Wednesday, June 26, 2013

This is Jean Luc Picard, of the USS Entreprise...

Equation for a quick birthday gift, for a sci-fi geek : left over wool + Star Trek fan + technology obsessed = Star Trek pyjama-like knitted phone cover.
Perfect! 
          
The knitting bit was really easy. After all, these Star Alliance uniform aren’t the trickiest to convert into..., well into anything really!... So here, no rocket science involved (poor pun intended).
The phone I’ve made this cover for is a Galaxy model (that one pun isn’t intended though!), but I’m hoping to work out measurements to fit an iPhone/iPod soon, and maybe tablets too... And in other colours than that of the Star Trek Next Generation Commander’s red.

Patrick Stewart, as Commander Jean Luc Picard


Using DK wool from the stash and 3mm straight needles (you can easily translate to double pointed needles I’m sure)
Cast on 24 stitches, using black wool.
Work 2 rows on 2x2 ribs.
Knit 8 rows in stockinette stitch.
Switch to the red wool, and continue in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 27cm from cast on edge.
Switch to black wool, work another 8 rows, and 2 rows in 2X2 ribs.
Cast off. Join sides using mattress stitch. Block.

Like I said, this is the easy bit. To transform this random block of colour into a Commander Jean-Luc Picard’s uniform, I needed to add a few things that are Next Generation specifics. It’s all about the details you know!... To start with, the insignia, the communicator badge for those in the know (that won’t be me by the way!). Using felt sheets and some random silver and gold paint, I managed to do just that in a way that it’s isn’t too bulky and also it is easy to sew it on and/or glue on the cover itself.
Also, another Trekkie I know suggested that I should add the 4 gold “dots” on the top of the black bit, as they are the mark of the rank of Commander Picard. I think. Well, whatever they are, they served me well as I hid a button in, or more like underneath, one of them; creating therefore a wee closing system for the phone cover. 

materials
communicator badge in the making

finished product

Et voilĂ !!! (Commander Picard is French, isn’t he?...)

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Stuck with a chart design? Call the plumber!

My friend Jess, aka Ginger Twist, is opening her knitting shop. Actually, she has opened her shop TODAY!!! Exciting much? You better believe it...

I like to think that I am a good friend, so I happily offered a hand in sorting some things out for the wee shop. Like painting the outside, moving the stock of wool into the shop and also shelving the wool (I’d like to point out that I am an honest friend too, there was no cheeky skein or ball hidden in my pockets when I left. I promise!)

But also, I am having a go at knitting design for real. As in imagining a design, knit a sample, and nicely type and print the pattern and chart for other people’s use on the computer.
Ginger Twist Studio is selling this beautiful kid mohair, and I was very inspired to make a cowl with it. A cowl with stars. Like a woolly constellation.

Working on the design for the colour chart, my inner geek’s little voice in my head whispered this amazing idea...



Isn’t it so obvious!!! Getting hold of old school Super Mario imagery, I easily transcript the pixel art of the star sprite into my chart. (I do emphasize that it is not a copy and paste of the existing pixel art, it has been amended for my design’s purpose)

I am now in the process of knitting the chart. I am nearly halfway through, and really really pleased with it so far. What do you think?...




I expect the cowl and pattern (which I will name Stellar, after realising that my first choice of name is somewhat unpronounceable) to be on show at Ginger Twist Studio in a couple of weeks. A week to finish the sample, and a week to come to grips with computer programs for the pattern! I’ll keep you posted...

Thursday, June 6, 2013

That sense of accomplishment... (and of relief!)

So I have been away on a few holidays lately.  Two short and a long adventurous one. Which is good, I love travelling and I have had a fantastic time. I’ll take time to tell you more about it some time...

Problem is when going away at length like that, is that all the things that have been started accumulate and just sit there, remain unfinished, on and on and on... And if that wasn’t bad enough I also had to start yet a new project upon my leaving to Africa (that’s the long adventure), because I wanted something small and easy to knit on the train and plane and during airport layovers... It actually helped a great deal keeping myself entertained so great idea there.  But now it’s just sitting along with the other bulkier or more complicated works I have ongoing... Gnnnnn...

I came back to real life and made an executive decision. Time to finish and not start things! Even if my head is overflowing with creativity. I shall be strong and resist temptation to cast on any new stitch what-so-ever!!!
I’m now proud to announce that I have finally finished the cropped jumper started over a month ago maybe two even. I appreciate it is by far the easiest project of the lot, but hey ho you’ve got to give yourself motivation one way or another. And I am well chuffed with this new garment of mine, as much for the sense of achievement as for the fact that it looks pretty cool!



The pattern, Fern, is from the book More Knitting in the Sun. I can still fit a 12 years old size top! Let’s have a bit of cake now...

detail of stitches worked



Onwards now to resume some colour work knitting and to finish these godforsaken Hawaiian shorts... And onwards to introduce mohair to my stash... Wait! What? “New wool”, “starting” something??? Oh well, I have a good reason for that. Other than I am weak faced with crafty inspiration...