billboard art

Art has come to my part of Belfast. As part of the Art in the Eastside project, art has been splashed over billboards making it accessible to everyone. The project celebrates the people, history, culture and social aspects of East Belfast. There are eight different participating artists in twenty six locations. Makes a nice change from the usual ads.

I took a photo of the  billboard on the Beersbridge Road - "Invasion of the Sock Monkeys" by Katie Blue.

Katie Blue is a Belfast artist who specialises in making art from recycled junk. She makes sculptures, assemblages, prints paintings and of course sock monkeys.
Bye Ali.

innocent drinks big knit

Ive been meaning to knit up some of these wee hats for the Innocent Big Knit for a while. Using Juliet Bernard's pattern as a guide I knitted a few up using dpns.

Juliet Bernard's patterns are available on Ravelry and also on the Innocent site. I'm hoping to knit a few more as the deadline is the first of October. For every bottle of Innocent drinks, wearing a woolly hat sold, 25p goes to Age UK, to help older people keep warm over the winter.
I've also written a pattern up, a hat with a brim - see the post below. It is knitted in the round and the only sewing is round the brim.
Hope someone can make use of the pattern.
Bye, Ali.

INNOCENT BIG KNIT HAT WITH BRIM

Materials

4 dpns size 3.25mm

scraps of double knit yarn

sequins, beads for decoration (optional) 

Abbreviations

k : knit

p : purl

rd(s) : round(s)

st(s) : stitch(es)

rpt : repeat

yrn : yarn round needle

tog : together

pwt : pull wool through

 

Hat

Cast on 56 sts – leave a long yarn tail.

Divide  between three needles and join in the rd.

Rd 1 : k.

Rd 2 : k.

Rd 3 : (yrn, k2tog) rpt to end of rd.

Rd 4 : k.

Rd 5 : k.

Rd 6 : k.

Rd 7 : (k2tog) rpt to end of rd  (28 sts).

Rd 8 : p.

Next 10 rds : k.

Rd 19 : (k5, k2tog) rpt to end of rd  (24 sts).

Rd 20 : k.

Rd 21 : (k4, k2tog) rpt to end of rd  (20 sts).

Rd 22 : k.
Rd 23 : (k3, k2tog) rpt to end of rd   (16 sts).

pwt.

To form brim - fold cast on edge inwards to reverse side. Using yarn tail sew along cast on edge.

 

Weave other yarn end away.

Decorate with beads, sequins etc (optional)

 

copyright Alison Hogg 2012

ulster fry

Saw a tea cosy competition at St Georges Market, Belfast, advertised and thought I would have a go.
I wanted to make something with a local interest, so took my inspiration from the good aul Ulster Fry.
The top of cosy is supposed to resemble a plate with all the fried items, including potato farl and soda bread, Northern Ireland delicacies. Entries have to be submitted by the end of the month so there is still time to enter. All the cosies will be on show on Sunday 16th September and are being sold for Help the Aged charity.

and here's the finished cosy.......

 

.

Bye for now, Ali

yarn bombing

I heard about the guerrilla knitters had hit Newcastle, County Down and had to go see for myself. I hadn't realised this craze had reached Northern Ireland.
It was a very grey morning in Newcastle today but the knits certainly brightened up the Promenade and my day........

Seemingly the artists belong to the group S.O.C.K (Secret Outside Crocheters and Knitters).

This is the second time the group have targeted Newcastle, this time it coincides with the towns Arts Festival.

Bye, Ali.

diy

All craft work has ground to a halt lately. Im channelling all available energy into painting the bedroom. I have a great pair of wooden step ladders which belonged to my grandad. I suppose they would be described as vintage and have many layers of drips and splashes on them.

Thankfully I've nearly finished. Cant wait to swap the brushes and rollers for knitting needles.
Bye, Ali.

new pattern release

I have just completed my mini doll knitting pattern. She is only 6 inches tall and comes with three outfits, which can be changed.

casual wear

evening wear

dancewear

If you want a closer look or find out more, please visit my etsy / folksy shop.
Bye Ali.

peace camp

I spent the weekend up in Coleraine. We went to see the Peace camp at Whitepark Bay on Saturday night. The Peace camp was inspired by the United Nations Olympic Truce. It was an installation by Deborah Warner and Fiona Shaw. I thought it was great - I've never been to a beach at two in the morning before. Wandering through the tents the music from the tents and the sound of the waves was a great experience.
Here's some photos to share the night with you

My son was a very reluctant model for this photo but he managed to stand still for two seconds while I took the photo.

This photo was taken the next day. Its White Park bay from Port Bradden ...you can just about see the dots of the white tents on the beach.



Bye, ali

titanic pall

titanic pall
I have lived in Belfast all of my life and have only been to St. Anne's Cathedral once. Today, I went especially to see the embroidered Titanic funeral pall. It is truly beautiful. The background is merino felt which has been indigo dyed and represents the deep  midnight ocean.

The large central cross is made up of small embroidered crosses and there are more crosses towards the edge. It is bound with velvet.

On close examination you can see abstract gold crosses, Star of Davids and crescents. There are 1,517 of these which represent the number of people who lost their lives in the disaster.

It was made by Helen O'Hare and Wilma Kirpatrick, from the University of Ulster. Despite its function I didn't find it morbid, but a beautiful piece of art.

The cathedral itself has amazing stained glass windows, the new spire and mosaics. This one depicts earth, water and fire.

I lit a candle on the way out and must confess to saying a wee prayer even though I'm not particularly religious.

Bye for now, Ali

new freebie pattern

I bought a few of these egg cups with feet a while ago and have been meaning to knit wee jumpers for them. Just got round to it last week - so at least thats one thing ticked off the to do list!. The wee jumper is knitted with dpns with minimum sewing required. Hope someone can make use of it....see below.
Bye, Ali.

YOKE SWEATER EGG COSY

THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT REPRODUCE PATTERN. DO NOT SELL ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN FOR PROFIT ONLY FOR PERSONAL OR CHARITABLE USE

Abbreviations
rd(s) : round(s)
k : knit
p : purl
M : make
st(s) : stitch(es)
rpt : repeat
tog : together

Materials
small amounts of dk (US 8ply) yarn - suggested yarn Rico baby classic dk
4 dpns size 3.25mm (US 3)

SLEEVES (make 2)
Cast on 10 sts in blue, join in the rd (4,4,2) and place st marker.
Rd 1 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 2 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd. Change to pink yarn.
Rd 3 : k.
Rd 4 : k.
Rd 5 : k.
Rd 6 : k1, M1, k to end of rd (11 sts).
Continue with k increasing every 4th rd until 13 sts.
Continue with k until work measures 5cms (2ins) from beginning of work.
Place sts onto a spare contrasting piece of coloured yarn.
Break off sleeve yarn leaving a long tail for sewing up.

BODY
Cast on 38 sts in blue, join in the rd (12, 14, 12) and place st marker.
Rd 1 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 2 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd. Change to pink yarn.
Rd 3 : k. Continue with k until work measures 5cms (2ins) from beginning of work.

JOIN BODY AND SLEEVES
k1 of body, place the next 3 body sts onto a piece of spare yarn
Place first sleeve in the position it should be in relation to the body keeping the increases pointing in towards the jumper body.
Place 10 sleeve sts onto the left hand needle (start with the last st of the sleeve rd and move anticlockwise) leaving 3 sleeve sts on the yarn these 3 sts should align with the 3 sts of the body on the yarn, this will be the underarm.
k 10 sleeve sts.
k 16 body sts, place the next 3 body sts onto a piece of spare yarn.
Place 10 sts of the second sleeve onto the left hand needle leaving 3 sleeve sts on the yarn these 3 sts should align with the 3 sts of the body on the yarn as before.
k 10 sleeve sts.
k 15 body sts (52 sts).

YOKE
Change to blue.
Next rd : k.
Change to pink.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k2tog) rpt to end of rd (26 sts).
Next rd : k.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k2tog) rpt to end of rd (13 sts).
Next rd : k.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k2tog), k3, (k2tog), k2, (k2tog), k2 (10 sts).
Change to blue.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd.
Cast off in rib.

To Assemble
- Using the yarn tails in the underarms sew any gaps and weave back and forward the 3 sts of the sleeve and the 3 sts of the body.
- Weave loose yarns away.

copyright Alison Hogg 2012

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.