Combining crafts can lead to some unique fusion pieces. The latest Creativity newsletter happened to mention felted beads. Something I thought about fleetingly but wasn’t sure how feasible it might be. I think it’s about time I bought some of these felting needles and picked up some fibre to play with.

I did a proper blocking of the lace scarf at last. A few posts back you’ll see the basic attempt.

For the first half of blocking the scarf looked like it might turn out 20ft long, but stretched out to the sides too I’m glad to say it looks normal.

My method tends to involve finding something long and spongy to stick pins through. Generally the ironing board, though in this case it wasn’t long enough. I pinned one end of the scarf first, then attached a weight to the other end which put a gentle pressure on it lengthways. Then I pinned each side in turn down the length of the scarf and adjusted any pins that didn’t look straight enough. It’s a bit fiddly! And I stabbed myself plenty. Fortunately the results are worth it, one very pretty scarf.

After the pinning, I got out the iron and scooshed with the spray to dampen the scarf, then put a towel over sections of it to gently (very gently!) iron the scarf. It’s been sitting overnight now so I’m itching to unpin it and get some photos.

I’ve been thinking for a while that baler string would make a very durable fabric for something, if I could dream up a purpose. I think I have an idea now – a work bag. Something I’ve never actually had, always using carrier bags for projects.

I think I’ll make a circle base, line the bottom of it with a disc of sturdy plastic so any needles won’t poke out, then just make a nice circular basket type affair.

Here’s the string in question:-

Tomorrow I’ll bring in a few balls of the stuff and try working 2 strands together. I have a feeling that it would produce a bag that would stand up by itself to double as a yarn holder. Though I could also recycle a few coffee tins and the like by covering them and lining the too. More food for thought. I like recycling things as it seems such a waste to throw them out.

Pattern and photos will follow in due course.

http://www.craftown.com/crochet/pat46.htm

Finally finished a lace scarf that’s been work in progress for ages. I made one of these for myself before, this is a sale one and I thought I could manage another without too much trouble. Eesh the boredom of the same 2 rows of pattern over several feet of knitting! All I can say is it had better sell after this. I’ll take a few pics of it before and after blocking, it’s still in the ugly duckling stage.

I’ve dug out the crochet hooks for what I think is my next sale project. I bought a job lot of coned yarns and among them was this lovely biscuit coloured 1 ply cotton. It felt a bit delicate as 1 ply so I ran a test sample through the spinning wheel to make it a 2 ply. It took a good while to fill a bobbin but the shawl I’m working it into is lovely to handle. Given that I have 10+ cones of the stuff to get through, hopefully it’s popular *grin*

Beginning to wonder if I’m a glutton for punishment with all this lace.

Anyway this is the pattern I’m using and a picture of what it should look like *grin*

Sorry, Dear Reader, I’ve been neglecting you lately. Blame the acrylic socks. Two pairs of synthetic socks and my feet were still horribly cold; bless our lovely Scottish weather. I decided it was about time I made myself some proper wool socks, to match my favourite woolen mittens. They roast my hands even if they’re sopping wet.

We’re only a few months away from shearing time, and I have a mountainous pile of fleeces to get through. So, out comes the spinning wheel. My Jack Russell terrier, Candy, loves this. She gets to snatch a chunk of fleece and delights in shredding it, while I spin away oblivious to her destruction. Her favourite trick if I’m on the phone, is to take some fleece just out of my reach and shred it. I can’t stretch out and stop her, and she knows it. There is a cure though. I have a cardigan that she used to bed down in as a puppy. She spent hours on my knee,tucked inside it like a joey; while I worked on the computer or spun wool. Years later she remembers this cardigan and if I put it on, or lay it down, she insists on being wrapped in it. Yes I know, I spoil her!

My socks are now finished, after three afternoons/evenings of spinning and knitting, my feet are cosy. I finished them just in time as we had another hard frost, and now snow.

The spinning wheel helps me find ideas for writing too. Once I settle into the rhythm, the wool almost spins itself. My mind is then free to think of ideas, so I keep a notebook within reach. I did this during the summer, notes on one side of me, sketches and fleece on the other. The caravan has wonderful long sofa seats, perfect for keeping work to hand or reclining as you spin. In the meantime, I content myself with the computer desk and typing chair.