Happy Christmas everyone!
Hope everyone had some lovely celebrations. It was great to see the new Christmas Tree TARDIS projects
springing up over December.
I only managed one gift-knit this year - some Randiriel socks for my Mum. They fit! Hooray!
Pattern: Randiriel socks by Alexandra Wiedmayer (travelling cables variation)
Sock knitting is becoming more enjoyable over time - and I love the look and process of knitting patterns with travelling cables.
For this pattern, the heel and toe are not provided. I am still a little unfamiliar with heels so used the heel from the Rick socks.
Hope everyone had some lovely celebrations. It was great to see the new Christmas Tree TARDIS projects
springing up over December.I only managed one gift-knit this year - some Randiriel socks for my Mum. They fit! Hooray!
Pattern: Randiriel socks by Alexandra Wiedmayer (travelling cables variation)
For this pattern, the heel and toe are not provided. I am still a little unfamiliar with heels so used the heel from the Rick socks.
For Christmas celebrations we also baked some almond fingers (below), baklava, and cherry slice for family gatherings, and some Pumpkin, sage and ricotta lasagna for Christmas dinner with my family.
I dropped in to Dairing (Teresa Dair's unique fibre and knitwear studio) yesterday at lunchtime, and discovered a 20% off sale. Hooray!
I had a birthday voucher to spend, so I picked up some DL-2 linen to play with. Couldn't wait to play with it, so did a little swatching on my train ride home. It's a very interesting texture. I'm going to wash the swatch now and see if it ends up more drapey, or if it continues to hold its shape.
Exciting to play with some new fibres - so many possibilities!
The last four subjects that make up my library Masters are now complete ^_^
Finishing these last few subjects while full-time working highlighted how much I enjoy my job, how lucky I am to have it, and how almost everything I do at work is more enjoyable than writing uni essays :p
I haven't received any formal documents yet but hopefully that part of things should go through smoothly. More time is available now for sleep(!) and for crafting ^_^ I can't say I'm using my time very effectively at the moment *cough Skyrim cough*, but I'm planning some new pattern writing soon.
My quest for a proper graduation hat is still unresolved, due to my first university having no-hats for undergrads, my second university holding their graduations in an unappealing massive stadium, and my third university holding their Graduations in Albury. I've resolved to make my own hat from paper to celebrate.
Finishing these last few subjects while full-time working highlighted how much I enjoy my job, how lucky I am to have it, and how almost everything I do at work is more enjoyable than writing uni essays :p
My quest for a proper graduation hat is still unresolved, due to my first university having no-hats for undergrads, my second university holding their graduations in an unappealing massive stadium, and my third university holding their Graduations in Albury. I've resolved to make my own hat from paper to celebrate.
To celebrate the release of Chiaroscuro, my Ruins pattern is now available for free.
Dreaming of castles in the mist, and adventure? Ruins is an intermediate pattern, written for a knitter comfortable with a circular needle and the magic loop (or two circular needles).
With three sections using different techniques (stranded colour work, basket weave and layers) this pattern is perfect for the restless wanderer who quickly tires of repetitive patterns.
Alternatives are provided for the first two sections if you are finding the techniques too tricky.
Many thanks to those who purchased this pattern while it was available! Profit generated during the last year was donated to charity.
~~
“There, down the roofless wall did glow
The zun upon the grassy vloor,
An’ weakly-wandren winds did blow,
Unhinder’d by a door”
The zun upon the grassy vloor,
An’ weakly-wandren winds did blow,
Unhinder’d by a door”
(The Castle Ruins - William Barnes)
Dreaming of castles in the mist, and adventure? Ruins is an intermediate pattern, written for a knitter comfortable with a circular needle and the magic loop (or two circular needles).
With three sections using different techniques (stranded colour work, basket weave and layers) this pattern is perfect for the restless wanderer who quickly tires of repetitive patterns.
Alternatives are provided for the first two sections if you are finding the techniques too tricky.
Many thanks to those who purchased this pattern while it was available! Profit generated during the last year was donated to charity.
New pattern out today!
This pattern was designed to feature metallic yarn (or other specialty fibres) without the commitment of a full garment. The delicacy of the metallic yarn will affect the durability of the project for every-day wear, but will also produce an individual creation depending on the yarn combinations chosen, like a small work of art.
The gloves are knit from the bottom up, in three sections. The first and third sections involve creating two layers for a shadowed appearance; the middle section involves a cable on the back of the hand creating a vignette effect. This pattern is rated as challenging - due to the nature of the delicate yarn, and the fiddly-ness of having two magic loops available simultaneously.
$2.50 - All profit donated monthly to charity.
Pattern details - Chiaroscuro fingerless gloves
Pattern details - Chiaroscuro fingerless gloves
Chiaroscuro - in painting, photography and cinema - strong contrasts between dark and light
serving to achieve a sense of depth and volume...
This pattern was designed to feature metallic yarn (or other specialty fibres) without the commitment of a full garment. The delicacy of the metallic yarn will affect the durability of the project for every-day wear, but will also produce an individual creation depending on the yarn combinations chosen, like a small work of art.
The gloves are knit from the bottom up, in three sections. The first and third sections involve creating two layers for a shadowed appearance; the middle section involves a cable on the back of the hand creating a vignette effect. This pattern is rated as challenging - due to the nature of the delicate yarn, and the fiddly-ness of having two magic loops available simultaneously.
Finished a couple of sweaters over the last few months - but have got behind on the blogging!
For this sweater I decided to use the pattern Julissa (scoop neck version) by Vanessa Smith as a base for a cardigan (as I had heard it was very well-written) - but then decided that the cabling might not be quite enough to keep me entertained - so somehow ended up replacing the cable with multiple Twin leaf lace patterns and just using Julissa as a base.
Perhaps a bit of a silly way to approach such a project with so many great cardigan patterns out there, but it worked in the end.
The yarn is Skein DK in the Quill colourway. This is the only DK weight sweater that I've made so far that seems easy to wear. I think the cardigan-ness makes it much easier to put on than a pullover - but unfortunately the button band is a bit thick and droops a little. Still fairly happy with this creation :)
For this sweater I decided to use the pattern Julissa (scoop neck version) by Vanessa Smith as a base for a cardigan (as I had heard it was very well-written) - but then decided that the cabling might not be quite enough to keep me entertained - so somehow ended up replacing the cable with multiple Twin leaf lace patterns and just using Julissa as a base.
Perhaps a bit of a silly way to approach such a project with so many great cardigan patterns out there, but it worked in the end.
I was hoping to knit the Twin leaf lace stitch top down, but after a little testing, I believe this is one of those lace patterns that can’t be reversed - so the leaves ended up facing downwards instead - not quite as leaf-like unfortunately.
The yarn is Skein DK in the Quill colourway. This is the only DK weight sweater that I've made so far that seems easy to wear. I think the cardigan-ness makes it much easier to put on than a pullover - but unfortunately the button band is a bit thick and droops a little. Still fairly happy with this creation :)
This year the Australian sheep and wool show became a special weekend away with my Mum. Sadly my usual crafty companions weren't able to join us, so Mum had to endure a couple of hours of wool admiration amid our weekend away.
As the largest collection of indie yarn/fleece sellers available in Victoria, this show is always an exciting one to attend. We had nice weather this time around - if a bit chilly.
We took a little time out to wander into the wool-judging sheds and see some of the prize sheep (and accompanying tiny lambs).
As the largest collection of indie yarn/fleece sellers available in Victoria, this show is always an exciting one to attend. We had nice weather this time around - if a bit chilly.
Not too many purchases this year. My favourite shop was 'The purl box'. Here I found one skein of Oyster Yarns' Superwash BFL 4Ply in the Elliot colourway (on special), and two skeins of Eden's Blend in the 'Sealer's Cove' colourway (love the name!).
The only other purchase was a skein of Mayhem and Chaos's LolliSox (Rav | Etsy) in the Sunrise Sunset colourway. This skein has already become some Rick socks, and Bex fingerless gloves.
fingerless gloves
Would you like to be a tester? - Chiaroscuro fingerless gloves
Thursday, July 10, 2014
A new pattern has recently been brewing...
The idea was to create a pattern that featured metallic yarn without the need to knit a full scarf or garment.
The gloves are knit from the bottom up, in three sections. The first and third sections involve creating two layers for a shadowed appearance; the middle section involves a cable on the back of the hand creating a vignette effect. The pattern skill level is likely 'challenging' due to the need to manage two sets of magic loops in the round, and to the fiddly-ness of metallic yarn.
If you'd be interested in being a tester for the pattern, I've still got one spot left - head over to the Testing Pool on Raveley, or email me at pixelatedmushroom (at) gmail.com
For quite a few years I've been meaning to share and give thanks to my favorite crafty podcasts for many hours of entertainment and inspiration. These dedicated podcasters have made my fairly lengthy commute bearable, and have become familiar voices in the crafty community. Listening over many years has made it clear how much work and dedication is required to keep these wonderful free episodes flowing, and the communities that have gradually built up around them.
If there's any podcasts you enjoy, I'd love to hear about them.
Here's a few of my favourites - I hope you'll consider having a listen.
If there's any podcasts you enjoy, I'd love to hear about them.
Here's a few of my favourites - I hope you'll consider having a listen.
The War Doctor is coming...
After I buy some grey embroidery thread :p
My brother gifted me some Persian fairy floss (vanilla flavoured) for my birthday - yum!
It looked somehow familiar... and when comparing it to the banana spinning fiber in my stash - it's actually hard to tell them apart (one smells better).
I should be careful not to mix them up! :P
It looked somehow familiar... and when comparing it to the banana spinning fiber in my stash - it's actually hard to tell them apart (one smells better).
I should be careful not to mix them up! :P
A gift voucher from dairing arrived for my upcoming birthday - fun - fun! Will look forward to choosing some exciting yarn to buy!
Somehow I've ended up with three projects with only sleeves remaining... sigh...
Second sleeve syndrome?
Hope everyone had a good Easter holidays. We've had a lot of holiday time lately, with our trip to New Zealand, followed by Easter, followed by Anzac Day.
I didn't find as many fibery creatures as I hoped on our travels - but lots of sheepy soft-toys, and amazing scenery everywhere we went (thanks to gfxmonk for taking most of our picies).
Castle Hill
Milford Sound
Milford road
Blue Pools Track
Pororari River Track
A friendly local
Getting some (chocolate fueled) sewing practice in over the Easter break ^_^
Off to NZ! Hoping to find lots of sheep!
'Field of Sheep in New Zealand Panorama' by Michael Matti (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Last night I cast off my twin leaf Julissa. This sweater project took around seven months, but I think this was partly due to it becoming a little too heavy to take on the train each day.
Knitting in progress.
I used the Julissa pattern as a base to help me learn how to construct top-down sweaters, then heavily customised it into a cardigan and replaced the front cable with a twin leaf lace pattern. This was perhaps a bit of a silly way to go about learning top down sweater construction (there being many other great patterns out there), but I'd heard such good things about this pattern that it tempted me to give it a go. I will likely make a true Julissa one day following the pattern properly.
While I'm blocking and photographing my Julissa I'm already looking for a new sweater project. I keep being drawn to tops worn over dresses (like Jetshin's beautiful sweaters), so here are some of the patterns I'm considering:
I used the Julissa pattern as a base to help me learn how to construct top-down sweaters, then heavily customised it into a cardigan and replaced the front cable with a twin leaf lace pattern. This was perhaps a bit of a silly way to go about learning top down sweater construction (there being many other great patterns out there), but I'd heard such good things about this pattern that it tempted me to give it a go. I will likely make a true Julissa one day following the pattern properly.
While I'm blocking and photographing my Julissa I'm already looking for a new sweater project. I keep being drawn to tops worn over dresses (like Jetshin's beautiful sweaters), so here are some of the patterns I'm considering:
'
Over the holiday season we received some lovely Dutch sweets and treats from Tim's colleagues in the Netherlands. To celebrate the release of Oni Labs' Conductance, we decided to post something fun back in response - plushie versions of the company logo - Onis!
I invented a little prototype, then crocheted four Onis, one for each of the team.
At the last minute I created a little camp fire to represent their community logo. I was happy to hear that all the Onis made it safely across the skies ^_^
At the last minute I created a little camp fire to represent their community logo. I was happy to hear that all the Onis made it safely across the skies ^_^
This week we spent a few nights camping at Blanket Bay on the Great Ocean Road. The campsite was nicely partitioned and had impressive facilities for such an out of the way location. We also had lots of company from the locals:
Tim captured lots of koala action...
I only took four crafty projects to work on while camping... after all... it wouldn't do to run out of crafty things to do while on holiday ;)
I'm retrieving the zombie librarian for this post because after attending the VALA conference and this year's Library Camp (#libcamp14), I felt a little zombified.
VALA provided the spacious conference experience of attending large lectures and wandering around looking at product displays - while Library Camp (an un-conference) felt very intimate.
Clearly a lot of pre-work and thought had gone into enabling Library Camp to unfold so organically on the day itself. My interest was mainly focused on meeting/re-connecting with others (rather than the content of the day), and the un-conference atmosphere exceeded my expectations in this respect. I encountered some new crafty librarians, while we appreciated everyone's home-baked treats during the breaks. Thank you to the un-organisers for an opportunity to reconnect with friends, and a great day!
VALA provided the spacious conference experience of attending large lectures and wandering around looking at product displays - while Library Camp (an un-conference) felt very intimate.
Clearly a lot of pre-work and thought had gone into enabling Library Camp to unfold so organically on the day itself. My interest was mainly focused on meeting/re-connecting with others (rather than the content of the day), and the un-conference atmosphere exceeded my expectations in this respect. I encountered some new crafty librarians, while we appreciated everyone's home-baked treats during the breaks. Thank you to the un-organisers for an opportunity to reconnect with friends, and a great day!
Zombie Librarian by loyalhaven on Ravelry
I always love to see different interpretations of the same pattern. Below are the test projects knit up for my Linen stitch gloves pattern by Elizek and steelelady, who kindly volunteered to help with the testing.
Test knit by steelelady
Elizek's variegated sample produced a particularly interesting result - with a regular honeycome-like pattern. The thumb gusset unfortunately broke up the pattern a little, but showed promise for more experimentation. Below you can see her sample up to the thumb, where she has finished the project with a less patterned stitch.
Test knit with variegated yarn by Elizek (wrist pattern only)
Test knit by Elizek
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