AbilityFirst magazine

My latest graphic design project was working with FreeAssociates in LA, re-designing AbilityFirst Magazine. Here you can see a few of the spreads. If you want to read more about it, and see the whole magazine, go here.

Solar patient

You need a lot of patients for dyeing. ; The red succulent flowers were put in the glass jar, in the sun for 3 days. I strained the water, put it back in the jar, and added 1/2 a tsp of vinegar. I mordant diff fabrics with soy and water for 2 days, let it dry, and added to the jar. I'll share the results of the dyed fabrics when ready. ; 2 new jars added to my solar dyeing experiment, avocado pit and green maple leaves. ; Thank you to India Flint for her wonderful book Eco Colour.

Excess in Italian

Now you can knit Excess in Italian. Thank you to Isabel for the translation. ; Isabel contacted me a few weeks ago and told me about a group on Ravelry called Quellocheho (WhatIhave). The Italian group was created to donate knitted caps, hats, beanies, etc. to women dealing with chemotherapy. I feel honored to be part of it. ; Thank you to Renee for letting me use her beautiful Excess photo.

Solar dyeing

A few weeks ago I bought an inspiring dye book by India Flint. India is a dyer from Australia who uses natural plants and materials to get amazing results. ; Today I'm starting my first solar dyeing session. I used what I have in my garden, and believe me it's not much. I stuffed some glass jars with the plants listed below, and added boiling water. I'll let it sit in the sun until I like the color. Here are the plants I used: 1. Red flower from a succulent I found in the street a few years ago and replanted. 2. Black bamboo. 3. Kalanchoe thyrsiflora succulent red leaves. 4. Pink/silver grass that grows on our slope. 5. Ivy green leaves.

Bleaching (B)

Remember this post about bleaching? Here is what I did with the fabrics I bleached. ; All the pouches are tryouts for working with two diff materials (bleached linen and vinyl), and the perfect size for a folded pouch. I'm also trying top stitches and diff fabric thicknesses. I'm using an extra one between the outer fabric and the lining to make the bag sturdier. ; I don't like the thickness of the vinyl, it's too thick, even though they come in endless colors and textures. ; I like the blue bag, the size is great (9"w x 7"h folded), and the bleaching is very subtle. ; I'm going to try out some more materials and share my experience.

Mending (?)

I have a t-shirt that I really like, and wear a lot. I have holes and bleach stains on it, so I tried fixing it. I'm not sure I like it, I have to live with it for a while. ; Mending instructions from here.

Bleaching (A)

After reading a few tutorials on the computer, I was ready to try to bleach some fabric. What you need is (1) fabric (2) bleach, and (3) squirt or spray bottle. (I didn't like the effect of the spray bottle, I wanted the main color of the fabric to dominate, and I guess I sprayed too much bleach.) I'm showing you only what I did with the squirt bottle. It's very simple. I used rubber bands to tie around the fabric and with a squirt bottle I applied the bleach. When it turned lighter, and I liked how it looked, I washed the fabric with warm water to stop the bleaching. I repeated the process a few times until I was satisfied with the results. After it was done, I put it in the washing machine and dryer. To be continued...

Pin cushions

My very talented friend Limor, who is a ceramic artist, made these beautiful small pin cushions. I was lucky enough to get one as a gift. For more information please leave me a message.

Wrapping paper ; A gift

Very cute wrapping paper by Opening Ceremony and Zadig & Voltaire. ; I got the amazing silk yarns from my dear friend Amy, who remembered my allergy to wool when yarn shopping for herself. Thank you so much Amy. Now I'm looking for a pattern to use up the yarn. Yarn: Irish Mist, silk, linen, rayon and cotton in blue and wisteria.

SimpleLines for you

SimpleLines pattern is published for free. You can find it here on Ravelry. Thank you to the talented Alena for test knitting my pattern, you can see her amazing photos here with her "Fallen Angel" (white SimpleLines). Thank you for letting me use your beautiful photos. Thank you to Amy for helping me with my pattern writing, I couldn't do it without you. ; SimpleLines is a summer shawl knit from the bottom tip to the wider neck edge. It's airy and perfect for cool summer nights. Yarn: Sincere Sheep Vernal. Needles: US 3 (3.25mm), 32” (80cm) circular needles.

TATE Museum, London

 

 

 

 

 

 

So many beautiful exhibitions at the TATE Museum, and admission is free.

Mermaid found

I'v found my second mermaid. Remember this post, I was looking for another skein of Anzula Mermaid in Seaside. Anzula answered my e-mail and said that the mill had production problems, and are working to resolve them. ; I was looking on Ravelry and found one skein, I contacted the owner, and she was generous enough to mail it me. I got a letter and a new wind up Anzula Mermaid in Seaside. Thank you P. It's a different dye lot than mine, and looks a little yellower. ; I already made a swatch with the Anzula Mermaid in Seaside + Habu Cotton Gima in gray + Habu Tsumugi Silk in dusty pink, I think it will be a top down cardigan.

Frogging

"To frog" means "to rip out stitches." 

Here is what I do with frogged yarn that is all curly:

• Use a ball winder to wind the yarn.
• Use a yarn swift to make big, open loops. Tie the loops in a few places.
• Mix some woolite and warm water in a bowl, and put the tied yarn loops in the soapy water. Leave for a few minutes.
• Wash very well, squeeze all the extra water with a towel and hang to dry.
• After the yarn is dry, wind it, and start a new knitting project. 

Enjoy.

Mango chutney

I made spicy mango chutney, but I failed to read that it will take a whole month to be ready. I promise to share the recipe if it will taste good after a month.

SimpleLines

 

SimpleLines is a summer shawl. The yarn is light and drapey, and perfect for cool summer nights. Yarn: Sincere Sheep Vernal, lace 2 ply, 65% silk and 35% linen. Needle: US 3, 3.25 mm. I'm working on a pattern.