pieKnits

Loving the tatting. I have a pretty new set of earrings!



I probably should have elaborated more in my previous post on the tatting technique. Tatting is a form of lacemaking originating in the early 19th century that uses a series of knots and loops. The traditional method is done with shuttles holding the threads. Another technique is to use a tatting needle. The needles in tatting are several inches long with an eye that's the same thickness as the needle and a blunt end. Via Wikipedia:

The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of cow hitch, or half-hitch knots, called double stitches (ds), over a core thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect.

You can purchase a set of 4 needles online or locally for about $12 (or less with weekly coupon) at Hobby Lobby if you're looking to pick up some.



This pair was tatted with Size 10 crochet cotton on a size #5 needle. The free pattern is from free-tatting.com.
More detailed info about the pattern in the extended entry for those interested in trying it out.

I've been flitting back and forth from this to that lately. Not feeling like I've really sunk my teeth into anything of substance in a while. Just not feeling a real creative spark. The solution I found? Cast on for something I've been wanting to for 4 years.



I finally started my Rogue! I'm loving this so much already. I literally got the yarn more than 4 1/2 years ago (awesome deal on eBay for Bartlett Fisherman 2-ply in Garnet Heather). It had been waiting for the right time to start it. I figured if I start it now, it may be ready in time to wear for our brief Texas winter.

I'm almost done with Chart A and have the front pocket completed. I didn't do the hem facing stitch instead casting-on 5% less stitches with smaller needles. I then increased to the correct number two rows before the turning row.

Bring on the meaty knitting!

I've loved the look of tatting for awhile now after coming across some amazing pieces around the web and bookmarking several sites. After finding this great video tutorial from TotusMel and seeing the needle tatting technique (vs. the shuttle type) I thought, "Hey I think I can actually do that! It looks a bit like working a backwards loop cast-on in knitting".



Also the needles are inexpensive and I already have several things of crochet cotton in the stash so minimal investment is always a plus for me. Sat down with the video and had this flower done in no time! I also had ribbon and some jump rings already so a quick new pendant necklace was made.



This is a 2nd one I made and it's a bit less wonky than the first.



I also took a stab at making Yarnplayer's Tatted Ring. But I didn't have fine enough yarn so mine is only half. I've already started a few other pieces, I'm hooked.

Coincidentally, my regular work and crafting have come together of late. We have been developing some online courses for a major craft retailer and I got volunteered to be the "hand model" to demonstrate different jewelry making techniques.

During some down time in a photo shoot I started playing with some scrap pieces of jewelry wire, and inspired from a piece online, I bent this little ear cuff into being.



It was super fast to do too! I added some beads I had at home and it can be worn with or without the dangle piece. It's a simple zigzag pattern in the middle with the end pieces curled however you'd like. Yay for instant gratification.

I think fastest knit ever.



From cast-on to bind-off and sewing on the button while Mr. PieKnits was making dinner. I had just randomly felt like making a bracelet and came across this pattern - Button Bracelet by Allison Hogue on Ravelry with it's nice free-floating cable look. Perfect instant gratification pattern for little bits of left over yarn. Plus I love an excuse to go through and use some of my vintage buttons.



In some exciting news, my Celtic Tote pattern has been included in Interweave's new "Best of 2010: Top Ten Patterns for Knitted Accessories" eBook as #5!



You can purchase the eBook here for $14.99.

I've been chipping away at the hip scarf; it's an easy pattern but somewhat monotonous for long stretches. Unfortunately, it's not very exciting to show in progress, lace being the tangled looking mess of string it is on the needles.



I have an idea to try spraying it with sparkle fabric paint for a some extra glitz. Thinking it'll probably be best to test that idea on a swatch, anyone ever used the stuff before?

And in completely unrelated other news- I got glasses!



Hopefully now I will not have to sweat it through my next eye test at the drivers license office, heh.

Just a fun quickie for a friend. A little "Thank you" for coming over and teaching me bread making. Now I at least feel like I'm not completely guesstimating about kneading.

Only a camera phone shot here (I had just finished this up while lake-side knitting, woo). The ever popular Beer Sweater. As you must keep your beer nice and insulated and no one wants cold wet hands of course.

Yes, there were mods- even on something like this I can't seem to help it. I used a DK weight yarn instead of the recommended sport weight and thus ended up adjusting the pattern to about 75%.
I worked the sleeves as double-knit tubes (at only 12 sts this was much easier).
Also I always use my alternating knit/purl long tail cast-on method whenever starting in rib.

I'm still here, just been summer busy! I do have a few things finished, just yet to get to taking some photos. In the meantime I thought I'd share a cake I made and decorated for a friends wedding shower. I love food decoration. I think I just never grew out of wanting to play with my food.



The couple is having a destination wedding so my other friend and I who hosted went with a beach theme. I tinted the frosting (I'll admit it's from a can. Not being a huge icing person myself I rather dislike making it from scratch). Then I made the shells from melting white chocolate and pouring it into molds. I then dusted them with edible gold dust/luster, pretty!



The "sand" is crushed vanilla wafers with a bit of brown sugar. This was also my first layer cake. My Mother always considered layer cakes the enemy, having terrible luck with them. So I had yet to venture trying on until now. With some handy internet tips think it turned out ok!



Also got a group shot of my bellydance class from our recent Spring recital. Shows us all wearing our handmade headbands I posted about last time. I had a great time and think we did pretty good!

My bellydance class got together to make these head scarfs as part of our costumes for our upcoming performance. I will tell you, making lots of pom-poms is really something best done in a group- much less tedious.



It is rather incongruous with my street clothes, but you get the idea. We used  Full o' Sheep by Stitch Nation yarn. I really love the great vibrant colors in this line. Nice to be able to grab a 100% wool yarn like this at a big box store too (I live in a No Yarn Store Zone unfortunately).



We just hand stitched a simple tube for the scarf from fabric scraps. I've inserted a clear headband in mine for extra stability. Excited for our performance next week when we'll be wearing these!

ETA: Wow just realized I totally missed my 5 year blog anniversary! Probably because I can't believe it's been 5 years!

I found this great vintage auto-body work shirt at a thrift store several years back for a whole $0.62. I recently decided it could use a little extra personalization however.



Locating a free script style font I liked (dafont.com is a great sight), I printed out a sample in my name. I then pinned the print out to the inside of the shirt in the location I wanted and held both up to a sunny window. (A light box is ideal, I've also used a clear plastic clipboard over a lamp light in a pinch.) Using a dressmakers pencil I traced the text onto the front of the shirt. Then using that as my guide, worked a simple split stitch in red embroidery floss over it. I think it adds that little extra somthin'.


View of the back and charmingly simple print.