Dalahäst mittens

Things have been a bit crazy in the beginning of this new year. 2015 started with a new super fun commission, and I've been glued to my desk since then. However, I still managed to knit these Dalahäst mittens for a dear friend in Canada. I hope they keep her hands warm and cozy!

Into the blue

Hi everyone, how have you been? I'm still very busy working on the new book. But in my little spare time I've managed to knit this new shetland sweater while I binge watched House of Cards and True Detective.

I saw this amazing vintage find in Kate Davies' blog, and I just felt like I needed one myself. I drew the chart based on the pictures and used my usual yoke sweater numbers to make my own version. I'm ridiculously happy with the outcome! Now I only need a little less spring-like weather so I can wear it.

Anyway, I'm already planning my next project. I need to have something on my needles for the new season of Game of Thrones and (sad face) the last season of mad Men.

January light

Spending saturday afternoon in the studio with the company of Maggie and the most beautiful light. She's not the best behaved photography assistant, though :)

Porto Polaroids

My trip to Porto was short but so much fun! We laughed, walked, talked, and photographed like crazy, and ate way too many portuguese sweets. I shot more Polaroids in four days than in the last two years, and finally opened one of the very expired Time Zero packs I had in my fridge. I was waiting for a special occasion, and this was definitely it.

It was amazing to see my friend Cristina again, and have the chance to finally meet Kit, whose photography I have admired for many years, and Charlyn, who makes the sweetest toys. Such a bunch of talented ladies!!

Lately on Instagram

Some recent photos from my Instagram acccount:

1. Birthday sushi dinner 2. I got tickets to see Rafa Nadal play as a birthday gift 3. A nice cup of coffee 4. Maggie, always in a box 5. My new polkadot sweatshirt from Zara Kids 6. I was cooking this and a face appeared when I poured the vinegar on the pan 7. Painting with snoopy 8. Roasted broccoli and shrimp for lunch

I want candy

I knit a new sweater in the middle of the August heat. It's a test knit for a pattern a friend is writing, and the colors I chose for the yoke remind me of candy. I can't wait for the cold temperatures to arrive, so I can finally wear it.

Lately on instagram

1. Maggie on her classic pose this morning 2. Iced tea with pretty teal straw 3. Massamam curry with eggplant, chicken, carrots, onions and cashew nuts 4. A haircut for summer 5. Gouache painting 6. Freckles! 7. Maggie on my drawing table 8. The freakiest double banana (It was yummy, though)

And that last instagram inspired me to draw this little silly gouache on my sketchbook. Long live the banana twins!

Around the studio

This week's been all about a new exciting job, bad weather and cozy cats. I finally splurged and bought a Wacom Cintiq 13HD, and spent tome time making a DIY stand / protective cover for it. It helps me have a better posture while working, and I can slide the tablet underneath when I'm not using it to avoid Maggie using it as a napping spot. She's definitely more comfy on a rumpled mohair blanket while there are thunderstorms outside.

Have a great weekend everyone! :)

Boardwalk Empire

I just finished knitting this vest, right on time for spring. It's perfect for layering, and cozy without being too warm. The pattern is Boardwalk by Heidi Kirrmaier, from the Brooklyn Tweed Wool People collection.

Also, if you're following this blog with Google Reader, you must know that Google Reader is shutting down, and it will not be available after July 1, 2013. If you want to keep getting updates from my blog, I really recommend you follow me on Bloglovin' from now on. It's the tool I use for keeping up with blogs and it's prety awesome :)

Random film photos

I finally scanned my latest roll of film. It's always fun to find these random photos I've taken in the studio and had completely forgotten about. In the third one, my drawing board had already arrived from the UK and Maggie decided it was a good place to sit like a lady. Then she had to make up for it with her silly signature box pose. She just loves having her picture taken, can you tell? :D

A few new things

1. My new pair of sunglasses, Ray-Ban Erika
2. A freshly developed roll of film, soon to be scanned and posted here
3. A korean pencil case bought on Ebay, to hold my pencils and drawing tools when I'm away
4. New big sketchbook and pencil
5. My Clare Vivier shoulder bag

In other news, I finally published my first knitting pattern, Love Triangle. I'm very excited because I've been meaning to do this for a long time and finally found the time and energy! The pattern is available for purchase in Ravelry for 3,5€, but if you don't have a Ravelry accound and you're interested on the pattern, just drop me an email :)

Sketchbooks

In the last few months, I've been carrying these little sketchbooks in my bag. I'm a small purse type of girl (I just bought this one by Clare Vivier and I love it) so I need equally tiny sketchbooks to fit in my bag. These ones by Clairefontaine come in cheerful colors, the paper is good quality and they're lightweigh, perfect little things. And cheap enough that you don't mind if they get wrecked or stained (see second picture). Right now I'm being unloyal and using these ones made by Kunst and Papier, with better paper quality, and equally as tiny. One of my other things I always have in my bag is my Faber-Castell perfect pencil.

This post reminds me that I never show sketchbook pages around here, mostly finished artwork. But I might change that and make regular posts with sketches, since I'm constantly making doodles that never see the light of day. I hope you enjoy them!

What about you? What sketchbooks do you like? What art supplies can't you live without?

A hint of spring

In the last couple of years I have neglected my Polaroid cameras. Even though I still have quite a lot of the original film stashed, I haven't found the inspiration or impulse to take my sx-70 out as much as I used to... But last saturday the day was beatiful and sunny at last, the first plum trees were in bloom and you could feel spring in the air. So I took this tiny branch home with me.

Ansó

I just finished knitting this Fair Isle pullover with traditional shetland yarns. I've named it Ansó, because the colors remind me of the autumn shades in one of my favorite places on earth. Spring is around the corner, but the weather here is cold and rainy, perfect for wearing this sweater!

Unintentional abstract paintings

This is what happens after a nice session of gouache painting. I love looking at these paper towels closely, they look like little abstract paintings. Also, I have new sweater plans, a fair isle jumper with autumn like colors. And this drawing board is coming my way, I'm sure my back will appreciate it, because after long painting sessions I always get a sore neck.

Recent knits

I've been wearing my new green sweater all the time since I finished it last week. It's made with a super soft angora merino mix, and I designed the sweater to fit my tastes exactly (the great side of working your own patterns). It's knit in one piece, without any seaming, and the edges are finished with a tubular cast off that looks very neat. Last photo is my current project, a snowflake hat designed by Kate Davies, knit in shetland yarn.

Happy weekend everyone!

In the studio

Just some random snaps I've takend of my studio this morning. I change stuff on my walls often, and I love hanging inspiring art by my friends on them. The Twin Peaks postcards are a gift from Ada, who I made these mittens for. And after a long hiatus, I've started making collages again in my wall calendar and it feels so good!