More Steampunk

More of the projects I made for the Steampunk Swap.

Wire, beads, ribbon, and pearls what’s not to love?


The pattern is Sweet Nothing a knitted wire and bead choker.


Being my first time knitting with wire it came out a little derpy. And by a little derpy I mean fantastic but not quite even and that bothers me. I love it anyway and I will be making more.

Checking up on Ethereal August

More projects that I made for the Steampunk Swap.

These turned out great. However, if I had noticed the Elm Leaf lace pattern was the same lace as the Zokni I might have picked a different lace cuff.

The pattern is well written and clear, after all it is a KnitSpot pattern, it’s just a person failing on my part that I don’t like knitting these particular lace leaves. At least it’s over quick

What did I like knitting? The handspun silk cocoon strippings yarn. The yarn turned out even better than I could hope. It has a subtle rustic shimmer and a nice crisp hand that loosens with use and comes back with a wet blocking. I bought the bag of cocoon striping as Midwest 2005? when I took the silk weaving class from Karen of Treenway Silks. I've been spinning it off and on ever since.

I made a matching Lace Choker. I knit it the night before shipping so I loosely followed the pattern not having time to master new techniques. Picot Cast On wasn't hard but as my first try it was coming out with tension issues. Instead, I knit it from the top down and did a crochet cast off. I'm going to knit one for me following the pattern

A delicate set, refined and rustic with a hint of dystopia about them, perfect for the refined space pirate.

Single Skein September

Right, I'm posting the theme when the month is almost over. Steampunk swap has been all consuming of my crafting time and it was super secret. It's now been safely received so I can share.

My Cog Lily Fascinator made from one skein of M&K Linen.

I just eyeballed it and knit it not using a pattern. Crocheting around the wire was a challenge. Even more challenging was tucking all the wire ends away. I have nightmares of them getting caught in the hair. The pose-ability of the petals is worth it.

I attached it to an alligator hair clip and embellished with a flower pin and a cog. I’m quite pleased with how it turned out.

I'm going to have to make more hair things since it's impossible to buy a small bag of alligator clips.

Steampunk

Ethereal August was all in the preparation for Steampunk epicness. I'll get to that later. Maybe next week.

And now onto the epic box from senjiva.

The first thing I opened was a beautiful project bag

I was distracted by the loot and didn’t look at it closely so more on it later.


Next was a cheerful small project bag and it was just stuffed full. Thank you for the Burt’s Bees lipbalm. I’m wearing it now and it smells delicious.

I clapped my hands with glee when I pulled out the chatelaine. It holds a locket, scissors, needle case with darning needles. There is also the sweetest hand made with love charm. senjiva I’m truly touched that you made me this. The chatelaine alone would have been enough but there is so much more in the box.

I love to read. This is a steampunk zombie book. Steampunk Zombie! I’ve only started it but the main charter is my favorite type, an ordinary woman. A factory worker, maybe poorer than most. I can’t wait to get to the burning dirigible. It’s about here in the unwrapping that I notice the ordinary woman theme of the package. senjiva did her stalking well.

This bookmark pleases me to no end. When I use it I feel special and fancy. Thank you. It’s little luxuries like this that brighten a day.

More small luxuries in not one, but two embroidered hankies. They are as delicate as air and perfect.

A needle threader which is so useful since my morning tremors are starting to become afternoon tremors and small tasks like threading a needle aren’t as easy as they used to be.

Buttons! Cog Buttons!! I’ve wanted these ever since the teaser photo went up. I even looked for them locally but couldn’t find any. I’m going to use them on Dimorphous Mittens and I’m very excited about it.

I let Kiddlet open this package and the first thing he did was this.

It took some doing to convince him it’s worn like this. I love the newsboy brim. The faded indigo blue is beautiful. The copper buttons are wonderful. It fits me like a dream in every way, my head, my style, it’s perfect!

a top hat for me to decorate. I see some goggles here. And maybe silk roses.

Wonderful tea in the best packaging.

Gorgeous cards! I love the gilt. I’ve already used them. Thank you

Tea biscuits barely show because I needed a close up. First is the Mango Ginger candy. I love mango and ginger I didn’t know I could have both in a candy. They are wonderful. Sweet and chewy with a kick at the end.

Finally, and this one made me laugh senjiva you won the day. You found a foot cream with hand knit socks and cogs. Cogs! Hand knit socks! I love it! Love.It.

(update, senjiva is friends with the publishing house that distributes this foot cream to yarn stores and cogs were put on one just for me)

We have to come back to the project bag. It wasn’t until everything was unwrapped that I truly looked at it. The simple drawstring bag is deceptively cool. First off it has a pocket on the inside. This is a most useful feature and I appreciate it. There is the sweetest little tag inside too. The top has a neat closure. senjiva I’m so impressed!

Because I love the chatelaine so very much.

Thank you senjiva everything is perfect.