Tuesday 25 March 2014

What do you do with your odd balls?

 How time flies right enough.  Thanks to Blackbird for the timely reminder that March is almost at an end.  I have been busy but that's no excuse for not keeping up with my blog.  So where to begin...?

In response to a request for a slim, hand knitted scarf that could be worn all day in the same way as a cotton or silk scarf, I headed off to my stash of odd balls of commercially produced yarn that lives in my craft store room.  I enjoyed a good old rummage  and got quite excited by the different colours and textures.  Unfortunately I don't have a picture of my first effort but it was well received.  An order for a second one, with hat to match, has been placed.  

I  booked a space at the table top sale held on the island in early March.  This event provided the gentle nudge I needed to try out some of the ideas I had been toying with since the beginning of the year such as key rings and hair slides.  I also decided to knit a few of the narrow scarves to add to my woven selection. 

The scarves are knitted using 4mm or size 8 knitting needles, 15 stitches and stocking stitch.  They are roughly 77 inches in length and have the obligatory buttons at each end. 


 
I use various postcards as inspiration in relation to the proportions of different colours and textures/mood, for example this fun lively scarf was influenced by a card I have with hens on it. 
 


 
 
The scarves fit quite well with my hand knitted hats.  I have sold the hat on the right.  These hats are knitted with my hand spun wool.  I aim to knit some in the same commercially produced yarn as the knitted scarves.
 
 
I am also enjoying making key rings with small pieces of felted fair isle patterned jumpers cut into a heart shape.
 
 
 


 
 
The key ring here is embellished with a bit of needle felting, beads and some cross stitch.
 
 
 
 
I have already sold a few of these. 
 
I am also pleased with these hair slides made from felted jumpers embellished with needle-felting, hand embroidery, beads and buttons.
 
 
 
 
 
On a slightly different but related note - I have bought a spinning wheel from eBay.  It's old, Swedish and in need of some bobbins.  I am really pleased with it.  Pictures and stories to follow. 
 
Well that's enough for now.  Lots of crafting events planned for the summer so I better get on with it.
 
Bye for now folks, see you next month.