Fair Isle Design Process WIP

I've recently bought some new colours in beautiful Jamieson and Smith Shetland wool (to add to my growing collection) and got to thinking that there must be a better way to organise the colours to help me when I'm coming up with new Fair Isle jewellery designs. So, inspired by the fab Attic24, I bought myself some Dolly Pegs (took me right back to childhood!) and spent a therapeutic afternoon watching Netflix and winding yarn onto the pegs to act as my "shade card"!

I'm finding it much easier to plan colour stories, working out what colours go well together and in which order with the yarn on the pegs than it was to place the whole balls of wool next to each other

These are the lovely new colours I've just chosen- really Spring like! I'm starting to go through the Jamieson and Smith shade card to label the pegs with their relevant shade number, to make it easier when I come to order more yarn

I'm having a lot of fun playing with different colour combinations and looking forward to knitting them into new Fair Isle jewellery pieces

I think this idea works really well in terms of making custom pieces too, because the customer can come up with their own colour scheme from this selection

If you're a regular reader you will know that I have been planning my Fair Isle designs using knitter's graph paper, but for the latest few pieces I have just picked up the yarn and needles and worked in a free form whatever comes out of my head type of way, to try a less regimented way of working and just have fun with the colours. I tried to felt this particular piece but sadly it didn't work

I've decided not to make the rectangular Shetland wool brooches any more and instead I'm focusing on square Fair Isle brooches, as I think you can fit more pattern onto the square shape

With such a large range of colours there is a lot of scope for many and varied designs. I love this really girly colour scheme, which again I knitted in a "free form" style.

I'll be sure to share my new designs with you as I continue to have fun playing with the colours!

Learning to Crochet!

Although I've been knitting since I was five I've never learnt to Crochet, instead using my made up Crochet method, which is joined up chain stitch (great for ethereal effect in my textile hangings but lacking structure for practical use). However, working in the Wool Room at work I've been inspired to learn, especially after discovering Attic 24 (if you love Crochet, colour and craft do check it out, it's a beautiful blog). A lovely friend of mine has been teaching me to Crochet properly and I'm starting my Crochet education with a giant Granny Square made in a combination of Rico Pure Wool DK and Sublime Baby Cashmerino Silk DK- it's going to be a blanket for my niece! I'll keep you updated on the progress as I keep learning! I'd love to incorporate it into a future jewellery collection, there are lots of exciting possibilities!

I love the portability of Crochet- I'ts handy to keep a project in your bag for when you have a spare moment, like on your lunch break on a bench in the sun!

It looks a little wonky but blocking will sort that out!

New collection in progress!

I'm currently making a new collection with a focus on my recycled fabric "sequin" idea as the main focus. I firstly came to the idea after having a move around in the studio and realizing how many materials I have that I never use, and forging a new determination to use them! I'm lucky that people know me as a bit of an avid recycling fan/hoarder (!) of wool and fabrics, so I get given lots of things and in that respect I'm never short of something "new."

The basis for the badge brooch is a self-cover button with the wire loop removed, and which I then cover with Tweed, Felt or Knit (I've tried using recycled Sari silk pieces, lace and other light weight fabrics but I find the heavier weight fabrics give a more substantial backing to be stitched onto).  I then hand cut all my little fabric sequins from any type of fabric that suits my colour way for that particular brooch, then coat them in fabric stiffener to prevent fraying. Once dry I can then stitch them onto the button.

It only makes a tiny dent in my fabric collection but I'm glad that I'm making good use of what I have, turning unwanted materials into something new to be kept and treasured! It's also been a good way to introduce more colour into my work- I'll always love and return to my white and cream but I'm pleased I've found a way I'm happy to use colour!

Some new colour ways (pre-stitching) using Harris Tweed off-cuts as the backing fabric

Lovely new Tweed!

I'm trying out some new colours for my Harris Tweed and recycled fabric brooches...

Beautiful off-cuts of Harris Tweed that I received last week!

I have so much fabric so I tend to try out various colour combinations before I get stitching! I'll keep you posted on the results. If there are particular colours you would like a brooch in, please get in touch!