Converting Knitting Patterns - Color Outside the Lines and Creative Freedom in my knitting.

Coloring outside the lines gives me freedom I didn't have as a kid.

When I was in elementary school I actually won an Art Scholarship (based on a painting that everyone in the class had to paint - a still of fruit on a table). The classes were at John Herron in Indianapolis. I was in 6th grade, took the city bus downtown by myself on Saturdays during summer vacation. But, I had to do every step by the book, their book. Even had a live nude model. I don't remember fighting the program, I was a very compliant kid, but I also don't remember being very creative as a result. The last several years I have allowed myself the freedom to make mistakes, do a search on this blog for "Fear of Failure" posts...blogging has actually help me document my progress tackling this fear!

Click on the Picture.

I simply cannot follow a pattern like a person is supposed to do. Take for instance a really cute purse pattern I got for Christmas from my d-i-l. It ends up being a round bag, 10 pie shape panels per side with a strap that also serves as a base and sides all around the bag. It is very cute, but the pattern calls for a very specific yarn, and tells you the size the finished project will be, etc., etc.

I decided to use much bigger needles, hold a strand of wool blend and a strand of 100% wool yarn together to make the bag, much larger than the pattern calls for and felt it. What is it with felting? It's like no project is finished without going that step. The bag calls for a lining, but with felting, it really isn't necessary.

Oh, yeah, I also have a great idea for "lining" but that is another post. (It includes a pocket.)

So in saying all that, I found a pretty helpful web page, about conversions of knitting patterns. More CREATIVE FREEDOM coming my way.

CONVERTING KNITTING PATTERNS - BEING CREATIVE

Pretty interesting site.

Register for Lion Brand Yarns Newsletter - Learn to Knit

THIS LINK LION BRAND YARNS

It has step by step pictures of just about every knitting stitch there is and videos for special techniques. So if you're still learning or stuck on scarves and baby blankets, sign up for thier newsletter, and gain access to tons of free patterns, new ideas, yarn usage ideas etc.

and,

LOOK WHAT I FINALLY TRIED!!

I finally tried a new technique today and it worked perfect.

I actually knit a sample swatch with some stash wool yarn.

Felted the piece (nothing new).

Tied 4 rubber bands onto the piece of fabric.

While the piece was still wet from felting I opened 3 packs of Kool Aid (unsweetened kind of course). Sprinkled colors all around the piece, set the piece into a plastic microwave bowl with a dab of water covering the bottom of the bowl. Turned on microwave about 1 minute, to set the color, rinsed in cold water, cut off the rubber bands and ...



This is Cherry, Grape and Fruit Punch

Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool Yarn in Natural SEE HERE

A Free Form Knit Felted Purse

Ok.

Try This

Knit holding two strands of yarn together, two 100% wool, or at least one 100% wool, same color or contrasting colors.

On size 13 or larger (29") circular needles cast on 28 stitches, to start the base, knit the first row, purl the next but slip the first stitch on every row. You will knit in circular motion when you finish the base.

Now the Free Form Style. Making the base knit then purl as many rows as you like. (Remember to slip the first stitch on every row!!

When you are done have the base as wide as you like (even if it's square) begin picking up stitches all around the base, the 28 already on the needle (plus the number of slipped stitches on each end) and the 28 stitches on the cast on row.

If you want a square base, and want to end up with a rectangular bag, add a few rows to the base, making it a little wider than your original 28 cast on side, because when you go to felt the bag, the vertical will felt more than the horizontal - do not ask me why!!

Exaggerate everything step, because felting will shrink and mesh all these fibers into a tight boxy shape. You can even do this whole project in bulky yarn and make it a market bag.

Cast off, Make an i-cord handle, felt both pieces, in the same pillowcase (wash in hot for at least 10-15 minutes), and shape to dry.

EXPERIMENT!! And please report back.

Check out my you-tube videos HERE

Knitting or Weaving Studio. Mp3 player full of choice music.

I read a quote today in a fiber magazine, "The studio is where my loom sits." I'm so ready to have a studio, with my yarns on display, my knitting baskets and projects out in the open, and my loom center stage. I will have my mp3 player set up with my "sound box."

What type of music is on my MP3 player? Hm-m-m!!

OK, first, I have Don Potter, big in the 80's and 90's with Morning Star ministries. My favorite hit of his "Prepare the Way," and "Who do they say I AM?" John Michael Talbott, put a lot of liturgy to guitar and incredible vocals, I downloaded (WalMart Mp3's) several of his songs. David Crowder Band, "Never Let Go." Took me through a storm, good memories. Alright, I admit, I have Allman Brothers on there, their songs play while I'm riding my motorcycle, after I've spent a great deal of time listening to worship and praise. I just love the rhythm and blues sound. I'm looking for the mp3 of "I want a heart that forgives," by Kevin Levar.

I listen to XM, make note of artists with that certain sound and download the music when I get the time.

The floor loom is dressed. A break from knitting.

Before we rode our motorcycles to the California line for some meetings this weekend, I set up the warping board and brought out some tweed gray sock yarn. I'm trying a new pattern, about half-way through the "dressing" the loom process, I had to stop and pack my motorcycle for a 3 day trip. So, last night I was back at it, all the yarn, through the holes in the heddles, and through the reed. I'm trying to weave a loose, soft capelet about 18" wide and as long as the yarn lasts.

I've tried two patterns so far and taken them out, which makes the hubby nervous - I really don't mind taking them out over and over till I see the pleasing pattern I'm looking for, but it makes him nervous - he doesn't like "wasting" time, but I see it as learning time.

Anyway the experiment is moving along.