Back on track...

After a very busy couple of weeks I finally have some time to sit and enjoy the sunshine. How appropriate then to chose to knit a shawl in the middle of a heat wave! However, I'm finding this pattern very soothing as the end of term madness comes to a climax!

Frome Festival enjoyed its best weather ever and there was a lovely atmosphere in the town. We did see lots of hot and sweaty folk braving the Arts Trail and both weekends went well. The crocheted pebbles had a mixed reaction ("what's the point of them?" was my favourite comment!) but I did make sales!

Blurry shot taken whilst setting up!

I don't feel like I've crocheted anything substantial for ages, so next up is another bag design - hope to have some pictures soon!

Crocheted pebbles

A colleague at work has requested a crocheted pebble. I've seen lots of lovely examples on Pinterest but had never tried making one. The first couple I tried I used a mercerised DK cotton, and whilst I quite liked the end result, it felt a little chunky. Then I tried using some fine crochet cotton and prefer the effect it gives.

I feel the need to buy some more colours! It was quite fiddly at first getting used to crocheting over the pebble, but it is strangely satisfying when it all comes together. I made the patterns up as I went along and enjoyed seeing how the stitch patterns worked when stretched so tightly. 

I also varnished the little painted pebbles I did a while back - I thought I might try selling them at the open studios at the weekend.

I've also been framing up my paintings - I buy frames whenever I see a bargain and I always enjoy matching pictures to frames. 

Lots more to do before the weekend so I better get off the sofa and back to the studio!

Getting ready...

I'm starting to get my work ready for the Arts Trail, which is part of the Frome Festival. I collaged these two birdies, which I did in February during my painting a day challenge, onto a painted background of leaves.  I did the leaf painting ages ago but was never quite satisfied with it. I like it much better now with its two little interlopers!

I also did another bird in gouache...

I varnished this one to give it a bit of depth.

 I've got loads more to do, and lots of crocheted bunting to make, which must be why I've just cast on a new knitting project!  Focus, Janet, focus!!

The magical powers of blocking

When my shawl came off the needles it was a shrivelled, misshapen and distinctly unappealing thing!

However, after a good soaking it was pinned onto my garden seat, over a towel, to dry in the sun...

I love how this process changes the whole feel and shape of a piece of knitting or crochet. It is so much more drapey now and almost twice the size

And here it is being modelled by my able assistant, Mabel!

More knitting...

Eldest is home from university for the Summer. The house is suddenly much noisier and the fridge much emptier! I have sought refuge outside with my new knitting obsession - currently on the needles is a scarf/shawl type thing. I'm not sure about the colour but I'm really enjoying seeing the pattern grow. I have a more subtle skein of green tones that I will use next time. The pattern I'm using had a mistake in it and after several ripping backs, I finally worked it out. I presumed the mistake was in my knitting rather than the pattern, and whilst it was annoying, I do feel rather smug for solving the problem all by myself!

Frome Festival is fast approaching so I shall have to put my needles down and pick up my paintbrushes again (I'm taking part in the Arts Trail). However, the view of my new knitting spot in the sun seen through my studio doorway is just too tempting!

 

 

Hat on a plate!

We went away this weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday.  It was the most glorious weather so it seemed a little incongruous to be knitting a winter hat but knit I did! I cast off last night after we got home and the result of all my hours of labour was rather less than hat shaped! However, I followed advice to soak it and stretch it over a dinner plate and Hey Presto - we have a hat!

It's not quite dry yet so I can't take it off to try on. I fear that I hadn't taken into account the larger than average size of my head, but I want to make another one anyway as my tension changed whilst making this one as I got used to holding a colour in each hand, and I would make different colour choices too now that I can see how these colours work together. Nevertheless, I'm pleased I finished this one, and am looking forward to continuing my Fairisle journey!

New directions!

As a child I was always sewing, crocheting and knitting. My dolls had an extensive, if somewhat bizarre, wardrobe. As an adult, these pastimes fell aside and it wasn't until about 6 years ago that I reignited my love of crochet. My self imposed challenge of not buying any new clothes for a year has brought me back to the sewing machine but knitting had remained a hobby of my youth. I did make a pair of socks last year just to prove to myself that I could do it but a workshop this weekend at Marmalade Yarns has inspired me to pick up my needles again!

This may not look like much at the moment but one day soon it's going to be a Fair Isle tam!

As much as I love crochet, it has its limitations regarding clothing. I've just got my hands on this gorgeous knitting book which is full of things I want to make and wear.

The first thing I want to make is this...

It may take a while, judging by the progress of my hat (impeded last night by a glass of wine or two, and the subsequent ripping back of a row of misplaced colours!) 

I'm also experimenting with a new direction in my painting. I love painting colourful birds but have recently had an urge to paint larger, darker, more sinister looking birds. This bird is painted in a combination of acrylics and acrylic ink and is a work in progress. 

It's not a great photograph - I hadn't realised how tricky it was to photograph something so dark. 

However, I'm thoroughly enjoying working on a larger scale, and trying something new.