I've gotten a guest map and I'd be delighted it if you'd click here to sign it.

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I've added one more category to my gallery: Stuff that doesn't fit into any of the other categories.

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My dialect is 91% Dixie, ya'll!
(Spotted at Chrisknits.)
Yet I met a woman today who did not immediately recognize that I wasn't Norwegian. Whoo hoo!

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Here's the codes for special characters like the Norwegian Æ, Ø & Å in case you need 'em.

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Mulder's Stylesheets Tutorial ought to keep me busy while waiting for the correspondence course in Norwegian National Nursing to arrive.

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It makes you wonder if these folks know what kind of a interest their video is creating in the knitting world. (There's some serious frogging going on out there.)
The production design was done by Lauri Faggioni who makes these fabric companions that are just marvelous. (Link via Quidnunc who saw it at not martha who found it in Entertainment Weekly.)

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Oh, will we ever learn to appreciate our major applicances while they're still with us??
In other words the dryer (drier?) died yesterday just as I was starting to wash a weeks worth of laundry. It might be just a broken belt. Let's hope so, shall we?

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Newly found blog: Knittsqueak

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Norwegian Photojournalist's picture of the year appeals to me. The jury wrote "it sets in motion thoughts of the cycle of life and being caught in your own rut."
P.S. If anyone knows what the English equivalent of "å råne" is, please be so kind as to leave a comment on the tagboard.

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There's a new Cheez Doodles commercial that says "det er lov å være hjemme på sofaen" meaning "it's allowed to stay home on the sofa," presumably with a big bag of Cheez Doodles. While half of me is a bit taken aback by the profound unhealthiness of this statement, the other half is thinking "yippee".
Speaking of Cheez Doodles, check this out.

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I heart fontgarden.com.

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As if I weren't already at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome my husband had to go and find this.

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Sunday February 29, 2004

Happy Leap Day!

Let's put this extra day to good use and talk about

Purling Continentally

First of all, there's no one right way to knit. If you've been at it for a while you're likely to feel fairly strongly that your way is the best way. Now me, I'm not entirely convinced the way that I purl is the best way but it's what I do and it's likely to remain the way I do it since my hands have developed quite a motor memory by now. If you're just starting to knit I would suggest trying different methods to see what works best for you. And if you've got another way to purl continentally I would certainly love it if you left a description of it in the comments!

In the following all text is referring to the picture below it.

When I first learned to purl continentally I wound up using the Combined Knitting's method of purling, because it really is the quickest and easiest method of purling. However, I wasn't sufficiently knowledgeable to realize that it twists each stitch. I almost gave up knitting altogether after getting completely frustrated attempting knit into twisted stitches without the realization that it's necessary to knit through the back loop. (See here for explanations of twisted stitches and knitting through the back loop.)

Now those who use Combined Knitting have a great advantage in terms of speed and I couldn't dream of explaining it as well as Annie does in her series on combined knitting but I took a couple of pictures anyway, just for the sake of being thorough.

With the working yarn in front, insert the right hand needle into the stitch to be worked from back to front. Bring the working yarn under the tip of the right hand needle and up...

... scoop the yarn through the stitch and pull through onto the right hand needle.

During my first attempt at a lace pattern I wound up screaming and nearly throwing the yarn and needles across the room. (Again this is when I didn't realize the stitches were twisted.) The husband, witnessing this, said in his kindest voice "You know, I think knitting is supposed to be relaxing." So I decided to do a bit more investigating. Both The Knitter’s Companion and Vogue Knitting give instructions for purling continentally like this:

Holding the yarn in front of the needles, insert the right hand needle into the next stitch from back to front...

Using your left index finger, lay the working yarn over the top of the right hand needle and push it downwards.

Then bring the stitch through to the right hand needle by leveraging away from you. Note: This method does not seem to be the most energy efficient but it's the way I purl to this day. Be aware that the stitches have a tendency to be loose. If you notice that your purl rows have a looser gauge than the knit rows you'll need to give the working yarn a tug to tighten after each stitch. Maybe this explains why I adore garter stitch.

Okay, now we'll move on to the method known as Norwegian Purl. According to the comments made to the Feb. 25 post, it's also the most common method of purling in Denmark and Switzerland. (Thanks, Lone and Katia!) Since my picture taking skills have improved since 2002 here's an updated version of how I was taught to purl by a Norwegian:

Start with the yarn in back. This is what makes this method such a wonderful way to work ribbing, since you don't have to keep switching the working yarn from back to front all the time.

Moving the right hand needle behind the working yarn, insert it into the next stitch to be worked.

Leverage the right hand needle so that the tip comes up and to the right and catch the working yarn with the tip of the needle.

Then bring the tip of the right hand needle towards you and down, then back and through the stitch.

Voila! A purl stitch.

In my experience this also tends to give a loose gauge on purl rows, but I've not really done it enough to get good at it.

Those are the ways I know how to purl! Have another way? Let me hear about it! :O)

Animations by Millan.net

Posted at 8:00 pm  | 

Thursday February 26, 2004

I want to get further into the different methods of purling and will. I find it fascinating that there's very little out there online about purling continentally, so I'm planning to take some pictures of the different ways I know it's possible to purl continentally. However, I didn't get around to it today while there was sunlight.

I did, however, get some more pictures from our first anniversary trip last summer. The husband and I drove for 3 days around Norway and saw some amazing things, not least of which was the Hopperstad Stavkirke at Vik near Sognefjord. I also made a new index page for all of these type of pictures here. (Also to be found at the "Photographs" link at the top of this page.) Enjoy!

Posted at 8:00 pm  | 

Wednesday February 25, 2004

I've gotten a couple of emails requesting information on the "Norwegian Purl" and see that this is a hot subject, making an appearance at Stitches West with a class by Beth Brown-Reinsel. I don't know for certain if this is the same way that I was taught to purl here in Norway, but here are a series of pictures I took illustrating what I learned.

Posted at 4:52 pm  | 

This past Sunday was Fastelavns, the last Sunday before Lent and the day for making and eating boller filled with whipped cream. Mmmm...

Posted at 11:27 am  | 

Thursday February 19, 2004

Busy busy busy updating my gallery pages. I've added lots of things that weren't there and listed the yarn (when I knew it), the pattern source. I've got more work to do...I keep being reminded of things I've knitted and didn't get pictures of, or finding files on the computer of things that I've knitted, posted about, then forgotten to add to the gallery... but I'll let you guys know when I've added more.

Posted at 4:27 pm  | 

Wednesday February 18, 2004
Hey, cool! I have always identified with Marcie.

Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Posted at 22:21  | 

Sunday February 15, 2004

These are the 5th pair of Fuzzy Feet I've knitted and the first that are for me. Finally! Click here for a before shot for a picture of these slippers before felting. (That's one of my winter boots beside it for scale.)

Oh, and in case anyone is looking for a yarn substitution for the Fuzzy Feet in Norway :: it took almost exactly 3 skeins of Månetoppen.

Posted at 2:22 pm  | 

Thursday February 12, 2004

My husband grew up above the artic circle and hardly ever wears sweaters. Certainly not enough to justify me knitting him one when I could be making something for myself. But as a well-informed knitter I'm perfectly aware of the Sweater Curse. I found out, while at work today, that Alf Prøysen's Sweater Song, from 1959, is about the sweater curse! With a solution!

Genservise - Alf Prøysen

Det dure godt i orna på et jintrom oppi Vang, der sitt a Eva Snekkersveen med bunding i sitt fang. Det ska visst bli en genser så vidt je kæin forstå og øverst er'n rein og kvit, men nederst er'n grå.

Hu bynte på den genser'n den gong hun var på Li og prøvde den på gutten sin når kvell hæin hadde fri, men gutta vrei seg unna, det var en rastlaus gutt. Hun rakk å strikke vrangborden og dermed var det slutt.

Så fløtte hun tel Leine og tok genserborden med, og tenestgutten der var snill, hæin sang og bar inn ved. Hun strikke bak- og framstykkjy det gikk i kut og kjør tel gutten kom og sa hæin hadde Sælbugenser før.

Og året etter var det at hun fløtte hit tel Vang. Nå har a strikke ermer, hu har lært i livets gang om åtte dår i dag tel skal hun ha genser'n klar og sende den som pakke post tel gjebburen hass far.

å hør I piger all, I piger fjern og nær, nevn æiller å du strikke på tel gutten du har kjær, men gjør som kloke kvinder uti vårt høga nord:

Smøy genser'n over huggu på'n før hæin får sagt et ord!

[A couple of lovely Norwegians chimed in on this missing word and the majority say it means "in the corner". ]

It's humming in the corner of a girl's room up in Vang, there sits Eva Snekkersveen with her knitting in her lap. It'll be a sweater, as far as I can tell; the top of it is white and clean but down below it's gray.

She started on the sweater when she went to Li and tried on her boy on the evenings he was free, but the boy wriggled out of it - he was a very restless boy. She managed to knit the ribbing and with that it was the end.

So then she moved to Leine and took the ribbing with her, and the serving boy was kind, he sang and brought in wood. She knitted the front and back pieces, it went as quick as that, until the boy came and told her he had a sweater from Selbu from before.

It was the year after that she moved here to Vang. Now she's knitted the arms and she's learned a bit in life --
In 8 days from today she'll have the sweater ready and send it as a package to her father for his birthday.

So listen all you girls, you girls both far and near :
NEVER mention what you're knitting to a boy that you hold dear, but do like the smart women that live up here in the north:

Slip that sweater on over his head before he manages to say a word!

Posted at 5:51 pm  | 

Wednesday February 11, 2004

I spent a while last night going through my rather modest (honest!) stash, doing some frogging and getting this Angora Tweed...

...ready for reuse.

I'm thinking gloves. I've used Rita Buchanan's terrific pattern for Good Basic Gloves from Homespun, Handknit before (alas those gloves have mysteriously disappeared) but am mightily intrigued by the Sideways Garter Stitch Gloves that Michelle knit last spring. Of course, I don't actually have the Winter 2002 issue of SpinOff magazine. I did find this free pattern and am pondering fiddling around with it in order to graft the fingers together instead of doing all that casting-on and binding-off. Or perhaps someone out there has a spare copy of SpinOff...?

Posted at 2:12 pm  | 

Monday February 9, 2004

Now I understand why everyone's so wild about the Bucket-O-Chic!

The first one was made in Alaska with an additional strand of an angora/wool mix on the brim and top which was then felted slightly. The second is a Pingouin cotton/linen mix called métis that I picked up for a bargain at a local place that seems to be some sort of yarn outlet store. Expect to see more Buckets around here...they're a hoot!

Posted at 6:23 pm  | 

Sunday February 8, 2004

I've gotten finished with both arms of the Must Have and the ribbing of the body. I've decided to knit the body in one piece to the underarms to avoid seaming which is something I'm just not fond of in the least.

All the markers are temporary until I get the different cables established enough to knit from sight. Doesn't look like it'll make for very good movie-watching-knitting in the meantime, does it?

Posted at 11:15 pm  | 

You are Mohair. You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with others, doing your share without being too weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely refuse to change your position once it is set, but that's okay since you are good at covering up your mistakes.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Spotted via Brenda.

Posted at 2:45 pm  | 

Friday February 6, 2004

Norwegian Knitting Patterns Lesson #5 ::

Click here for previous lessons.

A little note first: Kirsty left a comment on a previous lesson reminding me of a few terms we haven't come across in this pattern but that are quite common and very important ::

hals :: neck
skulder :: shoulder
venstre :: left
høyre :: right
vrangbord (abbr. vrbord) :: border, usually referring to the ribbing which is found on the bottoms of sleeves or mittens and sweaters as well as the ribbed edging at the tops of socks
omgang (abbr. omg) :: round in circular knitting
(reminder: pinne :: row)

Now, for the next line...

Husk på strikkefastheten!

Husk på strikkefastheten! :: Remember to check gauge! Presumably meaning "periodically throughout the pattern to be sure it's consistent". Good advice and something I seldom remember to do.

Når arb måler 31 (31-32) cm strikkes neste p slik: 53 (57-60) m forstk, fell 4 m til ermhull, 114 (122-128) m bakstk, fell 4 m til ermhull, 53 (57-60) m forstk. For-og bakstk strikkes ferdig for seg.

When work measures 31 (31-32) cm knit the next row as follows: 53 (57-60) sts of front, cast off 4 sts for armhole, 114 (122-128) sts of back, cast off 4 sts for armhole, 53 (57-60) sts of front. (Afterwards) the fronts and back are finished separately.

når :: when
(å) måle :: (to) measure
(å) felle :: (to) cast off/decrease

å felle can be a bit confusing as the pattern usually doesn't indicate which you should do. When the instructions say fell av it's always referring to casting off. Sometimes the instructions go on to explain a specific decrease like k2tog or ssk so that you'll know exactly what to do. But here the writer is assuming you'll know that for an armhole the best thing to do is cast off stitches.

Forstk: = 53 (57-60) m.
Videre felles til ermhull på hver 2.p:
3 m x 2 (3-3), 2 m x 3, 1 m x 2 (2-3) = 39 (40-42) m, samtidig når arb måler 31 (32-33) cm felles til hals
på hver 4.p: 1 m x 2,
på hver 2.p: 1 m x 13,
på hver 4.p: 1 m x 3,
på hver 6.p: 1 m x 2. Fell av når arb måler 53 (54-55) cm.

Front = 53 (57-60) sts.
Continue to decrease for armhole on every 2nd row:
3 sts x 2 (3-3), 2 sts x 3, 1 st x 2 (2-3) = 39 (40-42) sts, while at the same time when work measures 31 (32-33) cm cast off/decrease towards neck on
every 4th row: 1 st x 2,
every 2nd row: 1 st x 13,
every 4th row: 1 st x 3,
every 6th row: 1 st x 2.
Cast off when work measures 53 (54-55) cm.

videre :: further, "from this point onwards"
til :: to, towards
til hals :: towards neck opening

Til is another one of those pesky prepositions. Most often it means "to" but here injecting "to" sounds a bit strange: "to armhole/neck". Til when it has the meaning of "in the direction of" would translate more to "towards" so that's what I'll use here. Here are some other possibilities for til.

Bakstk: = 114 (122-128). Fell til ermhull som på forstk = 86 (88-92) m.
Når arb måler 51 (52-53) cm felles de midterste 44 (44-44) m bak til hals.
Deretter felles det 2 m på neste p mot halsen bak. Fell av når arb måler 53 (54-55) cm.

Back: = 114 (122-128) sts. Decrease towards armhole as on the front = 86 (88-92) sts.
When work measures 51 (52-53) cm cast off the centermost 44 (44-44) sts of the back towards the neck (for the neck opening).
Then cast off/decrease 2 sts on the next row towards the back of the neck. Cast off when work measures 53 (54-55) cm.

de, det, den :: the/that

Generally speaking, just like en/et/ei mean "a", de/det/den mean approximately "the" or "that".

Which finishes the body! Next up :: the arms.

A bit about LEXIN :: It's a simple, yet lovely, online dictionary for people learning Norwegian as a second language. The main search page is here for Norwegian to English. If a word comes up with a little flower next to it, it means there's a picture available, just click on the flower to go there. It might be worth knowing that what you're going to want is Bokmål which is the more widely used of the two written versions of Norwegian. The other is Nynorsk (New Norwegian) and well, I'm not going to go there. If you're interested, you might want to read this.

Posted at 1:03 pm then at 4:04 pm  | 

Friday February 6, 2004

Happy Friday Indeed!

Bonnie Marie of Chicknits has found yet another use for Fuzzy Feet! She's stuck her Shrek-flavored ones down in her boots to keep her toes warm today. Cool, eh? Oh, wait, I guess we're hoping for not very.

In other news :: As preparation for the next installment (which will have to wait at least a few minutes as I just realized there's no yeast in the house to make the traditional Friday night pizza) of the Norwegian Knitting Pattern Lessons, I've put the first 4 onto a page of their own in ascending order.

Posted at 6 pm  | 

Thursday February 5, 2004

This is the cap from Poetry in Stitches by Solveig Hisdal, which is available from Bea Ellis Knitwear and Nordic Fiber Arts, knit in Rauma BabyGarn. The BabyGarn is fingering weight and 100% merino and the cap was knit on US 1 / 2.5 mm needles. The book has two patterns for the same beautiful sweater, one in cotton and one in wool. This cap matches the one in wool and was a request from my 14 year old step daughter. Let's keep our fingers crossed that she likes it enough to wear it. The BabyGarn doesn't itch at any rate.

The cotton version was what I wore in our wedding and is detailed here.

Posted at 7:40 pm  | 

Posted at 3:17 pm  | 

Wednesday February 4 ,2004

I'm not sure what I was thinking wishing the snow would stop. It rained like crazy yesterday and then froze solid for the drive to work this morning.
However! The sun shone and it was 6 C/42 F during the day today which makes one feel there is indeed hope that spring will come.

In knitting news, I'm going to be working on the crochet edging of the hat just barely visible in this picture tonight. A crocheter I am not. I'll post pictures tomorrow and then get back to the Norwegian lessons. Honest.

It's been a long overdue redesign of the blog that's kept me busy. Hope you like it!

Posted at 11:19 pm  | 

Monday February 2, 2004

Winter Wonderland ... maybe more like "enough already"? The snow in our yard is well over 2 feet deep.

I've spent my off-the-sofa time this afternoon answering emails rather than translating. (I've had a cold this weekend and have done little else than read and sleep.)

Speaking of emails...

I found a knitting question in the junk mail folder of my hotmail account. I'm sure it had to do with the subject line, so I would recommend a subject line that is more rather than less. Describe what you're writing to me about and I'm a whole lot less likely to miss it. So, while I am perpetually behind on emails, it may be that I've simply missed yours. If you've written me and not heard back from me, please write again.

Posted at 7:28 pm  |