STKHLM

When I went to Stockholm last weekend it seemed like the city was full of love: My friend Anna got married to Kristofer. They got married in Stadshuset and afterwards had an amazing wedding celebration. While in Stockholm I stayed with my parents who are clearly still as in love as when they met 35 years ago. I had a lovely time and anybody that says that Swedes are cold needs to go to Stockholm. Preferably during Summer or Autumn.

IT'S A JOLLY HOLIDAY

I have just spent a week in Sweden were I visited a small town called Norberg. It's an old mining town from the 15th century with lots of pretty Scandinavian red wooden houses. I'm lucky to have parents who own a summer house out in the middle of Sweden as it makes for a great break from life in Oxford. 

While there I started on one of my most stereotypical crochet projects - a granny square blanket for a friend's baby. It's nice to get into the swing of crocheting again as I have been too busy writing my second book to make things with wool. 

FORESTING

WENDELA'S GARDEN

I try not to brag in my day-to-day life but today I will. I will brag over my big sister Wendela and her beautiful garden, which is one of the most....fruitful gardens I have seen in a while. I could end up bragging endlessly over my sister and my nieces and nephew but I won't. What I will do is wish Wendela a happy birthday because today is her birthday. Happy Birthday!  

I'm so jealous of her green fingers.

STKHLM

PUBLIC SPEAKING

The talk last Wednesday was a fun event for me. Talked to a lot of people interested in knitting and crochet who were creating awesome new things. Silly me forgot to bring my crochet along - I would lose my head if it wasn't attached! 

I have been spending most of my time walking up and down the streets of Stockholm. It is such a beautiful city.

Nice new Danish wool for the autumn...which I found here. Think it is going to become another hat.   

TALKING CROCHET

What a goodlooking lady. She doesn’t seemed concerned about all the wool that is floating about in the room. Very happy to be working with her skein. As happy as I will be on Wednesday. That is the day I will be talking at the Nordic Museum on Crochet and Manliness - mostly how and if the two go together. All of you that are hanging, like the wool, around in Stockholm and have some spare time - head over to the Nordic Museum for some knitting, crocheting and some general merriment.   

MOTHER'S DAY

It is mother's day here in the UK and I always send a greeting to my mum in Sweden on this day - even though it is not mother's day in Sweden until the end of May. To be honest I keep forgetting the Swedish mother's day so I go with the British. I wonder why countries have different dates for their mother's day? Maybe mother's all over the world have tried to make each day a mother's day...? Mother's are very crafty. Quite literally in the case with my mum. Check out her super cool crocheted hat, which she came up with a couple of years ago. You can wear it sideways, so you look like a cat, or from the front, so that you look like a rooster. 

Happy Mother's Day Mum.

Some pics from the old home