Super Heroes & other Crafty Ideas, Part One

   

This is part One of the Super Heroes fibre saga…Why Super Heroes I hear you ask? Well, first of all because Super Heroes are awesome and I’m a geeky crafty person. There was no way in the world I could NOT make the connection sooner or later. Mind you, it did take me a while to make it happen. There goes a lot of thought and research into making a strange, seemingly impossible good thing happen, but , through sheer perseverance and tenacity its all come true.

First of all there was the problem: One of many. First: EMF’s (Electro Magnetic Field or EME’s Electro Magnetic Emissions).  Second: a. How to make sure one can use the smart phone without removing gloves and b. how to become an anti static fashion hero.

 

EMF's:   In the last ten years the amount of EMF’s have exponentially sky rocketed: your phone, your laptop, your tablet, smart tv..smart meter..everything we hold close to us and dear and can’t live without, is emitting electro magnetic fields…they are invisible but still they are there.

 

It was even said at one point that the fact pidgeons and bees and birds lose their way is because their ability to sense directions like they usually have been able to do since thousands of years, have been distorted by these EME’s ro EMF’s. Also, yes it gets even scarier, Electromagnetic fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences, about which anxiety and speculation are spreading. All populations are now exposed to varying degrees of EMF, and the levels will continue to increase as technology advances. There is talk that EME’s can be carcinogenic. That’s why the big telcompanies are telling us not to put the mobile phone right next to our ear or not to have too long telephone conversations….

The WHO (world health organisation) has  started an EMF project to investigate the adverse effects on health. Key facts: Mobile phone use is ubiquitous with an estimated 4.6 billion subscriptions globally! And, The electromagnetic fields produced by mobile phones are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Mobile phones are low-powered radiofrequency transmitters, operating at frequencies between 450 and 2700 MHz with peak powers in the range of 0.1 to 2 watts. The handset only transmits power when it is turned on. The power (and hence the radiofrequency exposure to a user) falls off rapidly with increasing distance from the handset. A person using a mobile phone 30–40 cm away from their body – for example when text messaging, accessing the Internet, or using a “hands free” device – will therefore have a much lower exposure to radiofrequency fields than someone holding the handset against their head. In addition to using "hands-free" devices, which keep mobile phones away from the head and body during phone calls, exposure is also reduced by limiting the number and length of calls. Using the phone in areas of good reception also decreases exposure as it allows the phone to transmit at reduced power.

 

Well, for all of us in the country with hardly any reception that is a bummer. Also, smart meters to collect data for our electricity use have been installed in every household under a government programme throughout Victoria. It sends all this info , yes you got it, EMF’s are generated on a continuous basis.  I remember the days that pregnant women were told it was best not to put the laptop on your lap while cruising the internet (EMFs) .. Wait, there is more: A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk.

 

To date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use but things like that need time to develop. Ten years is hardly enough time to prove the correlation between EMFs and health threats. There are Short-term effects: Tissue heating is the principal mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency energy and the human body. At the frequencies used by mobile phones, most of the energy is absorbed by the skin and other superficial tissues, resulting in negligible temperature rise in the brain or any other organs of the body. There are people who have been reported to have “electromagnetic hypersensitivity”.

 

In the INTERPHONE study, an elevated risk of cancers was observed only among the 10% of heaviest regular users, measured as cumulative time of mobile phone use (ie, among those who have used the mobile phone for 1,640 hours or more). Alternative metrics of exposure were subsequently explored: in five of the 13 participating countries, exposure was also estimated as cumulative energy absorbed by the brain tissue, finding an increased risk of glioma among the 20% of the subjects with the highest cumulative energy dose. As for the Long-term effects: Epidemiological research examining potential long-term risks from radiofrequency exposure has mostly looked for an association between brain tumours and mobile phone use. It’s too early to tell though since mobile phones were not widely used until early 1990s. I mean, who would want to walk around with a mobile phone the size of a small car in their hand bag.....

I found it a bit alarming and interesting that my tel company, Telstra, sent all of their members a text just the other day “ For information about mobile safety, Electromagnetic Energy (EME) & health, or safety visit our website” Just at a time I was in full swing on getting my super hero blend into action ! Coincidence? Agent Mulder would say “The Truth is out there” I guess.

 

So, What was my idea? Well, how about if it were possible to kill two birds so to speak , with one crafty fluffy solution? Can you SHIELD yourself with a protective layer against these EMF’s ?

 

We already wear scarves, hats, clothing (unless you are a naturalist and then offcourse there is no hope for any SHIELD whatsoever ..)..so why not divise a way to incorporate a SHIELD into your crafty gorgeous wearable art. Not only making you look awesome but now also having this “invisible” Shield force to combat evil EMF’s?!!!

 

My answer was: Stainless Steel ! No, you do not need to make a double knit or double weave so you can put a stainless steel plate in your beanie…wouldn’t be that comfy would it? Lol So, What I have done is incorporate just the right amount of stainless steel in a blend that is so absolutely awesome it will definitely knock your socks off. Talking about socks…tell your hubbie to throw away his steel cap boots and you are going to knit him a pair of stainless steel socks so he can wear his flip flops to work…rofl

 

Ofcourse you can also make a shawl with it that just totally ROCKS!

 

   

handspun lace weight stainless steel yarn

plied with cashmerino, knitted into a Fern lace shawl

You can spin the Stainless steel absolutely fine by itself. It is lustrous, soft and even has an amazing crimp! Actually , with the last IxCheL Fibre Club, I added a fibre Quest for all the members to solve: tell me what this mystery fibre was and how to use it as a yarn or garment. Today is the day that the winner of this Fibre Quest is announced.

 

I was amazed how many of you thought it was plant fibre (Milk was mentioned) or even a animal fibre (Very scientific research went into it by the looks of it from burn tests and examining the way the fibre behaved) but no, there were a selected few who got it absolutely spot on and there was one who absolutely nailed the possible use of this mystery fibre ! It was Stainless Steel Fibre 316L (which basically means it does not rust, handy when you want to wash those steel capped knitted socks..lol).

 

So , here it is: the Winner of the IxCHeL Mystery Fibre Quest is…….

 

Candace Gibson from Western Australia !

 

Yeah !!!! Her answer was:

 

“I just got my club fibre and it is lovely!!!! Also got my mystery competition fibre and was intrigued. Took me a day but Conductive Antistatic Stainless Steel 316L would be my guess. Was the smell that gave it away tho did try burning some. You could add it to a blend and make gloves which you could wear and still be able to operate your smart phone or I-pad or tablet, because of the conductivity. Close?” ..

 

Well, Candace, Spot on ! Congratulations you win an IxCHeL Gift pack worth over $100 !!!

Thank you all so much for entering the Mystery Fibre Quest and having fun with it !!!!

As Candace mentioned, yes, the stainless steel is more than a shield against EMF’s , it is also an excellent antistatic (for those of you wearing handspun socks on carpet then getting almost electrocuted when touching something metal..well…those days are over ! Use the Super Hero Blend and no more shocks (That’s why lots of Tech IT Companies use stainless steel in their woven carpets !) AND as for the stainless steel blend socks, well , they last and last and last !!!!! Also, now you can wear gloves and still operate your smart phone! Just knit in some extra stainless steel in the tips and presto! No more frozen limbs while updating your facebook status! I’m sure everybody in the States and Canada can sympathise now! .

So, in this Super hero Part one blog update, I am offering you the pure Stainless Steel Shield Top ! You can spin it as is, or core spin it on a lace wool or cotton base or add it to your batt or rollag as you go! Make your own crafty fluffy SHIELD or enjoy how the stainless steel will be able to keep any shape you want it to while knitting your yarn up. It has an amazing memory and will make it easy to make something and then shape it ! It is absolutely amazing to work with these “new” smart fibres ! Be a Super Hero and get your hands on some Stainless Steel Shield Tops ! and get ready for the amazing PART TWO next week: the launch of our Super Hero blend Top !!!!! You do not want to miss that one !

Oh and before I forget !….sign ups for the new IxCHeL clubs (starting in April) are only open til April the 8th !!!! You defenitely do not want to miss out the clubs because they will be absolutely AWESOME NEW BLENDS !!!!! yeah!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this weeks blog entry. Have fun !!!

NEW Stainless Steel Shield Tops

A luscious Top of 316L Stainless steel, with its super anti static and conductive properties as well as being able to transform itself into your own personal Thor or Stark Shield (Which ever Super Hero you prefer..lol)

50+grams (+/- 1.7Oz)  AU$14
 

 

Pure Stainless Steel Tops

See the crimp and lustre in that top? Amazing !

 

a pure stainless steel braid

knitted into a Moebius
(Pattern : Hearfrost Moebius from Intwerweave knits, fall 2010)

 

Detail of the Hearfrost

Stainless Steel Cashmerino Scarf 
a combination of Stainless steel and cashmerino:
a plain knit scarf : easy and gorgeous wearable art !

 

Read the diagram below from the bottom up (Hint: this is how you  read all Japanese patterns for example).

 

This pattern is worked in Stockinette Stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side). The diagram is telling us that the bottom width of the scarf is 20.5cm/8 inches wide and consists of 68 stitches.

For this part of the scarf you will work with both yarns, A+B and 5mm/US size 8 needles. Slightly up the diagram are two grey boxes with some numbers in them:

 

6-1-10

 

(-10)

 

This means, work 6 rows, decreasing one stitch on each end of the 6th row 10 times. This will leave you with 48 stitches. This section will be 60 rows long, and will measure approximately 23.5cm/9.2 inches in length, and when you are through, 14.5cm/5.6 inches wide. Continue on the 48 stitches with your size 8 needles for 200 rows, or 77cm/30.2 inches more (for a total of 102cm/ 40 inches). At 102cm/40 inches, you will drop yarn A and continue on with only Yarn B. Switch to 4mm/US size 6 needles and work 12 rows. Then switch to 3.5mm/US size 4 needles and work 24 rows. Switch to 3.25mm/US size 3 needles to work 94 rows (or 56cm/22 inches more) to complete the scarf. Bind off and felt scarf.

 

  Written out instructions:

 

Stainless steel SHIELD Scarf

 

Work entire pattern in Stockinette Stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) beginning with a knit row.

 

Yarn A: IxCHeL Cashmerino (Super Fine Merino + Australian Cashmere)

Yarn B: IxCHeL, Silk Stainless handspun

 

With 5mm/ US size 8 needles and yarns A + B, cast on 68 stitches.

*Work 5 rows, on the 6th row: Purl 2 together, purl to last 2 stitches, purl 2 together. Repeat from * 9 more times. You will have 48 stitches. Continue in Stockinette Stitch with 5mm/US size 8 needles for 200 more rows or until piece measures approximately 40 inches long. Switch to 4mm/ US size 6 needles, and drop Yarn A. Work in Stockinette Stitch with Yarn B only for 12 rows. Switch to 3.5mm/US size 4 needles. Work in Stockinette Stitch for 24 rows. Switch to 3.25mm/ US size 3 needles. Work in Stockinette Stitch for 94 rows, or for 22 more inches. Scarf should measure approximately 62 inches long. Cast off loosely. Sew in ends and felt piece in soapy water by hand. Block and allow to dry. You can shape the stainless steel knitted part in any way you like ! The Cashnmerino will felt but the stainless doesn’t ! all fun textures and lots of movement !

The stainless steel scarf diagram

If you would like to order some IxCHeL hand dyed or  natural white IxCHeL Cashmerino laceweight yarn to make your Stainless Steel Shield Scarf, I can offer you a skein of 100 grams of hand dyed cashmerino with a meterage of +/- 1250m/100grams) for the special price of $28 (RRP $32) Want to look for some colour offers in the IxCHeL range? Go to this link: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=29020867@N04&q=cashmerino

You will need at least 100 grams of stainless steel to spin into a lace weight yarn, depending ofcourse how fine your handspun is.

 

ECO colour range of the IxCHeL Cashmerino lace weight yarns
(fltr: charcoal, merlot, moss, wonderland, rose, walnut) 

IxCHeL Club sign ups starting in April 2014 are Open !!

The IxCHeL clubs sign ups are now open!! for the fibre, yarn, mini skein and batt clubs for April, May and June 2014!!

 IxCHeL Fibre Club April, May and June 2014

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$22 , and as all of you past members know you get tops that are usually around $24 ! so it is a great deal!

All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel Fibre Club ! Price to join the Ixchel Fibre Club #20 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months (April, May and June 2014) is AU$66 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND there are good value double serves available !!!

 

For Australia : single serve $66+$25 postage (parcel post), double serve $120+$25

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$66+AU$49 (Airmail) double serve AU$120+AU$49

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$66+AU$58 (airmail) Double serve AU$120+AU$58

For Asia: Single serve AU$66+AU$42 (airmail) Double serve AU$120+AU$42

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #20 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for fibre club #20 is April 8th! And the first instalment is going to be shipped out end of April. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details

 

The IxCHeL Sock Yarn Club April, May and June 2014

Every month for three months (April, May and June 2014) you will receive: enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks or a lush shawl or scarf ofcourse! (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn or a 3ply or a 4 ply); Every month a new sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??!

I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long

 

For Australia : single serve $78+$25 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$25

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$49 (Airmail) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$49

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$78+AU$58 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$58

For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$42 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$42

 

Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB! is April 8th.

Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal . Just PM or email me your details 

  By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes .

 

IxCHeL Mini skein Club April, May and June 2014

Every month I will be offering a monthly exclusive IxCHeL mini skein selection for Club members. In that monthly selection there are 12 hand dyed miniskeins that are hand dyed and or even hand spun and awesome to add to your mini skein projects.

Here are all the details for the sign ups for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club:

For Australia : single serve $69+$25 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (=even a better deal!) +$25

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$69+AU$49 (Airmail) double serve $130 (even a better deal!) +AU$49

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$69+AU$58 (airmail) Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$58

For Asia: Single serve AU$69+AU$42 (airmail) Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$42

 

Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club is April 8th. The first Club mini skeins will be sent out end of April. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details

 

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Club April, May and June 2014

Here are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-D

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$32 or more .

The batts will range in weight from 100grams to 150grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even wolf and bison! All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt !

Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for April, May and June 2014!

Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny for three months is :

For Australia : $96+$25 postage (parcel post)

For USA + Canada: AU$96+AU$49 (Airmail)

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$96+AU$58 (airmail)

For Asia: AU$96+AU$42 (airmail)

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY Batt CLUB now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the funky bunny batt club April 8th and the first installment is going to be shipped out end of April :) Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me

Badges!

Happy funny Badges to attach to just about anything: your craft bags, clothes, the perfect little gifts ! 

1 badge AU$2

10 for AU$18

20 badges for AU$35

30 badges for AU$49

Every badge has a nr so when ordering just mention the nr of the badge and how many you would like..easy!

newest additions : badge nrs 84-90

Badges 1-20

Badges 21-40

Badges 41-59

Badges 60-83

How To Order:

1. You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or ixchelbunny at yahoo dot com dot au
2. message me on facebook or ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny.

I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods.

Any questions? Any custom orders for yarn or dyeing fibre? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.
 

Thank you so much for your help and support !

 

 RABBIT ON !

((hugs))

Charly