Fibre Friday (22/12/17)

Hi Everyone

My fibre update today is a bit ‘thin’ again ! I’m blaming Christmas. I’ve been focussing on Christmas knitting and everything else has taken second place. I’ve put some time into the Garland Sweater (check out the pattern here) and am almost finished my second pair of Christmas socks using WYS Christmas yarn (read about the story here). 

I’ve got lots of  ideas for new knitting projects over the Christmas period and thought I would share my favourites at the moment. I’m not sure if this is my final list (it keeps changing) but here are my thoughts at the moment :

                         

I need to search out some patterns for my Mittens, hat and shawl so will spend a little time later on this job. I’ve got loads of yarn in my stash and lots of patterns to choose from. That’s about it for fibre stuff. No spinning at all this week. I’m hoping to spend a little time over the Christmas holidays spinning too.

Have a great weekend and a Merry Christmas (if you celebrate). I will be taking a break over the holiday period and should be back in the New Year. Thank you to everyone who calls in to read the blog. Happy New Year for 2018.

Silver Day 21/12/17

Hi Everyone 

Today is Silver Day as usual but time is short (Christmas lists are growing) so I’m preparing for a new range of designs rather than doing too much practical work at my bench. This preparation will involve new drawings and a materials lists ? I’m rather pleased with last weeks earring designs (I’ve been wearing them daily) and am planning to develop the range into more jewellery. I’m starting the new items with a ring design. I’d like to use Silver Art Clay components with rings, more ear ring styles as well as a broach pin and a bracelet. I especially like the simple organic stone/pebble shaped earrings (as per the photo) and will take the little component and apply to each of the jewellery items. I don’t have a specific design at the moment and will play around with sketches first. I do have a couple of ring bands semi prepared for the organic silver stones/pebble so may get that completed but it’s more about the design at the moment.

                           

I need to order more materials too, so will prioritise this job when I have a specific plan. I’m not sure about the shape and size of the Silver wire I need yet and I may also go for additional, different Art Clay metals ? 

My new ring bands (above) are flat and quite wide so my first rings will need components to compliment the bands, I’m thinking I need quite a large ‘silver pebble’ or maybe a selection of smaller ‘pebbles’. I think this project will run well into the New Year, so lots of time to play with the idea.

Thanks for calling in today.

Hi Everyone

Today, I’m sharing my Christmas decoration inspiration for this year. Usually, we (mainly when the children were young) pulled out all the decorations from years past and up they go without too much thought about any theme or design. The kids have now lost interest in Christmas decorations. This year, I thought we would go for something a little different. I’m developing a Christmas HYGGE.

Hard to explain and even harder to pronounce, the Danish word "hygge" (pronounced 'hooga') has exploded in popularity around the world over the last few years. It translates roughly to "cosiness," but it means so much more than that. So what is hygge, really?  Examples of  hygge include creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Friends and family – that’s hygge too. There's nothing more hygge than sitting round a table, discussing the big and small things in life. So my Christmas hygge it not a decoration theme but more of an atmosphere created by my organisation/decoration of our living space over the Christmas period.

My family are mildly amused by the idea and will probably ignore the plan but it’s giving me a core theme for dressing up our house and helping me to create a cosy and relaxing space. Generally, I’ve kicked out the bright colours of Christmas decorations and have limited my palette to whites, greens and a little injection of red. I’m trying hard to look at how our seating is arranged (to encourage sitting around and chatting/ sharing/doing things together) as well as adding lots more cushions and throws with more candles than usual. I’ve turned to the garden for Holly, Ivy and Rosemary for extra decoration ideas. I’ve also changed some of the curtains to white muslin. All of these things together are chosen to create the calming, ‘clean feel’ of our living space to encourage hygge.

Here’s a quick look at some ideas which could inspire my Christmas hygge :

                       

I’m not quite organised for my hygge and it’s all an aspiration. I’m not ‘beating’ myself up about all this, creating lots of pressure  but my aim is to enjoy and relax and I think it’s worth a try and I’m  enjoying working on that. I may get some images to share the outcome of our Christmas hygge, when I get there. I’ll certainly look back in the New Year, to see if the whole idea worked for me.

Thanks for calling in today

Sewing Up The Trees

Hi Everyone

I’m really struggling to get my Making project in today ! As it’s Tuesday, it’s a Sewing Day for me and I was reviewing my very long list of projects which I need to spend some time. There are lots of sewing projects underway, however, I’m very short of time this week. It’s the last build up to Christmas, so lots to do.

My Making decision is to complete the Trees bracelets (from a few months ago). Read back to some of the September posts with more detail on this project. I have one of the bracelets ‘sewn up’ and I wear it often but I do have several more bracelets to construct and lots of beads. This will be a manageable Make for my busy day. I simply need to thread the beads (another name for sewing in my book) and do a little polishing. Hopefully, I can finish two complete bracelets over my day, here’s a quick reminder of the beads I made for the Trees Project :

                   

I’ll get some photos of my efforts by the end of the day - finished or not ! 

There will be some progress, I need to Make everyday, it’s just the rule !

Thanks for calling in today.

Buttons for Mittens

Hi Everyone

Today, I will be spending a short time making some buttons for my new Mittens design. I’ve decided to place three buttons on each of the coloured stitch bands on the Mittens (I will need six buttons). I’m not sure about which colour to go with yet - red or green ? I’ll mix some Polymer Clay in both shades and try them out. I’m reasonably pleased with how the pattern has worked out. The fit is excellent. As I mentioned on Friday, the design is a combination of a couple of patterns I’ve already used (read back to check out the details). One of the mitten patterns, previously made, is not a good fit, much too big - so, I’ve modified the ‘numbers’ and am very pleased with the new fit, very snug and much more comfortable to wear. I need to finish the thumbs and sew in the ends and that’s that ! At the moment, the thumbs will use the plain red shade, so a very quick job.

                       

I’ve used Blacker Yarn for this design , Swan in Bolsam Bog and Gotland in Shower - the colours work beautifully together and I’m hoping my buttons will add a great finishing touch to the design. Hopefully, I will have the job complete by Friday.

Thanks for calling in today.

Fibre Friday Update (15/12/17)

Hi Everyone

This week I’ve been knitting (almost exclusively) on Christmas gift projects, so I can't give anything away ! However, I have done a little work on the Garland Sweater (look back last week for details). I’ve also done a little work on my Christmas socks, you may remember the minor disaster re the socks, again re back for details. I’ve finished one sock and will cast on the second later this evening. 

Last night, I started a new project. I’ve been thinking about this one for a couple of weeks. The new project is a combination of a couple of recent knits, my Holt Wristwarmers (here) and my Azzurite Mittens (check it out). I’ve taken various elements of each and will play with some kind of stitch pattern and introduce a new yarn. I’m using a Blacker Gotland yarn (new) in the Shower colourway and the Blacker Swan (used in the wirstwarmers) in Balsom Bog.

                   

So far, I’ve created a cuff - knitting sideways in a 2x2 rib. I’ve simply made an oblong shape and crocheted the edges (together) to form a cuff, picked up stitches on the edge of the round and knitted 3 rows in basic Stocking stitch. The Azzurite mits used a similar idea but created a provisional cast on and used Three Needle bind off to close the cuff. My plan is to play with the two colours either with a stitch pattern or some Fairisle work. At the moment, I think I’m going for stitch pattern in both colours. The colours I’ve chosen contrast beautifully and I’m keen to use the colours to give impact. I’ll probably try a few different ideas before deciding on the final design.

My focus will be to finish my Christmas socks over the next week but I’m enjoying creating my new Mittens. I need to work on a name before I complete the design.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend, I’ll be back on Monday.

Silver Earring Report

Hi Everyone

I’m sharing the results of last weeks Silver Day (check it out here). My initial plan for  Silver Day (last week) changed a little, after trying out the planned design. My initial idea was to develop organic, linked rings with a large shaped ear hook. My prototype component is Ok but I wasn’t hugely impressed with the results. I like the shape and the concept but not the large hook idea with the organic rings. I’m not sure which hook or post I need, more experiments are scheduled. However, I love the other earrings. The main components are shaped from Art Silver Clay and after firing I created Sterling Silver hooks which are soldered to the fired clay.

                   

I’ve chosen the Silver Pebble earrings for myself. Normally, all the prototypes go elsewhere (as gifts/sales) and I don’t get to keep the ones I particularly like, however, this time I’ve kept my favourite (bottom image in my photo). I’ve worn them everyday since making and love them. I already have many more ideas in my head and will make some sketches today for a new batch.

Thanks for calling in today.

Making Fibre Interior Stuff

Hi Everyone

Today, I’d like to share a new (to me) magazine called Koel. I acquired the magazine last week and have been looking at it most days, I cant seem to put it down. There’s so much inspiration in both the magazine and on the website - take a look here. The magazine describes itself as :

A new quarterly magazine by Studio Bloesem that celebrates crafting with yarns to create a stylish home. Curating a contemporary interior decor with yarns. It brings back the coolness to decorative crochet, knitting, macramé, latch hooking, needlework, and weaving. Selectively featuring guest stories on other vices of KOEL’s makers, such as flowers, food, ceramics and other handmade crafts. 

The photography is amazing and there are a range of Making patterns alongside features on interiors as well as inspiring Maker stories. My magazine is Issue 3. I’ve been trying to decide on my favourite piece to share here and am struggling to find my top project. So, I’ve decided to identify my top three :

                      

I’ve dabbled with embroidery over the last few months - but not much to show. However, the lovely idea (bottom left) is very inspiring and I’ve added this project to my list. I see an embroidered pendant being added to a silver chain, not sure about a pattern yet ? The next idea (bottom right) combines hoop embroidery with needle felting. Felting is a regular in my Making life but I love the combination of both together in this project. I will definitely work on something similar, the vegetable elements are so lovely. The last of the three projects is ‘weaving’. I’m not a weaver but it’s very appealing. I do see lots of weaving at yarn shows and am always drawn to ‘watching’ as experienced Makers produce complicated pieces of fabric with wool. I’d love to make small pieces to make into bags. Not sure why ? but I love wool fabric bags. Obviously, I’ve got a ‘way to go’ with this one ! However, Christmas is coming and maybe I need some kind of weaving loom ? 

I will definitely look at more issues of  KOEL, even if it’s just for the photos. I highly recommend the magazine.

Thanks for calling in today.

Christmas Making Workshop

Hi Everyone

We have a new Making Workshop today. This is the last session before Christmas 2017. We will have lots of chat and there will be Mince Pies. This time we are making beaded Angels, Snowman and more. Our workshops have been focusing on preparations for Christmas for the last few sessions and it’s the 4th in the series. We have made crochet Snowmen gift bags, crochet and felted greetings cards, felted Robins and finally the beaded Christmas charms. The first three sessions are new projects to the Making Programme and have been great. Today’s Christmas charms project  is one from last year. I love making these little charms, so satisfying.

               

Last year, I created a small festive tree developed from a Willow branch and decorated it with lots beaded Angels. This year, I’m resurrecting the Willow tree and will add my new beaded charms from today. Hopefully, I can come up with a Santa and a variety of Snowmen. The charms are very easy to make and allow lots of creativity with simple bead combinations. The charms can turn into a tree charm or a pair of festive earrings. As usual, I will aim to get some photos to share here on the blog.

Thanks for calling in today.

Prototype Polymer Samples

Hi Everyone

If you are a regular reader, you will know I’m in the middle of a big Job - reorganising my Studio. It’s going rather slowly ! However, I will get there. As I’m sorting each and every item, I’m coming across stuff I’ve either forgotten about or lost. It’s all very interesting (for some of the time). As it’s my Polymer Day today, I thought I would share some prototype jewellery samples made from Polymer Clay. These samples were stored in a box, deep in the Studio and I’d forgotten about them. Some samples can go, they’ve served their purpose but amongst the box, I found some interesting ideas. Some of the samples could be used and reworked into a new piece or used as inspiration for something new. Here is a quick look at a selection which has taken my interest.

                      

Most of the samples are earrings or ear ring components but the Chartreuse coloured rings are very appealing to me. I want to sand them and slightly reshape the rings, possibly adding some Silver. I’ll spend some time working on these four pieces later today. 

Hopefully, I may come across more stuff today. The reorganisation goes on !

Thanks for calling in today.

Fibre Friday - 8/12/17

Hi Everyone

This weeks fibre round up is very much like the last few weeks. I’ve been dividing my fibre time between a few projects. I shared the Toft Advent Project earlier this week (read back Monday for more on this). The Toft project is a mystery crochet, little bits of the final item is made each day with yarn from the windows in the box. It’s very exciting and I look forward to setting aside 15/20mins each day for the task.

I’ve also been continuing with a few ongoing knitting projects. The Garland sweater moves on, very slowly. There are in excess of 300 stitches on the needles and I try and complete 2/3 rows each evening. I’m enjoying the knit, the colours are lovely and the stocking stitch is very simple, great for TV knitting. It’s going to be a few weeks yet !

My next project is a Bousta Beanie. This is the second Bousta which has been waiting patiently in my bag for some time. It’s quite a quick knit so I’m  hopeful I can get is finished this next week. Unfortunately, I’ve run out of the base colour so need to get a new ball today. 

My last knit project is the lovely Christmas socks (I shared these last week). I had actually finished the socks and unbelievably, they are too big for me ! I know what I’ve done, so it’s not a big deal. My husband took the opportunity to suggest he should have them, so that brilliant. I’ll wrap them up for Christmas. The issue came from using the wrong ‘foot shape’ a cardboard template I use for sizing. I simply used the wrong template. I need to add names, clearly. However, no problem, I’ve started another pair for me. This time I’m going for a toe up sock with an Afterthought heel.

                        

                             

That’s about is for fibre stuff. No spinning at all, sadly. However, I’m hopeful next week will include some spinning. I’m planning on spending some more time next week on fibre related stuff, I’ll report as I go.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend, I’ll be back on Monday.

Bye for now.

Silver Day

Hi Everyone 

It’s Silver Day today and I have a new design. My idea is to produce a protype for production so I’m concentrating on efficiency. I want a simple, rounded hook which can be fused to a number of variations of the design. The earring design will be two linked rings. I want to connect the component to the hook by soldering but the rings will simply link before fusing together. The variations will come from using different size and shaped Sterling Silver wire. The wire I’m using today will be 1x1mm, square wire. I’m not sure about the size yet. I think today, I’d like to make 2 of 3 sizes to see which works best.

                   

As usual, my design process involves making a quick sketch from an idea which has been ‘brewing’ in my head for a while. I was inspired by noticing the outline shape of lots of paper clips for this design. I liked the long, thin shape of a standard paper clip, many of which (in my box) had randomly linked together.  I immediately thought of earrings which could allow an element of movement for the component. The wire will begin by being roundish but I do want to mimic the standard paper clip shape for this design. Fingers crossed, I can produce something interesting with my idea.

Thanks for calling in today.

The BIG Job

Hi Everyone

If you called in last Thursday, you will know I started a reorganisation of my studio. Last week, I gave myself two days to complete the job. What was I thinking ? The job is massive ! I used the initial planned two days well, however, there is so much more to go. At the end of Friday, I had lost the plot and was regretting starting. Over a cup of coffee, I decided to identify a daily objective to continue the reorganisation, which is helping me to get the job done. I don’t have a timescale, it’s one day and one objective at a time. Although, this approach is ‘slow going’, I’m finding, it does help to review as I go. I have, on a couple of occasions, changed my ideas about how to store various items. 

              

Currently, I have lots of crates - filled with ? (who knows, I’ve certainly forgotten). I have thrown lots of rubbish but there is so much to go. I’m trying to be disciplined and each item needs to ‘earn’ their space. 

Today, I’ve got lots of writing to do, Wednesdays are designated for writing. However, I will keep on track with the Big Job. My objective is to bag up lots of paper and old journals as well as organise a shelf for my teaching tools. I have the shelf identified so it should be straightforward. I think, I need some new boxes but at this stage, I’m not sure exactly the size I need. I will wait until I know what I’ve got left before making any purchases. I know the studio will be organised one day soon and it will be amazing.

Thanks for calling in today.

Advent Project

Hi Everyone

It’s Day 5 of my Advent Project today and I’m still very excited every day about this years Advent ‘thing’. The Advent idea is a crochet project from TOFT, read all about TOFT here. The Advent Project arrived in a beautiful box with lots of little windows and a cute Christmas scene, here’s my box on day 1.

              

Each day, I get to open a little window to reveal a very small skein of yarn, you can see the skein sitting on the box (above). The instructions for the daily crochet task arrives in my email box. I’m not sure what the final character will be ? At the moment, I’ve made a couple of things which look like legs. 

I’m very excited abou this project and am up to date with each task. I choose about a 20 mins slot for the job each day, along with a coffee. It’s very satisfying and I look forward to it - each day.

I’ll share my progress in a few days. Thanks for calling in today.

More Robins

Hi Everyone

I’ve another Robin project today. It’s actually one of the projects featured last Tuesday but I’ve not actually put all the bits together yet ! I’m still heavily into reorganising my studio (will take all week) and the Robin project will be a bit of a break later. This felt project is a quick make (in theory). I’ve made a pattern of the Robin shape and have found a couple of feathers. I’ve got brown and red feathers and I’m not sure which to go for yet ? I’ll wait and see what works best, once the Robin has been developed. If these Robins turn out well, I am hopeful at this stage,  I’ll make a few more.

                       

I think, I could also change the size up and down to create quite a good display. The feathers are large, so a I think I can go for something twice the size of my sample template (in photo). This project comes from a Kirstie Allsopp book called ‘Craft’. I’ve had this book for quite a few years and each Christmas I think about making the Robin, this is the year ! I need to find some Brown felt fabric and a little stuffing and I’m ready to go. Hopefully, I’ll have something to share in a few days.

Thanks for calling in today.

Fibre Friday

Hi Everyone

I’ve not had too much time this week for knitting or spinning, I usually do most of my knitting in the evenings and I’ve had lots of extra projects going on instead. However, I do have some progress to share.

                        

I’ve spent most time, this week, knitting the Christmas socks, they are finished other than sewing in the ends/soaking. I’ve got lots of yarn left and am thinking a pair of gloves would be good ? The sock pattern is my own version of a sock. It started out as an Afterthought Everything Sock, read back last Friday for the idea behind this sock. I didn’t follow the whole idea exactly but mainly it’s faithful to an Afterthought Sock. I developed a tube, added a contrast toe, 2x2 rib cuff and a Wedge heel. It’s a very simple construction which I think suits the yarn well. I love the yarn, the colours are lovely and the pattern is very festive. Generally, I’m pleased with the socks. My usual issue with a tightly knitted bind off on the cuff is there again, it’s a bit disappointing  because I did try a Lace Bind Off technique to try and eliminate a tight band on the cuff. I may try another bind off for a looser fit.

I’m also working away with the Garland Sweater, it’s a big knit ! I’m working on the body at the moment, a simple but very wide stocking stitch section. I’m enjoying this knit, although it does take forever to knit one round ! I tend to knit a couple of rows each evening alongside another project, so progress ‘happens’ on a regular basis. Again, read back last week for more on the Garland Sweater.

My next knit is a second Bousta Beanie. I started this back in September, immediately after finishing my own Beanie. This new hat is for my husband, he has quite a large head so I needed to do something with the size. I’ve simply gone up a needle and all seems well. I’ve not done too much on the Beanie but again, I have a plan for few rounds each evening. The Bousta Beanie is quite a small project so I’m hoping a week or so should have it completed, hopefully for Christmas. 

My last fibre feature is the November Travellers Club (a monthly fibre club) from HilltopCloud . This fibre is 25% Bamboo/75% Merino. It’s a lovely blue/green colour, I love it. I’m not sure what I’m going to make ? I’m thinking a cowl would be nice. The fibres are amazingly soft with wonderful shades of dark blue. I’m looking forward to the spin. I’ll share the yarn when it appears.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday.