janna maria

New Website..............

2009-11-25T19:18:00.000-08:00

I have moved my blog to a new home; my website. I will be blogging about the same stuff: yarn, knitting,dying, weaving, fashion, and of the other million techniques I'm learning in textiles art school.

Silks worms emerge as moths...

2009-11-08T18:46:00.000-08:00

We have been taking care of silk worms again this year at school. We watch them (and hear them) munch away on Mulberry leaves until they make themselves cozy cocoons and then burn themselves out and emerge as moths. Today the first three came out. My favourite is this guy who is staying close to home and hanging out on his cocoon.

My classmates Ana and Lisa have been blogging about them too and have pictures of them as worms. For their blogs click their names.

Woven pillows

2009-11-04T16:06:00.001-08:00

I finished making these pillowcases today. They were woven using hand-dyed superwash merino wool yarn in an eight shaft ogee pattern. Two of the pillows (the ones with the asymmetrical stripe) show one side of the pattern, the one in the middle shows the opposite side of the pattern.

I originally intended to make a total of three various coloured sets of three for the sale, but today the loom broke, so until we get the right part to fix it this project is on hiatus. Hopefully I'll have at least one more set ready for the sale.

Beatles for sale

2009-11-03T20:03:00.001-08:00

One of the many things I'm making for the student sale is a collection of Beatles dolls. This is my first sample of the fab four.

Student Sale

2009-10-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

The textiles department at Cap puts on a student sale every year featuring textiles made my both current students and alumni. This year we have created a blog that we are using like a mini website for the sale. Check it out here at studentsale.blogspot.com

Weaving up a storm at school

2009-10-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

My grey and chartreuse weaving is turning out awesome. Even though the fabric is more dense than I expected I can't wait to make it into a vest! I used fingering superwash merino yarn, yum.

This is Sasha's amazing curly houndstooth weaving with over 700 bamboo warp threads.

1st year felting

2009-10-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

The first year class had their felting projects due today. Emily made her Halloween costume; a Christmas tree. This is me wearing it while singing 'Oh Christmas Tree'

Newest treasury

2009-10-01T17:28:00.001-07:00

Covet Vests now at Tutta Mia

2009-09-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited to finally have Covet Vests at Tutta-Mia. It's been a long time coming, but I think the timing is right; people are loving them. This particular vest is made with 100% wool that is indigo dyed using a shibori technique in order to create the unique lines that appear on the surface. It is closed with a one-of-a-kind wooden button that was also made here in Vancouver.

Gentille Alouette, a new fabulous boutique in Gastown, is also carrying my stuff. They have a 16 1/2 long white woven scarf as well as my new reversible (or upside-downible) shrugs in white and grey. I was visiting the store this afternoon and Eliza, the owner, took some photos of me wearing the shrugs as well as a fabulous dress by Eliza herself which I brought home with me :) I think she intends on posting them on their Facebook page, so check it out.

Shrugs at Tutta Mia

2009-09-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

My Colossal Cozy shrugs are now available in three colours, purple, charcoal and white, at Tutta Mia.
Colossal cozy shrugs are hand-knit with hand-spun, hand-dyed merino wool.

Feature on FnAA

2009-09-07T21:10:00.001-07:00

Check out this feature on me on the Fine and Applied Arts webzine

New Covet Vests

2009-09-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

My new Covet Vests for Fall are coming along nicely. I'm really happy with how the colours are turning out; exactly how I planned. Pics of the finished vest to come soon.

Fall wearables

2009-09-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a little peek at what I've got up my sleeve for Fall.

loom building day

2009-08-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

What a day it was! It took my husband and I several hours to get this loom built but we did it, and with only one trip to the hardware store for a couple of nuts and some doweling. I am as giddy as a little girl on Christmas morning....can't wait to warp up this weekend!

The pictures above progress from a pile of wood on the floor to a built loom and a happy Janna!

My indigo birthday party

2009-08-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Itty bitty shrug

2009-08-20T23:47:00.001-07:00

The itty bitty girl's shrug is hand-knit with soft, hand-spun merino wool. Click the pic.

Yarn Bombing

2009-08-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

I made a cozy for a parking meter at Main & Hastings this morning (you can see Carnegie Hall in the background of the first photo). As I sewed it a city truck parked beside me. I was a little nervous at first and then surprised when the city worker just got out, swept around me and proceeded to explain that he often gets asked what the strangest thing he's ever seen on the job is. Apparently this is it.

I checked on it a couple of hours later and it was still there, but with some additional contents compliments of the crow on the telephone wire. This is one blessed parking meter, it is all cozied up in hand-spun, hand-dyed, luck struck merino wool!

I have a feeling this will not be the last of yarn bombing for me....stay tuned

Janna

Also see Yarn Bombing blog post about this bomb.... http://yarnbombing.com/hurray-for-wooly-parking-meters
Photos by Craig Sinclair

Quilting boot camp sneak peek

2009-08-14T19:55:00.001-07:00

I spent the week learning how to quilt from my great aunt Franca; quilter extraordinaire. My uncle John started calling it the quilting boot camp when it had been three full days of living a breathing quilting. I'm not a sewer so this was quite the challenge for me; lots of stitch ripping to correct mistakes and a little cursing:) I still have to sew the edging, so for now here is a sneak peek.

Today at the Pic-knit

2009-08-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

I just got home from a lovely day a the Surrey textiles museum pic-knit. I brought a big bag of my hand-dyed Colossal Cozy yarn, some cowl patterns and knitting knits as well as a few shrugs to sell. When I attend events like this I always walk away feeling so thankful for the textiles community that we have here in the lower mainland. I often get to meet people that I've only cyber-chatted with and today I was finally able to meet Leanne Prain and Mandy Moore, co-authors of Yarn Bombing. Later in the afternoon I excitedly abandoned my table to attend their presentation which gave us an closer, more intimate look at the newly released book.

Newest treasury

2009-07-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

Design

2009-07-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

I designed my husbands band card with the reverse applique of him that I made as the foundation of the design.

Danny's band website is at www.valemusic.ca

Colossal Cozy; new primary colourways

2009-07-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

Birkeland Bros. window display

2009-07-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

I have a window display at Birkeland Bros. for the month of July featuring the Spring Vest, two colossal cozy shrugs and some yarn in bright primary colours.

My first ETSY treasury .

2009-07-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

I created my first Etsy treasury yesterday. Treasuries are member curated, hand-picked items that sometimes make the front page of Etsy. Featured are one of my own pieces, the spring vest as well as one of Ana's cowls.

It was also fetaured in the Treasury Tuesday: The Elite Eight post
in the S & O production Blog.

Night shift knitting

2009-06-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

So, I'm in the last hours of my night shift (I'm in mental health on the DTES) and I've just finished my second bolero of the night (both made with the famous Colossal Cozy merino yarn). I've been told that this picture does not do it justice, but the person who has informed me of this is just as sleep deprived as me, having been up for almost 24 hours. I'm posting these really bad photos taken at my work place by our Mac computer, both are of the second bolero of the night.

The RAW studio co-op

2009-06-20T01:24:00.000-07:00

I've been spending a lot more time at the RAW studio these days, and while my yarn is steaming I like to update the RAW website. It's looking pretty good these days with our Etsy shop well under way and our calender updated. If you're curious to see what we do at RAW and when you can come visit don't hesitate to visit our fabulous website.

This month we are introducing life drawing workshops featuring costumed and nude models.

www.therawstudio.com

Janna

Plying

2009-06-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

One of my new favourite things to do is ply. I also discovered that I can use the chunky hand-spun Colossal Cozy as roving for spinning. I know, seems like a lot of work to spin it twice, but I didn't spin it the first time. It's the perfect size roving for a beginner spinner like myself. I new when I bought all that yarn it would come in handy. Above is the Colossal Cozy in the pansy, but re-spun and plied. Yum!

Janna

Cabled cowl in Blue

2009-06-08T22:46:00.001-07:00

Beginner weaving workshop at RAW

2009-06-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

I had a beginner weaving workshop at the RAW studio today. It was loads of fun! I will be having a couple of more this summer, check out http://www.textilesclass.com/ to see dates and to register.

New Pansy Colossal Cozy Yarn

2009-06-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by The Silk Weaving studio dyer who uses her garden as inspiration for yarn colours and this is what I got. I'm very pleased with variation in purples and the perfect complementary harmony of the yellow with it.

I just posted it up on the Etsy shop!

Janna

looking for Bloggers!

2009-06-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

Do you LOVE to blog?

Do you LOVE yarn....and things alike?

You might be the perfect addition to my small a precious team of volunteer bloggers for Vancouver Yarn.

Vancouver Yarn needs bloggers who:

:Live in Vancouver, BC

:Can tell a good story.

:Are interested in thinking globally and shopping locally.

:Enjoy attending textile workshops, festivals, studio openings or just frequent local yarn shops.

If you are interested in being a volunteer blogger for Vancouver Yarn (www.VancouverYarn.com) then please contact me and tell me a bit about yourself and why this sounds like fun to you. I am looking for people who can blog at least once month on topics that relate to.....you guessed it, yarn and Vancouver.

janna@vancouveryarn.com

Thanks for looking!

Janna

Vancouver Yarn needs a logo!

2009-05-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

So, I've started a logo contest for Vancouver Yarn. The winner gets $150 in yarn that is hand-made by yours truly....the Colossal Cozy yarn to be precise, which comes in many different lovely colours. For contest details check out the blog of Vancouver Yarn

*heart* Janna

fRESH Fashion Show 2009

2009-05-10T00:17:00.000-07:00

The fRESH fashion show was quite a success. Everything went smoothly and everyone had a lot of fun, especially me! As a student I felt so honored to be included among some very talented and sophisticated fashion designers; Fariba Mirzaie from Gabbeh, Rosalind Aylmer from By Hand and Lina Cuthan from Lina Cutham Designs. I am so greatfull to Fariba for all her hard work in organizing this event as well as for all who volunteered that day including the beautiful models.

http://www2.canada.com/northshorenews/news/look/story.html?id=a5c65f56-4ad0-4808-9475-23d1cc8b6664

fRESH Fashion show in 3 days!

2009-05-06T00:41:00.000-07:00

Hey peeps, trek out to North Van this Friday for the annual fRESH fashion show at Capilano Mall. I am one of the feature designers and have some brand new pieces to reveal, so come and be reFRESHED! It's Free!

Friday May 8th, 7pm at the Grand Court in Capilano Mall

Luv Janna

blueberry pancakes and indigo dying

2009-04-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

My friend Corrie made a suprise visit from Montreal this week so we spent the morning eating delicious blueberry pancakes and Indigo dying fabric and yarn. It was such a treat to see her and on such a gorgeous sunny day.

My indigo vat in the laundry room

In my little yard we also did some potassium permanganate dying (the pink fabric turns brown with oxidization) .

Oh the wonders of Indigo!

Tree and Sunset

2009-04-14T22:02:00.001-07:00

When I am not making a garment I tend to sway toward landscapes with a tree as the focal point. Of the many tree inspired art pieces that I have made this one proved to be the largest, most challenging and most fulfilling.
From the moment I learned about reverse applique I was intrigued by the textural effects it achieved, and remember that when I presented my first one to the class I said that I wanted to do a large scale piece. Little did I know that what I was embarking on was something very similar to quilting in that it involves a lot of cutting, a lot of basting and a lot of sewing. Cutting I'm comfortable with but the later two, on a large scale, proved to be very difficult. I think if I had had called it 'quilting' I may have forseen the challenges and avoided the idea altogether (having the great respect for quilters that I do), but somehow I didn't relate the two and went on my merry way. The many puckers, that came as a result of my lack of experience with quilting techniques, actually reinforce the textural effects of reverse applique. Had the scene been anything but a landscape I'm not sure it would be as forgiving, but given the contents of the composition I am very pleased with the flowing effects of the fabric giving the impression movement in the clouds and reinforcing the contrast between the flowing nature of sky and the solidarity of the tree.

Measures 3 feet by 4 feet

Weaving with hand-dyed superwash wool

2009-04-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

This yarn was so amazing to dye. It's luster accentuated both the peacock blue and the warm earthy brown colours . I'm just dying to wear it as a scarflette. The photo in the collage is of the picture that inspired the colours for this project. It's actually a two piece project with a small cowl and a wrap-around scarf. the longer one has fuzzy white mohair yarn as the snow.

The lovely Covet Vest returns: Meet Amelia

2009-04-09T00:08:00.000-07:00

This is the new version of the Covet Vest. I call her Amelia. Her sister Nuvia was my final project for surface design last semester and was a big hit. So, the Covet Vest will be resurfacing with fresh new colours and materials on a regular basis. Stay tuned for this seasons freshest editions in linen and cotton, here as well as in the shop!

Janna Maria Covet Vests will be featured at this years Fresh Fashion Show at Capilano Mall, May 8th at 7pm.

Pre-exam garden zen time...

2009-04-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

On the way to my Art History final today I did a little pseudo-gardening and took some quick photos. The colours made my day, helping me to relax for the big exam.

Wrapped Car Installation

2009-03-31T01:40:00.000-07:00

The Wrapped Car installation was a collective effort by my fellow students and I in the textiles program at Capilano University. Inspired by Christo and Jean Claude the idea of shrouding a car with a vibrant pink-orange polyester was one that both excited and perplexed us. We wondered how people would react, and how we might be changed by it.

We had a display table where we arranged our prototype car as well as comment book where onlookers could remark. The two comments that we received seemed to suggest that our installation had been irritating people. They read, "Why?" and "You stole your idea, you're a fraud."

As for our own reflections, a couple of us in the group felt the installation was a commentary on the fake nature of the automobile industry. The mystery of who killed the electric car is a phenomena that is a hot topic today, and it is a popular belief that the oil and automobile companies conspired against the rise of the electric car upon it arrival. As we unwrapped car we secretly hoped it would be re-birthed as an electric.

Hand-painted Egyptian Cotton

2009-03-25T20:03:00.001-07:00

Yarn you will soon find in my Etsy shop!

Sunset clouds

2009-03-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

I have a thing for clouds and as my classmates and I drove home from Fibre West on Friday night I found myself getting more excited about the clouds than I had been for the fibre and alpacas we saw earlier that day. That's hard too, I am known for getting yarn drunk at events like that.

Embroidery Sampler

2009-03-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

When I was given the task of doing an embroidery sampler I new I had to do something grand as I've always found stitch work very illustrious. I toyed with the idea of covering a garment with french knots, or doing a large scale machine embroidery. But, as I pondered about the guidelines of the project dictating a need for a name, date and other text I realized that my need for grandness could be achieved simply by enriching a family heirloom; my wedding dress once worn by my grand-mother. I would embroider the history of my wedding dress onto the dress itself. I get shivers down my spine when imagining a day in the far future when my great grand-daughter might stumble across the dress in storage and be amazed by it's age and beauty, longing to know more about it. Only upon trying it on might she realize that there is text on the slip detailing the history of the dress.

For now my sampler is just that, a sample for what will be embroidered on my dress in the near future. As a beginner embroiderer I dared not let my first embroidery be on the very wedding dress I held so dear. The handkerchief that now carries the history of the wedding dress was the handkerchief that was given to me by my aunt Rolanda on the day of my grandfather, Walter Nygren's funeral. On his wedding day, October 24th 1953, Walter was standing next to my grandmother Clara who wore the dress I will embroider onto.

Upon researching handkerchiefs I discovered that up until 1685 handkerchiefs were oval or round until King Ludwig XIV declared that all handkerchiefs should be as long as they are wide making the square a traditional handkerchief shape, a standard that is still practiced today. Handkerchiefs were often embroidered with text in the hopes that they would be treasured long enough to become family heirlooms. Very often they were embroidered on for wedding days with names, dates and text like "til death do us part". Farmers in early America once believed that the tears of a bride were good luck and would bring rain for their crops, so they thought it necessary to catch the tears in a handkerchief for good keeping.

Cowl in Purple and Peacock

2009-03-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Next week at Blim on Main I'll be teaching beginner knitters how to make these cozy cowls. The foundational knitting class will feature this hand-spun, hand-dyed merino wool. Students will also have other equally as gorgeous colours to choose from. To sign up call Blim, 604-872-8180

Spring Vest

2009-03-12T16:04:00.001-07:00

Inspired by a photograph in Vogue magazine, this woven piece is bright, trendy and edgy. The photo that inspired me shows a spring scene of a woman with platinum hair wearing an orange jacket which harmonizes with the yellow-green trees in the background. I find that the colours capture the essence of the seasonal transition between spring and summer; she is still wearing a coat but the colour of it is a bright orange, the trees are lush but you can sense a crispness in the air. The anticipation of summer is palpable.

I tried to capture the same feeling of transition by creating a vest which can be a spring or summer garment. The main weft colours, orange and yellow-green, create a discordant harmony which I bridged with a grey and white warp. I also wanted to portray the same kind of playful feel that the magazine scene captured, so I added a crochet edge which accentuated the flirtatious lines of the front of the vest and augmented the collar to create a couture effect.

nature's punctuation

2009-03-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist hopping out of the tub to get my camera when I saw this exclamation mark on the wall. I wondered what it was punctuating.........RELAX! I did need that message this week actually.

The ferry ride home

2009-03-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

a couple of weeks ago I went back to the sunshine Coast for a short visit. The ferry ride home was so beautiful.

Warping up at home

2009-03-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

Despite the many challenges of warping up this week, I'm actually ready to weave. I lost a few inches off the width of the warp though since my new remedy to misthreading is cutting the culprits out all together. I used fingering superwash merino from Yarn Treehouse. It's especially delicious after I dyed it a milk chocolaty brown and a lovely shaded turquoise. I'm not yet sure that it's great for warping up though since a few threads broke as I tightened the tension. We'll see what happens when I weave.

tapestry weaving

2009-02-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

reverse applique

2009-02-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

I'm loving this new technique, reverse applique. I want to do one of for everyone that I know now (you all know what you're getting as gifts now). This one is of my husband Danny and is based on one of our wedding photos. It does look a lot like him, but I can't get the nose right. Noses have always been hard to draw...arg. It is still in the process of being finished, but I had to share it. When I showed it to Danny this morning his reaction was, "........creepy."

I dunno!?! Can someone tell me why men never react the way they are 'suppose to'

Janna

White Cowl with funky wooden button.

2009-02-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

This cowl was made especially for my new button from Birkeland Bros. I knit it on 35mm needles so that the almost 3inch button could fit through any desired place. Yummy!

The buttons go for $12/pair

Purple scarf: rest

2009-02-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

I had someone specific in mind when I made this one. She'll be receiving it in the mail very soon.

Mobius Cowl in Moss green merino

2009-02-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

White on white weaving

2009-02-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

Tangerine cable-knit cowl

2009-02-10T12:46:00.001-08:00

I have actually been getting some knitting done despite my crazy school schedule. How could I not though with this gorgeous yarn calling at me. This was knit on the round with size 10 needles. The yarn is hand-spun, hand-dyed merino.

Hand-dyed merino in Moss

2009-02-10T12:44:00.001-08:00

Hand-dyed merino in Tangerine

2009-02-10T12:41:00.001-08:00

Hand-dyed merino

2009-02-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

Adventures in Weaving!

2009-02-10T00:28:00.001-08:00

surface design in progress....

2009-02-03T15:04:00.000-08:00

Knitting 101

2009-02-03T00:31:00.000-08:00

On February 24th from 4:30 to 8:30 I am teaching foundation knitting class with a fashion twist.

Place: Raw Textiles Studio, 1875 Powell Street, Vancouver BC

I believe that knitting with superb yarn is the key to success with knitting. So in this class you will learn how to knit a fashionable cowl scarf using the softest chunky hand-spun merino wool (white or hand-dyed by me).

$88.00 what's included?

A 4 hour class with materials as follows:

15mm needles, 112 grams of chunky hand-spun, hand-dyed merino yarn - you'll have left overs too, and a pair of super sweet wooden buttons. If you prefer to bring your own materials $20 will be subtracted from the price for yarn, and $8 will be subtracted for knitting needles.

The finished product is shown in the picture, there will be options to make changes to the pattern according to personal taste.

call me to sign up 778-233-1823

Covet Vest

2008-12-09T21:24:00.001-08:00

Covet Vest

The Covet Vest came about as a result of my need to create cozy apparel. I am constantly in search of comfortable, versatile garments. With this piece I imagined a wool blanket-like shawl. What could be cozier? With vibrant red 100% wool fabric I used a Shibori technique to emphasize the versatility of the garment. The zebra-like pattern that appears after being Indigo dyed creates charcoal lines that either line up or make agreeable degrees of angles depending
on the way you wear it.

Corrie with her giant knitted doll

2008-11-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Soon we'll see what
he looks like after a week
outside,
felting in Montreal weather.

www.corriepeters.ca

Print project 2

2008-11-11T22:45:00.000-08:00

For my SPP I dyed and printed a white cotton Esprit jacket that I've had for years. I rarely wore it though since I couldn't get used wearing an all white garment. I dyed it purple and transitioned it to be lighter by diluting the dye mix as I painted in it on. Some how though it turned out being more of a blue, to slightly purple to pink gradation. I discharged some tadpole creatures with thickened bleach and then, after letting it dry, applied a dark purple pigment with a hand-made lino block. Finally, I polished it off with dark purple matte buttons from Dressew.

Very blast from the past!

Future garments.

2008-11-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

Leather

Hand-painted cotton

Patent Leather

Fish-net knit

Slit patent leather

sponge painted linen

Plastic

Block printed hemp

Layered leather

Lace

printed cotton

wool

More basketry!

2008-10-27T19:29:00.001-07:00

Basketry

2008-10-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is my class-mate Ana presenting her basketry project. I love that she made a lamp, and I also just love this picture; the texture prints in the background. I haven't taken a picture of my basket yet. Stay tuned.

Janna

Block prints

2008-10-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

hand-made lino-cut block print
Blue/green opulence pigment on cotton

hand-made foam block.
Black opulence pigment on rayon (yum)

Found object: Tape dispenser
black opulence pigment on cotton

found object: leaf
Black opulence pigment on cotton

Drawing.....

2008-10-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight in class I finally drew something that I like. It might have something to do with the fact that we are no longer drawing paper bags and spheres (thank the Lord). It also really helped that I brought music. So I drew this skeleton while listening to the musings of Damien Jurado and The Beatles (Abbey Road). Next week we get to draw from human models. I think that'll call for some Leonard Cohen.

Russells Masonry .Com

2008-10-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

We finally got my dads website up and running. If anyone is needing some rock work done take a look at this,www.russellsmasonry.com. He's been serving the Sunshine Coast in BC for almost 30 years and his work is pretty amazing.

It's not so bad after all

2008-10-07T15:56:00.001-07:00

So, I woke up this morning and saw the light. My vest is not so bad after all. In fact, I wore it today. So, after all that fretting and drama I actually like it. I'll post a picture as soon as I get batteries for my camera.

Janna

Grieving the loss of my debbie bliss sweater

2008-10-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true. I, Janna Vallee, am a compulsive felter. And, when I was finally finished my Debbie bliss vest, I tried it on and it wasn't quite right: too big, the v-neck was much too long....I'm assuming I should have checked the gauge before I started (you know, like they recommend). But, Like the stubborn knitter I am, I neglected to follow the rules of the pattern. THEN, I had this fabulous Idea that I would just simply felt it to fit me. Yes, just like they said in felting class.....'You can always fix felted things, shape them into desired shapes.' So, off I went to felt. Actually it went more like this: I had worked all day then spent about 2 1/2 hours finishing my vest, so I needed a major break. So, off to the bath I went for my evening soak before bed. But in the corner of my eye was the over-sized vest, taunting me....'felt me, felt me'. So I drained the bath a bunch, added some fine fabric soap and had a bath with my sweater. Before I knew it, it was stretching to be about twice the size. It seemed the wool was felting but the holes between each stitch were bigger. I panicked! As I pulled it out of the bath to lay it on a towel to dry I felt sad that it wasn't my nice fluffy sweater anymore. So, I thought I'd give felting another try (don't ask). I stuck it in the washer, that always worked well for me with thrift store sweaters that I wanted to felt. But, it swished around for about thirty seconds and I remembered the hours I had put into knitting it. This wasn't just another thrift store sweater. I pulled the sweater out and stuck it in the kitchen sink.......and continued to hand felt it in hot water and soap. The more I felted the shorter it got. It wasn't shrinking width wise! Why God, Why?

So I gave up. I am officially grieving the loss of by vest sweater. The saddest part is that I could have gotten away with wearing it. It wasn't awful by any means.

I am a compulsive felter and I need not felt.

Too bad my felting project is due next week.

J

Silk worms...

2008-10-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

We've had pet silk worms at school for about 2 weeks now. I'm not sure where we got them from, or how old they were when we got them, but to our surprise they more than doubled in size, and on Wednesday night they began to form cocoons already (not that I'm a silk worm expert, but it just seemed so fast). The worms themselves can at times be creepy, like when their backs began to pulsate in preparation for cocoon making. But when they started making homes in baskets they were adorable. In fact two worms have joined forces to create an extra large cocoon. It's so cute, they're like room mates.

Debbie Bliss vest update.....

2008-09-29T17:50:00.001-07:00

Here's what I've done so far. I'm just beginning to separate the front for the V-neck. I wanted to do an update on this 'cause I needed to show off this yarn. I'm in love with it! So YUMMY!

I found out that there is a good reason as to why I should have begun with the back. When I finish this right hand side of the front I have to cast off a bunch and then continue knitting just the collar. That's where the back comes in; I have to measure collar to be half as long as the neck space on the back. Oops! Let's see what happens when I just take a shot at it.

Janna

Knitting from the new Debbie Bliss magazine!

2008-09-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

I began knitting the vest on the cover of the new Debbie Bliss magazine. But instead of using the yarn recommended I'm using my new bulky blue Eskimo 1 ply yarn that I got from a yarn blow-out sale in Surrey. I'm only about 6 inches into the front, but I'm so excited I had to share. check back soon for a photo of the finished product!

For more on the blow-out sale check out the blog of Vancouver Yarn .Com

A day in the life of a textiles student......

2008-09-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Dye pots, felting and fleece. Oh My!

Block printing

2008-09-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

This is my ogee-licious block print project. I lino cut the ogee motif and mounted it on styrofoam. Then I mixed my colours and printed away. Someone was saying it would be a great baby blanket. So, I think that's what it will be one day, when I have time (to make a blanket---not a baby).

My first hand-dyed roving

2008-09-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

This was really exciting for me. I hovered over the simmering pot for over an hour waiting for the water to become clear. I think I'm going to needle felt some of it for my felting project that's due in October. I've started a nest with some unidentified fibre that Lisa and I found. It's a beautifully beige, wonderfully soft and amazingly strong fibre. With my green hand-dyed fibre I'm going to begin felting a bird for the nest and probably add some small white eggs. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished product.

My Gloomy Loom

2008-09-25T21:56:00.001-07:00

GLS (Gloomy Loom Syndrome) occurs when said loom is left uncared for or unloved for as little as one, and as many as 100 years. This one particular loom was negelected for at least 30 years. This picture was taken right before I took the warp off. And when I say 'take' I mean 'gently pull' as in, the yarn had been left on for so long it practically fell off in my hands as I removed it. The hardware on good ol' GL is rusted to all hell, and has pretty much fused with the wood, so replacing the screws would be challenging to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I love GL! I am so very excited to give her a make-over. You know the kind where when its done you're ready to begin your new life as the new you. Well, that's gunna be GL (in8 months or so when I have time for her). OK, I know personifying my loom is slightly crazy, but I do feel as though GL has a distinct character. When she's all clean and oiled up, you'll see!

Wet and dry felting

2008-09-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

This was my first wet/dry felting progect. I wet felted the base of it, and then dry (needle) felted the colour fragments on top. It was a lot of fun to make. It works well as a scarf, but I love it as a wall hanging too.

Preparing a portfolio....

2008-09-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

When I was putting together my portfolio for school I had little to work with, so with three weeks and a lot of carded wool I got to work. Most of my pieces were felted. This is one of my favourites. In my online portfolio it was presented with a piece of micro-fiction I wrote about 4 years ago after spending a year in a wheelchair. The back of the vest is cut to represent my back pain, but then it is sewn back up (representing the surgery) with yarn (Malabrigo). I burned holes with a lighter before sewing the yarn through, which reminded me of the moxibustion therapy I use to receive on a weekly basis (I had the burn on the skin type).

Janna

My Cozy Mohair Vest

2008-09-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

This is a vest that I knit one day. The day being the day before school, so I was panicing that it may be my last chance to knit by choice. The trick to being quick? Big needles and fluffy yarn. In this case it was size 17 (US) needles, black 70% mohair, and turquoise 50% mohair. It's fluffy and it sheds! When I wear it I shed worse than the cat. It actually got so bad that I Googled it. It was suggested that I freeze my sweater, but of course as soon as it thaws the shedding will continue as before. I think I may just have to brush it until it balds enough. I was inspired to make this by a punk knitting book my mom gave me: Pretty in Punk. It features a lot of mohair designs and even bigger needles to knit with.

Janna

Time to catch up....

2008-09-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

It is time to catch up on all the things I've been up to with knitting and felting etc. Quite a lot has happened. My biggest news is that I am now a textiles student at Capilano University. People don't usually know exactly what that means so I've gotten really use to saying, 'You know, textile art: Printing, knitting, weaving, felting, spinning yarn....'. Although the two year program covers much more than those things, it's pretty much all I know as of yet. So far I'm really excited about getting better at spinning, and felting which is what my first weaving class is beginning us on (YAY!). My first assignment is to compose a piece of art that is inspired by a saying, story or fairytale that makes any reference to weaving, spinning or yarn. I've begun by making a lino cut of a woman that I have printed 13 times, representing the 13 aunts in sleeping beauty. In the original fairytale, sleeping beauty has 13 aunts and doesn't invite one to her birthday party. That aunt puts the spell of the spindle on her, which is where the spinning reference comes in. I've printed 12 aunts in blue and 1 (the bad aunt) in red. What comes next? You'll have to check back in three weeks when the assignment is due.

Basket weave neck warmer

2008-03-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

This neck warmer was another design of my own. The weave pattern creates a wave, naturally on the upper collar. It features four purly snap buttons. I think I might undo the black crochet fringe and re-do it with a knit ruffle, but I can't decide. Any advise?

Iro arm- warmers

2008-03-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

These almost reach my elbows. The transitions of colours in the yarn are amazing, makes you wonder why they this colourway can't be found again. So, if anyone comes across Noro's Iro yarn in the colourway #60, let me know! The colours transition from yellow to turquoise to green to pink to brown to pink. Too amazing!

Turnip Toque

2008-03-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

I'm posting this pic of the 'turnip toque' that I made a while back. I used a 15mm crochet hook and polar weight wool. Needless to say it took no longer than 15 minutes. It features a pointy top and an inverted edge in the front that matches the shape of my eyebrow almost perfectly.

The happy felter

2008-02-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

I just pulled a felted piece out of the washer and at first I cringed. It had large pills and was stretched out of shape. When you see a piece you've worked hard on looking so sad it is easy to forget that there is hope, especially when it come to felting. So, I pulled off all the pills and pulled it to be evenly shaped and I am now the proud creator of a felted 'scarf thing'. I really have to find a great name for this neck piece, 'cause 'scarf thing' just doesn't do it justice. To make it I knit a scarf with triple stranded, black, worsted yarn (which made it more like bulky weight yarn) I knit a ribbed pattern until it was about two feet long and then felted it. Now it fits perfectly around my neck. When I wear it I feel royal or something. I'll call it 'the royal neck warmer'. It is very thick and warm, and now I am a happy felter. I think I'll garnish it with a felted rose I made out of a dark pink sweater that I felted by accident.