Godt nytt år/Happy New Year

Patons Divine Hat

Last night I knitting this hat from the lovely Patons Divine yarn I got from my Secret Knitting Pal Gillian in Canada. It`s soft and warm. Thanks a lot to Gillian. :)

Løve raggsokker

Nå i romjula har jeg strikket lester til vår yngste datter med garnet jeg fikk til jul av Tone M. Brukte oppskrifta hun gave meg tidligere. Kjempegode sokker som er tatt i bruk. Tusen takk Tone M.

Packet 3, Secret Knitting Pals - Facebook

Today I got packet no 3 via Secret Knitting Pals swapping group. It was Gillian in Ontario, Canada who has spoiled me and what a spoiler she has been. Three super packages has she sent me, lovely yarn and patterns + sweets, candles, etc. Thanks a lot to you Gillian. Like I`ve said before, you are the best. :)

For en herlig strikke jul/What a lovely knitting holiday

Sjekk hva nissen hadde med til meg denne jula; 17 nøster garn, tre pinner str 2.75, tre strikkebøker: Strikk - en reise til indre ro av Kari Hestnes, Knitting Vintage Socks og Knitting On The Road av Nancy Bush, et hekle hefte med kluter i og et engalsk strikke blad og boka Fredagsstrikkeklubben av Kate Jacobs som jeg fikk i en tidlig julegave av min søster, kunne ikke vente til jula for å lese den.
Look what Santa brought me, lots of knitting goodies, 17 sjeins of yarn, bamboo needles, 3 knitting books, one crocket dishcloth pattern book, one English knitting magazine and an early gift I got from my sister; The Friday Knitting Club. Couldn`t wait till Christmas to read that one.

Christmas Around The World Knitters Swap

Finally I could open the seven packages waiting for me from my secret pal Alison in England. What a joy it was, look at all the goodies she sent me. I can use it all. Thanks a lot Alison. You are the best. :)
Her er min pakke via en internasjonal julegave swap.

Pakke 2 - Hobbyforum

Sjekk denne flotte pakken jeg fikk fra min hemmelige venn i Hobbyforum, det mest nydelige alpakka garnet fra Bolivia som jeg ikke har prøvd før, men jeg elsker alpakka garn og har strikket masser av det. Fikk også 150 g 6-tråds Onlime garn som er helt nytt for meg. Det gleder jeg meg til å prøve. Fikk også servietter og to telys. Tusen takk for en super pakke. Gleder meg til å finne ut hvem du er.

Hemmelig venn NoTroFin - Hobbyboden/Secret pal regional group

Da jeg åpnet denne pakken ble jeg både glad og overrasket, trur nemlig jeg hadde lagt in en kommentar om hvor fine disse vottene er i en blogg eller innlegg på Hobbyboden, og nå har jeg både garn og oppskrift på de. :) Disse skal strikker veldig snart. Fikk også en pakke med te og twist. Vet ikke enda hvem min hemmelige venn er, men jeg skal snike litt i hobbyboden for å se hvem du kan være. Tusen hjertelig takk.

Julerunden hemmelig venn - Hobbyboden/Secret pal

I går åpnet jeg pakken fra min hemmelige venn og gjett om jeg ble kjempeglad, to nøster Fabel som jeg har strikket en del av før og liker kjempegodt og fire nøster Løve ragsokgarn som jeg har prøvd en gang før og forelsket meg i. Har dessverre ikke kommet over slikt garn mer så disse nøstene ble jeg veldig glad for. De skal bli til sokker til yngste datter. Hun trenger så sårt nye og mora har jo vært så opptatt med å strikke julegaver at hun ikke har fått tid til å prioritere strikking til egne barn. Men fra i dag skal det bli annerledes. :nikker: I kortet (som ikke er med på bildet) står det at "en fugl har plystret om at denne gaven forhåpentligvis faller i smak". Kan det være Tone M som sendte meg oppskrift tidligere på sokker i dette garnet?
Tusen, tusen takk hvem det nå er som er min hemmelige venn.
Christmas swap packet in my hobby group Hobbyboden.

God jul/Merry Christmas/Joyeux Noël/Feliz Navidad/Frohe Weinachten

Sock It To Me Twice Contest

The new contest is about Holiday memories and knitting. In Norway the main day is Christmas Eve when many people go to church, have a family dinner and Santa arrives bringing gifts which are opened that night. Rest of the days are spent visiting family and friends or having them here for a visit. In my family we use to gather in my parents home, three sisters with partners and children. Recent years we`ve been 12 people celebrating together. The only Christmas away from my village was in 1990 when my dear grandmother died a week before Christmas. We stayed in her village 800 kms away over the holiday. It was a strange holiday, very emotional opening the last presents my grandmother had choosen for us.
I started my Christmas present knitting already between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve last year. Most of what I`ve knitted this year and posted in my blog are Christmas gifts, so I don`t want to post them here again. I`ve mostly knitted socks, scarves, wrist warmers and lately I`ve started knitting mittens. Photos show three pairs of felted Lovikka mittens I just made for gifts. Also a photo of last years Christmas trees and the two Santas that arrived and this years Amaryllis flowers.

Lyslykt til badet/Candle holder for bathroom

I går kjøpte jeg meg ny lykt til badet i en butikk hvor jeg har førjuls jobb. Er kjempeglad i den stilen og fant ut at den passet perfekt til badet mitt. Yesterday I bought a new hanging candle holder for my bathroom. Found it in a shop where I`ve a job right now. I just love that style.

To gode salat oppskrifter

Drue - og purresalat: (redigert)
3 ss rømme
1 pk majones
1 ts sukker
1 ss sitronsaft
3 kopper druer (deles)
1 kopp purreløk


Potetsalat:
1 bx lettrømme
1 pk majones
2 sp sukker
4-5 kokte kalde poteter
1 stort eple
litt purreløk (ca 2 cm) hakkes
pyntes med gressløk over salaten

(Bruker å lage salatene dobbel. De er bare nydelige).

From England to Norway - Christmas Around The World Knitters Swap

Santa brought me eight wrapped packets, chocolate coins and a card all the way from England. I opened the gift which I assumed was a CD with Christmas songs and I was right. Now I`ll listen to the lovely carols while preparing for the holiday. Rest of the packets will be opened at Christmas Eve, which is the day we open our gifts in Norway. Thanks a lot to motherofallneedles. Will post another photo when the rest of the packets are opened.

Votter fra Grønland/Mittens from Greenland

Mine første mønstervotter ble disse fra Idena folder nr 349. Mønstret er fra Grønland. Strikket i Juvel. My very first mittens with pattens came from Idena leaflet nr 349, pattern from Greenland. Yarn is Juvel.

Nydelige julebrød/Yummy Christmas breads

Julebrød:

1 l helmelk
150 g smør
350 g sukker
50 g gjær
2 ts kardemomme
2 egg - vispes sammen
ca 3 dl rosiner
ca 1 1/2 kg hvetemel
1/4 glass sitrondråper (essens)

Melk, smør og sukker kokes opp og avkjøles til lunkent. Resten haes oppi veska (minus sitrondråpene) og lages til en passe smidig deig som så vidt slipper bollen. Heves under plast i to timer. Sitrondråper knaes godt inn. Formes til fire runde brød. Heves i 30 minutter. Skjær rutemønstrer og pensle med egg. Stekes ved 170 grader i 45 min.

Birthday gift for a penpal

Last SP11 packet received from The Netherlands

This is third and last packet in my very first SP11 swap, which has been a joy to participate in. My partner was Breibeest from The Netherlands. She was totally secret for me to the very end. She was a wonderful swap partner who has given me so many things I`d on my wish list (which she didn`t knew). Sometimes I thought we`d a telepathic connection as I could see yarn in blogs/groups which I wanted to try but had no idea where to get. My next packet had exactly the same yarn. Like now I got yarn from Manos del Uruguay. I also loved the local sock yarn which I look forward to use as soon as Advent stress is over and I plan to spoil myself and my family with hand-knitted socks. I also got more of my (and my familys) "beloved" M&Ms + Breibeest fave candy. It`s delicious too, we`ve already had a taste of it. I also got more cute dutch rubber-stamps and a DPN storage roll which was also on my wish list (a list only I know of). It`s already in use and very handy compared to my Pringles box. Thank you, thank you, thank you Breibeest. You have been such a wonderful swapper. I`m delighted you was the one to spoil me.

Kort for hemmelige venner/Cards for Secret Pals

More socks

Socks I brought with me to our former host daughter in Russia. Selbusocks (grey and white) are made by my mum, the rest by me.
Tube socks are Christmas gifts for young relatives.

Knitted gifts for secret pals

Christmas gifts made for my partners in SP11, Christmas Around The World and a Swap-Bot swap.

Secret Pal 11 swap - second packet

Another packet had arrived while we were in Russia. Second packet from my SP11 spoiler, who lives in Netherlands. I wonder who she is! It will be revealed in third and last packet. Also this time I was very happy for what she sent. The mini sock pattern and yarn is so lovely. Hope I get time to knit it before the Christmas is here. The silkwolle yarn is also new to me, the color is lovely. Thanks a lot my secret pal for all you sent. I love it. :)

Caffeine Addicted swap - Ravelry

Fikk en forsmak pakke fra Finland for et par uker siden, nydelig jule sjokolade fra Fazer (joda, den er alt spist!) og flott rød klut. I dag ventet hoved pakken på meg på posthuset. Den kom nok i slutten a forrige uke da vi var i Russland. Tusen, tusen takk for alt det flotte du sendte Jaana. Ble kjempeglad for det. Garnet skal bli til sokker.

A couple of weeks ago I got a pre packet from Finland, delicious Christmas chocolate from Fazer (oh yes, it`s eaten already!) and a red cloth. Today when arriving home from Russia the main packet arrived. My spoiler was Jaana in northern part of Finland. I was soooo happy to receive it. Thanks a lot.

Sock It To Me Twice Swap Questionaire

The Questions

1. How long have you been knitting? Do you consider yourself beginner, intermediate, advanced? 30+ years, intermediate
2. How long have you been knitting socks? Done them more or less since the 80`s but learned how to make heels this January!! Was too easy to bring the heel job to my mum.
3. What are your favorite fibers to work with? Wool, superwash, cotton. Haven`t tried anything else I think so far but is open to new fibers (have some here I`ll try as soon as the Christmas gifts are knitted)
4. What is your favorite color? Anything but yellow and neon. I tend to buy most blue, green, red, burgundy.
5. What are your current WIPs (works in progress)? Socks, socks, socks (Christmas gifts)
6. Name your favorite yarns, (brand, fibers, colors, etc.). Smart, Opal, Regia, Online, Raggi from Järbo, Sugar`n Cream. Love to try new brands.
7. What are some yarns/fibers that you stay away from. Acrylic, but superwash is fine.
8. What is your family situation? (Married, kids, pets?)Married 21 years, two girls age 13 and 25, cat and pet bunny
9.Name some of your hobbies. Knitting, crocketing, penpalling, beading, card-making, reading
10. Name some of your favorite movies? I`m not to keen about movies, but if I watch one it must be a romantic drama
11. Do you like to read? I love to read, anything but fantasy and science fiction
12. Do you collect anything? Yarn (buy lots of it for using, not collecting, but it might looks like a collection for those who see my stash), books, teabags, souvenir thimbles, stickers, card-making stuff, rubber-stamps
13. Do you own an iPod or mp3 player? I don`t have one myself, but our daughters have
14. What are your favorite type of knitting needles? Bamboo
15. What knitting notion could you not live without? tape measure
16. Who are some of your favorite designers? Have no fave designer
17. Do you subscribe to any magazines? (Knitting or otherwise.)No, but I buy frequently Simply Knitting magazine (the only one sold in my village)and a housing magasine for simple living/chabby chic
18. When is your birthday? 13. July 1964
19. Do you have a "wishlist", (on Ravelry, Froogle, or Amazon)? No
20. Do you have a Ravelry ID? Yes, I`m aurora
21. If you had a sheep, what would you name it? Ulla

Dishcloth and yarn swap - Ravelry

This lovely swap came from MyissaG in USA, two lovely cloths and multicolored Sugar`n Cream cotton yarn. Thanks a lot.

Knitters Coffeeswap 3

Last night when I arrived home from a three days job trip out of town a wonderful packet from Lumia in Ireland was waiting for me. Lovely soft yarn from Chile which is new to me, tea from Sumatra which I`ve not tried before, tunisian crocket potholder (must learn that tecnique), Lush Christmas soap with the most lovely smell (will fill my bathroom with that smell from 1. Dec) and M&Ms (one bag was empty already when the photo was taken) and a viewcard from Ireland.Thanks a lot Lumia, I loved everything.

Candy bag

Candy bag made from pattern by nh knitting mama. Surprised? :)Will definitly make more of them.

Wish I could....

Knitters Tea Swap 4

What a wonderful swap week this has been. Another gorgeous packet arrived today. This time from Flutterby in Scotland. What a lovely yarn it was, great colors, tea, ceramic mug, more M&Ms (yummi - it`s my fave), Lush products (can`t get them in Norway) which I`ve wanted to try, lovely cards from Scotland, cute highland moo, Shortbread (have only once had it before, in Tasmania, Australia in 1999. I loved it and have wanted to have more since then :)), Butter tablet (hand crafted confectionary)and two of my partners fave biscuit recipes. They will be fun to try when I get a spare moment. Very busy at this moment. Those packages have really made my days. Thanks a LOT to Flutterby. :)

Fall Into Autumn Dishcloth Swap

This gorgeous packet arrived yesterday from Melissa in Chicago, IL. She really spoiled me with yarn, needles M&Ms (yummi), tea, soaps, nail file, pen, Mary Engelbreit bookmark (she`s one of my favourites), several stitch markers, two small rubberstamps and of course a cloth.
This swap has been a great experience to me, even I`m still waiting to hear if my partner has received her packages. I`ll definitely attend more swaps.

Oktoberswap - Hobbyboden

Denne flotte pakken fikk jeg av min oktober venn i Hobbyboden. Du er enda hemmelig for meg. Tusen takk. My Secret swap at Hobbyboden group for October.

Julekort/Christmas cards

Midt i en travel hverdag med masse reising ble det tid til å lage noen julekort jeg skulle legge ved noen brev jeg sendte i dag. Middle of some busy weeks I`d to take the time to make some Christmas cards to enclose with some letters I mailed today.

Socks finished

This morning I finished the socks. I plan to do at least three more pairs of them for gifts. Even hubby asked for a pair. :)

Jordbær i oktober/ Strawberries in October

Last four weeks I`ve picked strawberries. Photo taken last week. They tasted delicious.

Kitchen towel finished

Last week I finally got to finish the kitchen towel. Love the pattern. I was too busy working to post in the blog last week.

Another Blueberry Waffle Sock

Made one sock during a to and from bus ride I`d this week for work. They are easy to knit, perfect for travels and for watching TV. It`s a Christmas gift.

I love Gansey Sock

I`ve started knitting I love Gansey sock in the Six Sock Knitalong. Quite a job to make it as I`ve been very busy with work last four weeks. I love the pattern so I can`t wait to finish it.

Knitters`Coffeeswap Three

QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? Ground
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Don`t know the difference, but I think I use fully-loaded if it`s normal coffee
3. Regular or flavored? Both
4. How do you drink your coffee? Black if normal coffee
5. Favorite coffee ever? Flavoured
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I`m not fuzzy I think
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Usually not but I love sweets and cakes
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? nope
9. Yarn/fiber you love? Alpaca, wool, superwash, merino, love to try new fibres
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Acrylic (can`t say I hate it!)
11. What's on your needles? socks, socks, socks
12. Favorite colors? anything but yellow and neon
13. Allergies? none
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest?I`m easy to please. :) Love to try new things.

SP11 swap

Two days later another wonderful swap packet arrived. This time it was first packet from my SP11 partner. Once again I could enjoy lovely items from a foreign country, incl trekking and Lana Grossa yarn which I`ve never tried before, addi needles which I either haven`t tried, a spiral scarf, beads, Holland chocolate and M&M (yummi). Thanks a lot to my secret pal, which still is secret.

Knit1Tea2 swap

This week I rec this wonderful swap from my partner Bette in VA, USA. I couldn`t believe my eyes when I saw all she had sent. Alpaca yarn, alpaca scarf, lots of tea, a cute tea cosy, teapot with mug, flour for making scones, flavoured coffee, sweets. It was even gifts for my daughter. Thanks a lot Bette. I`ve got a new friend. :)

Topic of the week three - Fall into autumn dishcloth swap

The question is what we like about the autumn. It`s quite easy to answer: the autumn colors, dark nights, burning candles, being creative, producing Christmas gifts.

Repost- topic of the week two, Fall into autumn dishcloth swap

I decided to delete my previous answer to this as I got some unwanted comment/spam to my post. Anyway. If I use thick cotton or double yarn I use circular needles 4.5 mm. For thinner cotton I use needles, 2.5-3. I mostly use bamboo needles, but have no problem using metall too. I`ve loved the thick cotton yarn I`ve got from a facebook secret pal in Canada. I`m not too familiar with what cotton there is in other coutnries, but it`s always interesting to try new yarn.

Håndkle/kitchen towel

Got this pattern from ariel and this is the progress so far. Knitted between the pirate socks. I like this pattern very much and will definitely make more from it. Thank you ariel.

Piratsokker/Piratsocks

Piratsokker til min nevø som fyller 10 år i morgen. Pirat socks for my nephew who turns 10 y.o tomorrow. Happy birthday.

Hemmelig venn september - Hobbyboden/Secret pal September

I dag fikk jeg denne flotte pakke fra en dame i Sarpsborg. Alpakka er en stor favoritt her. Disse skal det nok bli sokker av. A great gift from a secret pal in a Norwegian online group called Hobbyboden. Alpaca is a big fave here.

Gårsdagens produksjon/yesterdays knitting

To kluter ble strikket i går. Den blåe er av garnet jeg fikk av min hemmeligevenn i facebook. Flott bommullsgarn var det. HAr nok til en til klut.Two cloths knitted yesterday. Blue one is made from the cotton yarn I got from my facebook secret pal. Great yarn to knit from. Still enough for one more cloth.