CREATIVE BLOCK

Whenever I have cap-making-creative-block I start doing entrelac.  Then I have to be fully concentrated. No matter how many times I have used this wonderful technique, I always have to take deep breath and focus on how I am going to start. This particular shawl will grow into very worm and cosy winter accessory. I often turn to entrelac. I did it as crochet and Tunisian crochet projects. Can't tell which I prefere.

But, knowing which side the stripes should go doesn't satisfy me. This technique is a kind of modular knitting, and I know very few things about it. I mean, I can do some short and small things, but I have never made any bigger project such as sweater, dress or skirt. So, while the cap making block is lasting, I decided to move on further - yes, modular knitting.

And you have perhaps heard about Kathryn Alexandra who makes mast6erpieces of enterlac/modular knits in brave vibrant colours. I found recently a preview on Youtube regarding her way of thinking about entrelac (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNi4jQiiz1w)

I also collected some of the images that gives me great inspiration and I would like to share with you

Nice, isn't it? I can stare at these colour combinations for hours. 

WHY HATS AND CAPS?

The period between winter 2013 and spring 2014 was marked by my hat making mania. Of course, here I showed only some of them. Many of them are missing from this showcase because either I haven't taken pictures of them or I have already given them away. Anyway, I have been obsessed for a rather long period; they are quick knits, mainly one ball projects and really creative challenge. You can always do something different, although the method is almost the the same. That's what I thought.Funny thing is that I have never been interested in making hats at all, and as a consequence, I did not know how to make them. Difficult to imagine, right? After about thirty years of knitting, I was complete ignorant.  This was changed when I moved to London. I was more than surprised when I noticed that almost everyone wore them. If not a hand knitted hat, than some kind of head gear. Colourful, imaginative, simply wonderful. And, I started googling, collecting, cramping up my PC memory with images, instructions, trying various caps and hats in shops,  but it was not what I wanted. An old school girl needed a BOOK. So, yes! Go to Amazon . My inspiration was boosted with these wonderful books that get me started. Nice pictures, understandable instructions, everything I needed.

It would not be fair to omit another great source of inspiration - YouTube. Its growing and growing content  makes me confused. I would like to knit it all. Another wonderful site I came upon , and refer to very often is a great work done by Lenore Berry-Zaragosa  ( https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryCoutureHats ) which I can look at endlessly. I didn't even dare to start making it right now. You can find her work on Pinterest too.

If I want to feed my imagination before going to bed I turn to another amazing creativity success of various enthusiasts (in my humble opinion of a hat making beginner) I just go to  

http://www.pinterest.com/AHDeR/hats-and-head-warmers-crochet-knit-etc/.

Anyway, you know it all. 

The hats, knitted and crocheted, I published here are only the part of my learning process. The key to my satisfaction is a good presentation, i.e. good picture. having problems with live models -mu daughters WOULD not do this, I use my Rosalinda's head (my dear plastic model) and do my best with Pixlr. Taking photo is definitely more difficult than handling two needles and some yarn.

My grandma and aunts (who taught me how to knit) kept on repeating that the new patterns should be strictly followed, and then, later, I can do whatever I want. I try hard to keep it in my mind their advice. In my case, it is not easy.

Yesterday I checked on what is in for winter 2014.  Although I still do not wear hats, I think that this first Google choice, might make me change my mind. 

www.fashionisers.com