Saturday 20 July 2013

Dobby the Free Elf!

Here he is...Dobby the free elf!


Thanks for all your comments and guesses! 


The fabulous pattern  - so smooth to follow - is from Lucy Ravenscar


He has needlefelted eyes and mouth


The cool evening sunshine was perfect for a photo shoot



Lounging around!
 


Dobby was given his shirt by Mr RW!



Love the shape of his nose!


Dobby's been given to a new family! He's still a free elf and enjoying his new home!




Sunday 14 July 2013

Stitches in the sun

Over the last ten days I've really enjoyed sitting in a shady corner of our very sunny garden in the late afternoon and early evenings hooking away at a secret project!


It involved a downloaded pattern, 3.5mm hook and just over a ball of natural coloured wool/acrylic mix (with flecks of colour)

The individual shapes are art forms in themselves, such beautiful structures.....







I love the knobblyness of the stitches, and although I'm not sure they were designed that way- my attention may have drifted - they really do fit the subject!


Many of the al fresco sessions were accompanied by Wimbledon commentary on the radio..consequently some of my tension may have gone awry - particularly in the semis and finals!
This is really the first project I have attempted where consistent tension matters...
The pattern starts with a rather prominent part, so I moved on down the page to a less complicated one and was pleased with my first (pre-Wimbledon) sections.


However.....they turned out proportionally much larger than all the other parts - so I repeated them at the end, with the new tension and found some extra shape when I did so!
Just shows how important it is to get into the swing or try initial swatching!
I have learned so much from this project...and am looking forward to revealing the finished item soon!
Any guesses ?!

Thursday 4 July 2013

Anti-stashbusting!

I had some wonderfully colourful birthday presents a couple of months ago


These two cakes came from an exciting new crafty shop recently opened nearby.
 It caters for all stitchers!


It was difficult to choose from all the exciting colours and textures; a fabulous feast for the eyes and fingers!


Very helpfully a winding service is offered for a donation to charity..well worth it to save the air at home going blue!


The wool below is 55% BFL and 45% silk 4ply  in Lemon Rind, it is sooo soft, has lots of yellow tones and is one of the shops own hand dyed yarns.
I'm sure I'll be back for more of their wonderful unique colourways.


These vibrant colours are a Superbiffle - Carousel from Easyknits.


As the choice was so tricky RW Jnr had the final say on this one!
I had taken a photo of some Easter blooms earlier in the week we went shopping, as I had been captured by their colour combinations and thought it might be useful for future projects.
 When we returned home I wondered if we had all been influenced by the vibrant tulips?


Another present I received, from my sister-in-law just shows how much she gets my love of colour, and bags!


My fabulous friend Tracey from school and blogland picked up a thread I had mentioned and sent me a new toy!




I have had a couple of spins! 


The first was really a non-starter, but after a bit more reading and video watching I did get moving and a bit of fluff was spun!


As I usually hook or felt small pieces I am aiming for some arty yarn with plenty of colour, variable texture and weight (just as well!!) so hope to use some of the future spun yarn in my projects!
Whilst adding to my yarn stash I am busting my fibre!
I am really pleased I have been using some of my collected wool in the stashbuster challenge as it has made me appreciate the new additions even more!
I wonder what this will be.....?