Free Form Needle Felting with Marsha Polk

Saturday was a great day! Robyn Chachula (pictured below) and I went to a Free-Form Needle Felting Class, with author, crochet designer, and all around nice gal, Marsha Polk. (pictured above). Marsha is the author of Crochet Squared.

Here is my first attempt at needle felting. It's a little key chain! The class was held at Fiberge' yarn shop in Cincinnati, OH. And I didn't leave that store empty handed! Oh no, I had to peruse all the luscious fibers and choose one or two, or three or four to come home with me to sit in my stash indefinitely until I can get around to it.

The day only got better as I took the kids to see High School Musical 3. They loved it. I had to wipe a tear as Troy and Gabriella said goodbye. Followed by pizza and the kids having a camp-out in the living room and bingo, a great day. It only would have been better if Captain had been at home. But I think he was happier to be watching Michigan football than watching Chad and Taylor dancing with Sharpay and Ryan and the gang. Yeah, I want it all.

This is one of the very first garments I ever designed (2-3 years ago). And I tell you, when you are learning, there is no replacement for doing. Even when you don't know what you are doing, you learn so much just in the trying and learning from experience. Like I learned when you are doing a drop shoulder, that the sleeves need to be shorter to compensate for the extra fabric at the shoulder. I also learned that in a cardigan, the neck doesn't have to be as big because there is plenty of room because of the split fronts. As you can see, I had to add a few extra rows around the neck and front edge to help close-up the neck a bit. I also learned, that if you make something purple and add a little fuzz/sparkle to it, even a very picky 5 year old (at the time) will wear it with pride, even if it's not perfect.

Rubik's cube

Did I tell you this story already? I can't remember exactly when I learned how to crochet, I think I was about ten. My Great Aunt Margaret, lived next door and she used to crochet doilies and I assume other things as well. I know she probably taught me a little. I don't know if she also taught my Mom? At some point, my Mom learned and taught me. The first project I ever remember making/designing was a granny square Rubik's cube. It was popular back then (the first time it was popular). I made a granny square in each color and sewed them together and stuffed it like an amigurumi. I don't remember any stuffing coming out, so I don't know exactly how I did it. Later, around 13 or 14, my Mom and I made a granny square afghan together out of scrap yarn for my Grandmother. Then, I believe I didn't pick it up again until grad school when I was around 22? And I've been crocheting almost daily ever since!

Photos are back!

Let's see how this works.... I found an old photo program on this old computer, it's not Photoshop, but will it help carry me through until I get my good computer back? I think I should name my good computer don't you? How about "Sasha", I've always wanted a Calico cat that I could name "Sasha" but it hasn't happened yet. Maybe I should reserve that name just in case.... Ok, I'll come up with something else? Anyone have any suggestions?

Ok, let me post a photo from the old computer's photo program. This is our family on Christmas Eve at the Grandparent's house! HA! It worked! WooHoo!

BTW, Chickee is wearing the first sweater I ever designed, the sleeves are 4 inches too long, and she is wearing them rolled up. It's amazing that she actually likes it and still wears it even though it is 2 years old.

I'm so excited about photos being "back" that I'm going to go back to posts from the last few days and try and insert photos in all of them. Check out the rainbow on the goals post.