Batik Seaside Banner

Since my printing course finished I have been thinking of trying some batik at home. One of the ladies on the course got her husband to make her, and me!!, a wooden batik frame. Very kind.

It took me a few weeks to get organised - buying two tjantings, and also some fabric inks. I had a little of the wax anyway, which I think was my daughter's from a school project. Not quite ready to invest in a wax melting pot, so improvised with a little metal dish, some tea lights, and the kitchen laser thermometer to check I was up to the right temperature. It worked well, so I am thinking to keep going with this method, unless I can find a secondhand melting pot.

These first attempts were an experiment. The first attempt, the mackerel, I really was not certain I would be able to get the wax to the right temperature. I feel I got better as I worked down the fabric. I think I am getting steadier with the wax, and braver with my colours. I don't want to get too good with the wax, as part of the charm is the odd splash and splatter in the wrong place.

The shape of my banner was determined by the batik frame, but it meant I could work each section on a different day. The part I enjoy most is the painting with the inks. It is lovely letting the colours flow into each other. It also takes very little ink, just a few drops, so I have plenty left for other projects.

So the banner is up in my bathroom. Spent quite a while looking at frames online, but in the end I spent £2 on a ripped block picture in a charity shop. Removed the ripped picture, and fixed my printing to the frame with a staple gun. Job done!

Tamara Way - Lower Tamar Lake to Woolley

Getting near the end of our long walk. We started at Lower Tamar Lake today, and here is a picture of Upper Tamar Lake, which as you can see was looking glorious in the sunshine. The lower lake is more of a nature reserve, and the upper lake for activities. Even though we had only walked about a mile we stopped at a very nice cafe for an icecream, to give us a bit of energy for the remainder of the walk.

The next bit of the walk was through rural land, with a lovely view looking back to the lake at one point. Our next point of interest was when we reached the River Tamar again. Now it is a small stream. Our route crossed it at Youlstone Bridge, and we knew that this was the last time we would see it. Very hot today, so the dog had a dip, and we had a picnic on a little space next to the river.

And then onwards until we got to the plaque which marks the source of the river.

I was quite interested to see a Neolithic long barrow, which we passed near the junction with the A39. I find this sort of thing really interesting.

And eventually we arrived at Woolley, and decided that was where we would end today's walk. One more section to go, and hopefully we will be able to finish the walk at Easter, with my daughter along as well.

 

Baby Tulip Cardigan

I have been hard at work on this new knitting pattern, which I am calling Baby Tulip Cardigan. It has taken a lot of thought, and knitting. Cardigans just seem the best sort of garment for a baby, with none of that squeezing over the head of a jumper. The tulips are smaller than those on my Tulip Hat, but knitted in a very similar way. Each flower uses two separate lengths of yarn - one for the leaves and one for the flower, which are not carried between the flowers on the reverse of the work. I love the look of the raised flowers, but put them only on the front of the cardigan, as I felt they might be a bit bumpy on the back for a lying or sitting baby.

The pattern comes with instructions for four sizes (0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months). I have written sized patterns before, but this one was slightly more complicated, as the flowers had to be placed on each version. (The pattern contains a lot of brackets, and I hope will be fairly straightforward to follow.)

 

 

I have knitted Size 1, 2 and 4 - each one in a different DK wool that I had in my stash. Some of the places where I sell suggest that you will do better by recommending a specific brand of yarn, but I thought knitting with different yarns was a good way to test the pattern. The cardigan only takes 70g to 120g of main shade wool, depending on the size you knit, plus small amounts for the flowers, so it really is a good way to use up some yarn left over from another project. I used Stylecraft Sweet Dreams for Size 1, some North Ronaldsay DK for Size 2, and some Rowan Designer DK which I think came from my sister for Size 4. (Just looked this up, and apparantly it was discontinued in the 1980's, so that has been in my stash for a while!)

 

I like them all, and am rather fond of Size 4 - with each flower being a different colour, and the different coloured buttons at the front. Spent a lot of time in a haberdashery picking these out.

  

 

 

But what now to do with all these baby garments. I don't seem to know anyone with a baby, so apart from no baby models, I have ended up putting my samples in my Etsy Shop, along with my sample Tulip Hats.

The pattern is available on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting.

My resolve was to design more knitting this year, although I have been a little distracted by printing, walking, and now the gardening year is beginning! I have quite a few more ideas brewing, so time to start my next design.

Tamara Way - Launcells Barton to Lower Tamar Lake

It has been a bit of a gap since our last walk, but we have done another section of the Tamara Way today, and are pretty sure that two more days walking will get us to the end.

We picked up the route again at the church at Launcells Barton, and once again didn't go in the church, as we had the dog with us. The churchyard was a beautiful mass of primroses and dafodills. 

Quite a steep walk up the hill, and then a bit of confusion about our route through some fields. We were happy to see the River Tamar again at Moreton Mill, and surprised that is still a sizable river. There was then a long stretch along the Bude Aqueduct, where we passed a friendly group of volunteers clearing the undergrowth. This is a disused canal, but is a great route for walkers, and our dog enjoyed some off lead time.

And before we knew it we had reached the Lower Tamar Lake, where a friendly couple who were filling up birdfeeders helped us with our route, and told us about some of the wildlife there. Beavers have been introduced, and there are some bird hides. It seems like it deserves another visit to walk the whole way around.

 

Printed Simmons Park Banner

The fabric printing course that I have been going to over the last 8 weeks has ended. The first half of the course was spent learning techniques, and for the second half we each made a banner, themed around a local park in Okehampton, Simmons Park. These will be hung in a local primary school, along side the banners that the children made under the guidance of a few of us.

 

 

The planning and making of the banners was quite a job, and above is a picture of all of them. I think they are really impressive. What I find remarkable is how different they all are.  I think the techniques were new to everyone, although some of the ladies on the course were clearly very artistic. (Yes we were all elderly ladies, which is what you seem to get on day courses. What do all the elderly men get up to?) Below is my banner.

 

I went through a phase where I really was not pleased with my banner. I felt I was being a bit too literal, with features that actually are in Simmons Park. It really is a lovely and interesting park, with the East Okement River running through it, and a lot of interesting features. Apart from the old bandstand and a lovely willow tree that I included, there is a Swiss-style chalet house, waterfalls and ponds. There is a lot of nature and gardening close together, and I think if we had been doing this project in summer there would have been more flowers and shrubs included.

 

But by the end I was happy with it. The batik tree at the back was done on the last day, and once again I was not steady with the hot wax, but enjoyed the ink painting. It is made up of a combination of printing with stencils, blockprinting and some of the fine details were embroidered. Some worked straight onto their banner, but I made mine in sections which have been sewn together. The park gate is meant to show me and my son (who is now grown up) wandering into the park.

The teacher took a picture of the banners and makers together, so there may be another post on this, and I think possibly a trip to the school to present the banners.

Colourful Tulip Hat

I've finished another version of my Tulip Hat, where this time I have used a different colour for each flower. I really like this version, and it such a good way to use up oddments of left over wool. Each flower head only takes 2.5 m of yarn, which is not really very much.

Again I have had to be my own model, which has meant my trainee photographer (my husband) had to take the photos. I think he is doing quite well!

The hat pattern is available on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting. I'm working on a new tulip pattern at the moment. Hat will be heading to my Etsy Shop

 

Tulip Hat Knitting Pattern

I am really happy with my new Tulip Hat knitting design, and it will not be too long before there are some tulips out in my garden. It is a really practical, cosy hat, but also pretty and quite unique. Working on the tulip motif took me some time, and I have ideas for some other patterns where I will use it.

This Tulip Hat is knitted in doubleknit wool, and takes a bit less that 100g of the main shade. I would call it medium difficulty, as each flower is knitted with two separate lengths of wool. It is explained in the pattern how to do this, but the main aim was so the wool did not need to be carried on the reverse side between the flowers, which would have made the hat too tight. An added advantage of knitting this way means that it takes less wool.

 

 

I will be putting my sample hats for sale on Etsy, and am knitting one more where each flower is a different colour, which I thought would be fun. I decided they will all be realistic tulips colours, but looking online at photos that really doesn't seem to rule any colour out.

The hat is knitted flat on two needles, and has a single seam to sew up. The finished measurements of the hat when sewn up is 23 cm across at the bottom, and approx 30 cm from cast on edge to top (when rib is not folded up).

The hat pattern is available on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting.

And just for once a photo of me. I had to be my own hat model, but am hopeful I might be able to persuade someone a bit more photogenic to do some more modelling. My husband had to be photographer/stylist where I am in the pictures. Most of the photos I hated, but this photo was sort of okay, as although it doesn't show my hat off very well, I am at least smiling.

Working on Tulips

Just a little teaser to show you what I am working on at the minute. My intention was to work hard on my patterns this year, and refining this tulip motif has taken me a lot of time. Devising an original design always takes much longer than you would imagine, but I think from my initial idea (in pink) to the final design you can see the improvement. (I know I should have probably run in my ends before blocking!)

I have got to a tulip version I am very happy with, and will be releasing a tulip pattern very soon. Nearly there, but still a bit of checking and photos to work on.

 

Sewing with Handprint Fabric (and Trouser Update)

I just thought I would show you what I have made with my first piece of block printing. You can read more about the printing process here.

Despite Andy, the teacher's, adversion/phobia to mushrooms, I still am glad with this choice. I used the tutorial on the link below to make a large pencil case. It is for my daughter to store some of her sewing tools, so is on its way to London. You can't see from the photo, but it has a dark denim back, blue cotton lining and red zip. The tutorial was really helpful, showing how to insert a zip neatly in a case with a lining. 

Youtube Sewing A Sewing Life 

Last Friday we went to a local primary school, helped with some blockprinting workshops. The children worked together to make banners, with insects, leaves and flowers, which hopefully I will show you. Fun beng back in a school. Now we have the rest of the course to complete our own banners for the school. Not very happy with mine, but there is still a bit of time left to work on it.

My daughter is now at her second internship in London. With the first company, Nicholas Daley, she went to the British Fashion Awards at the Albert Hall, and wore the denim trousers I made her last summer. We laughed a lot that her "intern trousers" made it to the big time. She did say that apart from her boss Nicholas Daley they were all quite underdressed, but somewhere there is a photo of the group of colleagues on the red carpet. I would so like to see that photo. She had such a good time with Nicholas Daley, learning a lot and being given a lot of responsibility. I think she fell on her feet here, so am hoping the next internship will be just as good.

Batik Printing (A Game of Two Halves)

I'm continuing with my community printing course in Okehampton, and was looking forward to moving on to batik. The above is an exercise we did the first week. The idea was to divide the fabric, and use different techniques in each quarter. Top right - looking at how the ink and water spread, top left - printing with the wax on various objects, bottom left - using brushes, bottom right - trailing the wax with a tjanting. I have to say I didn't really enjoy this week. I'm not very steady-handed, and I didn't see how I could ever do a nice design, controlled design.

So knowing that, I decided that my next piece was not going to be controlled. Haven't made that decision I had a great time. I told my husband it was echinacea flowers in a rain shower, and his reaction was "looks more like a blizzard". Still didn't really enjoy applying the wax, but there was something lovely about painting on the inks and letting the colours merge. A lovely lady on the course has got her husband to make her and me adjustable batik frames, so I think you may be going to see some more batik here.

So having learned all the techniques we are now moving on to the community part of the course. Two of us are going into a local primary school with the teacher, to help with some block printing workshops. We are all also moving on to combine some of the techniques we have learned, and each make a banner for the school based on the local park. So there will be more printing coming ... 

Printing Course

 

Over the last few weeks I have been going to a community printing course run by West Devon Arts. We have been working with stencils, and the above were my first attempts at screenprints onto fabric. We did a bit of practice on paper. I was very happy with these, and am now thinking of a sewing project to use them, so you may well see them again.

Another week was printing from handmade blocks. Because of the snow and a cold I missed this session, but Andy the teacher gave me a link to a video and the materials to have a go at home. In some ways I enjoyed this technique more, as the results look more handmade. Also no tricky cutting with a craft knife, but simply scissors and scoring the patterns into the foam with a pen. The blocks were made from sheets of craft foam, and really the only other thing needed is the printing medium to mix with the paint. So I ordered these and plan to do some more prints on fabric at home.

 

This week we are going to do batik, which is something I have always wanted to have a go at. The community part of the course is that some of us will then go into a primary school, to help Andy do some printing workshops with the children in a few weeks time.

More Wee Mouse Photos and Pattern

As promised here are a few more photos of my mice, this time with what is a bit more of a wedge of cheese. Hard to find a piece of cheese that was perfect. This bit is jarlsberg and had the shape but not quite the holes. But the emmental in the shop had lovely holes, but were all cut into cubes shapes. I have spent quite a lot of time recently looking at cheese!

So at last the pattern is published. Thank you to Jennifer, who proof checks for me, and is brilliant. However careful I think I have been she finds something!

As mentioned before this pattern is knitted with 4-ply or fingering wool, and takes a small amount, about 15g. Well it is a wee mouse. I thought of this idea partly because of To a Mouse poem by Robert Burns. It is Burn's Night on 25th January so I have roughly the right date to publish the pattern. My daughter is off to visit one of her friends in Cambridge today, and is going to a formal Burn's Night Supper, followed by a ceilidh. I don't think she has experienced either before, so it will be interesting to see what she thinks

So here are links to the pattern on Etsy, ravelry and LoveKnitting, and I hope anyone who buys it enjoys making some mice, and you don't find they are overrunning your kitchen.

Wee Mousie Knitting Pattern

I wrote quite a long while ago about a pattern I was working on for a little mouse. There was something not quite right about the first mouse (although he was cute) so I have revisited this. The new mice are knitted in 4-ply, and I have just used some odds and ends from my stash of wool. I have altered the legs and toes, which I think are now a bit more realistic. I have gone for wool that is a bit fluffy, but I think any 4-ply yarn would work. A mouse only takes 15g of wool, and a tiny bit of pink for the ears, nose and toes.

So as you can see, I have had quite a jolly morning trying to photograph the mice. At one point I took my eye off the cheese, and realised it was not getting eaten by the mice, but my dog was licking her lips.

So keep an eye out, as I think I will have one more go at the photos, perhaps with a block of cheese, before publishing it in all the usual places. There is a lovely cheese shop in Tavistock, and I was trying to pluck up the courage to ask to photograph the mice by one of their enormous cheeses. But in the end I did not have the nerve.