Mother Nature Costume accessories

The regular postings didn't last very long.

I scrapped the knitting, decided to crochet a vest - not gotten far on that.  Actually haven't done much in the way of crafting or sewing.

Until today  yesterday.

Tomorrow Today is Fairy and Fantasy Day at the centre I attend, it's the 5th year.  I decided not to make a whole new costume, I would use one I made 3 years ago and just update the accessories. I am going as Mother Nature.

 New headdress, the flowers are the only thing I bought new this year.  They are glued onto a headband I already had.  They cost the princely sum of $4.50.

Had planned on bringing an empty cardboard roll from work to make a staff with, but forgot to pick it up yesterday.  So today I asked the Angels for assistance in finding the perfect staff at our local reserve.  When I got there I got a message to "go over the bridge", there's a creek in the reserve so I drove to the crossing and found it flooded.  Then realised they didn't say cross at the weir, there's a walking bridge.  I then got told to go right, I turned left and was told to go my "other right".  Then I headed too far to the right and was told that too.  Basically got told which direction it was in and was heading to a grove of trees which was in the direction I was told, then was directed to skirt around to the back of the grove.  There it was just laying in reach, right where they said it would be.  I had asked for a particular thickness and wanted a handhold. It's perfect.   I was so happy and full of Gratitude. We just had to shorten it. 

The above sounds crazy right?  It's all true, I promise. 

I used my Ozito tool (similar to Dremel) to make a concave to hold a "crystal ball".  Which is made from two glass paperweights that I glued together for a costume two years ago.  Husband drilled holes to run twine through, I hot glued the ball in place - not successfully but finally held enough for me to tie the twine.  Then using hot glue I wrapped the garland around the staff.

I have plans to make another one, just waiting for the perfect branch.  This will have a genuine crystal ball in it, Amethyst or maybe a blue crystal ball.  Hoping that both come my way before Christmas as I am thinking of gifting it to my friend and mentor.

Simple Scarf and Yellow Submarine update.

 Recently I found a new yarn called Moda Vera Hudson.  This brand is only available at Spotlight which has stores in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.  The yarn looks like a fine icord.  I played around with needle sizes because I knew I wanted a chunky knit, the free pattern that came on the yarn use 7 mm needles.  I used the yarn doubled to make it really chunky but none of my needle sizes worked, until I hit on the idea of holding 2 needles together.  Only because I didn't want to buy bigger needles for a possible one-off project.  I taped together 10mm and 15mm needles.   

Taped the needles near the end where the stitches would not catch on the tape.  Once I got used to them they were surprisingly simple to use.

 

Detail of yarn showing icord like construction

Free Scarf Pattern

This is a very basic scarf just knitted in stocking stitch with reverse stocking stitch stripes.

Holding 2 strands of yarn together, cast on 12 stitches

Row 1 :  knit

Row 2 : Purl

Row 3 : knit

Row 4 : Knit  - this is the right side of the scarf

Row 5 : Purl

Continue these 2 rows until knitted stripe is as wide as you want it, I chose 5 rows divided 3 rows of reverse knitting.  Just remember that  when reversing knitting to use the stitch as you used the row before. 

Result is a soft, chunky knit.  

This pattern is very basic and can be used with a variety of yarns, from lace to chunky.  More or less stitches, the choice is yours.   The stripes can be as thick or as thin as you like.  The stripes can be a different colour or yarn.  

Just have fun with it.


Update on Yellow Submarine.

 The project was a complete success, I am disappointed that I didn't get to see it in person.  I didn't get the time to drive the 5 - 6 hours one way trip.  I did try to get my parents to go as they were passing by the area for an Aunt's 90th Birthday.  Until earlier this year she lived in Holbrook.

It's now been made into blankets for animals shelters.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/an-ornamental-submarine-in-holbrook-nsw-has-been-yarnbombed-to-turn-it-into-a-yellow-knitted-submarine/story-fnkeragy-1226951893912