Stricken Archives - Bliss and Blisters

A smiling woman besides a christmas tree with a hand knitted cardigan

Knitting

10. December 2019 By Simone Neumann

The sewing hotline has closed because of Christmas overwork, Silvi had a very successful exhibition this weekend (so I did not dare to force her into taking photos), my parents in law visited and I made a short dance film (perhaps I can interest you? It’s a melancholic performance about the sea and loosing ones […]

Knitting

I need holidays and you will learn an I-cord bind off

13. August 2019 By Simone Neumann

Dear needleworkers, I will make a little writing holiday for two weeks. My husband has a bit of free time and we want to reorganize our flat, watch some films, visit museums and care for my parents. But I did not want to leave without telling you… I will frog the pink cardigan (please readers […]

Crochet

The best knitted cardigan is the one that fits – #needleworkmonday crazyness

6. August 2019 By Simone Neumann

The best cardigan is the one that fits…. This is the reason why I always knit with a clear vision in my mind and a true and tested pattern on my desktop. This is the reason why my yarn choice is strictly based on the recommendations of the pattern and I always double check with […]

Knitting

One step forward, two steps backward – should I frog again?

23. July 2019 By Simone Neumann

“One step forward, two steps backward” is not only Max Romeos way to describe how he is entangled in the swamp of Babylon, no it is me and my relationship with the Fake Frankie cardigan. Everything with this cardigan is bumpy. First, I could not get the neckline width right. I unraveled several times to […]

Knitting

Frogging and baking

16. July 2019 By Simone Neumann

Last week I proudly presented you my Fake Frankie cardigan. An easy top-down raglan cardigan with a simple pattern of garter stitch rows on stockinette background. Last week I may have bragged how experienced I am in knitting (and crocheting) such top-down constructions. This week I frogged the Fake Frankie cardigan… No, don’t be afraid, […]

Knitting

I am a raglan addict – knitting for needleworkonday

9. July 2019 By Simone Neumann

I am addicted to raglan cardigans. I find them sooooo relaxing. Perhaps because I know exactly what I must do… … … Are you laughing already? Me, knowing exactly what I must do? I have to admit this time my pompous claim to know everything was not as exaggerated as many other things I have […]

Knitting

Daily bits of tangled yarn

4. June 2019 By Simone Neumann

And suddenly its summer. Summer in the Ruhr area means temperatures rise spontaneously over 30 degrees with lots of rain and thunder. Oh fun… it feels as if we life in a tropical greenhouse only the air is charged with exhaust fumes. And in this wet-hot climate what better to do than knit some warm […]

Sewing

Me Made May 2019

15. May 2019 By Simone Neumann

It’s May. The sun is shining, birds chirping happily in the blooming trees. Bees are hunting for the best flower and this – my friends – is me: flowered out in handmade garments ?. It is the first time I participate on MeMadeMay. This initiative was founded by Zoe from So, Zo… What do you […]

Knitting

Oh no – my knitting is outdated

9. April 2019 By Simone Neumann

The first two paragraphs arey a very long intro. If you want to read about my meagre progress with the lila knitted sweater and are interested in Kitchener stitch: skip and jump forward 😀 Oh No… I am outdated, outdated by my own knitting. Wow what an avowal. I must accept I will never be […]

Knitting

Knitting without Marie Kondo 2

19. February 2019 By Simone Neumann

I think Marie Kondo silently left our flat. My guess is that she, after being happy about my attempt of tidying my box of shame (read about it here), went into our kitchen for a nice cup of tea, and there she found my tension squares. I imagine her sighing softly and then wandering of […]