mossley mill exhibition

I took myself off yesterday to the Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, to see the "Stitching the Legend" Exhibition. It is the work of a small cross border group of textile artists from various parts of Northern Ireland and Ireland. I fell in love with Ester Keily's work. She has wall hangings, panels and notebook covers displayed.....all amazing.
Here are photos of one of her panels - "Salt fell like Snow"

The exhibition is open until the 30th June, so still time to go.
Bye, Ali.

wip

The days seem to be flying in and I don't seem to be achieving much. I had lots of plans and a long to do list for when my class stopped. I am however working on a new pattern. Last year I wrote up a knitted mini doll with fabric clothes which is for sale on my etsy / folksy shop. I'm now working on knitted clothes for this mini knitted doll. It would be a good stocking filler or item for a party bag.
Here's a sneak preview.......

bye for now, Ali.



congratulations ma'am

What better way to celebrate the Jubilee than a nice British cuppa and a Union Jack bickie.

The red, white and blue petunias managed to bloom, just in time even if they were a bit battered by the rain.

Enjoy the Bank holidays, Ali.

rust dyeing

Part of the course I am doing at the moment is about experimenting with applying colour to fabrics. One idea I got was rust dyeing - couldn't be simpler

what you need -

• natural fabric such as cotton or linen - synthetic fabrics can be used but the colour will be paler
• brown vinegar (cheap vinegar is perfect)
• rusty object / nails / filings etc

how you do it

• wash the fabric you wish to use
• dampen cloth
• tie the fabric round the rusty object

• pour vinegar over the fabric

HEALTH AND SAFETY - wear protective gloves when handling rusty objects.

The fabric will colour in about a week, keep it moistened.
After a week untie fabric and wash and iron. The colour will be fast on your fabric.

Here is one of my samples.........these earthy colours aren't for me but the rusty fabric would look amazing with turquoise embellishment or stitching.
Small fragments of rust may remain in the fabric, which may result in broken needles if you are sewing on the machine. Fragments of rust might also find their way into the feed dogs, so inspect fabric carefully.

 

It is also possible to dye over the top of the rust stained fabric. The rust staining shines through the dye. The sample below shows a rust stained piece of fabric, which has then been dyed firstly with a pink and then a purple cold water dye.

 



Thanks Faye, for your input in this post.

Bye, Ali

even more flowers

Cant believe that this year is nearly over for the City and Guilds class. I have been churning out felt flowers like nobodies business...I have to make eight in total. I've learnt a lot from making these samples. The latest one is a nuno felt - wool tops felted unto a silk gauze. It has resulted in a very fine felt. The inspiration for this flower is clematis montana, there is a lovely one which overhangs into our garden, it is a mass of white flowers at the moment.

I wanted my felt clematis to look bridal....

Take care and have a good weekend, ali.



titanic light show

Living in Belfast I thought it was a must to write a post about the fated Titanic, this being the centenary year of it's sinking. On Saturday night we braved the cold and by gum it was cold down there at the docks to view the light show. The laser was projected onto the front of the distinctively shaped Titanic building, while fireworks were let off from the roof. The lights and fireworks led the audience through the stages of the life of the ship. My wee camera isnt the best, but the photos aren't bad for something handheld.......





paper leaf easter tree

Easter has to be my favourite time of the year ....the hopefully warmer weather, the brighter nights, the blossom and spring flowers. In celebration I made a paper leaf Easter tree, inspired by a photo I saw on Flickr.
Here's how.....

What you need
twigs
coloured paper
glue
florists wire
scissors

Instructions
1. Cut out rectangles of coloured paper, approximately 2.5ins by 3ins (two rectangles needed per leaf)

2. Apply glue to one side of the paper.
3. Place florists wire down the centre of one of the rectangles.

4. Make a sandwich of two of the pieces of paper with the wire in the middle.

5. Press down the paper with your finger, paying particular attention to the edge where the wire comes out.
6. Using the wire as a central line cut out a leaf shape.

7. Twist the leaves round the twigs.
8. Add some Easter decorations.

Hope you all have a nice Easter. Unfortunately I wont be eating too many Easter eggs as I have just had the results of a cholesterol test!!!
Happy Easter, Ali.

morning glory

The weather has been just glorious this week. Great felting weather. I was able to do some rolling outside and dry felt pieces flat on the grass. Thought you would like to see my latest flower creation - a pink Morning Glory. I've just discovered that felt is a lovely medium to use for machine embroidery and I think adds to the felted flower.

Enjoy the weekend - even though it's to be a bit colder here in the UK.
Bye, Ali

i'd rather be

I've been putting off the ironing for quite a wee while. Now all is left is sorting out the socks. Where do all the odd socks go?......I must have at least a dozen odd socks languishing at the bottom of the laundry basket.
I'd rather be knitting / sewing / felting well absolutely anything other than housework.
On a craftier note I have finished my felted Stargazer Lily. one of the flower samples for the latest City and Guild piece. Ive included a few photos....

Bye Ali.





get organised

No matter how I try my handbag degenerates into chaos. My pen always fall to the bottom of my bag. A friend showed me a wet felted pen holder which she bought ,which slips over a pen. I thought it was a brilliant idea and just what I need to stop me digging for my pen. I made up a pattern based on the holder which she showed me....written up below. The pattern uses felted wool. I hope someone can make use of it.
Thats all for now, Ali

Knitted felted pen holder/cosy

PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

KNITTED ITEMS CAN ONLY TO BE USED FOR PERSONAL USE OR CHARITY KNITTING

PATTERN IS NOT FOR RESALE 

MATERIALS

Wash+ Filz -it! wool (not the fine type)

four 5mm (US 8) dpns 

ABBREVIATIONS

rd – round

k- knit

p – purl

st(s) – stitch(es)

kfb –  increase, knit front and back

sl – slip

psso – pass slip stitch over

tog - together

STEM

Cast on 6 sts with green yarn.

Divide sts evenly between three dpns and join in the round.

Continue k every round until work measures 40cms / 16ins or desired length.

Remember that the felting yarn shrinks approximately 30% when washed.

FLOWER CENTRE

Change to pale pink wool.

NEXT rd : k.

Tuck two end yarns down tube.

NEXT 2 rds : k.

NEXT rd : (k2tog) 3 times   (3 sts).

Pull wool through (thread yarn through the 3 remaining sts).

Fasten off.

PETALS (make 4) knitted flat with 2 needles.

Cast on 2 sts with dark pink yarn with 5mm size needles.

ROW 1 : kfb, k1  (3 sts).

ROW 2 : p.

ROW 3 : kfb, kfb, k1  (5 sts).

ROW 4 : p.

ROW 5 : kfb, k2, kfb, k1  (7 sts).

ROW 6 : p.

ROW 7 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts, k2tog  (5 sts).

ROW 8 : p.

ROW 9 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog  (3 sts).

Cut yarn and leave sts on needle.

Continue making three more petals leaving a long yarn tail on the final petal.

Thread the yarn on the last petal through all the stitches of the four petals on the needle.

Pull tight.

Place around the flower centre, knit side facing up and with a few stitches complete the circle.

Sew the petals to the centre by sewing back and forwards through the tube.

Darn all loose yarn tails on petals and stem away.

Insert a biro (without the ink part) into the bottom end of the tube. 

FELTING PROCESS

1. Place the knitted flower into the washing machine, along with an old pair of jeans or towel (for agitation) and a colour catcher.

2. Set the machine for a 40 degree wash and a short spin.

When flower comes out of machine reshape petals and stem, remove biro.

3. Dry flat.

4. If the base of the stem has felted ease an opening by inserting a knitting needle.

 copyright Alison Hogg 2012

in the pink

For my next City and Guild piece, I'm doing a collection of felted flowers.....all pink. I do like to sneak a wee bit of knitting into these projects, so I've started with a knitted felted flower. I've used Wash+filz-it! wool which felts beautifully in the washing machine - what could be easier. I've written the pattern for the knitted felted rose and posted it (see below) so hopefully somebody can make use of it.
Bye, Ali

Knitted Felted Rose

THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

PLEASE ONLY USE THE KNITTED ITEM FOR PERSONAL USE OR CHARITY KNITTING - DO NOT SALE FOR PROFIT

MATERIALS

Wash+Filz-it! wool (not the fine type)

For the rose I used rose pink with a scraps of bright pink

For the leaf I used olive green

8mm  (US 11) needles or similar

8mm (US 11) dpns or similar

sewing thread or finer yarn

brooch back or safety pin if required

ROSE

Cast on 21 sts with 8mm needles or similar in rose pink.

ROW 1 : (k1, kfb)  rpt to last st, k1 (31 sts).

ROW 2 : p.

ROW 3 : (k1, kfb)  rpt to last st, k1 (46 sts).

ROW 4 : p.

ROW 5 : (k1, kfb)  rpt to last 2 sts, k2  (68 sts)

ROW 6 : p.

ROW 7 : k.

ROW 8 : p.

Change to bright pink yarn (optional)

Cast off purlwise.

LEAF

Cast on 3 sts with 8mms dpns or similar in olive green.

I-cord for 10cms / 4ins.

leaf is knitted flat.

ROW 1 : kfb, kfb, k1 (5 sts).

ROW 2 : p.

ROW 3 : kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1  (7 sts).

ROW 4 : p.

ROW 5 : kfb, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, kfb, k1  (11 sts).

ROW 6 : p.

ROW 7 : kfb, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, kfb, k1  (15 sts).

ROW 8 : p.

ROW 9 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts (k2tog)  (13 sts).

ROW 10 : p.

ROW 11 : sl1, k1, psso, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog

(9 sts).

ROW 12 : p.

ROW 13 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts (k2tog)  (7 sts).

ROW 14 : p.

ROW 15 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts (k2tog)  (5 sts).

ROW 16 : p.

ROW 17 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, (k2tog)  (3 sts).

ROW 18 : p.

ROW 19 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, pass the right stitch over the left stitch.

Fasten off.

FELTING

1. Darn loose yarns away Do not sew pieces together yet.

2. Place in the washing machine with a pair of old jeans or towel (for agitation) and a colour catcher.

3. Set the machine for a 40 degree wash and a short spin.

4. When pieces come out of the washing machine  reshape while still damp.

5. Dry flat.

ASSEMBLY

1. The rose will naturally curl round to form a flower shape. Keep the purl side facing upwards.

2. Sew the flower together with matching sewing thread or fine yarn.

3. Sew the leaf to the back of the flower. Place it diagonally across, turning the rose right way round to see if you have the leaf in the right position.

4. Sew large brooch back or safety pin to the back if you want a corsage. alternatively sew onto item such as hat scarf etc.

copyright Ali Hogg 2012

starlit vessel

I have just finished my first piece for the city and guilds diploma. It is a felt vessel inspired by galaxies, nebulous and stars.

It is wet felted  with merino wool, Angelina fibre for a bit of sparkle and embellished with swarovski crystal beads to give a bit of a twinkle. Now I have to finish the accompanying book and that's one craft pathway completed. Felting is new to me but I'm really enjoying even if all the rolling is a bit exhausting. The resulting items are so tactile and better still, virtually unbreakable.
Bye, Ali

for Nancy B

Nancy contacted me recently regarding a correction to ROW 17 to the leaf pattern. Nancy .....for ROW 17, slip 1 stitch onto the right needle, then knit a stitch. Now you have two stitches on the right needle. The next thing is psso, which is pass slipped stitch over. You do this on the two stitches on the right needle, passing the first slipped stitch over the knitted stitch. Once this is done there is only 1 stitch left on the right needle and 13 stitches on the left needle. Then it is a case of following the pattern, k4, p1, k1, p1, k4, k2tog. Hope this helps.

There has also been a blip on the blog with links to patterns not working and a resulting blank page. Ive tried to sort it out but it is a general problem.

mitts

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. I bought myself a wee present ......two skeins of Sublime lustrous extrafine merino dk and knitted myself a pair of fingerless knits. For someone who is used knitting with acrylic yarn it was so luxurious........such extravagance. I used a pattern on Ravelry, Susie's reading mitts and they knit up very pretty. Had to knit one twice as I wasn't 
concentrating - too busy watching Great Expectations on the tv!

happy new year everyone from Ali (crazy dazy)

ho ho ho

Can't believe how long it has been since I have written a blog post. How time flies! I have been busy with City and Guild coursework and of course knitting. I knit up a few Christmas decorations this year. I found a nice wee pattern on ebay (UK). Its a Santa's head which can be stuffed or left open at the back so a sweet can be slipped in. The pattern is by the seller jojoknits, I knitted the hat on dpns tweaking the mini Santa hat ornament by Julie Kundhi. Here's a few photos of my Santas and hats..........

Better get on with some more Christmas knits as time is running out.
Bye, Ali

planet necklace

I'm still easing myself gently into the wet felting. I saw a tutorial for making felt balls in the washing machine on the Painted Thread Projects blog. It has great instructions and plenty of photos. I decided to make balls to represent all of the planets continuing my "universe" theme for the City and Guilds course. They are approximately to scale and the correct colour.

For the rings of Saturn, I wet felted a small piece, cut a donut shape out and them free machined round it.
The world was a plain blue ball which I later needlefelted, land and clouds on to - not sure how geographically correct it is!

Unfortunately I lost Pluto somewhere, it must have rolled under the sitee or somewhere. I was going to make a mobile of the felted planets, but changed my mind and turned them into a necklace.

bye, ali

felted bowls

The city and guilds classes have well and truly started. I'm doing felting this year. As I haven't done much actual wet felting I'm easing myself in gently with a bit of knitted felting. I liked the idea of the felted nesting bowls in the Alice Thelma blog. My theme for this year is the solar system, so I tried to make the bowls planet like. I knitted angelica into the black felting wool to add a bit of sparkle. When I washed the bowls in the washing machine, the black must have ran making the nice bright yellow and orange colour a bit muddy.....should have used a colour catcher in the wash. Ah well you learn by your mistakes.

It was a good pattern, the bowls fitted exactly inside one another.

bye, ali

whoopie pie pattern

Ive just put a new pattern on - see below for a whoopie pie. Hope someone can make use of it. The two halves are knitted with dpns and the cream is made using i-cord technique. I read somewhere that the whoopie pie got its name for Amish men shouting "whoopie" when they found the delicious treat in their lunch box.......dont know if that's true or not, you can correct me if I'm wrong. Better get back to my city and guild stuff now - I'm doing felting and I'm relatively new to this craft, so lots of research and googling required,
Bye, Ali.