Heart and 'Thumbprint' Sample Tote- Part 2 of 2

Mid-way through felting...

                                          ...the tote is turned right-side out...

                                      ...and a 'U'-shaped slit is cut into each side...

                                                         ...to form a handle.

                                                           During felting...

                             ...the knitted heart has 'become one' with the pre-felt...

                          ...and the silk and wool yarn has melted into the bag beautifully.

                                                   The finished tote (side one)...

                                     ...and a close-up of the felted heart.

                                           Side two with its 'thumbprint' stitching...

                           ...and a closer look at the variegated yarn colourway.

                                       I like that there's a small shock of green...

                                ...when you catch a glimpse of the bag's interior...

                                           ...and the multicolored dots of yarn...

                                                     ...really make me smile.

                                         Next time: the first of two tote projects...

                         ...which were actually made right-side out for a change!! :)

Heart and 'Thumbprint' Sample Tote- Part 1 of 2

Cutting two layers of commercial pre-felt...

...into the shape of my resist...

                         ...then removing a heart-shaped section from one of them.

                          Using a piece of a discarded, open-weave knit sweater...

                               ...and a length of variegated wool and silk blend yarn...

                                ...I pin a 'sweater insert' to the opening in the pre-felt...

                                         ...and carefully stitch it into place.

                                                 The back side (with knots).


                                             
   
                                                On the second piece of pre-felt...

                                               ...more variegated yarn is used...

                                           ...to gently stitch a motif into the felt.

The finished design elements (front sides)...

                                                            ...and backs.

                                   Placing the 'good side' face down on the resist...

                                       ...covering it with a layer of wool roving...

                                           ...and flipping the project to side two.

                                   After repeating the process with the heart piece...

                                  ...layers of wool roving are added to the project...

                                       ...the tote top is turned down for neatness...

                                                       ...and felting is begun.

                                               Next time: the finished tote.

                                

           

My (First Ever) Knitted Infinity Scarf!

The finished (flat) scarf...

 

...knitted up in self-striping yarn...

 

...which seems kind of...well...magic to me!



One section is teal...



...one chartreuse...

 

...one grey-green...

 

...and each is dotted with random, slubby bits of white silk!

 

Once finished...

 

...I whipstitched the ends of the scarf together...

...to form a circle.

(This scarf is not going to fall off and get lost!)

 

As some of you know...

...I recently taught myself to knit by way of internet videos.

Although I'm still a complete novice...

...and despite the fact that this scarf is merely straight knitting (no fancy stuff!)...

...I'm rather proud of the finished article. :)

This yarn is absolutely lovely to knit with...

...so much so, that I bought another colourway for a second project!

(You may remember Mushishi yarn from this project...

...a felted notebook cover.)

Amazing Pumpkin Pie Colored Swap Shawl

The shawl back.

 

Wrapped and modeled by my daughter, L.

 

In all of its winged glory.

 

Close up detail.

 

My friend, Mary, and I arranged a 'mystery swap' recently...

...where we sent each other color and item preferences...

...and then just tried to wow each other!

I have to say that she sure did her part, as I am IN LOVE with my new shawl...

...and with the breezy week we just had, I've worn it many a morn (har) as I catch up with friends on the Internet.

She made it in the most exquisite shade of cooked pumpkin...

...in a blend of 70% wool and 30% silk...

...so it's really soft and warm!!

For you knitters who might want more details (where to find the free pattern, yarn brand and colourway, etc.)...

...check out Mary's post about it here.

Thanks again, Mary!! I love it!!!!