NUNO FELTING CONTINUE

Using different felting techniques is like opening a box of Russell Stover chocolates and not knowing what you are going to get when you bite into that soft center. Nuno felting and wet felting gives you that same kind of feeling.  You lay out your fibers on beautiful silk fabric and after you add your soap and water and start felting you don't know what you are going to get.  But that is the best of the whole process - waiting to see how it is going to turn out. Talking about chocolate .....mmm.....


It is so much fun to work with such luxurious fibers and fabric.  With these two scarves I use silk chiffon fabric and merino roving.

I had a lot of fun with this scarf.  I used some merino roving, silk fiber (the shiny off white bits that you see in the picture below), alpaca roving, and some fancy yarn for accent.

With the wet felting technique I just used merino roving.  It was fun making this little purse with the wet felted 3-D flower.

A fun sunglasses/reading glasses case using merino and some fancy yarn to give it some pop!

I am currently offering nuno felting and wet felting classes at Stitch Pretty in Roswell.  Check out the website, www.stitchpretty.com for October dates and more dates on the Knitting calendar.  You can also request a different date.   Special pricing for groups of 4 or more!!

Come and join the fun!!
 

A new adventure - Nuno felting

When the studio owner of Stitch Pretty approached me with learning a new felting technique to teach in a class, I was first a little apprehensive, but the more I learned about it the more excited I got.  As everyone can see on my blog I love knitting and felting, especially purses.  Nuno felting is something very different - and that is what I am learning now.  Wool fibers are felted onto silk to create beautiful, soft scarves.  Since silk is so light, this makes and ideal scarf for cooler weather or to dress up any outfit.  My first few attempts were disappointing, but I am learning.  After a few flops, my first actual scarf turned out nicely and the colors just look beautiful. 

The colors reminds me of the ocean

 I covered most of the scarf in roving wool and felted it.  With other techniques you can leave open spaces on the silk, and as you felt the scarf, it creates lovely waves in the silk.

Next I tried something different.  The studio owner, her husband, and I went to visit an Alpaca farm to see if we can use the Alpaca fur to felt.  Alpaca fur is softer than wool, but the felting turned out differently.  It did not do too badly, and it looks more like cobweb felting.  Interesting!

And here is the Alpaca whose fur we bought to use for felting!  The Alpacas are lovely animals and their fur amazingly soft.

 Over the last few months I have also worked on a few cowls for the coming fall and winter.  My biggest challenge was the mobius cowl which is knitted in the round with a twist. It drapes beautiful and just looks so nice. I am happy with the way it turned out and I have yarn for the next one!

 Some other cowls in different patterns.  My model looks a little freakish with no make up or hair, but she did nicely.

I will be posting more on the Nuno felting and hope I can get a few more scarves done soon.
Until then, happy knitting!!

Our second "Let's make it" summer camp.

I enjoyed the second summer camp as much as the first one.  The girls were fabulous and tried all sorts of different projects.  They made lots of pompoms, flowers, hats on looms, fingerless mitts, and more. I hope to see them back for some more workshops that I plan for fall and winter.  Got to start planning those workshops!

Starting projects on the first day

Fingerless mitts

Pretty bracelet

Head band for the doll

Coin purse and drop stitch scarf

Grace's flowers and pompoms!

Pumpkins with knitted stem and leaves!

Hat with sparkling trim and drop stitch scarf

The doll gets a hat too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first "Let's Make It" summer camp

Summer camp was a great success and a wonderful experience for me.  All of the girls had some experience with knitting and made it so easy for me to teach them something other than just the knit stitch. Some of the finished projects included pocket purses, cell phone holders, booties for pets, and drop stitch scarves. Pretty amazing! 

Everybody hard at work

The pet booties

Beautiful drop stitch scarf!

The next camp is 8-12 July and I am looking forward to it.

So long, everybody!!

SUMMER CAMPS!!

Stitch Pretty is offering some really great summer camps.  Activities include sewing, knitting, crocheting, and weaving.  Carla, the owner of Stitch Pretty, will teach the sewing classes and I will be teaching the yarn crafts.  If you know of anybody who is looking for a camp with a difference, this is it.  Check out the Stitch Pretty website for dates and information.  Flyer for the camps below.

Summer Sewing Camp 2013 View this email in your browser School is Out! Time to relax, have fun and be creative... Once again, we're offering Summer Sewing camps during the June and July holidays.  Are you an aspiring fashionista?  Would you like to learn to sew - from clothes for yourself to clothes for your American Doll, our camps are always fun! Summer camps are for girls ages 8 through 15.  Don't know how to sew?  Don't worry - you don't have to have any sewing experience.  Leave that to us!  You will not only learn to sew, but you will sew wonderful projects which you will treasure for many years to come. On, and just when you thought it couldn't get any better, we are also offering a camp where you will learn knitting, crochet, weaving and much more.  From handbags to belts and everything in between, you will be proudly displaying your handmade items to all your friends. Let's Make It! Would you like to learn to knit, crochet, weave and more? Then this camp is for you . . . We will spend the week playing with yarns from knitting a purse, to accessories and more. Click here for info and to register for camp. Only a few spots left... Classes are small with only 6 campers per class and we only have a few spots left. We offer half day and full day camps.   Half Day Camps are from 9 to 12 or 1 to 4.  We also offer Full Day Camps from 9 to 4. Click here for info and to register for camp. Summer Day Camp Whether wanting to learn to sew or just wanting to do something fun this summer, come in and be creative! We will be offering 2 hour afternoon camps for ages 8-15. You don't have to know how to sew - we will show you how. From pillow cases to skirts and totes and more, we have many projects for you to choose from. If you've never sewn before, we will get you started with a drawstring  pencil case. Everyone will start with this project in order to learn your way around the sewing machine, the studio and around all sewing equipment. So how about it?  Sewing is a life skill. Once you've done it, you will always know how to and it will come in handy. From learning the basics to designing your own clothes, this is the place to start. Fashionistas, come and explore! Click here for info and to register for Summer Day Camps.   Please forward this newsletter to all your friends and family interested in our camps.  Thanks. Copyright © 2013 Stitch Pretty, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

It is finally getting warm!

Hi everyone,

I hope the warm weather is here to stay. Some people say they can't knit in summer because it is too hot. Not me! I want to get all my Christmas gifts done this summer.  

I have been trying to keep up to date with pictures of my projects, and little by little I will get it done.  Stitch Pretty is having summer camps  and I will do yarn crafts in the afternoon during the June 17-21 and July 8-12 camps from 1-4 pm.  Sewing skills will be taught in the morning and the yarn crafts in the afternoon.  Students can sign up for the whole day or just for a morning or afternoon.  We will be doing some fun and exciting crafts with yarn and I will post some pictures about that too.

I have been busy with all sorts of knitting projects and lots of new ideas are already forming in my head.  Just recently I lost one of my projects that was handed in for approval at the one locations where I teach.  Somebody obviously thought it was cute and took it!  It was a little I-pod/I-phone holder with a basket weave pattern and it is something that can be used for anything like tissues or as a little gift bag. I will probably have to knit another, but so many projects and so little time.  The story of my life.

I attended a yarn expo in April and had the best time looking at and touching all the wonderful yarn.  There were lots of knitted items that made my mouth water.  I was so overwhelmed by everything that I almost end up not buying anything.  In the end I bought beautiful Koigu yarn (100% wool) and made a cowl for an exciting trip that I will be going on towards the end of the year.  The picture will be posted next time.  It is late and I don't have the energy to battle with my old camera.  Got to get a new one!

 

This was the I-pod holder that has gone missing.  The basket weave is fun to knit and the sides are crochet together.

 

 

One of the summer camp yarn crafts will be weaving on an old CD.  You can make a few of these and put them all together in a pattern on the wall. 

 

 

Students will also make their own knitting needles.  I found the wooden beads with faces on in a craft store and made the braids from yarn for the tall needles.  The short needles have sparkling beads glued on top.  It is going to be so much fun to have the students make their own knitting needles that they will use in their lessons.

 

 

 

 

 

 I cute hat with lace pattern.  The flower is made from a knitted I-cord.

 

 

 

 

These are some of the projects one of my 8-year old students made - pocket purse, red heart for Valentine's Day, booties, pom-poms, etc.  She was a real pleasure to work with.

 

As always I am on the hunt for new ideas and new patterns.  Until next time, happy knitting - or crocheting!

 

Baby things and more .....

Hi everyone
I have been so busy with working on ideas for springs projects that I have not had time to post an update on my knitting projects.  This morning I got up and decided today is the day.  

Towards the end of last year I was invited to a friend's baby shower and knitted a baby cocoon, hat, and blanket for the baby. With my friend's permission here are some pictures of baby Mya.  Isn't she just gorgeous!!  Snuggling in her warm cocoon and hat.

Baby Mya

  





I have been invited to another baby shower, and this time it is for a spring baby.  I used cotton yarn to knit some booties, a little hat, and pullover bib. 

I have had so much fun knitting these little baby items and in particular knitting the little flowers for the hat and booties.
  
Towards late spring I will be teaching a class on how to knit a lace shrug ( I will post on this blog about the dates and times).  It is a very easy pattern.  If you can cast on, knit, and purl you can do this class.  

 
The yarn used is Bernat Satin which feels very soft and silky against the skin.  

There are a few more exciting knitting projects ongoing and I will post more updates as I go along. 

Until next time, happy knitting!