New Pattern on CRAFT: Crocheted Mobïus Cowl

This pattern sat and hibernated by my desk for some time before I got a chance to publish it. Now that it’s out there, I’m thinking it might be fun to make another. I’m contemplating scrounging about in my stash for some complementary colors (it can be made with practically any yarn), but first I’ve got . . . → Read More: New Pattern on CRAFT: Crocheted Mobïus Cowl

I Have a Fairy Knit-mother

As you know, I’ve been scouring the local thrift stores in search of ruined wool, and I haven’t been having much luck in that department. On the other hand, I’ve been finding an amazing cache of hand knits too beautiful to destroy even for the sake of felted art. The jacket above is one example. The . . . → Read More: I Have a Fairy Knit-mother

Wool Rescue

I’ve spent the afternoon preparing supplies for a class I’m teaching this month at The Canvas, an art studio here in Juneau. The class is called Sweater Reclamation. We’re making new projects from old wool: felted sweaters, cut up old blazers, anything that might look better as a new craft. I’m bringing ideas and supplies, and . . . → Read More: Wool Rescue

Lobes of Love Valentine Heart Earrings

These little crocheted earrings are set off by tiny crystal beads and sterling silver fish hook findings. the crochet motifs are only 2 and 3 rounds each, so they go fast and are fun to give and wear. If you’re new to crocheting with thread, try making the motifs with yarn first to get a feel . . . → Read More: Lobes of Love Valentine Heart Earrings

Repairing a Sock with Needlefelting (A Tutorial)

Next to handmade socks, we love Smartwool most. Their socks fit great and feel great, and most of them are pretty long-wearing. Some of the styles are more of a thin dress sock than a cushioned practical sock, and I’ve discovered that these dress socks can wear thin. It’s not a hole, not the kind of . . . → Read More: Repairing a Sock with Needlefelting (A Tutorial)

Make a Parol: A Filipino Christmas Lantern

Here in Cordova we have a vibrant Filipino community. We’ve all benefited by learning about the delicious food and a bit about music, and dancing from the Philipines. Last night, the Library hosted a craft night, and the featured craft was a Parol: a Filipino Christmas lantern. (The word parol comes from the Spanish word for . . . → Read More: Make a Parol: A Filipino Christmas Lantern

Starting to get crafty for the holidays: make a wreath from an old book

Brrr! It’s chilly if you run outside without a coat, which is what I just did to snap a picture of the fog on the lake. The light is dim here all day right now, so the photo doesn’t do justice to how pretty it is.

I finished my school work for the semester and we’re getting . . . → Read More: Starting to get crafty for the holidays: make a wreath from an old book

In Praise of Mending

photo credit: Kirstea

When’s the last time you fixed something instead of throwing it away? I have a love-hate relationship with mending. I can’t stand to get rid of clothes just because they need repair, (so much of our wardrobe comes from thrift stores–I’d hate to end the cycle of re-use) but mending is always something . . . → Read More: In Praise of Mending

It was all because of the grommets

A few weeks ago, I was in our local little fabric store picking up some pretty silk/cotton fabric that my friend Jenny was going to sew into a dress for Selma. I do not have a good relationship with my sewing machine. I think about those VW commercials from the 90s where they talked about “farfegnugen,” . . . → Read More: It was all because of the grommets

How long is your tail?

One of my favorite recently learned knitting tips comes from Colleen Borodkin who works at The Net Loft, here in Cordova. When she’s guesstimating how much yarn to spool out for a long-tail cast on, she uses her shoulder width as a guide: 20 stitches per shoulder length. So if you needed 100 stitches, you’d pull . . . → Read More: How long is your tail?

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