working mittens

I have completed this pattern, done on TWO NEEDLES finished with the invisible side seam.

Made of 100% worsted wool, they are not only toasty but allow me to wear them even when knitting.

Of course it is still near 100 degrees here, but I wanted to get started on some Christmas gifts. 

A simple cable down the middle alters the pattern.  Pattern not available yet.

These colors are darker than shown in the photo; chocolate raspberry, anyone? 

Perfect colors to match my barn coat. 

Something fishy...

Here is the fish hat I made for a young child.  I got the pattern from a knitting magazine.  The hat looks as though the fish is devouring the head upon which it rests.  Hmmm....a bizarre thought, that.  The scales were quite fun to do; the hat is sort of like a stocking cap with a tail at the end.  Also, a top fin (dorsal?) adds to the great fashion look.

My vintage Ginny awaits a photo shoot.  A sweater box improvises as a lightbox.

Ginny is showing off her new Tam I designed.

Vintage Ginny tams, out of superwash sock wool.

Miscellaneous

I did this porcelain doll back in the mid80s.  I made several and sold them.  Like always, I do wish I had kept one, but lo I didn't.  She appealed to me especially because her face was at an odd angle; always I have looked for a "real" baby face.  I'm glad I have her picture.

Here is Lars after a full beard growth.  He is ready to travel to his new job as watchman at a craft cottage in MO.  He will of course enjoy it much better once the weather cools down....waaaaaay down......

 

Lars Scandinavian

Here is Lars Scandinavian, a Swedish knitted doll done in the round.  He is anxious to get to work, hearing that there was an opening for a craft cottage watchman in Lincoln, Missouri.  He admits to showing the most interest in the position because of the German Shepherd that lives on the grounds.  Lars is sporting a mohair mustache, and is awaiting his potential employer's opinion on whether he needs to arrive with a beard as well.

Lars sans lip spinach.

Flat Lars.  He was knitted on a size 2 needle, Magic Loop method, in sock wool.

He is from the Sven Scandinavian pattern from Cottage Creations, copyrighted 1983.

He is the second one I've made.  I made the last one 25 yrs. ago.  I suspect I will do another

in 25 years?

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