I want to dedicate this post to a father who is very special to me. My husband! You see, while not the biological father of my kids, he is their Dad! He is there when things are crappy and when they are good. While not perfect, he tries really hard and sometimes that is the best you ask for. Thank you Keith for being the Dad for our daughters. Okay, now the real reason for being thankful for my husband.
Most husbands tolerate their wives obsessions, whether it be purses, shoes, clothes.. or ummm fluffy fuzzy stuff and their tools. My DH husband has earned the title , as I read in another blog "supporter of the Arts". This truly fits him. He actually knows what the different items are. He can identify a niddy noddy, he knows what circular needles are, what heddles are and what they are for, (and why I needed to spend 80 bucks to get more), differences between fibers, what it means to ply and on and on and on. This weekend he gave me another reason to think he is the greatest. Take 1 minute or so and watch this video and tell me if he doesn't win "Hubby of the Year".
I am just so tickled with the fact that he is interested enough to at least try. I love you honey! Who knows. Maybe two fiber artists in the family . Speaking of male fiber artists. I spent the day with a terrific friend who gets bit by the crafty bug once in a while. Steven and I spent the day talking and cooking and I brought a large triangle loom over and he is going to make a throw of some sort. I brought some homespun, who doesn't like to learn on something beautiful and we (well, he) completed one triangle in a about an hour.
I know that everyone wishes they could make a living doing what they love, I am no different. It's funny when we dream of winning the lottery we dream of starting a place where kids or adults can come to learn. So really not trying to NOT work but trying to work with our loves. Ahhhh dreams, I guess simply having them keeps you motivated.
There seemed to be alot of posts with out pictures lately so I am going to add some here to make life just a little more fun. But first a story... I finally ended the school year and while I loved my kids, I am very happy. This is going to be the summer for me. Okay yes, it's a little selfish but so what. I work hard and while broke, totally something I am not going to whine about, I have a health stash and will explore it throughly. Anyway, I bought (maybe why I am broke), 5 cones of 8/2 cotton for dish towels and cut 490 ends to begin my hand made christmas presents. SOME little voice said, "Hey, do you have enough heddles for that". Answer no, enter more frustration and a 70 dollar order to yarn barn. (Another reason for broke) There seems to be a pattern here. Then I realized that I could edit the pattern and make some wash clothes to go with the dish towels. YAHOOO.. SO stole some warp and off I went. I then realized that I made some mistakes but thanks to the folks at Ravely, i learned how to fix my warping errors and have been weaving this morning. As a teacher, it is sometimes very good for you to learn to learn again. I am at the 2nd grade of weaving and just learning to read. Because our little world is growing ever smaller thanks to this Internet thing! :) It's so nice to be able to find someone who knows more than you and go from there. well maybe a boring story but one that has filled me with encouragement.
Making up pickup patterns, sorta ;)
On the knitting front, I am almost done DD stocking and the pattern is not getting written up anytime soon :) Why, because lil peep calls my name all the time. I also am very excited because one of my patterns is soon to be (hopefully) accepted by a well known yarn company. That thrills me to no end because my goal for this year was to write and sell some original works. I feel like I am accomplishing some major things year. Now if that money tree would just start producing fruit. Oh well, that isn't what life is about and I am thankful for what and who I have in my life. The other really cool thing is I was gifted a schacht inkle loom that has a little crack (now no laughing) in it, and it seems to fit very nicely into my somewhat cracked life. :) I had an Ashford Inklette loom which I got a little lesson on..and am learning to do pick up -not well- so here is a little peak of what I have done so far. This is a challenge as there seems to be very little in the way of books to learn to do this on your own. I love the challenge of digging into a book and coming out on the other side. It seems I might have to actually take a class on this one. However, there is hope. There is an online class you take from an inkle loom maker so here is hoping that I will get what I need from that class and can continue learning on my own. Wonder why I don't feel comfortable taking a class. I guess it's because I want things to be at my pace and when I need it. I will have to remember this feeling when I hit the classroom next year.
Inklette Loom from the side
More patterns from the bottom
What?? Huh?? Lil' Peep again. Off to weave. Wow - who knew a table loom could be so demanding.
1. Wound 490 ends for place mats... have 320 heddles. (CRAP)
2. Spent 3 hours with a friend learning inkle weaving... still perplexed with pick up! (CRAP)
3. Stupid computer acting up... (DOUBLE CRAP)
Time to shut it down and go to bed. Tomorrow is another day.. Oh ordered 400 Texsolv heddles 70 Bucks. Holy smokes!
Tonight I met with a very helpful group of ladies in my town who weave.. and wow, after 2 hours, I learned so much that I want to WEAVE NOW! Unfortunately, I have to wait until school is out.. 1.5 days. YIPPEE
So I finished another weaving project and honestly, it turned into the longest salvage practice known to man. I picked out a beautiful pattern and began to weave and here are the things I learned..... 1. It was way to loose. 2. It really was way to loose. 3. I could felt it. 4. Choose a damn super wash wool to work with. 5. It would be a waste of materials to start over. 6. Superwash wool DOES NOT FELT - even if you think you may coax it into a felted state. 7. Putting it in the dryer does not help it felt. 8. I really do knit better than I weave 9. NO, you cannot weave in extra yarn to fill the gaps. and Finally - 10. It's okay because all the weaving you did, made you practice edges, and beating and all the things you might have screwed up on a project that might really have had a chance to work out.
Now I am simply waiting for dish towel yarn for the next set of experiments. Wish me luck! Maybe will post a picture later! Right now, I am mourning the death of 2 skeins of beautiful merino/alpaca superwash sock yarn :)
Well Little Peep arrived safe and sound to her new home! I have been happily weaving since I got over my fear on Saturday. The first project worked out great and now I am on to number 2. This one is causing a bit more trouble as the weave is very loose and things tend to slide around abit :) I am using Ultra aplaca fine, but turns out it's super wash so the little bit of fulling I planned to do isn't quite working out as planned. Oh well, that will just be more practice beating and working on the edges. I am trying to figure out exactly how to use the peddles effective and that is proving to be somewhat of a challenge with sore feet and the like. Nice thing about it, I can use the hand thingys if my feet are too bad. I am enjoying this learning process so much. As usual, I am in a hurry to be perfect at this. I do acknowledge that learning something as complicated as weaving can take a lifetime to master. Go figure ADHD and all, I have to master it tomorrow :) .
Lyssa's Scarf on Line
Project 2 Ultra Alpaca Fine
The other exciting news is there is a new stocking on the horizon. This one is for Patti and is called Midnight Solstice. It's not very dark, but that was the name that came to me :) It's done in 2 shades of blue and white. I have a while before I will be ready for testing but charts are finished.
Midnight Solstice
Toe of Midnight Solstice
Finally, Christmas Cables are with the testers and one of my great helpers is almost done. WOW. This one took me forever. I decided to add some beads to add a bit of sparkle. Now it's back to the beach for the final photos.
This is the latest stocking that is up for testing. I'm very happy with the way it worked out, because it is a labor of love with this one. Spent many an hour working out the numbers and having the chart tested, but it's an easy knit and the outcome is beautiful. I stopped by my local beading shop and bought some beads to spice up my DD stocking and ended up buying some to add to this one too. It's just what the Dr. ordered.
On the weaving front, it's just over a day until I pick up my new to me loom. It's a 32 inch 8 shaft Ashford table loom with a stand. I AM SO EXCITED. It's going to be the summer of fiber even though there are two vacations that are coming in the middle of that also :)
Stay tuned for the newest member of my fiber family :)
I am so excited to say that the next stocking is almost done! With all the hard work from my testers I have a couple of photos that will be posted soon. It is just a sneak peak of the cable that will decorate the stocking. It is a very easy pattern to memorize which makes it great! The charts came out great too. While I love cables, I love colorwork more and my mother said that this one will be more popular than others. I guess that is what is makes the world go around. Different techniques different styles.
It's only 3 more weeks until I get my new loom which will send me off into a another exploration. I am finsihing up paying for a 8 shaft 32 inch loom and stand which fell into my path. I can't wait. I plan to learn on my own with the help of Learn to Weave . It's easy to read and understand. Will post pictures when it is here in it's new home. Still working on a name for it ;)
Just finished stocking pattern and it posted for testers. It's been 27 minutes and no one has offered to test it. So am I am being insane wondering if it isn't good enough? Or perhaps the color work puts people off. I really should have a ton of confidence in what I did and move on from there. If they don't like it.. fine, but I know its beautiful in person. Confidence is what is called for now and from there comes success. On to the next stocking. CABLES CABLES CABLES :)
The 2nd installment of Heirloom Stockings is done. I will be ready in a bout a day to send it off to my loyal testers and can't wait to see what they do with it. I decided to provide a duplicate stitch option for those who are unfamiliar or not particularly enjoy stranded knitting. That should make things a bit better. Testing was more stressful than I expected. It truly is difficult to send something that has come from your heart and your head out to the masses to picked apart for mistakes. I KNOW, that is the point of testing. I just have to get over that. They were wonderfully kind, but I think all artists have major insecurity about their work. It is however, very exciting to have your knits in the hands of others.
On blogging, This blog has been around for a while and I truly wonder if it will be read by anyone. I know I am new, both designer and blogger and I am not the most faithful blogger in the world. That I plan to change. Do you ever wonder if anyone really cares what you have to say. I read a ton of them and I really enjoy seeing into the lives of others. Okay onward.
The third installment of Heirloom stockings is going to be a cabled version. That will challenge me beyond what I have done in the past as while I love cables, I have yet to design something of that ilk. I want it to be rich with texture and interest without being way to difficult for a intermediate knitter to undertake. Off to Barbara Walkers books to find something that inspires. Look for updates regarding number 3.
Okay, here we go. I am almost done with the second installment of Heirloom stockings. This one is going to be a favorite of mine because it involves both knitting and very simple embroidery that allow a depth that I hadn't expected. I can't wait to get this one up and tested. I am feeling a little panicked that I have not secured the next installment. I have so many ideas playing around in my head. Maybe....cables???Getting a little tired of the stranding, or not ;) ? Enjoy the sneak peak.
$5.50 This stocking is now for sale through the Ravelry store. You don't have to be a member to purchase this pattern, but why not. It's free.
This stocking is knit in the round using a variety of techniques. Stranded knitting used with very simple embroidery makes this an interesting knit without being too complicated. The stocking is knit toe up so this will give you a chance to try a new technique. This stocking will provide to be a cherished addition to your holiday celebration.
I have finally completed the first of the four Christmas stocking designs. Through many starts and stops I was able to work out the bugs and this pattern will be ready for sale! It is a very invigorating experience to take something from your mind and make it a reality. This stocking was inspired by a gift from student at my school. The gift was lovely, but the bag it came in was amazing. I took my inspiration of how the snowflakes played together. The heel gave me some trouble as it required me to use two colors while creating a short row heel but faith and a couple of starts made for a great design element.
The yarn used was sport weight from Bartlett Yarns. It's crisp texture and ability to show the colors and patterns made for a great finish. I wouldn't wear it next to my skin but for this project it gives a lot of body.
I finished it with a gentle soak in some warm water and happily the colors didn't bleed. Very pleased. I will post pictures very soon.
Okay so many folks decide that they are going to lose weight, stop smoking, learn to sky dive for the new year. Well, my new years resolution is continue as a fledgling designer. I have my first design under my belt and by the end of the year should have a booklet of fair isle Christmas stockings for sale. Four of them to be exact. Named after the members of my family. While the first one is underway, I am running into problems that are potentially derailing my plans. As you would expect, the designing aspect is a challenge. I've always been someone who has been able to copy almost anyones work, but that isn't enough for me anymore. I want to move beyond the need to knit from others peoples work. I just some how am lacking the confidence. SOOOOOO, this means taking a risk. Through the next few weeks, I plan to post photos of my last design and the newest ones. I guess I am sharing this publicly so it seems like I am making an outward commitment. Onward.. Must knit now!!!
