Friday, February 29, 2008

New Knitting Pattern: Batgirl gloves

Introducing a new knitting pattern, Batgirl Gloves. Fight crime and keep your hands warm at the same time. These fitted fingerless gloves allow you to harness the feminine power of Batgirl.

My quest is to create knitting patterns that capture the spirit of feminine confidence and power but also have a sense of humor. Batgirl is an icon that captures this spirit. I was inspired to create this pattern after seeing this adorable photo (scroll down a bit) of Natalie Zee Drieu, Senior editor of Craftzine.

The pattern calls for 3 balls of Merino Style yarn from Knit Picks, so they are inexpensive to make.

This pattern and the two other patterns I have created along this same vein (Leia Wig & Breast Pillow) are a available in my etsy store, ansleybleu.etsy.com. More to come!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Felt Handbag, complete!

I completed the last project I started at the last LA Fiber Guild's Felt Study Group last month. We all worked on the resist method.

The bag is made in one piece. I used a pre-felt fabric from Outback Fibers for the branch design that I cut out and wet felt onto the bag's surface. I sewed two short seams into the corners of the bag to give it more of a boxy structure. I added rivets to secure the handles in place, and made a felt ball for a toggle closure. I used wool blend yarn to sew a blanket stitch along the top edge of the bag for extra durability. I am really happy with how it turned out and am looking forward to making another.

If you are interested in joining us, the next meeting is at Sunday, March 2nd at 11am.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Knitted Valentine Gifts

This year I gave knitted Valentine gifts to the ladies in my family. I knitted up a bunch of Mochimochi Land's Hearts using Lamb's Pride yarn. I only washed them once, so they are only slightly felted.

I had intended to make the hearts into pins with some sort of embroidery or beading on them, but I did not like how they were turning out. So, I used an eye dropper to impregnate them with lavender oil. They turned out to be great sachets.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

New Knitting Pattern: Simple Stripes Fingerless Gloves

I have just completed a new knitting pattern for fingerless gloves. They are titled Simple Stripes Fingerless Gloves. I adore fingerless gloves because they allow you to keep warm and still do things.

I was inspired by the bright Lemongrass green wool yarn and came up with this design. These gloves are shaped to fit the wrist and thumb, and have a pretty picot edging for a little feminine touch.

I used Lion Wool yarn from Lion Brand Yarn Co. These gloves knit up quick and are inexpensive to make. They are a perfect project to make for a gift or as a treat for yourself.

The pattern for these gloves are available in my etsy store, ansleybleu.etsy.com







Monday, February 11, 2008

How to: Paper Water Lilly

I am having a party for my birthday this weekend and wanted few table decorations. I decided not to purchase a bunch of ready-made plastic stuff that would just end up in the landfill. I chose to make paper flowers, which are also perfect for Valentine's Day. The flowers I made look like Water Lilly's. Here is how I did it:

Materials
2 colors of tissue paper
1 color of slightly thicker paper (I used a colored paper bag)
Scissors
String



Directions
Cut four 10"x12" pieces of tissue paper and 1 layer of the thicker paper. Stack the pieces of paper up alternating the colors with the thicker piece of paper on the bottom.

Fold the paper lengthwise into 1" accordion pleats.

Trim the ends into points. Fold the folded strip in half, and cut it along the fold line. Trim these ends into points too.

Cut a notch on both sides of the middle of the shorter strip and tie with string.

Open out the pleats and begin gently lifting each layer of tissue paper. The slightly thicker paper bag paper will become the bottom of the flower.

Enjoy!

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Knitting Patterns for Valentine's Day round-up

My family always exchanges token gifts for Valentine's Day. It is a fun way to remind them how much you love them and how important they are. In my attempt to keep up with the Handmade Pledge, I am going to make little gifts for my family.

Here are a few links for quick Valentine knitting patterns that should all take less than a day to make.

Hearts from Mochimochi Blog
Heartfelt from Berroco
Valentine Candy Pillow from Domiknitrix
Heart Sachet by Vicki Sever for Interweave Knits
Love Rocks! Mitred Heart Neck Garland from Vickie Howell
Heart Cloth from Purple Duckie
Crest of the Wave from Baxter Knits
Lace Heart Bookmark from Page by Page
Peruvia Rose from Berroco
Calla Lillies by Heather Broadhurst for Knitty
Flower Corsage by Rachel Henderson for I Love Knitting
Knitted Flower by Strikkelise
Perky Poppy Pins by
Nora Rezzatano for Mag Knits
Knitted Rose Pin by Knittingknonsense

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

The Story of Stuff animated short



A friend of mine just sent a link to this great animated short called the Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard. The Story of Stuff is a wonderful little movie that is very eye opening. I wanted to post about this in an attempt to continue occasionally writing about environmental issues.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

New Year, New Look, New Knitting Patterns to Come

I have been wanting to change the look of this blog for some time now. I have been hesitant because I was not looking forward to re-listing all the special sidebar information again. But, it is a new year and a great excuse to create a fresh look.

I have a few new ideas for knitting patterns I will be designing this year. I am a big fan of fingerless gloves. You may have seen a pair or two that I have knit up before. So, if all goes well, I will be designing three new fingerless glove patterns. One is nearly complete and may make a good Halloween accessory. Stay tuned!

Friday, February 01, 2008

LA Fiber Guild Felting Study Group Meeting this Sunday

The second meeting of the Felting Study Group for the LA Fiber Guild is this Sunday, February 3d. Meetings are from 11am - 4pm and take place near downtown LA. There is also more info on their LAFguild yahoo group.

We are going to be doing the resist method. I have plans to make a bag. I have just purchased a bunch of fibery goodness from Outback Fibers and I am ready to go.

All are welcome. If you choose to join us, there is a small fee to join the guild.
You can see what I made at the last meeting here.