HI-LO Poncho

Hi - Lo Poncho

 I made this one twice, a cute chunky poncho with keyhole neckline, and collar and mini sleeves to keep it in place.  The first is an incredibly extravagant beauty, made with Colinette Point Five yarn.  At full price and 6 skeins, it would cost over $150 (US), plus taxes and shipping.  I was fortunate enough to find it and get it to me for just under $100.  Still a treat for sure!  Shown in blue mix above.

I love the pattern, but thought it may be worthwhile trying to duplicate it in a wonderful value yarn, like Lion Brand Hometown. Shown in Pink mix above.  Six skeins of this cost $24 (US) plus taxes.  Quite a difference, and still a lovely poncho!

Your choice, go Hi or go Lo, but go poncho.  It is a fast knit and great for these transitional season days.

Sizes:  Small,[ Medium, Large. ] A loose fit should fit most.

Yarn:  Colinette Point Five,  6 [6, 7]skeins.  *** OR *** Lion Brand Hometown USA, 6 [6, 7] skeins

Gauge:  7 sts = 4”

Needles: 10mm (US 15) circular needles  (24 “ max)

Body of Poncho (work 2 pieces the same)

Cast on 28[31, 34] sts.  Knit four rows  (garter stitch)

Next row (right side),  Knit all stitches.

Wrong side row:  Knit 3, purl to last 3 sts, knit 3.

Repeat last two rows until 29”[ 31”, 33”] worked, then garter stitch next four rows.  Cast off all stitches.

Checking out photos, sew short end of one rectangle to long side of other.  Fold like photos and sew other short side to last long side, creating a poncho with v-neck front and back.

Collar:

Mark with safety pins 2 inches each side of each “V”.  This is the space to be left for “keyhole”.

At one pin, start picking up neck stitches, 28 along one side until next pin, then turn and cast on 2 sts over the keyhole gap, continue to pick up 28 more sts until next pin, and cast on 2 over second gap.  Closing the circle start to knit around the neckline, in K1, P1, ribbing.  Work for two rows, then on third row, cast OFF the last two stitches of the round (over the keyhole that will be the front.)

Now work the rest of the collar, back and forth (NOT in the round) continuing the ribbing for about3 more inches.  Cast off loosely.

Sleeves.

Fold the poncho, and mark center of “shoulder line”.  Measure 8 inches down both sides and place two safety pins.  Working between the 16”, pick up 30 stitches, and work in K1, P1 ribbing for 4 inches.  Cast off loosely.  Sew bottom edges of mini-sleeve.

 Mark the "V" for the keyhole.  It makes the collar more round!

 Hi - lo, anyway you go, the perfect poncho.

Monarch Butterfly Nuno-Felt Coat

Last photo of the butterfly pieces in assembly line....

 And the photo shoot on the front porch.  A lovely sunny day, perfect for the arrival of the first butterfly of spring!  I will be taking this one (size Small - Medium) to Pamela's in Jordan Village.  BUT, you have a chance to own one yourself, as I have also posted it to ETSY, where you can order a custom sized coat!

 I love these nuno felt coats (in all the colours that I make) as you can wear it almost all year 'round, inside in the winter, and outside spring and fall, or chilly summer nights.  Silk is warm and cool and light.

Butterflies

On my mind for quite a while, has been a nuno-felted Butterfly Coat.  I have made quick sketches at work, and while on vacation, but did not start the project until the wall art (in the background of the photo) was completed.  I started with some fine silk chiffon in white and black.  I spent a morning dying the white to orange.  Then I began the many segments needed to produced the effect I had in mind.  here is a quick peek at the work so far....

I am please with the first pieces.  I need 7 individual pieces of nuno-felt, then a few hours to sew it into the floor length coat.  It should be light and airy and kind of float around the body as I walk.

:)

At Eye Level

Here is the finished Felt Art Piece.
It is titled "At Eye Level", and represents the retina of the art lover's eye, with the rods and cones that allow the viewing, and appreciation of art.  Fibre art particularly is a "touchable" artform, but you must not touch.... so the eye takes in the texture, depth and colour.

 Aspen thinks it is a wall of birdhouses!

The retina has 4.5 million cones and 90 million rods!  Eyes are amazing