Fibre Fibre (13/7/18)

Hi Everyone 

My Fibre Friday is a little slim again. I’ve been busy with work and family holidays so not too much time for me ! 

My holiday shawl knitting (top right photo) has sadly come to a bit of an abrupt halt. Read back last Thursday for more on the shawl. Essentially, I’ve run out of yarn on the final icord bind off. I have a plan which involves my local Yarn shop hopefully having a tiny leftover bit of yarn or reworking the ‘bind off’ in the second colour. I’ve chosen the blue as my bind off and have only a few centimetres to go ! However, I could use the mustard colour and have plenty of yarn for that. I’m going to wait until next Wednesday, the day of my regular Knit Group Meet, before deciding which way to go. I favour the blue because, I think, the darker colour gives a ‘cleaner’ finish to the edge.

                   

The other fibre related projects are all about crochet. The Skimming Stones shawl is well underway - as predicted I’m way behind. I’m on clue 2 of 5. I have a bit of a habit of completing a couple of rows each evening so I’m getting there ! I will not finish on time, there’s only 1 more clue to go (final clue 18/7/18). The shawl, so far, is an odd shape and Im not sure about how it will turn out ? There’s a FaceBook group showing examples of CAL’s which are up to date and I’m still unsure about how the final item will turn out. I joined the CAL to help develop my crochet skills and have definitely succeeded there. I like my hand dyed yarn too, another positive from the project. I’m not sure about the shawl ? However, I will finish the project.

My last project this week is my crochet bag (bottom left). I started yesterday and have made the bottom of the bag (almost) - I have one more row to go. This T Shirt yarn is very thick and the bag is growing quickly. This type of crochet presents very different challenges to my CAL. The yarn is so thick and the crochet technique is difficult. I find, after a few rows, my hands are quite sore. However, it’s going well and I like the resulting fabric.

That’s it for this week. Thanks for calling in.

Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday. Bye for now.

Silver Gem Rings

Hi Everyone 

Today, I’m working with a new ring design. These rings will be a new line using traditional silver wire (3mm wire) with silver clay (PMC). I’ve used a similar idea with earrings in the past but I’m testing out a new way of building the silver gem into the ring. The silver gem will be formed from silver clay and torch fired directly onto a simple ring band.

             

My first samples will use a simple organic pebble shape but Im hoping I can come up with more varied carved shapes next. I just need some practice torch firing the clay. The example in my photo story (bottom right) shows a slightly melted finish - which I like. The danger of melting the clay is that I will loose any detail from a carved piece. I’m keen to learn how I can push the boundaries of this technique. Wish me luck.

Thanks for calling in today.

Crochet Bag Project

Hi Everyone 

I’m starting yet another little project today. This time it’s a crochet bag. I saw this great tutorial a few days ago and had been wondering what to do with a huge stash of T Shirt yarn. This is my answer. I’m aiming for something a bit like this :

                    

The bag pattern can be found here. I’ll go for different colours and will certainly introduce some bright pop of colour. I think, I’ll be going for a turquoise with the navy and grey. I’m not sure about handles ? I like the leather bag handle (in the photo story) but for my knitting bag, I think, a yarn version would work better. I’ll wait and see what happens.

I’ve been hoarding the yarn for several years and am quite excited about finding something to make. My original use for the yarn had been a Making Workshop but for some reason I didn’t get around to organising it. The Making Workshop Project was a choker style necklace with a huge clasp, this is still on my agenda but there’s so much yarn that I know I can also make a few little bags. The idea for my first bag is to make something I can use for one of my knitting projects. I have a few different colours to choose from - my job today will be to organise the project ready to go this evening. I’ll use the project to alternate between knitting and crochet this week, for my evening yarn sessions. I’ll share my progress with this project on Friday.

Thanks for calling in today.

Polymer Beads

Hi Everyone 

Yesterday, I mentioned starting a new mini project with polymer clay. I was inspired, initially, by my latest knitting project (look back to yesterday’s blog for details) and wanted to look further into possible bead designs. I’m thinking about statement beads on a Kumihimo braid. The images in my little photo story (below) are the kind of bead designs I thinking about. At the moment, it’s the fish bead that I feel will fit my idea. I like the organic ring style too, so may also develop a few similar beads. I think, I’d like to add some texture to the rings and perhaps make them in different sizes ? - still not sure about that one.

              

Looking back in my project samples, I see that I’ve already made a few fish beads, also inspired by the Louise Smith fish shapes (in my photo story).

                 

The shapes of the earring beads (top left) is a shape that I think will also work, I’d like to produce something similar with a surface pattern. The fish bead (bottom right) will get different colours and a larger hole for threading but I do like the idea of my previous work.

Hopefully, I can mix some clay colours later today and play with some shapes.

Thanks for calling in today.

Jewellery Inspiration

Hi Everyone 

I’m back from my mini Grand Tour for 2018. We had a lovely week with spectacular weather. Lots of time on the beach and time with family. I also found some time for knitting ! I always take my knitting ‘on tour’ but often don’t have much time to sit and relax with my needles. However, this time I’ve had lots of little knitting sessions which was lovely. I planned to make something called the Polkagris Kerchief by Kate Davies. I chose to use 

Northumbrian Rose yarn and it’s worked beautifully. 

                        

The Kerchief has been slightly extended and it’s more of a mini shawl now and I’m probably a couple of rows away from finishing. I love the colour combination and it’s inspired me to make some new polymer clay beads using the same stripe design and colours. I’m not sure how they will turn out at this stage but I’m hoping the beads will evolve during the process. I will play around with a few sketches this morning before developing the clay. I think, a bracelet and necklace will be the result.

Thanks for calling in today.