Handspun 'Art Yarn' Scarf- Part 1

Beginning the layout.

 

Adding strips of colored roving and handspun yarn.

 

With all of the layers on, just prior to felting.

 

Close up of lattice.

 

I received a skein of wonderful handspun art yarn from my friend, Linda...

...and have been saving it for a special project!!

I decided to make a scarf with a woven appearance...

...both to showcase the yarn's texture, and to insure that it felted in properly.

I added strips of colored roving and yarn...

...so that there was a weaving-like overlap.

During felting, I tucked in the fiber ends...

...but left the yarn extended, to act as a fringe.

I have a close friend who thinks that this scarf makes a nice table runner...

...and in tomorrow's post, I'll show you both 'versions' of the finished scarf.

If you'd like a chance to win either this scarf or the onion skin one...

...please leave a comment on this post or on Thursday's post...

...and let me know if you'd prefer one over the other.

At midnight EST on Friday, March 11th, I will close the contest...

...and I'll announce the winner on my birthday, Saturday, March 12th.

The first randomly picked name will get their first choice of scarf...

...and the second winner will receive the remaining one.

Please make sure that I have a way to reach you if you are one of the winners...

...either through a blog link, or a posted e-mail address.

(Use (at) and (dot) to foil the spammers!)

Onion Skin Dyed Scarf- Part 2

Fulling the scarf.

 

Preparing the onion skin dye bath.

 

The finished scarf.

 

Giveaway scarf #1.

 

Once I had felted the scarf for some time...

...I fulled it by throwing it on the table for a bit.

Meanwhile, I simmered onion skins in water to make a dye bath...

...and when the scarf was ready, I removed the skins from the dye bath,

...added a little white vinegar, and let the dye do its magic!

The skins gave the white scarf a pale, peachy-orange hue...

...and it made me happy to get extra use out of something on its way to the compost pile.

Tomorrow, I'll give you your first glimpse of the second giveaway scarf...

...and at that time I'll begin recording the names of those who wish to leave a comment and enter the giveaway drawing. :)

Onion Skin Dyed Scarf- Part 1

Laying out white wool roving.

 

Adding circles of brightly colored wool.

 

A lengthwise white strip tops it all off.

 

Partially felted scarf...checking to make sure that the holes stay open.

 

Yet another middle-aged birthday is heading my way this coming Saturday...

...and today I'm planning my second annual birthday giveaway!

This year, I have two (very different) scarves to give away...

...and today, I'll show you scarf number one.

I had the idea of making a Dawn-style scarf...

...but letting it be a little more undulating...less rectangular.

I laid out figure eights, crosses and squiggles of white roving...

...then added circles of orangey-red roving on top.

I anchored the whole shebang with a length of white roving...

...and began felting.

Next time I'll show you the gorgeous orange dye pot and the finished scarf...

...and I'll tell you how and when to enter the drawing for one of my two scarves!

Poppy Flower/Raw Fleece Purse- Part 2

This photo looks a bit like an alien life form to me! Grin.

 

The purse back with its Icelandic fleece tail.

 

The finished purse in all of its wildness!

 

Notice how I stretched the purse strap out while felting it to make it longer?

 

I had a lot of fun making this outrageous purse...

...feeling like I could 'take more liberties', since I was felting for another felter!

A beard of Icelandic fleece surrounds what became the bag closure flap...

...and the other flap was turned into an inside pocket with a sewn-in fabric lining.

I found a veined black/grey button for the closure...

...and a terrific 'just the right shade of green' snakeskin print fabric for the pocket (sorry-not shown).

The best part is that Nicola was really happy to receive it...

...and I could breathe a sigh of relief!! Giggle.

Poppy Flower/Raw Fleece Purse- Part 1

Laying out the bag back and flap.

 

Raw Icelandic fleece.

 

The bag front and inner pocket flap.

 

Cutting the handle.

 

I regularly participate in Clasheen's felt and fiber swaps...

...and this time, I was paired with Nicola, herself!

Knowing that she's a green-loving girl...

...I wanted to make her a bag that she'd really enjoy using.

I laid out white and green wool roving...

...and added my version of poppy flower accents.

I placed a wild blob of raw Icelandic fleece on the back of the bag...

...and a 'beard' of it on the bag front.

Next time...

...the finished bag!

White Sari Silk Scarf....Modeled

The finished scarf.

 

The scarf indentations form a nice place for your neck.

 

The flaps provide protection against the wind.

 

She looks so wistful, doesn't she? Giggle.

 

Several of you wrote yesterday, asking to see my latest scarf modeled...

...but since all of my home-grown models are either working...

...or away at college...

...the disembodied head will have to do! :)

Scarf With Sari Silk, Wool Yarn and Beads

Laying out wool batts and tencel.

 

Pseudopodal scarf end.

 

The finished scarf.

 

Detail of sari silk, tencel, beading and embroidery.

 

Some months ago...

...I bought several large white wool batts from a Mennonite farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Rather than laying out each of my projects from scratch...

...I was eager to try out this pleasant shortcut!

In order to make the most of the batt's pre-formed nature...

...I fashioned a scarf by making semi-circular cuts from a long rectangle...

...and re-applying them as 'bumps'!

I also added lots of textured and colorful inclusions...

...tencel fibers, sari silk waste and wool yarn.

When it was finished, I thought it needed an extra jolt of color...

...so I hand-embroidered around the edges with multi-colored thread.

The surprising thing about this scarf is the way it fits...

...since the cutouts provide perfect little indentations for one's neck!