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June 18, 2006
Weekend
It seems like the only time these days I can get around to blogging is in the weekend. Last week was very busy at work, and in the evenings I was just exhausted. When I have to choose between knitting and blogging about knitting, well, that's not a difficult choice to make. My blog did get some attention though, in the form of deleting *&!^% spam comments. It has gotten so bad that I get hundreds of spam comments each day. Removing them is a terrible job, and they just keep coming. I'm working on a solution, but for the mean time I'm sorry I am not getting back on your real and lovely comments as timely as I would like to...
Salina got all the energy I had left.
As you can see, I finished the back. I'm know starting the fun part: knitting the two front panels with the colar.
Froukje asked if knitting with yarn as thin as this isn't a bit boring. Well, my (limited) experience is that if I like a sweater or something else enough, it doesn't matter how thin the yarn is. Besides, the color of this particular yarn is so beautiful that it just keeps me going. And another thing: I'm knitting this on 3 mm needles, so it isn't even that thin compared to socks, which I knit on 2 mm needles. Of course, there are a lot more stitches in a sweater compared to socks, but still. And I also think it helps to knit it in the round (as far as possible) with interesting shaping going on.
Yuki, thank you for pointing out the target="new">third part of the sleeves article in Knitty. I had completely missed it. Let's hope this helps me tackle Salina's sleeves, since my row gauge is completely off (I'm getting 42 rows to 4 inches / 10 cm, while the pattern is for 32 rows to 4 inches).
Last week, I read the new entries on Whipup. Whipup, by the way, is an interesting blog about crafting. As it states on their 'about' page: This website has been created in order to bring the best original and exciting crafts to the attention of many.
To create a community of artists, crafters and makers and share ideas in a central space.
Anyway, last week there was an entry about a Dutch artist who does a lot of needle felting. Of course, I had to check out her site, MariekUniek. She has an English blog and a Dutch blog. And best of all: she is offering a free pattern for a small needle felted dog. Go check it out: she even took the time to write up an English version as well as a version in Dutch!
I gave it a try and this is the way my doggie turned out.
Adorable, isn't it? And not difficult to make. There are so many things you can make with this technique. Check out these examples from Kaisa in Finland: a bear, a green bunny and the cutest of all: a cat. Kaisa does lots of other crafts too, including knitting. She just made a scarf using a very interesting felting technique. And through her pictures, you get glimpses of what Finland looks like. So beautiful!
Here is a picture of what the Netherlands, or at least a small corner of my balcony, looks like. Some lovely pot marigolds [goudsbloemen], which I sowed myself.
Have a great Sunday everyone!
Edit: I added the link to the Dutch version of the needle felted dog.
Posted by saartje at June 18, 2006 10:33 AM
Comments
Hoi Saartje! Wat een ontzettend schattig hondje... Wat is needle felting in NL? Ik geloof niet dat ik die techniek ken...
Posted by: saskia at June 18, 2006 2:14 PM
Thanks so much for sharing about the needle felting. My kids attend a Waldorf school (Steiner school?) and knitting is taught to them at a young age. They also do some felting. I cannot wait to look through the blogs you recommended as I think my boys would enjoy them! I love that with blogs I can see what is going on in other parts of the world, and I always love a peek into the Netherlands. My dearest friend in fourth grade was a girl from Wateringen (Sp?) named Marijolein, and she was here in the states for only 1 year. We wrote for ages after words, loosing touch in early adulthood..but I always think about her when I read your blog!
Posted by: Willow at June 18, 2006 7:00 PM
Saskia; needle felting is gewoon prikken met wol en daar een voorstelling van maken. Verschillende mogelijkheden in ruimtelijke vormen maar ook op naaldvilt geprikt met een viltnaald. Kijk maar eens op www.nielsholgersson.nl of b.v. bij kunstenares Brigitte Krag Hansen(via google) Of b.v. Gemma Annink. En zo zijn er velen meer. Deze dames zijn wel een bron van inspiratie.
Saartje; Je hondje is overigens heel erg schattig! Lukt lang niet iedereen zo goed.
Posted by: Martine at June 18, 2006 9:59 PM
Oh, lovely!
Thanks for the links to the needle felting. I've always loved little felted things; maybe I can try to make some for myself! :)
Posted by: Philippa at June 18, 2006 10:48 PM
Your little doggie is so sweet. Thanks for taking time to sharing him:)
Posted by: Barb at June 19, 2006 1:47 AM
Hi Saartje, have you tried installing one of the Typepads anit-spam plugins? There is a list of a bunch that have been created here:
http://www.sixapart.com/pronet/plugins/antispam/index.html
Spam sucks, but there are ways of combating it. I use Wordpress and haven't had much problems because of a couple of plugins I've installed. I think Typepad has many similar ones. Good luck!
Posted by: Dan at June 19, 2006 11:19 AM
Thank you very much for sharing the two ladies' blogs and Whip Up - you are my constant source of inspiration, I bought the Japanese knitting book after your recommendation and I'm very happy about that! ^^
Posted by: Joanna at June 19, 2006 2:02 PM
