Patriotic Missile Launcher?
Friday, June 10, 2005
Armed, But Not Dangerous
UFO's - 2
Nancilyn - 1
Reclaimed Space - 0 (finished objects require space, too)
I finished one of my bags, a knitting tote based on a pattern from Janet Scanlon's KnitKit.com
called Constant Companion. I chose my colors because I was of a patriotic mind, but of course
white would hardly be practical for a bag that sits on floors when not travelling. I plan to meet with other knitters and crocheters soon, and since so many are from Australia, New Zealand,
Canada and the UK, I thought my colors would reflect their flags, too. It was probably still snowing when I began the bag, so I was thinking of something warm and snuggly like a Hudson
Bay blanket, hence the stripes. I'm pleased with this sturdy bag. The knit-cord bind off makes
the top edge very stable so it doesn't collapse on itself. I might make the next one deeper, although this one is plenty roomy and shallow enough that I won't have to root around much to find things.
The bag took almost no time to knit up, and I couldn't run it through the washer and dryer for
fulling. I love the fuzzy look that resulted. In my stash I found two fat quarters of brushed cotton plaids. I used these for the lining. I tacked a piece of plastic canvas between the bottom of the bag and the lining. This helps keep the rectangular shape if the tote while ensuring a flat
surface. Tacking prevents the plastic from shifting.
I was in a hurry when it came to the outside pocket. Since it was attached separately, I wasn't worried; I could always knit and felt something suitable later. I did knit a big mitred square with some leftover yarn and threw it in the with bag for felting. Minds cannot imagine what it looked like -- a skewed potholder, maybe. I couldn't fathom using it as an embellishment, but
I really wanted to finish a UFO. I blocked it. Nice square, but still looking like a potholder.
I have a great collection of vintage and new buttons with a patriotic theme. I'd use these to
disguise the true nature of the square. Um, the various stars and bars combos just didn't
do it. Nor did little soldiers, eagles, anchors or liberty bells. Ah, stars. Assorted sizes of red,
white and blue stars. I tried myriad arrangements. The reds and blues just disappeared into
the fields. White would stand out, but as my helpful hubby pointed out, there is no white on my
bag. Eventually I gave up on a random strewing of stars, which more closely resembled the night sky of a galaxy far, far away. I decided on a circle of small white stars on the small blue
square in the upper left corner, and I would use 5 stars . I wasn't trying to replicate a flag.
I just wanted to suggest a theme of stripes and stars. Helpful Hubby indicated where my stars were out of alignment. Geesh. I repositioned them, sewing them down so thoroughly they'd never pull off. Still off. Reposition. Resew. Still not quite right. Finally I went with 6 little stars for a more symmetrical appeal. I guess. I usually try to avoid symmetry, as further evidenced in the widths and spacing of bands on this bag.
Red, white and blue potholder pocket not withstanding, the knitting tote is pretty much complete. There is another side to the bag! I'm thinking I could attach a scrumble pocket to
it. My mitered square could represent my modular efforts and the scrumble my love of freeform. I had an interesting post exchange with Joy Prescott after visiting her website.
http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/m/mickeyj/ I went there to look at scarves, but couldn't risist a look at her hats. All of her work is wonderful, but I was drawn to her Tglingit inspired hats. The Northwestern motifs are exceptional, and I wondered if it would be too copycatty of me to attempt a totem spirit of my own as part of my scrumble pocket. It would tie in with my Hudson Bay blankie thought and remind me of wonderful trips I've taken to the Northwest. This is still just a design afterthought. I may never do it. Of course it wouldn't become a UFO unless I actually started it at some point.
I did create an accessory for my knitting tote. It may look like fireworks, and in truth I built it as part of my knitting arsenal. By itself, it cannot take out a UFO. In my hands it's not even
dangerous. It is a quiver for knitting needles! Well, I had this fabric in my stash that went so well with... I covered a superstout mailing tube, too short to keep the needles from slipping out.
Of all things I found a cat treat container that provided the extra length and a suitable cover for the quiver. You have to look really, really close to read "POUNCE" on the endcap.
Nancilyn - 1
Reclaimed Space - 0 (finished objects require space, too)
I finished one of my bags, a knitting tote based on a pattern from Janet Scanlon's KnitKit.com
called Constant Companion. I chose my colors because I was of a patriotic mind, but of course
white would hardly be practical for a bag that sits on floors when not travelling. I plan to meet with other knitters and crocheters soon, and since so many are from Australia, New Zealand,
Canada and the UK, I thought my colors would reflect their flags, too. It was probably still snowing when I began the bag, so I was thinking of something warm and snuggly like a Hudson
Bay blanket, hence the stripes. I'm pleased with this sturdy bag. The knit-cord bind off makes
the top edge very stable so it doesn't collapse on itself. I might make the next one deeper, although this one is plenty roomy and shallow enough that I won't have to root around much to find things.
The bag took almost no time to knit up, and I couldn't run it through the washer and dryer for
fulling. I love the fuzzy look that resulted. In my stash I found two fat quarters of brushed cotton plaids. I used these for the lining. I tacked a piece of plastic canvas between the bottom of the bag and the lining. This helps keep the rectangular shape if the tote while ensuring a flat
surface. Tacking prevents the plastic from shifting.
I was in a hurry when it came to the outside pocket. Since it was attached separately, I wasn't worried; I could always knit and felt something suitable later. I did knit a big mitred square with some leftover yarn and threw it in the with bag for felting. Minds cannot imagine what it looked like -- a skewed potholder, maybe. I couldn't fathom using it as an embellishment, but
I really wanted to finish a UFO. I blocked it. Nice square, but still looking like a potholder.
I have a great collection of vintage and new buttons with a patriotic theme. I'd use these to
disguise the true nature of the square. Um, the various stars and bars combos just didn't
do it. Nor did little soldiers, eagles, anchors or liberty bells. Ah, stars. Assorted sizes of red,
white and blue stars. I tried myriad arrangements. The reds and blues just disappeared into
the fields. White would stand out, but as my helpful hubby pointed out, there is no white on my
bag. Eventually I gave up on a random strewing of stars, which more closely resembled the night sky of a galaxy far, far away. I decided on a circle of small white stars on the small blue
square in the upper left corner, and I would use 5 stars . I wasn't trying to replicate a flag.
I just wanted to suggest a theme of stripes and stars. Helpful Hubby indicated where my stars were out of alignment. Geesh. I repositioned them, sewing them down so thoroughly they'd never pull off. Still off. Reposition. Resew. Still not quite right. Finally I went with 6 little stars for a more symmetrical appeal. I guess. I usually try to avoid symmetry, as further evidenced in the widths and spacing of bands on this bag.
Red, white and blue potholder pocket not withstanding, the knitting tote is pretty much complete. There is another side to the bag! I'm thinking I could attach a scrumble pocket to
it. My mitered square could represent my modular efforts and the scrumble my love of freeform. I had an interesting post exchange with Joy Prescott after visiting her website.
http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/m/mickeyj/ I went there to look at scarves, but couldn't risist a look at her hats. All of her work is wonderful, but I was drawn to her Tglingit inspired hats. The Northwestern motifs are exceptional, and I wondered if it would be too copycatty of me to attempt a totem spirit of my own as part of my scrumble pocket. It would tie in with my Hudson Bay blankie thought and remind me of wonderful trips I've taken to the Northwest. This is still just a design afterthought. I may never do it. Of course it wouldn't become a UFO unless I actually started it at some point.
I did create an accessory for my knitting tote. It may look like fireworks, and in truth I built it as part of my knitting arsenal. By itself, it cannot take out a UFO. In my hands it's not even
dangerous. It is a quiver for knitting needles! Well, I had this fabric in my stash that went so well with... I covered a superstout mailing tube, too short to keep the needles from slipping out.
Of all things I found a cat treat container that provided the extra length and a suitable cover for the quiver. You have to look really, really close to read "POUNCE" on the endcap.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
When Does the Lily Turn to Gold?
Since my last post I have been diligent in my campaign against the UFO's. I thought I could knock out three of them in one day but was unsuccessful. Hopefully later today I'll have positive
battle statistics.
My mission seemed simple enough: line 3 bags I knit this Spring. Constructing the linings was the easy part -- well, after I deliberated, for the umpteenth time, which fabrics from my stash to use for two of them; I searched four stores on a recent trip to find just the right material for the third, so I was determined to use it. I made templates, cut out fabric for linings and pockets,
and sewed up the seams after restoring proper tension to my machine (I suspect a curious grandchild, but didn't want to waste time dusting for fingerprints.). All of the linings fit nicely; surely all that remained was to stitch them in place. Sigh. That would be nice if I just wanted quicky, ordinary projects. No, no, these are my bags, intended to be completely unique with my special touches.
So there it is. The crux of my procrastination suddenly revealed. Finishing details. Those extra steps that make a project special. Embellishment! I'm not always sure when to stop. When is the lily gilded? I've yet to hear a muse whisper, "Enough is enough, Nancilyn." I keep waiting to blink my eyes and let my creative vision perceive a stopping point. Unfortunately the vision is
too often blurry.
Or maybe I'm too indecisive. How long does it take to determine color, size and position of stars
on a 6 x 6 mitered square? Hours. What did I end up with? Two white stars. Is there anyone who truly believes the elegance of simplicity is without extensive calculation, contemplation?
Can there really be random placement without exhaustive trial and error? So when does the lily turn to gold? Perhaps the change should be imperceptible. Or perhaps the lily shouldn't be gilded at all.
battle statistics.
My mission seemed simple enough: line 3 bags I knit this Spring. Constructing the linings was the easy part -- well, after I deliberated, for the umpteenth time, which fabrics from my stash to use for two of them; I searched four stores on a recent trip to find just the right material for the third, so I was determined to use it. I made templates, cut out fabric for linings and pockets,
and sewed up the seams after restoring proper tension to my machine (I suspect a curious grandchild, but didn't want to waste time dusting for fingerprints.). All of the linings fit nicely; surely all that remained was to stitch them in place. Sigh. That would be nice if I just wanted quicky, ordinary projects. No, no, these are my bags, intended to be completely unique with my special touches.
So there it is. The crux of my procrastination suddenly revealed. Finishing details. Those extra steps that make a project special. Embellishment! I'm not always sure when to stop. When is the lily gilded? I've yet to hear a muse whisper, "Enough is enough, Nancilyn." I keep waiting to blink my eyes and let my creative vision perceive a stopping point. Unfortunately the vision is
too often blurry.
Or maybe I'm too indecisive. How long does it take to determine color, size and position of stars
on a 6 x 6 mitered square? Hours. What did I end up with? Two white stars. Is there anyone who truly believes the elegance of simplicity is without extensive calculation, contemplation?
Can there really be random placement without exhaustive trial and error? So when does the lily turn to gold? Perhaps the change should be imperceptible. Or perhaps the lily shouldn't be gilded at all.
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