The Reading Challenge 2024

On 2024 I encourage you to read books in different genres. No other rules but the genre. The meaning is to introduce different kind of literature and authors to yourself. But, you can still choose your favorite one if the genre is familiar to you. Notice, you can always drop out the book if you dislike it. It is highly recommended to use second hand books, borrowed books and your local library collection. If possible, read in all the languages you can. Also, don't be afraid of to pick up a book you have already read in the past. The second round at different age may bring you new experiences. 

1. Poetry : Kirsi Kunnas' Puut kantavat valoa
2. Short story: Maria Jotuni's short stories
3. Fable: Bear Goes Fishing
4. Speech: Martin Luther King Jr.´s I Have A Dream
5. Folklore: Bear, wolf and fox starting to slash and burn
6. Comedy: Pertti Jarla's Fingerporin päiväkasku
7. Epic poetry: Jouni Marjanen's Suomen kansan jumalrunoja
8. History: National Board of Antiquities: Costume in Finland 1750-1900
9. Drama: Marja Jotuni's Miehen kylkiluu
10. Literary criticism: Literary Criticism
11. Satire: Satire
12. Pastoral: James Herriot's Favourite Dog Stories

I've read also the following books in 2024 and many other craft and science books not mentioned on the list.

Alfie the Doorstep Cat by Rachel Wells (in Finnish, borrowed by YoungLady). This book was warmly recommended to me by YoungLady. She said I absolutely must read it. I crab on it only to please her but she really knows what I like. It is a warm spirited adult fairy tale that reminds -on the begin- a true story. This is good for all who have had enough about blood, murders, mixed relations etc. 

Gamla, i lappmarken kända Växtfärgningsrecept by Lisa Johansson (in Swedish, library item). I usually don't list here the science books I read because there are so many of them every year. This one I want to mention because it is extremely rare (at least aboard) and not translated. It is written over 70 years ago and is up to old plant dyeing tradition in Lapland. This book really wants me to go to search university archive in Sweden!

Merenpeitto by Olli Jalonen (in Finnish, mine). In 2023 I read Taivaanpallo by Olli Jalonen. Merenpeitto is the next of the story. Merenpeitto means "blanket of the sea". This book is not translated into English and it continues Angus's story and now he has a change also to investigate the sea depths with Edmond Halley. Still the literal style was a bit disturbing but not as bad as it was with the 1st book of the series. Interesting and worth of reading. Also, educative.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (in Finnish, mine). This was my 1st ever Kate Morton with 727 pages. After a long -far too long- time I read a book I noticed I got addicted into. I found myself thinking about the book when I was not with it. I really think this is the book for all those who want to read intelligent literature with mind-capturing plot and characters that feel so real that for a moment you think this happening to them and you are watching it. It is full of words and surprises all the way to the end when you think it already ended but it didn't.  Hope Morton's books are not copies from each others and she will be able to satisfy my mind also in the future. 

Life and Death from the Late Iron Age to the Middle Ages by Jari-Matti Kuusela (in Finnish, mine). This is The regional Museum of Lapland publication no 26. It includes the latest information and research considering Lapland human life. It is very interesting, informative, refreshing and available both in Finnish and English in the same book. 

The Legend of the Ice People: The Witch Hunt by Margit Sandemo (in Finnis, audio book, library item). I decided to try out Margit Sandemo and her famous fantasy saga The Legend of the Ice People. Could not find the 1st part of the series so I picked up the second. I listened it in my car and it was full of action all the way so I didn't get so tired when driving a long way alone. To me this was too much with actual mistakes, sex and scifi but it still was amusing enough not to drop out. This might be my first and last book of the series.

LondonPenCase

I designed and made this little pen case. I used recycled zipper and left over material from LondonCovers. LondonCovers are still in use and the system works perfectly in our daily life routines. 

The pen case has a brand new lining inside. The recycled zipper was so long that only half of it was used for this project with the lock. The rest of the zipper is still in perfect fit so I decided to seek another lock to match with it so I can use also the left over piece if I just happen to find the new lock.

The back side of the pen case is also "right side up". It is possible when you make a seam at the bottom. In that way you can read the map always "right side up".

James Herriot

In 2024 I encourage you to read specific genres of literature. December 2024 theme is pastoral. I found out that finding non religious pastoral story is a bit challenging. That's why I ended up good old James Herriot and his Favourite Dog Stories that I found in Finnish in my own library. James Herriot was a vet who worked also on sheep farms. His stories are not exactly pastoral but they at least slightly touch the topic.  I like his stories quite a lot also because they are suitable for all, no matter the age or sex. (On the pic you can see dear Pii who was disturbed during her daydreaming and recovery over the Santa's visit.)

WaistBag

I designed and made this leather waist bag for a very special friend for Yule 2025. It is made of left over leather. I used a leather burning tool and beeswax to finish it.

It is easy to attach to your belt (or another bag which has an opening strap). But you can also put it inside a bigger bag to keep your little things organized.

It has a magnetic lock which was easy to place but difficult to find for the project. Actually, I managed to buy one when visiting Turku in November.

MerryYuletide

AAW Fair Isle Socks No10 (mustard)

I knit one more pair of my own design AAW Fair Isle Socks No 10. For the Fair Isle design I used plat dyed AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m). I used tea and fire weed to get the shades of light brown and yellow. The basic color mustard is Kotikulta's Tuokio yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m). My mom gave me some yarn of Kotikulta. I have never used it so we will see how good or bad it is. 

StrollerSleepingBag

I designed and made this beautiful stroller sleeping bag for arctic outdoor. We have one but it is 28 years old and I wanted to make a new one. The old one and this new one are both made of old fur coats.

The sleeping bag has woolen fabric cover all around it. It also has a beautiful traditional Sámi decoration of my siida. 

The sleeping bag has two full length zippers. That makes the bag open proper. When it opens with full length on both sides it is so much easier to use when putting in or taking the child out. Also, if it turns out too hot, you can open it to get some cool air in.

It is very warm. Everything else except the zippers and glittering decoration ribbon are made of 100% natural materials. The fur is up-cycled. It is FashionNOW stroller sleeping bag!

AAW Sweater No1

I designed and made a sweater for me & myself. I used snag grey AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) for the project.

Both back and front side look similar. I wanted to make a turtle neck and slim fit design because I already made PolarBear sweater which is bigger, thicker and warmer. ThePolarBear is for wearing it over something and this WolfPawPrint sweater is meant for wearing it under something. 

I knit the shoulder part twice because I ran out of the green yarn and I wanted to make it even and match with everything. It has simple Fair Isle design of different kind of stripes and paw prints.

I could not go to a yarn shop and by more because it is FashionNOW and made of our own yarn AAW. I do have more of it but not the green. I plant dyed the snag grey AAW yarn by Surprise Webcaps (Cortinarius semisanguineus) (browns) and red onion (green). So, at the end there was just 40 cm green yarn left. Well done!!! 

AAW Fair Isle Socks No 9 (short leg)

For the Christmas I designed and knit one more pair of AAW Fair Isle Socks No 9. The leg part is shorther but otherwise they are similar. I used AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) for the leg part Fair Isle design and Novita 7 veljestä (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) for all the dark green parts.

I used plant dye for the AAW Fair Isle stripes. I used garden lupine and nettle to make the shades. I really love to work with our own yarn!

AAW Fair Isle Socks No10

I designed and knit another pair of AAW Fair Isle Socks. These are quite similar to No 9 socks. There are few little differences with in the stripes and the toe part.

This year I have not had as much time as wished to make enough sock for the Yuletide 2024 because of other duties and obligations.

For these socks I used our own wool AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) which I plant dyed by tea, reseda and cochineal. The foot part's red shade is made of Novita 7 veljestä yarn Novita's 7 Veljestä (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m).

The Reading Challenge No12

 The Reading Challenge 2024 is here!

On 2024 I encourage you to read books in different genres. No other rules but the genre. The meaning is to introduce different kind of literature and authors to yourself. But, you can still choose your favorite one if the genre is familiar to you. Notice, you can always drop out the book if you dislike it. It is highly recommended to use second hand books, borrowed books and your local library collection. If possible, read in all the languages you can. Also, don't be afraid of to pick up a book you have already read in the past. The second round at different age may bring you new experiences. 

December 2024 theme is PASTORAL!

I didn't know about this genre before this challenge. Now when I've read about it I know I've read it before. Just never realized it's called pastoral. Just jump in and have fun over the holiday season!

Satire

In 2024 I encourage you to read specific genres of literature. November 2024 theme is satire. At high school my literary teacher introduced us many genres. One of my favorites was satire. But it was not high school when I got familiar to satire. Already at early childhood I found satire. It was something my grandpa introduced me into. I never saw him reading them but he had all the books of Kari Suomalainen and more keep on appearing when more was published. When I was visiting him, he had left the books in a pile on the table. I am sure he had read the all books because he seemed always to know for what and why I was giggling. My grandpa and Kari Suomalainen introduced this excellent genre of satire to me. I didn't know until my visit to Visavuori last summer that the famous Finnish sculptor was kari Suomalainen's grandfather. Or if I had been told, I had forgotten.

Macrame Jar Cover No1

I designed and made an easy & simple macrame jar cover. It is a variation of a common and universal jar cover design. 

I used Lankava's Minimop yarn that is made of recycled cotton (80%) and polyester (20%) (700g = 490m).

Because the yarn includes 20% polyester, it may get too hot easier than 100% cotton. Always follow the fire safety with the candles. I use led-candle inside this jar to avoid it all get too hot.

AAW Fair Isle Socks No9

I designed another pair of Fair Isle Socks made of our own ethic produced angora yarn AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) and Novita's Moomin (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 225m) yarn.

These socks are designed and especially made for my childhood friend with whom we've celebrated our 50th birthday in November day after another. The apple green is factory produced Novita 7 veljestä yarn. The other shades are AAW that I've plant dyed. These are long and warm and she needs them when riding horses in the arctic climate. (This year was the 1st time I ever visited Moomin World.)

SilverScarf

I designed and crocheted a very simple & soft scarf. It is not for me. It is made of DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk yarn (77% alpaca, 23% silk) (25g = 140m). If you are allergic to lanolin (sheep wool has it a lot) or itch easily, alpaca and silk are perfect options for you. 

PolarBears AAW

Look what I've done! It is Norwegian Linka Neumann design from her book Villmarksgensere 2. She is a very talented designer and her style touches my soul. After a long-long-long and even longer time I have knit something according to someone else than my own design. I just can't resist her style.

I have 3 books from Linka and have dreamed for a long time to have a change (=freetime) to knit some of her designs. It has taken almost 12 months to complete this; to be able to find the spare moment to knit just something only for myself. 

It has been a long-term plan to make this jumper. I have used AAW from our 1st collection for this design. It is a very special yarn (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m). In June 2023 I finally found some time every now and then to start to plant dye our AAW yarn.

It all is knit by Fair Isle style. Except the polar bears. The polar bears were at first knit by the basic color of AAW. After finishing the jumper I used duplicate stitching and Novita 7 veljestä yarn (blanco and nature white) to make the polar bears thicker and whiter. I could have used white yarn at first but because I wanted them to be thicker and get a bit variegated fur I first used the basic color and then duplicate stitching with another shade. At front I have 2 blanco white polar bears...

...and at back side they all 3 are nature white. I wanted to do it in this way because of the climate change and the fact that all the polar bears are not the same white shade. There are many shades in white, like in the life itself too. It is not always just black or white, but far too often we speak about the shades of grey. There are shades of white too.

This brand new jumper we can call FashionNOW design despite it is a brand new piece of cloth. I have produced 50% of the material by myself (the angora wool), 40% of the material (FinnSheep) is produced at a home hobby farm by someone I know. All the colors (except the white ones) I plant dyed at home using 90% the plants from my local area, collected by my self by respecting the nature and diversity. The white ones are left over materials from the projects years back. Instead of throwing the white ones away I saved them for the further use = this.

This jumper is my own gift for 50 yrs old me. And the brooch I am using with it is a birthday gift from my childhood friend with whom we turn to 50 yrs day after another.  It is Inarin Hopea design Solar Bear. On the jumper where it walks with me, it reminds about my Sámi culture, roots and ideology. Its shiny silver blink drives away the evil, dark and all the bad that might be hiding on the path I am walking.

Paulat

I realized you have not seen these traditional rigid heddle bands as finished. They are very beautiful and important part of Sámi culture. They are called "paula" (1) / "paulat" (more than 1).

This is traditional design from my Forest Sámi region. These are part of men's costume but it is possible for a woman wear them in the need.

The Reading Challenge No11

 The Reading Challenge 2024 is here!

On 2024 I encourage you to read books in different genres. No other rules but the genre. The meaning is to introduce different kind of literature and authors to yourself. But, you can still choose your favorite one if the genre is familiar to you. Notice, you can always drop out the book if you dislike it. It is highly recommended to use second hand books, borrowed books and your local library collection. If possible, read in all the languages you can. Also, don't be afraid of to pick up a book you have already read in the past. The second round at different age may bring you new experiences. 

November 2024 theme is SATIRE!

Satire comes out in many forms. I am sure it is already familiar to you. This month theme is to read satire. Also in literary you can find it in many forms: speech, comedy, comics, drama etc. It is up to you how you want to get on this and which theme of satire to choose. 

Literary Criticism

In 2024 I encourage you to read specific genres of literature. October 2024 theme is literary criticism. I usually never read it. It is important to understand what it is. It is professional or non-professional information about a book. It may include personal opinion or objective description. It can be anonymous or signed so you either know or don't who wrote it. Before letting it influence on you, you should ask at least two questions: who wrote it and why?

In this challenge I randomly seek literary criticism articles on magazines, newspapers and internet. I didn't read them all but seek one about a book I am interested about and have already read or want to read. I experienced this a good way to find a book I've never heard about but now add it on my "want-to-read" list.

DiagonalZipperCase

I designed and made this pillow case already in September. I have been hiding it because today is a very special day. It's the Birthday of my very special friend. I didn't want to spoil the surprise so I had to keep it out from the blog until now.

It is a very simple and traditional quilt block design but it has something very special too. I used hours of thinking how to make the background in the way that it doesn't look at all like the background. Meaning that you can keep the case at any side front without it looks it's placed backside at front. 

Also, I wanted to use recycled zipper for it so I had to think how to use the zipper in the way that it still works and doesn't hurt your face if you want to lay your head on it while resting. I didn't want to place the zipper in the side edge seam as usual and typical. I neither didn't want it to run across the whole pillow case because then it hurts your face. I think I invent quite a genius way to place the zipper and for sure will use this also in the future with other pillow cases I will make.

Basket No 2 Ribbon

I designed this 2nd warm up basket to follow the 1st one. This was far more complicated because of the material I used. The design is simple basic design but the material creates the challenge.

I had to start it twice until I was satisfied how it got on, progressed and looked out. I used the ribbons I bought years ago. The ribbon is very slippery.

I could have sewn the finishing with invisible stitches. Instead I wanted something firm to keep the tall basket stand straight also at the top. That's why I used wider ribbon around the mouth of the basket to hide the finishing. It also secures the slippery ribbons and prevents them to get open and free.

VerandaRagRugs

These 3 rag rugs I designed and made for our veranda. The veranda has 30 years old rugs, which still are ok and in use. For the arriving winter we need just thicker so I made extra triplet for cold season use. I have used old recycled linen and other home textiles plus old t-shirts and LP-yarn (80% of recycled cotton and 20% of other fibers) for these rugs. 

These two smaller ones will be placed by the doorsteps. Now you have seen all the 8 rag rugs I made summer 2024 following FashionNOW trend: HallwayRagRugs, PinkRagRug. NauticalRagRug, LibraryRagRugs and these 3 ones seen in this post for our veranda.

Hilja

Two weeks ago we drove to Salla, Finland. From there I drive to Kuusamo Finland with a friend and visited a very nice lady. We were there to do some volunteer work for our siida (Sámi community & village). At one point we talked about it how people throw away and destroy old items which have at least a cultural heritage value. The conversation went to the point where I mentioned old skills like spinning and wheel spindles. That's how I faced a question "Do you want a wheel spindle? Do you need one?" My respond was: "Well, not actually, I used to have antique one but later gave it away and bought a new modern one." I also asked what she and her husband meant. And they meant this: The old wheel spindle of the lady's mother was given away 40 years ago by her mom. 12 months ago it had returned in a huge box back to them. It had been 12 months in the box (they had not opened it) in their cottage because hey didn't know where to put it or what to do with it. You can guess my mind got curious at this point. So, we drove to the cottage, found a huge box and it was filled with polystyrene foam. We dig it with our hands and finally found this beauty inside. We packed it into the car and drove back to Salla.

I had warned Him about that I was donated an antique wheel spindle and hopefully we can fit it into his car with the dogs and our bags. Otherwise I will drive back alone some day to get her home. But he was able to fit it all in and we all arrived home together, safe and sound. At home we opened the wrapping. She was quite ok but not in the condition you could spin right away.

She has faced a total cleaning and oiling plus some fixing already to her pedal so that you can spin with her. Next summer she will face more preparing when you can do it outside. 

She is very shy and such a good girl. After a week she whispered her name is Hilja (it means something like silence). Last night we were able to spin together. She is a kind girl, a bit excited about it what I do but works very well. She is my girl and is happy to have her new sister and friend Liinu in her new home. Hilja will follow me and Liinu to work when ever needed.

I started to spun merino wool with her which I had dyed by Cinnamon Webcap (Cortinarius cinnamomeus). It all goes on just fine.💚