red_swirl

*FO, an acronym I've never pronounced. I'm saying it here, just for fun and also because it's been so long since I finished something.

Posted by red swirl at 16:59 | Permalink | Comments (0)

So far, it's been an easy knit, I really can't say much more ... purling, knitting, ribbing. Lots of ribbing ... about half done.

The only minor challenge has been (hah!) fitting. I've measured a few of my pre-pregnancy jumpers*, and I've taken my current measurements - I'm still breastfeeding Miss Moon, you see. There's about 5cm / 2 inches' difference. I cast on a couple of different sizes whilst mulling this over, but I've now settled on knitting the average of the 2 measurements, assuming zero ease. Hope it works, but I won't know until after Miss Moon turns one ;)

As you can see from the photo, I've been doing a lot of sewing planning, clothes both for me and the kids. Oh, and I finally got some Burda tracing paper, so perhaps I'll be able to show off some sewing in the near future ...

NB: * The word "jumper" seems to have entirely different connotations in the USA. Here (in Australia) it means a hand or machine knit garment, covering the torso. Either short or long sleeves, with few or no buttons, zips or other closures. Would it be called a sweater in the USA, I wonder? Or a pullover ... sounds rather British?

Posted by red swirl at 13:05 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by red swirl at 11:02 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Instead, I've started Wavy, in Embers by Jo Sharp. Pity it's discontinued, but there's so many nice colours, I guess. The photo's not particularly realistic, it's not at all blue in real life. Wavy's meant to be easy, just knit, knit, knit, purl, purl, purl, although some people on Ravelry have been saying it get confusing ... I'm on the first repeat, so we'll see ... And yes, Ravelry satisfies all my organisation and categorisation desires. And allows me to change my mind every 5 minutes as to the a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e_b.e.s.t next thing to knit.

The title comes from my favourite, faintly ridiculous line from Clancy of the Overflow. I'm planning on changing colour soon ;)

Posted by red swirl at 13:11 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every time I choose something new to knit, I feel as exhausted as if I'd actually knit all the pattern/yarn combinations/permutations I considered. I guess that's what comes of trying to knit foreign patterns with Australian wools.

Anyway.

I've settled on these 3 next projects:

Teddy bear all-in-one from Debbie Bliss' Baby Cashmerino in Cleckheaton Country Naturals. Yes, because it's cheaper.

The Back-To-School u-neck vest from Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits in the Fantasia Ski Cardea that's been searching for a pattern for a long time, and

Véronik Avery's Enid Cardigan from Winter 2006 Interweave Knits in Nundle Woollen Mills' beautiful new Retro range.

Mood: *Actually, I wouldn't generally call these "sweaters", but I liked the almost alliteration.

Posted by red swirl at 22:22 | Permalink | Comments (1)

So thinking isn't dangerous, just ... annoying. Because it causes me to change my mind. And waste time ... re-knitting. I was going to knit Devan for Miss Squiggle, but she received so many jackets from Nonna and Oma this Winter that I think I'd better knit a vest instead. Pity, I had a sleeve and most of the back done. Squiggle's refusing to wear jackets anyway in 7C weather, so perhaps a vest will tempt her?

Mood: Cute, Miss Moon just learnt to pass pieces of paper from hand to hand.

Posted by red swirl at 15:51 | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had a fun day eating yummy cupcakes with the Kaotic Kraft Kuties ... oh, and I made some badges too. The badge design is inspired by stranded colourwork (inside and outside) and, of course, house rabbits.

Mood: *Sorry, but I doubt there will be much sewing or knitting here before my exams are finished ... in 3 week's time ;)

Posted by red swirl at 01:36 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mood: I plan on writing slightly different entries for the Wardrobe Refashion blog: So if you want, check out both!

Posted by red swirl at 14:30 | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm still here, still knitting. V.e.r.y . s.l.o.w.l.y. This hat has actually been re-knit since you saw it last. I started it before Miss Moon's birth, but afterwards ... well, a birth is such an important event ... such a emotional and physical effort ... you feel almost a different person afterwards.

Around that time, I was interested to read abeautifulcraft's thoughts on why some projects remain unfinished - basically, the projects remind you of a different time in your life (although not an unhappy time in my case).

I didn't want the hat to become a UFO, but I felt tentative about picking it up again ... I mean, so much had changed, surely my tension had too? So I started again, I reckon my fairisling is a bit better this time ;)

Posted by red swirl at 18:23 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who knew? Well, lots of people it seems. You see, I've been really admiring brooklyntweed's Jarrett, and noticing a number of bloggers knitting Demi, but it didn't occur to me they're both from the same book! I found Rowan's "Vintage Style" in the library quite by accident, and it's one knitting book I'm definitely considering buying. While I wouldn't knit everything in it (some patterns just aren't my style), nearly every pattern has something I look at and think "yeah, that's a good idea ... those colours look nice together ... must remember that fairisle pattern ... mmm, flattering neckline". My favourites? Aimee; Collette; Agnes and particularly Salina.

And who knew the library had such modern, fashionable knitting books? As I've always maintained, standing staring at the shelf of Dewey 746.somethingorother yields results ;)

By the way, the tiles in the photo must be vintage ... the house is over 100 years old, which is old for an Australian building. And the paper accordion is sort of vintage - it was mine when I was little, now Nonna has given it to Miss Squiggle.

Mood: Does Kaffe Fassett design for women still? He's always been my favourite ...

Posted by red swirl at 22:12 | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's also somewhat confronting. You can't just knit along without thinking, trusting in the pattern, the skill and experience of the designer. The designer is you!! (Or in my case, the designer is me: a rather new, rather inexperienced designer.) So I've been double checking, correcting, refining ... but I still can't wait to see how it turns out. Was I right or wrong about the changes I made, the recalculations? Stay tuned ...

Posted by red swirl at 19:21 | Permalink | Comments (0)

So far, it looks promising, meeting most of my criteria : available in Australia (indeed, likely produced here); natural fibre (100% wool); reasonable price (AU$5.10); and most important of all, the colours look good (as far as anyone can tell from blurry computer images). Oh, and in a useful weight, too : 8ply / DK / whatever-you-call-it.

I'll certainly check it out for real, when it (eventually?) reaches my LYS. I'm rather partial to variegated / multi-colour / pseudo-hand painted-looking wools ...

Mood: Please forgive the cheesy, slapdash ball of wool, I'm trying not to breach copyright. ArtRage 2 also looks like a good tool to play with, but I haven't had the time yet ;)

Posted by red swirl at 19:44 | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've also made a list of the knitting projects I'm interested in, and the type of yarn they need ... I'm almost always looking to substitute yarns. Lots of patterns I like are printed elsewhere, and yarns that are a reasonably priced elsewhere can become very expensive when imported to Australia. Although I'm also partial to Jo Sharp patterns!

Mood: *People who know me will understand the question mark. I'm only ever as organised as I need to be ;)

Posted by red swirl at 20:04 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Currently, I have half a sleeve and most of a back for this jumper; a whole sleeve and most of the back for Squiggle's Devan. I tried giving the Endpaper Mitts a go, but the combination of a new cast-on method (Italian tubular) and the new-to-me Magic Loop concept was just too much - hence my little pile of abandoned cast-on attempts. Oh, and I misread the pattern a couple of times for good measure ;)

So what did I do in my jumpy mood? Try to design a new! different! colourwork project, my own pattern - sure to be easier than following a pre-tested pattern ... NOT!

P.S. I'll give the Endpaper Mitts another go with some DPNs, and if any of my other projects turn out, I'll let you know.

Posted by red swirl at 22:24 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by red swirl at 21:18 | Permalink | Comments (0)

But then I saw these on Whipup, and I liked them a lot. And the designer, Eunny Jang, suggests the Endpaper Mitts "would be an excellent first project for a novice colorwork knitter" ... that'd be me ;) I mean, I chose Devan because I really like the look of Fair Isle/ Nordic knitting/ colourwork (whatever it's called). But I do feel that pre-striped yarn is ... ah ... sorta cheating. And I don't like cheating. So I though I'd redeem myself by having a go at the Endpaper Mitts. They're not sooo big that I'll be angry at the waste of wool if I stuff them up completely. Also, Eunny Jang's site seems to have lots of helpful explanations. And much though I love looking at the patterns and colours in Nordic knits, they look kinda hot ... particularly as I live where it never snows!!

So.

I joined the Stranded: The Colorwork Challenge to give me a nudge and a help along. The introductory questions are:

What are your projects for this knitalong? Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts. Yes, I did notice the plural in the question. Frankly, I'll be very proud if I get one mitt done, and absolutely astonished if I make two. However, if I were to finish 2 Endpaper Mitts, I might consider attempting these. Note my use of the conditional in the last sentence ;)

Is this your first colorwork project? Yup.

Posted by red swirl at 12:05 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (1)

In the meantime, my tastes changed. I've got to admit, I rather like "What not to wear" with Trinny and Susannah. Sure, I understand the criticisms of it, you get a glimpse of far bigger problems in people's lives that a new set of clothes won't fix and why does every woman have to look feminine anyhow? But I agree that you feel more confident if you think you look good, and there's no point emphasising your ugly bits or hiding your best features. And I r.e.a.l.l.y like the concept that you don't need to diet down to stick-thin model size or have plastic surgery to look better, you just need to select your clothes more carefully / cleverly. Whatever your price-range.

I think I'm usually pretty ok in my clothes choices if I can try them on, but until I started watching the show, I hadn't thought about general principles of what looks good on me (the 'rules'). When I thought about this wool and the patterns I'd chosen I realised they'd make a garment that was exactly the opposite of what looks good on me.

I also realised that really thick, chunky wool isn't that popular in craft/knit blogland. It sorta isn't 'real' knitting. The colour's still ok, 'tho.

So I started searching for a better pattern. With chunky wools, it's seems patterns are either for flash-dance-style crop tops or heavy-duty tents. Oh yes, I could make a heap of hats and scarves with 10 balls, but I couldn't wear them all!! Finally, I found this. At least it has some shaping, and a hint of neck.

There's so many other knits I'd love to work on (I might still start them), but I feel I should put a bit of time into this. Oh, and the fish are just for fun.

Posted by red swirl at 10:31 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by red swirl at 13:06 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mood: Squiggle said her second definite word on Wednesday 'apple'. She also stood by herself last week ... on Lster's computer desk!!

Posted by red swirl at 00:22 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Happy Easter everyone! You may see a little bunny hop by here in a day or so.

Posted by red swirl at 15:15 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Participation
1+ participate in Illustration Friday most weeks;
2+ participate in A Month of Softies most months;
should I add ... participate in whiplash? I'm interested to see what whiplash's going to be like ;D

Practical
3+ knit at least one hoodie for Squiggle;
4+ knit "blu" for Squiggle;
5+ a pencil case for me (felt?);
6+ make some covered boxes for Lster to keep all his stuff in;
7+ make a Roman blind / curtain;
8+ a necklace like I learnt to make when I was a teenager (see photo);

Learning from other's patterns
9+ a rag doll (not too country-fied, I may have found the pattern);
10+ Doo Ka Ta;
11+ a Wee Wonderfuls pointy kitty (a punky one, made from Lster's old jeans??);
12+ the penguin;
13+ a Jess Hutch bunny or Kate;
14+ a Camilla Engman bear from The Happy Hooker;
15+ a Nekomimi or Dachshund by Runo;
16+ a sock doll or monkey or bird;

Softie characters in my head
17+ Miss Priss (needle felting), maybe even her boyfriend;
18+ 'facture' duck or hen, probably duck;
19+ ocean girl or graphix girl;
20+ finish Mr February;
21+ amigurumi alien (I have the wool);
22+ amigurumi dog;
23+ Japanese fan cat (moulded felt);
24+ tattoo girl/boy;
25+ make a softie or series of softies, consciously thinking about the design;

Challenges
26+ knit socks (and find a decent pattern);
27+ learn more Japanese by making something from a Japanese book or magazine;
28+ knit and felt a bag or slippers (from this book);
29+ try painting with oils (I never have);
30+ sew something on my Mum's sewing machine (the Roman blind, perhaps?);
31+ knit something aran or intarsia;
32+ learn a fancy crochet stitch, like a leaf or flower;
33+ make a Fimo doll.

Well, that should keep me busy!!

Posted by red swirl at 18:12 | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (1)

So that's why Squiggle always comes with me to the woolshop!

Usually, because I have Squiggle with me, I rush into Tapestry Craft, tear down the stairs and hurtle up to the counter saying "Hi, do you have100% wool for felting, 8 ply pink shhh shhh sorry i'm in a bit of oops a hurry oh that's great shhh shhh yes, yes i'll take that thanks lots bye!" But today I left Squiggle with Lster, and the result is ... one pattern book, 2 balls wool, very nearly alot of other patterns and wool ... oh and some expensive-ish wool rovings, the real purpose of the trip.

The book is by Cleckheaton "Wildlife in 8 ply". What's with the Australiana? Well, I think Squiggle would enjoy a good-looking fairy penguin and Lster's Mum is an avid bird-watcher, so I might make her a birthday Kookaburra. The Bilby, Frill-neck Lizards, Wombat and Galahs look like interesting knits to learn more about softies, and I'm sure Squiggle will enjoy the results.

Mood: Only one week's holiday left!! Argghh!!

Posted by red swirl at 22:17 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, if you'd've asked me 5 minutes ago whether I've done any craft since high school, I'd've said no, not really.

However, I just went through my making things box, and found 2 orange/red scalves (one knit, one crochet, nearly done), 1 red jumper (barely started), wool for 2 baby jumpers, 2 tapestries (maybe a third done), 1 cross stitch and a half-sewn skirt. Crochet needles in various sizes with single balls of wool for practice, and two size 10 knitting needles. Oops!

Plenty of things to keep me going, but perhaps I am just procrastinating in making Mr. February? I've cut out his pattern, knitted all the felted fabric parts ... time to start cutting and sewing!!

P.S. Guess my favourite colours?

Mood: hot, it's 31C here.

Posted by red swirl at 12:48 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Arggh! Well, I was initally pretty disappointed.

Not at all like felt, in my opinion. Still too much like knitting with fluff stuck on it. Guess I was hoping for some kind of magical transformation. Hmmm, suppose I was also hoping felting might be something I'm naturally good at: a craft for impatient, messy and distracted people! :D

Put it through the washing machine again, then with dirty clothes for a normal (cold) wash, then tumble dry. Slightly better, but stitches still pretty clear. However. Started looking around the internet last night (looks like a good book here p.15) and walked down to my local library today. Not as disappointed now. I reckon if you look closely at the book photos of felted knits, mine's pretty much the same.

As for the embroidery, I'll go chain stitch next time. Chain stitch's about the thickness of the sewing on the back, which turned out best. And as the book says, it shrinks far more top/bottom than side/side. 21 down to 14cm top/bottom, 21 to 17cm side/side.

Mood: calm, tired. Lster (husband) and baby Squiggle had naps while I internetted.

Posted by red swirl at 19:12 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before felting (yes, I know technically it's actually fulling). Front and back.
I was trying for a range of thicknesses in the embroidering, just to see which looks the best & how subtle I can be ... unfortunatley, the more I look at it, the more I hate that cream!!!
Memo to self: always use fun colours, even if you're just testing. :D

Mood: impatient.

Posted by red swirl at 18:50 | Permalink | Comments (0)

I don't quite know how it happened.

I was idly looking at craft-related blogs, clicking on links from one to the other, admiring swaps and craft-alongs, smiling at finished products on Flickr, skimming Self-Portrait Tuesdays ... I started to see craft blogs as a real community, a way of having other craftspeople chat with me in my livingroom, even though they live over the other side of the world. In short, I wanted to take part ... so here goes.

My first blogged project. An experiment with making knitted felt (something I've never done before). I was thinking a pot holder, perhaps, or even a scarf. Mainly I can't wait until I've knitted enough to start embroidering on it in purple - I was thinking dandelions or maybe paisley... and then I can't wait to put it in the washing machine and start felting!

Ok, so it's not the nicest cream, and in fact it matches my rented house's carpet perfectly... oh well, I just bought the cheapest 100% wool I could find. It's my hand in the picture, and my new baby daughter's.

Posted by red swirl at 00:02 | Permalink | Comments (0)