Doll Hats Listed on New Etsy Store

Exciting news!  I finally got set up with an Etsy store.  I posted two doll hats to see how they do.  You can see them at Nancy Hay Decorative Arts  There have been quite a few eyes on them in only two days.

So these hats are part of a cunning plan.  I bought two dolls to serve as models.  They were pretty cooperative for first-timers.  They are named Marie and Janet, after my Mom.

Next, I need to make two steampunk outfits for them for future posts and for Comic Con, which is coming up fast.  I have a pattern that I can adapt.  They will model them on the table at The Massage Booth with the other hats and steampunk items.  I will also bring them along for future booths at doll shows.  I hope to bounce the Etsy store and Comic Con contacts against each other to drum up some interest.

The knitting has been hot and heavy lately, only taking a hiatus while I had that nasty cold.  I’ve made a blanket for Baby O, 6 or 7 hats for felting for Comic Con.  Three of them are ready to decorate.  I’m working on the new button bands for Avery’s Goth Sweater.  When Comic Con is done, I’ll be making the Stephanie Tee from White Lies Designs.Stephanie Tee I’ll probably even do it in the same purple, with her yarn.  I need it in cotton or a cotton blend to cope with the heat of steampunk costumes.  It’s going to be great!

Felted Fascinator

Back again after a long while.  I have been very busy writing up and testing new patterns.  The one for today is the Felted Fascinator pattern we did in the knitting workshop at Gaslight Gathering.  The workshop was a rousing good time!

Gaslight Gathering, Southern California's First Steampunk and Victoriana Convention, was an overwhelming success.  As the Marketing Director, I was in charge of getting the word out.  After sending lots of press releases, we got some traction with the local newspaper and a weekly magazine, plus online articles.  The attendance was more than double what we expected.  And we have already sold dozens of pre-reg for next year.

There were jewelry-making workshops, prop-building workshops, my knitting workshop, even mask making.  Plus panels on various aspects of steampunk, two dances, a concert, and, and, and.  It was a wonderful weekend!

Without further ado, the Felted Fascinator pattern.  http://knittingtheexperience.blogspot.com/p/felted-fascinator-pattern.html

ConDor was great!

Our workshop went very well.  The Steampunk Reticule pattern had some new techniques for most of the 10 or so ladies who participated.  We had fun with the provisional cast on and the drawstring casing parts.  They all got it, though.  I'm so proud of them.

So, after much delay, I'm posting the pattern I gave them.  I  hope you try it and have fun with it.  If you find anything difficult to understand, please contact me.  I am new to writing up patterns and am open to new experiences.  (See the title of this blog!)

Getting another pattern ready - Steampunk Reticule

On Friday I get to co-lead some ConDor members (www.condorcon.org) in a knitting and crochet workshop.  I will be teaching my own pattern, the Steampunk Reticule, and my partner, Nolly will be teaching a crocheted cog design.  We sit for a couple hours, knitting and learning, then go on to the rest of the convention.  We hope that our students will come to us with questions later in the con when they get to a tough spot, or to show us their finished product.
Now, to finish the pattern writeup today, so I can print enough copies.
When I went to print out the pattern, which I had written up previously, I found that I had only gone so far -- and stopped.  Oops!  During a test knit, I found areas that needed clarifying, so this afternoon is the write up.

As a tease, here is a picture of the Steampunk Reticule:

Til next time!

Lesson in Humility

So, after posting my very first pattern ever, I realized two things.  One, always test knit your pattern.  Two, make sure someone has test knit the pattern before posting it.
I have reposted the pattern with the corrections.  If anyone actually wants to knit it, it should be okay now.
I have more patterns to post.  They are getting polished up now, so I should have something to post before ConDor.  (This is a science fiction convention in San Diego, Feb. 25-27, 2011.  Fun!)

Flash Drive Sweater pattern!

So, I'm taking this Access class at the local community college.  All the lessons and tests have to be done in the computer lab.  In the lab we have to always have: our school ID card (to sign in and put on our keyboard), the textbook, the syllabus, and a flash drive (to store the lessons on).  These four things were awkward to carry.  The text and syllabus I carried in my arms, the ID was in my wallet, the flash drive was in a pocket of my purse.  There had to be a better way to transport these things.

Aha!  I knit a bookbag using a mesh grocery bag design, with a carrier for the ID and the drive.  Still working on the ID pocket (not happy with how it turned out yet), but today I finished the Flash Drive Sweater.  It's on a loop that goes through the bag.  It's cute and practical, too.

Merry Christmas Eve

This morning I had a magical walk in the park.
I started out, as usual, stiff and sore, but gradually relaxed and enjoyed the pace in the cold morning air.  As I turned from the street to the park a wonderland greeted me.  I saw the branches overhang the sidewalk like protection against the elements, before I heard the PAT-pat-pat of large drops escaping from the trees.  Birds chirped their "Hello, Day" greetings.  The sun glowed through the filter of light fog, an amorphous light rather than a white ball.  Wisps of fog still wrapped the tree trunks with jealous, desperate fingers.  My solitude felt like a blanket of comfort in my own little world.  After a short while, the dog leashes jingling and puppies panting signaled other inhabitants on the scene. The hushed conversations of their partners showed their respect for the specialness of the moment.  We nodded acknowledgment to one another and kept going.
All too soon, my feet found me at the threshold of the park.  The swoosh of the cars signaled the return to civilization.  The still-damp leaves from the storm two days previous littered the street; their musty smell made my nose itch.
My doctor tells me that walking helps my blood sugar, heart, and general health.  But today, it was especially good for the soul. 
May your holidays be merry and may you gladden your loved ones with your presence, and your presents.