Published on March 31, 2008
in Crochet.
Yesterday I attended an internationally themed bridal shower. No, I’ve never heard of such a thing either. What is more, in what is truly *not* a logical move, I was chosen to represent Jamaica. I found a crochet pattern on ravelry (on ravelry | on the web) to make a big, floppy, Jamaican colored hat to wear to the party.
the hat
now with dreadlocks
I made the dreadlocks by spinning some large diameter yarn from naturally colored brown wool roving. I lightly felted it by soaking in hot soapy water and then running the entire length of yarn though my fingers a few times. I broke apart the yarn into appropriate lengths but then trimmed the top end with scissors to make things neater. I sewed the dreads down to a piece of fabric (with my machine) so that the ends were tucked inside a double fold tape situation and then sewed the fabric into the hat. That seemed to work well and was easier than sewing each individual dread into the hat. It looked creepily like hair…
The event itself involved several sticker-based activities. It took me a while to put the pieces together, but I eventually figured out that the bride’s great-aunt is Mrs. Grossman. What crafty lineage!
Published on March 19, 2008
in Knitting.
My first flower of the spring came out a few weeks ago. By now the cherry and magnolia trees have past their prime but the bright red Nasturtiums on my porch are still going strong.
I brought my camera to knitting last week to do some long overdue documenting of the oh-so-fabulous wallpaper at the Mel-o-dee. The bar was opened in 1969 or so and has clearly been untouched since. I found three different flocked filigree patterned wallpapers between the two rooms of the bar and the ladies restroom. My photography does not capture the atmosphere of the dimly lit establishment, but just imagine this wallpaper surrounding tufted vinyl built in benches and lounge tables.
Finally, after drooling over sweaters cut like jackets all winter I’ve decided to knit myself one (with a nice moss stitch front, pattern from DROPS in Ravelry). I ordered a bunch of bulky handspun from handpaintedyarn.com in a color called Caoba.
I wound up some skeins and started swatching last night. Hopefully I will finish before next winter!
but not with crafty things… There has been a real sense of urgency around the office lately. It has good effects by motivating me to get work done but I don’t enjoy the elevated stress level. I’m starting to feel a bit more relaxed now, at least enough to show off a few photos.
Spinning:
Merino dyed by Girl on the Rocks in colorway Europa. I navajo plied it and I’ve been pawing at the skein trying to decide what to make. It’s soft and squishy and probably bulky weight. Any suggestions?
Yak! I spun yak! Locks were from A Verb for Keeping Warm.
Romney single-ply also dyed by Girl on the Rocks this one is called Apollo (after you know who). It is a pretty good match to his kitten years, but he is a bit browner now.
Knitting:
A hat! I knit a hat using my bruised handspun. I never did pick a pattern but I eventually figured out a size that would work and remembered to write it down (hooray!). I have enough yarn left over to knit two more hats (or something else). The hat is lovely and soft but it has already gotten too warm around here to need it. I guess I’ll just have to wait until summer for those cold foggy nights.
I have also mostly completed a sweater. It’s made from Debbie Bliss Alpaca-Silk (mmmmm soft) and has been in the works for at least a year now… I have a real problem following directions (or even choosing directions) and my pattern-less knitting projects always require some adjustments. This one is now seamed and awaiting a button band and collar. The neckline is a little funky and I might have to re-knit it but I guess thats what I deserve for trying to make a short row neck without even keeping track…
And I have new toys on the way too… A Beka rigid heddle loom and 30 yards of seatbelt webbing. Isn’t that every girls dream?
Published on February 17, 2008
in Etsy.
The Tweed Chicken had a photoshoot today out in the lovely spring sun.
Why so much attention? Well, I’ve opened an etsy shop. Thats right, now you can get your very own tweed chicken via etsy and the US Postal Service.
I’m also selling wallets made from recycled tyvek envelopes and vinyl banners from the bart station.
You can even get a button to show your tweed chicken pride.
I havent actually sold anything through etsy yet, but I know there are a lot of people out there who could use a little tweed chicken in their lives and hopefully this will help spread the love.
abmatic on etsy
spinning, spinning, spinning and a hat…
Ah, just like a fresh bruise.. I finished spinning some merino roving that Karrie helped me dye in late November. I really, really, really like the color… I just need to decide what weight yarn I actually made so I can pick a pattern to knit myself a new hat.
Cato is proudly modeling a hat I made quickly before xmas. I used most of 2 balls of Rowan Cashsoft DK from my stash (originally purchased at the Webs booth at Stitches West 2007) one light blue and the other in navy. The pattern is the Inga Hat and I found it on Ravelry. I knit the hat using size 6 needles instead of size 5 which resulted in a really big hat, but it fits the recipient well. Oh, and the yarn is yummy…
First there was one
then there were twins
and now a whole family!
Ive been keeping a bit of a secret from you… In November after a tip-off from Karrie I went to the East Bay Depot and adopted a twin of my singer 301 sewing machine. The new 301 looks pretty, has a nice box and all of its attachments, but it also looks as if someone poured motor oil everywhere inside and then let it sit for 30 years. It was completely seized when I took it home but after some elbow grease and a good dose of advising from my dad the gears are all turning. With enough time spraying solvent into it I think I can get it running again.
Fast forward to January 2008 and an unanticipated craigslist find. Ive been looking on craigslist for the table which goes with the singer 301. I’ve seen them on there before and I’m not in a hurry so I figure that if I look long enough I’ll find one. My RSS feed picks up a lot of other sewing machines though and yesterday I saw a little featherweight listed for $100 (they usually go for $200-$400). I couldn’t resist and drove down to Mountain View to pick it up last night.
Its not in perfect condition – it looks well used – and thats the way I like it. I dont want a machine that cant be used! It runs and all the parts and attachments are there – even the original manual!
Look how tiny it is!
Just about everyone I talked to said I was crazy. 3 sewing machines in a studio apartment?
Well there is another bit of news I have yet to share…. We are moving. Our new place is still in Berkeley about 2.5 miles south of where we are now. It will have walls. More on that later…
Published on December 3, 2007
in Crafty.
or tweed chickens as the case may be…
show them your toes ladies!
its all tweed chickens all the time around here these days… I’m weaving and stuffing up a storm to get ready for the SF Bazaar Bizarre on Dec 15th! I dont have a table, but you can stop by girl on the rocks for some of my creations including tweed chickens, tweed chicken buttons, and recycled wallets made from vinyl banners and tyvek envelopes. I’ll be at the booth too helping out and sporting my new apron.
apollo gets in on the tweed chicken action too..
Published on November 12, 2007
in Sewing.
I’ve been working on this little number for wearing while crafting and also for when I help Karrie at the Bazaare Bizarre on Dec 15th.
The apron features the infamous rainbow canvas which I love so dearly as well as twill tape ties and vintage polka dotted double fold bias tape. I have made multiple variations on this theme but I’m really in love with this one – the “miniskirt” version. In fact, I like it so much I have a hard time taking it off when I leave the house…..
Published on October 31, 2007
in Crafty.
She is all dressed in her holiday best. Get this chicken some ice skates!
Published on October 16, 2007
in Quilting.
The wedding quilt: “What a Bunch of Squares” pattern from Denyse Schmidt Quilts
with a pieced back. It is machine quilted with unevenly spaced vertical lines and I added an embroidered patch with the names of the recipients and their wedding date. Most of the work was completed in the span of a month (actually, most of it the first week) – check out the progress in blogland and on flickr.
I really like it, and while its a big weight off my shoulders to have it done Im sad to give it away!
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