Thursday 16 October 2014

Knitting a new Nordic Fairisle Cowl and Harlequin Blanket update, plus a visit to 'T Arm Schaap and Madam Wol

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Hello again!

Thanks for your lovely comments on my Vordenstein photos, looking back now it seems strange to think that only recently the weather was still so summery, now it is definitly Autumn here! For a start, we have been having more rain, but also the temperatures have dropped quite a bit. Still, as long as we get a bit of sunshine from time to time, I won't complain!

My new Nordic Fairisle Cowl

Since I am currently spending more time on the go, I began a new project yesterday afternoon on the bus!

It's another small snug fitting cowl, this time in Nordic Blue and White colours. I started knitting with my favourite Knit-Pro needles again. I love knitting fairisle and I want to get back to making more with this technique, it is so much fun! The yarn is Veritas Laura.

I got the idea from a book by Lynne Watterson, where I spotted a pattern she used for a bag - I made my own pattern sketch, sadly I don't have the book (yet - it is on my ever growing wish list). You can browse through the book here! (For my Dutch speaking friends, there is also a translated version - I once spotted it in the library!)

New WIP - Blue and White Nordic Fairisle Cowl
Knitting with Knit-Pro Needles in the round
Close-up showing inside and outside of cowl
Pattern seen in Lynne Watterson's Fairisle Book and noted down from screen

'T Arm Schaap in Antwerpen

On Tuesday evening I went to a new Knitting Group in Antwerp called 'T Arm Schaap (The poor Sheep) where I received a warm welcome! (My new friend Christine, whom I met at Lana, asked if I wanted to come along!) I was the only person crocheting there, having brought my big blanket along! I found it very inspiring to see so many different projects in work!  You can read more on their Ravelry Group page.


Harlequin Blanket

Here is also a look at my Harlequin Blanket, it is progressing, currently there are now 26 colours and it measures around 75-77cm approx.

Harlequin Blanket 16.10.14
close up of the Blanket

Madam Woll in Antwerpen

Last not least, here is a photo showing Natalie, the friendly and helpful owner of Antwerp's Wool Cafe called Madam Woll - combining the idea of a Wool shop with a Cafe where you can sit down and enjoy a drink and a piece of homemade cake with likeminded people! Her Shop/Cafe has only been open since April 2014 and recently an outdoor sitting area was also added.

I was very excited when I visited there last week to find out that she stocks Scheepjeswol Stone Washed, both in the normal and in the new XL version (which I had to buy!) She also stocks more unusual yarns by labels We are Knitters, Mirasol and Lopi.

Natalie at Madam Woll, Antwerpen
See more interesting photos and information on her website here!


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Thanks for stopping by, hope you are all having a good week so far, let me know about it, and feel free to comment, I love reading all your comments!

30 comments:

  1. Hi Ingrid, your harlequin blanket is looking amazing, so much work but it really is looking more stunning as it grows....it must eat wool?
    A wool cafe..I envy the diversity a city can bring, nothing on offer like that here in this rural part of Wales-a coffee, cake, crochet-that is heaven.
    Helen

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    1. Thank you, Helen! It certainly does use a lot of yarn! I know what you are saying about cities, but on the other hand this is the only Wool Cafe we have here and it is still fairly new! However, there is nothing to stop you (or anyone else) to start meeting in a cafe place somewhere and start your own knit/crochet/craft group! One local group meets at the spare meeting room of the librarynearby (in the evening). Put up notices at newsagents or similar, start with a friend! good luck! xx

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  2. Wow, such a lot of work on the blanket it is looking a real delight, the colours are wonderful a great combination. I love the idea of a yarn café that would really suit me.

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    1. Thank you!!! Looks like you all need to come and visit Antwerp, then.... or find/start/join something similar wherever you live! xx

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  3. Wow, I love that fair isle cowl, reminds me of the Nordic patterns. We are so used to see that kind here in Norway. The blanket will be a perfect color bomb :) I do love your squares, on the sides here. I wish it was possible to buy that yarn in Norway, have been drewling on it for months now.
    Wish you a perfect evening. Here we have snow now, so I will light the candle outside today :)

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    1. Hello Monica, Yes - I do love all these nordic patterns! <3

      As for the Scheepjeswol Stone Washed (made into the squares on the sidebars (which were the squares made into my big shopping bag, see other post), you can order it here:

      http://www.deramores.com/scheepjeswol-knitting-yarn

      in both versions, normal and XL which is a bit thicker.
      They offer worldwide delivery. It comes from the Netherlands, so you might find more Dutch online shops as well that sell it.
      Maybe there is an online shop in Scandinavia that also offers it? (Good luck!)

      Wow, can't imagine snow yet! Brrr! Still getting used to Autumn! Happy knitting!! xx

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    2. Thank you so much for the info. I have to check it out, I have seen this yarn, esp the mint green one in several Dutch blogs now an I am in love. Maybe I'll ask my friend in Zwolle for a litle help ;o)

      The snow came and went within two days. Today we will fix up the garden for the winter, put all the furniture etc in the shed, rescue the few flowers that are left. The Rabbits will go into the old hen house in the barn for the winter as well.
      Have a nice Sunday.

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  4. Oh, how I wish I could do Nordic Fairisle! Is it hard to learn? I am not much into knitting but I would love to make patterns like that...

    Take care
    Anne
    http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de

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    1. Hi Anne, I don't think it is too difficult, especially if you knit in the round, you only use 'knit' (rechte Maschen) and in this case I only used 2 colours.
      Have a nice weekend! xx

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  5. Ingrid, I just love your cowl. Love to fair isle...!

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  6. That looks like a complicated piece of knitting you have going! It will be so pretty when you are done. Love the cowl! You have much more patience than I do with knitting. I just cannot get a flow with it. I'll stick to my crochet! It's fun to see others who have the talent for it, and I love the fair isle look.

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    1. Hi Pammy Sue! I understand what you are saying and I think you are very talented, especially with making these large doilies, so pretty!
      I finished the cowl yesterday (Friday evening), hooray! :)
      Enjoy your weekend! xx

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  7. I have just caught up with reading your posts. Thank you for sharing the Vordenstein! pictures. wonderful.
    Your harlequin blanket is looking magnificent. Hope you a have lovely weekend

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    1. Thanks Helda, I also got more posts to catch up on (it gets worse every time I go away and don't have the time to read!)
      Have a good weekend! xx

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  8. You are a way better knitter than me to figure all that out all on your own. I am not a color changing knitter, it seems so hard. Love the blanket, I think that pattern would make a gorgeous cowl. Isn't it the best to have friends who love wool?
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. I know, I love friends who love wool, and that includes all of you on here... <3 It is so much fun to share my passion for my hobbies with you! You are right, it would look great in a cowl, too!
      Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs! xx

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  9. Your fair isle is looking lovely! What a great time, getting together with other knitters and visiting that wonderful wool shop as well. Wishing you a happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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    1. Hi Helen! Thanks, you are right! The cowl is finished and I am pleased with the result, I will show it soon! Enjoy your weekend! xx

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  10. Just catching up with my reading! It was lovely the see the gardens in your last post, they are beautiful aren't they!! Your crochet is all coming along well too isn't it. Lovely to catch up with what you have been up to. xx

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  11. I like knitting Fairisle too but haven't done any for quite a while. Your blanket is looking really great!!

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    1. Thanks for your encouraging comments! :) xx

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  12. Whoo look at the at blanket that is going to be an heirloom! Jo x

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    1. Thanks Jo! Let's hope I can get it finished before my offspring and their future children have to work on it, hehehe!!! ;) xx

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  13. Your harlequin blanket is gorgeous! Bravo!

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    1. Merci, Lucie! J'aime tous les couleurs!!! :)) xx

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  14. The blanket is absolutely gorgeous, and I love fairisle but it is a long work.
    Miss.

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    1. Thanks - but in this case the fairisle was finished within 3 days luckily - watch out for my next post! :) xx

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  15. Maybe Natalie at Madam Wol has been following your blog and noted that you were in Belgium and also in love with the Stonewashed wool! ;-) You never know!

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