Tunisian crochet

I am teaching tunisian crochet (also know as afghan crochet) on 10th November for the London group of knitting and crochet guild.
So I have been playing for the pass few weeks thinking about tunisian crochet and how much I really like it. I like the fabric and find it very quick to make up.
The scarf (the pink yarn) is a combination of filet crochet and tunisian crochet. I like mixing and matching technques and plan to make more patterned filet tunisian crochet scarves.
The fingerless glove (also tunisian) is part of a booklet I am writing, I hope to have a dozen fingerless glove patterns in it, knitting & crochet.

The Knitting and Stitching Show

I went to the The Knitting and Stitching Show in Alexandra Palace on Saturday. This year instead of card making and the many other non knitty and stitchy crafts they normally have, there was supplier stands with lots and lots of nice yarns. All variety of fibres.... silks, alpaca, wools, cottons.... in a rainbow of colours even hand-dyed yarns.

I bought a few bargain yarns :) from different sellers

and a book from the nice Sockopus lady, she wraps everyones purchases so nicely and added a stitch marker to each package. I don't want to spoil the package by opening it :)

John Foxx and Tiny Colour Movies

Went to a really good concert on Saturday at The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) John Foxx played two shows.
The first half John played his newly composed soundtracks to Tiny Colour Movies which was shown onscreen as he played. The film is found fragments of Super 8 film from a collection of Arnold Weizcs-Bryant, it was very interesting not what I was expecting. I really enjoyed it and could have listened and watched hours more. John even answered questions about the film and his music after the session.
Than the second half was his 1980 debut album Metamatic (my teenage bedroom music) it was excellent. A great night out.

Can ring pulls/ Soda can tabs

I have been collecting (and lots of friends, thank you keep collecting I still need more) fizzy drink can pulls (soda can tabs) since last year. Just about the same time most people I know decided to go on a health kick and not drink anymore fizzy drinks and I must confess to not drinking that many fizzy drinks myself :o

I used to make stuff with the can pulls/ tabs in the 80's when I was a fashion student, bags and jewellery mainly. I found some of my designs and notes last year from that era and as I have been in a recycle mode (with the carrier bags) decided to redesign and have a play remaking things. I have made a belt, bracelets, a few bags some coasters most are WIP's

This is one of the bracelets made with crocheted ribbon and the ring pulls/can tabs, I'll post more as I progress and hope to add a new section on the website in the next few months.

Ravelry

Yesterday I got my invite to join Ravelry and I'm now a member (I've been waiting on the list since July) The site is huge and the membership is growing everyday. If you're there come and look me up on http://www.ravelry.com/people/NezumiWorld I have only one friend (very good friend) there so far :( come join me
If you're not signed up yet, join it's excellent Ravelry

Heath and safety gone mad

A hospital has had to remove a box of wool and knitting needles which visitors and patients used to knit squares for charities while waiting for treatment, helping them pass the time and I would add helping their stress levels.. It was a popular pass time for three years without injuries or complaints until now :(

Full article:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/17/nhealth317.xml

International Jewellery London 2007

Yesterday I was at a trade only jewellery show - International Jewellery London 2007 This is the part of working I like, remembered to wear my softer shoes too this year, but my feet are still hurting today. It has exhibitors from all over the globe, this year there was a whole section of Jewellery makers and suppliers from Hong Kong. The show had large companies to small independent sellers. All the latest trends and developments can be seen here. From cheap and cheerful to super priced diamond pieces (I just looked at them eyes wide) The show has the jewellery that will be selling in shops in the coming months. The popular, must have items that were been offered by a number of different suppliers were enamelled silver charms, to buy fully made or in component pieces to create individual bracelets and necklaces. The charm bracelet is evolving. There were lots and lots of large murano glass pieces, I noticed many had beaded bails and were on small glass beaded necklaces. Leather, organza ribbon, satin with silver clasps to hang pendants on instead of just a chain. The murano glass was also mixed with silver beads again complimenting the charm bracelet look. Smaller crystals were made into flower and butterfly shaped brooches and pendents. Lots of sterling silver covered with gold plate, last year silver metals were dominant, this year sees gold tones making a comeback (but I think silver will remain popular for some time yet). Jewellers/ makers are experimenting introducing new materials into jewellery. Several sellers had Vegetable ivory pieces, made from a nut sliced and dyed. Worse thing I saw was colourful very cute furry flower brooches when I asked what they were made of --------to my horror ........they said....... chinchilla (aka. large furry nezumi's)