Friday, August 3, 2012

Yarn-Embellished Journal Cover- Part 1 of 2

Wonderful wool and silk yarn that I bought at StevenBe's...

 
...wound around the resist in an irregular pattern.

 
Adding 'leaf-like' bits of silk and wool pre-felt...

...leftover from this project.

 
Covering the whole shebang with white roving...

 
...and wetting it out.

 
After felting and turning the piece right-side out...

...the back side (with opening)...

 
...and the front side.

 
The back side again, after blocking and drying.

 
I've been in a journal cover-making mood lately...

...and I'd been wanting to use some of the yummy green yarn that I purchased in Minnesota...

...so it seemed like the perfect time to try it.

As a gift for a man, I didn't want the finished piece to be too feminine or fiddly...

...and since this yarn has an almost barbed wire appearance after felting...

...I think it will be just butch enough! Giggle.

Working inside-out, I laid out the yarn and the leaf embellishments...

...then covered the resist with layers of white roving, prior to felting.

I used a bit of colored wool to mark the back of the piece...

...and I'm happy to report that I did not have any mishaps this time around! :)

Next time: the finished journal.

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16 comments:

Terriea Kwong said...

Love very much the leafy look. Your idea of work inside out is perfect. I used to make a sheet then hot glue for a book cover but this way is cool. Want to have a go later.

Terriea Kwong said...

Love the leafy look. Green and white is a perfect match. Your way of making is great. Will have a go later.

WonderWhyGal said...

.I think it will be just butch enough! Giggle.

haha, I think it is a perfect uni-sex gift. I love how that yarn felted into the project.

Rachel said...

Gorgeous - well done!

Heather Woollove said...

Terriea--It definitely helps the yarn to 'felt in' when you make it inside-out like this! I look forward to seeing yours when you try one! XXO-
Andrea--Hahahaha
Rachel--Thank-you!

Unknown said...

Very nice, I love the leafy effect. I haven't done any felting yet..it's on the list (with about 1000 others)

Heather Woollove said...

Mary--I know how those lists can be! Start with something small and easy and I bet you'll be hooked! :)

Vivian said...

I think this is my first time see "real yarn" in your projects, and of course it works so well felted into the roving and leaves. Great idea for a guy gift!

Andria said...

I think you've done amazing work there--definitely good for a man OR a woman (like, uhm, me!!). Can't wait to see it next!

Heather Woollove said...

Vivian--Hahaha...not quite true...I've used my own handspun (or that of friends) a few times in the past, but it's true that I haven't used commercial yarn like this before. What do you think of the brand of yarn that I bought? (I'm curious, since I was with a knitter when I bought it, and she was not too impressed with it, nor with the Noro that I coveted, but I think we look at things with different 'eyes', and since I don't need to handle it, I'm really only interested in the color gradation and slubby texture.)
Andria--Hahaha...sounds like you might want to do a swap one day?!?! :)

FeltersJourney said...

Lovely journal cover Heather! Simple and definitely manly enough (though I think any girly would love it too!)
xx

Spinster Beth said...

Very nice! Not at all girly :)

Anonymous said...

The 'leafy' pattern worked so well - it's lovely!

Heather Woollove said...

Deborah--I have one coming up that is Definitely girly!! :)
Beth--Thanks! :)
Annie--I'm glad that it looks 'leafy' to you. I cut the pre-felt into quite jagged, imperfect shapes and hoped that that image would still come through.:)

KB Design said...

♥Danke für deine wunderbare Idee. Es ist Inspiration pur. Handgesponnene Garne und Wolle/Seide sind bereit...

Liebe Grüsse
Brigitte

Heather Woollove said...

Brigitte--You are very welcome!