Stricken Archives - Bliss and Blisters

Knitting

8. January 2019 By Simone Neumann

Remember my grandiose Christmas present idea – the handknitted socks for my husband. I finished them. Really. All adverse conditions notwithstanding, e.g. me never having knitted a sock before, only having a week left to finish the socks, me knitting in combination style so nobody near me could help etc. I felt like a hero […]

Knitting

How to spit out a handmade Christmas present

4. January 2019 By Simone Neumann

Dear Readers: you are reading this belated, because the socks were a secret Christmas present for my husband and he is clever enough to read my blog :DDD Now we have January and the socks are long finished (I did not make it in time, but managed it shortly after Christmas). Nevertheless, here is my […]

Knitting

Be fast: Free knitting patterns for Christmas

11. December 2018 By Simone Neumann

The time has come… I feel I have not shared enough free patterns. I must compete with @cryptocariad‘s clever tip of the free knitting magazine Knitty, @marblely‘s wonderful find of expression fiber arts or with @muscara explaining the pattern base of Drops. In my untiring attempt to be admired and loved by absolutely everyone serve […]

Knitting

Two important principles to plan a handknit sweater – Philosophy, Bauhaus and Josef Albers

4. December 2018 By Simone Neumann

It is fascinating to read about philosophies, about guiding principles and often I have imagined following some of them for a shorter period. Like an experiment I would obey these rules which derive out of the philosophy and my life would instantly change (to the better) for example: eating like the Pythagorean or acting after […]

Crochet

Knit to be seen! Easy bobble hat and crochet cowl pattern

27. November 2018 By Simone Neumann

I am an attention seeker. I want fame and honour. An applauding audience at every step I make. I want to be seen in my glorious beauty (by now you perhaps notice the irony). No pedestrian nor driver should pass me without admiring my outfit (yes @cryptocariad I remember your comment ) and with these […]

Knitting

Knitting the Pipipink Sweater

12. November 2018 By Simone Neumann

I still do not understand my crafty soul. I seem to work in strange spacings. For weeks and month, I started one new project after the other but never finish them. And suddenly there is this one project which I work from start to finish. This one project is like a starting signal to unbury […]

Knitting

Flu(ffy) knitting – knitting a wrap cardigan while having a cold

2. October 2018 By Simone Neumann

First, beware: Do not lick this post, wash your hands after reading and disinfect your computer, I have the flu… With this security advice out of the way, wool, magazines and knitting will follow. I had a very busy week, so not too much ‘hobby-knitting’ for me. The bit of knitting I have done was […]

Everything Else

Miette Addiction – ahem update on my knitted cardigan

24. September 2018 By Simone Neumann

Last week I asked for your advice regarding my grey Miette cardigan from Andi Satterlund (1). And you lovingly helped me with your button- and sleeve-wisdom. So, I wanted to let you know, I (mostly) followed your hints. Today I present you my finished Miette cardigan. I started with the neckline update: I worked two […]

Knitting

Diving deep into buttonland

18. September 2018 By Simone Neumann

Some month ago I told you about Randolph Carter , about the crazy dreamlands of H.P. Lovecraft. I described you some of the gruesome tales Lovecraft spun for his readers: rats in the walls, alien entities in the sea, strange scribblings in old and musty books. But the biggest horrors of all Lovecraft probably never […]

Crochet

What to gift a master crafter

11. September 2018 By Simone Neumann

Do you like to buy or make birthday presents? I love this… If the job of a ‘present-buyer’ would exist, it should be mine (if you also want it, no problem, I would share :-D) Naturally there are some basic parameters which should be fulfilled, like me not being broke and having a bit of […]