Nordic knitting

7th April

What do you give someone who has everything?  What do you give a man?  These are often questions I ask and I find it hard to buy or make for. 

Nordic knitting
During my foray into the capital last week I made my way across town to the infamous shop called  Loop .  Despite it being much smaller than I imagined and less of the Aladdin's cave I had been led to believe, it was still a little treasure gem and I managed to spend a few of my hard earned pounds.  I can never resist anything Scandinavian, Norwegian especially and here I found a wonderful knitting book called Knit Nordic There is much written about Norwegian knitting design and the photography is stunning throughout, with several different projects for beginner and advanced alike.  It had to be purchased and it had to be mine...


So what do you make for someone who has everything?

                                                                

Photo by Gina Marie

Well... not the above doll toilet roll holder.  This is almost identical to the one my husband's English grandmother had and I think is one of the fears he had when I took up knitting and crocheting, that I may make one of these for our bathroom.  He need not fear, the Scandinavian in me will always shine through, so on to what to make someone who has everything, can you guess yet?


Scandinavian style toilet roll cover


One made and another on the way


Before blocking, I just love the design

Two made in two days.  Quick and fun.

Not the neatest of knitting

I love the way the decreases create their own pattern on the top

This is such a simple design, I used size 3 dpn and dk wool.  Cast on 80 stitches, 20 on each needle.  ribbed for four rows and then knitted the pattern for 35 rows before decreasing.  decreasing was fun too, started with knit 8, k2tog till the end of the row and then knitted a plain row.  Then decreased down a stich so, knit 7, k2tog repeating till the end of the row and then knit a plain row again, before beginning on the knit 6, k2tog , 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, etc , until you come to the end where you k2tog and are left with 8 stitches and cast off.

This was so simple and is continuing to encourage me to knit more.  I'm doing well so far this year, my Arne and Carlos baubles and now these toilet roll covers, I have my eye on a few more things from this book, so watch this space...

Now who to gift these too
 
 

14 comments:

  1. I can honestly say that I have never seen anything like this before!! I am glad you are not crocheting ladies! xx

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    1. I thought it may appeal to your like of Scandinavian things Amy! ;)

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  2. Replies
    1. They are a bit if a scream aren't they. Still not sure John will appreciate them though!?!?

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  3. What a fun design! I love it.

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  4. I love the way that they stack too - hope John is justly enthusiastic!!!

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    1. Me too! Want to make lots more really but have other things I must do first, sigh. Not entirely sure how John will react...

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  5. Much, much better than knitted ladies, I think my mother still has one!

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    1. Couldn't agree more! They are a different generation. And no doubly will be highly sought after ?!?!?!? In years to come

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  6. I think you are brilliant, these are amazing and so functional. I think we all have a fear of lapsing into the crochet doll toilet paper holder!
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. I think we do bit they were so popular. I wonder in generations to come what they will think of what we make now...

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  7. ummm, i love all nordic knitting. so nice to see some of yours :)
    i love this book you blogged about, its on my bookshelf :)

    hope the gift was well received :D

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    1. I love your make and especially the Arne and Carlos pouches you make. I want to give them a go x

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