A Purl of Wisdom

I was at Knotty By Nature today to get a few supplies and I learned to cast off my knitting

and how to purl. It feels great to finally know what that is and to be able to do it!

And I'm adding layers to this, now.

Drum Roll

I dropped into Knotty By Nature a few days ago, where I had fun learning to use their drum carder and I combined some merino, bamboo and silk fibres into a batt ready for further play. Watching those colours blend is intoxicating! I also picked up more thread, needles and two new feet for my Pfaff - which I haven't tried, yet. In this zigzag stitch sample, I discovered what you may already know but is new to me - that I can make diamonds by returning in the opposite direction. Diamonds are a favourite shape of mine.

I did try out all of my Pfaff's stitches - except the buttonholes, the alphabets and combining sequences of different stitches. Having this record has already come in handy.

There is such variety and every stitch has yet more because their shape can be altered in length and width - not to mention colour and types of thread I might use. The animals brought up the end of the sampler, with the butterflies in last place at 195 - now it's up to me to take take flight!

Wet Felted Bag

My newly made wet felted bag is out drying on the deck. I enjoyed the whirlwind class at Knotty By Nature and hope I will remember how to make another one. We each made up our own design, choosing whether to have pockets or not, their size and whereabouts, what colours and types of wool and or silk. I've used Corriedale and silk for mine and I added a front pocket and two side pockets on the outside and I may strenthen them with some fabric lining once the bag is dry. Also, I will stitch down the salmon coloured flap and maybe add a magnetic catch or button. Very fun!

Letters in the Sand

Some days seem to have extra surprises and today was like that - unexpected turns in the day meant that while I got out to the beach, I did not get to stitch the waves I had planned to... But I did sign up for a half day wet felted purse class later this month at Knotty By Nature.

Artist date at Knotty by Nature

Once a week I'm getting out with my camera to some place that interests me as a way to gather images and feed my muse. I could use a photo such as the one of the window ledge for inspiration for a fabric piece - the various textures and lines are what drew me. Thanks to my Victoria Quilt Guild newsletter, I heard about a new store and went to check it out. Knotty by Nature has oodles of roving that can be bought in amounts of your choosing - and - I found a hand needle felter there and foam! They also stock Treenway silk roving, which I love - and many other products which I'm so glad are now available in Victoria. I also dipped into Chintz and Co. - to the remnant bins where I got a monet-like pastel watercolour upholstery fabric and a kind of shimmery green mesh. (Not that I need any more fabric :) Also, two friends surprised me with a gift for two lessons on my Pfaff - either a more experienced sewer will solve my tension problems or I will think about getting a different machine!