Thinking. Experimenting

 

 

I am starting a couple of new pieces. The first one has been arranged for a week or two and I finally finished the foundation work. Now it is time for the fun. The blue one came together yesterday in it's preliminary form. I woke up with it in my head. It even has a title.

 

I am not sure where either of these pieces are going, but that is the exciting part!



 

 

 

In Play

Ragamuffin

Ragamuffin

24"

 

This doll was inspired by Indonesian shadow puppets as well as ethnic African dolls. She is made of loosely woven fabric sewn into a tube and stuffed. A dowel rod was inserted into the center and dropped into the hole of an upside down clay flower pot. Once she was "standing", I added her garment which consists of every scrap I could find, fastened on with a crochet hook in "Rag Rug" fashion. Along with yarn and fabric, her garment also includes trinkets, such as tiny baskets and clay cups. On her head, is a small needle woven basket, which holds a tiny Bee (Bee in her bonnet?). Her arms are made of knitted I-Cord and they are manipulated by Vintage plastic knitting needles that belonged to my Grandmother. Ragamuffin will be in an up-coming Fiber Arts Show and is mounted on a rotating turntable so she can show off her dress!

 



Not The Sharpest Pencils In The Box

Not The Sharpest Pencils In The Box

11"x 18"

 

Fabric construction using embroidered, hand dyed fabric

It makes me laugh. I hope you laugh too!  

More Felted Baskets

I made more of these baskets. Now that I have the hang of it, I can zip right through one. Everyone seems to like them. The dark red one has knitted in polka dots and then pink Embroidered French Knots. I really like the red one. It has a nice round shape and I like the way I did the rim in different colors. What color next? Maybe turquoise?

Green Basket

I knitted and then felted this basket using a pattern by Cat Bordhi. It has a Mobius handle and the basket and handle are knit all in one piece. I love the size and shape of it. Last night, I knit a red one with stripes. I will wait to felt it though until I have a few more. It felted up easily in the washing machine. I threw in a few tennis balls and some hard rubber dog toys (which needed a good wash anyway) and set the machine for low, hot water and heavy agitation. I added one of the flowers I have been making, but it is just pinned on. I might like one with more contrast and I am thinking about a curly vine as well. I can think of lots of fun decorations for a basket like this, but it was quite attractive on it's own.

Water For The Elephants (socks)

I finished these socks last Sunday, or rather I finished the second one. I finished the first one in January and then messed around with other projects. The pattern is Water For The Elephants by Rose Hiver. free on Ravelry. They look complicated, but they are actually an easy and fast knit. Honestly, they just flew off the needles.  Part of the reason for that is good prep. I have one of those folding table easels with magnetic strips to hold the pattern and mark your place. I never lost my place (well maybe once or twice) and that saved a lot of time. I like the heel on these socks too. I may have to make another pair in a different color. But there are so many others to try. Maybe the Seahorse ones should be next?

Smoothie Gloves

I finished the last finger of these last night. They are knit in an Alpaca wool so they are fuzzy and warm. Now I will put them away until next year. It will be in the 80's here today. I feel like I am knitting for a Hope Chest. It's a little late for that, but maybe I should embroider some pillowcases just in case.