Bobbin Lace Sampler

I'm working on a sampler to practice bobbin lace techniques :)

I use 18 pairs of bobbins for the center with the spiders, at the sides I make a whole stitch (with a pair that always stays at the side) and twist the pair twice round the side-pin. This will make a little loop to 'sew' on the other parts while working.

I'm working on spider 15 now, just following the lines on the pattern.

Here are some close-ups of the 'half stitch trail' and the 'Torchon ground', just turning the corner to start another row of spiders.

Bobbin lace is fun to do!

Advent Calendar Scarf 2014, day 17

Update on my cowl: working on day 17 :)

One sketch a day: 25 to 28

Mini mandala's in colored pencils, with zentangels in fine markers and gell pens (white, silver and gold).

Knitting a little mouse... or two

I saw this lovely pattern in the Ravelry library: Bonnie wee mouse, it makes a cute little mouse. And almost no sewing as you knit everything in the round and attach the pieces while knitting :)

It will make a perfect gift for my daughter.

I used handspun yarn, from a batt-dropping (batt made from random fibres) and needles 2,75mm.

Little mouse

 Then I used the same pattern again, but with some modifications to make a Teenage Ninja Turtle :)
Yarn: "Meilenweit Soja" (a soft sock-yarn), needles: 2,75.
(I probably should have used smaller needles but it would make the turtle even smaller..)
I knit according to the pattern, but with a very short tail, no ears and orange stripe where the eyes are placed. The shell is knitted in some handspun. This one is for my son.

Knitted Ninja Turtle

The pattern is easy to follow and quick to knit. I'll probably make more of them soon...

One sketch a day: Day 21 to 24

I need more practice drawing faces :)

One sketch a day: 21 to 24 faces

Blue ballpoint

Advent Calendar Scarf 2014

This pattern adds a piece of lace every day of december, until Christmas :).
I'm using my lace-weight Smorgasbox yarn. (and probably add more yarn spun from samples)
Every pattern and spacer will have it's own color, so I'm using both the outside and inside of my skeins...

Already knitted day 5 today:

This is knitted in the round (and started with a provisional cast on) to make a cowl.

All the handspun colors and the surprise-patterns make this a fun project :)

One sketch a day: 17-20

I still love the daily drawings in my "visual journal" :)

one sketch a day: day 17 to 20

"Wild animals", charchoal pencils, fine black marker & white gell pen. All drawn from photo's.

Secret Smorgling Challenge: Knitting part 3, a little dress

I can't continue with the doll-body until the eyes are delivered, so knitted the dress already.
A dress filled with leaves ;)
I used all the yarn from the mini- Bilberry-Zest batt.

Forest-theme dress.

Back collar detail

The colors are not very acurate in these photo's, I hope I can take better photo's when the doll is finished.

Comfy socks

I've used my Mystery yarn (see this post), to knit some soft comfortable socks :)

Knitted toe-up and two at the same time on one circular needle. Added some half-brioche at the top.

Secret Smorgling Challenge: Knitting part 2

The doll has feet and hair now :).
I made the feet like mini-socks with some white and a bit of the Beryl-green. (filled them already on this photo)

For the hair I've sewn on strands of yarn around the grey edge, then sewn strands on the top. (see photo...)
It's a special hairstyle for a special doll...

One sketch a day: 13 - 16

4 days with sketches from memory, filled with zentangles.
I used pencil, black marker and white gell pen...
Worked two days on the large drawing left :)

Secret Smorgling Challenge: Knitting part 1

I decided to do a fun (first?) project for the challenge: a doll!
I started the head with the dark grey yarn and the tan-colored yarn. The body is knitted with batt-dropping yarn.

Used 'white rabbit' for the panties and continued the legs with a striped yarn from the mixed merino packs. I'm knitting them two at a time on a circular needle, using one strand from outside and one strand from the inside of a center-pull ball... (The colors of the second half of the yarn are spun in reversed order to make that possible.)

This will become a lovely big-headed big eyed doll. I've ordered some big safety eyes for her and have to wait with knitting the arms until they arrive.
I'm not using a pattern so the final result will be a surprise for me too :).