#WIDN: Custom Hat in Malabrigo Rios
One of my recent commissions was a request for a special winter hat, and after being deep in Turkey Hat orders for the last two months I couldn’t think of anything better than taking a break from stuffing and seaming legs than to refresh my brain with some beautiful yarn and a quick new project.
I went to pick out yarn at one of my local yarn stores, The Altered Stitch. It was my first time visiting despite driving by all the time, and I’m so grateful for the commission that sent me there seeking yarn...they have the most amazing selection of indie-dyed yarn from a large range of makers and it was hard not to desperately covet all the sock yarn (Hedgehog Fibres Typewriter was particularly calling to me!)
I ended up choosing two skeins of Malabrigo Rios, an incredibly beautiful 4-ply superwash merino. My client particularly wanted something very fun and bright, and these colors jumped out at me almost immediately.
I chose two skeins of color 093 Fucsia (a solid color with some very, very subtle variances that make it very rich and interesting) and one skein of 057 English Rose, just a mind-blowing variegated in all the colors that make me drool.
In true Elise fashion, I didn’t reference or use any patterns…I just kind of jumped right in. I’ve made so many hats at this point in my life that I have a pretty good idea of how many stitches to cast on depending on the yarn weight. Using two strands of Rios at the same time felt to me similar to worsted weight. So I grabbed some US 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles and got right to work!
I held two strands of Fucsia together and knit a simple 1x1 rib for the brim. I just love a 1x1 rib...I love how it looks, and I love that it helps the brim keep from getting too stretched out.
For the body of the hat I originally wanted to do a fun stitch pattern like seed/moss stitch or skinny cables, but after I did a quick swatch that all went out the window. The yarn is so pretty and the colors are so vibrant that I thought it looked best showcased in simple stockinette. I finished the body of the hat holding one strand of Fucsia and one strand of English Rose together. I knit the body to make a slouchy fit, long enough so it could also be worn with the brim flipped up for some extra warmth.
And then of course I finished it off with a large pompom, made with a mix of both colors. It’s seriously the best part.
I love how it turned out! The Malabrigo Rios was such a dream to knit with, I’m already scoping out other colorways.
What do you think? Have you knit with this yarn before?
#WIDN: custom knit alligator
very recently, i designed a large knit alligator toy as a commission for a dear friend who intends to give it as a baby gift. It’s always an honor when I’m asked to make custom knits! i feel simultaneously flattered that someone likes my designs enough to support my work and so excited for the challenge of being trusted to design something great. as someone who grew up loving stuffed animals, there’s something extra special about designing for a baby and creating something that they will hopefully love for years to come.
pattern: elisemade original design, 2017
yarn: patons classic worsted wool in aran & lion brand heartland in joshua tree
i tried to keep the design as simple as possible by knitting flat the head/torso/tail in two continuous pieces, the back and the underside. i knit the four legs separately, using the same idea of seaming together two flat-knit pieces. the texture on the back is from simple variations of knit/purl stitches across a row.
i knit a flat piece in pink and black wool in the same shape as the head and seamed it to the inside to create the "open" mouth.
the eyes are simply 2 flat knit pieces (white eye and green lid) seamed to the face and puffed up to make them 3D, and i used a tapestry needle to embroider the iris and pupil.
to make the teeth, i cut a narrow wave pattern down the middle of an approximately 2x11” strip of felt. the two halves became the top and bottom teeth and i simply hand-stitched them to the edge of the mouth.
finished dimensions are approximately 12x24".
i'm very pleased with the way he turned out! what do you think of my knit alligator design? check out my knit toys page if you'd like to see more photos!
if you'd like to commission a custom toy, please email me at elisemade@gmail.com <3
#WIDN: custom pet portraits in watercolor pencil
This week, as I'm working on some pet portrait commissions, I thought it would be nice to share my process and some of my favorite drawing materials. i absolutely love animals, so i started making pet portraits with the desire to capture their personalities and commemorate their friendship with us. i chose to render them in watercolor pencils with a brush pen outline, to give them both detail and whimsy.
my portrait process starts with a great reference photo, selected from what my client sends to me. i like to choose a well-lit photo where the pet looks super happy! sometimes i will print out the photo and sometimes i just use my phone as a reference. i make most of my art in my apartment living room using a big drawing board, and i prefer to listen to podcasts with headphones while i draw and paint to eliminate distractions and keep me focused.
here is a collection of my most-used drawing tools:
blue painter's tape
this is the best tape ever, and useful for so many different projects. i use it mostly to attach paper and reference photos to my drawing board because it won't tear or rip the paper. i also love to use it for watercolors when i want to maintain a clean, white border.
find it here: http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-ScotchBlue-1-88-in-x-60-yds-Original-Multi-Use-Painter-s-Tape-2090-48N/100550611
watercolor paper
i recently discovered ready-cut sheets and i'm wondering how i ever did commissions without it. i like using strathmore watercolor paper, it's affordable for the quality and easy to find. for larger-scale works i like to spring for arches paper.
pencils and eraser
i'm pretty sure i have more pencils that i could ever hope to use in a lifetime (and still i find excuses to collect more), but i always find myself reaching for my favorite staedtler mars lumograph 100s. when making the initial drawing for a pet portrait, i like to use a light 6h. of course a white vinyl eraser is also key for when you're not satisfied with a mark.
find them here: https://www.staedtler.us/en/products/pencils-accessories/pencils/mars-lumograph-100-premium-quality-pencil/
ruler, viewfinder
i use these tools to help me place my composition and measure out my drawing space. i obviously love a clear ruler so i can see what's happening underneath it.
here's a great tutorial to make your own viewfinder:
paintbrushes
my go-to brushes for pet portraits are windsor and newton sceptre golds, series 101. they're great pointed rounds for detail made from a blend of sable and synthetic. i'm not saying they paint like the finest sable brushes, but they're a great compromise for the price!
find them here: https://www.dickblick.com/products/winsor-and-newton-sceptre-gold-ii-brushes/
brush pen
i know i'm not the only artist who loves the pentel pocket brush pen. if you don't already have one, do yourself a favor and buy one immediately!
once i've sketched out my drawing with a light 6h pencil, it's time for the most important part: the color!
watercolor pencils
i've had my set of staedtler karat aquarell watercolor pencils for the better part of a decade, and they continue to be one of my favorite mediums. you can use them dry as regular pencils, but once you brush water over your drawing it magically turns into beautiful watercolors. i like the control you get from using a pencil, and finishing with a brush and water makes blending colors really easy.
after using the watercolor pencils to color in my drawing, i use a brush and clean water to blend the colors. once it dries, the drawing gets outlined in black brush pen, finishing with the pet's name in a ribbon banner at the bottom.
check out my gallery of commissioned pet portraits here!