Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Are you a sea person or a mountain person? I don't know what the theory behind it is, but I've always been told that you are either one or the other. 

I think I might be the former. I did love the majesty and drama of the Alps (how could I not?) when we lived near them in Italy, and all the pretty little towns nestled around the lakes at the foot. If I had to choose though, I think I would always opt for the sea. The openness, the wind to blow out all the cobwebs in your brain, the freedom to just walk and walk and walk in a straight line. I get antsy when I haven't seen or smelled the sea for a while, even in the depths of winter. 

Plenty to draw on then, when Crochet Now magazine announced "Beach Comber" as one their Spring themes for this year. The May issue is out now, and I've got not one but two beachy designs in it: the Sea Glass Shawl and the East Coast Treasures Wall Hanging.

Both took me out of my comfort zone - I don't design shawls much, the mandalas were a total first - but in the end they turned out exactly as I'd hoped.

Sea Glass is a lightweight shawl inspired by the treasures my Bean and I like to collect from our local beach here in the south of Sweden: stones and bits of driftwood (him), brightly coloured sea glass (me). Then, the rippling sea to wash it all in, represented by rows and rows of rhythmic TC filet stitch.

Made in Scheepjeswol Sunkissed (100% cotton 4-ply), it grows quickly, has a bit of fun with different colours and stitches towards the bottom, and is so easy to throw on over any spring or summer outfit. 

For the East Coast Treasures wall hanging, on the other hand, I looked to the Norfolk beaches where my husband grew up and where we still try to spend some time each summer. Each of its three contemporary mandalas is inspired by a specific feature of this rugged coastline: the dunes, the sea and the (occasional!) sunshine, the driftwood. 

For this pattern I used Vinnis Colours Nikkim, a hand-dyed, hand-balled cotton from South Africa which comes in the most delicious, vibrant colours. The maths in these mandalas in particular proved quite the brain bender; I changed colours and stitches and then hook sizes and HOOP sizes... and I ended up with a big pile of rejects before getting them right. But you know what? I'm not that sorry, because isn't it a pretty pile!

Issue 15 of Crochet Now is in UK shops now, or you can buy a digital copy through any of the platforms listed on CN's where to buy page.

The first days

After over a week of "false alarms", at first I dismissed another bout of contractions on the second Friday after my due date. I had dinner, and they didn't go away. I had a bath, and they didn't go away. But they didn't get any stronger either, so I grumbled and knitted and eventually took myself off to bed at about 11pm, convinced I would wake up in the morning still pregnant. Still grumpy.

I think I slept for all of 90 minutes; In the dead of night my waters broke, and I had a cup of tea. By 4am I figured I'd probably best call the hospital. We arrived just as the sun was beginning to rise. At 6:45am we said hello to our second baby boy. 

Our, in my totally biased opinion, perfect baby boy.  

To celebrate, the hospital gave us tea and coffee, and big open faced sandwiches. They came with flutes of non-alcoholic champagne and a wee Swedish flag on a stick and made us howl. One night in the hospital, and then it was off into the world with our new treasure.

I thought it would take a while, to fall in love, but it hasn't. His soft black hair (so much hair!), his squishy cheeks, the snuffing and mewling and utter devotion to The Boob. I could sit, marvelling, for hours. Right from day one.

Much harder to deal with has been the time warp I feel I'm stuck in with the Bean. His baby brother looks so like him, but there he is, standing a tall and boisterous 4 years old. So big, yet so little. So tender towards his new brother, yet so angry with me. So mature and independent in some ways, yet so scared and needing in others. All the while, I'm mostly unavailable and very torn. He has broken my heart umpteen times in these first days. 

It is true what they say: never worry about how you could love any child as much as your first, for the heart just expands indefinitely. It is also true that change sucks when you're 4 (or the parent of said 4-year-old), the messy bits of post-partum hormones are really very messy, and nothing can soften the pain of just. zero. sleep.

But still. Look at those little old man jowls. 

YARN REVIEW: Blacker Yarns Lyonesse

What kind of yarn is it?

• Lyonesse by Blacker Yarns is a 50/50 blend of linen and wool (Falkland Island Corriedale or Merino). It's available in both 4-ply and DK weights. The swatches shown use the DK, with a 4mm hook for the crochet swatch and 3.5mm needles for the knitted one. 
• The combination of linen and wool gives Lyonesse a very interesting feel; it's a little stiff at first but soon softens up. Once blocked it really relaxes into a wonderful suppleness. 
• Lyonesse comes in a range of 15 shades, including one undyed neutral. 

Who makes it? 

Lyonesse is made by British company Blacker Yarns, who are part of specialist wool millers The Natural Fibre Company. The company's main focus is on high-quality, natural, UK-sourced and produced yarns. It pays fair prices for all the fleeces it buys, so as to help support British farmers. Animal welfare and appropriate waste disposal are also of high priority. 

Plus Points?

• Each of the fibres used in Lyonesse brings its own characteristic to the finished material. The linen adds crispness and strength, while the wool lends softness and memory. In other words, what you get is excellent stitch definition with just a touch of fluffiness. It also has the typical "give" you would expect from linen, but doesn't go overly baggy thanks to the wool. It retains its blocked shape amazingly well. 
• The shade range isn't huge, but it is versatile in that each colour has a good depth to it and is very wearable. 
• Merino or similar wools can be quite fragile on their own, but the addition of linen makes this much more hardwearing. It is clearly meant to be used for items that will really be worn and loved for a long time. 

Negatives?

• Stiff, dense fibres such as linen and cotton can be quite tough on the joints. Although this yarn is soft to the touch, I did feel fatigue in my fingers and wrist especially when crocheting with it for a long time. 
• Availability of all the shades isn't constant, but depends on when each season's fleeces come in. Blacker are very helpful when you get in touch to ask about their stock though!

What should I use it for?

Lyonesse is a good mid-season to summer yarn and would make beautiful lacy or cabled garments as well as accessories. 

Suggested pattern: Betty Bolero

Note: I was not compensated in any way for writing this review

Shrug, bolero, or capelet??

I like all of the designs that I've been commissioned to do this past year (which is lucky, isn't it!) but every now and again I make a sample that I really don't want to send in. Because I don't want to take it off. 

This little number, a 1950s-inspired shrug/bolero/capelet - I eventually settled on bolero - was one such design. Commissioned by Crochet Now for their retro-themed issue, it is exactly the kind of practical-but-pretty thing I like to wear myself. So now I am eagerly awaiting the day the sample finds its way back to me. Because I really don't think I'll take it off, at all, all summer. I'll wear it over a dress, or team it with one of my million stripey tees with jeans. 

Betty is worked up in Blacker Lyonesse, a DK blend of wool and linen. I've always shied away from linen as it's quite stiff, but this yarn is wonderful. It has all the crispness of linen, but with the softness, drape and memory (i.e.: it holds its shape, unlike pure linen which can go very baggy) of wool. 

The construction is very simple, just a flat rectangle with tapered edges that are seamed up into sleeves at either end. The ribbed collar (for which a tutorial is available here) is worked directly into the selvedge edge. 

It's ever so versatile, and can be made small and snug or large and loose - it all depends on how much coverage you want. And for a little Mama and Me style? We can do that. 

Issue 14 of Crochet Now is in UK shops from April 20th, or you can buy a digital version through any of the platforms listed on CN's where to buy page.

The best laid plans

... don't involve babies. Or maybe they do, in a roundabout way; When I set out to MAKE ALL THE THINGS before Bug's arrival I assumed I'd only get a fraction done. Turns out that this baby is indeed snug as a bug. 

The Bean was nine days overdue, and back then the waiting drove me nuts. This time around I feel quite stoic about it, really. Yes, I'm aching and tired, I'm excited about meeting this little person, and I don't want to be clucking about for too much longer. But at the same time, when will I next get another chance to just potter, make stuff, snooze, snack to my heart's content? In about 2 years??

So I've been knitting/crocheting/sewing/sowing/nibbling all the things. 

I finished the Bean's Popcorn Vest and made a tiny Harem Romper. I made a Divided Basket for Bug's nappies.

I finally got around to sowing for this year's balcony garden. I started, and to my complete surprise, have almost finished a scrappy baby blanket. I've also started on a Benedetta Cardigan for myself but as it's in sock yarn (AM I MAD??) it is not almost finished. But fun. 

Then there's this one and his Daddy. We've been making the most of our last days as a Three, even managed to get out for our first beach trip last Sunday. It happened to be the day before my birthday too, and the perfect opportunity to celebrate. Sunshine, burgers, ice cream. It was a lovely day, and everyone was happy. 

And now we wait. 

PATTERN RE-RELEASE: Floss Scarf

Floss feels light as feather yet gives incredible warmth - the perfect antidote to winter’s heavy layers.

This scarf was designed to use up small leftovers of beautiful alpaca silk and mohair yarn. It combines them into a captivating stitch pattern - a bit of lace, some mindless panels of dc, ombre-effect colour changes using linen stitch - to ensure Floss is as fun to make as it is lovely to wear. 

First released in Issue 9 of Crochet Now, Floss is now available for individual purchase from my Ravelry store.

Materials
2.5mm (C/2) and 3mm (D/3) crochet hooks, or as required to obtain gauge
scissors
wool needle
Yarn: Rowan Fine Lace (lace; 400m per 50g ball; 80% alpaca, 20% wool) -
1 skein each in Antique 921 (A1), Cameo 920 (B1), White 944 (C1), Retro 923 (D1), and Cobweb 922 (E1);
Rowan Kidsilk Haze (fingering; 210m per 25g ball; 70% mohair, 30% silk) -
1 skein each in Shadow 653 (A2), Vanilla 670 (B2), White 612 (C2), Hurricane 632 (D2) and Ghost 642 (E2) 

Total yardage required
Approx. 550 metres / 600 yds
 
Yarn alternatives
To achieve the contrast in texture of this design, use a combination of smooth and fluffy yarn in lace to fingering weight (2-ply to 4-ply). For example, team a fine merino or alpaca with a mohair or a brushed alpaca, or a shiny yarn containing silk with a more rustic wool. 
To focus on only the stitch pattern and ombre effect, use any yarn weight in a set of five complementing shades. Bear in mind that final size and yarn quantities will vary, and remember to use the appropriate hook size for your yarn.

Important: Always go up at least half a hook size for the linen stitch sections to ensure the edges of the scarf remain straight. Floss must be blocked well to open up the stitches and ensure a good drape.

Gauge
10 x 10 cm/4” x 4” = 20 sts x 23 rows over DC in FLO, using smaller hook and measured after blocking.

Sizing
One size - ca. 181 x 26 cm / 72” x 10”
Gauge is not crucial for this pattern, but a different gauge will result in a narrower or wide scarf. Length is easily adjusted by working additional rows. To adjust the width, increase or decrease the number of starting stitches based on a multiple of 8+1. 

You can purchase the PDF download in US and UK terms from my Ravelry store now.

40SEK (about €4.00, plus VAT if applicable)

When a Bean asks for Bobbles...

There's this (bought) knitted cardigan I've had for years. It's nothing fancy, but it's warm, soft, and has the right greyish blue colour that goes perfectly with the army of stripey t-shirts my wardrobe seems to consist of these days. I wear it so often it lives on the back of my desk chair for a good six months of the year. Nothing fancy, just a really good work horse cardie. 

Except this year, somebody noticed it. Somebody with, I am increasingly inclined to think, as much of a love for all things textured and woolly and patterned and coloured as me. 

This cardigan has bobbles going down each of the front panels.

"Mummyyyy?... I want a bobbly jumper too. Can you make me one?"

I'm getting this more and more frequently now. He looks at something - socks, jumpers, hats, bags - thinks for a second, then turns to me and asks, "can you make me one?". He used to ask me to crochet rockets or trucks and things, but now he knows. Mama has a gigantic stash of soft wool that can be turned into soft wearable things. 

And I, of course, cannot say no. For the pleasure of the making, the giving, the delighted look on his face, I absolutely cannot say no even if I still have ten other unfinished things. 

So I scoured Pinterest and Ravelry for bobbly knitting patterns that would work with a DK wool, thinking anything heavier wouldn't get worn anymore this year and anything lighter would just take too long to make. The Popcorn Vest by Studio Misha & Puff jumped out at me and stuck. I showed it to the Bean and he approved, then we picked a lovely emerald green DK in a wool/nettle blend by Onion at my local yarn store, and it seemed we were good to go. 

Unfortunately the pattern only covers ages 0-24 months. However, you don't number crunch for your own patterns on a regular basis for nothing, and so after a bit of swatching, head scratching, tape measuring and guess work I decided to give it a try. 

I've put the details on altered stitch counts, dimensions and so on my Ravelry project page, in case you're interested, but basically it turned out to be quite doable to size up. It's a bottom-up vest that is split for the arm holes and then seamed only at the shoulders, so the only things to really watch out for are chest circumference and armhole depth. I cast on, thoroughly loved all the popcorns, and gleefully cast off some two weeks later. It's a joy of a little pattern, it really is. 

I think I could have done with slightly more generous sizing, but I swear he's had a huge growth spurt in the time it's taken me to knit this. Because I started with the intention of leaving a wee bit of growing room, I really did, but now it fits perfectly. Which, when you're four, means it's already too small. Bother. 

Still, he is very happy. We swapped the i-cord tie for a toggle, and he is thrilled he can do it up (and undo it and do it up and undo it and...) by himself. I love the colour on him. He loves the bobbles. It's perfect for this time of year, when it's too warm for a full-on wool jumper but too chilly to wear cotton hoodies. 

As it's a really fun, fast pattern to knit, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to think about working out the next size up. Or the next five, just to be sure. 

Tiny Things

I can now count the number of weeks until the Bug arrives on one hand. It's gone so very fast, this time around. There are still a bajillion Emmy + LIEN-related things I want to get finished, and then there is the baby bed linen to get ready, the nappies to wash, the meals to freeze, the Bean to give my undivided attention to, the friends to catch up with while I'm still capable of holding a conversation, the ripped jeans to mend. 

I know, I know. I will be lucky to even achieve a tenth of those things, and the undone things won't ultimately matter anyway (mostly - I do worry about the thing with the Bean. Mothers shall worry). 

What I really need to be doing is to sit. And just be. This time around it's gone faster, but it's also been much more difficult. I feel like there is an earthquake going on in my belly, while in my head there is nothing but fog. My sleep is erratic, my moods even more so. I wake up in the morning feeling sore but alright, happy, positive about what is to come. By 2PM I'm so thoroughly p+ssed off with the muddled thoughts, the screaming hips, the lack of breath and the angry fireball lemons charging up my oesophagus, the general exhaustion and sheer hurtiness that I want nothing more than to press fast forward and get. this baby. out.

But fast forwarding children will never do and, in any case, as a wise friend of mine pointed out: they cause less trouble while they're in. 

While it's still in, then. I'll try to sit and be. My desk is a happy mess of beads and things. I'll knit a little, dream of tiny outfits for those even foggier first weeks. Maybe, IF I get the time, I'll plan ahead for summer and make a dent in the stack of fabrics that's been singing to me for months. The Bug will need rompers and popper vests and teensy leggings, while the Bean could do with some tank tops as well as a new sunhat. He's been asking for a bobble vest for weeks, so I've made a start on that. And I would love a lightweight cardigan for myself, so I'm itching to get the winder out. 

Again, I know. Realism will be required. But a girl can sit and day dream. 

Dribble bib (self-drafted) in Birch Organic | Lil Shepherd vest in Pickles Summer Wool | Teether toy in Birch Organic 

Barley Hat in Pickles Summer wool

A little, as yet unnamed experiment in de rerum nature Ulysse. Nope, I couldn't help myself...

Popcorn Vest in Onion no.4 Organic Wool + Nettle

Mine, all mine:  Malabrigo Sock

YARN REVIEW: de rerum natura Ulysse

What kind of yarn is it?

• Ulysse by de rerum natura is a carded, 100% merino yarn blended from two to three different sheep breeds. 
• It's a 2-ply sport weight yarn with a recommended needle size of 3 to 3.5mm. As a loose crocheter, a 3mm hook works best for me. For knitting, 3.5mm wooden needles gave me 24 sts by 36 rows. 
• As this is a non-superwash merino, it has a great structure with plenty of bounce and crunch. It does not feel like a slinky, shiny superwash merino at all. Rather, it feels soft in a natural, sheepy way. 
• Ulysse comes in a range of 25 shades, including earthy neutrals, soft pastels and a few brights. All shades are available in 50g balls, and the neutrals are also available in 100g hanks. 

Who makes it?

Ulysse is made by French company de rerum natura, who aim to create yarns that respect both the animals and people responsible for producing them. The sheep are reared humanely in France or Portugal, and all yarn processing is carried out as ecologically as possible in France.

Plus Points?

• Where appropriate, Ulysse is blended from the fleeces of both white and black merino sheep before being dyed. The result is an incredible depth of colour that manages to look rich as well as earthy.
• Thanks to its slightly crunchy, firm structure this yarn holds stitches very well and is an absolute joy to work with.
• Being merino, it's still soft and fluffy enough to consider wearing next to the skin. It softens further with time. 
• It feels lightweight yet warm when worn.

Negatives?

• This yarn is reasonably easy to "break" - pull hard enough on a strand and it will come apart. Thankfully it isn't actually splitty, but when joining two strands with a knot, for example, care needs to be taken. I do also wonder how areas such as elbows would stand up to heavy wear. 
• Ulysse should only be handwashed, so you may not want to use it for items that need washing frequently (i.e. baby knits!). 

What should I use it for?

Ulysse is especially suited to colourwork such as fairisle, fine cables or lace. It works just as well for garments as for accessories - think feminine cardies, big beautiful shawls or fairisle beanies. 

Suggested pattern: Hanabira cardigan

Note: I was not compensated in any way for writing this review

when Ruby met Maeve

About a year ago I decided to try being a little less random with my personal makes. Less impulse buying of yarn, more looking at what would go with what is already in my wardrobe, planning a season ahead, that sort of thing. It hasn't come easy to me; I've still ended up with some very last-minute makes (I'm looking at you, 10-day birthday jumper) and many more unfinished ones. My wild optimism about the correlation between the outfits in my head and the ones my hands can actually produce has not been cured or even dampened, I would say.

Still, by the middle of last summer I did have one outfit that ticked all the boxes, that followed all the rules. Well, almost. I had impulse bought the fabric without the faintest notion of what I was going to do with it. But, once I'd spotted both Ruby and Maeve and thought, yes: I planned. I bought the patterns and the yarn.

I made both as per the instructions as opposed to winging it. I properly finished every last seam and tucked in every end, and then I WORE THEM. Now we've seen the last of the snow (I hope) and Spring seems to finally be around the corner (oh, I hope!), I plan on wearing them LOTS MORE. 

Ruby
Ruby is a combined top and dress pattern by Made by Rae. I like her modern aesthetic, and the instructions are extremely well-written with lots of tips. I'd never sewn an adult garment to a pattern before so I was nervous initially, but I didn't have any issues at all. The little gathers at the bust were just enough of a challenge to be interesting, without having me tear my hair out.

You'll have to take my word for it that it does fit me, even though I can't show you now - 7 months pregnant! Stupidly I didn't ask anyone to take pictures when it did, actually, still fit. Next summer! 

The fabrics are both organic cottons - the mustard one being woven and the flowery one voile - by Art Gallery Fabrics, and I love them. I want piles and piles more (but, time and money). 

Maeve

The Maeve shrug is a design by Carie Bostick Hoge at Madder. As a knitwear designer she seem ubiquitous, and with good reason; her work has a classic, timeless feel to it without being stuffy. It is all just so, so wearable. 
This shrug is a good one if you're new to garment knitting. Super-simple shaping on the arms, and then loads of mindless knit stitch for the back and garter stitch for the collar. That collar, that collar... The whole thingis drapey, comforting, and very easy to throw on over pretty much anything.
The yarn is Summer Wool by Pickles Oslo: a blend of 70% organic cotton and 30% merino wool. It's unbelievably soft and smooshy, without either the stiffness of cotton or the overly-processed feel merino can have. Despite the name "Summer Wool" it saw me through most of autumn as well. It's pilling a little bit now, but nothing outrageous. 

So there you have it. When Ruby met Maeve I threw on my favourite old jeans and, of course, of course some mustard yellow shoes. I think they got on rather well, don't you?