My Everest

I remember knitting by the time I was about eight; garter baby bonnets, out of that wonderful 1960s varigated baby yarn...no bind off, mind you, just a gathered back-of-bonnet.  In all these proceeding years I have viewed sock-knitting as my "Everest."

What a wonderful new lease on life to have discovered Cat Bordhi's YouTube videos on the "Magic Cast On (designed by Judy Becker)" as well as Cat's own "Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel."  Top it off with learning how to work "Toe Up Socks on Two Circular Needles" (her video) and the end result is these fun crew socks made with Paton's Kroy Sock Yarn.  They felt a bit itchy and burny the first time I wore them (in 95 degree weather) but they washed and softened beautifully.  They were worked on size US 2 needles ( two 24" circular Natura needles by Addi Turbo/Skacel).  I can use dp needles, but find two circulars much easier on my arthritis.

I did 2 and 1/2 wedges (of the Sweet Tomato Heel instructions).  No wraps in these short rows and they are indeed almost as smooth as a tomato skin!  I followed the general instructions from Cat's Ebook (Sweet Tomato Heel) as well as video and find that you end up making a personalized pattern to fit your own feet.  I needed to add a few sts. to the instep, and take away 1/2 of a wedge.....perfect fit!!  I am now working with a different sock yarn and have altered the pattern ever-so-slightly, so this sock will fit as perfectly.  I will dye this pair in KoolAid, reminiscent of my wool spinning days.....sigh.

Close up of the wedges...

A darning egg is inside the toe of the sock so you can get a closer view of the Magic Cast On.  I will never use any other cast on when I need to knit in the round again.  Lightning quick to do, and the results speak for themselves...

Sherry's Pod Babies have been mysteriously popping up everywhere around my place...

note the nickel for size reference.

Who can resist such tiny babes??

News and Bleuettes

Here is what I have done for Bleuette:

Embroidered knitted beret and sweater I designed after an antique knitted model.

Sweater/beret sans embroidery

I designed this knitted market bag, made the baugettes, and note from

mother to Bleuette....offto bread market she goes!  (Double left-click on picture to get a close-up of what she wrote to Bleuette.)

This is an alteration of an antique Bleuette hooded shawl pattern.  I make them for Hittys or Bleuettes.

Still felting

Here is the felted mitten on top of the knitted-but-not-yet-felted mate.

You can see that there is substantial shrinkage, which explains the need for

knitting your garment disproportionately LARGE.  The cuffs are the same since they

were knitted in a blend---it is only the 100% wool knitting that shrinks.

Here is a free 3D heart pattern called "HeartFelt" from http://www.berroco.com/.

I used Paton's Classic Wool and followed the intriguing directions.

Below is the finished, felted product.

I did stuff it before felting, which make felting a bit trickier.

Felting, felting, everywhere!

These are tiny toy mice that I knitted then felted.  I split the underside once they were dry and stuffed them, then did some face sculpting and finished off with embroidery.

Very fun as church mice for my toddler friends at church!

First venture into knitted and felted mittens.  I modified a pattern I had and found it to fit nicely.  I wanted a different cuff, though...

Nice fit for my hands...

I knitted the cuff in a wool/acrylic blend; then changed needle size and continued a modified pattern.  Once felted to fit, I found the cuff to be perfect.  It doesn't felt during the process due to not being made of 100% wool.

Dried and cuff turned------the two blues don't match perfectly but they are a good complement.

Other mitten is almost done!

Check back for slippers I have been doing......very fun and toasty warm, even if it for NEXT fall and winter.

Satin Scraps redemption

I found this posie flower on the site http://www.madebymarzipan.com/.  It gives the free pattern, written, and tutorial video instructions.  You have to click on accessories, then hair clips, etc., then scroll down and click on "pretty posies."  To get the printable pattern, look for pretty posie pattern on the page with the video.  I added leaves myself by cutting the shape of a leaf about 2  1/2 inches tall.   I used satin crepe (crepe satin?) from  Hobby Lobby.  It sells for 2.99 a yard.  I think I can get 6-8 flowers out of 1/4 of a yard.  When you melt  the petals over a candle, the fabric darkens which gives a nice shade to the petals.

This flower used the six circles as given in the pattern.  It measures about 3" in diameter.

I made bookmarks to add to notecards.  The white posie used the four smaller circles and measures about 2" in diameter.  The pink one used all six.  I used grosgrain ribbon for the bookmark "strap."  Hot-glue gun paradise!

Feb. 13 2012 update

My first pair of felted, sweater mittens, with embellishments.  Sent to Sherry for when she walks Major, the German Shepherd Wonder Dog.  They are lined with fleece.

Different style of felted sweater mittens.  These went to Paula for her longs walks in the cold midwest.

These 6" knitted tykes are for Straatwerk, a ministry to the abused and hurting in Africa.  We still have several to finish!   Check out the ministry and consider helping.  You will find the pattern there.

Bringing in the new year....with a bang!

This 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring Cross-over was a gift to us from our family at S.R. Church.  I'm overwhelmed by not only the car, but by their love for my dd and me.

Back two seats down, allowing for a very spacious cargo area.

So what does a teenaged daughter do when she sits in it the first time?

Gets onto Mom's side and messes with the electronics----and just when

I'd had the seat adjusted perfectly.  Yahoo.

View with the back two seats upright.

The new on the left, the old on the right.  That Corolla served us well for 13 years, but even cars grow old and die.  I will sooooooo not miss having to scrape the ice off the INSIDE of the windshield.   Where to, anyone?

attention knitters and crocheters!!

This potholder pattern calls for Original Sugar and Cream cotton; it is deceptively easy to work up.  Since our car was out of commission, my busy fingers kept me less stressed.  These potholders work  beautifully-but don't get them wet and use them, you will burn your hands.  Machine wash and machine or line dry.  (PLEASE NOT THE  CHANGES I MADE FROM THE FREE PATTERN LINK--USE AN H HOOK AND CHAIN 34 AS YOUR BASE; ALSO, SC THROUGH BOTH LOOPS OF STITCHES.)  Find the free pattern here:

http://www.mielkesfarm.com/diagonal_hotpad.htm

Different colors make the possibilities endless....

Fire-engine red has been fun to do...

This face-cloth is done in Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Cotton!"

I adapted the pattern from the designer; I wanted to make is a bit smaller and get rid of extra stitches.  Find the free original pattern here:

http://onecraftymama-2011.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-dishcloth.html

Emma and Mina, Civil War/Primitive dolls

I designed Emma to look as though she appears to have survived the prairie life.  She is 16" and is made with tea-stained muslin and stuffed with Sheltland wool.  She is then painted and sealed.  She has a soft feel to her, not a rough painted one.  Finally, her outfit finishes her.  She is good with secrets and long walks through the creek.  

Full view of Emma



Mina  is a quiet-natured doll yet nothing passes her observation.  She now lives with Lola from Stitchin" by the River.  Lola has a fantastic line of Civil War quilts, memorializing lives of the slaves.

Full view of Mina



Wooly Baa Baa #1--Have You Any Wool?

 This is a scissors fob I designed and "antiqued."  It was stitched on 28 count (over two threads) and measures about 3--1/2" x 2--1/2".  It's a great way to personalize that favorite pair of craft scissors...

 

RelativelySpeaking #1

 This is the first in my series of samplers to honor my matriarchal ancestors.  Eliza is my father's great-grandmother on his dad's side. Unfortunately, I do not know Eliza's maiden name.  I do know she married William who was from Scotland, and begat Jennie and James. Jennie grew to marry Henry and they begat Samuel, my grandfather.  Samuel and Doris begat my father, Samuel Jr.
I would like to think that Eliza would be happy to grace the wall of her great-great-granddaughter's home.



The Eliza was stitched on "dirty laguna" over two threads and is 8x10 when finished.  All of my patterns will fit into standard frames.  This makes each product considerably more cost-effective. 

Getting ready for winter, anyone?

This is a 5"L x 3"W knitted ornament I designed. 

The Savannah

This is the Savannah, a stroller/wheelchair caddy.  It was designed in honor of its recipient, my dear three year old friend named Savannah.  This is an Otto-Bach chair.  The caddy must be snapped off when the chair is folded for transport.  I have designed a "needle" to easily reinsert the straps lest they come out.  This is nice and roomy, a great improvement over the four inch deep "basket" that comes standard with each wheelchair.  

Side view of the Savannah

Water, wallet, cellphone, blanket, and trinkets can easily tuck into their proper place.

Support beam

 with straps running through it.

Top view

The Diana

This is the Diana Pediatric Slipcover Caddy.  It fits the KIDSQuickie2.  I designed this for the new friend I made in first grade last week.  She has limited mobility and needed a place to hold her "toys" for recess.  A deep box-pleat at the bottom of the pocket allows for a roomy interior that can accommodate mittens, slippers, a lightweight jacket, and trinkets.  Pattern available.

A view from the front of the caddy.

6 1/2" doll

What is it about Raggedy Ann that intrigues little girls?  Johnny Gruelle's whimsical illustrations hooked me at a young age.  I decided to make a mini version.  Wool-stuffed cloth body is painted with gesso and custom-blended paints.  Note the unstuffed upper parts of the limbs.  I wanted this gal to have more mobility than I normally give my cloth Hitty dolls.

Ahh, that's better----clothing makes a doll feel ready to face the world and her new dolly-mommy!