Pressies

This year for Kris Kindle, I received this beautiful neck wrap. The Feltmakers Ireland committee get together in December and do a quicky meeting, food carry-in and a present swap. This year we chose names and Suzanne drew mine. YEAH!!

It wraps around the neck and has a strap that goes around again, fastening over the lovely red felt flower. It has a hand loop that slips over and secures underneath. Yummy green is always a bonus for me.















So after receiving and wearing my neck wrap, I made another for a Christmas pressie for A Simple Yarn. It's made from super fine carded merino for Filzrausch, crinkle chiffon from a friend in China and the super cool flower made from Silk Carrier Rods.



















I love the nuno effect that happens with silk and wool. I wet it the night before and it practically melted together over night. Took no time for the wool to incorporate with the silk. Roll and shape.
















Oh, the fun to be had with these!! Now my new favorite thing to play with and dye!

Warm and Wooly, Cute Too!

This was made for my lovely sisters birthday in October. It was a special year for her, but you'd never guess it by her outlook on life and the way she lives it. Newlywed to a wonderful man, marathon, triathlon, teacher of special needs children plus a whole host of other wonderful things. So, not being sure, I made 2 things and let her choose. This hat and a nuno scarf, which I will post soon. Then, sent pictures and asked her to act surprised when it arrived.
















The hat is made from short carded merino wool from Filzrausch in Germany, silk fibre and a scarf procured from the local thrift store. Cut into squares. It was made with a resist and then pinched and tucked on a hat block and left to dry overnight.















This one was made shortly after the first. I'd posted a picture for a hat workshop that I was running, so being without the sample, I did another in a different colour and shape for the element on top/side. It was fun to try plaid with strips of scrim (cotton gauze), silk lap, and short merino as well. It grades from dark purple to a raspberry on the other side.

Brooches

It's time for the annual Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS Convention Centre. This year, Feltmakers Ireland is teaching Fabulous Felt Brooches at the Learning Curve "mini workshop"
The instructors have 1 hour to teach mostly new felt makers the skills and technique of making textile from wool fibre and fabric. These are a some of the samples that I did in preparation.
















We're using a new type of wool this year. A very short merino fibre. Carded, not combed. It felts very quickly and super smooth. They will be able to do some stitching on theirs if they want to.
















This one will be stitched along the "S" curve in the middle.




















This one is nearly done. I prefer the cheesecloth or scrim fabric to most others. The texture is very cool.




















This one has a little pocket in the top, made from an oval foam resist. Needs a bit of stitching as well. Fun stuff.
On with the show!! November 10-13.

Costumes

So after the marathon sewing projects, here's a peek.
Son is "Soldier" from Team Fortress Challenge. I know, it pushes my buttons letting
him play the game so much and even say yes, to making the costume. Turned out cool though and he really likes it. It will probably the last Trick or Treat for him.

The jacket was made from red "store bought" felt. Rocket launcher is drain pipes, funnel, old thermos, a bit of wood and black spray paint. Grenades were green, but had to modified to look authentic. Military surplus hat, couple of luggage straps, dad's boots and there you go. Soldier!



















Our little flower. Small home made hoop skirt. Have the giant neck slash to prove it. Thick wire can be very springy and painful. DH thought he might have to get the super glue for the quick fix. Several layers of sheer fabric over an orange lining. Leaves sewn onto the shirt, head piece, orange tights, wellies (of course) watering can for goodies and an umbrella just in case. She had more fun putting the makeup on time after time "just to practice". I can see it coming. At least she'll have some practice in moderation, not a trip to clown college for makeup tips.

We all had a great night. Sat and watched the local lads stealing pumpkins, smashing them in the street and then lighting illegal fireworks until very late. Ah, Halloween.

Happy Halloween

Well the costumes are finally done after a marathon of sewing. Pics to follow.
Have a Spooktacular day and night. Corny, I know.

Been very busy with the upcoming Knitting and Stitching Show prep in Dublin. I have a felt
dress to make in the next few days for the Profiles in Felt book launch on the 12th. 42 Irish felt makers have come together in a book published by Feltmakers Ireland. Really wonderful women and beautiful felt involved in making this long process come to life. Can't wait to get my copies.

Lots more felt to come. Need time to breath.

And Then There Was None

I'm not a great sock knitter. I've made 2 pair in my lifetime. They take a long time. Last December, I found a beautiful sock yarn from Araucania Yarns. Grays, lavenders, chartreuse and mossy greens. Maybe I will. So I started the hunt for a lace knee sock pattern. What was I thinking?? Not sure, but on Ravelry I found a lovely pair by Nancy Bush in the Folk Socks book. Highland Schottische Kilt Hose. They're amazing. So I got the book off Ebay or Amazon for next to nothing and started to knit.

Nearly a year later, I'm down to the ankle on both. Just getting ready for the heal. I've been trying them on all along to make sure they fit. They're snuggish. Maybe a little to snug after I wash them...
















This is the unstretched lace leg.
















I only did one repeat on the cuff, afraid that I wouldn't have enough yarn. I have plenty now that I'm down to the ankle.



































And this is what I have now. I made the decision to unravel them both, knit them on a larger circular needle and include the second round for the fold down cuff. Maybe next winter. Although I haven't given up and put them away for another time, which is what I normally do.

Gosford Rare Breeds Show

Another year for Feltmakers Ireland to visit Markethill, Northern Ireland for the anual Rare Breeds Show. Last year was such fun that we decided to have a vessel competition this year.
80% rare or native Irish breed / 20% other fibre. There were no specifications on size or colour. The visitors were asked to vote on their favorite piece by placing a bean into the vessel. The one with the most beans won a beautiful Wensleydale fleece. I knew I should have done something cute instead of what I did. The boat with the little penguin won.




















This is mine. I used Galway (white) Lincoln Longwool (dyed green) and a loden green Finish wool on the top. I also incorporated a few strips of cheese cloth, because I really like the way is looks as it becomes incorporated into the felt.




















This is a detail shot of the cheese cloth.

















I bought a Lincoln Longwool fleece last year at the show. They are beautiful. In the eyes of the beholder. The colours range from white, brown, silver and charcoal all in the same fleece. It was difficult to get clean because of the long locks, but well worth it after all.




















Dyed green. Chucked a bit into the dyepot after something else. The exhaust was a pale sage green.
















This is hand carded and teased out. It doesn't work well on the drum carder due to the length of the locks and the curls tend to be pretty hard to get apart. They do curl back up once the felting begins.
















This is the new love of my life. Leicester Longwool. One of these sheep has the most beautiful charcoal/silver gray fleece. Tight curls. Just think of what you could make. I know I am...