Sunday, February 12, 2012

Distraction by Temari

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Thank you for all the kind comments on Helena! I'm most pleased that it was delivered before the little one was...not little enough anymore. =)

Sooo...I had a list of what I was going to be working on this month. How's that been going for me, you ask? Well...I kinda registered for two online classes, which started February 1st and 3rd. I have spent zero time on one of them, and an inordinate amount of time on the other! As in, I got started a little late and completely underestimated how much time I'd need to put into it! It's a temari class. If you don't know what a temari is, it's basically a thread ball that's geometrically divided and then stitched on. The craft originated in Japan (some say Buddhists brought it over, but the Japanese definitely perfected it). I think you'll be able to see a picture of the temari on the group page here.

When I signed up, I knew it was going to be on a larger temari than I'd worked before (you usually start off your career on balls that have a 3"--about 7.5cm--diameter styrofoam ball at their core). Like this:
 
(Measuring cup included for size reference.)

So when the dimension was given as circumference, in centimeters, I didn't really pay attention. I just "assumed" that it was going to be on the slightly larger 4" (10cm) styrofoam base, kinda like this one I bought in Japan:
 

IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when I started wrapping and wound up (heh. Wound, like wrapping the ball) with THIS:
 

HOLEY SHAMOLEY.

It was a lot like the Three Stooges around here as I wrapped the thing. It constantly popped out of my hand and flew across the room. I even managed to knock over an entire glass of water in the process! Hmmm...I should've taken a picture of me holding it to illustrate. Maybe if I'd played more basketball (and by "more", I mean "some")...

If the size of the ball isn't enough, try and wrap your head around the size of the needles...
 
I've never used "proper" temari needles before.

I've also never done a Combination 10 division before, either (shhhhh...I think I was supposed to have done one as a prerequisite, but I'd done a C8, so I thought I'd wing it).

Here's the C10 division completed. This class teaches us how to do 32 centers on the C10 (don't worry, I'm not sure what that means, either!). Here, I've started putting in the extra pins necessary to complete the marking.
 
Just in case you've done temari before and are interested (and so I will remember!), the method I used to mark the C10 was to just use the V-ruler to place 12 pins on the ball. Your other choices would be to start from a simple 10 division or from a simple 4, apparently. It worked out pretty well...only one of my triangles was off, but I suspect that happened because my ball wasn't totally round (and I suspect THAT happened one of the times it flew across the room and thunked onto the floor...as opposed to the times when it just zipped over and thwacked my hubby. Hilarity!)

I'm going to need a few more cups of tea before this is done!!

JiffNotes
You know you're in trouble when the directions say, "If you've never done this before, allow 9 hours for this step." !!!

18 comments:

Jean in Georgia said...

...and this is why I'm thankful I resisted your efforts to talk me into this class...

pandy said...

this post is hilarious, I can just imagine this flying ball hitting everything hahaha. Good luck with it! :)

gracie said...

One day I hope to try this...until then I will follow your progress.....

Shebafudge said...

I have never heard of this before and am still a bit lost. Don't worry I will do some googling to find out more! It looks fun any way although I'm not sure about it flying around everywhere - the cats may think I'm playing with them and I'd never see it again! Sounds like you're having fun though :)

Katha said...

LOL..hilarious post xD I have never heard of Temari before, but it looks really interesting. Cant wait to see more of your progress =)

pinkundine said...

I've never done Temari before, but I love seeing other people make them, they're so beautiful! Looking forward to watching your progress :)

Chris said...

I know that this is going to be wonderful when you are done. The colors are great. I can't wait to see your progress.

woolwoman said...

The Helena baby jacket is gorgeous! You did a wonderful job with it - I bet the receipient was thrilled to pieces. Temari = NO WAY ! That gives me flash backs to those string art things we did in the 70's however I've seen your lovely examples and I know you will master the C10 and beyond - YGG - Have a great week
Mel

Topcho said...

I've trid making temari before, but as I couldn't find such bals I followd the instructions on making th base on my own. Suprisingly, I did make it almost perfectly round, but couldn't get the dividing thing. In the end I decidd that was just not for me. But it seems to be yours! Love your temari, and the colours for the new one ar beautiful. It's going to be one giant awesome temari!

Michelle said...

I love Temari and would really like to take a class someday. Think I'd better start with a beginner one though!! Your others are so pretty!! Can't wait to see this one progress.

Holly said...

I really want to learn to do this... Maybe I'll look for a beginner online class. The instructions get confusing once I get past wrapping the ball. :-) I think I'm just a visual learner!

Erin (moviemuse) said...

I have never seen a temari that big! WOW!!! And how can you, of all people, never have done a C10? I mean, I haven't either, but I just figured you would have by now. I will get to it, one day....

BTW, I tagged you for 11 Things on my blog. http://moviemuse.blogspot.com/2012/02/11-things.html

Blu said...

I'm seeing some sort of deragned cannonball attacking passers-by who dodge desperately. I'm pretty sure that isn't how it was, but I like my vision.

The finished ones look really great! And are those more under the glass. *tries to peer for a closer look*

Minnie said...

The temari is very interesting, I took a look at the link you provided and that is beautiful. I think it would be better for me to just follow your progress or I'd have some funnier stories about flying balls than yours. Good luck.

Delusional Knitter said...

Very cool!

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

the temari is gorgeous :D

Melanie said...

Ooooooo, I love these! Wendy on Knit & Tonic is always posting hers and I'm completely FASCINATED by them. They make me twitchy to start a new crafting adventure but, hello, I need another hobby like, well,....I JUST DON'T NEED ANOTHER HOBBY, OK? I will live vicariously through yours. :)

temari by the sea said...

Gorgeous! Love the table you have them displayed too!

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