"Art does not reproduce the visible, it makes things visible in the first place."

Paul Klee, 1879-1940

Friday, April 09, 2010

Friday Finish x 3

Wow, 3 finished things this week =-)

First up, my very first knit sock ever!  I finished this on Tuesday. Yes, I've started the other one now, too... I finally bit the bullet and decided to make a pair of socks...people have been asking me why I didn't or have been telling me that I should...so I did...even though that kind of thing usually makes me resist with all my might...I'm a brat...  It wasn't hard at all; in fact, I found it fascinating to see how it all came together.  I used the two circular needle method, and Patons Kroy Socks FX 75 % wool, 15% nylon yarn.  I'm not too sure that I will go into the sock-making business but it was kinda fun. Um, yes, I have a "few" skeins of yarn for more...you knew I would have...and Mary Ann, I still have the pretty yarn and needles you sent me...I think it will make such a nice pair of socks...now that I know what I'm doing =-)



2nd finish,  a little sweater which I actually finished knitting in NY last October.  All it needed was the buttons. Serendipitously, Laurie over at Crazy Aunt Purl had a little tutorial today about sewing buttons on baby clothes in a virtually permanent manner.  And, actually, it was Laurie who posted a sweater that inspired me to make this little "5 Hour Sweater" ...yeah right...5 hours...ha...whatever...NOT 5 hours...not hard, either...but definitely not 5 hours...not for me...  I liked the colors of this yarn, and it was really soft...but it was acrylic and actually too soft for anything that one would want to have any kind of shape to...but I tend to make baby things in acrylic because of the washability and the price...since babies do nasty things to their clothes, grow out of them in five minutes, and moms like things that are easy to wash.  I would never use this yarn again for clothing, but it might be ok for a little blanket since it is so soft...the pilling that I can see happening right away probably wouldn't matter so much on a blankie.





And last, but not least, I finished a bag that I started probably 2 or 3 years ago.  I had knit the body and the straps already and felted them; all I needed to do was to sew them together.  And I wanted to add a lining.  So that is what I did today after putting the buttons on the baby sweater.  The yarn is a discontinued (of course) Berroco Medley.  I had seen a bag sample in a shop made of it, though, and really loved the way it felted with all the nubs and multi colors, so I hunted some down on eBay...I ended up having to buy 10 skeins...so I have a LOT left...I think I will make some scarves for gifts or maybe a t-sirt style sweater/top or something with the leftovers.  The lining of the bag has a large zippered pocket on one side and a divided "compartment" pocket on the other for my phone, camera, and pen, since it's what I call a "dump" bag and everything I throw into it will be jumbled up on the bottom.  At least with the compartments for those three things I will at least know where they are when I need them, even if everything else is all mixed up on the bottom. I also am so happy that I made the lining in a light blue color so I can actually see what is in my bag.  I think it should be illegal to make a lining in a bag/purse you make or buy out of black or dark fabric! haha! The buttons on the ends of the straps are all different from each other and are vintage carved wooden ones from my jars.  I'm not sure about the dark colors of them on the light blue but in person the bag is very arty, nubby, sorta hippy-groovy colorful, so the dark buttons are probably just fine...I do tend to over-think things...you may have noticed...

This photo does not do justice to the nubbiness and colors of this yarn...it is very groovy and very textured...I think the bright colors are whatever synthetic is in the yarn, so those parts didn't felt, which makes for a really cool effect. I do SO love this yarn =-)


So.  This finishing things every week so that I have something to post on Friday (or Saturday) is, so far, a really good thing.  I've been able to get some things off my guilt list that have been hanging around and that feels great!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone.  I hope they are beautiful Spring days for you!

xo, D.

8 comments:

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

These projects are just gorgeous- wish I knew how to knit- I need to learn! I just love the little sweater, such cute colors!

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

You are so accomplished....I particularly like the bag. I'm so partial to lovely bags. Keep up with this finishing business, I enjoy seeing what you've completed.

Rian said...

Well, just look at your badass self--you ROCK! I particularly love that baby sweater with the sweet flower buttons! SWEET! I'm doing the "We're not worthy."

Barbara C said...

Very nice knitting! Your socks especially look great. I'm not "into" socks either, but boy they're comfortable to wear. Every time I wear the one pair I've made for myself, I think: "I should make more of these."

cumquats said...

Your socks are inspiring. I've never mad socks either, they look too difficult for my meager talents. It is a tempting thought though.

jenclair said...

I'm so impressed! The socks are so comfy looking; love the colors. And the sweetness of that baby sweater...oh, my.

cumquats said...

Mad socks? That explains everything. No wonder I can't make them! Kim :)

Mary Ann said...

Wow, Debby! You are really on a roll! LOL!! I knew you'd do socks one day! Your sock is absolutely perfect!! Have you made the other one???!!!! The second one goes faster than the first!! Haha!!!