Shiny brioche

The last few months it's been a neon fashion trend and of course in knitting fashion. I've been planning to join in the neon game but haven't figured out what I want to do.
Another trend I've found in the knitting world is the brioche technique. I must admit it didn't appeal to me in the beginning but then I saw a couple of really cool cowls and hats on Ravelry and thought I'd give it a try and throw in some neon while I'm at it!

A trip to John Lewis resulted in white and neon yellow chunky yarn to knit a cowl in brioche technique. If I'm hooked I might make a pair of fingerless mittens to make a set. So far I've just knitted a few centimeters to learn the technique and it's looking good! The bright neon colour combined with the calm white is coming out really nice.

My hood

I thought I'd post a few photos from the last week. I've been to an interview at the Jobcentre Plus to apply for a National Insurance number, I've taken walks around Brixton and Herne hill to get to know the area where I live. I love living next to a park and it feels like spring in the air.

Urban wildlife in the park

First hayfever of the year after capturing this bumblebee in the tree

I'm wondering how much time I spend underground in this place?

Needles at work

My needles have really been working this last week. I've finished the cowl I test knitted, my January socks from the sock knitalong and a Winchester hat in reflective yarn.  It feels very inspiring when finishing several projects within a short period of time. But now I don't know what to knit now. I have my Sprig sweater that needs arms and the February socks in the sock knitalong. I've decided on a pattern but wasn't very excited about the heart pattern on them so I've been drawing replacement ideas. So far non of my ideas has worked out with the numbers of stitches I have. Even A helped and drew some ideas! Hopefully the inspiration will come soon!

A pair of Nutkins

Hat in Schachenmayer Lumio without flash, only missing a pompom

Hat in Schachenmayer Lumio WITH flash, only missing the pompom on top

Suitcases

When limited to just 'what I can carry' while moving it's tricky to choose what stuff to bring. Some things are necessary and just have to go in the bag, some things are necessary for making one feel at home, but not essential for existence and has to get a lower prio. Some things are just too loved to be left. Clothes, makeup, boring paper and shoes are of course essential, as well as knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, patterns, buttons, ribbons, gauge ruler, scissors, pearls, sewing thread and needles...the list goes on...

We now have an empty shelf in the living room where my stuff should've been if there had been space in my suitcases to bring them. Hopefully the postman will have a package to deliver to me soon so I can feel at home.

Meanwhile I have knitting to do, podcasts to listen at, a park to wander around in and a city to enjoy. And of course A doing his best to make me feel at home :)

Part of the stash that needs some sorting

Hello London

Snowdrops in the park

I've now been in London for a week. I feel lost, confused, excited, curious, all feelings at the same time. The contrast was striking, from 20 cm of snow, overcast and a couple of minus degrees to 8-10 degrees and sun, I've even seen snowdrops! I know it's warm for the season but I can't help but feeling like spring is on it's way (but we could just as well get snow here as well)

Me waiting for the flight to London

Monday we went to IKEA and survived both 3 hours in the warehouse AND assembling the furniture afterwards. Yes, you read furniture, me and A bought furniture together. Exciting, exciting!

The week has been spent trying to figure out the best way to store our stuff so that it feels like we're both living here. It's not the easiest thing when one of us has been living here for years and I had 3 suitcases with all my belongings coming here. I have managed to occupy the living room with yarn and needles without any loud protests from A though, so far so good.










Since I haven't got a job yet I have to make use of my days.
Monday I joined a test knitting of a lovely cowl pattern, I'll post photos and link when that's released.
Tuesday I went to Liberty to check out their yarn and crafts department. I must admit I got pretty excited in there and had to be strict on myself. I came out of there with only one ball of yarn, intended for the test knitting.
Wednesday I went to a knitting group at a pub nearby. Lovely bunch of people who meet every week to chat and knit. Actually there's a few people there not knitting, they still go to the knitting group and have a chat. I really enjoyed and my Wednesday evenings are now sorted.
Thursday I was ill and slept most of the day, I tried to knit but ended up having to correct mistakes half the time.
Friday I knitted on the tube to and from the city. I got a smiles of approvement and the ride was rather enjoyable. I also sneaked in a visit to John Lewis' crafts department. I started to get very tired late afternoon, otherwise I could've spent a veeeery long time there. Lots of nice yarn and also fabric and other crafts. I found some Lumio reflecting yarn that I intend to knit a hat from. Perfect to wear at night when out and about and wanting to be seen by vehicles.
Friday I also visited my local yarn store, small but nice yarn.

Trafalgar Square

Lord Nelson and the Blue cock

Almost empty Trafalgar Square

Bye bye Sweden

Yesterday was the last day at work and today I've returned laptop, phone and keys. It felt a little weird to say goodbye to my work since 5 years, both sad to leave such a fun job and excited about what's to come.
Sat on the bus I'm starting to feel bubbly excited! I'm not sure I've taken in what I'm doing. I'm leaving my country, my job, my family and my home. I'm going to become an immigrant, lost in a new world. Even though Sweden and UK are fairly similar western countries there are so many differences, not many big ones, but endless of small ones. The word 'please' doesn't have an equivalent in Swedish and I might appear rude because of a cultural difference in our languages. I'm trying hard to remember to say 'please' all the time.

There's a lot of snow on the Swedish west coast and I think I'm going miss it a little, even though my feet are constantly cold in the winter. I enjoy winter for about two weeks a year, then I it's time for spring. I've had my two weeks now and it feels ok to leave it. I'm also leaving rain from the side (backside of living on the coast), I might even get an umbrella now. Umbrellas are useless when on the windy coast but handy in London.

The (not so) glamorous hotel life

I've now been living in hotels for the last week, except for the weekend when I slept on my brother's sofa. I long for a home. I wouldn't mind staying in a hotel for two weeks on a vacation, but between flats while moving is not a glamorous existence.
I have a very limited amount of space in my bags, and thus very limited choice of clothes. I have my book, my knitting and a couple of tv channels to keep me company. The extra blanket turned out to match my knitting perfectly.

I've started to think about things I'm going to miss when I leave Sweden. Not much springs to mind, except lingonberries!

Sweden and UK are a lot similar or at least near similar in many ways. There's no big differences, but a lot of small ones. I'll probably find a lot of things that I either miss or absolutely don't miss. It'll be fun to see what actually makes that list. And some things I'll just have to bring, like lingonberries and semlor. I had to buy a semla today to make sure I got one before I leave.