Saturday, March 17, 2007

Sharing my Secret

I feel like I've been holding out on you guys because there's something else I've been working on during my vacation. A baby Fiber Fish:

This little guy was knit in Trekking XXL color 110. His tail has an extra row of mitered squares and his body has two less rows of entrelac. I wanted a fish of a different shape and color for this:

Fish as art! I had planned to do something more elaborate, with extra fabric to make waves and rocks in the stream, but we've settled on this for now. The boards are ceiling tiles that we've covered in tie-died cotton fabric. The fish are attached using straight pins so that I can take them off. This makes it easy to re-arrange them, wash them, or use them. There are some definite glitches, so we may have to do it again, but as a proof-of-concept I think it works. Jim has been painting our living room and this actually ties in with my newly painted front door.

The yellowish wall the fish are on will one day be painted the same color as the cream around door (the paint color is called "Glazed Bone". Lovely, eh?). Apparently, it will be a difficult wall to paint. We're also planning on painting the stair rail a chocolate brown which will tie in to the brown leather furniture.

The thing is, my whole family is very proud of the success of the Fiber Fish. It was partly Jim's idea to create this showcase, and to place it in such a central location of our home. And my children brag about the pattern to their friends. I've heard them do it! It's a wonderful, surprising feeling and I love them for it.

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:08 pm

    That is so cool!! I love the knitting, I love the artistic application & I love how your kids are bragging about it!!

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  2. Your fish art rocks!

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  3. I love what you've done with the fiber fish, and I especially love that it is a "dynamic" exhibit, and can change with your needs. Very clever.

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  4. Very, very cool. The fish, the display board, and your family's pride in your accomplishment.

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  5. Anonymous3:12 pm

    Gorgeous, Laurie! That Jim, he's so sweet!

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  6. That looks brilliant! Well done.

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  7. Great idea! and the fish are adorable =)

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  8. Anonymous12:27 pm

    I LOVE your fish knit art!! You are so creative!!!

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  9. they make great art!

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  10. Anonymous12:39 pm

    I just started knitting the fiber fish--and I already have two requests from teen knitters (boys) for their own pairs, plus I know I'll want to knit some for younger nieces and nephews.

    That pattern is not only fun to look at --it's also fun to knit!

    In case I can't figure out how to make baby fish on my own by the fourth pair, will you be posting a baby pattern?

    Thanks!

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  11. Look how the light makes it appear watery! The fish are swimming through sun pierced water. Lovely, I can see why your family loves the display.

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  12. Baby FiberFish is adorable. And I love your FF display. It really is art. But even better, art you can use. How cool is that? That's a great pattern by the way. One I need to remember to buy soon. I might have time now actually... if this comment will post.

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  13. Very impressive. That's the best use of an orange knitted item I've seen in a long, long while.

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