Mermaid Shawl - Progress Report - Part 2

A day and a half have brought me to this:


It is slow going but utterly satisfying. The funny thing is, it looks jolly complicated, but it isn't, really. I use it to try out new patterns - some I make up, others I get from the net or from my stitch library. The good thing about this is that I get to try a pattern I like the look of but don't need to do too much of it if I then find it's too fussy or I just can't remember the stitches... It does happen quite a lot with lace patterns. Some just don't seem to have a 'rhythm' that works with mine.
I am particulalry pleased with this fish tail. I hadn't intended to make a fish tail, but when I tried out that 'little scallop' pattern I thought it looked like scales... so one thing led to another and here's my pretty fish tail. I think I'll embroider it with some sequins at some point.

On the topic of embroidery, it took me all morning to embroider these beads and finish off all the loose threads (which is why it looks a little tidier now). Embroidery or sewing isn't really my thing which is why I try to pick up stitches or crochet on existing edges rather than have to sew on bits...

Here's a little ruffly coral that was knitted separately and incorporated with the rest of the shawl with a bit of creative crochet. :-)



And here's a limpet:


All in all there IS progress, but it will take time...

... mind you, I just ordered some specialist yarns (glitters, snarls, metallics and other fun stuff) in reds and pinks for the next one... this could become an addiction....

Making Waves

Blame the weather for this late post. Whenever there was a bit of sunshine, I had to do something else, or, by the time I had everything to hand the sun had gone again! Arrrgh!!! In the end I gave up and took the photos inside.

However, this way I managed to finish three projects to post here rather than just one...


Wave Scarf

This is a totally delicious scarf made with three types of different wool - knitted and crocheted.


I started of with the most delightful Louisa Harding Harding hand painted turquoise merino and silk yarn, which I crocheted into waves on two sides.


I then added beautiful Rowan Kidsilk in a teal green, which was knitted in a wavy pattern. More Rowan Kidsilk in a soft silver grey added splashes in crochet. Finally, I added a bit of glitz and glam with a turquoise and black lurex yarn (crocheted again).


The scarf is long enough to go round the neck twice or can be worn long. It's soft, it's light, it's warm, it's totally gorgeous and works for every day as well as for an evening out.



Teal Flapper Hat

I am so proud of this as I designed the pattern all by myself. Okay, it was meant to be a beret, BUT it worked out just the way it is and it's keeping me warm when I am cycling or walking.


It's made from the softest 100% merino wool which is shimmery and soft and very warm. The hat has been knitted in a pattern that resembles leaves with a lacy panel between each leaf.

(This is a picture taken without the flash to show the colour better.)


The rose and two leaves have also been knitted and adorned with a gorgeous ebony wooden bead.



Crochet Lace Beret

I just find crochet sooooo much easier and more versatile. Here's my latest exploration of all the possibilities:


I've used a gorgeous Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed made from wool and angora in pale blue that has lovely little inclusions adding extra texture and colour to the hat.



It's easy to wear, won't crush your hair and looks fab with pale winter skin whilst keeping your head warm.

A detail picture of the pattern:


A detail picture of the border:



The scarf and beret will be in my Etsy shop soon. If you'd like a flapper hat, send me an e-mail and I see if I can fit it in before Christmas.


Newsflash:

What else am I working on? There's still my raspberry sorbet shrug to finish... and there are two pairs of wrist warmers to make (why did I show them to my friends? Now they all want some for Christmas!), and there are scarves and hats and other things for Christmas.... I am also trying to sort out my displays for a jewellery party in December. Fingers crossed I'll get it done this weekend. I am also at the sketch stage of two more of my weird and wonderful dresses.... So watch this spot!

Starry Night Brooch

This brooch is totally different from the Flower Garden brooch (previous post). It started off in a similar way but when I added the beads it more and more reminded me of a Victorian mourning brooch. Mourning brooches were often made from jet or from the hair of the deceased or were cameos or lockets designed to hold the hair like a 'relic'. This of course is far more fun and sparkly and cute.


The main part of the brooch is needle felted black merino wool with a border crocheted from dark blue silk over steel yarn and black lurex thread for extra sparkle. The beads are a gorgeous small purple/opalescent glass star, several alexandrite glass flower beads with sparkly lustred round beads in the centre, and teeny faceted glass beads with a special sparkly silver coating (the beads are a soft lavender with the coating covering most of the beads).

The brooch is 2" (5cm) in diameter, soft and sparkly all at the same time. The brooch needle is fine enough to go through thinner fabric without tearing it and it's light enough not to 'fall over'. However, I would not use it with silk or similarly precious fabric.