Pillows! Pillows! Pillows!

Just in time for fall sales! I decided a while back that I wanted to make some hand woven pillows. I ordered a whole bunch of 14" and 16" pillow forms. I finally got around to making some pillows with them.

All the pillows are wool, except one so far that is llama. The really fun thing about making pillows is that they don't take tons of yarn and yards of warp. Each one is like a new canvas to 'paint' however the mood suits! I have a lot of small amounts of yarn that are not enough for large projects, but perfect for pillows. I usually start with some idea of the colors I want to use and maybe a weaving technique I want to use, and that is about it. Then, I let the rest happen! Making pillow is also a great way to test a pattern, experiment with different drafts and tie-ups, etc. Lots of fun and a great learning tool! They are big enough to get an idea of how the pattern works without committing a large amount of yarn or expense. And, they are pretty! They don't take long to hand stitch together. I do all the sewing by hand. The pillow forms are polyester.

These and more will be for sale at the fall shows. 

Needle Felting Class

Today was a good day in class! We only needed two band aides all afternoon.

Arachne Yarn presented a needle felting class at The Smallest Art Gallery in Ortonville, MN this afternoon. Only two wounded souls. Lots of little creatures were created. Gnomes and snowmen. Each one different. Each one with it's own personality.

Each student received a set of three felting needles, a block of foam for a felting base, and enough core wool and colored wool to make three little critters.

Things got serious once we got started! It didn't take long until everyone figured out that you can talk while you felt, but you also have to pay attention or the needle bites! We learned how to make a basic body shape and how firm to make it. Then we worked on some of the finer techniques such as forming a circle, making flat felt, shaping pieces, and attaching pieces.  Beads, embroidery thread and sequins were provided to decorate the little creations.

 

 All the felters had fun and enjoyed making their very own, very unique gnomes! Several of the felters said they thought that they would continue to felt on their own. We also talked about possible future classes.