A short time ago I discovered this site and I found it really fascinating.

The reason why I decided to join today ist that I'm now able to transfer the photos from my mobile phone to the pc.
So I hope it will be possible to take a picture every week.

Since yesterday I have got a 'lent' dog.
My mother's face is hurting so we decided that she has to stay at home because it's very cold outside.
I went for a walk in the forest with the dwarf Schnauzer Paula (is that the right description in english?).
Wonderful weather, the sun was quite warm.


The dog and I.




Brrrrrr. It was still a bit cold.

Is there something in the fields of knitting and working with wool that you have not dared to do yet, allthough you would like to try it?

Haha, there are lots of things. Actually everything except of scarves, gloves, simple socks and a raglan sweater. Not to mention spinning. But I decided to change this.
I would like to knit a Birch with the Kidsilk Haze I got from my Wool-Fairy. There is a well explained pattern, even I should be able to unterstand it. But I will try it at first with another wool.

This question was asked by the curious Wollschaf.

I have finished a thing that I can show you. It's my mother's birthday today and I gave her this scarf as a present:



It's a scarf with corners, here is the pattern. Very simpel. It's made of the wool 'Luna' by 'Rellana' which I bought a short while ago at Uta's Shop. Very nice wool.

In addition to that I finished the present for Secret Pal. That was a wonderful feeling - two things at one day. The rest of the weekend I did some crochet for the blanket.

But the best thing was, that four of our aspirants of the last week made their way into the charts.
We could slap on our backs.

When I came home this evening I saw it lying on the stairs. My Wool-Fairy had announced it and I had been really excited. But now I held it in my hand: my parcel from my Wool-Fairy.
The last time I had teared open the parcel fastly, this time I was more cautious and took a photo at first:



That's the present that was in the parcel together with a very sweet postcard:



It was written on the card, that there would also be something for my ill chidren. Therefore the children came running, grabbing the jellybabies.



Dear Wool-Fairy, I have portioned them fairly, a red jellybaby was left and it was eaten by myself. Very tasty! The children were very pleased and they liked the funny paperbacks.

But actually I would like to report what happened to me when I opened the present.
I don't know how to describe in words the kind of noise we make when we inhale loudly. That's what I did as I saw the Kidsilk Haze. Dear Wool-Fairy, what did you do? :) Kidsilk Haze!! And such a wonderful pink!



I nearly had a cardial arrest, I really was amazed. My first impulse was to run to the phone for a big 'thank you' - but that's not possible. Here follows a little
speech
This wool is so pretty! Of course, I have already read a lot about it but I would never have bought it myself. So I will have to start knitting such a nice shawl. Perhaps it's good to live as a wool-snob. :)
In addition to that, there was a surely tasty Rooibusch (don't know the english word) tea. I'm going to have a cup in a moment.
Dear Wool-Fairy, you have made a great pleasure!
Thank you! Let me hug you.

I have signed up here:


Who wants to participate: you can only sign up today!

Who makes the pattern? You or the yarn? What motivates you more? A sophisticated pattern or a yarn which creates the pattern by itself?

That's easy, for me it's the yarn which creates the pattern.
At the moment I am not yet able to knit difficult patterns, not to mention knitting with several yarns at the same time.
But the emphasis lies on 'not yet'. I have decided to learn that stuff in the future.

The question was asked by the'Wollschaf'.

my daughter and I. My suggestion was accepted.
I already told you that I did one together with my grandmother and my mother when I was a child.
I wonder how fast Julia and I will make a progress. But we don't have to hurry - and the child has already started yesterday. At the moment - unfortunately she is still ill - she is sitting on the sofa:



I am knitting presents for my wool-princess, my secret pal and another birthday girl. Therefore I can't show you anything.

of the Aspirant I'm surfing the web, looking for good music and interesting links.
Yesterday I talked with Oz about the possibility of creating a mp3-cd for my wool-princess or my secret pal. Oz mentioned that this might be illegal and adviced me to search free mp3s in the web.
I was a bit frustrated because I thougt that this would not be succesful.
But as Oz is shifter I acted on his advice. And it's true - behind each corner lurks a band offering songs and videos. Great. And I have found something I liked immediately:



Hard-fi mit Cash Machine. You can download the song here.
A bit too rock-like for knitting, but good for the mood.
Perhaps we should launch a special 'candy' for the weekend at the
Aspirant.

When ill children try to recover on the sofa, it looks like that:



The mother asks herself from which illness - except of cough, sniffles and earaches - they suffer.
Please, recognize that they are sitting in my 'knitting corner'.

Today some advertising on our own account.
Since a few weeks we are having the Chartbreaker-blog. Each week we are saying hello to the new songs in the german single charts and good-bye to those who left. That's fun, but sometimes we really have to grumble about things we don't like. This had to be improved, therefore we created the Aspirant. Each day of the working week we are going to present a new song which has not reached the charts yet. That's a fine thing because we have a greater and, above all, free choice.
Oz has done some very nice handicrafts: in the Chartbreaker at the top of the right side.
Check it out!

Beetles, moths... there are lots of mean beasts which want to snap our wool. How do you protect your stock?

Hm, I have never thought of that so far. Well, actually I do nothing against it.
A part of my wool is lying in plastic bags in my knitting basket. Another part of my wool is taken in a carton - also in plastic bags. Perhaps I should buy lavender.
Until that - knock on wood - so far I did not have insects.

for my woolprincess and my secret pal I have finished at the weekend. Of course, I can't show them now.
Secret Pal 7 has started and I'm really going to make presents for someone far, far away. But that's all I'm allowed to say. May pal has already contacted me. Hach, that's really fun!
And as we are dipping into the wide world, I have got somethinge for you that should spread positive vibes:
Mr. Bush is dreaming of peace - download Nr. 7 and listen to it.
Peaceful knitting!

Just found here:

You Are a Rose

You are a total alpha female who tends to be a leader. Your friends depend on you to hold things together and make decisions. Men are drawn to your feminine powers and strength. While you are the center of attention, you are secretly introverted and a bit shy.

Cool, until now I only knew male alphas.

don't belong together?
They do!
For the Lady Wollita



Kraftwerk and Stereo Total composed songs.
Funny and amazing.

It seems that I am knitting the wrong things.

I would not have accepted anything else:

Your 2005 Song Is

Hung Up by Madonna "Every little thing that you say or do I'm hung up I'm hung up on you" You'll be rockin' in the New Year in your croch-o-tard!

- since a few days each night through the babyphon.

I can hear that the child gets up, walks to the toilet through the dark night, uses the toilet, walks back to his room. He does not say 'Help me, I have to pee, it's dark!' or things like that. He is able to do it all alone. But then he lays in front of the babyphon and speaks with a sonorous voice 'Mama, I'm afraid.'.

Today the child went to the dentist. While the mother even hesitates to do a phone call, not to mention sitting in the waiting room, yesterday the child only said 'that it would be a good thing, to go to the dentist again' (Is that really my child?).
And he remained true to hisself, he went into the practice with solid steps, inspected the instruments of torture together with the assistant, and opened his mouth widely when the doctor came into the room.
The doctor tried to obtrude a shot but this was denied. While I was suffering from the typical dentist's noise the tooth was repaired very quickly. The child took some time for small talk with the doctor, snapped a toy and I toddled behind him to the reception.

That's crazy, next night I'm going to stay in bed.

like me are already now waiting for spring.
For me it's awful cold outside und when I consider that it's going to be that cold for the next two months I am shivering even more.
If one of you is feeling like me I would like to recommend this
spring for your ears:



When you are looking into the mirrow with it at least your heart becomes warm.

What about your partners?
Do they accept your obsession for knitting or do they needle you?
For the singles: Would you speak about your obsession during the fist date or would you wait?

Hm, that's a sensitive subject.
When I started to knit again about a year ago Oz was very critical. He almost went mad when he saw me together with my knitting.
For him it seems to be a waste of time. I think he can't understand why it makes fun.
Meanwhile, the situation has become calmer - he received socks.
I think he gets along with it much better since I created a blog. That's his thing.
Since I infected him and the childern we are even all together blogging here and we are having fun.

Since yesterday I am listening to that:


Mattafix, Signs of a Struggle.

And I can' t get enough. The single, Big City Life, is in the radio the whole day. I did not know that there is also a longplayer since November.
While I am filling in a stupid application I am floating through rhythmic and spherical sounds. What kind of music ist this? Reggae together with dance, wonderful relaxed. Oz is reminded of Tricky, for me it was Morcheeba, Amazon thinks it's Massive Attack. Sure. Supercool. It's a discovery.
If anyone of you could tell me of which other song I am reminded when I listen to 'The Forgotten' I would be really thankful.

Actually I only wanted to buy a light bulb.
But next door I found masses of sock-wool as a special offer:
Regia Africa, 100g, 4,95 €.
I was forced to buy one little ball. :)
A very nice combination:



Purple, orange, blue, berry and yellow.
There were lots of other colours.

If anyone of you wants have the wool - Karstadt in the RRZ in Mülheim.
The offer looked freshly sorted.
And, of course, I did not forget the light bulb.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do
you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
No, I'm not a snob. Of course, higher quality is better and some synthetic fibres are really squeaking, but in the end it depends on the yarn.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I do not spin yet, I think it might be better to improve my knitting at first. But I
like crochet - I love that Hippie-look.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Ups, I don't have so very much needles and hooks so far. I have a sac which
used to be the wrapping of a bottle of champagne.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be
beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Hm, I learned to knit when I was a child, my grandmother was the teacher. At the age of about 12 years I knitted socks. Then there was a great pause: I prefered sewing, did batik work and coloured silk. About a year ago I started knitting again. When I discovered all these phantastic knitting blogs in the web I was really amazed and captivated. I would say that I am between the beginner and the intermediate.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
None.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Hm, I don't know. I have no favourite. I like vanilla. My present perfumes are
L'au d' Issey and Escada. I am open for all.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, I like chocolate, only sour gums and cookies. Nearly everything. :)
No, that's not true, I hate dark chocolate.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
At the moment only knitting and crochet.

9.What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, I am really involved in music: each week we comment the chartbreaker.
I like disco-sounds, house - it does not have to be seroius. I love Madonna,
Jamiroquai and Gwen Stefani. Mp3s are no problem.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette
you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like purple and especially the combination of purple, red, orange and pink.
Unfortunatley, orange is not really a good colour for my skin. I like berry-colours and black. But also combinations of green.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Happily charmed by Oz with four children. My daughter has got a rabbit named Frida.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, scarves, mittens and ponchos (if I had one) are ok, but I hate hats. They are really not advantageous for the hairstyle. :)

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
It should be soft, soft, soft. And it should not be thick.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I hate scratchy yarn and I don't need glittering yarn.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Hm, I am not really obsessed, but I would like to learn how to knit these
wonderful scarves.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Little things, which can be finished in a short time.

17. What are you knitting right now?
That's a dark secret - a present for my wool-princess.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oh yes, I like it.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular needles.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No.

22. How did you learn to knit?
I learned it from my grandmother, in school and by myself.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
It's one year old. A sweater for my son and I won't finish it as he is much taller
now. :)

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
??? I don't know. As I like fairies perhaps Tinkerbell. And I do not have a favourite animal.


25. What is your favorite holiday?
Fall.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Apart from wool I have a little collection of fairies.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your
hands on?
None.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yes, new patterns for scarves ands socks.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I like knitting socks. My german size is 39/40.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
24th of November

Yes, I must admit that I'm greedy. As the 'Wollfee' is really fun, I have lately signed up for Sectret Pal 7 .
Now I am anxiously waiting for the first mail. I have discovered further german participants in some other blogs. I hope that we are all going to have fun.

And as the whole thing is international, I'm going to keep this parallel blog in english. Uahhhh, if anyone of you wants to know, if that's going to be a success, you should read at first FlimmerGlimmer and then GlimmerFlimmer.

Oh yeah, yesterday I audaciously tried a new knitting instruction in order to create a really nice present for my wool-princess. The good intention to learn new techniques should be put into practice immediatley. Summed up, now I know that it is better to adhere to the instruction. Creative improvisation is not indicated. After I had internalized this new knowledge and had started again I was succesful, I nearly could not believe it. Unfortunately, the result was too big. I started the third run-up yesterday evening and I really hope that it will function now.
For each of you it would be surely easy but I'm proud, nevertheless.

Just arrived: fresh earrings.



Cute silver earrings with garnet and I think they are really pretty. And they are even - notorius ? - buyable.

I have just finished.



The wool is really nice and soft and I like the colours very much.
I had knitted socks in Regia Silk before, the colour was black, unfortunately it was running (I hope that is the correct description in english). My hands and the knitting needles looked ugly the whole time. And after the first laundry the socks appeared to be grey.
Therefore I had bad apprehensions for this wool. But that was really unnecessary, the knitting was fun and now the socks are going to grace Oz.

This time Ulli and Silvia have been curious:

Do you know what you are going to knit in 2006? Are there firm plannigs? Which good knitting intentions do you have for 2006? Do you plan new acquisitions (spinning wheel, knitting machine)?

Hm, at first I have to finish new socks for Oz, then I'm going to knit something for my wool-princess.
In addition to that, I would like to knit with the wool I have already bought. My oldest daughter has agreed to be the victim for socks, I would like to have a new scarf.
In general, I would like to learn new techniques, e.g. socks with patterns. And there are these wonderful great scarves with (for me) difficult patterns waiting for me . Puh, I hope I'm not going to be despaired.

Because I was asked for it, here are some pictures of our pink Christmas tree:

full frontal photography:


in detail:


The feather-ball, Oz has made a good job:






Next year our son ist going to choose the Christmas tree decorations, he just mentioned Pokemon-balls.

to all of you.

Unfortunately, yesterday I still had to cope with the rest of New Year's Eve.
Oz and I only had one bottle of champagne (not one per person) and I felt as if I had taken part in a wassail.
In the future, there will only be a miniature for me.
But there is one good thing which is caused by this bottle of champagne:
now I have a new knitting utensil to store my knitting needles.