Felting Fun

I've been having a felting lot of fun!
Christmas presents.

Some parts of each object are felting more than other bits but that is part of what I like about them.

Now I think I will reinforce them with a little bit of fine wire and wrap them up!

I can't wait to do more!

Kindof but not really!

I'm not sure exactly what went wrong but I know what I will do next time and there will be a next time!

I knitted this scarf and did a Nicky Epstein to it - wrapped it around balls, secured them with rubber bands and attempted to felt it.

First of all I knit it too loose to hold the size balls I wanted to use. Second I used styrofoam balls - um, they float (duh!!). The mohair didn't felt at all! I put it thru 4 wash cycles. I'm sure it was a combination of trying to felt something when it won't sink into the hot water and knitting it too loose.

But it did turn out interesting - I just haven't made up my mind if I like the unwanted stretched out result or not?

I will try Nicky's methods again - her book Knitting Never Felt Better is a gem.

I do feel better about my other attempts over the weekend.

They were quick and fun! They will both be in mail to colder climates for Christmas prezzies.

Knitters - show us your tats!

I've been inspired by Bells to show my tat to the blogging world (not that so many people read my blog!) but, well, here it is...

When I made the committment to stay living in Australia I decided to get a tattoo of 'home' to carry with me always. This is an Orca whale design from the Pacific Northwest Native Americans - where I am from. There used to be lots of Orcas in Puget Sound when I was younger and living there. I always loved them. So this is my little bit of Seattle that goes with me wherever I go.

I don't know if it has been done before but I too would love to see other knitters tats and hear the stories that go with them!.

And tomorrow I am doing something with this -



I'll share when it turns out fantastic. Cross your needles for me!

Buttons and Christmas Presents

I found some buttons in my bedside table drawer! I don't remember buying them. I don't remember what I bought them for? But I love them - I'm sure that's WHY I bought them. And they look great on my Chinese Vest.

So I got my vest out of retirement (from the winter cupboard) and sewed on some buttons.

Now, it has been almost cold enough this past week in Canberra to get out the Winter clothes again, but I resisted. But the cold did make it easier to knit hats and scarves for my son and his partner who are wintering in Seattle. They are planning on doing a lot of snow boarding.

Neither one of them read my blog or even know about it so there is no fear that they will see this before they open presents on Christmas morning. Wish I could be there to see them try on their new hats! Oh well, sigh!

Trekking socks - a world of colour!

Man, this is why I knit! The joy of so much colour put together in a way I would never think of (not to mention that I don't have the skill to) and that suits my senses completely. I absolutely love this wool. It is bright and subtle at the same time. It is soft and strong. It is beautiful and gracious. I watched my needles the whole way through these socks because of the colours.

I knit the socks that I want - I made them short and with cables.

And the bonus is that there is enough left over to make another pair - as long as I am happy to mix it with another yarn. (or maybe some fingerless mitts?) And even better - I have another ball of Treking in another colourway. I'm figuring out another pattern for my second favourite pair of socks that are going to be knit very soon!

Just in time for Summer?

My vest is finished all except for the perfect buttons. I have some metal buttons that have sailing ships on them that I may use but I want to have a look at Addicted 2 Fabric before I decide to use the ones I have.

I especially like the neck even with the big brown blob which I have come to appreciate if not love. This was fun to knit. The pattern is Chinese Red Vest from Folk Vests by Cheryl Oberle. The yarn is Bendigo Alpaca which I know a few of you have used. It was easy to knit and I really loved every minute of it.

Now I will wrap it in tissue paper and put it away for six months! That just seems wrong - but I can't even hang it in the closet for that long. Oh, well, hopefully I will love it this much next June.

I am typing this blog entry on my new notebook - and I love it. I feel so modern after the crappy computer I have been using for the past two years.

It's just a little thing with not much grunt but I still think it is cool - almost as cool as my new vest. Or should I say as 'hot' as my new vest. Well, I'll tell you how hot it is next June!

There has been knitting...

I have been so busy with other stuff over the past month - I haven't had much ME knitting time but there has been a little.

I am utterly in love with Trekking. It is absolute delight to look at while I'm knitting and it is smooth on my rosewood needles. I know this sock looks a little strange but I like ankle socks and I have a long foot. This one fits really nicely. I have only started the second one but since I haven't posted for donkey's years I couldn't resist the one sock shot. I have another ball of another colorway of Trekking too - I need to come up with the perfect pattern for that ball - because they are both going to be for ME!

My vest body is done and this weekend (depending on time constraints) I will pick up for the bands and hopefully the armhole bindings. Despite the occassional brown blog (!) I like this very much - and the alpaca is so soft. I want to get it done before the hot weather sets in - I won't pick it up if it's hot.

I'm loving Spring! I'm loving the warm weather, the longer days, the lilac in bloom and the open windows and doors. And it is still a joy to ride my bike to work - I no longer need to use "Granny Gear" so I know my fitness level has increased. I hope you are all loving Spring too - or Autumn as the hemisphere might be!!

Ciao