Slices of Citrus

Orange, Lemon and Lime Slices

Knitted in the round and then felted, these slices of citrus fruits are a cheery dressing to the table and are safe to put hot pots and pans on since they are thick, felted wool. Man-made fibers like acrylics would melt and burn under the heat.

The pattern, called “Felted Citrus Mug and Pot Mats”, is from Dawn Brocco Knitwear Designs at www.dawnbrocco.com and costs $6 as a pdf download. I used two strands of worsted yarn held together because I have lots of it, (I refer you to Exhibit B in the column to the right,) and was too impatient to get bulky yarn as is recommended. You need big needles, US 10’s in this case, in both double pointed and 16” circular, but how big is up to you. Gauge doesn’t matter! Woo-hoo! 

My citrus slices ended up about 10” in diameter. I found that the finished pieces needed a lot of tugging into shape while wet to get a nice flat circle. I even weighted them down for a while as they dried.

I added little orange, lemon and lime seeds near the centers with a few white stitches for each before felting. Don’t you love the way the seed stitches on the rind add peel-like texture? 

With a little red wine, we could make sangria. But always use a designated knitter when drinking.

Extreme Knits

This section of my blog is dedicated to sharing examples of extreme knitting that make me wonder about the designer's sanity. I know, I know, for the sake of art and all. But still.


May will be over before we know it. As June is the traditional month for weddings, let us look at extreme bridal knits. Never mind that I was married in December.

Julia Ramsey Knitwear

Loopknits

Makepiece

The average cost of a wedding dress in the U.S. is $1,124 (according to unsubstantiated internet sources.) These unusual wedding dresses were hand-knitted by someone who was definitely not paid enough. Maybe they were labors of love, but that's a heck of a lot of love. I'm thinking there's an outstanding balance on the books.

This is more my speed. 

Pleasures of Poultry

Wool Wattles and Wings

I am the proud owner of 3 actual hens, and it was in celebration of their delightful quirkiness that I sought a knitted chicken pattern. Olivia and Sonia have orange coloring and are big, full-feathered girls. Genevieve is black and white, lean and mean, and Queen of the Coop. The little black hen I knitted while reminiscing about Genevieve's younger days, when she was half the size of the other 2 chicks and still afraid of them. 

First  knit the pear-shaped body, stuff it and sew up the opening. Then comes the beak, wattle, wings and tail to knit and sew on. I used beads for eyes.  I stuffed the orangey colored chicken with dry beans so it is chubbier than the others and probably can't fly.

I found the pattern Spring Chicken by Jacqui Turner of Bluesocks Designs on ravelry.com.

Genevieve, Queen of All She Surveys

Extreme Knits

This section of my blog is dedicated to sharing examples of extreme knitting that make me wonder about the designer's sanity. Even if they look kind of cool.

Here we have knitted sweaters for Seattle's TREES! And a light pole or two. Photographer Steve Ringman of the Seattle Times captured Suzanne Tidwell's artistry, or should I say knitistry?