This Month people are talking about Movember (a month for mustaches) but not many people know that it is also Wovember. A month to show appreciation and celebrate wool and all its awesome qualities. Don't believe me? check http://wovember.com/about/
I have no intention what-soever of growing a mustache but for someone who has been consistently falling in love with wool this year, it just seems wrong to not mark this month with something woolly. So I have given myself a little project. I bought 2 jumpers. 1 from a high street shop and the other from a vintage stall at Spitalfields Market. Both 100% wool of course.
My project, the vintage jumper has been used before obviously, and came with some holes. It is a beautiful aran style chunky knit (made in Scotland) and had sleeves much too large for me, probably being a Mens jumper.
So I first narrowed the sleeves, with woolen thread, all the while being very skeptical of the knitted edges coming loose once trimmed. I had ordered my first felting needle and it arrived just in time for me to embrace the most amazing quality of wool! I felted the loose ends into the new seam with the needle which worked beautifully.
The holes were mended with Rowan Tweed yarn which I am absolutely in love with at the moment. Bonus points for being 100% wool and having some lovely colours!
I also have ordered various wool fleece to finally try my hand at proper (or experimental) felting. What better time to do so then Wovember! In the meanwhile I spotted a tiny hole in my hat. Can you spot it?
It was promptly and elaborately dealt with. With Rowan Tweed yarn again. I already have 8 colours and I don't even knit! I find other uses for it.
I have no intention what-soever of growing a mustache but for someone who has been consistently falling in love with wool this year, it just seems wrong to not mark this month with something woolly. So I have given myself a little project. I bought 2 jumpers. 1 from a high street shop and the other from a vintage stall at Spitalfields Market. Both 100% wool of course.
My project, the vintage jumper has been used before obviously, and came with some holes. It is a beautiful aran style chunky knit (made in Scotland) and had sleeves much too large for me, probably being a Mens jumper.
So I first narrowed the sleeves, with woolen thread, all the while being very skeptical of the knitted edges coming loose once trimmed. I had ordered my first felting needle and it arrived just in time for me to embrace the most amazing quality of wool! I felted the loose ends into the new seam with the needle which worked beautifully.
The holes were mended with Rowan Tweed yarn which I am absolutely in love with at the moment. Bonus points for being 100% wool and having some lovely colours!
I also have ordered various wool fleece to finally try my hand at proper (or experimental) felting. What better time to do so then Wovember! In the meanwhile I spotted a tiny hole in my hat. Can you spot it?
It was promptly and elaborately dealt with. With Rowan Tweed yarn again. I already have 8 colours and I don't even knit! I find other uses for it.
And finally, to end Wovember, I am looking forward to exhibiting again at Made in Clerkenwell Open Studios this weekend. 2 buildings, 100 designers, 22-25th November 2012! Pop by to see some amazing handmade products and meeting some very talented Designers-makers. And not to mention a brilliant place for Christmas shopping!
I will be in unit 211, 2nd Floor in the Clerkenwell Green building, EC1R 0DX.
This is an amazing post about "Working with Wool" thank you for mentioning WOVEMBER! What a great job you've done, modifying that sweater to fit you better!
ReplyDelete...the visible mends are amazing, too, and I love the way you have put such lovely designs into your hat while mending it. You might enjoy Tom's blog - he writes beautifull about visible mending:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tomofholland.com/
Thank you Wovember! Glad to spread the word. Tom's blog is very interesting. Thanks for sharing it with me.
DeleteWow! I LOVE the contrast mending. I never would've thought of that, but it looks so nice. I always try to match when I mend but maybe I should shake things up.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joy. I find using contrasting yarn to mend just adds a little fun and some colour. I would definitely recommend trying it. Also it's a constant reminder that 'I did that' and makes me feel great about wearing it. Would love to know if you do some contrast mending.
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