Closed For Now...

Opening up a wool shop requires juggling skills and multitasking. With so many ever changing tasks, I am constantly updating and prioritizing my to do list. One of these items was a knitted Open/Closed sign to hang on the door. This lady knows what is important!

Fist I did a bit of fiddling around with making up some charts. Spacing was very important in order to obtain the same size for each side of the sign; "open" and "closed."I enjoy doing things by hand, and as a result my chart looks pretty rough around the edges.

The main body of the sign was knit with New Lanark and the lettering used up some of my random scraps. Don't you love when wool is efficient? Time for a wee soak.

Wooly Trip to the Spa

With both sides blocked, I crocheted them together with a bit of cardboard and wadding between; a firm, yet puffy piece. It was then, things really began to move forward with the shop set up. This was obviously one of the most important things to complete, yes?! I'm now in the middle of a shop makeover and painting up a storm.

 

Closed for now...

 

Opening Soon!!

 

Design As You Knit

If you recall from last week, this was another design-as-you-knit dress. I did not put a lot of thought into the piece before casting on, and just let the knitting happen. Without a specific vision, I wasn't sure what I would produce. Without further ado, here she is in all her glory.

A la Ginger Twist, I adorned my dress with large and funky fabric covered buttons (made by yours truly). Buttons can completely alter the look of a garment. Should you make a statement or blend in? I'm feeling pretty satisfied with my final decision. For those intrigued individuals, I will be selling a range of these buttons in my shop.

This dress also features straps in a woven stitch. I chose this stitch for its non-stretchy-ness. Droopy straps are a pain in my beehind. 

Did you notice the cheeky wee pocket? Dresses with pockets make my day.  Och, and I forgot to mention the cables running down both sides of the full skirt. Everything must have a lil' twist. 

On a really exciting and positive note, things are moving forward with the shop opening. The lease is signed and everything is official. Pure satisfaction.

Happy Ginger Twisters!

Scrappy Man Cowl

What to do with all those wooly scraps?? I don't like leftover bits of wool sitting in my stash for too long. They become uninspiring and downright annoying. But Mother taught this lady not to waste. For this reason, I appreciate projects that use up every last bit of my purchased materials. For some time I had a solution, and was using any and all scraps for my Beekeeper Quilt. But let's face it, I'm hexapuffed out and hunting for a new solution.


Being particularly inspired by Eribe's line of scarves, I find the patterning of blocks of colour with randomly interspersed stripes fun and attractive. Translation: this project uses up small bits of many colours. Scraps be gone! Hurrah! Coincidentally, there were two men in my life needing a wee something knit up for them. Gentlemen, meet the Scrappy Man Cowl. 

First, I picked out approximately 125 grams of wool from my stash, all in the same weight, in a palette I deemed attractive. For Scrappy Man #1, I focused on reds, blues and browns; all in aran weight. Using a provisional cast on, I cast on 30 stitches. Sticking with plain old garter stitch, I created the colour combinations as I went along. Then used a 3 needle bind of to connect and finish the cowl.

 


















Presenting Scappy Man #2 in a dk weight, featuring blues, greens, and browns.  




















I'm pleased to report that both gents were delighted with their Scrappy Man Cowl. On another very predictable note... 

I'm knitting another dress. I heard this stunning shade calling out "Dress Jess!!" I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted when I started knitting, but just sort of went for it. It's designed itself as I've went along. Next week should see this completed. Later kittens!

Oh, Oh, Oh, It's Mohair, You Know.

Do you recall that hit tune by Pilot? I so cleverly replaced the word "magic" with "mohair." 

Random fact: Pilot formed in 1973 in Edinburgh, Scotland. What does this have to do with mohair? Very little to nothing.

A couple weeks ago I posted a pic of what appeared to be a mountain of purple fluff. This turned into a dress of course. Honestly, what else would I make?


Designed to be knit from the neck down,this Ginger Twist original features a cowl neck, cap sleeves, pockets and an interesting hemline. 




On to the next item of business. In the past couple weeks, this luxury ball of kid mohair has become...

             ....

                 ....

                      ....

THIS!

I appreciate the process of studying a ball of wool, and seeing what it can become. My vision was something simple, airy and interesting; creating my go-to summer cowl. This colour is an outstandingly bold choice, and I didn't want the pattern to detract from its beauty. Using a couple of different textured stitches, I feel that I have accomplished my mission. Now this busy bee is on to her next project.

Tradfest 2013

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is currently hosting Tradfest 2013. This wee festival was kicked off on the 26th by displaying a variety of traditional crafts in action. I volunteered my knitting services, which involved me knitting all day and chatting with folks about my projects. There are definitely worse ways to spend my time. Dressed in my Chanel suit (this has become my go-to dress to impress outfit), I sauntered over with a few finished pieces for display, some Town Mouse Knitting Club flyers, and 3 projects to keep me occupied for the day. This included a hat, blanket and a dress.

A wee peek at my slapdash display table

A couple of ladies from the Haddington Spinners and Weavers were in attendance, and we had some lovely fiber and wheel chats. One woman was spinning wool to make a jumper, which is quite an epic effort! Spinner #2 was working with bits of fluffy fibre that she had chanced to pickup on her walks about. These recycled scraps will eventually become a pair of socks with a very interesting story.

The Edinburgh Lace Club also sent a few representatives. What a delightful and talented bunch of ladies!

And they even let me try my hand at a bit of bobbin lace. I may have found a new craft!

Featured below is a member of the Scottish Basketmakers Circle. Contrary to how this appears, she is not wrestling with a giant wooden spider. She is actually making a basket. I know, right?!

And here are a couple more fun upcycled/recycled projects brought to you by the Scottish Basketmakers Circle.

Tray of used bottle tops

Mobile case of crisp packets