It's been a while...

Since I posted, but life been busy...
I've been knitting like crazy to finish the three jackets and two hats for the knit book. Photos further down. The last jacket was mailed off today. After I was done knitting the last one a few days ago (my mum has had it to make the final finishing, you know, steaking and all that...), I didn't know what to do with my new "knitting freedom". So I found a pair of socks I had casted on a long time ago. Mindless but still satisfying as I decide what to make next.

We've also had some beautiful weather the last week.
Seems like mother nature decided to skip spring and go straight for summer this year. The temperature has been 21 C, the forest has turned green, and we have forgotten all about the big load of snow we got not so long ago ;) In other words - I've spent almost every spare moment on the deck soaking up sun :)

 

This gazebo stood in my father in laws garden, but no one used it, so it had started to decay.
Hubby thought it could be a great greenhouse, so he and Erlend took it apart and built it up!
It needed a little paint and still needs a roof, but I am so happy that I finally have a greenhouse :)

And see - pallet collars have just the right size to go around the greenhouse as rised beds.
I have planted zucchini/courgette in the compostbread I made in the fall. I have more of them inside the greenhouse and I'm hoping they will grow, but you never know with our clima...

The rhubarb has started to curl their way up of the ground, so there will (hopefully) be made something in the kitchen soon :)
The carrots - purple, have been planted out. The redcurrant is sprouting, but so far it looks like my raspberry bushes is dead and it looks like the same with the strawberry plants :(
Sugar peas are also waiting in the greenhouse along with leeks and spring onions.
Different types of salad is still waiting in their seed bags, but soon I will get them growing too.

The jackets and hats for the knitbook that will be published later this year by Tove Fevang.

On the needles :: Two little jackets for a new knitbook

It's been quiet here for days with no fo's or much else.
Most of my time is spent knitting on the two jackets for Tove Fevang's new knitting book Småbarnstrikk 0-4 år, that's coming in the fall. Here's a photo of her making what I think is step by step photos of how to steek. The jacket she is holding looks pretty.
It'a a fun knit, but I'm starting to get a bit bored as I'm knitting the same pattern on both.
I have half a sleeve left to knit before I will take them to my mom so she can do the steeking. I think I could manage to do it, but I don't dare as they are for a book and not myself...
Yarn for a third jacket is on it's way in the mail, so there will be quiet here for a couple of more weeks...

What's on your needles?

Welcome Spring

I've had the spring feeling for a couple of weeks now, with the warmth of the sun melting the snow, wearing summer shoes and less clothing, the woodpecker is back and hacking away early in the morning - one does not need an alarm clock ;). But it's not real spring until we have found the first
coltsfoot.

The snow has melted fast due to the sun and wind. But it's still cold - we woke up to -3 C this morning. So there is not much growing yet... But I have lots of plans for my vegetable garden this year.

Inside some of the seeds I planted last week has sprouted :) This is sugar peas.

Hopefully the rest of the seeds will start sprouting soon too.

Some of the seeds I have planted.
Do you have a vegetable garden?
What are you growing this year?

FO :: Marius onesie

It's done.
No buttons though, as the lady ordering the onesie is going to buy and sew them in herself.


Pattern: Marius hel dress from Marius strikkebok, Til Fjells Tema 10 Klassikere
or Klassikere 0-4 år
Yarn: Sisu, 260 g blue, 23 g white and 3 g red
Needles: 2,5 and 3 mm
Size: 2 years
Modifications:  I wanted to knit this with a round yoke instead of set in sleeves. So I used the pattern for “Marius dress” that you can find in “Marius strikkebok” or the booklets “Til fjells” and “Klassikere 0-4 år” for the legs. For the yoke and sleeves I used the pattern “Marius jakke med rundt bærestykke” from the booklet “Klassikere 0-4 år”.
Started: April 12, 2013
Completed: April 27, 2013

On the needles :: Marius onesie, socks and a secret project

 

Keep Calm Craft On :: WIP Wednesday :: Yarn Along

 

Reading: There haven't been much time for reading the past weeks due to my spring cold, preparing for Erlend going to camp with his class this week and the other two kids coming up with the same cold as I. So I'm flipping through the same books as last week. I have started to read a book with Endre - "Reisen til istiden" (The travel to the iceage) - it'a a book about two boys traveling to Greenland with their dads who works as geologists. The landscape in Greenland is similar to the one that we had during the iceage. Ende loves books with facts, so I hope this will be a good read for both of us.

Knitting: The Marius onesie is almost done. Just a few rounds of pattern before I have to knit the neck and button bands. I've also casted on a pair of socks for Hubby who seems to wear holes in all his socks at the same time...
And I have a secret project on my needles too :)
Those of you who have read my blog a while might remember that I knitted on a secret project last year too at about this time. Well, I got a phone call from Tove Fevang (the author) a little over a week ago. She told me that the jacket I had made for her last book was so pretty made that she wanted me to knit for her upcoming book! And one doesn't say no to that. So a few days ago a package of yarn and pattern came in the mail - and I had to cast on right away. 
Can't show you much more than the sneak peak under, but the pattern is easy and I am making two jackets from the same pattern, but with two different yarn types.

Non Stop Cookies

A little Saturday treat :)

On the needles :: Marius onesie #2

Keep Calm Craft On :: WIP Wednesday :: Yarn Along

Oh, spring how we love you! You bring us hopes of summer and warmth. But also the spring cold...
I guess I thought it was warmer than it actually was on Sunday, sitting in the sun knitting with too little clothes on. So yesterday I ended up with a sore throat, fever and a head that felt like it would explode... Woke up with a terrible headache today, but after some sleep it went over. So yes, I put on some more clothes when I went outside knitting today. I guess I should have stayed inside, but I just can't sit and watch the great weather ;)

Knitting: I've started the body on my second Marius onesie. I'm knitting this one for a friend of my mom. I hope to have it done this week.

Reading: I usually have one book in the livingroom and one by my bed.
One Grave at the Time is my livingroom book and A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow is the one I read before I go to sleep. Do you read more than one book at the time?

FO :: Marius sweater and hat

First, thank you for your nice comments on the Ashton shawl!
Second, I hope you are not tired of the Marius pattern yet. Because there is more coming ;)
I am knitting another onesie for a lady my mom knows and I still have some of the blue yarn left, so there might be enough for a project.  But first my finished projects.

This was a fast and fun knit. No seaming or picking up stitches - the kind of projects I like best!

Pattern: Marius genser med rundt bærestykke
Yarn: 141 g blue Lanett and 22 g red and white Mor Aase baby
Needles: 2 and 2,5 mm
Size: 1 year
Started: April 6 2013
Completed: April 12 2013

This is the closest to the real colours.

And I just had to knit a little hat as well. There will definitely be more of these as they are perfect for using up leftovers.

Pattern: Marius lue med øreklaffer
Yarn: 41 g blue Lanett and red and white Mor Aase baby
Needles: 2 and 2,5 mm
Size: 9-12 months
Started: April 2 2013
Completed: April 15 2013

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #4

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey.
Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

I finished The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - (Flavia de Luce #1) by Alan Bradley today. And what a book! I totally loved it and need to buy the others in the series!!
The House At Riverton by Kate Morton didn't live up to my expectations... Hopefully her other books are better as I have them in my shelf and plan to read them this year.

I felt the need for some vampires, so I picked up the 6th bok in the Night Huntress series - One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost. It's not my favourite Vampire series, but it's good.

"How do you send a killer to the grave when he's already dead?

Having narrowly averted an (under)World War, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans's voodoo queen just keeps on giving--leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever. But one wrong step and they'll be digging their own graves."

Finally the 3rd seaon of Game of Thrones is here!
Hubby and I have watched the first two episode, so I better start reading the books so I can be ahead ;)
When I bought the books in the series a while back, I didn't know I had only bought the first part of the 3rd book - A Storm of Swords 1: Steel and Snow... I just noticed when I picked it out from my shelf. So now I have to order the 2nd part of the book too.

"The Seven Kingdoms are divided by revolt and blood feud. In the northern wastes, a horde of hungry, savage people steeped in the dark magic of the wilderness is poised to invade the Kingdom of the North where Robb Stark wears his new-forged crown. And Robb's defences are ranged against the South, the land of the cunning and cruel Lannisters, who have his young sisters in their power.

Throughout Westeros, the war for the Iron Throne rages more fiercely than ever, but if the Wall is breached, no king will live to claim it."

What are you reading this week?

Happiness is...

No yarn was harmed while taking the photo - I didn't see the tread soaking in my teacup until I uploaded the photo...

Knitting outdoors for the first time this year, while sipping a cup of tea.
Feel the warmth of the sun.
Hearing the birds sing and the dripping of snow melting.
Knowing that Spring isn't far away.

FO :: Ashton shawlette

We've been without an internet connection since monday morning and until yesterday. So I've been very productive ;) Finished the shawl, a sweater (fo post coming) and started a second marius onesie.

Pattern: Ashton shawlette (free pattern)
Yarn: 87 g Precious 4 Ply #Lynton Town by The Natural Dye Studio

Needles: 3,5 mm
Started: March 22 2013
Completed: April 9 2013
Size: As written with no extra repeats

As the yarn is 100 % silk it's perfect for Eirin's sensitive skin :)

Weekending :: Snowfort and cupcakes

It's been a weekend filled with
- Snow, yes, it's still coming...
- Finishing the onesie
- Piles of laundry
- Cupcakes
- A bottle of wine
- Finally the 3rd season of Game of Thrones is here
- Shoveling away the now on the patio so we can use it when the sun starts to warm
- And build a snowfort with the lumps of snow we shoveld away

How's your weekend been?

Joining Amanda for Weekending and giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday

FO :: Marius onesie

The Marius onesie is finally done.
I'm almost done with the hat and have started a sweater too ;)
They will all be for sale in my Epla store soon.

Pattern: Marius hel dress from Marius strikkebok, Til Fjells Tema 10 Klassikere
or Klassikere 0-4 år
Yarn: Lanett 210 g blue  #175, Mor Aase babyull 11 g red #4128  and 5 g white  #1001
Needles: 2,5 and 3 mm
Size: 9-12 months
Modifications: I wanted to knit this with a round yoke instead of set in sleeves. So I used the pattern for "Marius dress" that you can find in "Marius strikkebok" or the booklets "Til fjells" and "Klassikere 0-4 år" for the legs. For the yoke and sleeves I used the pattern "Marius jakke med rundt bærestykke" from the booklet "Klassikere 0-4 år".
Started: 18. February 2013
Complited: 6. April 2012

On the needles :: Ashton, Sarkani and Marius

Keep Calm Craft On :: WIP Wednesday :: Yarn Along
 

Reading: I've finished the Kadaverdoktoren (Madeleine Karno #1) the other day. It was good, but not as good as I had hoped it would be. But I think I will read the next book as I think it has potential to be a good series

I'm halfway through The Sweetnes at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce #1) and I love it! It's funny, exciting and strange at the same time! 
And The House at Riverton is waiting for me once I finish this :) Looking forward to continue reading it :)

Knitting: The onesie is done - just need to buy buttons. So hopefully there will be a fo post soon. I have casted on a hat in the same pattern. My Asthon shawl is nearly done. I have two lace borders left. There is a kal going on in the Knit Like A Latvian group with patterns from the book Latvieša Cimdi. I have started on a pair, but so far they seem to be too big for me... 90 st on 2 mm needles. But I will make on and see how it turns out and hopefully there will be yarn left for the second.

What are you reading and knitting this week?

Weekending :: Enough with the snow now, please!

It's been a long weekend here as the Easter holidays start Wednesday afternoon before Maundy Thursday, and end on Tuesday morning after Easter Monday. This makes for a nice long Easter weekend in Norway!
And as you might know, Easter here in Norway is all about skiing, hiking, soaking up sun and read/watch crime mysteries.
Well, there haven't been any skiing and no sun, but a lot of snow and plenty of time for reading my mystery books...
This last week we have been out shoveling snow almost every day.
We have over a meter of snow no...Fun for the kids as they can dig snowcaves, but I, who had hopes for an early spring, just *sighs*...
Today we had to shovel the roofs because it's going to rain next week.
The kids was not hard to ask as they normally are not allowed to walk on the roofs ;) 
Despite all the snow we have had a great weekend after all with
Eastereggs filled with candy (trying to ignore the kids high on sugar...)
Cake
Hubby and I finally got the time to catch up on season two of Game of Thrones, so now we are ready to start watching the third season
Easter Bunny rolls for breakfast
Knitting
Påskeliljer
A lot of wet mittens, hats and outdoor clothes due to playing in the snow
And as usual, Endre is awake early when he knows he doesn't have to go to school... He's been up 6 am every morning. Just in time to watch Scooby Doo ;)

How's your weekend been?
Joining Amanda for Weekending.