Dear Ann,
So, in the Small World Department, this is not like having THERESA REBECK IN MY HOUSE or anything, but it’s all I got. (By the way, that “having people in my house” thing is something you do with such elan, whereas I freak out and run around plumping cushions in terror if the neighbor rings the doorbell to borrow some printer paper. What is your secret? I always think, we’ll have a party in this apartment real soon. Maybe after the NEXT renovation. The renovation after I’m dead and gone at a great old age and a cute young couple buys the apartment.)
Anyway. I noticed on the Internets that there is a brand-new book out about my new favorite subject: Icelandic knitting. It’s called Knitting with Icelandic Wool. The author is Védis Jónsdóttir.
Védis Jónsdóttir, Védis Jónsdóttir. Why does that name sound familiar?
Because Védis Jónsdóttir designed Riddari, the one and only Icelandic sweater I’ve knit! From a back issue of the Lopi knitting magazine (no. 28).
So, I’m wondering, who is this Védis Jónsdóttir? I look at the back cover of the book for an author photo or bio. “Védis Jónsdóttir grew up on a farm on the west coast of Iceland….blah blah….head designer at Ístex…et cetera…Védis chooses the yarn colors for Ístex….hmmm…she lives in Manhattan.”
SHE LIVES IN MANHATTAN.
Védis. Call me. Come on over. I’ll plump the cushions.
Anyway, it’s a great book. Satisfies a lot of my curiosity about Icelandic wool and knitting, and the famous lopapeysa–which only dates back to the 1950s, who knew?–while at the same time, feeding the fire. A big treasury of old and new Icelandic knitting patterns. I can tell we’re going to be friends.
Love,
Kay
P.S. This may be the first lightning blog that I actually did in 15 minutes. With the crazy Icelandic accent marks on the Os and everything.
Oh I am obsessed with nordic knitting and I am knitting the perfect Icelandic jumper on Craftsy at the moment with another real Icelandic lady. Probably also called Jonsdottir but I may be making that one up! Hope your Jonsdottir comes round for tea and if she does do let us know!!
Every time you show this sweater I get one step closer to deciding I need, yes NEED, an Icelandic sweater of my own.
Every time you show this sweater I get one step closer to deciding I need, yes NEED, an Icelandic sweater of my own.
I love these lightening rounds ..,it makes me feel like I’m at a Pain Quotidian eavesdropping at the two of you at the next table.
This book looks awesome. I obviously need to add an Icelandic sweater to my list of things to make. Though I probably should finish the current round of gift knitting first.
I hope SO MUCH that the amazing Védis Jónsdóttir comes to call. It would make her just a little bit MORE amazing. If that were possible.
(BTW and totally OT: your 15-minute lightening posts have given me the courage to (gulp) start a blog. So far, my attempts at 15-minute posts have taken an average of about 4 hours to compose. How’m I doing??)
thank you so much for these daily posts. they are just the right size and i look forward to them every day (but no pressure).
I LOVE the lightning blogs!!
I’m still on “two turntables and a microphone.” Fun trying to keep up with you two. Please invite us to the Manhattan soiree with Icelanders – I do not care about plumped pillows or dog hair! Off to a lecture by June Hemmons Hiatt at Vogue Knitting Live NY 🙂
I think you should have a party next time the Brits are over… Your flat is MADE for parties!
We’ll bring gin! B x x x
I LOVE Icelandic sweaters – the first sweater I ever knit was from a Lopi book – I made it for my husband and he still wears it and enjoys it! You can actually wear it in place of a coat on some winter days (we live on the southern coast of Rhode Island). I made several more over the years and you’ve just inspired me to knit another!!! Why don’t we see more of these – they’re just beautiful???!!!
I LOVE Icelandic sweaters – the first sweater I ever knit was from a Lopi book – I made it for my husband and he still wears it and enjoys it! You can actually wear it in place of a coat on some winter days (we live on the southern coast of Rhode Island). I made several more over the years and you’ve just inspired me to knit another!!! Why don’t we see more of these – they’re just beautiful???!!!
I LOVE Icelandic sweaters – the first sweater I ever knit was from a Lopi book – I made it for my husband and he still wears it and enjoys it! You can actually wear it in place of a coat on some winter days (we live on the southern coast of Rhode Island). I made several more over the years and you’ve just inspired me to knit another!!! Why don’t we see more of these – they’re just beautiful???!!!
On your example, I pulled out the beautiful blue lopapeysa my gramma knit for me in college back in 19xx. My darling 12 y.o. looked at it and said, “uh, NO. But maybe if it were all gray and black and white and stuff.” It’s all your fault!!!
Hey – If it still fits, I’m wearing it to the inauguration on Monday. That’ll show her!
My apologies for multiple comments – thank goodness my knitting is more successful than my commenting!
Knitting, it never fails… 2 maybe 3 degrees of separation!
Well, she’s going to be signing books at the Knitty City booth at the Vogue Knitting thing this weekend. You can ask her over in person.
And, by the way, I am always humbled at how spotless your apartment looks in your photos. In NYC? With a dog, two teenagers, and a knitter? Unbelievable. You could have the Queen and Sister Parrish and Jack White all drop by with no shame.
—rejected by Hoarders for being “too messy”
I understand your anxiety about guests, but it’s true that the background bits of your apartment always look really good. Whereas, like Pam, I verge on being “too messy for Hoarders.”
I wondered about the possible irony of Vedis being a touch agoraphobic, and thus visiting-averse, but if she’s willing to be out and about at the “Vogue Knitting thing,” that’s probably not true… : )
Call her up, or maybe she reads MDK. Jealous about vogue knitting, but it is the nephew’s Bar Mitzvah this weekend so I’m thinking it would be bad form to sneak out and go!!
I gotta be honest…I had virtually no interest in Icelandic sweaters (not even Franklin’s faboo one) until I saw yours with the altered neckline. Now I am THISCLOSE to casting on! Enabler.
I am nearly giddy about your lightning blogging posts. I look forward to, and read each one with such a happy feeling in my heart. THANKS, you two wonder women!
If she hasn’t heard it before VK Live, she’ll definitely get your invite there . . . knitters talk! Gorgeous sweater – I’m also planning my first one for this year – that Craftsy class got me, too.
If she hasn’t read it before VK Live, she’ll definitely get your invite there . . . knitters talk! Gorgeous sweater – I’m also planning my first one for this year – that Craftsy class got me, too.
Thank you both for the lightning blogs. Reading them is always a fun part of the day
Thank you both for the lightning blogs. Reading them is always a fun part of the day
Thank you both for the lightning blogs. Reading them is always a fun part of the day
Thank you both for the lightning blogs. Reading them is always a fun part of the day
Thank you both for the lightning blogs. Reading them is always a fun part of the day
Thank you both for the lightning blogs. Reading them is always a fun part of the day
Thank you both for the lightning blogs. Reading them is always a fun part of the day
Kay, I am vicariously digging the continuation of your Icelandic adventure. When I was there, in 2006, it was too early for the shops to be open – too early in the YEAR, that is. Tourist season would not start for a whole nother week, and the only place open was the bookshop, where we bought a Penguin edition of the Eddas. Very fine, but still: I WANTED YARN.
I suppose I should go back. It’s not the same buying Icelandic wool in New England. Let me know what Vedis thinks, when she pops by.
You have GOT to go track down Vedis! So crazy that she’s in town.
Oh, I recognized Vedis Jonsdottir’s name right away! She creates many Lopi patterns (I believe she’s their creative director), and she hosted my VK group on our factory tour of Alafoss in 2006 – so cool. Btw, see if you can find a copy of Lopi 25 patternbook. Lopapeysa pattern for small dogs. Just saying.
It’s Kismet.
Very glad you 2 are doing the “lightning” blogs – am enjoying seeing you post more often.
Perhaps you’ll see Vedis @ “Vogue”. Your own backyard and no pillow plumping required…. 😉
LoveDiane
Védís is even more charming in person. Very dry wit, so you’ll both get along just fine.