A look at a recent custom order

Hi folks! My creating over the last couple months has unfortunately been limited due to time constraints, but I did complete a couple scarves by custom order. The request was for a multicolor crochet patchwork scarf, one for mommy, and one for her toddler. Given a choice of three colorways in a lovely wool yarn- warm, cool, and tranquil- she chose warm. I'm pleased with how it turned out. Nice color, texture and fairly light weight. Below is a little photo essay on the work.

(Note: The actual colors are very rich and warm. The uploaded photos do not seem to convey that on my monitor. Hopefully they'll work a little better on yours.)

Weaving!

Some time back I traded several orchids for a rigid heddle loom. This past week I broke it out finally to figure it out. A RH loom is fairly simple as looms go, but it still takes a fair amount of time to get it setup for weaving. I was surprised that it actually took me about three hours to prepare and tie on the warp yarn, get it tensioned evenly, then weave the waste yarn to even it out. Perhaps I will get faster with practice. I'm using a simple weave, with patterning based on color only, but still I get a quiet satisfaction from seeing the fibers come to life. It will be nice to see how it matures when finished and off the loom to relax. Below are photos of the work in progress.

Blog Treasury: Digital Finesse

Swiping an idea from Sassa's Etsy Treasury, I've decided to make a blog 'Treasury'. Treasury is an Etsy feature where users can make a page containing their favorite things, things that fit a theme or color scheme, or items from their team members. They can be difficult to get. So why not make a blog Treasury with fun things you found on Etsy?


Dragon Tamer by Mizzdraconia


Thumbelina and the Berry Patch Adventure by Matchstickgirl


Fairy print by Rdirenna


Filodorma by Fayeillustration

Rose Quartz - Silk Lace Scarf

Here's another 'sheep to scarf', although this is more of a 'worm to scarf'. This story started with a lovely skein of silk yarn, cool and soft to the touch. This was then kettle dyed, a process where I immerse the skein of yarn into a pot of water and acid, and apply dye and heat. The result is pools of color with variation in hue and saturation, creating an interesting texture of color. This yarn was then knitted into a classic lace pattern scarf to make you feel like a movie star! ;)

Featured Artist: Audiodef

At a recent local craft show I met the producer/composer of Audiodef, Damien, who creates an indie instrumental techno type music. I received from him the above album, Coldest Dishes Instrumentals. I've quite enjoyed it in the week I've had it. It qualifies as techno with imaginative combinations of sound, but is not the hard techno that threatens to rattle you out of your seat. Instead the album style is accessible and relaxed, keeping your emotion on a steady chilled-out level, while still being active and complex enough to keep your interest. Highly recommended!

Coldest Dishes Instrumentals is currently available for free download at Kallisti Gold

A player which will cycle through all the music on the album is embedded below.

Diversity Celebration

This is a little illustrated story of how a ball of hand-dyed fiber from Creatively Dyed became a November Air art scarf called Diversity Celebration.

This first photo shows what the prepared fiber looks like just before spinning. It always has a certain airy elegance at this stage, and is very nice to touch.

The next photo shows the yarn in production on the flier of the spinning wheel.

This of course is the finished yarn prior to knitting.

And the finished scarf! The design is a simple, bevel knit style that shows of the wonderful variety of color. This was clearly a case where the fiber & yarn were meant to do the talking! A more active design would have detracted from the harmonious yet diverse palette.

for more photos of this colorful beauty, please check out the Etsy listing.