Last week for my Design and Graphics class, I was given an assignment to create a three-dimensional collage/model out of the following materials:

• Chipboard
• Corrugated cardboard
• Balsa wood
• Bass wood
• Styrofoam
• Polymer Clay
• Fabric I
• Fabric II
• Sheet Metal
• Wire

Fabric? That means fiber, right? Yes!

My concept for the project was to integrate the materials by weaving them together. Here's a snippet from the text I put in my portfolio:

Ten distinct materials, melded into one cohesive whole through weaving techniques. Each element either penetrates or is penetrated by another material, so that the finished model holds together with very little use of glue.

Intersecting planes, lines, and forms work together to create distinct spaces that are at the same time open to one another. From almost any viewing angle, each material is visible.

Dimensions: 8" x 8" x 2"



The solid-looking panel on top is woven.




The lacy-looking panel on the bottom is filet crochet, worked into a chipboard frame.

My professor and TAs were impressed. They found it interesting that I managed to "weave" a seemingly-unrelated part of myself into my architectural work. Sadly, I broke the sheet metal off during my presentation, but it's easily fixed.

There are more pictures on Flickr.

Happy Knitting :)
--
J, who is working on her second all-nighter in a row.

Here's The Key Part II. Go here to see it as a knitted swatch, and here to see Part I (and an explanation).

It repeats, so you can adapt it to fit any size knitted object.

Enjoy!

Another FO down: my months-old Sidewinders. Some of you might remember when I started these and knit the first sock-- way back in August! The half-finished second sock sat in my WIP box for ages, and tonight I decided I wasn't going to stand for it anymore.

These socks look and feel great. I messed up the grafting on the second sock, so it looks a bit bunchy on the back and is slightly shorter than the other one, but I was planning on wearing these with jeans most of the time, so it won't show. They fit my feet just about perfectly!

I can't remember what the yarn is. Some cheap knitted-tube sport weight from Wal-Mart. It was one of those times when I saw the pattern and needed to knit it NOW, you know? I actually couldn't be happier with the yarn. It has a nice smooth texture, and feels cool to the touch--perfect for hot Florida weather.

Things have been insane in SP-land lately, and I've had almost no time to post!

Finally I've slowed down enough for an update to post some fibery goodness.

I'm drowning in yarn!

A semi-local yarn store (The Yarn Gallery in Dunedin, FL) is closing down at the end of the month, and I got a chance to hit up the closing sale. I ended up with some Cherry Tree Hill Merino Lace and some Regia sock yarn.





The Regia is in the Mirage Fog colorway, and will be turning into a pair of socks for my dad. I haven't decided on a pattern yet (suggestions welcome!), but probably an interesting rib pattern.




The laceweight is an interesting story. I bought it because there is a ton of it (2400 yards!), it was a good deal, and it's beautiful. No idea what to make with it yet, there's enough for 2 shawls or sweaters! I'm not much of a shawl person, but I may make some of it into a lacy shrug or scarf. I've been eyeing Jeanie from Knitty, or maybe I'll modify Arbor. If all else fails, I'll sell or trade it on Ravelry.

Bye-bye, Yarn Gallery. I'll miss you!

Later today I'm heading out to meet a lady from Freecycle about even more yarn. She has a few old sweaters she's giving me for unraveling purposes. Personally, I love recycling things. Why throw away an old sweater when you can make it into a new one? But a lot of recycled yarns have the disadvantage of being faded, stained, or just not exciting.

Well, with a little work and creativity, we can change this! My plan is to handpaint the yarns, re-skein them, and wash them so they're like new again. And since I've got more of this than I can (or want to) knit, I'm planning on setting up an Etsy shop to destash a bit and spread the love of beautiful, environmentally-friendly fiber. More information, and a link to my Etsy shop, will be posted when I get everything set up.

I'm trying to work out a few things in my life right now (homowork, my architecture school application, personal relationships, planning for my trip this weekend, a Ravelry swap I screwed up and am trying to fix), and don't have the stamina to write a post for WIP Wednesday.

I'm going to go wind some yarn into balls as therapy, and I'll talk to you all soon.

Love,
J

Update: 01/24/2007: Added better-quality chart.

I realized I have a scanned graph of the color chart in my computer already! Since this is hand-done and a little sloppy, I'll probably replace this with a better-quality computer image later.

The Key (Part 1 of 2) is based on the ancient Greek Key motif. This chart is a rather literal interpretation of the key, Part 2 (to be published next week) will be a more figurative, abstract approach.

This pattern is worked in Fair Isle. I envision it as three different shades of grey on a white background, you're obviously free to knit it in whatever colors you like. It might be pretty using a long-repeat self-striping yarn (such as Noro Kureyon or Debbie Mumm Traditions) against a solid background.



To view the image larger or save a copy to your computer, click on it.

Sorry, but Technique Tuesday's post will probably be a little late, I've got 75 sketches to do of a bell pepper, and haven't had time to finish making the downloadable chart. I'll post the chart as soon as I get a chance, promised!

Here's a swatch I've just finished, of a color chart I've been working on. It's knit in Patons Classic Merino, in two shades of grey, using the Fair Isle colorwork technique. Size: 6 inches by 7 inches, after blocking.

The color chart is Part 2 of a two-part series called "The Key". Both designs are based on the Greek key motif, with Part One being a more literal interpretation, and this being the more abstract.

The chart for "The Key-- Part One" will be posted tomorrow as part of Technique Tuesdays.

Some of you might know that Brittany offers a warranty on their needles and hooks. If you break one in "normal use" within 5 years of buying it, you can contact them for a free replacement.

On the website, it says it normally takes about two weeks to process a return. You'll see why this is important later.

I originally emailed them over six weeks ago because of a snapped DPN. I got a reply right away, and was hoping my new needle would be coming soon. Three weeks after that, I got another reply saying "Will send ASAP", when I'd assumed they had already sent the first time they emailed me. I tried calling a few times in between emails, left a message once, and never got any reply.

A week ago, I finally got the replacement. It was about six weeks from the original email to the time when I received the package.

They were very generous in sending me two new needles instead of one, and the product itself is great. These are some of my favorite sock needles to knit with. It's very nice of Brittany to offer a warranty at all, when many needle producers don't, but I was very unhappy with the customer service policy. Promising two-week return service that actually takes over a month is just unacceptable.

Hello, 2008. I hope everyone's year is going knittingly (or crochetingly, depending on the craft of choice)!

Since we've got a new calendar on the wall, I decided to toy with some new things here at Saltwater Purls. To get things a bit more organized, and maybe get me posting more, I'm going to have a few "categories" for my posts, based on when they're posted.

Technique Tuesdays: Color charts, stitch patterns, tutorials and instructions.

WIP Wednesdays: I get you up to date with something I've been working on.

Fiber Fridays: All things yarn-- spinning, dying, and reviews of commercial yarns.

Free patterns, random updates, and other stuff will continue to be posted on other days.

Hope this year is awesome for you all :)