Fit problems

Here's the finished and felted moebius basket that I showed in the unfelted state a couple of posts ago...

I think it turned out pretty nice. I like the way the yarn pooled into a lightening bolt pattern around the basket. I was sort of envisioning it as a cozy cat basket, where perhaps a sort small cat could have a cozy little nap. Though, it was an experiment of sorts because I really had no specific pattern and was knitting it from stash, in a size much larger than any I have made before.


The rim of the moebius strip was knit from a different yarn from the rest of the bowl to make sure I didn't run out while doing the I-cord bind off, and I also wanted some contrast. So as it felted, the yarns shrunk down at different rates. This is fine and is something I was anticipating----however, unfortunately for some small cat, this caused the rim to shrink to the point where the basket is better suited for a nap if you are a cobra rather than a cat.....

"Hey, here's that basket that mom made, lying on the floor again! Let's just see here.....If I climb inside I can have a warm nap again....mmmmm...nap."

"Something seems to be wrong here...."

"HEY! WTF! I know I fit in this thing just the other day!"

"Mom's shrinkin' stuff in the wash again. Hmmmmfph. This just won't do...."

Oh well, better luck next time for the cat basket idea. I guess I'll have to knit one the size of the sofa before felting to get it to stay big enough for a cat to fit into! However, after dragging this one up, sopping wet, out of the washer several times to check the felting progress, I don't think my biceps could take felting anything any larger. Just about killed myself dragging this one up and down out of the water---felt like about 30 pounds of wet wool! I'm sure it wasn't quite that heavy, but it certainly seemed like it was I think the minions will be getting a nice unfelted cat bed!

This large felted basket can be currently found holding a nice little portion of my yarn stash, and it's working out great!

But don't ask the Toe-cat his opinion on the matter....

I hab a code.....and a felted moebius bowl

I keep reading on everyone's blog and hearing from my friends that they have all had colds or flu. Lucky me---I didn't catch it----until yesterday....Uggghhh..... I've had a sore throat since yesterday and am all stubbed ub. Yuck! I'm not feeling up to doing much creative blogging, so I'll return when I'm feeling human again. Rachel tagged me last week for "6 weird things about me," but I can't really think of anything right now, even weird things about me. So, I'll leave that one for after I'm feeling better.

For now, here's a felted moebius bowl I finished last week. I really love the color---reminds me of the beach and beach glass, so I have officially named it "Beach Blue Bowl." I know, very original....but what do you want from someone with a clogged brain?

Anyway, this bowl was very fun to knit. It's made from Fleece Artist wool, by knitting a moebius strip with a I-cord bind-off. Then all of the stitches along the edge of the moebius strip are picked up under the I-cord, and the basket portion of the form is knit. The pattern is from "A Second Treasury...." by Cat Bordhi. If you have never checked out this book, I highly suggest you do! Lots of fun, creative projects.

The only modification I made to the pattern was to leave off the felted fringe around the bottom edge of the rim---I thought the color of the bowl should be the main focus since the color is so brilliant, and that the fringe would detract and not look great in this color.

Of course, I had to get a cold right before I'm going to spend a couple of days at The Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat later this week. (I'm sure my fellow retreat class members are going to LOVE having me around.....with my blankie and box of tissues in tow!) Not to mention taking an all day class when I feel like crap. Hopefully a couple of days will make a difference. Besides, the registration was a little too pricey to cancel the class!

I'm going to have fun if it kills me!

>^oo^< >^--^<