A small Hi!

'hi!'

It's been a while, I know. I've been exercising the art of mothership. It's a real wonder and I feel blessed with two very beautifull and sweet children. But -in all honesty- it's not a breeze, a piece of cake or a walk in the park... man, this is hard work. I knew it would be (actually thought it would be a little worse than it actually is) so I'm enjoying it with all it's challenges but I hardly get anything done outside caring for the two sprouts and making sure our house stays liveable and clean(ish).

The biggest challenge I had to face in a long time is taking Iep and Line ('Eep and Lee-na') to their check up at the childrens buro (it's a Dutch thing...) where they get measured, weighed and get some general check ups. Gosh, I don't think I've ever lost more sweat than in those 2,5 hours (...) Keeping them both happy and getting the 1,5 yr old to do certain things while holding a 4 wk old that's screaming... oi oi oi...

Anyhoo, knitwise, obviously not much news. I'm in a state of concept. That means that I'm mostly 'thinking' about knitting without actually doing it. I've got a lot of ideas for new designs and projects so I'm turning myself on with ideas and possibilities.

'One possibility; let them entertain each other...'

Meanwhile, my new studio looks more like a dump at the moment . All the unpacked boxes that are left over from the move have been dumped there untill further notice. So not much creativity going on there. Well, I guess some spiders are figuring out what outrageous webs they can make in the chaos...
It's ok though, I officially have maternity leave untill I say I don't anymore (quelle luxury!). So I'm of the hook. That is, just untill I get sick of the conceptual state I'm in. And I'm guessing that won't be too long. Got to go now, as soon as I get that 'motherhood of two thing' under control(ish) I'll start some spectacular knitting....

Note to my students: I'll send you an email well in advance to let you know when the lessons start again. I'll post a message on my blog too.
Notitie voor mijn studenten: Ik stuur jullie ruim van te voren een mail om te laten weten wanneer de lessen weer beginnen. En ik zet een berichtje op de blog.

'another possibility; just clear up one of the kids
while you're doing something with the other...'

She's here!

Our beautifull daughter: LINE (pronounced Lee-na) Born at home, the 15th of march on a beautifull sunny day. We're undescribably proud and in wonder of this beautifull girl! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Onze prachtige dochter: LINE Thuis geboren op 15 maart, een prachtige zonnige dag. We zijn onbeschrijflijk trots en verwonderen ons elke dag een beetje meer over dit prachtige meissie!

Breaky Breaky

These are some crazy and hectic times. I'm in my 34th week of the pregnancy and a week before we're moving house... Can you imagine? My little boy has become sick too so I'm getting my energy from wherever I can find it. Read: taking mini-naps while he's asleep and taking baths every morning. So far it's working. A lot of my energy comes from teaching. The ironic part is that this week are my last lessons before I go on maternity leave. But I guess if I plan it well, I'll just use that time to do more creative stuff at the new house and I'm sure that will boost my energy levels as well.
The BSJ I knitted using Manos Silky. I did a lot of math and swatching to make sure I could make it with just one skein. And I did it! I barely had enough material to sew op the seams (luckily there are just two...) it was a close call and very nerve wrecking at the end. But there was always this, a mouseclick away, so I was never in any real desparation... ;-)

In between the midst of dozens of boxes I've knitted the new baby a log cabin blanket and the baby surprise jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. The blanket was made by using this great guide and just winging it (read: knit, frog, knit, frog again, finally knit it right). I knitted it in stockinette stitch and added a hood so I can use it as a wrap as well. The yarn is a Kaffe Fasset design for Rowan, expensive but fantastic.

If you're interested in the details of these knits, you'll have to wait a wile or mail me, since I don't have enough time to 'ravel' them. But I will, some day...

For now, onto my last tuesdaynight lesson for a while.

here's the BSJ without the buttons.

NEW KNIT KIT: Octopussss aka the other neck/wrist piece

A while back I was asked to design a Knit Kit especially for a soon to be opened online yarn shop focussing on environmentally friendly and fair trade materials; HolyWoly!. How could I resist?
This is what I came up with:

Octopussss aka the other neck/wrist piece
Design: SAS Knits It Again
Level: Starter plus

The patterns in this Knit Kit are unique, versatile and eyecatching. They are not just a neck- and wristwarmer, they're woolly warm jewelry. Make them for yourself or to give away as a present.

It's all about the materials with this kit;

• Beautifull pure 100% handspun fair trade wool from non-profit organisation Manos del Uruguay which assembles over 400 artisans in cooperatives scattered throughout the countryside of Uruguay. The aim of the organization is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women.

• Each piece unique, hand made Venetian glass beads and buttons from the crafty hands of Mei Tan, who lives and works in Italy and the Netherlands. Beads and buttons go directly from the designer into this kit.

• Brittany hardwood needles made by a small very envorinmentally aware company. All wood used by Brittany comes from strictly regulated forests or small woodland owners in the United States ensuring proper environmental logging practices and selective cutting for maximum reforestation.

When all these things come together, they make for a very positive and relaxing knit project.

Octopussss (€ 27,50) is available only through HolyWoly! a very friendly new online yarn shop. Go here if you want to order.

Enjoy!

Jackll & hide go wonkers

It's been more than a year ago since Knitty was so kind to publish my Jackll & hide pattern. I've had loads and loads of compliments and to this day 311 people on Ravelry alone have knitted it. It made me feel a little famous and I crave for more....

But...

I've also had a lot of questions about the pattern. Mostly to do with the eye holes. The Knitty people edited that part a little, and they were right, their version is so much cleaner looking and easier to do. Thing is, there was a little counting error, they've updated that and forgot to change the following numbers, so questions keep coming.

Since I didn't design that part it was kind of hard for me to answer those questions between the dishes and working on new designs. So I finally decided to knit it for myself and see what went wrong.

Now you can read the correct instructions.
I'll cover the eye hole part completely. The pink text is edited from the original.

Shape Eyeholes:
Next Round: BO 2 sts, k11 (12 sts on right needle together with bound-off sts) and place these sts on st holder; BO 2 sts, k to end. 60 sts.

This part you knit just the stitches on the needle(s), back and forth.

Row 1 [WS]: P2tog, p to last 2 sts, ssp.
Row 2 [RS]: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 3 [WS]: P all sts.
Row 4 [RS]: Work as for Row 2. 54 sts.
Rows 5-6: Work in stockinette st.
Row 7 [WS]: P1, m1, p to last st, m1, p1.
Row 8 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 9 [WS]: Work as for Row 7.
Row 10 [RS]: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 60 sts. Break yarn. If you are using double-point needles, divide these sts between 3 needles so that you have 2 free needles. If using circular needle, leave sts on needle.

This part, you work only the 12 st. from te stitch holder.

Place held sts on a double-point needle and rejoin yarn with WS facing.

Work Rows 1-9 as above. At the end of Row 4, there will be 6 sts.

Row 10 [RS]: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1, CO 2 sts, k the 61 sts on the circular needle or other double-point needles, CO 2 sts; join to resume working in the round, k6. 76 sts.

This point will now be beginning of round. If using double-point needles, place 19 sts on each needle.

Work 3 inches in stockinette st.

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Good luck, I hope this helps!