Ball Dress in Progress

Hello all!

Below are a few pics of a work in progress. Have done the mock up of the dress but haven't finished the final sewing. Not sure about the shape of it at the moment, any suggestions? I'm in need of inspiration, this project has been my baby for quite a while but its high time I got it finished up!

Brid and I are in exams at the moment. Stress. But expect lots of christmas posting after they're out of the way.

Luvies,

Nat

The Clangers have arrived...

I have always been a fan of 1970s children's television shows. I like them more than your average individual does. In a serious way. There's is something so lovely and special about them. My flame for these saggy characters and tinny music has been reignited of late with the reintroduction of exams into my life. I would much rather watch Bagpuss and the mice clean some newfound item than stare for hours at a dull book about some form of abstract and incomprehensible law. Likewise I would prefer to hear Sweep squeaking away than learn aeons of case names off by heart.

However, my absolute favourite of these television shows is without a shred of doubt, The Clangers. I just love them. They are just such awesome little creatures. I just dig the idea of little mice stop-motioning around a planet making some kind of strange hooting noise while that quintessential vintage BBC voice narrates their actions.

What I love most about The Clangers though is the little mouse-like creatures themselves and the story behind them. The Clangers were hand knitted and dressed. by the wife of Pete Firmin (model-maker, illustrator and animator for The Clangers). I find it so lovely that her hand-knitted creatures became such iconic television characters who have lasted through generations and retained their charm and appeal.

Bagpuss

Sooty, Sweep & Co.

I have my own Ambitions to knit a little Clanger friend for myself. Unfortunately with these exams I won't be able to accept the challenge until the Christmas break. However, once Christmas arrives, my time will be devoted to Clangers. I am planning on fabricating an entire family of Clangers and making a little Papier-maché planet for them to live on.

Below is the original BBC pattern for my pink mousey friends. Isn't it amazing? I'm literally so excited to try my hand at knitting one.

If you are looking for something nice to watch, I actually recommend having a little perusal on youtube and tracking down some vintage children's television shows. They are adorable and a real pleasure to watch. The stop motion animation is also remarkably impressive.

The simplicity of the Clangers is so appealing. The storylines are so endearing and uncomplicated. I think in part I find tv programmes these days a little dull, it tends to be the same tired old sitcom over and over again. I prefer crazy pink mice running all over planets. Yes I do.

Enjoy!

Bríd x x

Banksy Knits

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An array of Knitted Niceties!

Here's a little selection of some of the pieces I made for the flea market:

Hope you like them.

Instead of post in detail about them now I am planning to give individual instructions and patterns for each of the items so you can try and make your own! Watch this space.

Have a wonderful day!

Bríd x

The University Times Features Crafty Students

Crafty Students has been featured in UT Culture, the culture supplement of The University Times, winner of last years Student Media (Smedia) newspaper of the year award. Many thanks to The University Times and to Beth O'Rafferty who wrote the article.

The Knitting and Stitching Show!

Here at Crafty Students we take it upon ourselves to keep the Dublin population informed of all craft related events taking place in our rainy little city.

This weekend the Knitting and Stitching show is on in the RDS. It always makes for a fabulous day out. There are classes running throughout the day where for a mere 8 euro you can learn a whole new skill.

It's also a great place to pick up all kinds of crafty goods at a reasonable price. Often, you will be able to find things there that you won't find in Dublin craft shops as traders from all over the UK descend on the RDS to flog their wares.

There are also exhibitions of craft gracing the walls of the hall. It's fabulous to see what fellow crafters across the Emerald Isle are doing. You never know, maybe one day you'll see a Crafty Students exhibition having pride of place!

Even if you're new to knitting and crafting, the Knitting and Stitching show provides the perfect inspiration and place to pick up all that you need to get your knit on!

Here's a link to the website:

Knitting and Stitching Show

Enjoy!

Bríd x x

Stop Motion Knitting

Feast you senses on this Natural Gas commercial, aired in Belgium this year, which uses stop motion and knitting to create a visual representation of cosy warmth. 

The project's simplistic concept is the the key to the films success, a clever and emotive production of TBWA Brussels, directed by Olivier Babinet produced by Lovo Films.

Don't be fooled, however by the simplicity of the concept.  This is an example of labour intensive and skillful production. Only after a month of preparation, 4 days and nights of shooting, a professional crew of over 40 men shooting live and in stop motion with 4 different cameras did the project come to fruition.

Below is a short video documenting the making of the commercial. I was struck by how it captured the satisfaction of the men working on set in their artistic process. It seems such a wonderful creative environment.