Nostepinne Love! :)

Finally a post with some pictures!

So, I have finally written my name down to specialise in hand knitting (can't bloody wait), and it made me realise,

a) that I want more yarn (the fact I already have loads is besides the point) and

b) that all my yarn is currently very hard to deal with, as it is still 'as bought', in a big squidgy ball, that pulls from around the edge - making it wander as it pleases whilst I'm knitting, and ruins my tension as I'm forever tugging at the end to release more.

For a while I've been looking at the umbrella swifts and ball winders online, and the prices are extortionate! After all, I am just a lowly student with barely a penny to scratch my arse with! So, I started looking for alternate methods of winding my yarn to create a centre pull ball, scouring the Internet for YouTube videos, tutorials etc, and most people were just showing home made swifts and ball winders (still no good for me, as I can't afford wood, and would probably end up nailing my hands together if given a hammer). So I carried on searching, there were many posts on how to wind it around your fingers to create a ball - a method I have tried several times, and always been left disappointed, as I can't control how tightly I wind it, and it still rolls around, and I just don't like the way it looks. Being a perfectionist is annoying sometimes!

Eventually, I stumbled across a video showing a "nostepinne", a rounded piece of wood, which the yarn is wrapped around to create a ball. The video was very short and uninformative, but of course, I just searched "nostepinne" in the box to find more tutorials. Finally I found a very instructive video, with a unbelievably happy lady (Noreen Crone-Findlay) who obviously loved this method of winding, so I thought I'd give it a try.

The results? I'm HOOKED.

Since I watched the video I haven't stopped winding, I've only made 2 balls so far (it is quite a slow process), and I'm halfway through my third. The finished balls are brilliant, they're so cute, they're flat on the top and the bottom so they stay still, the yarn comes very easily out of the top with no tugging required, and there's no expensive equipment necessary! I just used a big wooden knitting needle I have, but anything will work, a wooden spoon handle for example. You can buy nostepinnes on eBay for about £5, but if you have something round and slightly chunky you should be fine. The other thing, it is so relaxing, I find knitting very relaxing, but obviously it does take some concentration, and can be slightly stressful when your pattern goes wrong, but this doesn't require any concentration, and it can't really go wrong! I've been doing more winding than I have knitting!!

I just had to share, I'm so in love with this process it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I'm going to rewind every ball I own, then go buy more yarn so I can do the same!

Link to Noreen Crone-Findlay's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3XFTyvIiCk

Happy winding! Ciao! :) x

Finally knitting!

Well it's been a very long time since my last post, which in honesty is because I've been so uninspired/unmotivated by my course so far. Negative bit over however, I started machine knitting 2 weeks ago, which I really enjoy, but my favourite part is starting tomorrow, hand knitting! Finally, after 14 weeks of the course, I'm getting to do the thing I love, and I cannot wait. I spoke to the knitting tutor, who it turns out knows sweet nothing about knitting and doesn't even enjoy it, which for me is a positive thing, as it turns out I know more than her! Which means I will be very much ahead of everyone else!

There really hasn't been any work worth showing, which to me is very depressing, I love to be proud of my work, but we've just been making samples so far, none of which have made me say WOW! But, in 2 weeks I specialise, which means I get a real project, with a real theme, and a real goal to work towards, something I can get my teeth into. So you can expect to hear lots more from me soon! :D

Ciao for now!

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! :)