10/17/12

Our "Yes on Prop 37" Corn Field Hits the Road!

We've assembled all the amazing corn cobs people have knitted into a lovely portable Corn Field promoting our right to know what we are eating by supporting and getting info out about California's Prop 37.




Prop 37 is a common-sense measure that will allow us to make informed choices about the food we eat by requiring clear labels that tell consumers if foods have been gentically modified.
 
For more information on GMOs and Prop 37 visit: http://www.carighttoknow.org/tags/proposition_37
 
Here is a pic of our Corn Field out on it's first campaign stop:


There are still dates open on the field's schedule (up to voting day November 6, 2012), contact handmadeheroes@gmail.com if you have some fun ideas for high foot traffic areas to bring or safely park our field.

and

Vote YES on PROP 37!



 

9/28/12

A Real CORN COB PATTERN! (see below for a less professional option)

Corn Cob Pattern
Start by holdings two strands of "Loop and Thread" Chrisma Yellow (for added dimension add a third strand in fingering weight in the yellow color scheme)

Cast on 23 stitches on size 13 needles holding the 2-3 strands together.
Knit every row (garter stitch) until piece measures 18 inches.
Decreases- knit the first two stitches together, then the following two stitches. Knit...

straight across until 4 stitches remain. Knit two together twice. Knit the following row straight. Repeat decrease row twice and bind off.
Then sew from the bottom up, leaving the fat end off the cob open for stuffing. Pull the top of the ear tight to create a pointed tip. Stuff with poly fill. Sew the bottom shut.

Husk-- I just covered my cob in a large sheet of green Eco-felt and hot glued it to the cob. Then cut in leaf shapes and added a tassel/silk.


8/29/12

KNIT A GIANT EAR OF CORN For our upcoming GMO Labeling Awareness YarnBomb

AN EXAMPLE FOR HOW TO KNIT A SUPER SIMPLE GIANT EAR OF CORN


1. Loose knit a yellow "sheet" about 18" long and 15" wide using thick yarn with large needles,
fold in half
(the big stitch keeps the "kernals" big, folding in half keeps the stuffing from showing)


2. Sew together to make a "tube"....

....taper shut at one end.....











.....leave the other end open
 
3. Stuff the Tube (I used recyled fiberfill from an old pillow)
4. Sew the open end closed, tapering

 
 5. Cut, knit or felt Green "shucks" (I used thick flannel material). The stronger the green, the more the yellow corn will "pop".

6. Sew the Shucks onto the corn


This guy is a prototype, he took me about 2 hours total to make. He is 24" long and 4" wide. I think he has a casual jauntiness to him.  Next time I will pay a bit more attention to getting his "kernels" straight.  Also, for my next one, I will cut my shucks wider at the bottom so there isn't quite so much belly sticking out.

6/8/12

HOMEsweetHOME - Unveiled tomorrow!!! Some BUZZ and a SNEAK PEAK...

We are super excited to unveil our new installation tomorrow HOMEsweetHOME.

SNEAK PEAK:  Meet Forlorn Foreclosure, Humdrumhaus, SurlyPagoda, and Crankyplace

BUZZ:
Early press from LA Magazine
http://www.lamag.com/culturefilesblog/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10391470
and the Eastsider
http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2012/06/eastside-knitters-to-make-a-point-about-foreclosure-crises/

We will post PICS and the secret LOCATION here FIRST tomorrow, so check it out!!!

5/1/12

Knit a House to make a point,

We are busy knitting small houses that can also act as coasters or potholders for our next installation and would love your help!

For a simple pattern just knit a square.  Change colors on the last row.  knit 2 together, knit to end.   Repeat until you have one stitch left, and pull your yarn through.   This will make a triangle roof shape.  You'll need to play with your yarn/needle size combination to determine the # of stitches you need to cast on.

Embroidered windows, doors, chimney, etc... can be added if you are so inspired.  A good base size of potholders: 7-8".  Coasters ~4" square.  Dishrags- vary greatly.  If you use wool yarn for the coasters or potholders you can knit them on large needles and knit them BIG.  They can be felted down to size and will be nice and thick.  We'd probably start with worsted weight wool on size 10 or bigger needles.  Or knit two strands of worsted on size 15 needles. 

Our goal is to have hundreds knitted of felted houses, and we would love your help in making them!

Please turn in by June 1st.

The Little Knittery, in Atwater Village, Los Angeles has kindly offered to be a drop off (or send to) place for us:

The Little Knittery
3195 Glendale Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 663-3838

Thanks!!!!