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

And I spoiled myself with a little bit of happy mail.  Stunning bright, cheerful yarns from Linda’s Treehouse, in Kingfisher.  I chose Bee Eater and Sunshine Grows.  I think these would be great summer wear items.  🙂  Or winter, as they are so cheerful.

New Stash Yarn

My latest find in project  bags are these Box Project bags.  They are square and deep with a zipper.  If you open them all the way, you can fold the top back and they double as a portable fabric yarn bowl.  The cute sheepies print on these were just irresistible.  I got two sizes, one for sock size projects and one for shawl size projects.

Box Project Bags

Box Project Bags

Box Project Bags

SA Cosy Winter Swap

Tags

autumn, birdie, birdies, birds, candies, candy, cards, jelly beans, SAcosywinterswap, stationery, tea, teas, yarn, yarns

You may remember the Alpaca yarn to sent to my buddy in the SA Cosy Winter Swap.  🙂

My package arrived as well, and it is stunning.  I have been looking online for some pretty autumn coloured yarn, and each time I got distracted.  Good thing, as my swap buddy sent me 2 gorgeous skeins.  How amazing is that.

SA Cosy Winter Swap

SA Cosy Winter Swap

SA Cosy Winter Swap

She also spoiled me with teas, candies (I love jelly beans) and stationery.  Plus the sweetest little birdy ornament.  She also sent me a lovely shawl pattern, that I have already printed out and it is awaiting me, patiently sitting on my workdesk.

SA Cosy Winter Swap

Loved this quick and easy and cosy swap.

A little something different

Tags

beads, constellations, crochet, crocheting, embroidery, gift, Gifts, greenteatipple, scheepjes, scheepjes yarn, Shawl, stars, starsigns, Stitching, stormy day shawl, stormydayshawl, yarns

What do you do or give to two young arty people, that just about has everything they need?  That was what I was thinking about when I decided to make something for my daughter and son in law’s second wedding anniversary.  And it had to be modern enough to fit into a loft apartment in the city.  🙂

This is what I finally came up with.  It is their star constellations, embroidered and embellished with beads for the stars, and sequin and beads for the bigger stars.  I chose a hoop and attached a small black leather strap, as they have a round wooden mirror that hangs from a leather strap, in the bedroom.  Perfect match.  🙂

Embroidery – Wedding day Anniversary

Embroidery – Wedding day Anniversary

Embroidery – Wedding day Anniversary

 

I ordered this stunning Scheepjes Yarn (Whirl) from BeInspired, as I simply loved it the moment I saw it.  This is Green Tea Tipple, not blue, but close.  🙂

Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple

Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple

Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple and Stormy Day Shawl

I had to wrap my head around crocheting UK stitches / pattern, since I normally crochet and read patterns USA stitches when working on crochet items.  I am already getting the hang, and although progress is a bit slow, the darker colour is not to easy on the eyes when working at night, I am looking forward to moving into the lighter shades, and making faster progress.  I love this yarn, it is super soft, very light, and I am sure it will wear beautifully and be lovely and warm.

Stormy Day Shawl

Stormy Day Shawl

Stormy Day Shawl

Stormy Day Shawl