Arne og Carlos

Carlos (L) & Arne (R)

 
At long last the promised post about Arne & Carlos. If you live outside Scandinavia you are forgiven for not knowing about this dynamic knitting duo - often referred to as "strikning guruer" by the press, yes knitting gurus! 

First a little introductory video:
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=FoDghBI3F34&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%

I was invited to join a group of knitters who went to an October afternoon lecture by Arne & Carlos at the Louisiana Museum http://www.louisiana.dk/uk in conjunction with the New Nordic exhibit. They were introducing their new book "Strikke-Dukker" (Knitted Dolls) and also discussing what led to their gradual transition and shift away from fashion and knitwear design, to becoming authors. Their now famous "Julekugler" (55 Knitted Christmas Balls) book, which is currently the best selling title in Norway, has inspired many knitters to take up teeny (3mm) double pointed needles and start knitting these christmas balls with intricate traditional Norwegian designs.

As the talk was in Danish, I obviously only inferred what details I could from the photos Arne & Carlos shared. Judging from the animated response from the audience and the amount of laughter they were clearly entertaining presenters! I enjoyed the atmosphere and embarked on my very own first julekugler while they spoke. After the book signing we actually got to meet them. It ws fun to hear how they are now promoting their books overseas. They have a book tour planned in Februrary for the US west coast.

Here is ball #1 in construction (only #2 - #55 to go!!) It could be a while before our Christmas tree is decorated with many different fair isle' red and white julekugler.

Here are some julekugler at different stages of the process knitted by Arne & Carlos.

Once smitten, twice ... not shy but energized. When Arne & Carlos mentioned they would be at the annual Danish Bog Forum (Book Fair) mid November and we were welcome to join them and knit at the booth - we were adding the date to our iCalendars faster than you can say knitting needle. So on a grey foggy Copenhagen wintry day I made the journey out to the vast conference complex south of the city center where I spent the afternoon knitting and chatting = perfect combination.

The art of knitting is a very big part of Scandinavian culture. When you are riding on the bus or train you often see knitters at work, and many of the knitting shops have "knit-in" sessions in the afternoon, or the evening. Now my Danish course has started my knitting time has been greatly reduced!

Don't you love these striped tights

 

 

Of course there are patterns for gorgeous knitted dolls clothes too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Fridays: "A Pølser on the Lake"

A few years ago a fellow working mother in Nederland, Colorado, came up with the 'Fun Fridays' concept for her sons. It was during the long summer school break (typically 11 weeks) and she was looking for a way to ensure that each week she did something with the boys at the end of her work week: hence Fun Fridays. My son R loved to be invited to join them occasionally on these outings. Typically one week would be a 'free' activity often in the local mountains, and the alternate week would be a $$ outing.

What has this got to do with 'living in Denmark'? Nothing directly, however, I was reminded of FF these past two Fridays, as I have been at home doing the joyous round of "household chores". I have found light relief and actually downright hilarity at the recurring views I get of a one-off phenomenon - a floating "pølser (hot dog) sculpture" on the Pebling Sø.

The Pølser appeared a few weeks ago, and to my continued amazement it is still cruising out on the lake. Honestly slightly more flacid than when I first spied it mid-October, but the red fabric remains vibrant, and the wavy yellow mustard line glows. Really I'm now just waiting for an enterprising Dane to decorate it with fairy lights!

Finally needing a break from cleaning, laundry I took an afternoon walk around the Pebling So lake, camera in hand, chortling my merry way as I admired the sky, the swans, and the temporary resident giant hot dog. Enjoy!

Happy Fun Friday.

LOUISIANA Museum of Modern Art

At the top of my 'must-see' list for any visitor to Copenhagen is the fabulous LOUISIANA Museum of Modern Art. While discussing our impending move to Denmark with my doctor, Karen, she proclaimed "oh you must go to Louisiana, it's my favorite museum in the world!" So it was a great tip, we visited our first weekend and it was the highlight sandwiched between endless trips to IKEA, and secondly it was an unexpected perk of my annual physical to discuss modern art with my lovely Colorado doctor.



Anyway I digress already, back to the museum. It's a 35 minute train ride north from central Copenhagen to the town of Humblebaek, located on the coast overlooking the Oresund. The setting is stunning. From the entrance it looks like an unassuming white country house, covered in ivy. What first hits you is the view out over the lawns behind the house looking across the sea to Sweden.

I have lived in Denmark for a mere three months, but have already visited Louisiana five times. If I could ignore the daily demands of 'home-keeping' I'd be there every week. A great gift was a museum membership +1, which now means unlimited museum visits and I can take a guest. 

http://www.louisiana.dk/uk/Menu/Visit+Louisiana
The museum is designed in an arc with series of interconnecting buildings branching off from the original house. The indoor display space is framed by the sculpture park outside which you can access from many points. Regardless of the day or the weather, a massive Henry Moore reclining woman on the main lawn, and an Alexander Calder mobile outside the cafe always draw ones eye.

My parents came to stay last weekend on their first trip to Denmark. So they had barely had a chance to explore Copenhagen before they were on the train Louisiana bound with me! Friday we were blessed with perfect early winter weather: bright blue skies, crisp cold air, crunchy leaves underfoot, and traces of ice crystals from the freeze the night before. 

As many of you know I have an obsession with the sea - and seek out opportunities to be by the water, in the water, traveling to water .... At the far end of the south wing I discovered this sculpture, which I absolutely love due to the humour and the sense of possibility. It makes me think of  Buzz Lightyear and want to shout out "to infinity and beyond" (BL is the astronaut toy from Toy Story movie if he is unfamiliar to you). Thankfully for my parents I just thought this and didn't create a commotion in this tranquil gallery space.

The highlight of my most recent visit was to take another look at the "NEW NORDIC architecture & identity" exhibit which closes at the beginning of November. To quote the book that accompanies the exhibition:

"Is there a Nordic identity? Can one still speak of what has been called the Nordic way? Can we, despite the tendency of globalization to wipe out national and cultural differences, still speak at all of identity as something associated with particular places, areas or regions? How has Nordic identity developed alongside the development of the rest of the world?" 

It truly is one of the most thought provoking exhibits I have seen - here are a few images to give you an idea.

 As you can see it also catered for my love of all things "wool-related". Next up will be about Arne & Carlos famous for their "Julekugler" & "Strikke-Dukker" (Christmas Balls & Knitted Dolls - doesn't sound nearly as fun in English as in Danish does it!)