Tie-Dye Part 2

The next tie-dye technique we did was Shibori. I am not sure if the names I will give for these are correct or not, but these are the ones my teacher gave the class. I have what the fabric looked like before dyeing and after.


Mokume Shibori(Wood grain):This is just running stitches parallel to each other. Mine are spaced differently at different points. After all lines were stitched, the strings were pulled tight so things were all scrunched up and then the strings were knotted.


This is after the knots were cut and the strings were pulled out.


Close-up.


I really like how this one turned out. Slightly disappointed by the fact that my teacher said how wide my stitches were apart didn't mean anything, but I think that is false and would like to try a sampler piece were the different lines had different stitch widths.



Karamatsu Shibori(Chinese Pine):Half circles are stitched on a fold. I varied how many rows were in the half circle and how far they were spaced from each other. After all stitches are complete, all are pulled tight and knotted.









This is after it was dyed, knots cut, and strings pulled out. I really love how this one worked and will be using some of this technique in one of my final projects to show ripples in water.


Close-up.


Close-up.



Undulating Strips(no Shibori name, as it is unreadable on my sheet):Here, wavy lines are made and stitched on a fold. Interesting to actually stitch. As with the ones above, after all stitches are made, all strings are pulled tight and knotted.


Close-up.



Dyed, knots cut, strings pulled. Oh how I really love this stitch. This will be another stitch that will be used in one of my final pieces to represent tree branches. I love how the stitches kind of look like dental records.


Close-up.

Tie-Dye Part 1

Okay guys, lots and lots of info on the stuff I have been doing in my fibers class. So, we began with your typical tie-dye. Rubber bands, clothespins, string, and knots were used.


This one was rubber bands.


This one was folded and rolled up and then bound with string.


close-up of string marks.


Rubber bands and clothespins.


Folded, bundles and then bound.




Overall, not too impressed, the unpredictability of these techniques was definitely not was I prefer.

Knitty Fall 2008 Issue

Ah, the new Knitty is up.

Twist and Shout - - - I like this. I would probably make it a little big, just so it closed more in the front than it does on some of the pictures. Looks nice and comfy though.

Camden - - - I normally hate bobbles, but I think it looks good on this because it has a nice structured placement. Not really for the detachable sleeves, but I think it looks good both with long sleeves and the short sleeves.

Hermia - - - I do not think this is very flattering. I understand it is a conversion from her child version, however, the lace would have looked better higher up and not centered around the hips to draw so much attention. I see this look only flattering a very small amount of people.

Retrofit - - - How many ways can I say I love this? I really do. I love the structured look to it. It fits the model perfectly. I really do love this. I would have to include some waist shaping to make it into a girl version, but so totally love it.

Mangyle - - - I think it looks nice, but there really isn't anything too special I haven't seen somewhere else. Unfortunately, things like vest, scarves, gloves, and even socks to a point really have to have something special about them, otherwise they just look like all the others.

Abrazo - - - Sorry, but same theory as Mangyle, nice, but nothing special.

Versatility - - - I think this is a wonderfully unique design. However, I seeing it logically working on very few body types and sizes, especially since it is "one size fits all type garment".

Anne Shirley - - - Eh, okay. I think the stitch design looks nice, but I think the two colors together may take away from that.

Kinetic - - - I really like the stitch pattern, but not in that. I was hoping for something more when I saw the designers name.

Slither - - - I think the theory is kind of nifty. Not really a fan of the buttons though.

Hug - - - Unfortunately, I think this one is rather scary. The baby's look in the very first picture says it all.

Waves of Grain - - - This is pretty. I really like the stitch and I think the beads look very nice on it. Which is a rarity because I rarely like beads in knitted items.

Hourglass - - - I think they look pretty neat. I like the little lace between the curves. I think the variegated one actually looks better than the lime green.

Garden Gate - - - Oh, how I love these. I love the color work, I love how long they are. Simply adore these. I most definitely will have to make myself a pair of these in the future!

Interlocking Leaves - - - These are okay, however, I think just one set of leaves, instead of the interlocking ones, would have looked better. They look so busy with both sets.

Baroque - - - Very nifty. I really like the criss-cross pattern of these. This is structured chaos.

Sidewinder - - - Lovely! I really love the look of this. It has such a structured and tailored look to it. Absolutely lovely!

Morgan - - - I think this looks like a lovely pattern. Looks very professional and very well thought out. I am not really a hat person though, so I wouldn't make it for myself, but maybe someone else.

Oncleows - - - These leave me speechless and not it a good way. Pure confusion.

Abby - - - I think the color is beautiful. Everything else is okay, but nothing that jumps out at me and screams "I am special".

Tatiana - - - Creepy. I mean really, you just have to look for yourself.

Maple - - - I think this is very pretty. The bag itself is okay, but I adore the way the colors in the leaf felted. It's so beautiful.

L'illo - - - It's okay as far as kids items go. I think the ribbing in the front looks girly, not boyish.

Night Cap - - - I think the theory of it is adorable, I think it's a little unpractical in modern society though.

OpArt - - - I think this is so nifty. Love the illusion of the blankets design. So nifty that I might actually take the time to knit this in the future.

Well folks, that is all of my opinions on the new Knitty for now. Of course, check them out for yourself, as to each their own.

Garden info update

The first of the two roses to bloom:

Beautiful, isn't it?


Didn't even notice the fly until I was uploading these onto the blog.


I am fairly sure this will be the last strawberry of the summer. This originally was in a group of about 4 or 5 blooms but this is the only one that went on to fruit, pretty tasty it was too.

Ride to the Lake

When looking through my pictures to upload to Photobucket, I realized I never showed you guys these pictures. This was from a few weeks ago when we rode our bikes out to the lake. It was nice.


A view of the lake.


Another view.


The beautiful lake water.


I know it's really hard to see, but if you look at the little glints in the water next to the cement walkway, those glints are really a huge school of tiny little fish.


Mr. Duck, after I accidentally disturbed him.


Mr. Duck before I disturbed him.


A group of ducks that assumed I was the paparazzi after them.


Birds that made some good attempts to poo on me and the boy.




All in all, it was quite a wonderful day out.

Stitch My Square

Well, I sent off my squares earlier this week. Not sure if I am going to continue doing it again as I already seem to have been cheated out of a trade. One of my partners has not sent a square and so far has not responded to my email. Why are people so rude on the little things. It is true that one irresponsible person can mess up the whole thing.

Anyways, here is my Bird in Flight filet crochet square:



Here are my cables:



And here is the square I received in exchange for the Bird in Flight:

I like it and will probably using it for a face wash cloth as I love the texture for exfoliating.

Newish Look

Well, as you might notice, the side bar of blogs I follow is looking a little different. I am definitely taking advantage of the new feature of Blogger and using this. So, yes, things will no longer be separated by category, which will be easier because quite a few blogs I read actually do more than one art/craft.


Crochet Today

Cable Rerun - - I like the look of this, not much of a large project person though, unless I can hook together a bunch of smaller pieces to make a large piece.

Star-Studded Sweater - - I think the sweater actually looks very nice and looks comfy, however, not much for the whole color pattern/design. I think if the sweater was done in the gray/green color and maybe the blue trim it would look nice.

Sunburst Bowl - - I will admit that this bowl is the complete reason why I purchased this magazine. I love this bowl!

Perfect Fall Sweater - - I actually think this looks pretty comfy. This is definitely not my usual style, but I love the little unique things on this and that it is a little airy.

Maple Leaf Afghan - - Not much a fan of the maple leaf motif, but I do like the idea of the squares with different filet crochet pics.

Step by Step Socks - - I think these are cute, but question as with all crochet socks, just how well they fit.

Desert Pillows - - okay, I actually really like these. But then I am a fan of Native American, Aztec, etc. type of designs.

Crochet Cacti - - Sadly, these are not something I think is all that cute. I understand the concept, but not for me.

Prairie Poncho - - so definitely not a poncho person.

Sunset Throw - - as with the Desert Pillows, love this for the same reasons.

Cowboy Booties - - Yes, I am somewhat sappy and yes a hick, I think these are actually quite cute, but I know no babies.

Cowhide Blankie - - I am not much for animal prints, so this doesn't do much, but it does look like a nifty rug.

Favorite Cardi - - I think this is cute, wouldn't necessarily do it in those colors though. I probably also wouldn't have the buttons end where hers does, as it would just make me look chubbier, maybe only two buttons.

Supersize Poufs - - Okay, okay, I love these. Not really the color, too much purple for me, but love the cushions.

Rainbow Granny 'Ghan - - Eh, it's just another granny square blanket to me.

Floral Cloche - - Cute hat, not so sure about the flower being quite so large. I think it would look much cuter if there were like 3 or 4 much smaller flowers.

Quick & Easy Wrap - - I really think the name explains it all. Rather simple.

Dapper Dog Sweater - - The dog sweater is actually cute. If I had a dog, I might make him one.

Back-to-school Tote - - This has potential, but I think it has too much brown. Plus, lets face it, no way would it hold the things for school that I need. I practically need a tow truck.

Flower Girl Cardi - - well, let's just say that sometimes the more color is not actually the better. I like the concept, but not the colors.

School-days Cardigan - - again, I understand the concept, but they have made this little boy like he's wearing his 80 year old grandpa's shrunken sweater. Not flattering.

Pumpkin Patch Cap - - Of course this is just adorable, but yet again, no one to make it for.

So yes, those are all my opinions