][ and now for something completely different

SUP INTERNET??!?  Meet my new friend: 



So I was trying to figure out something I could use to block and hold hats that would be a little bit more head-shaped than the big can I've been using to take pictures.  In  my usual aimless browsing of the web, I came across a cool tutorial on making duct-tape dress dummies for fitted bodysuit costumes, and it seemed like the perfect solution.  So, I bought a roll of (super cool) duct tape, and informed my roommate I was going to mummify her head: 


Believe it or not there's a person under there.
Ideally of course I'd like one shaped after my head, but this will definitely help!  Cutting and re-sticking it was a little tricksy, but it turned out pretty well:




Rather lacking in detail, but much better suited to holding and shaping hats than anything else I had on hand. 

Also, it has flames on it.  How can you not love it?

][ reality knits

I've been working on this scarf a long while now, and it's not... really even close to being done, to be honest.  But that's okay!

I started it because I was really taken with a particular shirt on an actor, in a movie, and I thought to myself, there's no way I will ever find a shirt like a random shirt in a fifteen year old movie.  But, I can definitely knit myself something like it.  (And, as a side note-- since I started this I have seen brown/blue self-striping yarn combinations everywhere.  I'm clearly a trendestter.)

This was my second real attempt at color work, after putting the W onto that doll scarf.  A nice, gradual increase in difficulty.  It's also the first time I've done short rows (to compensate for any change in the gauge; I wanted to make sure the edging didn't pull,) and now that I've finally learned how they work, I'm in love with them. 

For once in my life I at least did some swatches before I got started:



My cat helped.





Satisfied that I could manage the color changes, I decided to complicate things by starting it with a provisional cast-on, so the brown border could be added last, to keep the gauge even-- the last time I tried to mix garter and stockinette like this, the edging hadn't quite worked out evenly.






This turned out to be a disastrously bad idea.  Which sucked, because I really liked how it was going...



I twisted after every stitch, like you would with Tvåändsstickning-- I didn't want big swags on the back that would catch on buttons and such.  It's a little thicker and warmer because of it, and I think it looks pretty cool!


The cat is still helping, of course.


Somewhere around that time I decided I'd better pick out the cast-on and add the border, just in case it didn't work out.

It didn't work out.  So I frogged the whole damn thing and started over from the beginning.



It broke my heart to do it-- I'd accomplished so much!-- but it was the right decision, and though there are still some imperfections, I'm much happier with the new take on it.   I have no idea when I'll finish it, but eventually I'm sure I will.  And then I will wear it everywhere, baby. 

][ doll stuff

A year or two ago, I was inspired to dig out my old American Girl dolls and make some stuff for 'em.  It led to a brief but intense frenzy of sewing, and a passionate interest in doll customization that went nowhere.  Thankfully, I didn't spend too much money on it.  Mostly. 

The one custom doll I put together wasn't an actual brand-name AG, but instead a craft-store knockoff... and true to my dorky ways I decided to turn her into a character from one of my favorite movies.  Knitting an awesome little wardrobe followed suit, of course. 

So here is my doll version of Neil Perry from Dead Poets Society, with a few knit pieces: his green sweater, his school uniform sweater, and a school scarf I designed for kicks. 






The body of these sweaters is knit in one piece, then seamed down the sides when the sleeves are added in. The back is split halfway down to allow it to fit over the head, and a hook-and-eye is stitched in on the top.  I’ve been knitting my sleeves two at a time lately (like one would do with socks,) so assuming you can take the utter BOREDOM of stockinette forever, these come together pretty quick!






The bordering and contrast color in the collar of the grey one is picked up off the edges.  I've also knit a blue round-neck, and a school sweatervest that aren't pictured.  These take... gosh, less than a quarter of a skein I'd say. 

The scarf isn't accurate to the film, but I wanted to make it anyway.  Actually, this was my first piece of colorwork-- not that it's much!-- so I am kind of weirdly proud of it.   Before this, the best I'd done was striped scarves.  Otherwise, it's just a tube, with fringe knotted onto the ends.







And that's my doll knitting.  :D

][ a little about me...

Hello, internet.  What's going on?


I decided to throw together a blog so I can post about my knitting and be able to share it with people-- I've got a thing on Ravelry [same name,] but since you have to log in to view projects there it's not strictly ideal for subjugating all my non-knitter friends to the glories of my textile endeavors.

So, yes.  I am Hannah.  I like dorky things, giant knitting needles, and touching soft, expensive fibers.  I learned to knit when I was... probably seven or so; forgot about it for a long time; then rediscovered it a few years back, and spent half an hour on the phone with my mother making her explain how to cast on because I'd forgotten so I could knit a gigantic scarf.  This time I haven't forgotten about it, at least not yet.

I also occasionally try my hand at spinning, and while I am not very good at it (YET) I enjoy it.  And I sew, and do all sorts of other stuff, and stuff.  I also enjoy costuming.  When I am not doing the things I do in my spare time, I am working to become a teacher.  Or cooking.  I really like cooking.

Anywho, hopefully having made this thingy will inspire me to get off my butt and start photographing projects to post in the coming weeks.  Otherwise, that's about it.