I've been Knitting (and Crocheting)!

Whenever I want to learn a new craft, I usually just research on the matter and try to self-study. This is how I learned how to sew and make props. But there's some that I can't really learn to do - knitting and crocheting. While I did 'learn' how to knit back in grade school, I never got the hang of it. My stitches are always too tight and I can't understand patterns. Knitting, meanwhile, has always fascinated me. Whenever I see someone on TV knitting, I'd say "WTF how did she make that scarf with two sticks?!"

Last PCC (Philippine Cosplay Convention), I met up with a fellow crafter Clair from CraftyCat. She patiently taught me basic crocheting and knitting over ice cream while chatting about random stuff about making and selling handmade stuff. It was fun meeting a fellow crafter!

While I initially wanted to learn crocheting so I can make amigurumis, I ended up getting a bit addicted on knitting. Maybe because they're easier to carry around - I knit on my way to work. Haha. :D Anyway, see my practice pieces after the jump!

I can has: Hecate's Staff!

Months ago, my friend Sayou asked me to cosplay Hecate for a supposed Shakugan no Shana group. Excited to have a new costume - and for the chance to use my blue wig and to make props again - I said yes. So I dug out my stock rubber sheet, looked for some decent reference pictures, and made Hecate's staff.

Here's Hecate with her staff:




And here's my version of the staff:

See my mistakes there, there, and there? LOL

There were different versions of the staff. I got confused between the staff's original designs and fanart so I opted for the slightly easier design. The entire staff head was made out of rubber sheets, a meter of wire, and tons of glue. Like my Sakura Star Staff, this is removable from the staff for easy transport.

I learned a few things while making this staff. One, Pearl Gold spray paint looks better than Duchess Gold. I like Pearl Gold better because its about two shades lighter, and looks better on photos. I used to have a can of Pearl Gold which I used for my Princess Emeraude chest plate. When I went out to buy another can for the staff, they were out of stock so I had to settle for Duchess Gold. Mental Note: get a can of Pearl Gold ASAP.

Two: Get a grip with the glue! I use Greco glue for all my rubber sheet projects - its perfect! For this project, I overused the glue a bit, hence the shiny drips all over the staff head. 

Clickie!