Felting and other adventures

A while back I ran into my boss and his wife out shopping. She was wearing a gorgeous felt hat. I told her that I liked her hat. She told me how much she loved it and that she wished she had thought to buy more in different colours. I told her that I could make a very similar hat and asked what colour she would like. 

I’ve worked for this man and his family for over 20 years now and no one has ever asked me to knit anything. I was happy to make something for his wife (it helps that she’s a total sweetheart and really appreciates hand knitting). 

I finished the knitting. The hat was huge but thankfully it felted down to the correct size. I’m always pleased and surprised when I get such great results using my front loading washer. But looking at the plain grey hat, I realized that it needed something. Needles felting was the answer! 

I’m very happy with the final result!! My bosses wife was thrilled. And now I’m debating making one for myself   

Many Mittens

Karen and I have been very busy getting ready for 2 craft sales. They are both fundraisers for girl guides. We are going to Gander next October for the Guiders conference once again. We weren't planning on going, but 2010 will be 100 years of guiding in Canada and the celebration is supposed to be huge. We are not ones to miss out on a good party.

Julie donated an old wool camp blanket to us. Karen sewed up the mittens and I knit the cuffs (pattern can be found here http://www.purlbee.com/felt-mittens-with-knitted-cuff/ at the purlbee) And we both needle felted on the designs.

The mittens were a hit. We sold each and every last pair, and I also have 3 more pairs that I haven't found the time to knit the cuffs on. We are having another sale in February. And guess what? We still wear mittens here in February. I can so picture some nice heart themed mittens for V day.

Here is a close up of my favorite ones (that is the favorites of the ones I made. Karen, though new to needlefelting has a great eye for these things, and all of hers are my favorites)

Ron Weasley

He is one of my most favorite characters in the Harry Potter series. I chose to immortalize him in fiber. He is needlefelted onto a knit and felted brown bag (pattern courtesy of knitty) I've given him to Amy because she is as much a Ron fan as I am, and I have no use for a brown lunch bag and she does. Or she might. This may be my last felted project because we bought a front loading washer. I love the washer. It takes a nice large load, but apparently one cannot felt knitting in a front loading washer. I'm sure I'll give it a go at some point. I have heard of successful cases, but I'm not sure if they are urban legends or not.

Anyone Remember Finnegan?

Well, I've made a green Finnegan. You know, the grey hand puppet dog from the old 'Mr. Dressup' series. Its a Canadian thing.

He came about by accident. As you can likely tell, he is made from a sock, a hand knit sock. The other sock was felted. On Ravelry, I'm participating in the 'Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup'. I'm taking transfiguration this month. The assignment was to 'transfigure' a WIP or a thrift store find using steeking, embroidery, sewing etc. into something else. Well, here is my something else. I like him.

Mittens, mittens and more mittens.

I've been churning out mittens left right and center it seems. I do love knitting mittens. I've also been on a bit of a felting kick lately too. Here is the 'Dumpling Bag' from Interweave Knits. I'm not sure who I'll give this to. The dots and flowers are neelde felted on after I felted the bag in the wash.



I really like the Lopi for felting projects. I even did these mittens afterwards.


And here is another pair of cabled mittens. I did these for charity and they will likely be headed to Natuashish.