aroundthehook

Concours Mélusine Tricote!

2010-05-31T12:02:00.005+02:00

http://melusinetricote.canalblog.com/archives/2010/05/29/18031463.html

Mais pourquoi est-ce que j'ai besoin de pelotes?

Pour m'évader bien sûr!

Attacher chaque brin de laine à un autre, les lier. Les consolider avec le crochet, faire une loooooonnnnggguuuueeeeee chaine au crochet.
Puis se croire au Texas, faire une boucle, faire tourner et lancer le lasso très haut, très haut pour attraper un nuage.

Un beau cumulonimbus doux et duveteux, assez grand pour être confortable. La partie la plus dure arrive. Grimper. Grimper maille par maille, pelote par pelote pour arriver aux pays des rêves. Se hisser sur le nuage, trouver ses appuis sur les éclairs, s'asseoir sur la rosée du nuage.

Se laisser guider par le vent loin au-dessus des mers, voir les baleines comme de petites mouches sauter et pulvériser de l'eau autour d'elles.
Aller à Hawaii, regarder les surfeurs, encore plus minuscules affronter la vague. Rendre visite à la cousine à Rio. Monter en Alaska et essayer de distinguer les ours blancs qui marchent lentement dans leur monde glacé... et craché sur Sarah Palin si l'occasion se présente... Pourquoi pas!

Et enfin, attérir après encore un long voyage sur les côtes pluvieuses de l'Ecosse. Lentement se laisser transporter par la pluie, un peu comme un toboggan. Et s'asseoir frissonante dans une salle bien chauffée avec un pull... fait de 12 pelotes.

Emma

amd with the march sun I come back

2010-03-05T11:12:00.003+01:00

Hello everybody!

I've been soooo away these last days, weeks, months! No time and actually no energy to thinkof more than what does essential living (so that was loads of exam thinking in fact!)

I've still managed to keep an eye on your blogs, quite snowy still it seems, like at the Gephart! And that finally the Garden Bell has been flying south. Spring seems to come at Marigolds' and in the Attic24 too! Lovely! Hope you're all well and starting this new year with a great kick!

so, I have so many things to catch up, I don't even know where to start.

So since we talked last, I've been to Sweden, where all the time went to snowshovelling! It was great! And I came back yesterday from Valencia where we met the sun and the beach. It did really good!

Unfortunately no pictures (yet?) because they're all on my Iphone.

I did pass my exams too. 4.5/6. Not bad, I'm happy!

But what I have pictures of, is this big crochet project that is finished.

You know that some time ago I bought these amazing yarns for actually nothing, remember? Well I wanted to do something REALLY special with all this yarn! But what? And there was so much. So it had to be a big, time and yarn consuming project.

Then whilst surfing around on Ravelry I found the PERFECT project. But the tutorial was for knitting. So I started with my own little knowledge:

- The Ripple pattern from the Attic, that I've already exercised on lovely little Weeble (see 4 articles below)
- My body and it's tricky parts (a very narrow wait but large hips)

And then I started. Bottom-up. And it came out beautiful. I LOVE it!

Okay, I won't make you wait any longer! Here it is!

So I'll leave you with a last picture of my pride-project (yes I still can't believe that I made it :P) And I hope to see you soon again! Take care!

Last post for 2009

2009-12-31T10:10:00.005+01:00

Hello everyone!

Not been very active these last weeks,

so very late to tell you, but Merry Christmas! I haven't even had time to pop in to your blogs, see your photos etc... so that will have to be done now too!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

Snowstorm

The 24th we stayed at home, cosy, lit a fire, ate our Swedish buffet, watched some TV and then opened the presents. I got very lucky there! :-)

Saffran buns

Christmas table

The 25th we went up to Villars, in the mountains and ate at a gorgeous restaurant, Michelin stars and everything. It was just perfect! Snowing and everything. Gipsy behaved too, he was sleeping next to the fire!

Before Christmas, Gipsy was ill, he had an ulcer. Wasn't very fun at all, but I'm happy to say that he is really better now! He is on a strict diet and still has a few medecine-days to go but I think everything is much better!

The 26th thow, we got to know that someone close in the swedish family died, so that wasn't the funniest day ever, but we're starting to cope with it quite okay.

For the remainder of that time, I've been working. A lot. Loads and loads of revisions. So that's that.

The crochet has been going slowly. But this afternoon 3 and a half hours of train are awaiting me so I will have time to crochet... an Iphone cosy! Yes I have an Iphone since 2 days now, I'm soooo Happy! I called "him" Svenne!

So what about tonight, normally I'm going to the mountains, in Zermatt (you know, just next to the famous matterhorn?). My friends are already there, they've been skiing. And tomorrow I'll take the train at 5a.m to go back. Yes, I said 5am.

Ohhh this is such a load of information, hope it isn't too boring to read!

Gipsy did have some fun!

So last thing, I promise!

I actually like to do a little year summary, of the best/happy moments, the sadest moments. I invite you to do the same when you write in your comments.

My best/happy memories of this year were:

- When I got to know that I'd got the "plus" mark, or here we call it the "mention" to my maturity (college) work.

- When I got to know that I'd passed my final college exams. I knew I would pass, but didn't know that I'd be so bloody brilliant!

- The celebration that followed in Sweden.

- My birthday party was fun too

- Deciding a bit more about what I want to do in life. My determination that has grown to go and live in Sweden. I like it.

The sadest moments or the most unhappy of this year are:

- The death of my ex-boyfriend's father

- When I thought I hadn't got my "plus" mark at the maturity work (yes it was a long story that one :P ), and that I had kind of worked as hell, 120 pages work on Scottish tradition and if they are made up for tourists or if they are serving national identity for actually nothing.

- The death in Sweden, now the 26th.

- Finishing my Maturité years, so college. It was a bad period.

So after have done my years awards, I hope you will do the same!

Hope you will have a lovely start on year 2010!

Christmas party at Yiotas!

2009-12-18T11:49:00.000+01:00

What a wonderful idea Yiota and her friend had with hosting Christmas Blogger Party!

I think the idea is great!

So, I have to give away a wee bit of my christmas this year... Actually, I haven't had time to think about Christmas yet, with university etc...

So I think I'll just quickly tell you about how Christmas goes on here. Won't have any pictures, those from last year are really crap!

The tradition is here to always have a swedish buffet, it actually gets smaller and smaller, but that's okay, with me being vegetarian, I'm happy when I've got my favs!
So we get:

-Jansson's frästelse, a potatoe and anchovis gratin
-redbeat salad, with in it: redbeat (seriously?), apples, hering etc...
-meatballs
-ribs
- "brunkàl", a hot dish made out of cole and Golden Syrup

etc...

And the desert is some "Ris à la Malta", in simple words, milkrice with whipped cream in it, with berry sauce. That's yummy!

And after having eaten, we open presents. That's fun! Especially with little Gipsy messing seriously around with papers and "helping" with the package opening!

And what we do then... well it depends. Watch TV, play a card game, read and crochet....

So that's for the 24th. 25th is about the same, family again, cosy but a bit too calm. I can get quite restless and panicky when I don't have something to go (or even know that shops are open, that there is some life somewhere!) But it's okay!

So that's that!

And I forgot! I do believe in Father Christmas!

Contest news!

2009-12-14T18:37:00.001+01:00

Hey there,

Just popping by to give you some news about the contest.

All the texts and participations are stored here: http://melusinetricote.canalblog.com/

If you want to contribute with the votes, I would be very very very pleased if you voted for me. It's of course up to you! There are some really good things!

You can vote once a day. Feel free!

Have a lovely weekend!

Big Slurp and presents!

2009-12-13T16:51:00.006+01:00

Popping in for the weekend post!

How are you all? Not to busy christmassing are you?

So now, after a wonderful breakfast and then being out in the cold to see a horse I use to ride, and a friend,
I'm back to show you... WEEBLE!!!! Yes Weeble is finished!

I love it! Just the perfect length to cover around the feet whilst crochetin on... a new project!

Yesterday, my day went to making small christmas gifts, to one or two friends and for the bus drivers. I made 2 swedish specialities: Glögg and Pepparkakor.
Pepparkakor are these ginger biscuits and Glögg is blackcurrant cordial with water, vodka and spices. It's lovely. So well, here is the production!

Have a good sunday and a nice start of week!

contest

2009-12-12T12:28:00.002+01:00

Hey! I'll pop in tomorrow for a more consistent blog post, filled with "Big Slurps"... For the moment I'm just posting my participation to a contest about the "new generation (internet etc...) knitters". Sorry it's in french ;)

"The contest is hosted HERE

C'est assez drôle comment quelque chose d'aussi vieux puisse devenir aussi actuel. Tout dans le mouvement « on remet les pratiques d'antan à jour », les travaux d'aiguilles ont refait surface des paniers et des mains de grands-mères pour étendre toutes leurs mailles à travers les autres générations, la mode, les rues avec le phénomène « Guérilla Knitting » et même le cyberespace.

Tout le monde ou presque se rappelle avoir tricoté ou crocheté à l'école ou sur les genoux de sa grand-mère. Peu de gens en gardent un bon souvenir. Tout au plus un « j y arrivais pas ». Un peu honteux de passer ses journées à faire des nœuds avec des pelotes indomptables!

Mais cette ère d'aiguilles cachées est révolue! Les mains ont repris, de fil en aiguilles, les pelotes et ont recommencé ce mouvement inlassable de création. Que ce soit des jeunes, des enfants, des hommes, des femmes, des vieilles, le bruit des aiguilles qui s'entrechoquent ou le chuintement du crochet passant la boucle, s'est fait universelle!

Universelle...et plus! Les travaux d'aiguilles ont investi une grande partie du monde www. et http:// . Les grands-mères esseulées au coin du feu en chaise à bascule... ce cliché est fini! Place au siège d'ordi pour relater, montrer et gribouiller sur nos mailles. Toute une communauté d'aiguille s'organise.

Le mouvement s'émancipe. Ce ne sont plus que des vêtements et objets d'utilités qui sont crées. C'est de l'art! L'art du crochet et du tricot, s'exprimant des sous-vêtements aux nappes, des coussins aux pulls. L'art des nœuds et de leur beauté.

Et pour que cet art ne reste pas au placard, il faut l'exposer. C'est là qu'intervient le cyberespace. C'est devenu le véhicule de notre imagination.

Ravelry, blogs, amis des aiguilles virtuels, échanges... tout y passe et tout se trouve! La communauté est crée. C'est grandiose, c'est moderne, ça séduit plus de personnes, c'est facile. Tout ce qui est sur internet est accessible. Alors pourquoi pas moi? Je vais me remettre au tricot, je me rappelle un peu des bases apprises à l'école, on va se lancer... je ne serais pas vue comme une outsider, une bizarre. Non! Je serais une maille de cette grande chaîne! Maille serrée, maille coulée, bride... tout dépend de la timidité et de l'inspiration!

Je prends mon propre exemple. J'ai 19 ans, je suis universitaire. Mon passe-temps c'est le crochet. Je n'arriverais plus à rester devant la TV sans activer mes doigts, tenant le fil, plantant le crochet, le ramenant, enroulant le fil, regardant, observant, on tire, on remet, on refait!

Je ne connais personne qui fait la même chose que moi. Je suis la seule crocheteuse de la famille habitant en Suisse, je suis la seule de ma génération, je suis la seule à crocheter dans des cafés, devant la TV ou à l'université.

Alors où aller pour acquérir de nouvelles techniques, de nouvelles idées, trouver des avis sur les différents fils? Sans dépenser d'énormes sommes sur des livres, budget universitaire oblige? Facile... Google nous cherche « crochet patterns », « crochet site », « how to make a ». Et de fil en aiguille, comme toujours, les sites s'enchaînent, les blogs aussi. Les astuces trouvées, hop un petit commentaire, merci. Internet devient notre référence. Et peu à peu on tisse des liens d'amitiés. Ravelry est un excellent moyen de se perdre dans la sphère de l'irréel tout en restant dans le réel. Les rencontres « Stitch n' Bitch », les « knit and natter », etc... On trouve des amis avec qui crocheter, ou du moins à qui parler de crochet. On trouve des magasins de laines inconnus, on les visite et on explose joyeusement le budget. Quel bonheur!

On suit, schéma par schéma, explications par explications les modèles. On rend l'irréel si réel... on refait ce que d'autres ont inventés, mais à notre sauce. Le « fait avec amour » et la « touche d'épice secrète » font que nos réalisations sont uniques. Tellement uniques qu'on se dit au final... Pourquoi pas? Pourquoi pas moi?

Alors on cours sur blogger, on s'inscrit et on commence... à montrer, à écrire, à tisser une toile en points de fourrure... Ces points ou les mailles tombent, tombent sur d'autres blogs, le temps d'un commentaire ou d'une visite. Le même schéma tout le temps, en rond, infini.

On s'illumine, on demande conseil, on copie, on prend note. On rigole. La communauté est grande, infinie. On choisit une petite parcelle, notre blog, les amis, les suiveurs du blog et l'imagination qui réunit tout le monde. Tout cela dans une tambouille générationelle. On parle à des vieux, à des jeunes, à des middle-aged. Tout y passe, et rien ne nous espace. Nous sommes proches, liés, liés à ce fil entre nos mains qui grandit en une œuvre exceptionnelle. Celle de l'amitié et le pull qu'on se fabrique.

C'est ce qui est si magique... ce n'est pas qu'un cyberespace inconnu, plastique, illusoire. Ce n'est pas le chat où la drague est maîtresse et où le langage sms est de mise. Notre raison d'être sur ce cyberespace est le concret. Et y a t'il plus concret qu'une pratique vieille de plusieurs siècles, qui rappelle des histoires de familles, qui avant était indispensable et que l'on peut tenir entre nos mains? Ou dépendant de la taille, entre nos bras écartés?

Internet a permis d'encourager les électrons libres du travail d'aiguilles à s'unir, à convaincre d'autres gens, à élargir nos limites de créations. Le tricot et le crochet est devenu une énorme molécule composée de gens différents, de différentes cultures, d'idées, et de fils. C'est magique! Car cette molécule, est une molécule stable. Aussi stable qu'un atome de Néon, alors même qu'il y a de la vie sans fin, qu'elle s'élargit et qu'elle bouge constamment. Mais tout est stable autour des aiguilles. C'est notre histoire et notre présent qui se mêle en code html, à l'infini de l'internet.

Emma Mathur, 12.12.2009, http://aroundthehook.blogspot.com"

Fab weekend!

2009-12-06T10:33:00.004+01:00

Hey!!!!

In for the weekend post!

Wow I have never, or at least in a long time, had that much fun!

It started on Friday, with 3 friends we went to see the Supercross, in Geneva. It's a fabulous show, with such enthusiasm, we were yelling, cheering, we came out with no voices left.

Mat Rebeaud, a big FMX jumper! And Swiss!

Then on Saturday night, a friend of mine had his birthday party, 18 years old! It was such fun!!! The theme was "The 7 sins". So I made myself to gluttony and lust!

We danced with 3 friends from 9.30 pm to 01h30 am. On electrostyle, hardstyle and hardcore. It was succcchhhhhhh fun! well, I don't have any legs or feet today... but that's not so important is it?

A good friend of mine, and me

I hope you have had a great weekend! I see some snow has come over the Gephart , I better go and have some good looks at the new posts, Marigold Jam and The Garden Bell have also updated!

XXX

Weekend post!

2009-11-29T10:44:00.001+01:00

Hey everyone!

Wow I'm realising that my beloved blog is only becomming a kind of weekend blog now!
In the week I'm always thinking that I have to tell you that, show you this. etc..

But then, I just don't have the time!
I've been working like mad, I have a "white exam", doesn't count, on tuesday but I'm still working hard on it, to see how I manage things!

I still have had tiny bits of time to crochet, so, I'll show you what I'm doing.

The top hasn't advanced actually, still havent found the courage to try it on and see if it fits!

I'm still working on my snowflakes for the bus drivers, but I've lost my hook and my yarn (at uni I think, will have to check) so they will have to wait for pictures!

Started a short poncho, it's for now just a long rectangle! It takes hours and hours to make so not that fun but it occupies!

And I've made two necklaces. That I really like! The flower one comes from http://creativeyarn.blogspot.com and the other one is from my imagination. If you want, I'll do a tutorial.

And I went to buy a writing book for when I'm bored on the train. I thought it looked sad. So I did put some colours on it :-)

the cover

the bookmark

Hope you're enjoying your weekend,

XXX

See you aroundthehook!

I hate silence. and I love it

2009-11-22T17:42:00.005+01:00

Hey there...

Not a crochety post today... No I need to talk.

I'm alone this week, mom's gone to Sweden and Dad works. I love being alone.

I LOVE being alone, managing my day as I want, sitting around, looking out, walking fast walks (without dog! Yeah I'm really alone.) etc... oh and yeah! Crocheting until fingers and hook burn!

Sweden, this summer

But then! The clock ticks up to 5.30 pm, the dark is set. And ohhhh I HATE it! I have that animal instinct of the dark. I get a little more awake, the ticker in the chest doubles it's rythm, my ears hear everything, and I get crapy nervous. Like really nervous.

Of being alone. So the yummy mega bagel-sandwich I made ended up, half-eaten, in the trash. I can't eat more because all my senses are just SO awake!

And with that, I have this imagination, that I actually love, being able to see fairies in the fogg, cute gnoms under the rain... But at night it's only bizare and creepy animals, red eyes, human beings in my house. And that.. well I hate it. And telling myself that I've locked the door, nobody is here.. well it doesn't help at all!

I hate this! Is it THAT hard being the (post-)teenager that loves making mega parties and finish totally drunk (or something like that), instead of thinking that I shouldn't crochet anymore, because then I have elbow pain and I can't sleep because I think it's a freaking heart attack!

I love a quote I read in a book "In search of English eccentrics" by Henry Hemming. The quote comes from Leopard Man. It's just right.

"Henry Hemming: What's been your happiest moment here[on the Isle of Skye, Tom Leppard lives there in a sort of cave]?
Tom Leppard: I don't think I have one. For me to be extremely happy or extremely sad I need to be around people. If you're alone, I think you can only be content. You don't get real highs and lows. But being alone gives you much greater inner joy. I'm very content here."

I just love this sentence, it's so true! I love feeling gold running threw my blood because I look at nice things, feel alive, see the sun, the fogg. I never retrieve that with friends etc... never that gloriously.

Scotland, 2006

But at least, Augusta, the woman that used to baby-sit me in the days when I was a kiddo in nappies, will be coming to sleep with me each night, yeah well, night-sit a baby ;)

Ohhh it feels nice to have put this down! Hope it isn't to long and boring to read!

I have a new crochet project on the move and yesterday was my mom's birthday, I'll take a picture of her present when she comes back, she actually took it with her.
I'm also making snowflakes, I'll show you them when they are all finished. I love making them!
Weeble is still not progressing, and for the top I frogged the other day (no, the other week, time goes to fast!), it's almost finished but I have still not tried it on!

Have a nice start on week!

Passion?

2009-11-17T17:05:00.003+01:00

Do you consider Crochet and knitting for that matter, as a passion?

I was asked the other day about what I like passions, I just couldn't come around with telling about crochet.

And when once I was telling a friend about what I liked doing, and crochet came out, and he said "oh so that's your passion" I just couldn't come around the idea really.

CAN it be a a passion?

I don't feel that it's a passion. I'm not passionate about making knots! It's just something I do and that I like doing, love doing. But it's not a passion in my opinion!

So... can it be? I absolutely had to ask you!

And well, now that we are at it, tell me your passions!

I had to put at least one picture, this is a little snowflake I sent to a dear friend that lives on the other side of the world, in Bangkok. He used to live just a village next to mine, and we never talked, and now he is on the other side of the earth and we talk. So that's why I put the flake on the computer, and that's why I sent a snowflake...he must be missing snow!

Love!

Ps: I have a fringe and my hair is now henna-red!

Just a little hop-in!

2009-11-13T17:44:00.002+01:00

HI everybody!

How are you all? (this is now a rhetorical question, nobody actually answers it :P )

I've had an other hectic week!

Got my result of the freaking exam, I got 4,02/6, not very very happy. But well...

I'm waiting for my french friend (I showed you some photos of her when I went to visit her, you remember?), she's coming over for the weekend! Yahooo!

So, What I really wanted to show you, is THE love of my life!

How can one just be THAT cute? Well, I was sleeping just next to him before, but couldn't take the picture AND be there...

He looks so human with the head on the pillow and everything! I'm sooo melting!

Have a wonderful weekend filled with wonderfullll crafty projects and other things!

XXX

my week

2009-11-08T10:37:00.005+01:00

Hello everybody!

Really don't have the time to do much on the blog these days, the weeks just run away and on the evenings I just sit infront of the TV with my crochet stuff.

How are you doing? Having a nice weekend?

So I thought I'd put some of my activities this week, that are of course non-school related. Because uni already takes a wee to much space in my life!

So...

With a friend we went on tuesday to one of the biggest labyrinths in the world, it's in Switzerland, we had great fun.

(so where do we go?)

After having worked for hours on a top, I actually put it on (to cold in the evenings to try it on, so I got the idea after toooooo long, and it was already to late...) it was to big. So I frogged... for 10 minuts... and it was all gone! So I did some adjustments this time, with some simple Treble stitches on each side to better control the width of the top. It should look like this: Click!

So now I start again...

and then, yesterday morning we had some lovely breakfast, with fresh bread just bought, jam, butter, honey, and hot chocolate in my new mug, my mom bought me! I think it's absolutely lovely!

Oh and we ate also some grilled Papaya, it's a recipe from Sophie Dahl's voluptuous Delights, a lovely book!

1) cut the Papaya in half, throw away the seads
2) fill each half with lime juice (from a half lime, spare the other half) and some zest from it's skin.
3) put it in the oven, under a hot grill-mode.
4) take it out when it started to get brown.
5) pour some more lime, and then just eat.

It's sooooo good!

Have a nice Sunday! Take care¨!!!!

Emma

Edit: it's a bad day and a bad weekend, I think the only thing I've been doing is crochet for the pleasure of frogging and ripping afterwards. Shit Happens

So much news! But lets start with a Big SlurP!!!!

2009-10-30T18:14:00.005+01:00

Hey everybody! How are you?

Ohhhh I couldn't waitttt to be at the end of this long week (I had my first exam and I have NO idea of how it went, we'll see!) to show you my new perfect, warm, soft lovely scarf!

It's done in Merino Lang- Superwash. The pattern came from Ravelry. I loveeeee Ravelry, do you use it? Like it?

It's a clove scarf. So here let's not wait longer!

THE scarf!

It looks comfy on! :-)

I love feeling my own little production around my neck! It feels just nice! And perfect!

And then, I came home, from the last day of university of the last week in October to find a Big Box waiting for me! I knew what was in it! I LOVE it!

I ordered yarn from a very nice lady going out of business and selling the yarn at low low low prices. And here it came!

Can't wait to start my projects! But one thing at a time! I've some gloves to finish for my mom, then her birthday present and then... we'll see :D

I know one little tyke who is ready for a cuddly evening! All cuddled up in his blankies in the mornings! One can almost not see him!

Lovely weekend to you lovely persons visiting and taking the time to comment my blog!

XXX See you around the hook!

Big Slurp of a Little Thing!

2009-10-22T18:51:00.004+02:00

Hey everybody!

How are you all?

In my piece of land I'm having a hectic time, a loooonnnngggggg week, so I actually slept under class today!

So... the fun bits of these 7 last days were!

A friend lent me her sewing machine so I could at last start my first patchwork project!
So I started on saturday morning with cutting squares, cutting and cutting and cutting...

Then arranging them all on the kitchen table... then counting them and seing that 20 squares are actually missing, so cutting and cutting perfect squares again.

So at the end of the cutting I was a wee bit pissed of the cutting. I put the machine on and started assembling 2 squares. They came out totally freaked. After 4 squares together, the separations weren't neat and tidy, they weren't straight.

So then I told myself to stop mesuring for nothing and start having fun. So that's what I did, and I DID have FUN!...until the machine broke down.

Next day, so Sunday morning I started again with the squares again, after having repaired the machine (yes the squares were on the table all night). I continued having fun! So it didn't get great or glorious, but I actually am in LOVE with my first cushion!

So that's was the Highlight 1 of the "week" (well last weekend). Then, tuesday evening, my best friend and I had a girls night out, a lot more frivolous than the cushion making, but it does good!
We went to the Chippendales!

Here,my friend and I with 3 of the Chippis!

How have your week been?

A little thought too Dzet from http://earthlycolours.blogspot.com/ who has had some uni exams this week, hope everything went well!!!!

XXXXX

The Big slurp!

2009-10-15T19:30:00.003+02:00

Everybody!

Here it comes! I've finally had 2 small minuts (and those were on monday at 6 a.m) to take some pictures- quite lousy because of the early hours- of the Stella Shawl!... well it should be the Emma Shawl now that I've done it ;)

With the flash so the pattern comes out!In my favourite mirror! Isn't it great? Yup don't look at me, it actually WAS 6am ;)

It is very comfy, it keeps warm and well... I think it came out quite right! :-)

Otherwise, the temperature is getting realllyyyyyy cold here, we were at -1°C this morning and there is a cold wind, the Bise. Crappy crap!
How is your fall getting on? Getting all cosy and hibernating? :)

Take care!!!!

Glorious Sunday

2009-10-11T10:38:00.002+02:00

Hello everybody!

Have you been sleeping well? Hope so :)

I went out with Gipsy this morning under a sun that could be an august sun. Only the leaves reminded that we are approching winter!

It's almost scary how warm it is outside... Global warming?!

I wanted to talk about university a bit, as you know, I'm in geoscience faculty, option geography. I really like it! Except for the maths bit. And the cartography! But I love Ressources & Population, Water Cycle, Territorial systems etc...

There are so many new feelings, new surroundings, new methods to take in, it's really exciting! But also exhausting! Starting 5th week tomorrow and I still haven't got a routine.

And then... only 9 weeks to go and then... the first exams. I can't understand where time has gone!

So well... Here I am on a glorious sunday, trying to see where the hell time passed.

And for the crochet.... Weeble is getting on, not so fast because I'm having projects in parallel, I did a shawl for the mother of a friend (Christmas present), I'm getting paid for the work, nice so I can get some yarn of the money! And I've started a new scarf that turns out great!

But all those projects and the Big Slurp for the Stella Shawl will have to wait for... well... until I've got some more time!

Have a great sunday!

XXX

Quickly!

2009-10-01T20:38:00.004+02:00

The Mont-Blanc, one can see it like that from our house

Hello lovelies!

Just a quick hop-in to Blogland today, reading all about your day activities!

My day was rough, couldn't sleep all night, the 4 poor neighboor chihuahuas... they barked outside the whole night, I hate that new neighboor we have, she never walkes the poor dogs! I'll call the police in 2 weeks if it hasn't gone better.

Then early up, take the train to the university, start at 8, finish at 5pm. Longggg getting home at 6. 6h30 out with doggy for an hour walk... Than just about had time with my shower and now I'm sitting here clicking and typing away!

But what I really wanted to show you, and couldn't wait! On Monday's usual evening walk we got a great surprise...we're used to see them at fall, but not this close, not this near, not this beautifully! Last year, they flew over my head whilst I was coming home from school.

But this year!

Wow!

The STORKES! Near! Unafraid! Beautiful!

ZzZzZzZ

2009-09-29T17:00:00.003+02:00

Yes.... ZzZzZzzzzz I'm sooooo sleeepy!

After have danced 4 hours in a row on Saturday, getting to bed at 5am on Sunday and then 2 whole and long days of University, I'm just kind of finished off!

But the weather is superb! Really warm and sunny! That's a real positive point!

Not a lot of time... so the Big Slurp will have to wait... But Big Slurp of what???

No idea???

Okay, I give it a way... here it is! (picture taken at 6am this morning so no comments on the quality ;p )It's the Stella Shawl!

Finished!!!!!

But for today I just wanted to show you a wee fellow that has adopted Weeble (that hasn't grown since the last pictures, but who cares? )

Looking at it, observing it...

Trying to sympatize with it...

And well... adopting it!
Hope you're having a good start on your week! <3

+1!

2009-09-26T10:11:00.002+02:00

+1... yes yesterday was my 18 + 1 years... I'm 19 now!

Such odd feelings! It was a wonderful day!
It started with the tradition of getting the presents in the morning. Really nice presents! A lovely bracelet, money, cards, boots and shoes, etc... nice! nice! nice!

(the boots!!!!)
Then got some sms' but not so many as last year, everybody just prefering Facebook... and that makes me quite sad. I always send an sms (or call) if I know the person. But all in all, I'm happy.

In the evening, mom made some good food and had bought a cake (passion fruit & chocolate!) and then I went out with a friend.

This evening will be a big party at a local bar & disco. Can't wait!

I love love LOVE birthdays and christmas. But it's also so not the same. It's like there is an invisible filter that just says "You can't enjoy it like before, you're not a kid anymore!"
Why can't we be kids on that day? Dunno.

I just want to say to all kids to really remember every single minut of all their birthdays, to bottle it up, and seal it neately. And keep it. For when they become officialy grown-ups.

I wish you a lovely weekend!

XXX

Yesterdays long walk!

2009-09-21T10:04:00.002+02:00

Yesterday was a really Perfect Cosy day.

Well it started by loads of maths to do, that wasn't the funniest but it feels so good to have finished it!

Then came a nice breakfast, bread, jam, butter, fruit. It was already noon.
I was so tired after the 2 hours of maths so I went to bed again.. and slept until 3pm! But boy did it do good!

The weather, still quite cloudy was holding up from rain, and the light got brighter and brighter. Time to go out! And that was exactly what Mom, Gipsy & I did. We took the car to the loveliest place in the neighborhoods, where we so want to find a house to live in! There are 2 villages next to each other and above them (between them and the Jura mountains) there is a big agricultural space, filled with crops and cows. And then comes the slopy Jura chain with it's forest filled with paths and mysteries! In one of the villages it's said that there are more horses than people.... yes I did ride for 6 years ;)

Isn't the landscape beautiful? It's definitely automny colours now.

Well, we took a gigantic walk, so peaceful, and that light, bright but not sharp, soothing and warming! Gipsy had great fun running around in his long lead, drinking water in a small river, looking for mice.

He finished just so dirty, look at this! :-)

What have you been up to this weekend?

I hope you had some nice weather!

We have the luxury of having this monday off, I'll be spending it snuggeled up in a blanket, hot chocolate drinking, crocheting and watching the telly.

XXXX

Weeble!

2009-09-19T11:55:00.002+02:00

Here are some pictures, at last, of the Ripple Blanket,
In other words... called Weeble! ... Yes... Wee Blanket... Weeble... I love it!
And I love rippling now that I have, at last, understood how to do it!

Can't wait to stick my cold feet under it after a long day in university, a nice shower and then... Weeble and I, infront of the TV. I just CANT wait!

So... here Weeble comes!

You might remember one of my first articles about making an orgy-like yarn buying at Tricolaine in Carouge...
Well, I got this yarn, a heavenly Debbie Bliss yarn, soft, warm, not fussy.

Welllllllll

Nowwwwwww

It has almost transformed totally in a, like magic, blanket.

Let's not wait any longer!

I so hope you like it!

The funniest is that I started working on it (well trying at least, coudn't get the pattern right at that moment) 5 days before Lucy from Attic24 announced her Ripple Blanket, and even more important, the reason why she was making it, her baby!

So yes, you have understood that it is Attic24's design ;)

And now, well... my first week at university! I love the subject (geography that is), it takes some time to adjust to the independance etc... And there is some horrible, heart breaking, achy maths to do too. Crap and double bollocks in my opinion! (why the hell does maths exist in fact?)

But well... otherwise the weather has definitely switched to automn even thow, the sky is blue and the sun shines warmly, one can walk around in a skirt and a top, but the wind is a lot cooler and the air is not as searingly hot.

BUT! In 6 days (next Friday!) it's my birthday...so the automny thing doesn't matter just yet. In seven days it will, because then it isn't as interesting any more.. You know, observing the weather changes, you know the B-day comes nearer and nearer... Well after that... it's just a long way to go in cold and dark days. Before Christmas ;)

I'm off, going shopping some yarn (yay!) and then working on my maths!

Have a wonderful weekend!

See you Around the hook!

Finally!

2009-09-15T17:11:00.004+02:00

Here I am again!

I have had so much to do so poor blog had to have fun all by himself, thanks to the other bloggers he had some nice comments to eat!

My vacation in Spain was fantastic! It was hot, sunny, the sea was really warm (26°C) and we had a great time! Sitting on the beach all day, taking in as much sand, sea and sun for the winter.I meant to publish an article when I came back, but I took some time to recover from the fright in the aeroplane on the way back. I hate flying. And in the middle of the journey, we hear a sound that sounds well... like a motor that's switched of. And then there was smoke in the cabin. But no problem was reported to the cockpit, so we continued and landed safley.
Well, that's that

and then, yesterday, I started University! I quite like it!
I'm in Geoscience section Geography. Yesterday I came back quite disappointed, but today I had some really interesting courses, I hope it will go on like that! :-)

The university is in Lausanne, I have to take Public Transports to get there, about one people crowded hour to get there, and the same in the evening, so that's a bit annoying.

And what's around the hook for now?

Many many things!

I'm still waiting for the Merino yarn from Sweden to come, so that I can finish my Stella Shawl!
Whilst waiting I have at last started a Ripple Blanket (for the feet), I took a looong time before getting the thing right, I still don't know my error but now it's fixed :-)

I still have that fishy sock project on, but I can't fined a pattern that suites me really. So that's a hell of a stand-by.

No pictures yet. Have a great backache and just am tooo lazy to go upstairs and take a little picture!

So tell me, what are you doing with your hooks now in the beginning of Fall?

XXXXXX

Emma

ze BIG thrill of the day!!!!

2009-09-05T13:13:00.006+02:00

I'm sooooo happy!

After almost 5 hours of work with my ex-boyfriend, then putting things in order etc... my working room is so finished!

I LOVE it and am so proud of it, after having worked on it soooo much!
There is still some details to be done as for some lamps, the walls are a bit empty still, the curtains must have embraces etc...

Here are some picture :-)

Entering the room...
My reading-audiobook listening-crocheting corner

The big shelves for biggggg university studies ;)

For the crocheting.... Well I'm waiting for the yarns to finish the Stella Shawl and I have started a total freak out project, meaning I absolutely don't know what it will turn out to (edit: nothing)

Hope all of you are well!

I'll not post for a week or so, I'm going to Spain tomorrow, staying until thursday and the friday, first day of university! See you then!

Take care! XXX

Back from France!

2009-09-02T12:06:00.003+02:00

Hi everybody!

Did you have a nice weekend?

I had a lovely one!
I went up to do a surprise to one of my best friends (haven't seen her for 2 years!) for her birthday. You know... the Granny Square bag? Well...it was for her!

We spent a lovely weekend, celebrating her sons birthday ( 3years) and then hers (20).

I could visit Luxemburg, it's really lovely!

Here are some pictures!

Some lovely flowers in a little village in Luxemburg

My friend, Doriane :-) by the Moselle
First evening we went to the fair in Luxemburg town, it was great! Eating candy and other goodies!
Kenzo (her son) and me in the Moselle

Now...
Remember? I was talking about painting my room... Well it's done, a little sneak peek just to see the color ;)

The ugly pink (that looks a lot darker when you see it in the room that never gets direct sun light) is getting covered by a pistachio-lime light green colour, a satinated one, that once it's dry gets a really satinated and smooth touch, almost shiny. You'll see it when everything is finished and in place :-)

Have a nice week!

Sneak peaks... at last!

2009-08-23T19:17:00.005+02:00

Hi everybody!

How are you all?

I'm soooo not updating my blog! But it's just egg-cooking hot so just sitting infront of the computer is horrible!

But tonight is cooler, with a wind blowing here and there so here I am... after a day of fruit eating (my favourites are coming up on the markets: white peaches, the last strawberries and pears!), what are your favorite fruits????
living on the edge... who said fruit was boring????

So let's not wait any longer, here are the sneak peaks,

I first mentionned the Drunken Harry Potter scarf (Dhp), I've made it with Rowan Lenpur Linen, it's simple as a bee, it's maid out of 2 double-crochets closed together, the whole way.

Why did I call it Drunken Harry Potter? Well, because the common HP scarves are 1) in the HP houses colours 2) made in a very thight stitch and with quite rough yarn... This one is made of funky colours (suiting my trench coat) and made with quite airy stitches. I'm finished with it, but I didn't have enough of the blue (damn yarns with different lengths! ) so I had to finish it of with an other blue... that I have to hide in some way, am thinking of it :-)
But for the moment, here is Dhp!

Then, I mentionned the Stella Shawl, it's going great! I love it even if it's quite demanding, about 1 hour to come around once now that it grows from big to huge! But I'm really fond of it and it'll be cosy to have it on the shoulder when the cold fall mist will come!
... It's red... but my camera must be in love with someone else, the mad thing doesn't make as good pictures as it used to :-P

Hope you're having a lovely end of summer! I'm preparing for University, starting 14th of September, apprehension & "I can't WAIT to be there!"

XXX

Emma

Sweden pictures!

2009-08-19T11:05:00.004+02:00

Hey there!

Thanks for the comments :)

Getting along with the fact that I'm back to the land I've always lived in. Even thow I just want to go back to Sweden!

I've some problems uploading my pictures :(

But still, here are some pictures of Sweden!

Just tooooo lazy to get around taking pictures of the shawl and the scarf, it will be for another day, it's just SO hot here ! I'm melting!

How's the weather for you?

My graduation party, Mum did it as a real swedish one, with the hat, the birch tree, my family etc... it was great!
I don't have so many pictures of the landscape this time! But here are some berries :)

Tonight, I'm going to my first Stich-n-Bitch, in Geneva, will be fun! :)

See you around the hook!

Last day...

2009-08-16T10:24:00.002+02:00

Hey everybody!

Sorry for not being sooo connected this week, haven't visited your blogs in 3 days!
But today is my last day in Sweden, at my grandparents. Leaving my country makes me sad! I so want to stay here!

Yesterday we had a family party to celebrate my graduation! It was great!!!!

I don't have time to upload the pictures today, I'll do it an other time but for now you can view them on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=296207&id=604340363&l=7ebb6faefa

What for the crocheting? Well, my harry potter scarf is on stand-by, I forgot a yarn at home!

I've started the well known Stella Shawl

and I have soon finished the center motive!

Hope you are all well!

XXX

Emma

Here comes the pattern: Galaxy bag

2009-08-13T11:51:00.005+02:00

Hey everybody!

Spent my last 2 hours struggling with Open Office to get my pattern right. I think it's quite okay now...

You can get it on Ravelry, here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/galaxy-bag

And you can download them on these links, I couldn't make it on one PDF, the share site wouldn't take it, it was to big.

Click here for first part!
Click here for second part!

Hope it's clear enough, and please give me a feedback!

XXX

Black currant cordial!

2009-08-11T13:14:00.005+02:00

Hi hi!

First of all, thanks to everyone who have spent a little of their time to post some comments on my blog, it makes me SO happy! :) Thank you!
A wonderful flower to thank you all (you may also grab a crayfish!) :

The pattern tutorial is comming, I'm working on it but it's quite hard, I have problems finding my words in english when I crochet in french!

Yesterday, before the Big thunderstorm, I picked about 2 kilos of black currant in the garden. Today I made 2 bottles of cordial from 1 kilo of fruit.
The proportions are: for each kilo of fruit, 10 dl water. Then, for each liter of cordial, 600 gr. sugar.
Here are some pictures!

wash the black currant, then pour the water, let it boil until all the currants have given their juice (squash them a bit against the pot). Filter the currants in the linen net, not to long so that the Vitamin-C doesn't escape ;). Boil up again, ad your sugar, low boiling for 10 mins. Take of the froth over if needed, pour the cordial into hot bottles, close. Decorate it if you will give it away. The one decorated bottle on the picture is only going to the neighbour (and mom's cousin) but he took me cray fishing, gave us crayfish and chanterelles. So he deserved his nice bottle :D

Big Slurp, number 2!

2009-08-07T13:52:00.003+02:00

Here is my Galaxy bag, finished and happy.

I really wanted this bag to come out as a reekingly joyfull bag, you know, you hate it, it is just toooooo much, too colourfull, too messy, too everything. I wanted this excentric old ladies bag that just clames I’M HERE!!!!... and I think I got it just right!

So folks... here it is!

The GALAXY BAG!

The pattern is being written, in between 2 activities, I'll put it on Raverly and here, even if it's an "Attic24" inspired bag, I still changed quite some things.

Hope you like it!

See you soon! :)

Long time no see

2009-08-07T13:46:00.003+02:00

Hey everybody!

Haven't written in quite some days, but well, am on holidays.
On monday mum & I flew to Stockholm, spend 2 days in this beautiful capital! Great time & weather, what more? I want to go back!!!!
Here are some pictures!:)

Then we drove for about 4 hours to go to my grandparents home and sins then we have been sooooo busy! We are redoing the whole balcony & veranda that was before, happily rotting. So after many hours painting, filling and waiting, and of course a horrid back-ache, it's almost finished!

Well... we did still have some treats... as strawberries and the best? some fresh picked chanterelles on buttered bread!

What did I have with me in my suitcase? Oh... a Big Slurp element! let's see... in the next article :)

peeping in the stash & new project!

2009-07-30T20:08:00.005+02:00

Helloooo folks!

How are you today?

here nothing special, some busy days chatting with friends, that's what I did today in Geneva and then I thought, why not go to that yarn shop I saw on ravelry?

So I went to Carouge & to the shop & came in a small paradise called Tricolaine! Some wonderful people and really wonderfullllllllllllllll yarns!

Here are some pics!

First a lovely, very earthy and volcanic coloured yarn, I just LOVE it! and Mr. Dog seems to agree

Then some pale springy colours

And then the yarns for my next project: Harry Potter scarf!

I wanted to show you my new baby, the pictures are REALLY crap, but it is an "attic24" inspired bag, except that I'm doing galaxy stitches instead of plain stitches...well I'm kind of improvising and testing really. We'll see!

The Big Slurp!

2009-07-27T15:03:00.009+02:00

So... here I 've finished... the bag I told you all about (and that I didn't want to show you... but blimey I can't wait!)
So here it is!

The tutorial, a PDF file is available on Ravelry, click here

You can also get it here: click

So much to tell (show!)

2009-07-27T14:14:00.006+02:00

Hey everybody!
Hope you have had a good start on your week, here it's partly cloudy but the sun keeps peeping out, that's nice!

I just have soooo much to tell, so here comes the upgrade!

First of all, I got this wonderful present from a dear friend, for my graduation, it's a "university pack": So what's in it?
- a thermos
- a mobile phone pocket "give me your number
- a ruler
- a page marker
- chocolate (that's gone already!)
- orange juice
- a key ring
- a banana pen
- a lush bath "Jasmin bath ball"
- Scotchtape holder
- a little bag clock
- a USB connecting fan
- a USB connected tea warmer (it's the blue cat platform, get's hot when you connect it to the computer)
- an eraser
- a tip-ex
- some pens

It's lovely isn't it?

Next 1... I have got my books! This morning! They seem really good :) I'll work on a new cushion project as soon as I get a nice one! :)

Next 2... I forgot to present you my wee dog, a beagle, named Gipsy, he's 6 years old and... well he is just the best dog in the world. So... here he is!

So now... I have to find a section name for when I have my patters and crochet things finished... I chose "The big slurp" ... Why? That's kind of weird...

Well because: To finish a crochet project is as lovely, as rare (not every day you finish a project) and it makes you as happy as a big slurp.... What the hell do I mean? No I've not gone bonkers (yet)! But currently I thaught it would be a fun illustration of the "here it is, I've finished!"

So let's have one of those "big slurp moment"... in the next article! :)

Little cultural news... or at least fun things!

2009-07-22T12:29:00.008+02:00

Hey there!

Busy days! Have been to the cinema, to see Harry Potter 6... It's magnificent! Just so so so funny & dramatic at the same time! Love it!
Have you seen it? What do you think about it?

Then, this week is Paleo, a big festival just next door, yesterday I went to see Placebo & Kaiser Chiefs, it was really good!

I do also have a new crochet project, a hand bag made with patchwork squares, 4x4 squares on each side, the three rows from the bottom will be plain squares and the top row will be granny squares as showed here. I'm not putting any pictures of the work going on 'cause it's a birthday gift, don't want to show it before I give it!

So for now, I thought I'd show you the projects I have done.

First, a short dress, a model from "Phildar":

And a really simple top, nice!

So that's all! Have a nice day!!!

Evening crocheting!

2009-07-19T22:51:00.004+02:00

Hey there!

How has your day been?
I got all of my cosy planned things done, it was wonderfully relaxing, ended the day by an hour walk.
Then I tried out some nylon crocheting, I'll put the pictures in soon.
But what I also did today was to really make a nice corner for my crocheting: I used an old basket where everything odd was stored, cleaned it up and put some of the Ikea mini-baskets in and could then sort out my wool, my decoration (ribbon, eyes, etc.. for when I make fairies), my hooks and all the books...

I'm quite excited, I put in earlier today an order for books, I can't wait to receive them, they are in french ( I get bloody messed up with the english stitch names!) , but you must know about them, I think they all are english from start... hope that the translation will be okay!

- 250 points au crochet, Phildar
- 200 carrés au crochet: Pour couvertures, jetés et plaids, Jan Eaton
- La Bible du crochet, Betty Barnden
- Crochet moderne, Melody Griffiths

Voilà!

Have a nice night, sleep tight!

How to recycle a totally freaked sock (yes it IS horrible)...

Cosy Sunday!

2009-07-19T11:03:00.006+02:00

Hi everybody, or more for now, kind of nobody ;),

For one of the first times of my life I actually really look forward to my day! This past month has been reallyyyyy hectic, first with my exams (3 weeks) then with the celebrating because I passed

Then I went to a camp as leader, it was in a lovely barn where children (from 6 to 10) learned how to take care of animals, play outdoors etc... Lovely but intense, 6 days with 26 children!

Straight after Family & I & a friend went to Barcelona, where Dad has a flat, he actually works from there as a pilot. Nice to chill out in the evenings after a long dayyyyyyy at the beach. But still it is quite different from being alone with family, having a friend over is also quite some job!

So now I'm reeeeaaaaallllyyyy happy to have this Sunday alone at home, Mom stays in Barcelona until tomorrow.

AND I'm happy that the weather isn't really stunning, not to feel guilty about snuggling up in the couch for the rest of the day! See? The sun doesn't really want to come out and it's quite chilly!

But for the day to really start nicely, got up after allowing me quite a sleep in (until ten o'clock) I went to the local shop in my beloved Fisherman's pants, get some milk and a pastry. Then I got home, made myself a Choc-ô-lait, do you know it? Here, it is a chunky bit of Belgian chocolate you dip into your hot milk... it's gorgeous!
Then, I took a bit of these flat crispy swedish breads, buttered it and put some Guava Jam on it. This jam is really hard to find in Switzerland, do you have it?

If yes, here is a simple but really nice recipy:

- 1 puff pastry (bought or home made) - Guava jam (or jelly) - Philadelphia cream cheese You have to cut circles in your puff pastry (with a cup for an example), put a tea spoon of guava and a tea spoon of cream cheese on the circle, close it up in half (completely!) then grab a fork and do some edging so it sticks together, then just smear egg yolk on each of the half-circles and put it in the oven ( about 200°C) until they get a nice golden color!

So... I think that's that for now, I got to get cracking with my cosy day! Crocheting, order some crochet books, sleep and whatch some films!

Tell me, what films do you like watching on your cosy days?

See you Around the hook!

Hi there!

2009-07-18T14:05:00.002+02:00

Hi everybody!

Welcome to around the hook,
Why around the hook? Because I love crocheting! I'm not an expert but I just love doing it and trying new things etc...

So... this blog will be about what I like, crochet, food, animals, weekends etc... so let's see what we will get out of it!

My name is Emma, I'm 18, I live in Switzerland but actually am swedish, scottish and indian.
Why not this blog in french then, a language I speak and write really better than english? Because it's not for friends to read and I'm doing it for me and possibly you readers!

What give me the idea? This wonderfulllllllllllllll blog: attic24
I just love it!

So... welcome again!

Hoping you're having a lovely weekend!

picture: me, myself & I, in Sweden, at my grandparents. april 2009