Hello again!
Last time I was here on my blog, I told you that I have a lot on my plate at the moment. The picture of our hallway above gives an indication of one of the things on it. No, we’re not moving house. Let’s take a look at our living room for further clues.
Redecorating? Nope, not redecorating either. Or sort of, but not voluntarily. Actually, it’s more restoring than redecorating.
Last autumn, a concrete sheet pile wall was hammered into the soil a little ways away from our house with so much force that it felt like a minor earthquake and cracks appeared in our walls.
This is just a small, elegant crack that only needs some filler. In other places the plaster needs to be hacked away and restored entirely. Fortunately the #@*&%#! company that caused the damage is insured, but for us it’s still a lot of upheaval, noise, dust etc.
Just like the house, I’m thoroughly shaken, but trying to be philosophical about it. Compared to the bombed houses in Syria or Iraq we sometimes see on the news, this is absolutely nothing. Besides, we’re lucky that our bedroom was left unscathed. I’m acting as if it’s a room in a boutique hotel. Room service is lacking, but unlike the rest of the house, it is warm. It also has a good bed and exactly the books I love beside it, as well as a perfect knitting chair where I can spend the evenings knitting.
During the daytime, I can also sit outside if I have a few moments to spare. It’s still rather chilly, but the back of the cardigan I’m knitting has grown so fast that it’s like a small, cosy lap blanket.
The pattern I’m using is Modern Wrapper Fine. I’ve made one before and knew that it would be perfect comfort knitting during this period of upheaval.
The garden is also giving me some solace. The pear tree and the Amelanchier are opening their first blossoms, and the wood anemones and wild garlic are lighting up a slightly shady area.
Another project that is growing, albeit more slowly than the cardi, is my linen stitch wrap in Felted Tweed. I love the way linen stitch always blends colours together. (The white row at the bottom is a provisional cast-on I’ll write more about when I can find the time.)
Knit, yarn forward, slip, yarn backward. Knit, yarn forward, slip, yarn backward… A great way to meditate.
One of the books beside my bed in the ‘boutique hotel room’ is brand new – Mine Strikkede Favoritter by Norwegian designer Sidsel Høivik.
From the foreword I gather that, as well as new designs, it contains several re-knits from her other books. I don’t have any of her other books, so that’s fine. If you do, check if you still need this one. The difference with her other books is that they are entirely in Norwegian and this one is bilingual (Norwegian and English).
Sidsel’s signature style is traditional Norwegian with a twist. She uses lots of embellishments on her designs, like embroidery, beads, sequins and ribbons. The book contains patterns for sweaters, cardigans and several accessories. My favourite design is a long cardigan with traditional Setesdal patterns on the upper part of the body and the sleeves, with embroidery on the star motifs, a nice length, pockets and a cosy collar.
All of the yarns used in the book are from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, the small Norwegian family-run spinning mill I visited years ago and wrote about in this blog post. I bought my copy from a small yarn shop 20 minutes cycling from here. It is also available from Sidsel Høiviks own website, which offers kits for her lovely designs as well.
Well, that’s all from me for now. The builders will still be here next week and the week after, but I hope that I’ll become used to all the upheaval (and also that the other things on my plate will shrink) soon, so that I’ll be able to go back to blogging as usual. Maybe I’ll even be able to finish and publish my new pattern! Or am I now being too optimistic?
Anyhow, I hope you’re safe and well. Take care! xxx
Oh, een herkenbaar gezicht hier in aardbevingsgebied, niet bij ons, maar wel bij mijn ouders en een aantal vrienden. Het is altijd goed om je zegeningen te tellen, maar leuk is anders! Succes met alle stof en herrie!
Dank je. Zo erg als in Groningen is het hier gelukkig niet. En hier is het (hopelijk) eenmalig.
Dear Marijke,
Wow, what an upheaval! Good that the company is insured so that the repairs can be done. Your optimism will serve you well during the repair time as it can be very stressful. Your knitting is a great comfort that also gives you a beautiful garment when completed. I wish you luck and a swift completion of the repairs, and harmony restored to your home.
Wendy
Thank you for your supportive words. It certainly is stressful and I’m really looking forward to having ‘harmony restored’ as you so beautifully put it.
Hang in there! I’m relieved to hear the company will make it right, but I can only imagine the stress on you. You have the right attitude—comfort space in your personal boutique hotel room. ?
The hotel management has just informed us that coffee and tea will be served in our room in 45 minutes – ah, pure luxury. No, it really is stressful (and cold). Thank you for your support.
Hello Marijke,
so good to read your blog – I got new ideas and impressions! Maybe I will finally knit a modern wrapper although I fear it will be out of fashion until I finish… Nice choice of colours, too!
I so feel with you – we had to move house twice last year including one complete renovation and sometimes it felt like hell!
But it will get better and, alas, life is change, it least you save to pay for the renovation and will have it (almost) brand new.
Love reading your blog – all the best for you and your family!
Andrea
Thank you for your lovely comment! The modern wrapper is a large project, but it is much faster than I remembered from the last one I made, I have to say. Life is change, yes, wise words. I’m not very good at change, but am trying to be more accepting. Hope your house is finished now, more or less. All the best to you and yours, too!