Saturday, August 23, 2008

Amazing Wool

This was a bit difficult week and I was unable to blog earlier. I am still running a bit behind of my to-do list but hopefully by the beginning of next week all is under control again and there will be time to write and knit. I was going to make two posts of these two items but since I did not write my middle week post you will get to see two finished objects today. I am most happy with both of them.

First the Fiddlehead Scarf. She is knit of handspun yarn with 3,75 mm needles. I did not stop where the pattern advices but kept going until I had enough for a long scarf that would wrap around many times. I added crocheted bobbles to the ends. The rain has been drumming the roof for days. It is not really a wool hat weather yet but my mind has been on the head wear. Over the years I have done some “real felt” but as lovely as wool is to sculpt and work with I prefer the flexibility of “knit first, then full” –feel. The washing machine process (although I know washing machine is not the only way) has always seemed too random, too “act of luck” –sort of thing. But the more and more I have been admiring all kinds of felted items, I have been convincing me that there has got to be some logic in the process and that with practice one can get enough experience to have control and to succeed. With these thoughts I set myself a goal: a felted winter hat.

So I made a swatch; marked a square on the swatch and counted the stitches and rows. I threw the swatch into the washing machine and after a full circle in 60 degrees C (140 F) measured the square and got the gauge. I based the pattern on these measurements and ended up with this ugly blob. I decided to trust my swatch and set the washer into the same cycle and set the blob into the machine with some towels. The metamorphosis was like blocking lace, the result was quite miraculous and mind boggling. I can’t quite believe that I succeeded. First knit with 4,5 mm needles of Studio Maisa Tikkanen yarn, then fulled in the washing machine. Wool is really fantastic material. It does not stop to amaze me. And the stash is again full of wonderful opportunities.
Treasure your stash, it hides lovely surprises.
Lene
PS. I don't use any pattern for my mittens, I knit my first pair at the age of 8 I think (mandatory at school in the middle ages), and since then so many pairs that the pattern is carved into my spinal cord.

57 comments:

  1. Beautiful scarf,
    beautiful felted hat,
    beautiful you! :)

    Last week I was eating wild blueberries. This week I am beginning to bring in firewood. Summer isn't gone, but winter will be here in the blink of an eye. Maybe I need to make myself a new scarf and hat so I will be prepared? I had never thought of felting a hat, but yours is so lovely I am now imagining...

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  2. Oh, wow, they both are SO beautiful. Love the scarf - my favorite blue colour and nice lace. And felted hat suits you nicely.

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  3. The bobbles are so wonderful and a great idea. I've never seen any like that - how are they made? The scarf is lovely overall.

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  4. Anonymous21:31

    Both of those are gorgeous! The Fiddlehead scarf is such a lovely pattern, and I love the way your yarn works with the pattern.
    And the hat looks fantastic, and I bet it'll be really hard-wearing and warm.
    :)

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  5. Anonymous22:01

    You are GORGEOUS! The knits are perfect as well. That hat is a work of art.

    Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. It's a wonderful gift!

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  6. Anonymous22:08

    What an incredibly beautiful hat! You now have an amazing gift to make for your lucky friends.

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  7. Anonymous22:25

    Your work is truly beautiful! I fell in love with your scarf and then scrolled down and saw your hat....Fabulous! It feels so good when projects work.

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  8. Beautiful scarf, knit with your beautiful handspun, and your hat!
    Goodness.
    You are beautifully so well suited for those blues, absolutely lovely!

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  9. Love the hat! That color is great!

    With the hat and scarf/shawl, you are fashionably well prepared for the cold weather. :)

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  10. I've been a reader for a little while and never left a comment, but I wanted to say how much I admire your new hat. The pin (?)is beautiful and really takes it to a new level. I could go on about the mittens you create, but is there really enough space?

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  11. Anonymous00:54

    Absolutely gorgeous!
    Kim

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  12. Anonymous01:25

    All of those projects are amazing! I *love* the hat, and you look stunning. Truly a lovely set of projects, nearly as wonderful as the person who made them. Thank you for sharing!

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  13. The had and scarf work so well together. I will have to add Fiddlehead to my queue on Ravelry. And I like those bobbles; they are charming and unexpected. I suspect they will hold up much better over time than fringe would. Still hot here in North Texas, though last week's rain cooled us off somewhat.

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  14. The felted hat is beautiful and you are as cute as button in it!

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  15. I'm simply wowed by the beauty of your hat, scarf and sweet face.

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  16. The hat is absolutely charming and looks beautiful with your scarf! And how nice to see your face!

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  17. Anonymous04:47

    I really LOVE the hat! The texture of the wool after it has been felted is SO lovely! The scarf and hat together are stunning and it's so nice to see your smiling face!!!

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  18. Anonymous05:51

    I adore the pom-poms on the ends of the very pretty scarf, and your hat is just amazing. Very well done!
    Kati

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  19. Your knitting is quite beautiful, the hat really seems to contrast the scarf nicely each texture complementing the other.

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  20. Anonymous07:31

    Lovely scarf!The bobbles just make it. And the hat is nice too!

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  21. Anonymous09:02

    This hat is amazing - LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!

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  22. beautiful scarf, but what really got to me is the hat! It is truly stunning!!!! I just love to watch your blog and see you create the most beautiful things!

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  23. Both are beautiful – I especially like the hat, it's perfect!

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  24. Anonymous10:48

    Voi että, nuo huivin pampulat ovat tosi suloiset, hieno idea! Ja hattu on todella hienostunut, pitää laittaa korvan taakse tuo idea!

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  25. Anonymous11:51

    You're so right, wool is really an amazing stuff, but it need also a "master" like you, to let get the beauty to the light. I love both of your projects, but the felted hat is fabulous!

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  26. Anonymous12:48

    Ah Lene, so nice to see you! Lovely hat, I love it (and the shawl too, of course! blue is my favourite colour)!
    Luisa

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  27. Anonymous14:29

    You are SO set for cold weather. Gorgeous scarf and the hat is adorable on you! Way to go!

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  28. I love each piece although, texture-wise, they are almost opposites of each other! Somehow that makes them even better companions to one another.

    Would you consider telling us more about your hat pattern? I know it is quite simple, but I am not sure I could mimic it, and I would really like to make something like it, if you want to share it. It has an elfin quality that I can't resist. This is the first felted item that has ever caught my eye!

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  29. Lovely bobbles! (the scarf is pretty nice too!)

    And SO lovely to see your smiling face!

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  30. Beautiful scarf...magnigicent hat! Great Job. And now that we can see you, you are absolutely beautiful, too! Thanks so much for sharing them all with us.

    Would love the pattern for the hat!

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  31. All I can say is WOW. You are a very talented designer. That scarf looks better then what the original designer did!

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  32. Your blog really warranted a second comment, I actually got my husband to take a look at this posting and some of the older postings, we both marveled at the light that you have there - its quailty is very mystical. (I live in Southern California where the light can be quite harsh and bright, especially in the afternoon).

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  33. love the hat. you didn't mention if there was a pattern? I love the little point on top, and the big brim... the pin looks fantastic!

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  34. wow you continue to amaze me, beautiful!

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  35. Hey, it's you, hooray! That hat is completely adorable, and it looks wonderful on you! The scarf is lovely too.

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  36. Both pieces are beautiful and inspirational, and it was also fun to see the face behind the "voice" of your blog -- thank-you for sharing!

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  37. Hi Lene, You win the best dressed for winter award. I am in awe of your design capabilities. You look absolutely lovely. Great embellishments too!

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  38. OH MY!!! Both the scarf and the hat are gorgeous! The hat design is adorable and I love the pin you put on the hat, too. What a cool edging - the little crochet bobbles - on the scarf. Great job on both projects! They look fantastic on you!

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  39. Anonymous00:14

    hat and scarf...so beautiful! Karen

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  40. love the bobbles :-)

    you are beautiful in your hat and scarf!

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  41. kudos on a marvelous hat! And handspun and scarf, but i especially love the hat! You are ready for the cold weather, I think.

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  42. What a stunning hat!

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  43. Anonymous17:41

    Your new hat is adorable, and it goes so well with the scarf! :-) I like the pin, too--did you make that? :-)

    The little bobbles on the scarf are a delightful touch. Very whimsical, and cheerful.

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  44. I love that hat - the shape, the color, the pin. Well done!

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  45. Anonymous18:59

    What a gorgeous hat...and scarf...and face...and lake, can you share the details of the hat?

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  46. Anonymous20:07

    Breatakingly beautiful -- The shape of the hat is perfect and the pin is art. Your blue eyes are stunningly offset by both the scarf and hat. Thank you for sharing.

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  47. Anonymous07:19

    Wonderful projects!!

    Would you consider doing a brief tutorial on how to make the wee crocheted bobbles? Please, please, please!

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  48. I love the hat! It suits you perfectly! And did you create or find the perfect hat pins to accompany it?

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  49. Just wonderful, and what style!

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  50. That hat is like magic. I love the transformation. (And the blues match your eyes and the style is perfect and could it have worked out any better??)

    Thanks for sharing!

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  51. Gorgeous hat and scarf!

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  52. oh lene!! what a beautiful set . . i love, love love your fiddlehead scarf with that hat! the shape of the hat reflects the little motif in the scarf perfectly.
    what a nice sight for me to come home to from vacation.

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  53. Dear Lene,

    I`m so in love with your beautiful blue scarf, the wonderful felted hat!
    It`a blue knitting dream and you looks absolutely fantastic!

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  54. That is a stunning hat!

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  55. These are beautiful. Oh, please, could you give us a bit more direction on the making of the hat??

    --Jeannine

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  56. Lena - please share the general hat pattern.

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  57. I too yearn for a hat pattern.

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