When you find yourself in the depths of an uninspired craft funk it can be hard to imagine how you might ever be pulled out of it. You just have to wait, and try to keep your mind and eyes open for inspiration or urge to strike.
I was starting to think I might be crawling my way out of this one. I've started to reacquaint myself with my sewing machine. My mindless baby blanket knitting is progressing quickly and easily, particularly now that the nausea has eased, and I've been able to start knitting on the train again.
Then a friend arrived back from a holiday and offered to share her Kinokuniya spoils with me. I've been pouring over this book by Nooy , and Drape Drape and Drape Drape 2, and finding things that I could make for now- for pregnancy- and beyond. I've been tagging patterns left, right and centre, and plotting what stash fabrics I could use. Although I have to say there are things in these that I wouldn't wear (the Drape Drape pants stand out) there are some that are incredibly beautiful and interesting and versatile- things I could wear during pregnancy and well beyond. If I'm going to make (or for that matter, buy) clothes now, I would much prefer that they're not things I'm only going to be able wear for 3 or 4 months.
On the knitting front I came across some beautiful knitted jewelry by Shadowplay via Outsapop. Heather's work is also featured in Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2010. I'm not really much of a jewelry wearer, but I love these. Pity I don't really like the other things in the mag. Might have to just make an "inspired by" attempt at something similar- it seems like a great way to use up little scraps or samples of interesting textured yarns.
In a contrast on the knitting front, I came across a round pouf pattern, free from Drops (Ravelry link), which reminds me very much of the knitted urchin poufs by flocks . I've always wanted to try making a flocks-like pouf, and finding a pattern might be the push I need to do it.It takes a lot of yarn, but I was thinking of knitting one from rags- perhaps in cotton from an old sheet, like this, or using strips cut from my stash of sweaters to be recycled, like this.
So much to do, so little waking hours.....
Sounds like a timely strike for craft camp! Can't wait to see what you arrive with ready to go :) I agree the jewellry work is inspiring, I may have to toss in the beads as well as yarn oddment stash...
ReplyDeleteSurely you can count on the third trimester waking hours? The ones where your body starts (inexplicably) practising functioning on non-sleep - where you wake at 1am and next feel snoozy at 7am? OR WAS THAT JUST ME???????
ReplyDeleteI sure relate to your post, chuckle, too much to make! That nooy book looks intriguing though, ha! Thanks for the great link to the pouf pattern, now I'm wanting to make one too sigh.
ReplyDeleteOh pregnant how lovelelely!!!!
Love the poufs! I have a leather one i picked up from a garage sale that i keep meaning to give a makeover. Where would i get such thick yarn?
ReplyDeleteOh my, those Flocks poufs. I think I'm in love.
ReplyDeleteI've stashed away the sleeping bags of my family's youth, for just such an occasion. If I only need one sleeping bag per pouf, I could have a collection of six :)
ReplyDeleteAh! Again you have posted a book new to me that I had to have! Just got in from Kinokinuya after having bought drape drape - thank you for keeping me sewing :)
ReplyDeleteLoving those Japanese books and the Flocks poufs. I sewed amy butlers, but maybe I need to brbring out the knitting needles!
ReplyDeleteHave stumbled upon your blog whilst searching for a tee pee pattern online. WOW!! So much to look at, so many projects, so much inspiration. Have made the tee pee and its great!!! My soon to be 2 yr old will be very happy indeed. Now for my next project??? Thanks
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Thanks Dee- it's always lovely to receive some positive feedback, particularly when you've tried out a project and enjoyed it. I hope your son has many happy hours playing with the TeePee (ours is standing up in front of me in the lounge as I type, due to this morning's pre-breakfast play demands ;) )
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