Scarves for men

I've been asked by Inspirit Gallery to design a series of scarves for men in time for Field Days, the biggest agricultural show in New Zealand.  I keep having this vision of a farmer pulling on his "black with two red stripes at the cuff" gumboots at 4 in the morning and saying, Now just where is my Dianne Dudfield designer scarf. 

At the same time as Field Days Inspirit is featuring an exhibition on conservation so I'll incorporate some possum/merino/silk thread into my scarves since possums are one of the biggest threats to our native forests and birds - wear a possum, save a tree.

"Weaving with Echo and Iris"

I've just this minute received my copy of "Weaving with Echo and Iris" by Marion Stubenitsky.  I'm in heaven.  You might not hear from me for a long time. 

Marion explains in the Preface that Echo and Iris are mythological figures and also refer to echo threadings and iridescence.  Iris is the messenger of the gods as well as the personification of the rainbow.  It pretty much sums up a first glance in the book.

Tidying up a scarf

For quite some time I've been wanting to try a block weave and to feature, or use up, designer and novelty yarns.  Don't think I could pass this mess off as "novel"!  The merino has shrunk as has the possum (some thick bottle green threads on the left of the pic) and those ribbons!!  Someone suggested splitting the ribbon up the middle and twisting each part into a tassel but that left an open edge on the ribbon. 

 

While pinning it out on cardboard I flipped the ribbon out of the way and immediately could see the possibility.  I adjusted knots as best I could and pinned the knot end to the cardboard.  (Has anyone seen my green self healing board - its done a runner?)  Then I 'shot of steamed' and pressed the tassels and put them in the sun to dry.

 

After trimming the ends it looks much better, not perfect by any means but better.  And the ribbon ends?  I put an overhand knot at the fell and then threaded them back on themselves out of the way.  Click the image to enlarge.

 

And when its all scrunched up ....

For a more professional tutorial on tasselling go to Susan's blog

http://weeverwoman.blogspot.co.nz/2009/01/good-twist-to-yarn.html

Pahoia Exhibition

Once again Pahoia Creative Fibre hired the Little Blue House in Katikati for an exhibition just in time for Mother's Day.

 

Jack's Grandpa jacket

Another one off the list of started projects.

This is Ellinger Shawl Neck Cardigan 

by Alex Capshaw-Taylor 

from Ravelry

Buttons from Jack's Great Gran's stash

Hope it fits!

20 kilos

 This morning's sun rise and another rainbow from earlier in the week.

Ever wondered what 20 kilos of wool  looks like?  

Yep, it took three boxes to get it delivered.

 Its the base for these luscious blankets.

What do you do with your thrums? 

 I've been knitting some of mine into a blanket.

Start at the centre with 12 stitches and knit garter stitch rows

and work mitres at the corners. 

 I started it as a project to work on while travelling but it got too big

and its joined as you knit so I had to keep looking down.  Not good!

Its been keeping my legs warm these autumn evenings as I knitted the last few rounds.

Public side

Compost side

Shibori scarf

This shibori scarf was woven on the same threading as the summer and winter diamond place mats and runners talked about earlier this year except I eliminated the tie down thread giving me large areas with no resist.

Painting the worm

Intense colours

Its been steamed

So hard waiting for it to dry

Very exciting removing the resist threads.