A-Z challenge V

V is for Vintage

 I am lucky enough that I have some pieces my mother and grandmother made that I treasure. Vintage is very much in style at the moment, but I think all these pieces are timeless and should be worn and loved and used. And when I use them I think about all the work and love that has been poured into the garments. Vintage is a treasure, sometimes only for sentimental value but sometimes can be important to take care of it for the next generation.

We couldn't find a photo of my grandmother knitting, but here she is busy sewing. I adored my grandmother and I do feel a bit sad that she died before we could share knitting or sewing together, but at least I can crochet with my mother and aunt which we try to do at their cabin.

Here is my mother crocheting in her 

nurses uniform when she did nightshifts 

I think before I was born. But I know she 

and my aunt did a lot of sewing too so

I come from a crafty family and those

that did not work with yarn worked

with wood or metal and things like 

that...

So there is no wonder I love all hand-crafting. 

Here is a "kofte" jacket which is all the style at the moment in Norway, everyone is knitting one, but they are very warm and classic and I can remember my grandmother wearing this so it has been quite durable. My mother is pretty sure my grandmother knited this, but we do know she knitted the red sweater below that my mother wore when she was twelve-ish so that sweater has lived for quite some time.

And then there is the scarf in a mermaid pattern according to my mother which my grandmother knitted to my mother, I love the pattern, it is the same pattern my doll got her dress in that my grandmother knitted for me when I was a kid, that doll is in the attic so we didn't have time to find her and show off, but I thought that dress was the most beautiful dress ever when I was a child and I still cherish it. I hope to be able to knit something like that one day.  

I think clothes that are more than 25 years old and up to almost 50 years old surely must count as vintage?

When is something vintage and do you own any vintage heirlooms?

A-Z challenge L

L is for LYS

LYS stands for Local Yarn shop, and now finally, I have one too!

Our new LYS opened just after easter and they are a proper

Yarn store, they mostly have Norwegian yarn in all price ranges 

and in all colours and types. 

They even have my favourite yarn 

Drops. But I do think they need a little crochet yarn as well, 

just to be a proper proper yarn store.

Today they even had 20% off, so I bought some gourgeous cotton from Drops. I wish I had bought more! But I am being strict with myself and only buying a little. Two out one in still.

Nøste means skein or ball of yarn and fryd means joy which is a super name for a yarn store. Who isn't happy with all that colour and softness to drink in with all you senses?

They have an online store too, and as much as I love online stores and buying without the hassle of people, cues and noises I love stroking the yarn, feeling it's texture, sniffing it, putting colours next to one another and comparing. There is nothing quite like it, choosing yarn and colours for your next project. And then if you need more yarn for your project you can always buy the same online later.

The whole shop has been renovated and it looks stunning,

the wood textures are very Norwegian and very much the trend right now and helps the yarn play the first role. 

The store is full of funny little old furniture brimming with yarn of all kinds. I always feel better when I know the owner of a yarn store has a sense of colour style then I know she will be helpful and knowledgeable when choosing colours if you need any help. I want to have a wall just like that in my house with the different wooden planks all over it.

Picture from Nøstefryd

An adorable old baby bed full of yarn, 

I wish I had one of my own! 

It would look good next to my dollhouse bookcase I think. 

Just look at all that yarn, the shop isn't big, 

but it is full to the brim of lush, delicious, 

colourful yarn.

I think I could work in a yarnshop,

if I could knit that is. 

Pictures from Nøstefryd

Picture from Nøstefryd

 The owner has stated she wants to have a knitting circle and classes later, I hope she will, maybe I can start something new in my knitting adventure?

She sells some small adorable accessories and patterns and knitting needles and crochet hooks and buttons and stitch markers and kits and everything you would need to start your own knitting adventure.

I love this pink colour, it is so delicate and tender.

I came home with five balls of yarn, oh how I wish I could buy more.

Pictures with Nøstefryd under them are taken from their Facebook with permission by the owner.