Back to Blogging

Hello!

Hallo!

Bonjour!

It's been a while, but I am back and hopefully will develop the knack for blogging regularly again. I've been a busy girl in Belgium for the past two months. I successfully completed my Dutch course and am still plugging away in my French  course. It's going pretty well, and I am excited to use the languages I am learning in my everyday life. How cool is that?

I really had to study hard to pass my Dutch exam, but I bought this book as my reward.

Sorry for the blurry photo.

Have you seen it? It is really popular here in my Belgian town, and also the Netherlands...

Arne and Carlos are fashion and knitwear designers from Norway. They created a collection of ornaments for Comme des Garçons in 2008 which were very popular and that's what inspired them to write this book. In addition to 55 Christmas Balls to Knit, Arne and Carlos have two more books: Knitted Dolls and Easter Knits.

I have watched a few interviews of Arne and Carlos on YouTube, and I have to say that they are super inspiring. The life that they have created for themselves is cozy, so down to earth and totally unique. Quite an accomplishment in addition to their knitwear and sportswear collections that they design.  I would love to visit them in their Norwegian wood oasis.

I find so many people inspiring, but Arne and Carlos have sparked my desire to make something. I have been wanting to get back into blogging, but also wanted a project.  At first I thought I would attempt to make all 55 balls, but I don't have the time and I don't want to continue to knit Christmas balls after Christmas. Instead, I've decided to knit a ball every day, kind of like an Advent calendar. I can definitely knit one ball a day. I've already gotten some practice, and have even designed a few using their basic pattern. We have a little tree in our little studio and it needs ornaments - soft ornaments made of yarn.

I like to write, I love to make things and I like to blog- so this is a great way and attempt to get back in the routine. I have a tendency to become distracted as one can read tell from my many blogging breaks. Living in Belgium for the past four months has made me realize that I have friends and family I would like to connect and keep in touch with, so it's back to blogging for me.

Thanks for reading, and now I will leave you with my favorite Arne and Carlos videos. Pull up a chair, grab some tea and get cozy with Arne and Carlos.

By the way "hooking" is crochet. Just wanted to clear that up right away.