I was laughing so much at 3 am when I finished this piece. I started it about 9pm and was bound and determined to finish it to see if I have really arrived at being at intermediate knitter. I think I have. I followed the instruction to a T and it worked. This is an old pattern designed by a knitting Icon to the world of knitting, "Elizabeth Zimmermann". I now own 3 of her fun stuff- to- knit books. I love old time stuff, especially if they make sense and serve a purpose. I have always admired the ingenuity and talents of the 14 to 15 century folks and of course some other centuaries. I am a history buff to say the least. Remember when the soldiers back then wore those mail armours to protect themselves? The head covering was like a cap with a point and made out out of mail. Later on the same style was used for a winter hat or a sleep cap. Liz called this particular one, "Maltese Fisherman Hat.This is a pic of it before felting.

In order to felt, you put the item in the washer in hot water and let it agitate for 6 min. checking it now and then as each type of wool felts differently...when it is felted to your satisfaction, rinse and spin dry. Oh it is in a pillow case the whole time it is washing. Then it's time to block it into shape. Notice now how all the holes are gone and the yarn has closed tightly. If you were to wear this cap in the snow. The snow or damp or rain would not penetrate....weren't the old ones smart? I mean, a sheep is alway dry true? This process can only be done with 100% wool. I had such fun doing this. This little hat is perfect for a night cap in the winter when your head gets cold. I love the little point. The flaps cover your ears and the the nap in back covers your neck...just perfect.

The cap is knitted in one piece. My kind of deal.

Isn't it cute.

Blog for today part 2

I was so tired after convention that I decided to paper the kitchen finally. This job has been waiting for me for two or three months now.

Finally the house is done. Then I was even more tired so the next day I decided to finish out two lines of paints by Deka. One line was for silk and the other for fabric. I was limited to just a few that I had left so off I went. I just starting tearing off 1 1/4 yard pieces to more or less, some 2 yards from a roll of fpd (fabric prepared for dying). I would wash 7 pieces and hang on the line. I don't know why I did that as I had to dampen them anyway lol. I had the one large line going and 4 smaller ones on the other side lol. I would wash, paint, hang and overpaint some. The day was hot and windy and I got a good tan. I am now overtired lol.




Here are some close ups of the painted fabrics. The silk paint on cotten came out very very nice indeed. I like. The fabric paint was also very nice. Now I have gotten rid of two lines of paint that I didn't really need and before they got too old and nothing got wasted. I have read on the web that hand painted fabric sells for about 30.00 per yard. I think I will try selling some on ebay but a bit more reasonable.

I put the whole mess out every day to bake in the sun.

I will wash them after a few day or weeks when the mood strikes. I have at least 260 yard painted so far and have a basket washed and folded. I have lot to wash. Some of the fabric is for actually framing as they have lots of texture and those won't be washed. Percy's coat is made out of some of that fabric, the soft ones that is.

These are also considered my dark line more or less. You must have darks to show light right?

I think I'll rest over the weekend and do my knitting on Lyra.

Convention part 1 blog

As you all know I went to the NSTDP convention. I forgot how hard it was to work one of these so this was my last one lol. I only had time to take a couple pictures as we were so busy. I was in the selling booth. Here is a pic of my painted and hand made Percy. They put him on the top of the booth and he was a hit. He sold lots of paint.








I was able to take pics of these wonderful carved wooded Santas painted by the Russians and up on display.

And a wonderful coffee table painted by David Jansen. The bottom pic is the waterfront by the convention.