The pattern for this "autumn leaves" blanket appears in Tara Manning's book Compassionate Knitting, and I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to make something like it. The only problems? I don't knit, I can't follow a pattern, and I don't care for the free-floating edges of those appliqued leaves. So I crocheted my blanket using my trusty single crochet/chain stitch combination I use for everything I crochet, finishing off the edges of the blanket in a beautiful flamelike orange and yellow yarn. All I need to do now is applique my felt leaves and I'll be done. Of course, all I've needed to do for the last six months is applique those leaves, so who knows when I'll ever finish?
This quilt pattern is called "zipper" and appears in the book The Modern Quilt Workshop by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. I've been thinking about this quilt for many moons now and 2007 might finally be the year to give it a try. I like the fact that it's unusual but also not insanely difficult. I suppose it could be made with many different color combinations, but I'm in love with the original cool blues, greens and lavenders.
I love working with wool felt and have no trouble finding all kinds of inspiration from talented artists in books and online. But in my opinion, nobody is doing more interesting (and frankly, adorable) work than Salley Mavor. She's a genuine multimedia artist, combining fabric with beads, buttons, rocks, bits of wood, jewelry hardware, and more. I would love to make a shadow box or wall hanging of some kind using her techniques (many of which are described in her book Felt Wee Folk); I do fear that I'll only be copying her, though, instead of creating something really my own.
Here, in no order whatsoever, are some other things I'd like to take a stab at:
2 comments:
I absolutely love the felt work with the little house and swing. Some of the quilted pieces look amazing, too. If you ever take it up, my Mom is a whiz at it. She has her own little quilt class at home and would love to show somebody how to get started...since her daughter's limit is sewing on a button!
What inspiration! I knit, but don't crochet. That leaves blanket is very cool; just get it done in time for next Fall. Or do you have much of a fall out in CA?
All those quilts make me I think I need to ask my MIL to teach me how to quilt now.
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