Back from Oblivion

P1010045 originally uploaded by Kootoyoo

Crikey, it's nearly a month since I last posted.

It's been a little hectic. Since the car accident there seemed to be lots to do. It all took up so much time and one of us had to drive and pick up the other and come back and collect one of us. So, still without a car, I'm trying to catch up!

I feel more enlightened about the insurance industry now. Everyone was perfectly nice after my old car was written off but the money I received is never going to replace it so there goes more money.

When the accident wasn't my fault and my car was running very well and I had no intention of replacing it, it has been a little angering that it's all set me on the backfoot. Mutter, mutter...

I have finished knitting the hand warmers from the last MixTape (now that it's mild and Springy, whose going to wear them!). They were very satisfying to knit.

I have a little sideline going in painting and drawing which has been utterly absorbing. Maybe that's why I haven't blogged.

Seriously, every time I think about blogging, it's too dark to take any photos and I prefer a post with picture... I might post some of my drawings if I get up the guts.

We're off to see Philippe Genty on Thursday. Super excited!

Which hopefully will mean the wankiest piece of theatre ever that we saw recently will pale into insignificant. (People walked out. We would have too, but the seats and stairs were so creaky and wobbly that I would probably have fallen over. Again.)

Learning Curve

*Edited to add: It looks just like the real one... hmmmppphh

I haven’t posted the final felted bag before now because I am very disappointed with the result. I should look upon it as a learning experience but don’t feel like it! The felting worked a treat but the shape is a dud. I knitted to the size in the pattern but obviously their wool used gave a different result than mine. Also looking at the photo in the pattern, I knitted more rows. The pattern called for the final piece to be a certain length but I think I should have knitted fewer rows. Next time I should check out the photo before knitting my little heart out. I like the dark grey base and the handles but I can’t see it leaving the house. I think it will become a knitting bag.

The felted dimensions are interesting:
Width: 38cm > 34cm
Length: 48cm > 37cm

I tried a different tack with felting. Previously I’ve put the piece in a zip up pillowcase (pillow protector) in the washing machine with a pair of jeans. I’d choose a hot wash, low water level and a little detergent. The pillowcase was used in the hope of saving felted fluff going into the filter/pipes of the machine. This time I washed without the pillowcase and with three tennis balls for agitation, still on a low hot water level with detergent, with a jug full of boiling water thrown in for luck. The felting was quicker and denser. But still not happy...