Knitting Architect

Teenie Tawn's Postal Mittens

2012-01-27T23:15:00.001-08:00

My baby sister is currently working as a postal carrier and she needed a pair of sturdy fingerless mitts to help her get through the day with warm hands. I designed a quick pair out of Lamb's Pride yarn which is great for felting in the color Orchid Thistle which is aptly named for the thistle ranch I am running. The felting happened yesterday and they came out perfect, a bit of a boxing glove feel to them, but I think that will help in a rough and tumble working environment. The headband is made of the remaining yarn, but I will leave that up to my sis as to whether or not she would like it felted.

Snow Day in PT

2012-01-19T21:09:00.000-08:00

Postal mittens are in the design works, but I had a serious hiccup today and have to start over!

There is nothing quite like snow in the Northwest. It disables everything, for example, they have to close schools because I am certain kids come in their Converse as they own no boots (we only get snow once or twice a year).

As I was wandering through the woods, which is very dangerous right after a snowstorm (the branches become heavy and break off and are referred to as widow makers). I noticed this broken down tree and matched it with my pernambuco knitting needles. I have first hand experience with widow makers... when I was a kid, there was a wind storm and a branch fell and broke through the metal roof of a U-Haul my parents had rented.

The thing that really gets me about this picture is the perfect alignment of the needle on the right side to the tree next to it. I did not do this on purpose, but because I am an architect by trade parallel alignment is I guess innate at this point.

Beating the snow on Sunday I wandered over to Churchmouse Yarn and Teas and bought myself a skein of Rowan fine tweed yarn. Very bad picture, but isn't it a lovely color? Designing is in order!

Great Chunky Scarf knitting pattern

2012-01-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

Great Chunky Scarf

Break out the Flexible Flyer, it is snowing here in Port Townsend and I've finished writing up the pattern for the Great Chunky Scarf. A simple historic Shetland Lace pattern, I designed this using thick and quick yarn although I am hoping to move on to only natural fibers in the near future.

Big Chunky Sweater

2012-01-16T04:54:00.001-08:00

This sweater is on my todo list.

Fishy Mittens

2012-01-13T23:51:00.001-08:00

Goldfish mittens have got to be the best present ever to make for a little kid! The pattern is available for free on Ravelry. Savory Knitting

Great Chunky Scarf

2012-01-13T23:06:00.001-08:00

The Great Chunky Scarf is from my designing past. Currently I am working up the pattern, it will be a little bit wider, but the same shetland lace.

Quince & Co

2012-01-12T23:15:00.000-08:00

This simple little sweater keeps popping up. First I saw it HERE and I assumed these cute Agnes sweaters were designed by the Shetland Trader, but it is in fact a design by Melissa LeBarre for Quince & Co. the pattern can be found in their Wool Book One. The thing I like about this sweater is that it is cutely cropped and the neck is such that if made of scratchy wool, a simple t-shirt could be worn under it and not be noticed too much. The alternate colored lined pockets are pretty cute too.

I am so impressed with all of the talented designers, photographers and dreamers out there!! They make knitting fun.

Montana Tote Crochet Pattern

2012-01-11T23:09:00.000-08:00

I am reposting some of the patterns that I currently have for sale on Etsy. I hope to have them available for pdf download on Ravelry soon. Knitting and crocheting has gotten to be so fun. Don't you remember when all we had were bad yarns and equally bad patterns, I didn't even bother with patterns, I would just get these ideas in my head and go for it, like the time I knit my uncle a black sedan with white windows for Christmas. I wonder if he ever takes that thing out for a drive?

Botticelli and Capriatti

2012-01-09T22:32:00.000-08:00

Today I was parusing my library of Vogue Knitting magazines and came across this Rowan add in the 2008 issue. The styling reminds me of historic paintings which I find inspiring for both knitting and painting.

This is a bouquet of greens that I found on a walk behind my house today. I have entitled it Capriatti's bouquet as the trails are named after a man with that name. Although I have been wandering these trails for about seven years now, today I got lost. I wandered up a steep hill passed an old red car door and ended up in someone's yard on a dead end on the side of town I hadn't known connected to the trails. Truly I was turned around, actually a lot of fun.

Rachel's Bobble Cap

Rodarte Crochet Tops

2012-01-08T13:22:00.001-08:00

Rodarte Crochet Top

Ella crochet pattern by Marie Wallin

Mission crochet pattern by Marie Wallin

A while ago I posted about Rodarte and some crochet tops they had in their runway show. It is on my design list to come up with my own designer crochet top, but in the meantime I found these two patterns by Marie Wallin on the Rowan website. My personal favorite is the design called Mission.

Kelp Mermaids

2012-01-07T09:10:00.001-08:00

Kelp Mermaids My sister's hubby took this picture of on the beaches of Dungeness Spit. The composition is striking.

The Shetland Trader

2012-01-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

I found a new designer on Etsy who has used an e - book to sell 10 patterns at a time. I love her pictures and the colors in her designs. Find her HERE

Rachel's Bobble Cap

2012-01-03T22:56:00.000-08:00

For Pattern see http://www.knittingarchitect.etsy.com/ notice the Rachel Ruysch coloring here.

Rachel Ruysch Flowers in a Glass Vase

2012-01-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

Under the Christmas tree was a pack of Art Cards. It is a kid's game similar to go fish or concentration and this was one of the paintings. I am currently in love with this female painter from the 1600's Dutch Golden Age of painting. Love it, love the bugs and intend to try painting in this fashion.

Captain Jill outfit

2012-01-01T00:39:00.000-08:00

This I called a Captain Jill outfit and would go perfect in the Northwest, casual, not too assuming, warm and dry. I would probably change out the shoes for some Danskos (feet stay dry in Danskos).

Fingerless Mittens

2011-12-30T22:22:00.001-08:00

These fingerless mittens are newly finished and I can't wait to wear them. Inspired by the Composed Mitts I mixed up the colors and yarns, using wool, mohair, and a little cashmirino. I shortened the original design and changed the thumb opening.

Knitting in the Nordic Tradition

2011-12-29T23:44:00.000-08:00

I walk while I knit! People are amazed and think I am very talented, but perhaps it is just genetic.

Knitting in the Nordic Tradition was in my stocking this year. I am drawn to the Faroe Islands Knitting as well as the Shetland Island traditions for two reasons, my mother is of Norwegian decent and my father of Irish. That really only counts as one reason, the other is that these islanders lived in a place that had limited natural resources and they sold their exquisite handmade treasures as a part of their livelihood. I live in a tourist town that is much like an island, it is a small peninsula on a larger peninsula, which is remote in that there is one road in and one road out. You can also access it by boat. I am hoping to create my own independent economy!

Now for a little trick, winding yarn. If you like to knit or crochet by pulling the yarn from the center of the skein, first loop the loose end of your yarn around your thumb and pinkie about 8 times. Fold this in half keeping the end hanging down and away from the loop. Wrap this ring of yarn around your thumb and continue to wrap the rest of the yarn around and around keeping track of the original tail. When you come to the end, wind the yarn around the center of your skein about 6 times and tuck in the end. Be sure not to wind too tightly as it supposedly stretches the yarn and reshapes it.

Hang on We've Almost Survived Christmas

2011-12-25T23:49:00.000-08:00

This is my personal painting of The Scream. I gave it to a friend of mine. I hope that she finds comfort in it. I think it pretty much sums up how we all feel once in a while.

Merry Christmas in Purple Velvet

2011-12-24T23:24:00.000-08:00

A little Betsey Johnson

Frida

2011-12-24T23:21:00.000-08:00

This was my interpretation of Frida Kalo. Don't you just love the simple wood frame. My hubby made it and that is how I am going to frame my super large paintings.

Tracy Reese

2011-12-24T06:24:00.000-08:00

F a b u l o u s !

Glamorous Granola

2011-12-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

Just the right combination of natural colors and modern detailing.

An artist who inspires

2011-12-22T19:57:00.000-08:00

I admire art for the technique of it. How John Singer Sargent can make a bit of white oil paint look like the sparkle of a diamond or someone's eye. Sometimes I like how the old masters can make people look like they are in the room with you or how a watercolor artist can render the sea in amazing blues and greens. Not very often am I drawn in by content. From the stack of expired magazines at the library came home a 2010 edition of an Art News magazine, in it is an article about a photographer named Justine Kurland. She travels around the country in a van taking pictures of people who are not living the suburban lifestyle. Very interesting.

Sparkle Skirt Belt Top AND Bicycle

2011-12-22T19:50:00.001-08:00

Sparkles are for me.

I know this isn't a painting or a post about a painting, but the piles of magazine images of outfits that I need to put together either piece by piece brand new from various shops, or by purchasing vintage glam from The Wandering Wardrobe consignment shop, are taking over the storage space in my house. I am counting on the computer to reduce my clutter and streamline my shopping.

This is an image from a Vogue magazine.

The Red Velvet Chair

2011-12-20T05:09:00.000-08:00

I like to imagine that this girl has just gotten a moment to spare and isn't going to waste it doing dishes!

Main Street in Tiny Town

2011-12-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

Watercolor

Bid Here

Christmas Tree oil painting and New York City

2011-12-04T23:15:00.000-08:00

I dug out a couple of old oil paintings for fun. The Christmas tree was painted from life and it is really amazing how much color is captured compared to painting from photographs.

Amazing Portrait

2011-12-03T22:41:00.000-08:00

Tonight was Gallery Walk in Port Townsend, our little city was buzzing with Christmas Cheer and interesting art.

Recently I checked out an American Artist magazine and ran across an article about Nelson Shanks. His portraits are right up my alley. Colors and images that appeal to me. Like a small child, I try to immitate what impresses me by copying. My intention is not to copy his portrait, but to use it as inspiration and infuse my own creative ideas.

Reading in a Red Dress

2011-12-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

Fly Fishing the Raging River

2011-11-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

I really love the way this whole things looks. I just sold the painting on etsy which is a rare event.

Girl Leaving Original oil painting

2011-11-20T13:18:00.000-08:00

There are paintings that you wish you had never sold. This is one of those. I sold it about ten years ago. The girl reminds me of a good friend of mine and although this isn't her portrait the essence of my friend is in this painting.Whenever I see the digital file, I think of her and all of the fun we had.

More Boatyard Dock Buildings

2011-11-18T20:53:00.001-08:00

Boatyard Buildings on the Dock

original watercolor painting

Just wanted to share an update on my big oil painting.

Still LIfe in watercolor

2011-11-16T22:33:00.000-08:00

Great Grandma's Vase still life

2011-11-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I feel like oil paintings compared to watercolors are paint just smooshed around on the canvas.

Girl in the Window Drinking Coffee

2011-11-09T17:18:00.000-08:00

I call this work vintage Tam, it is a small oil on canvas painting. This week I will be showing quite a few of my oils from 2002 - 2003.

Some works of art you part with willingly while others haunt you, this is a haunter...I wish I had never let it go. The good thing is that it has inspired a new work coming soon and on a much larger scale! See Below.

Wooden Boat Building painting

2011-11-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

Wooden Boat Building

miniature watercolor painting

Wild Field of Poppies

2011-11-07T17:31:00.000-08:00

Wild Field of Poppies

watercolor painting

Ancient Village by the Sea

2011-11-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

Ancient Village by the Sea

Original Watercolor

This was a fun painting to work on. I hope you like it.

Alley Painting

2011-11-05T23:53:00.000-07:00

Chiroscuro Sunflower 2

2011-11-03T14:18:00.001-07:00

Chiroscuro Sunflower 2

9" x 12" oil on canvas

Chiroscuro Sunflower

2011-11-03T14:14:00.001-07:00

8" x 10" oil painting

Chiroscuro Sunflower

Solitary Campfire

2011-11-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

Initially I was going to call this post Lonesome Campfire, but I thought about how this cowboy looks gazing into the smoldering fire and realized that he is not lonely at all, more pondering, perhaps the meaning of life. This is an oil painting by N.C. Wyeth that I did a watercolor study of.

Gypsy Girl watercolor fashion illustration

2011-11-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

To purchase

Gypsy Girl

watercolor painting

I was thoroughly disappointed to see that I missed posting on Halloween, but I painted this painting yesterday while listening to Steven King's book IT on tape. So now when I look at this miniature gypsy girl, I remember the sense of the day and the scary book.

Boatyard Buildings

2011-10-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

Boatyard Building

SOLD 5" x 5" watercolor on cold press paper

Sometimes the most industrial buildings are the most interesting if you look at them in the right way. For quite a while I would paint neat old buildings and then they would get torn down not long after, I thought that perhaps I was jinxing them.

Dock Buildings and Van Gogh Style Sunflowers

2011-10-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Dock Building

to purchase BID HERE

watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper

miniature 6" x 6"

Van Gogh Style Sunflowers

To Purchase SOLD

8" x 10" oil on stretched canvas

Preschool Kids on the Farm watercolor

2011-10-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post a farm painting from when my daughter was littler. It seems appropriate for the season.

Sea Oars Resting

2011-10-26T09:52:00.001-07:00

To Purchase

watercolor on cold press paper Being a big fan of some established watercolor artists, I can't help but mimic their work. Jeanne Dobie is one of my favorites when it comes to color and color mixing. Perhaps I like her work so much because she creates some amazing greens.

Yellow Wooden Rowboat

2011-10-25T09:52:00.001-07:00

SOLD

Yellow Wooden Rowboat

oil on stretched canvas

It is so much fun to watch the journey of a painting. This one went into a show at the coffee shop and then into my Etsy store where I was able to share it and eventually sell it to someone in Florida. I guess the wonderful bright colors were too exciting for the boat lovers of the Northwest.

Baby Chicken oil painting miniature

2011-10-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

SOLD

Baby Chicken oil on gesso board

miniature

I still like the idea of painting baby chickens and eggs. Painting and having to finish it every day is really a good idea.

The Guide

2011-10-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

I painted this after a Winslow Homer watercolor. He's my hero!

Suzy's Coffee Shop

2011-10-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

SOLD

Coffee Bar 1012

Oil on stretched canvas

Love the way the colors just jump out at you on this painting. The thing I like about painting is that for me they are seldom boring.

Blaine Street oil painting

2011-10-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Blaine Street

oil on stretched canvas

Love painting with lots of color and in an impressionistic style.

Fashion Illustration

2011-10-20T09:28:00.001-07:00

Fashion Illustration

watercolor on 140 lb paper

I have already posted this, but thought I would show it again.

Bird's Nest on a Cherry Blossom Branch with Eggs

2011-10-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

SOLD

"Bird's Nest on a Cherry Blossom Branch with Eggs" oil on gesso board

8" x 10"

The late summer farmer's market inspired a series of sunflower paintings that I have showing at the coffee bar uptown.

Montana Pioneer Homestead

2011-10-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

I love how when traveling through Montana you see the pioneer homesteads standing along in the fields.

Gypsy Cart Watercolor painting

2011-10-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

Over the summer our neighbors had a gypsy camp in their field. The carts were so beautifully made and so interesting I had to paint it.

Village by the Sea watercolor

2011-10-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

Village by the Sea is a 10" x 10" watercolor. I like to make crooked buildings, it gives them personality.

The Honey Thief black bear painting

2011-10-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

This is a painting of a black bear done with oil on a stretched canvas... 9" x 12"x 3/4". I love the mischievious nature of bears and the bee season is just coming to a close around here. SOLD

Leisure Day at the Beach

2011-10-14T09:33:00.001-07:00

Recently I was in a fauvist mood and came across an artist who inspired me with his groovy shapes and crazy colors. The theme is a sixties on beach couple but I added the reality of todays relaxing and included a laptop and a cell phone rather than a guitar. The painting is oil on 14" x 14" canvas. To purchase any paintings without the bid link, check the painting store.

Calm Before the Storm

2011-10-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

This watercolor reminds me of that dark quiet calm that comes before a big rainy thunderous gust of wind and storm. The rollings hills are filled with a variety of greens and the purple sky seems to glow. SOLD

Spunky Little Chicken

2011-10-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

I like the idea of painting little baby chicks. This is an oil on 6" x 6" gesso board.

SOLD

Fort Worden watercolor

2011-10-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Fort Worden has an unlimited supply of inspiration for paintings.

To purchase.

SOLD

Still Life with Great Grandma's Vase

2011-10-09T21:55:00.001-07:00

A watercolor a day is a fun project. I love the movement in this large still life painting I did.

Wildlife watercolor Black Wolf

2011-10-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

My mother and I were having a conversation about wildlife artwork, so I was inspired to post this one. The great thing about painting is that the more you do, the more interesting the paintings get. Sorry, this painting is not for sale.

Seashell watercolor

2011-10-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

Seashells as a watercolor painting are delightful. I think I need to do some more.

Boatyard Buildings

2011-10-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

Cosmopolitan Landscape

2011-10-05T12:08:00.001-07:00

A watecolor a day.

The Back Alley

2011-10-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

I love painting what used to be referred to as the Back Alley. This painting has been SOLD.

Lonesome Cowboy and his Dog

2011-09-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

SOLD This is one of my favorie paintings. Done after an N.C. Wyeth oil painting I think it looks equally good as a watercolor cowboy with his dog.

Blueberries watercolor painting

2011-09-25T19:43:00.001-07:00

Sold

Blueberries

Watercolor painting.

The Violinist

2011-09-24T23:24:00.001-07:00

SOLD

This is an older painting from 2003. I was doing a lot of oils then and I really like the shapes of the colors and the black and white.

Bride Crossing Ahead

2011-09-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

I think this may be the end of the bride season.

Crochet by Marie Wallin

2011-08-30T22:51:00.001-07:00

Love this. Rowan shows some of their design process on this project.

Watercolor in your tea

2011-08-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

A little watercolor in your tea this morning.

Dalesmen by Martin Storey

2011-08-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

The light in the morning has begun to glow a little orange while coming in the windows at a lower angle. Though the air has not yet turned crisp, that lighting is a sure sign of the coming fall and the knitting bug begins again.

This book of men's designs that I happened upon by Martin Storey for Rowan yarns is just about torture. Which one to make and which yarn to choose. I also love the photography and settings. Time for a little travel to go with that knitting.

Cougar watercolor painting

2011-08-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sold "Cougar"

watercolor

Doodle Dancer

2011-08-25T00:33:00.000-07:00

There is really nothing so real as kid drawing.

The Samurai Knitter

2011-08-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in some paintings check here.

Honestly where was this woman when I was knitting mohair sweaters as a teen. I had no idea back then that the sweaters I began wouldn't look on me the way they looked in the books or magazines.

The Samurai knitter reviews Vogue Knitting every issue and it is really remarkable the way she sees things that we all might miss.

Sailboat watercolor

2011-08-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

Mod Dresses

2011-08-15T09:39:00.001-07:00

Go-Go Style

Dovima has found and delivered several inspiring looks on her flickr account.

Fashion Illustration

2011-08-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

After an epiphany.

The Betsey Girl

2011-08-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

Love the Vintage Betsey Johnson look as she ventured into making patterns for Butterick called Alley Cat. Here is just a sampling of her work then and a pattern. A wrap dress with a hood, keep a lookout for this.

Watercolor Green Hills

2011-08-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

I always love how the watercolor pretty much paints itself.

Free Crochet Pattern Granny Inspired Shoulder Warmer

2011-08-02T02:29:00.001-07:00

If you are interested in a copy of this free little shawl, head on over to my Ravelry shop for a free download of the pdf file. Granny Inspired Shoulder Warmer

Three Faces Fashion Illustration

2011-07-28T20:55:00.000-07:00

Keeping up the artwork.

Old Blaine Street

2011-07-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

Bright Town full of Bright People

2011-06-03T23:33:00.001-07:00

Monolithic Blue

2011-05-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

Monolithic Blue

Sold 1. Pin straightener. 2. Lean-to ski rack. 3. Sasquatch print ski poles (cat, dog, etc). 4. Long lasting / washable lipstick. 5. Pin Sharpener. 6. Handwarming heater in a cell phone. 7. Waitressing program for servers in phone. 8.

Big Orange oil painting

2011-05-17T23:10:00.001-07:00

Sold

Ophelia Farmgirl Wrap

2011-05-17T22:36:00.001-07:00

Sarah Seven

2011-05-16T22:02:00.001-07:00

First of all, I had to show you a sneak preview of the newest Mary Prairie Contrary dress. I had some time to spare so spent some of it playing around with Photoshop.

I used to follow Sarah Seven on Etsy, but she up and dissapeared on me. Turns out she has a website for all of her amazing designs.

Assorted Wrap Dresses

2011-05-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Some of my dresses are in Pageboy Salon & Boutique they are having a big sale tomorrow. If you live in Pittsburg, go check it out!

Love love love Kara-Line

Mary Prairie Contrary Dress

2011-05-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak preview on my Prairie theme for May '11. It may just be the cutest dress yet!

Yesterday I saw a cyclist that beat all for fashion forward. There was an earthy looking fellow on one of those popular used racing bikes with the skinny tires and no brakes. The handlebars were very tall and u-shaped. Reminiscent of our banana seat kids bikes, here's the kicker.... he had a huge rack of elk horns mounted on the front that ran up the handlebars. I am not joking. If I see him again i'll try to snap a picture.

blumatablo.etsy to purchase dresses like this one

Baby Steps

2011-05-08T01:09:00.000-07:00

The thing grown-ups forget about learning something new is that baby steps are o.k. By forgetting this, they sometimes refuse to do just that, learn something new.

The Dust Bowl

2011-05-08T00:49:00.000-07:00

My recent fascination with prairie dresses got me thinking about the dust bowl. My family is from the Red River Valley and most of them still live there. My parents say that when they were kids, they could see the curve of the earth from their homes, which is no longer the case. The farmers planted shelter belts. I can see the curve of the earth from where I live in Washington, but it is because of the bay.

Fashion Illustrations

2011-05-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

These are a couple of large scale paintings I did a few years ago. I really thought they were interesting but didn't do too many because they were too easy.

Below is a fashion illustrator named Stina Persson. I love her images, I want to do some in this style.

Next is a fashion illustrator I admire who sells originals and prints on Etsy

Castle as Painting

2011-05-05T04:45:00.000-07:00

This little castle in Fort Worden has been the model for a few of my paintings.

Where the Day Takes You

2011-05-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

This is my painting called Airstream Park

I get featured in these lovely Treasuries on Etsy quite often. This one is called

Where the Day Takes You

Victorian Window Seat print

2011-05-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in a print of this painting, you can purchase one HERE.

Watercolor Montana Sky

2011-05-03T16:25:00.001-07:00

The latest little watercolor sketch. Montana Sky