Needled

Offspring the Younger has been exploring needle felting and was interested in getting some instruction. I understand only the basic principles. Clearly, a class was in order.

Elaine Marcus periodically teaches needle felting at our LYS, the Naked Sheep Knit Shop. The multitalented Elaine (who is also a doctor, which I suppose might come in handy when dealing with these wicked barbs) did not disappoint. (Please, do not judge her by my halting first attempts. I suck at 3D design.) OTY and I highly recommend her class, which was packed with information and liberally seasoned with wit. Seriously, if you are anywhere near Portland, check it out!

Mutant leaf:



Ornament? At any rate, an easy project that is build over a styrofoam ball:



Other students, also novices, turned out jaw-droppingly gorgeous creations, including an incredibly realistic strawberry and voluptuous blossoms. OTY fashioned an adorable polar bear, for which I have no photographic evidence. Apologies!

Bagmania

Offspring the Younger, inspired by a pattern and fabrics we found at the Pine Needle, commissioned me to put together two reversible sling bags and a little zipped pouch.

Here's the reverse side of the polka dot bag.



And here's the second bag and the little pouch.



I love this pattern. Can't you imagine all sorts of great possibilities?

Baby bunny

Pattern: Knitted Bunny
Designer: Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
Made for: coworker's baby shower
Needles: US 5
Yarn: a very lovely single left over from spouse’s first knitting project. I believe it was a German blend of silk and merino.
Started: July 10, 2008
Completed: July 10, 2008


He has a most excellent little tail, if I do say so myself.

Cold comfort

Before blocking...




Pattern: Entrelac Stole (with modifications)
Designer: Nancie M. Wiseman
Made for: donation to school auction
Needles: US 5 Brittany birch straights
Yarn: Grignasco Top Print
Content: 100% alpaca (with not a few guard hairs, more's the pity)
Colorway: 408 olive/brown/gray
Started: March 2005
Completed: February 24, 2008

A real back-burner project, but great fun to knit. Ravelry'd here.

Fresh from the oven

Can you tell I was anxious to get these to dry?



Just in the nick of time for Offspring the Younger to give to her teacher at the end of the school year.



Pattern: Garter Rib by Charlene Schurch
Size: Men's 9
Yarn: Abundant Yarn & Dyeworks Naturally Dyed Sock Yarn
Colorway: Donovan Should Wear Red
Amount: about 400 yards
Needles: US 1 dpns
Started: April 7, 2008
Completed: June 10, 2008

Ravelry'd here.

Documenting the year

Well, I haven't been so good at keeping up this here blog in 2008. Perhaps there's still time to address that shortcoming...

This is the first of my long-done projects just now seeing light on the internet:

Emma's patchwork-y pillow




A birthday gift from one of the offspring to a cherished friend. Did you know you can find quite cheap pillow inserts at IKEA?

Keep those birthday party invitations coming

HPIM1794, originally uploaded by scribblearts.

I love having opportunities to try out new projects. Here's my first attempt at Pink Penguin's patchwork fabric basket, made for one of Offspring the Younger's friends. Great tutorial, and one I highly recommend. Plus, the results are just so dang cute!

We popped in a few small containers of fun bath products, and this:

a reversible headband. You can find a tutorial for this project at The Long Thread. With practice, maybe I can make my edges at neat as Ellen's...but I'm still very happy with my results. And can I just say, free tutorials rock! Thanks so much, generous crafters!

In a dark place no longer

Although I haven't been documenting it well here, I have been busy making stuff these last few months. I also managed to finish off a UFO that had been hanging around forlornly. The Iris Mermaid scarf is now at home with my husband's stepmother, who lives in a warm climate and celebrated a birthday this summer.



Just the fishtail lace pattern, knit up in Brilla. I was disappointed when I came to the last of my yarn and saw how short the scarf still was, but it blocked much better than expected. I have to say that I like the back almost as much as I like the front.



More details on Ravelry.

Look, a helicopter

My life is full of distractions. I try to make the most of them.

This is a birthday gift for the August sibling, based on the great 1-hour bag tutorial by Jodie at Ric Rac. Took me perhaps five times as long as it took her, but that's--oh, look, a helicopter.

Giving Portland a bad name

Hey, what gives, Yarn Garden? Get with the program, already. Dang.

Dear A Little Red Hen:

I'm sorry you met with such a frustrating response from a business in my hometown. Please know it does not reflect the views and behavior of most of Portland's citizens. And by the way...you are my hero.

Keep fighting the good fight.

Sincerely,
Scribblearts

You rang?

marriedtothesea.com

So, what have you done for me lately?

Owls. Many, many owls.

It is the season of birthdays at our house, and in a moment of weakness I agreed to do slumber parties for each of the offspring. Compounding the damage, I also suggested we make these little dudes as party favors.

My prototype:


Members of the parliament:


(Sorry about the dark photos.)

I've made 16 so far. That was enough for the parties, but not enough to satisfy the unexpected demand from adults. These are fun, but a bit fiddly. Hardest part? Finding buttons that work well as eyes.