Experimentation

On of my 09 resolutions was to experiment with the goal of improving the end product. So I have been trying alot of different things and my most recent discovery has proved a success!

One of my goals is to make felted (fulled) bowls sturdier. I learned that by adding a strand of fingering weight yarn to worsted weight that it really added some beef to the bowl (see previous post). But then I thought.. what if I double the double? So I set forth by making two bowls, one slightly smaller than the other, attaching them together and putting them through the felting process.

The result ~ A REALLY thick felted bowl in contrasting colors...
This one is done in greens and has a very striking result


This took about two weeks to dry completely after several cycles of processing. I have some great ideas for color combinations but would love to hear from you with what colors you would love to see. Please leave a comment with color choices and be on the look out in my shops for some more.

Don't forget to visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire!

Before and After ~ Felting a Wool Bowl

Today I wanted to show everyone the before and after of the felting (fulling) process. I find it amazing what happens and thought I would share with you.

Here is a photo of the crocheted bowl before the felting process. At this stage it measures 8 inches wide:


And here is the after, measuring 6 inches:



Amazing how the colors meld and the bowl takes shape! Another wonder of wool ♥

Don't forget to visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire!

Winter White ~

Normally I am a gal that loves color ~ intense, rich color.

But maybe the winter and snow has given me an appreciation for the lack of color recently. As I look at my shops, it seems that my recent works have been pale pastels and many are just plain white. Could it be that the snow is affecting me that much?

I just made two substaintial yarn purchases and thank goodness, there is color among them! In fact, I started knitting a beautiful deep red cranberry triple cabled scarf last night.

But meanwhile... I still like winter white. My newest winter white felted bowl reminds me of a few fall flowers that were caught in the first snowfall.



What does it remind you of?

Hooker Spotlight ~ My String Theory

This week's hooker spotlight is shinning on a fellow felter ~~ well, technically fuller, but we accept felting.



mystringtheory has an amazing eye for color combinations and designs when making her jewerly and accessories. I would call her work fabulous, fun and funky! She teaches the strings by day and hooks strings at night... Come read more about her from her profile:



"I am a violin teacher by day, and a crocheter by night. And morning. And afternoon. And sometimes my lunch break. I began playing with yarn as a reward for completing my first year of graduate school, and it has grown into a fullblown obsession. After buzzing around practicing and teaching all day, I can't wait to get home to my yarn! It's my favorite daily unwind and meditation activity.




And here is her discription of felting (or fulling):
A Note About "Felting"
"Felting" or "fulling" is a process that shrinks crocheted or knitted items that are made of 100% wool. If a description says that one of my items is "machine felted" that means that I threw the product in the washing machine to shrink it. If it is "hand felted," I scrubbed the item over the stove in hot soapy water (with gloves of course!). A purse that has been felted does not need a lining because the shrinkage and agitation makes it pretty hard for keys and pens to poke through the fabric. On the hand felted items, stitches are still visible, but the item will still be sturdy enough to hold all of your goodies.




Definately take some time to visit her entire shop as her work is incredible. Each item is very unique and keeps you looking around the corner to see the next one!