Year of Shawls: June Sonnenblume

This would be my June shawl, Sonnenblume. I originally knit this using stash yarn leftover from a weaving project. It was Lion Brand 1878, in Fisherman. 

And as you can tell the shawl was kinda boring. I'm all for white shawls. But I just wasn't feeling this one.

So, I decided to dye my finished shawl using Kool-Aid.

First, I rolled up both sides of the shawl.  Then I placed it in a microwavable glass baking dish. I poured a mixture of Strawberry, Grape, Pink Lemonade and Cherry over the shawl. I then microwaved it for 5 minutes. 

It ended up with a sorta hand painted feel.

It's definitely not white anymore.

Year of Shawls: April Haruni

Although this is technically my April shawl, its technically my first shawl this year. Why? Well I actually joined the group Dozen shawls in 20dozen in April.

I've been playing catch up since then.

I'm fully caught up now. I'm actually going to cast on for my September shawl sometime this weekend.

So, here is my April shawl.

The pattern is called the Haruni. At the time, this was my most challenging shawl.

I knit the shawl using Knit picks yarn, which I dyed. I love dyeing yarn, especially with Kool-Aid.

I had seen this tutorial online and I loved the effect. Several weeks later I found the Haruni pattern. I knew they had to go together.

I used two packets of Orange Kool-Aid for this project and one full skein of yarn. I love the result of the dyeing. 

Knitted Lobster Telephone

“I do not understand why, when I ask for grilled lobster in a restaurant, I'm never served a cooked telephone.” 

― Salvador Dalí

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/165858.Salvador_Dal_

I've always had an appreciation and a fascination with Surrealism. I've even attempted to read through the Surrealist Manifesto. I said attempted.

One piece in particular that I've taken notice of would be Salvador Dali Lobster Telephone. There's just something about the juxtaposition between a telephone and a lobster. I find it very striking.

I've never seen one of the originals in person. They are spread out in various collections. 

It's a goal in life to see one in person. 

Instead of waiting, I decided to make one for myself. (You can actually catch it in the background of my Deer Head)

Now, I have my very own Lobster Telephone.

I started off with knitting the base. I knit each section of the telephone separately, stitched them together then felted the whole thing. I sculpted a basic form out of foam for the base to give it stability. The dial is various buttons, and the cord is simple I-cord.

I hand dyed the yarn I used for the lobster. I dyed it using various Kool-Aid colors. I dyed the skein in the microwave, following this basic idea. I knit the basic shape of the lobster then added "scales" to the body.

I'm very proud of my Lobster Telephone. I do wish I could somehow make it ring...

Next project : make a Lobster Dress. (I think I need to learn screen printing first)

http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/65327.html

FO Fridays: Angee

I've decided to start a new recurring blog post. I've chosen the wholly unoriginal title of Finished Object Fridays. I'm really not all that original.

Anyways, my first post shall be...socks. (you thought I was going to say shawl...)

I love knitting socks. I'm on a not so secret mission to replace every pair of socks I own with hand knit ones. I'm doing pretty well with my goal. Although I haven't really knit any this Summer. 

These are actually the socks that started it all.

These are Cookie A's Angee. I love Cookie A's sock patterns.

These were actually the first charted pattern I had tackled. They were a challenge, but I loved it.

I dyed the yarn for the socks myself using...what else...Kool-Aid and this tutorial.

I love these socks. I knit them using Knit Picks yarn.

Ultimately this is a sad story. A very sad story.

I've worn these socks so often and so much that they are starting to show their age...I'm not sure if/when I can wear them again. I need to reinforce the sole. (Really it comes down to when I get around to it)