I've always been intrigued about spit splicing, so I tried it for the first time the other day. It's wonderful! I've felted things before, but I just couldn't get how spitting on your wool and rubbing it together could possibly work. But it does. And although it is quite messy (I did spit rather liberally in my hand) it gives a lovely neat join. So this will be my preferred method for joining wool from now on.
Yesterday I went to The Handweaver's Studio in Walthamstow. It's a fabulous place. I have never seen so many different shades of yarn. And so many different fibres. It was like an Aladdin's cave, and although more geared towards spinners and weavers, there was still plenty for knitters. I got some orange wool/silk and some green mohair, but most importantly, I got a BALL WINDER! I've been wanting one of these for ages now, and it really is the most marvellous contraption. I've been winding up all my skeins and whatnot for the past two afternoons, and now my stash is all nice and ordered. I've labelled everything and listed everything I have on Ravelry. It was a revelation to me all the yarn I've managed to accumulate, and actually quite shocking. Where did it all come from! I think I need to go on a yarn ban for a while...
Wednesday 24 October 2007
Friday 19 October 2007
Inspiration is back
Being a teaching assistant, I'm lucky enough to enjoy the long school holidays. However, I was really disappointed with myself that I didn't do more knitting over the summer. Especially since I want to start designing my own garments more. But I think it was a simple lack of inspiration. I'm very lazy and so I didn't do much over the holidays. Not getting out and about means that you get no stimulus, and hence, no inspiration. Since being back at school, I've had so many ideas for things to knit, but I just don't have the time to do it all! Now my half term hols have just started I will not make the same mistake again.
With this revelation came the feeling that I should make use of this blog. Even if no-one else reads it, it's here for me to see my own progress. I think it's useful for me to talk about how my designs are going and perhaps I'll receive a few kind comments.
At the moment, I'm working on three things. The first is my Print o the Wave Shawl, which is nearly finished, but I'm finding this last slog mind-numbingly boring! My sister's birthday is on 11th November though, so I've only got 3 more weeks to get it done.
I'm onto the final border so hopefully I can blitz it over the next week and then get it blocked out.
My second wip is a turquoise silk shrug that I'm making out of HipKnits Aran Silk. It's a top-down raglan, and the lace pattern I'm using is from Ysolda Teague's Ariel. I've finished the main body but I'm not sure how I want to cast off. I did a picot cast off, but I'm not happy with it, so I'm going to go back and think it over again. Another job for this week. I think I'm going to add applied i-cord to the fronts and then have a button loop closure.
The third and final wip is an attempt to recreate this Anthropologie beauty. I've finished the back, so now I've just to figure out the fronts and add the trim. I'm knitting it in stocking stitch because I couldn't figure out the stitch in the picture. It kind of looks like garter stitch, but I didn't want a jacket like that. So...watch this space. I'm going to try and finish it by the end of the week. My inspiration is back. With a vengence!
With this revelation came the feeling that I should make use of this blog. Even if no-one else reads it, it's here for me to see my own progress. I think it's useful for me to talk about how my designs are going and perhaps I'll receive a few kind comments.
At the moment, I'm working on three things. The first is my Print o the Wave Shawl, which is nearly finished, but I'm finding this last slog mind-numbingly boring! My sister's birthday is on 11th November though, so I've only got 3 more weeks to get it done.
I'm onto the final border so hopefully I can blitz it over the next week and then get it blocked out.
My second wip is a turquoise silk shrug that I'm making out of HipKnits Aran Silk. It's a top-down raglan, and the lace pattern I'm using is from Ysolda Teague's Ariel. I've finished the main body but I'm not sure how I want to cast off. I did a picot cast off, but I'm not happy with it, so I'm going to go back and think it over again. Another job for this week. I think I'm going to add applied i-cord to the fronts and then have a button loop closure.
The third and final wip is an attempt to recreate this Anthropologie beauty. I've finished the back, so now I've just to figure out the fronts and add the trim. I'm knitting it in stocking stitch because I couldn't figure out the stitch in the picture. It kind of looks like garter stitch, but I didn't want a jacket like that. So...watch this space. I'm going to try and finish it by the end of the week. My inspiration is back. With a vengence!
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