ring a ding card scarp book attempt

One of my friends is getting engaged and they wanted a crafty card background for displaying the rings on the table before engagement. The rings will be placed in the two hearts and the whole thing is on a cushion that is red textured. I have used vellum for sentiment.  They wanted a western theme for their ring display.The darkish spot on the right hand corner near 'happily' is a glue spot for Kumkum Haldi.
 the style is minimalist and their rings are of course gold bands ( I have used my rings here to give a sense of how it will be displayed) The black velvety handmade paper background matches their invitation which is copper lettering on a black and brown background. It was double challenge to make this for my first submission to lulupuchallenge #63 and also fulfill on my friend's request. But fun since I had a sketch to start me off.
 They liked the black because 'black will take away the evil eye.' All elements are glittery.
 Here is how I made it-
 I fist turned the black paper by 90 degrees to creat a sort of a triangle and attched the chip board element. It looks like a marriage Chatram/ gazebo

I painted the chipboard in old rose colour using water colours, I wanted to keep it as pastel as possible.

then I positioned the vellum with the quote from a stack I had. I kept the holes intact and did not finish it clean. ( my friend wanted it to look hand-made)

I positioned a strip of card stock with roses in the same rose colour, you can see the glitter on the paper. There are light blue strips in the background that added to the layers so the pattern is a nice contrast to the plain brown and back. I resisted using washi as it would have made it a bit tacky, I did not want to use gold, it would have taken attention away from the rings.
I then stuck the two heart shaped borders, these were glittery bright white and so I again painted them lightly with the old-rose colours I used in the chip board so they looked slightly pink. I off set the hearts to add some asymmetry but linked them.
In the end I trimmed off the extra edges to keep the whole card rectangular and stuck a bridesmaid element as a stand out image. the serrated edge looks just right ( I was inspired by a lulupu blog post by Rizwana) Then I added the copper and white floral elements ( from little birdie) to match the invitation. Since everything is pastel and in contrast, the rings will stand out against the black. This will also work as a card if I insert their photographs in the heart-shaped frames so if they change their minds, or even after the engagement, they can use this card as a memory keeper. The brides' mother wanted a  spot for Haldi and  Kumkum so I have kept a transparent glue spot so the powder does not scatter on the card. This will be added next week during the function.
 Materials used:
 Scrap booking elements- flowers ( from a company called little birdie, Brides maid cut out, chipboard cutout , Cardstock ( W&R) and vellum stickers ( from a stack). These are things I had purchased long ago, and I cant remember where I bought them. I will add the names as I find the original packets to this blog.

Restarting my fresh projects

 With a full teaching load and research, I had no time to blog what I was doing so far. But thanks two two great changes in my life, I am ready to get back to my blogging and online activity. The first is a home management system introduced to me by a person we call the Flylady. in about a year since I started, my chores at home are in control and my home is almost always visitor ready. It all begins with a simple " shine the sink " Habit and spreads across all other areas of the home. Here is a link to her site
 The second transformation is my planners who have become my task assistants and actually allow me to have fun and get my work done.  I began with a regular calender and moved to the passion planner, Filofax and the bullet journal system and suddenly find myself a crafting and planning addict. So I will use this space to share my projects and failures and reflect on the world of crafting, planning and generally having a great time creating new stuff.

I began a counted cross stitch project on a pre- stitched aida on a towel, sold as a kit from pony online. I am nearly there and  the next will be a book mark with a Stonehenge motif.

Light Scarf with Nako vals

Its been a long long while since my last post. Actually the work on my academic work is intensive and has kept me from blogging. Also I stopped knitting for a while. I have resumed thanks to inspiration from a Ravelry and a crater's group I joined recently. The Pony store had a promotion sale in Bangalore just during my annual vacation from work and I picked up yarn for three projects specifically. 2 balls Nako Vals for scarf and cap, I loved the multi-colour effect. I have finished the scarf , this is one of the WIP pictures. I am starting on the cap soon. I also got some medium bulky yarn for a poncho for my brother and also some lighter wool for a summer cardigan.

Scarf is knit using longstitch because I wanted a light and airy scarf for windy times, not for cold climate.
 The UFO row scarf is now a WIP and is about half done. and I am going to work on that.
Love the Turkish yarns on pony and the french knitter.

Knits and more UFOs

The pony craft onlinestore is living up to its promise of delivering yarn and all knitting supplies. They are sourcing some nice yarns and we hope to see more in the future. I have a whole set of  students who knit and so have been inspired to make something. I have never tried lace, so I shall try some light ruana style wraps in lace or arrow lace. It easily replaces a duppata and so is ideal for theIndian salwar as well as for the tee- jeans combo.
 there is this:http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/felicita/felicita_1.html

or
this :
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20087.html?noImages=

Though the Venus yarn I plan to buy looks better with 5.5 on this
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/81084AD.html?noImages=

How did I match pattern to Yarn:
I check the needle size and recommendations on the yarn page. Then I check for similar needle size and texture of yarn. If you notice the the earlier patterns need even looking yarn, the lace pattern will not look good if it is higgledy piggdley.

 so let me also try a knit tension patch to be sure. Tension patches are often not in pattern in yarn listings. The patterns will however have a  size range and advice. But sometimes since we may not work with the yarn recommended ( as in India) the next best is to then knit something like a short scarf in the basic pattern first to check the yarn out before investing in a huge yarn stock for a large project like a sweater or shawl. This also helps to train ourselves in the pattern.
 Knit away...

N For NEEDLES: A Fitting End

It is with amazing pleasure that I announce that  pony has an online store in India now. (My first MA batch of students have graduated by now).
 this is a comment on my earlier post that I missed, because I was too busy with needle work. Besides Manipal, where I live now is so hot, I prefer craft and needlework. But I am still doing those UFO's In Bangalore. 
( Not a marketing blog, but I think all our rants/ oops prayers have worked. So ladies/ gents... go go go
 Also check out the hobby kits and beginner projects and bless us Bamboo Circular needle.


 here is the post from A Venkat of Pony Industries at the bottom of all the comments.:

"We wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some exciting news ! We are delighted to announce you that the longwait is over., Yes the PONYCRAFTSTORE is all set to be launched on 10/05/2012. 

As you all have been part of our store as either a friend, or a customer. We would love the opportunity to drop by and give you an opportunity to experience our store ! (We would appreciate an opinion on the products!) At this time we also ask you to refer about us to the people in your life who may be interested in Pony brand of products. 

Looking forward for your support !

Website: www.ponycraftstore.com
E-mail: info@ponycraftstore.com"


So that's where N for Needles ends,  Online.


And the other bit of news too, Amazon ships Global to India.


So if you can find yarn there, They may ship to India...

Summer Projects :2 The sun umbrella!

An old faded umbrella, foldaway type was an eyesore. Originally it was copper gold and was very pretty. A few rains later it started to look stained and dusty and my super washing techniques took off the colour, leaving it faded and dull. So first I decided to Fabric paint it up. Well it may not be rain worthy but for the sunny days it would be nice and if the paint fades, I will add on more layers of paint again. So here it is and How I did it!

 I like triangles, so I chose this pattern. Any pattern for "Mandalas for children " will also work. If you are not artistic, stick to basic shapes. Draw basic shapes on a sheet of paper and work out the colour combo. Use the big bottles of fabric paint,  ( artist supply size) if your umbrella is nice looking you may just want to embellish it. ( the end of this post has suggestions) Then you just need the small fevicryl/ camlin paint or any other multisurface paints. Poster paints donot work. You will have to use the thick paint without dilution or the paint will run.

Things needed
 paint colours and white I used yellow ,  brown, green and blue. + white
 water to wash the brushes ( rinse out each colour or you will have the mess in the pattern).
Brush: 1inch size, smaller sizes for touch up
Tissue for catching run away colours
time and a mess- making area.( spread newspaper on the ground and work in your open area)
Umbrella: coloured or pale, faded for full paint. Blacks can only be embellished.  Paint wont stand out.


Open up and clean up your umbrella. Let it be dry or colours will run  across their borders. With white paint mark out the basic shapes. Since the umbrella is curved you cant use a ruler, so use strings tied across the corners to guide you if needed. I used free hand. Donot bother with neatness at this stage. In this first attempt I stupidly used black and later cleaned it up by using white on it. but I did click a picture.

 That's why we are better off, using white paint. try and fit in at least one shape for each colour in each segment of your umbrella. I used 4-5 shapes per section, sometimes not completing a triangle, leaving it four sided at the segment.

Here is an easier pattern of diamonds

Then basically it is like a colouring book. Use thick paint and fill in the colours with the one inch brush. Don't bother painting exactly close to borders and perfecting them; instead focus on filling the main body of the shapes.paint only one colour at a time taking care to start with lightest colour. After you have finished filling in as much as you think is needed in one colour add the second coat quickly this time focus on the borders.
 add the next colour and take care to have one intersection with the first colour. Having no colour touch itself is a math problem best left to mathematicians. try and make the overall patter interesting. Make sure if colur corrections have to be applied paint over the light colour with white. let it dry for a day then add the next layer of paint.
(GREEN + Yellow Gives BLUE etc)
If the umbrella is too dark, use white with your colour to brighten it in the last coat ( third). I had three coats. after the colours were filled,  I spent half a day cleaning and touching up the borders and covering any spots that looked patchy. Alternately use a black paint line to cover the border area and solve messy borders ( like a no man's land). Let the umbrella dry out for two days. Then use a hairdryer on low heat settings to dry it segment by segment. Fabric colours are to some extent water proof, though they may not stand the force of heavy rains. and hey ! your custom umbrella is ready. Since this is a recycle project, please don't buy a new umbrella and paint it up.

Other tips for that black umbrella:

1.
Use a lid and use white paint and form outlines of circles intersecting each other, also works in light colours. To get the paint on larger lids, use a sponge to apply the paint on the lid. Painting it on with a brush will leave large blobs. Alsoso as the umbrella is mostly only fabric, place some support under it like a tub or a bucket before you print on it with the lid.

Other stenciling methods don't work as the curved surface of the umbrella makes the colours run into each other easily.

2.
For the seventies look you can fill in those circles for polka dot effect.
 share your other ideas for funky recycling umbrella projects.
 Some not so working ideas. Sticking glitter didn't work. Don't fold the umbrella till it is completely dry. Some folds may crack the paint if it is laid on too thick.. If it looks like a batik effect, its alright. other wise genlty piant in thinner coats of the paint to repair them.

 It took me three whole days to finish painting. Hope you try it, it is fun.

Summer Projects

I have been so out of touch with crafting that I decided to retrain my fingers with the needle. I began an easy Anchor stitch kit project, they have such lovely themes from in and around India. I had finished the cartman  long ago. I call  it "Musafir."

In this I followed instruction exactly, not daring to innovate. Its nicely framed and on my wall now.

In the current project called Fisherwomen, the ready stitch-kit, I am innovating by changing the directions in the thread. Not every area is filled by vertical velvet stitch. I am adding some horizontal and diagonal patches. I seem to run out of the thread length so make sure you have enough stock if you want to try this. This project looks good even as the outlines are being done. I am going to call it "the sea you and me."

 I hope to be finger-good enough to do some cross stitch next month. BTW its too hot to knit so some UFOs have been put away for now. I am going to try my next recycle project, a tote bag from an old Tee shirt. Will see how that works out!

Recycled handmade project 1 and a lovely example of traditional work

Place mat with woven newspaper sheets (lengthwise) and a pasted magazine cover  photos  for added kitsch. I folded the edges around the opposite side and pasted them with  home-made maida flour glue. ( remember news print is poisonous so don't use around children who may eat spilled food off it)

Alternately use it as a temporary knee mat for gardening.


**********************************************************************************

 Here is lovely traditional sheesha work from Gujrat on a salwar, a great new year gift! thanks to my dear friend Naveen !

antique sheesha work ( hand embroidery)

Detail

For 2011

This New Year begins with a recycle resolution. Thanks to FB friends for all the ideas. I am going to make five handmade things/ recycled projects to give away over this year.
1. recycled towelettes with cross stitch patches
 2. Newspaper woven place mats
3. hand painted gift bags for jewelery gifts
4. pen stands out of cardboard boxes
5.innovative money plant bottles (custom decorated old glass bottles)

For myself
 I will deal with two UFOs ( unfinished objects)
create a foot mat out of an old bath towel,
 finish an artwork in quilt
try covering a note book with fabric
try my hand at wood working during vacation

UFO 1 ( Unfinished Objects!)

My first unfinished object to finish in the new year is the short scarf with an interesting pattern from lion brand. I like the contrast colours and yes it is cold enough in Bangalore to wear a scarf.

 I have also uploaded here of a cross stitch pattern of a Poseidon bear I tried out long ago as a gift for my hubby.
 Happy crafting 2011 everyone.

Again

Post Thesis submission I begin my blog again. I am now in knitter's hell or heaven, looking at it from whichever perspective. I have time and lots of freedom to knit what ever I want ( Heavenly). The temperature here are always at the hotter end so I can wear or knit stuff for myself! ( OH Hell!)
 so you are likely to see other crafting activities like cross stitches etc or do smaller stuff like bags and purses.

Since I do visit Bangalore for holidays its time to make that knitting meet happen. May be Christmas- new year week?

 I am completing my Aran knit sweater for my husband this year, it is the PhD of knitting and I will be glad to finish it too, its dragged on for 4 years....

Berlin

Knitting in Berlin was a pleasure as I got some nice one Euro wool in variegated colors. There is a hobby shop in Charlottenburg, near the S bahn station ( close to Woolworth, Deutschland) thats incredible. The knitted hat scarf was soo good that one gypsy- Romany in Hungary wanted to buy it off me. Anyway I left the piece with my angel, and it will reach her in march.
 The sad part is that my lovely blue cap featured earlier in this blog is some where in Germany, hopefully someone else is wearing it. I have a picture of it with a peacock. Since I type away at mty thesis, I am letting pictures speak for themselves this time.

Muffler cum cap : warm and soft

I had been busy planning to come to Berlin and in my real hurry to pack unpack and prepare there was time to knit, but not to blog.

This time, my cousin and his wife from US got me LION brand homespun wool in a lovely meadow color. I decided to knit a muffler cap, like the one I saw in mussorie. It is knit in two pieces, three sections.

Section one : all rows front and back in knit.

This piece is a 70 inch long muffler with 20-25 sticthes ( for a very thick wool) thinner yarns may need more. The width of the muffler is only 5- 5 1/2 inches so it can wrap around the neck nicely.

Tip: if thick wools are done in knit one side purl the other, (st stitch) it curls up, so use garter stitch for keeping the muffler flat.

After the 70 inches long muffler, knit a flat piece with 35 to 40 stitches again in garter stitch but make it about 12- 14 inches. I measured mine around my head like a head band up to my neck over both my ears to form a "pallu."

Fold this in half and from the side of the knitted piece pick up as many stitches as there are rows and knit them in circles to make the back of the head piece. Knit for about 6 to 10 rounds and reduce the stitches as for cap knit two together one row then knit and kit two together and then knit another row. Finally bind off the last 10-14 stitches.

I know it sounds complicated but looking at the pictures will give you a good idea.


Center the head piece to the muffler and stitch it along the bottom of the cap . I added fancy fur tassles and also some to the hood to make it look like a fur cap!








Tip : First time knitters! Do use a different contrast colored wool ( I used green for this )to stitch your garments loosely. Check if everything is okay then stitch neatly using same colored wool. That way if the piece is inside out or not rightly placed, you will find it easy to cut off the coloured wool without cutting the knitting.

Happy winter!

Question's answer

A query I forgot to answer.

1. I wanted to ask you a question, I have this pattern from the US for a newborn baby cardigan which I want to make for a friend's son, it says use US size 8 needles. What size would they be in Indian size and also, approx what thickness of yarn does one need for that?

thanks!

From K

Mansi replies:

US Size *8 is actually a 5mm needle. Its UK size 6 so what we get as double wool should do. Use two strands of the normal wool to get the thick chunky effect for a cardigan. Avoid the baby soft wool that you get in small packs of 6 or 12, the yarn may be too thin. To put a border for this you may need UK size 8.The main body is knitted in size 6 UK.

This needle size fits most patterns with double wool. ( Double wool in India has 4 strings of yarn) The US double wool is very different.

By the way I haven't been kind to the colourful baby wool in the market. As one of my friends said they are very colorful and you can try your creative knitting with them. Mobile purses or coasters or telephone covers. Use needle UK size 10 or 12 for a fabric like effect.

My Next project is a scarf that can be buttoned on the neck. Its a two color scarf and I shall try my skill at using two colours!

knit leg warmers

Sorry to be late with this update but after moving house, I am scheduled for a Europe trip this winter and have been knitting away to help keep me warm. I made a special trip to Dehradun and got real wool balls for adult knitting not (baby wool) and my mittens are being knit . They cost around 50Rs a ball and are really wool-marked. People in India may never need all that warm wool so continue to celebrate acrylic. You get wool shops in Paltan bazzar there so if you travel there or know someone you can get them to mail you some wool.

Good news from Lion brand wools' website, all thier own patterns are free. Newbies from India, please donot mess with patterns without doing a gauge patch. None of those chunky yarns are available here!

The other news is that I found a knitting enthusiast who has taken on knitting a coat sweater in a month. I am helping her with the pattern and will be sharing all the tips we come up with as time goes.

The first being, to bind off from the start, unless specified, always

K1, K2 pass second stitch over the first.

---------

To bind off from the middle ( like a Raglan shaping) Knit 2 together and bind off the last stitch by passing yarn through stitch.

or

If you are good enogh to try ,

you can k1, k2 the pass first stictch over second. ( this is tough to understand and may be I will post a video soon.)

Ankle warmers are tube- like and are to be worn above ankle socks and keep the ankle to knee area warm. These are pink and purple and look very bulky but they are certainly warm. I finished all my purple and pink wool.

TIP: To make your knitted fabric elastic you use ribbing: K2 p2 or K1P1. Row 1

and p2k2 or p1k1 at the back respectively.

Double yarn for bulk or colour!

Just finished another muffler. Stopped knitting to move house and now I am ready.

Most of us in India get really good wool but mostly acrylic and mostly single strand. You can find patterns that say hold "two starnds together" and they look nice. In the US, I found wool that was already made of two wool strands together, and so was wound up like a single wool.

Here are some tips~

To create some patterns that we find on the net we need to hold two woolen yarns together and knit. Try needle number 4 or 5 uk and knit loose.try a cap or a muffler first till you get familiar with holding the yarn. If you use contrast colours it looks really nice, like an unusual wool.

The most common mistake is to forget you have to knit two strands together. Practice with different coloured wool as you know you have a strand of each colour in each stitch. Also don't knit three stitches together. The mistake can cost us by creating extra stitches or decreasing our count.

It also helps to count more often, not a job to do while listening to someone talk!!!

Dont try to roll a ball with two strands it gets confusing. Instead roll two balls and join the yarn as you knit along. Take a Look at the photos.

Its a good idea to knot the two strand ends loosely to gether and pull the woolen strands taut together. If one wool is loose and the other tight it creates problems. Try using similar wool of different colours in the beginning.

Before you try a pattern do take time to knit a tension swatch. Even if you are the most expert knitter you cannot estimate wool-use across countries. Most of the patterns as we know come off the net or from Books from US or UK. The double wool that I bought for example suddenly thinned into a thin brown line and patchy pattern, unlike the pretty lion brand scarf I was seeing on the net.

For the expert and the resourceful:

http://www.knittersreview.com/article_how_to.asp?article=/review/profile/010830_a.asp

unless anyone else got the new wool from vardaman knits, its hard to achieve texture, so Indian knitters try the colour and the bulk hints.

Thanks to all those who are writing in. I will put up pictures double knitted pink/ purple scarf asap.

The Knitting Meet In Bangalore

I have three blog readers and a couple of friends ready now. Hoping to take off the event in July third or fourth week in Bangalore. Just finalising date, time and place! Get your needles ready! we are going to knit bengalooru!

bengaluru knits

I am planning a knitting meet in a public park after june. Some nice gazebos in cubbon park Bangalore would be nice. I atleast know three people who would turn up. If you would like to join in Bengaloru knits event to share tips and knit together for sometime do leave your comments or email me. I am willing to start you off on knit projects but you have to get your own material. 

Parents , please this is not a child care class or one more thing to keep your child managed. So knitting fans only.