Knitting Hats

I continue to get organized for my course, collect yet more fibre and learn how to mix paint. In the meantime time I have been amusing myself by knitting hats.

First is the Campden Cap. This is a Woolly Wormhead design and the first of her patterns I have knitted. Woolywomhead is a hat architect. I can really recommend her patterns. They are clearly written and come in multiple sizes and are often just a little bit different . This cap attracted me as I was keen to see how to make a peak in a knitted hat. It actually has a small piece of Ikea draw liner knitted inside it.

Next has come two head warmers , knitted first and then with the addition of felt flowers. One for each of my daughters to match the cowls I made for them last winter.

Finally in this hat marathon , I started a KAL - A knit Along . This is for a Woolly Wormhead mystery hat and there are lots of other people knitting along all round the world. I am using some sublime yarn , made from angora and merino, that I have had in my stash for years. The KAL takes place during November and here is my first days work , about half way along the brim. Interesting to see how this will develop into a hat!

For more of Woolywormhead designs go to www.woollywormhead.com

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Leaves

I have spent the last week studying autumn leaves , trying to find some that meet the specification of being in clean saturated colours in red, yellow, blue , orange ,green or purple.

This is the instruction from Kate for items to first paint and then felt. Well first find the items . Most of river banks are not very portable , and there are no flowers at this time of the year. So I decided on leaves. What I knew, what everyone knows, is that the leaves look glorious en mass on the trees, and the ground , with beatiful shades of yellows, oranges, browns and reds. What I have discovered is that look up close and the individual leaves are twisted and full of holes and rarely just one colour. Of course this is not really as surprising as they have been siting in the weather for months. What I have also discovered is that if you search out some beautiful specimens and bring them home to paint, within hours they are completely dehydrated, curled up, and not the beautiful specimens you thought. I tried pressing , this worked reasonably well, for some kinds of leaves, but somehow in their desiccated state , they seemed very lifeless.

So this has had to become a speed challenge , call it speed painting. Pick the leaves , close to home , rush home, photograph immediately, for a record, and then paint. Not a very relaxing occupation for someone who is a bit of an amateur painter.

Here are some examples

Different techniques, from careful painting on the right, to reckless dabbing of colour in the left.

A magical mirror image !

So that the painting items challenge accomplished I think. What will be next?

 

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Beautiful autumn morning

Today at 8 o'clock I could see nothing but mist , but by 9 o'clock the sun was driving off the mist at the start of what was a glorious warm autumn day. Here are some photos I took while watching the mist disappear and the start of a really beautiful autumn morning.

 

 

 

As you can see I am making the most of the good weather and I am also preparing for some new experiments with painting at the start of my Level 2 course.

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Onwards and Edgewards

Well today I have decided, I will go on and do the Level 2 Felt course with Arty Bird. I haven't actually parted with any money yet , but I am going to.

I have to decide on a theme. A broad theme that will keep me inspired for two years and which I can sometimes bring elements home. So I first thought woodlands, but I think it would be just to green for two years. I like urban decay but I think that could be a bit depressing . So I think I am going to use river edges. It's so broad - it can cover just about everything and can be anywhere.

I can bring home driftwood, flowers, pebbles, reeds etc if needed , and I can explore both the countryside edges , the suburban edges and the city edges. Add to that mix the UK and the Netherlands and I think I am inspired.

Today I have been to the photography museum in Rotterdam, to see the photos of Lewis Hine. 1874- 1940 He photographed immigrants to the US on Ellis Island, tenement houses and extremely dangerous looking working conditions all from the early 20th century. Very interesting and to think of just how difficult it was to make the photographs then.

Walking outside , on the edge of the river Maas in the heart of Rotterdam , we came across a old Russian tall ship tied up at the river edge. Luckily I had my camera and luckily technology has moved on since Lewis Hines day.    Here are my shots , perhaps inspiration for forthcoming felting if my theme gets approved.

Final shot , through the wonderful Erasmus bridge , to the city of Rotterdam, on the edge of the Maas.

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Special day

Well today is a very special day for me. Sorry it's not because it's Felting day. Although that's important and I am very excited that I have two pieces in the exhibition dying of the sun . I am loving everyone elses fire pieces.

No it special because my youngest daughter is getting married today So all thought of felting will be banished while I focus on this special occasion . To be honest I am quite nervous about the whole day. But I am sure it will be lovely and we will have a lovely family party .

 

My infamous felted bag should be making an appearance so it not a complete felt free zone. I have also made some bridesmaids shawls and will show a picture of them being worn by the bridesmaids after the event as that should show them at their best.

So I will have to catch up with the submissions for international felting day after the event , here is my fiery felted hand.

 

And the details of one of my starry pictures that are in the exhibition in Perth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WIPs

Well as I am in a bit of a lull feltingwise whilst I wait for the final assessment from ArtyBird of my course work. I decided now was the time to revamp my small felting room. I have extended the table, courtesy of Ikea and almost painted all the walls white. This was a real slog , and I have never known pale blue paint be so hard to obliterate .

Here it is almost ready and too tidy for creative thought and my first and biggest WIP

In the meantime to keep my creative thoughts flowing I have been working on my knitting WIPs. Time to try and finish a few. I can't admit to the real number of knitting WIPs I have. That is a secret. Here's just two.

 

A Camden hat by WoolyWormhead. I was going to take part in the KAL for this hat on ravelry but somehow have been distracted by the painting. This will be a Christmas present for the hat lover in my family.

The start and possibly the finish of a blanket, unless I get on and order some more wool. This is also a present for an undefined date in the future , so no need to hurry with the ordering.

One things for sure I need to finish something before felting overtakes me again. Which will win?

 

 

 

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One year on

Today is the anniversary of the first blog I wrote over my adventures with ArtyBird.

What an voyage of discovery it has been, always something new and challenging to think about and to make.

I have drawn and painted . I never imagined I could draw at all. I have dyed fabrics and yarns and even experimented with making my own colours by mixing dyes together successfully.

I have made lots of felt and started to explore the world of different fibres with their different properties. I can even name quite a few different sheep breeds.

I have made and given felted gifts and have requests for slippers, hats , pictures and bags waiting until I have more time to do them.

I have written 45 blogs, nearly one/week and have more than 1000 views - mostly my mother.

But I think most amazingly I have started to look at the world around me in a different way and to explore with my eyes the texture and patterns in nature and in man made objects. To record this I have taken many photographs , often times looking into the micro landscapes that I year ago I would not have even seen . From this I already have a wealth of ideas I would like to use in designs and I see more all the time !

Here is just a few examples of ideas for the future.

 

 

 

 

So overall it's been a fantastic year of discoveries and I think I will continue my journey by signing up for the next course , which will give me the excuse to continue this blog which I have also really enjoyed writing .

 

 

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