Fish Skirt

Forgive the terrible photo above. I made this skirt from the same pattern (New Look pattern 6271) that I used for trousers last year. I really believe in getting value from a pattern, but am probably not going to move on to the shorts option.

I love the batik fish fabric (which was bought in Bude), but decided it had to be lined. Spent more online buying a navy cotton fabric for the lining, but it had to be done. I added pockets using the same tutorial Soften Studio, on how to sew a french seam pocket that I used on the trousers. It is really good way to add pockets and keep everything french seamed and neat. I love a pocket. 

This was the last of several attempts to photograph it. I just seem to shut my eyes in photos, look very self-conscious, or just angry. So although I look a mess, this is fairly realistic, and at least I am not in my usual wellington boots.

There is going to be another sewing post soon, as I have just discovered downloadable patterns, and am midway through a blouse.

Wire Art (Part One)

Following on from our linoprinting course, my son and I signed up for a short wire art course. Some of my London friends said there would be nothing to do in the country, and I would say they are wrong, as there seems just as much, although perhaps you have to hunt a bit harder.

We started off learning different techniques to shape the wire. We used pliers, and were also taught how to shape the wire around other forms. Then we were taught some different ways to join the wire, and the piece below is really all my learning pieces joined together. I was quite pleased when it was held up to the class, and the word "Picasso-like" was used!

That week we then all went on to work on flowers. Mine on the left is meant to be a poppy seedhead, and my son's is more cowslip. He had the inspired idea for twisting the wire at the base to make a stand, which most of the class then copied.

The following week we moved on to other projects, although still guided by the teacher. My son and I both decided to make a fish, and in this project a 2-dimensional fish was made, and then built outwards to make him 3-D.

Below is my son's fish, who is now hanging in the kitchen under a trailing plant. Mine is not quite as good, but you can see the edge of his fin.

Next we were allowed to move onto our own projects, and although the course is now finished, I still have to add legs to my creature. My son has gone for something very ambitious, which I am really hoping he will finish so I can show you in a few weeks.

Sneak Peek Seahorse

Working on a new pattern, and having my same old problem of trying to get the photos right. The seahorse just looked a bit sad lying flat on the table, so here he is under the sea - much more suitable. Done by changing my screensaver, and a nearly invisible thread. Just got to make a lot more now before I am ready to publish.

 

Just a reminder that there is still loads of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. I would love to see what you have been working on.

That Time of Year

That time of year is approaching, and as I still having nothing new to show you (working on the mystery pattern), I just thought I would remind you of some of my Christmas patterns. Here are photgraphs of some of the patterns that I label as Christmassy.
 

 Although my own tree is usually covered with some of my seaside creatures.

Just click on the photo to link to any of these patterns on Craftsy. (Feeling rather proud of myself for having worked out how to make a photo into a link!)

Seaside Christmas

No, I'm not at the seaside. Given the recent weather in Britain, I am perhaps quite pleased not to be at our windblown coast. I just thought I would post a few pictures of my own Christmas tree, with some of my knitted sea creatures that I have made into decorations.

It might seem a bit strange to have sea creatures on your tree. When I created most of these patterns I did not intend them as Christmas ornaments. (The exception is the sand dollar, which was a special request for Christmas.) But the scallop shell, sand dollar, star and fish do all have symbolic a link to Christianity, so perhaps it does seem apt to find them on a tree at this time of year.

There are links to my patterns for all these creatures on ravelry in my left sidebar.

"You Shall Have A Fishy ..."

I have been working all week on a new knitting pattern, Little Minnows.

It is a really simple little pattern, but I am happy with the way it has turned out, as it gives the knitter options, and all the choices are included in the one pattern.

First of all 4ply or doubleknit. The pattern works well in both.

There is the beaded fish. The beads are not sewn on, but incorporated into the knitting.

Then there is the Minnow with Bobbles. I thought this would be a fun way to make the scales if you didn't have any beads handy. But even with this version you can decide whether to do it in one colour or two, for which the patterns are slightly different.

Then there is the decision of whether to use a separate colour for the tail and fins, or even whether to knit the top and bottom fins at all. 

A minnow does have fins, but I knitted a few without as I thought they also looked nice. Hubby says those ones are not minnows, but anchovies, but I think he is just thinking with his stomach.

So not a good pattern if you find decision-making difficult.  It might put you in a spin trying to decide.
 

Thank you to my virtual friends for all the kind comments on my starfish and scallop shell last week.