I lied!

I know I said I would probably update around the the first day of my course. That was a lie. Not intentionally, I didn't realise that I wouldn't do it, but I've had so much to do since moving in on the 4th to now that I've barely had a moment spare!

Freshers week was amazing, what I remember of it! (Oops) It was a very very hectic two weeks, full of activity, music, food and booze! But once freshers was over, it was time to settle down and start doing some real work.

My course started on the 20th of September, and time has flown since then! I didn't really like it to start with, I was so nervous, and my first class was drawing, which isn't really my thing. We had a lot of "ice-breaker" sessions, which just made me feel very uncomfortable (but that's my problem not theirs!) and I was starting to become very worried about my choice of course!

Once we actually got started on textiles work, I was a bit happier, but we started with the print and dye rotation, which I was dreading. I've always hated screen-printing, so I wasn't looking forward to it, but once I got there realised screen printing wasn't even a part of it. It was awesome, we were learning to dye fabrics and yarn using natural dyes that we made ourselves - using fruit, veg, and spices. We also learnt how to use synthetic dyes, which produce a much brighter colour, but I don't like the process as much. We also learnt to use Shibori techniques, which is basically the Japanese word for Tie-dye, but it was a lot more complex and interesting than the stuff I did as a kid!

After print and dye, we moved onto embroidery, which I was quite looking forward to. I HATED it!! It just wasn't for me, all my samples looked silly, and I felt very disappointed.

We then moved onto weave, which I am still doing now. We have been working on the 8 shaft looms and I love it! I knew I would because I've always been interested in the process of weave, we've been using different patterns, handmade yarns, and various other processes to create a series of beautiful samples. We have also been learning hand weaving techniques like coiling, or basket-weaving (same thing!) Next week is my last week of weaving, then I move onto knit after Christmas which I am SO excited about! I cannot wait to start knitting, I've not had time to do any for myself since I started so I can't wait.

After the four rotations are complete, we choose our specialism, and work solely in that area. I think mine will be a difficult choice between weave and knit. This isn't all we've been doing though, we've also had a "miscellaneous" section, where we learnt techniques including origami, crochet, and rug tufting.

The course is amazingly full, very VERY challenging, with a ridiculous amount of work, but although I am ready for a break now, I'm completely in my element. I love it! Oh, and we had an assessment of the first 8 weeks, and I came back with 65%, which is a 2:1, so I was VERY happy!

I will try and update more often from now on, but it is very difficult, as I have to write a separate blog for the course as well! For now I will leave you with some pictures (I have very few at the moment unfortunately) of the stuff we have been doing, and ciao for now! :) xx

Origami Windmill

Origami Butterfly

Group work - Catherine Bertola workshop

(Research Catherine Bertola, and amazing installation artist)

Shibori dying, using indigo

More Shibori dying

The Big Move

Okay, so tomorrow is the big day! I'm packing up and setting off to my new home in Huddersfield, and I've been excited for MONTHS. I've gotta admit, I'm now absolutely bricking it, and wishing I could change my mind and have more time here. I can't believe I have to leave my Nan and Grandad and I'm gutted :(

But on the bright side, this is a big thing for me, and once it's done it's not really something I ever need to be scared of again. And I guess it's not like I'm going forever!

So people, wish me luck 'cos I'm gonna need it! And I will probably update again around the first day of my course.

Ciao! xx

Moth Update and Summer Project...

Firstly, an update on the moth issue. Devastatingly the problem was emitting from my beloved moss lady! :'( So I had to get rid of her, when I looked up close she had moth goo and larvae all cuddled up in her lovely wool :( On the upside of this issue, I now have more space to make other lovely goodies, and have no more moths! *Phew*

Right, yesterday I recieved an email from Huddersfield uni, giving me details of a summer project I have to complete for the start of term. I'm REEEALLY excited about this project, it's called the "Dream Rocket Project", and basically I have to create a 15cm X 15cm panel that will in some way represent my ideas for a better future, to then be placed on a 363ft rocket in America.

Information - http://www.thedreamrocket.com

As anybody who knows me will already be aware of, nearly every piece of work I do directly relates to nature, and I'm very concerned with environmental issues such as pollution, global warming etc. I think I am going to use pollution as my starting point, focusing on materials that are often thrown away that then come to harm the environment.

I am REALLY looking forward to this project, and think it gives me a great opportunity to broaden my use of different materials etc. I'm going to go write up some ideas now, but I will keep you updated with images of it's progess etc! :D

Ciao! xx

Moth Infestation?

I have recently found about 5 small moths around my room, which is not good for me given my irrational fear of moths. I also found a couple of moth grubs crawling up my walls. I'm positively kacking myself, as I fear they may have infested my wool stash and have no idea how to get rid of them. I am moving away for University in 23 Days (OMG!) and really don't fancy taking an infestation with me, as that could really ruin my moving experience!! :|

If anyone has any idea how I should proceed to tackle this issue it would be reeeeeally appreciate it, as I'm writing this whilst curled up in a corner of my room rocking back and forth! :(

Caio! x

Lack of Craftiness & Cornwall...

I've been very busy over the past few weeks so have struggled to update, but also struggled to take on new, or complete any existing projects. I have had so many inspiring moments, and have been unable to do anything about it! I'm currently trying to get everything prepared for moving to University in 7 weeks, making sure I have everything I need for my room, for my kitchen, for my course etc.

I am trying to complete my cushion at the moment, and it is coming on well. I have made a mistake halfway through, and I'm not sure if it's my pattern or my lack of concentration, but I'm going to ask someone else to try knit the pattern and see if they have the same problem.

In other news I have just come back from a week in the lovely St Ives, Cornwall visiting my Mam and gorgeous baby brother (who now has the strongest Cornish accent imaginable!) and I'm already dying to go back. Very depressing drive back to Bradford I must say, and I have decided pretty solidly that once Uni is over etc I'm definitely moving down there. The little boutique style shops are so unique and beautiful, I walked round making mental notes of craft projects to try, and came home and got my box of stuff out! I feel constantly motivated and inspired down there, and back up here that has all just fizzled out again.

Unfortunately I have no pictures of anything for this post, making it fairly boring, but ho hum, by my next post I should definitely have completed at least one project! (Fingers crossed...)

Ciao!! xx

P.S. Almost forgot!! I got my results back for my Foundation Course! I was one mark of a distinction! Bitter-sweet really, my first reaction was utmost happiness, 'cos I thought the most I would get was a pass, so to get over that was amazing. But once the shock died down and I came to terms with it, I realised that if my motivation hadn't fizzled out in the last week I could have got a distinction. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now, except learn from the experience! :)

Current Projects...

So I started this project months ago, from a book of Prayer Shawl patterns. I really like it, and I like the colours produced from knitting three yarns together. The only problem I have encountered is how BORING it became knitting the same rows after rows. I have to keep knitting the same 2 rows (simple knit and purl) until the centre piece measures 18inches. This is the sort of thing that can be done whilst watching TV and not concentrating very much.

I decided I needed a bit more of a challenge, and something that I might actually use. I wanted to create a cable knit cushion, but I couldn't find a single pattern that I really liked. I decided to look through my knitting books and find a couple of cable patterns I really liked and combine them to create my own cushion pattern. This is only a prototype of the pattern, as I am still writing and correcting it, but I really like the effect. I used two rope cables on each side, and a plait in the centre. It was much harder than anticipated, and the pattern is much longer than I expected, but it seems to be looking okay for now! If it is too small, which it may well be, I will go back and try and make it a little wider. Once I have perfected it and am pleased with the results I'll post pictures, and upload the pattern I used. I'm quite excited, it's the first piece I will have ever done that uses cable patterns! :D

Half completed cable cushion

Close up of the plait cable.

Ciao for now! :) x

Final Major Project

Well, it's been a VERY long time since I last posted, as I've been working pretty hard on finishing my Final Major Project, then finished college last week, and have been chilling out for a while since!

This is my final piece, a moss inspired textiles piece that covers a mannequin like moss covers a stone. It is made primarily of felt, with hand woven pieces, and lace felted in.

As I explained at the beginning of the project I wanted to contradict the tense environment artwork is often displayed in, where the works aren't allowed to be touched. I created a piece that people want to reach out and touch, but they also feel uncomfortable as it is displayed on a woman's body.

I think my final piece was very successful. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Let me know what you think!! :)

Ciao for now! xx

Mark making and Felting

Right it's been a while since I last posted, I've been crazy busy, but have got quite a bit done. I am posting some of my mark making and sketches as promised, and have also tried my hand at felting and embroidery.

Mark making representation of the eroded concrete:

Sketches of outside wall texture:

Pencil

Biro

Graphite

Embroidery and Felt making:

I begun experimentation by embroidering Hessian with DK in neutral colours. This is to represent the eroded concrete, as shown in the sketches. I didn't think it was particularly successful, so decided to experiment with felt making.

First I begun by just playing around with the process, I really wanted to see how I could make felt more textural, and less two-dimensional. I tried creating a layer of base felt, and adding pieces after. The pieces were very loose, and it didn't look great, so I tried to find other ways.

This was an experiment to see if texture could be created by adding objects underneath the top layer of felt. The bottom layer is purchased, half-felt. I added buttons, then created the felt pattern over the top. Although it is not visible, it did work, and the felt traps the buttons.

This is the most successful piece so far. I created this piece by placing buttons and thick yarn on top of the half felt, then creating a simple, neutral toned pattern over the top, to represent the eroded concrete. I then used various embroidery techniques to accentuate the buttons, and create a textured surface. The techniques I used include seeding, wheels, couching, French knots, and I also completely wrapped the buttons in yarn to imitate stones. I am really pleased with this piece and intend to continue experimenting with felt.

This is some of my work and experimentation for my "Can I Touch It?" project so far. I think my latest piece is the most fitting so far, as it most certainly makes you want to play with it, and see how all the different components feel.

I am going to do loom weaving tomorrow at college, and will try and create the most textural pieces I can. I will update as with the results as soon as possible, and hopefully it will give some inspiration! :D

Ciao for now! xx

Woven Matchboxes, and Knitted Treasure Chests

Right so I thought I'd show you some of my work that I have done on the Foundation Course, since starting textiles.

I'm currently working on a project called "Can I Touch It?" Rather dubious sounding name I know, But it relates to the fact that people always ask permission to touch my work, which I find silly as it's made from fabric, it's MADE to be touched! So I'm still in the research stages at the moment and have very little to show for it except sketches and such, which I may put up at some point. This project is my Final Major, and will be the last I ever do, so I thought I'd show you some of my previous projects!

So this is the "Matchbox" brief we were given over Christmas. We were asked to produce a piece of work using a matchbox, and we were allowed to do ANYTHING, as long as it used the box, or matches, or was inspired by them. This was my solution to the brief....

Weaved tartan matchboxes. I used normal sewing thread and a needle. I pierced the trays down the side at equal distances, to create the warp. I then followed to colour patterns to create the weft, and displayed them in the corresponding matchboxes. I bought the boxes from eBay.

The next project was "Hidden Gems". We could take the phrase in any direction we liked, I decided to take it as literally as possible and begun by hand knitting gem shapes. I came up with new ideas and developed and developed until I came up with the final outcome...

The box is hand-knitted using strips of brown fabric, which was very hard on the fingers, I must say! I then weaved into the middle of the box using gold cord, to suggest the "hidden gems". The box greatly resembles a bird's nest, and because of the colours is very well camouflaged in the bush when closed. When it is opened the gem (made of duck egg blue Angelina, to represent eggs hidden in nests) and the gold cord glitter brightly, making it very obvious that it is there. It is a hidden gem, as it is barely visible when closed, but once opened everyone sees it. I have done more projects than these two, but these were the two most successful, and I love them both!

Any comments would be appreciated, and I will begin updating on my current project very soon!

Ciao for now! :)

You want to do what?!

When I decided I wanted to pursue a career in knitting, people thought I was crazy. In actual fact, they still do. And so do I!

I begun my educational career with my GCSE's about 6 years ago now, not completely sure what it was that I wanted to do with my life, I just knew I wanted to do some form of drawing. I took Graphic Design, and Fine Art as my subjects, and passed with flying colours. I decided graphics was the only route for me to take so pursued this, going on to do Product Design for A-Level and specialising in graphics. I realised towards the end of my A-Levels that I wasn't entirely happy doing this, but wasn't certain what I would do instead, so applied for a foundation course in Art and Design. I thought this would broaden my horizons and help me figure out which path to take.

In the holidays before I started college, I was bored and decided I wanted to learn to knit, more to give me something to do than anything else. When I started college I put my knitting down and started with the graphics again. After doing one week of graphics, I HATED it. I went into the textiles class on a whim, and have never left. I saw a photo of some really "extreme knitting" (I love that phrase!) and remembered the iPod case I had knitted in the summer. I turned to my tutor (Who is a knitter herself) and told her I wanted to try knitting out. She seemed shocked but gave me some materials for it, and since then it's one of the main factors of my work. I also do a lot of crochet, weaving, and embroidery, all for fine art purposes. None of my work is commercial, and is usually quite wacky, and a little strange. But I love it! My heart is set on wool and I think it is something I will pursue forever, until my fingers curl up into claws, and I'm blind, and it's no longer physically possible.

This blog is going to be a way of keeping track of my progress, my work, my discoveries and ideas and so on. Almost like an online sketchbook. If I ever get time, I intend to create tutorials on knitting, crochet and so on. Not necessarily the set-in-stone methods, but my methods. Which are definitely different to the way my Nan used to do it, but still work well for me!

I really hope you enjoy looking at my work, and I can inspire other people to take up this retro pass-time. Many people see knitting as something solely for the elderly, but I'm 19 and spend every waking minute surrounded by wool. Knitting has become cool. Let me know what you think of my work, all comments are appreciated, and I want people to become involved!

Ciao for now!