Weekend bag

I am happy to show you my latest finish, a week-end bag. I saw it first at Dollan Design blog, and I started planning it right away. The pattern is from Quiltemagasinet no 3 2012. The pattern is made by Julie Kvamme.
I used some cheap loading straps from the hardware store and wrapped them in fabric for handles. Heavy duty and cheap! (Wash and make sure the straps don't bleed color before using).

It was a little hard to cut and fit the zipper section and the sides of the bags, the instructions were not very detailed here. But I am very happy with the result!

Girly Make-Up Pouch

Inspired by Meretes Atelier facebook picture I have made a small make-up pouch. It will be a gift for a teenage girl.

I have also finished some more Oh my Stars! blocks:

Thanks for stopping by!

Knitted Fabric Rugs

Are you trying to use up your scraps, but don't do much progress? Here is a real scrap buster; knit rugs with fabric strips! They can be great as chair cushions,  on the porch, or as a bed for your little pet!

Make the fabric yarn as follows:

1. Fabric strips is cut 1 1/4 inch wide (great accuracy not required).
2. Fold the end of the strip, about an inch. Cut a hole in the fabric, approximately half an inch. Repeat on both ends of the strips.
3. Take two strips with cut holes. 
4. Put the left (green) strip from below an through the hole of the right (pink) strip.
5. Take the other end of the right (pink) strip and pull it all the way up and trough the left (green) strip.
6. Pull on the strips, and they should be connected.

Roll up the strips into a ball while connecting the strips.I used knitting needles US 19, 15 mm.
Added later:
The rug in the picture below is 25 stitches and 56 rows. The finished size is 13,5 x 17,5 inches. This is a little narrow for e.g. a kitchen chair, I would recommend 30 stitches. Bigger sized are heavy to handle when knitting. I would rather recommend that you made several and stitch them together with a fabric strip and a large needle or large crochet hook.

Mom, are you done taking those pictures? Can I use it now?

If you make the rug, please leave a comment, I would love to take a look!

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Spring Baby Sleepers

 The sleepers are made from

• fleece blanket (2 layers)
• bed sheets
• zipper

The first sleeper fits a new baby, the second one maybe up to a 9 mo or until the baby starts sitting up in the carrige. The sleepers are now on the way to a new mom, will be exiting if she thinks they works for her needs. If anybody is interested in a approx measurements and more pictures on how I put the sleepers together, let me know!

I have also finished a table cloth. This cat garden fabric was a present from my son. Did not have the heart to cut into it, so I folded up the edges, and will use it as a table cloth. Maybe use it for our garden table this summer?

Fabel BabyDROPS Socks

Trying to get stashed yarn used up. First finish is this pair of little boys socks.
Pattern: Baby Drops 16-26, size 2 years.
Yarn: Drops Fabel,

Working hard on my unfinished quilts also. Stay tuned!

Easter pot holders

The pattern is available for free from Miss Mary Sewing Classes, soo cute!

Another Easy hat is also done, for myself this time. The winter does not seems to want to leave. I have lost count on the number of hats I have made of this kind, see pattern and yarn information in my earlier posts.

Green Alpaca Hat

First time knitting with alpaca wool, love the result! I used needle 3.5 mm, which made a large hat, which is good for me with a big head and tons of hair. Suggest normal heads to use 3 mm needles.
A lightweight hat for the spring season!

Yarn: Royal Alpakka Green 0062-8246
Pattern: Alpakka Lue (in norwegian only) at Dale Garn (norwegian).

Link recommandations:
Check out English Dale pages here with cool pictures of knitting products!
Also see Drops Easter Workshop for patterns for great Easter seasons craft projects!

Hot seats for Easter!

Love these felted seat warmers!

I used 8 balls (400 grams) of "Naturgarn" (wool, needle 9 mm, 10 stitches = 10 cm). This yarn is cheap and good for these type of projects. (NOK 16,50 at e.g. Maud's Yarn)


When knitting I used two strands of yarn, and 10 mm knitting needles. Cast on 50 stitches loosely. Knit until you have a little more than half left of your two last balls. Cast off the middle 20 stitches  Cast on loosely 20 stitches on the next needle. Cast off loosely when running out of yarn.

Felt the warmers:
I used a delicate cycle on 40 degrees C. Throw in a small towel to help the felting process.
Stretch to shape when done and lay flat to dry.

I have also made these seat warmers with another yarn successfully; Rosendahl ( from the Nille shops, produced by Gjestal). It is slightly more expensive (NOK 25) and requires to cast on 60 stitches. The one in the picture below is very wide to fit the bench (80 stitches).

Why don't you make one in time for Easter?  I love to see the result!

Happy Easter table runner

This table runner is inspired by a table runner "Løper med kvadraten fra stripesett" from the book "Lappeteknikk slik gjør du det" by Tove Fevang. This is a basic quilting book that I keep going back to. I adjusted the size of the windows in the pattern to fit the print; 5,5 inches. All strips are 1,5 inches. The print is a traveling gift from DH.

I had a good time in London, although my back acted up a little. The crocus and Easter lilies where up! Lovely jogging in Hyde Park with no ice or snow. Visited Madam Tussaud and did a shopping bargain at Jack Wolfskin. Here is George and I:

WISP: Oh my Stars!

11 more blocks done for my slow going Oh my Stars! quilt, I am then 27% done with the blocks according to my spreadsheet. What a nerd I am!

I am heading off to London for a couple of days this. I love London, can never get sick of it. Planning, among others, to visit Liberty of London fabric department.

I have not much traffic on my blog. Do anybody have any suggestion to how I can improve my blog and get more hits?

Linn Juvel Baby Jacket

Benjamin will get his new outfit when I meet him for the first time next weekend. I just have to put in some buttons in the jacket. He should feel snug and comfy in this outfit!
Pattern: Coats Kappehuset, Linn Kjøredress(pattern A) of folded sheet pattern number 67. See previous post for pattern picture.
Yarn: Juvel by Sachenmeyer. (Pattern called for Juvel baby, not possible to get anymore)

I have also finished a felted sitting cushion, I will use it in my car seat. It is a little too wide, but it will not matter in the car. I will soon make another one to go with my hiking gear.

Hot new knitting designs

 I had a walk through town today, waiting for my son to get done with swim classes, when I saw these knit designs in the local knit shop. Wow, how cool, a knitted swimsuit with pearls! Also love the head-piece below:

When I got home, I read about the designs in the local newspaper, the designer is the shop owner of "Ullrik" in Konsgberg, Norway; Marit Mørk. She is so good! See also Norwegian article in local newspaper Laagendalsposten. I am sure she will be very busy from now on!
Excuse the quality of the pictures, they were taken with a cell phone through the shop windows!

Linn Juvel Baby Pants

The pants for baby Benjamin suit are now done! Finally got the buttons sewn in on the back. Crocheting around the neckline and armholes went like a dream, thanks to instructional videos on YouTube and a crochet needle to the liking of my slightly disabled wrist(Addi Swing from SandnesGarn). Knitting in sailor's rib (patentstrikk) made the pants nice and soft, but I am afraid the baby will pull out theads easily. The pants are a little wide. The pattern is a pattern I used over 20 years ago, made the same pants for the mother of Benjamin, in pink of course!

The jacket in blue is on the needles as we speak!

Pattern: Coats Kappehuset, Linn Kjøredress(pattern A) of folded sheet pattern number 67
Yarn: Juvel by Sachenmeyer, Grey. (Pattern called for Juvel baby, not possible to get anymore)

Veggie Market Bag

Pattern : Farmer's Market Bag by Virginia Robertson
I hope the bag will grow into something prettier one day.  Do you like my nail polish better?

Maybe not.
Now I can start a new project! Have a great weekend.

Spider Cat Toy

This toy was a gift from a colleague of mine to my cat Harry. It is crochet and felted, very cute!
Harry loves it!