The Solitary Knitter

Knit to the end…

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  • A Copenhagen Trip Recap

    A Copenhagen Trip Recap

    I’m not sure how to start this because it’s been awhile but in my defense… it’s been a crappy auld time lately. But that’s all behind me now! I have some breathing space to write a little now but I’m not sure where to even begin. I suppose I could recap a little bit of our trip to Copenhagen over the Easter break – the yarny bits of it anyway.

    Our first break away this year was to Copenhagen for Easter as it’s a long weekend in Ireland and I had an extra day off on top of that. We took advantage of the time off and booked this way back in October or November. I had every intention to visit a bunch of yarn stores, but silly me didn’t even think that stores would be closed for Easter. And especially so in Denmark! I was able to make it to two on Good Friday but had to wait until our final day, Tuesday, to shop a bit more before going to the airport. It’s like the one time I have ever paid for late checkout so I could have the extra time to pack everything up.

    Again, I had every intention to arrive well prepared with a shopping list and pre-planned projects so I wouldn’t buy things without a plan, however life kind of screwed me here. It’s fine though. I was just extremely busy in the months preceding this trip so was unable to really find the time and energy to think about this. Genuinely though, my big tips for any other knitter traveling to Copenhagen, or really any place, are:

    • Scope out the yarn stores in town and which ones you want to visit. This includes planning your route. Assuming you are taking public transport, make sure you have some grasp on where you’re going and what to do.
    • Think about what you are wanting to purchase or just even look at. Which stores carry that line? Check out prices on their websites if you need to factor in a budget.
    • What projects are you hoping to make? Confirm which yarn you need/want and the required yardage/meterage in advance. Have a back up option ready in case your first option is not available.
    • MAKE NOTES. Write it down in detail in your Notes app or in a notebook… anything.
    • Personally, I would balance your day out with non-yarny things. Basically, make time for resting. I get overwhelmed with options in front of me so I end up taking photos of skeins and will go sit down for a snack or drink somewhere to think it through, and then go back with my final decision.
    • Account for some wiggle room on spontaneous purchases. Let’s not kid ourselves, we all do it.

    In terms of pre-trip planning, I watched a fair number of Copenhagen trip reports from knitters on YouTube. Just search for it and you will come across a bunch. The two that come to mind that I found quite helpful are from LiseLight (part 1 and part 2) and Nadia makes. (link).

    So, getting down to it… On Good Friday, I was able to make it to Sommerfuglen and was promptly overwhelmed and unprepared. I’d say I spent maybe 25 minutes inside before calling it. I was actually not feeling 100% after traveling (even though it wasn’t that big of a trip, I think I was overtired), so I took some photos and confirmed they would be open on Tuesday so we could come back after I had time to think about what I wanted. My mom is a huge cross stitcher and had requested anything cross stitch and Danish. Sommerfuglen had some patterns and kits (more needlepoint and embroidery than anything) but nothing that was her style, so I left that. They did however had a wall of Danish embroidery thread so I grabbed a couple primary colours for her to use in some future project.

    A wall display of Danish embroidery thread in a wide array of colors.

    Later that day, we made it over to Uldstedet where they had an absolute TON of a brand called Gepard. I wasn’t familiar with it and while tempting, I ended up just getting a few other things that intrigued me. The shop was pretty busy actually and staff were very nice. If you’re in the area, pop in for a gander.

    Yarn acquisitions from Uldstedet include a skein of Hjelholts Uldspinderi Dank Pelsud 8/2 in what I am nearly certain is in the shade Marine. I also nabbed two skeins each of the Isager Soft Fine in 36 and Highland Wool in Wine. These I think will be held together for an Oslo Hat or similar… Don’t hold me to that.

    From Uldstedet, I recommend walking 15 minutes across Peblinge Sø to Kraess, a Danish design store. If you like local art, please check this out. It’s so cute and you will definitely find something you like! Check out this amazing artwork I purchased by Sejrskilde. I searched every single inch of that store for this print but couldn’t find it… only to then have the very nice assistant at the till tell me they can print anything right there in the shop for you if you’re unable to find what you’re looking for! It only took about 10 minutes. I was delighted!

    Somewhere between Uldstedet and Kraess, we happened upon a flea market in the Israels Plads. There were stalls of vintage clothing and homewares along with some very questionable art… But I thought it was so very cool and so Danish to see handknits for sale!

    Finally, we trekked back to Sommerfuglen on Tuesday once it opened. I still wasn’t sure what to get… I had every intention of purchasing a SQ (sweater’s quantity) but ended up thinking about hats. Please don’t judge my purchases, by this point of the trip I was wrecked and couldn’t think if I need more or less… Whatever! It will be used! Don’t be like me.

    Ignoring the yarn previously mentioned, I purchased 3x Filcolana Arwetta in 146, 3x Sandnes Garn Sunday in 3554, 3x Knitting for Olive Merino in Mustard, 3x Knitting for Olive in Blood Orange, 2x Walløe Fine Kid Mohair in 26, and 2x Rauma Garn Tjukk Mohair in 161. A bit of a hodge podge of yarn acquisitions, but I’m quite happy with everything I picked up and have already started a Musselburgh with the Filcolana Arwetta.

    That wraps up my Copenhagen trip from a knitting perspective… There are so, so many yarn shops in and around the city. I did not get to some others I really wanted to visit unfortunately, but that’s ok. Pro-tips would be to not visit during Easter if you’re looking to shop a ton, be prepared to spend a lot of money because holy crap is Copenhagen expensive, and enjoy yourself! It’s a beautiful city and we had a fabulous time!

  • This is not a New Year’s Resolution.

    This is not a New Year’s Resolution.

    Starting, or rather re-starting a blog, has been on my mind for quite a bit these last few months. I miss having a space to write about things that interest me or about the stuff my husband and I do when we travel and flit about town. I don’t know how interesting it is to other people, but I’m tired of worrying about what other people may or may not think of me. I also am famous for overthinking every single decision. Some people call it anxiety. I like to call it being methodical and conscientious. But it has admittedly held me back in life at times.

    So in an effort to just Stop Worrying and Do The Thing, I’m here.

    Also… I miss classic old school blogs. Social media is such a double edged sword. Like, it’s great to explore the world through my phone and find so many amazing content creators and just… normal people who have similar interests to me, but it’s difficult to filter out all the noise, advertisements, and arguing. It seems every day now I channel my inner Murtaugh and mutter to myself, “I’m too old for this shit.” So, here I am, grasping for a bit of nostalgia and talking to myself about things I find interesting and hoping maybe someone else will find it interesting, too.

    I’m a knitter, so I will be sharing my projects here, essentially using my new space as a knitting journal. But I also like to travel with my husband (when time and money permits), so this will also be a bit of a travel blog. We like to explore fun bars that have character (read: dive bars), try new beers and food, and generally see what’s going on out there in the world. We really just like to wander around and try new things, see what’s what and report back our thoughts. If one or two people try something based off our recommendations and enjoy it, that’s enough to please me.

    Anyway, fingers crossed I keep going this time and not let any silly fears and self-consciousness get to me. Is this what they call… growth? Eep.