back from France

We are back from a short stay in France. We started out in a chateau in the Loire region, but because of the cloudy/rainy weather, and because my husband needed some good roads to practice his biking/running we went to the seaside.

We ended up in a little seaside resort at the atlantic ocean, called Pornic. I managed to go to the Phildar shop in Angers and got some Phil'bambou to knit a baby sweater, but that was about it regarding yarn purchases. I didn't make it into Nantes, so no La Droguerie visit. In Pornic there was also a Bergère de France shop, but I have one in my home town, so why buy that abroad ? I enjoyed the views, and knitted the same 3 rows on my Mystery stole again and again.
I discovered what's not to like about the Rheuma yarn - it splits terribly when you have to unknit !

When I got home, I found the final package from my SP10. Yarn, tea, chocolate, a magazine and stitch markers. Thanks a lot Karin ! The yarn is a very nice blend : 30% alpaca, 65% merino, and 5% PA (that's what she writes on the card). Anybody knows what PA stands for ? It's a nice cream color, with black hairs sticking out. I'll just have to find a nice project for it. Maybe another MS3 ? I just want to find out how this one is turning out, before I decide.

I am home for a few days now, and then we leave for Germany, where my husband hopefully will be able to finish his triathlon project.

Mystery stole 3 countdown

The mystery stole knit-along starts Friday june 29th (my daughters birthday!), and I have been knitting smaller objects to keep my hands busy. Well, not too much really, my shoulder has been acting up. It seems that all my joints and tendons take a turn in feeling achy. My guess : old age and the weather. I had a pair of socks that came out short, cut the toe, frogged what I had, used the left-overs to knit the foot longer, and used another solid yarn to knit a new toe. The yarn used in the original sock was a tad heavier then sock yarn, so I used sock yarn doubled for the toe.

De verrassingsstola meebrei-groep start vrijdag 29 juni. Ondertussen heb ik me wat bezig gehouden met oude sokken een nieuw leven te geven. Veel breien kon ik niet, want mijn schouder gaf problemen. Het lijkt wel of alle gewrichten en pezen om beurt eens overbelast geraken (nu is mijn knie aan de beurt, maar dat geeft geen probleem met breien gelukkig).




In the meanwhile I received some sock yarn from my SP10. A very nice green/blue/brown color, from a distance a nice teal. I don't know who she is yet, but she told me she is also on the MS3 list, and she will be sending something that I can use for that project ! Maybe I should wait till that package arrives, before deciding on which yarn to use ?

Ook nog een pakje in de post van geheim vriendje10. Geen idee wie ze is (behalve dat ze in Duitsland woont), maar ze gaat me ook nog wat voor de verrassingsstola sturen. Ik ben erg nieuwsgierig om dat pakje te zien !

And another swap : the no-sheep-one-skein-swap. I received this furry acrylic from Laura in France. I am not into this kind of yarn, but I do like the colors !

Ik doe ook nog mee aan de absoluut-geen-wol-bolletjesruil. Ik kreeg dit bolletje acrylic in de brievenbus. Niet echt mijn ding qua garen, maar wel leuke kleuren. Zal waarschijnlijk als cadeau-inpaklint gebruikt worden

yarn shopping in Leuven

Yesterday I went yarn shopping with a Finnish and an American knitter in my home town, Leuven, Belgium. I found Heli from Finland through SP10. I was surfing through the list of participants, and I read on her blog she would be visiting Belgium. So, I proposed to show her around. And Cheryl, contacted me. She found me through Google. (I tried it, when you enter 'yarn stores Brussels' you will find a comment I made on Polly's blog ). I love yarn shopping with fellow fiber addicts !

I live in Leuven, a city of about 100.000 inhabitants. It's 23 minutes by train from Brussels (direction Liège-Luik).

First we hit 'hexagoon', not a yarn shop, but a shop filled with beads, buttons, ribbons, cards and other craft supplies. I was looking to shop for beads for my MS3. Hexagoon is a tiny shop in a backyard street, if you don't know it, you won't stumble upon it. Apparently, lots of people knowabout it, it's always busy. I love it that they really take the time for you, help you find that single button that really finishes of your knit project. But, that also means they take the time for other people, and sometimes you have to wait. Sorry, no pictures, forget to take one !
I bought some beads for my mystery stole 3, but in retrospect they probably are too big.

Hexagoon - Ravenstraat 81 - 3000 Leuven

Then we hit the Bergère de France shop. Their yarns are mostly blends, and not very expensive. They carry BdF, and some novelty yarns by On-line. I love it that they have a (free) catalogue with yarn samples . The new catalogue has arrived, and there are some interesting new yarns (I noticed a wool /alpaca blend, and an organic cotton). Cheryl bought some On-line ladder yarn to 'weave' a necklace, something that the LYSO was demonstrating to her. Heli bought the wool/alpaca to knit some gloves (it can get very cold in Finland!). And I was happy to find the tiniest crochet hook for my mystery stole3, and bought the new pattern book.

Bergère de France - Louis Melsensstraat 1 - 3000 Leuven

We walked into another craft shop, where I bought some more beads. In retrospect, these are too small. I wasn't allowed to take them out the container to try with my new crochet hook.

De Banier creatief - Jan Pieter Minckelersstraat 29 -3000 Leuven

We walked into Veritas, a shop that is part of a chain - they carry a limited yarn selection of Italian yarns (Adriafil), and sock yarns. Their selection changes with the season, they don't have much wool on offer now, it's all about summer yarns. And they have a lot of haberdashery, and lingerie. They had beads, and for the first time I found some indication of size (I am new to beads).

Veritas- Diestsestraat 101 - 3000 Leuven

It was time for some coffee now - we had one in the reading café of the public library. There was a book sale going on, and on each table there was a book. On our table the book title was 'wayward women and wicked ladies' ....

openbare bibliotheek - Rijschoolstraat 101 - 3000 Leuven

After admiring the 500 year old city hall, we went to my favorite yarn shop : 't Wolwinkeltje. They carry everything, from very affordable to very luxurious fibers. Brands are : Scheepjeswol, Anny Blatt, Schachenmayer, Lang, Katia, Lana Grossa, Gedifra, Grignasco, Noro, Rowan ... I love their collection of sock yarns. There are always some sale bins outside. For cross stitch or patchwork crafters, they also have a nice selection. It's a small shop, but it's crammed with good stuff.

For the first time somebody knew what I meant by 'size 8 beads'. So I bought some more . Fortunately, you can get a lot of beads for not much money. And I bought some more yarn to finish of my Lizard ridge afghan. Heli bought sock yarn, and Cheryl found the right size circulars for her felted bag.

't Wolwinkeltje - Parijsstraat 25 - 3000 Leuven

I had a great time, and I think my guests liked it too. So do you want to see some bead shopping?

SP 10 questions

I am participating in the SP10 swap, and our host Bobbi asked us to answer some questions about traveling and knitting.

1) What do you pack to knit?

On a short trip I always pack something mindless, mostly socks. On a longer trip, I would pack socks and something more complicated, but still light-weight. Lace qualifies for this. In the summer 2005 I spent 2 weeks in Stockholm, and I knitted the Mystery Stole 1. Last summer, we went camping in the south of France, and I knitted Mystery Stole 2 - with yarn I bought in Stockholm the summer before that. When I was in France, I had to find an internet access to download the next clue of the Mystery stole. There was this teenager at the campsite that helped me download and print the pattern. I have never really explained what I was printing exactly. Just told him it was 'très important'.

(you can still buy the Mystery Stoles patterns from Melanie at www.pinklemontwist.blogspot.com)

2) What do you hope to shop for?

I would have said 'sock yarn' before. It makes a nice souvenir, and you don't have to buy lots. And in a next face I would have said 'lace yarn', something that is very hard to get here locally. But the thing is, I am not sure that I am a true lace knitter. Now I would say 'something unique' - and by that I mean 'something I cannot get in Belgium'. I love yarns from local spinners, or something really luxurious, like one ball of cashmere or silk.

3) Assume that you will be gone for ten days to someplace "foreign" that is known for having great knitting locations. (Bonus: Where would you go on a "knitting holiday"?)

I guess I have already answered that in my previous post : Scandinavia ! There are so many knitting traditions there, and knitting is still very much alive. I am looking forward to my trip this summer, where I will visit all Scandinavian capitals. You can read more about it at www.craftcruises.com. Tips for meeting up with local knitters, or good yarn shopping are still welcome !

back on-line

This blog has been very quiet - the computer died. It left us for repairs, and it took 10 days to return ... They had to replace the grafic card, but as it was still under garanty - so no costs involved (fortunately).
I won't write much, just catch up with some pictures ...

I received a first package from my SP10 - sock yarn, tea, a candle and candy. Thanks SP !
No sign of my knitters treat exchange package yet, but she left me a message, so I know it's on it's way.



I have been swatching with the Bergère de France yarns. I didn't like knitting with the green and white linen-acrylic blend, so that one is out.

Then I swatched with some Phildar bambou that I bought on my trip to the seaside. I swatched for the 'ruffled surplice' - Interweave spring 07 issue. Beautifull yarn, nice pattern. BUT - I would have to buy a lot extra to knit this cardigan.
I really was in the mood for summer knitting, but would like to use up some stash. May has been an expensive month untill now, with a sister marrying and other stuff.
I'll dig out some more stash yarn, and see what I can make with that.
So, I really am between projects now.

I tried finding a good way to finish the lizard ridge - crocheting it together makes a rather lumpy finish. I'll have to undo that. I hate finishing. I knit a lot in the couch, watching (or listening) to the TV. To sew up an afghan, I need a lot of space, and the right mindset.
So - to sum it up : I swatched - no result yet. I tried to finish the afghan - I'll have to restart that. Deeply in need of some tangible results, I knitted socks.

I finished 2 pairs for DS - these are black and whites, knitted with leftovers of Lang 'jawoll', and Schoeller stahl 'sockina'. He likes short cuffs, so I always have leftovers. I also finished grumperina's 'Roza's socks' (no picture yet), started another pair for DS, and started 'spiral boot socks' - Interweave summer 07 issue. More pictures to come!

no knitting - knitters treat exchange.

Chris was so nice to send me a skein of Kureyon for my Lizard ridge afghan. This is color 164. I tried knitting a few rows, but had to stop. It looks like there will be no knitting in the near future (or very limited knitting). The side of my hand (at the base of the tumb) hurts like hell every time I try to knit. Writing by hand is painfull too, but fortunately I can still type. I have decided to try rest and ice. Maybe it goes away quickly.


I have gone shopping for my SP10 spoilee. She lives in the Netherlands, so I can write to her in Dutch. She wanted to try some natural summer yarns. And opportunity for me to buy cotton, bamboo and bamboo/cotton blends in lime green and turqoise. (sorry, no picture) I hope she likes everything. Altough we live in different countries, I suspect the brands of yarn she can get are mostly the same. So I hope she hasn't tried these out.

I also joined another exchange, namely Knitters treat exchange. Not only is this a nice way to get surprises in the mail, but also an opportunity to get to know other knitters.
Here are my answers to the knitters treat questionnaire :


1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
I like all natural yarns, but I really like anything with a bit of silk in it. I once made a cashmere/silk scarf for my son, but sadly managed to felt it the week after I knitted it.

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
100% manmade fibers, and I am allergic to angora. I do believe there is a use for every yarn.

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Look around, and look out for the sock yarns ! Sometimes I have an idea for a project (say a Clapotis) and ask about fiber suggestions for that particular project. But if they have a nice display of projects, I might get inspired by those too.

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
Spinning looks interesting, but I don't think I would like to build another stash. I like designing a quilt, but don't like all the cutting and sewing ! I also do a bit of crochet, but it has more limited uses then knitting.

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Interweave knits. I can buy Vogue knitting locally, and buy an issue if I like it. Other magazines are harder to get. There is no real knitting magazine in Dutch, I do like the general craft magazine 'Handwerken zonder grenzen'.

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:
Knitting / Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip / Garden
I like this order of preference ! I am not into gardening at all, and celebrity/gossip is not my kind of thing either.

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
the occassional sweater, afghans, socks and smaller objects. I have tried lace knitting, but am still new to that (and lace weight yarn is hard to get here).

8. Are you allergic to anything?
Angora yarn

9. What do you like to* smell of?
(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of)
Don't know if I understand this correctly, but I like anything citrus-y

10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Knit and have a good glass of wine (but not at the same time!)

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
I would chose the bakery

12. What do you come out with?
Fresh baked bread and croissants ? And if they sell dark chocolate, I would thake that too (any bakery here in Belgium sells chocolate)

13. Where do you go next?
to the library to get a good book, and then to the park to eat the chocolate and start the book

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?
I trust she (or he) is probably wise enough

SP 10 - lizard ridge progess pictures

I am making good progress on my lizard ridge afghan. This is square 1 to 14, but in the meantime I am already knitting square 16. I have another 3 balls of kureyon, I am still waiting for some more in the mail. It looks like I will be 4 to 5 balls short. If anybody wants to trade some Kureyon for something from my stash or LYS, just drop me a comment.


Because I enjoyed SP9 that much, I decided to join Secret Pal 10. I had great upstream and downstream pals, and of course I am hoping for the same this time.
So, here are my answers to the SP10 questionnaire :


1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I like everyhting - really. I think there is a place for every yarn. A good acrylic can produce a nice baby garment. But of course, I love knitting with the 'better' yarns. I just know that not everybody appreciates real wool. Me, I looove real wool, especially lace-weight yarns (hard to get here). There is one yarn that I sadly am allergic to, and that is angora.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have old plastic tubes that were designed to store needles. They are but-ugly, but serve their purpose. My circular needles are in a carboard box, that I covered with KF fabric. Nice box, if I do say so. It also has a shelf for smaller things (needles, beads, stitch markers ...)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned as a child and hated it then. Picked it back up when my children were born. Untill I discovered the internet and the knitlist, I was a beginner. I think I will qualify as intermediate now. To become advanced, you would need to design your own stuff. I almost always start from an existing pattern.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
no

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like fresh, citrus scents. Nothing to flowery or sweet and heavy.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I love chocolate, but living in a country that has a rich tradition makes me a bit sceptical to foreign brands.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
a little bit of crochet, dyeing, occassionaly cross-stitch, patchwork, cooking. I don't want to take up spinning, I am fearing a new stash might evovlve from that !

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I don't have a real preference, but nothing to heavy. I am not into music really. I usually just listen to the radio.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
If I use it for decoration it can be pretty wild. But for clothing I like more subdued colors. So I will like a burgundy, but not a bright red, a mustard, but not a true yellow, olive but not forest green.... I love all browns and greys ! My blog will maybe give you the wrong idea, because I have posted several Kaffe Fassett sweaters there. I have discovered that I love to knit with color, but I don't wear those garments. That's why I have knitted/crocheted blankets recently. For accesoires it can be a bit wilder. I have hot pink scarves that I wear with black outfits.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a husband and 2 teenagers (or young adults) - my DH and DD are allergic to pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I don't wear a hat often, only when it's very, very cold. I love mittens, and have one poncho, and one poncho/shawl thingie.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
socks !

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am finishing up a lizard ridge afghan. I started a Hanne Falkenberg sweater (ballerina). I really should start a pair of socks. My DD wants some, and my DS is going through his pairs very quickly.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
that depends - surprise me

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Again, there is a place for everything. I have learned to knit with a needle in my armpit, so if it's possible I preferr long straight needles. But some projects need to be knit on a circular needle. And I knit all my socks on very short bamboo dpn's, because socks are my travel project.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I don't, and I really think it would be a nice addition to this household. But I am the only one to think so.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I don't think I have one lying around that is older then 3 years, and that one will probably be frogged.


18. What is your favorite holiday?
I am not really a holiday person, but for seasons I like late spring and early autumn best here in my country.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
'only' yarn and knitting books

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I am always interested in new stuff ! I am subscribed to Interweave Knits.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I have a Danish kit for a scarf in double knitting, and I haven't mastered that one yet. And I have never tried out entrelac. In the lateste Interweave knits (spring 07) there is a gorgeous pair of long socks in a 'woven' entrelac style.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I knit a lot of socks. I wear an European size 39

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
August 25th