This is what happens when I'm allowed to think...

I'm doing some prep for going to Dragon*Con, and was thinking how I'd like a little pouch to go around my neck. Nothing too big or fancy - just big enough to put some cash, a credit card, and a room key in so I don't have to schlep my purse around. I'll be schlepping enough books for autographs. I could use a hip pack, but they make me nervous about pickpockets for some reason. I could put it in my pockets, but I have a tendency to drop things rummaging for other things, and my phone has a nasty habit of demagnetizing any card in next to it.

Then I realized, hey, I could knit me a little pouch. It would only take a few hours, would use up leftover yarn I have, and be something to keep me busy. Came up with a pattern and have knitted it. Just need to do the cord and figure out the closing. And if I leave off the cord, they will be perfect for reusable wrappings for gift cards, coin pouches, and so on. I'm still fine tuning the pattern, so I'll post it once I figure out the exact dimensions for the cord.

Then I realized, you know, it would be rude to show up and not have a few of these to give to my friends that I'm going with...

So here I am, knitting frantically away on a last minute project I told myself I wouldn't be doing.

Oops. :)

Wings Are Complete!

I got the wings finished. Whee!

Unfortunately the strength of the wire doesn’t let me mold them like I want, but they aren’t laying flat against my back either.



And here's what they look like from facing me.


Here's the wings laid out so you can see them off of me.


And a close up so you can see the feather pattern.

Winged Frustration

I’m finishing off the Allete Wings, and I’m having difficulties. I tripled the wire and used 16 gauge instead of 18. The wings are still floppy, just like I was afraid of. So I don’t think I’m going to be able to wear them back like I wanted. instead I’m going to see about getting a thin dowel so they will hold out stiffly straight across my back.

Testing Blogging Software

As nice as they are, I’m not a big fan of browser based journal entry interfaces. There’s been too many times I’ve been a fumblefingers and have closed the window midway through a long entry. So feel free to ignore this post while I play with MacJournal’s capabilities.

ETA 1 - Hmmm... it only seemed to pick up keywords from one journal and not this one.

ETA 2 - Checking something else...

More updates

I finished the ears. When I have a chance, I'll post a picture of me modeling them. Right now you'll just have to use your imagination. But here's what they look like.



I also have added more to the Metallicar Illusion Scarf. There are now 7 cars in it. I'm going to measure at 12 completed, and decide if it should be longer or not.





My cat Xena had to check out the quality of the work.



Don't worry, it passed inspection.

And I have started a scarf for my uncle. Actually, he's my mom's cousin, but for some reason, I was taught to call him uncle. It's based off the Mudflap Girl pattern that can be found in Stitch 'N Bitch Nation





All in all, not bad output for a week.

Picture updates

And here are the promised picture updates.

Two aliens observing earthlings.


They realized they were being observed in turn and cloaked themselves.


Why did the aliens leave? Because Dean and Sam came by in the Metallicar.


And here's what the scarf looks like from the hidden angle.



One wing, so I can only fly around in circles. The pattern isn't really visible both due to the camera and the fact that it's harder to see using the chenille yarn.


And here's both wings. They still need to be blocked so they won't be so curly and have the armature added so they will be stiff on the shoulders.


My what big ears you have...


The better to hear you with, my dear.


No, this isn't a black, fuzzy banana. It's the completed wolf's tail. As soon as I can find a good set of mirrors or someone to take a picture, I'll post me wearing it.

Updates

I've been busy, and my fingers are feeling it.

I have four projects at the no longer knitting stage. The wolf ears need to be attached to a headband. I'm still looking for a suitable one (I wish the padded kind were still in style), but I think I'll have to make a trip to the craft store for one I saw designed to be decorated. The tail is stuffed, armature added, but I need to sew it off and get some sort of chain so it can connect to the belt loops of jeans. The wings are knitted, need to be blocked and the wire frame sewn in. And the green alien scarf needs to be blocked and fringed (still).

Projects updates

I have begun making a pair of Allete Wings yesterday. As of right now, I have one wing done. This pattern has been an exercise in frustration because I changed the yarn over to Lion Brand's Chenille Thick 'n Quick solid in black, but didn't change the size of the needles. So I've had to be super careful with accidentally adding and dropping stitches. But I like how the wings are coming out. The feathers have a velvety feel, and their pattern is subtle. I'm putting this project on high priority so I can have it done for Dragon*Con.

The ears and tail are coming along. The tail is folded in half and sewn, and just needs to be stuffed. I'm debating on adding an armature so it curves slightly instead of hanging straight. It would also add some support for the belt hook. The ears need to be sewn together and attached to the headband. I'm still determining the best way to do that.

The Alien Illusion Scarf I'm doing on commission now has two heads done. It's not as time critical at the moment, though I do want to finish it since I have two other scarves in the pipeline that need to be done. I will pick that one up as soon as I have the wings done.

And my Metallicar Illusion Scarf is also coming along. Two cars are done, and I'm trying to decide how long I want it to be. I have a feeling it's when I feel I've reached the end, I cast off and fringe it. Once I'm certain there's no changes I want to make to the pattern, I will be posting it here.

I have two other illusion scarves I'm working up a pattern for. One is for my mom's cousin based on the Mud Flap Girl Tank found in Stich 'n Bitch Nation. The other one is a cat pattern that I'm working up and have to test.

All in all, I've been productive.

A Trouble of Tribbles

I ended up up with a lot of left over yarn from various scarf projects. And I'm just a sucker for the feel of eyelash and fur style yarns. They're the perfect thing for making up tribbles, and they also replicate almost as fast as the originals.

Dragon*Con Costume - Wolf Ears and Tail

I bought a tail last year at Dragon*Con, but wasn't able to get a pair of ears. I've been looking at some online, but can't find the ones I like when I actually had some money to spend on them. Then two weekends ago I came to the brilliant realization that I can knit a set. I came across some funfur with a metallic glitter and started knitting.



Of course, if I'm making a set of ears, I need a matching tail. Or at least one that will match better than the one I bought.:)





The ears will be sewn together and slipped over a wire frame attached to a headband. The tail needs an additional few inches knitted on for the belt loop. It will be folded over, stuffed, and a wire inserted to give it a slight curve.

Chinchilla Stole

Pattern: Chinchilla Stole

I made this a while ago around Christmas. It's got the soft feel of fur while being animal friendly. No animals were harmed in the creation of this stole. Knitters, on the other hand...

Alien Illusion Scarf Updates

I still haven't blocked and fringed the green alien scarf. But I'm still putting pictures of it online

Green Alien Scarf

All six visible


All six hidden


I've also been comissioned to make one in rainbow colors.

Rainbow Alien Scarf

One head visible


One head hidden