New Knitwear Designer on Magpie: Kristel Nyberg

There are a few lovely, new patterns by Finnish knitwear designer Kristel Nyberg in the shop today. I've been meaning to get these beauties on the web site for weeks and weeks (you all know my excuse by now, I'm sure, and you can bet I use it liberally and often these days!).

Midnight Sun Shawl

But I have to say that the timing is pretty good nonetheless. Two of the her designs are perfect for this funky Spring weather we're having here in Oregon (hopefully where you are it's a bit nicer): one minute warm and sunny the next cold and rainy. Every time I go out I want a sweater or jacket, but what I have on hand is too warm. A nice airy shawl and lightweight beret would be perfect; just enough to keep the chill off, but not so warm that I'm sweating a few minutes after leaving the house.

Parnassius Apollo Beret

Don't you just love it when knitting can be your solution for something? I think I actually look for problems that can be solved by knitting. In fact, I'm off to resolve a multitude of issues that involve familial warmth and comfort this morning. Lucky me!

Happy knitting!

Creative Inspiration Abounds

I'm sure I'm not alone when I admit to how much creative inspiration I get from Amanda Blake Soule's books and blog. If I remember correctly, it was Amanda's blog (and then her books) that rekindled my love of crafting, which had taken a little snooze for a couple years while I got the hang of motherhood—way back in the day...

Well, now I finally have both of her books in the shop! (Just in time for a third book to be coming out, if I'm reading this post correctly.)

The Creative Family

I'm sure there are a million and a half lovely projects out there as a result of this book, but in the interest of time, I'll point you to this one link, where you can see some of the cool stuff people have been making.

Happy crafting everyone!

Hmmm...

So, I knit this cute little sweater by Heirloom Stitches recently (ok, a few months ago, but it's all relative, right?).

Raggedy Raglan

The size chart starts at 2 years, but I thought I'd make it a tad smaller—about 12 months—to fit Norah next winter. But somehow it turned out even smaller than that. In fact, it fits nicely right now.

It's hard to imagine that it'll still fit next year, which is a bummer since there are things I love about this sweater. Namely the yarn. Which, unfortunately, I can't remember the name of. But I could walk right up to it at the yarn store (I'm the same way about directions, I probably can't tell you how to get there but I can give you a lift and get there without a hitch). Anyway, it's yummy soft and super cozy warm. Perfect for a really cold winter day, but not so much for a balmy spring one.

At least I can offer a couple notes for anyone else who might also make this sweater (that is, in addition to giving this one to someone who has a baby in the late fall...):

• Check your gauge and your measurements so you don't end up with a too-small-sweater too
• Don't follow the directions for the buttonholes. I did a simple yarn-over, knit-two-together (yo, k2tog) deal and still had to use ginormous buttons, which I'm not really thrilled about

Oh well. If I can't find another baby for it then it can always be unraveled to become something else. Maybe a hat or two...

Happy knitting!

Figgy's Studio

Hooray! More new patterns in time for the warmer weather!

Ofelia

Bubble Skirt

Beach Bum Hoodie and Board Shorts

Mary Go Round

All of these are from Shelly of  Figgy's Studio, a fabulous designer from my very own city. I just read on her lovely blog that she teaches sewing classes at Modern Domestic, a very cool place in one of the hippest parts of Portland. So if you're local, be sure to check it out!

Happy sewing!

Carbon-Neutral Crafting for Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! In celebration of this very important day (or at least the day celebrating this very important place) all of the pdf patterns in the shop are on sale! A few of the many, many patterns to choose from include:

Floral Wrap by She's Crafty Handknits

Cherry Tree by Comfort Stitching

Sweet Dress and Little Cap by Leila and Ben

Vogel by Nicole Vos van Avezathe

Lattice Cowl by Phydeaux Designs

Daydream Forest Set by SeptemberHouse

Use the code EARTH15 for 15% off anything we sell that doesn't have to be shipped (downloadable pdfs = no carbon-emitting trucks, planes, trains, etc. = happy Earth!).

And of course, tell your friends!

Happy Earth Day and happy crafting!

Whip it

So, a few months ago, before baby Norah was born and while I was particularly round, my girlfriends and I saw the movie Whip it. Something about that flick had me living vicariously the entire two hours. Keep in mind that I was hugely pregnant and am definitely a pacifist—I don't usually have any desire to knock people down—under any circumstances—and particularly not while roller skating. But no matter. I wanted to dye my hair pink, don the appropriate gear, and kick some butt!

Instead I channeled my inner-roller-derby-diva and found these from Sublime Stitching:

Roller Derby

Needless to say, way more appropriate for my condition, and quite honestly, stitching is much more my style. (I could still see the pink hair though...).

And speaking of my style, most days (when I'm not imagining myself as a roller queen) I'd go for the other new, more peaceful, Sublime Stitching pattern in the shop:

Kurt Halsey

Cute, huh?

Some days we're sweet little birds and others we're roller queens! Happy stitching!

Ocean and Shore

Today brings two new patterns by the fabulous Cotton & Cloud—and they have me thinking about summertime!

Ocean

Shore

I don't know about the beach closest to where you live, but here in Oregon, you would definitely want to bring along a vest or a knit dress to the coast. Even if it's warm and sunny when you arrive, by evening it'll be cool and breezy (if not cold and windy)—even in August (something I actually love about Oregon beaches). Of course, you don't have to be headed to the beach to dive into these lovely patterns! 

I really appreciate the clarity of the instruction in Cotton & Cloud's patterns. Even difficult techniques are explained in plain language, and when something is particularly tricky, there's often a link to a video tutorial to help walk you through (how clever!). I also really, really appreciate that both of these patterns are seamless. It's not that sewing up is hard, it's just where I always abandon a project (why is that?). This way—with no seams to sew—my project is finished when I stop knitting. Hooray!

Here's to warm, sunny days, and summer knitting!

Carefree Clothes for Girls

There's a new book in the shop today, and it's one of those books that makes me wish I had an assistant (or two) or, better yet, that each day was about twice as long as it actually is (with the second 24 hours intended only for crafting—kids asleep, dishes done, grocery closed, etc.).

Carefree Clothes for Girls

But alas, I'm stuck with the day the way it is and of course, no home-management assistants. So I'll have to choose only one project (for now anyway). Since we are on the brink of summer it'll probably be the sundress (check out Molly's on the Purl Bee, so lovely), but considering the state of things over here these days, it might have to be a couple kerchiefs (sorry, I couldn't find a picture - I suppose that means I'll have to make at least one!).  

Until I can find the time to actually make something from this lovely book, check out these projects from Carefee Clothes that I found around and about the web: Soulemama, Purl Bee, and Katie Did.

And, here's a little secret: some of the patterns can be downloaded here for free.

Happy Monday, and of course, happy sewing!

Follow the White Bunny Embroidery Tutorial Four

This is Nicole's final installment in the Embroidery Tutorial. Many, many thanks to her for the series!

Hoop up and learn a stitch or two!

With only a few basic stitches you will be able to embroider lots of patterns. Once you’ve mastered these you can pick up new ones along the way or with each new project you start. But first you will need to put your fabric in the hoop.

Hoop up!
Your hoop usually will consist of two rings (or maybe even squares): an outer ring and an inner ring. The one with the things on to fiddle with is your outer ring. You need to put your fabric on the inner ring and lay it as smoothly as you can. Place your outer ring over the inner ring and adjust it until your fabric is nice and taut but not too tightly spanned. Also take care that your fabric isn’t distorted.

Threading your needle
Now your fabric is in the hoop, take your floss and cut about 10-15 inches off your thread with those cute scissors. The 6 stranded floss consists of six strands (really!).  You can use all six strands or divide the thread. The less strands you use the more delicate your embroidery will appear. Floss has a smooth and a rough side, when you run it between your index finger and your thumb you will probably feel the difference but sometimes it’s kind of hard to tell. Ideally thread your needle with the smooth way downwards. On the end of your thread you make a little knot. Knotless starts are also possible but we shall not worry about those yet.

Stitches!
There are many, many stitches you can use in hand embroidery so I will just mention a few basic stitches here. One of the easier and very useful stitches to learn is the back stitch.

{Back stitch, photo courtesy of Nicole Vos van Avezathe}

Another great stitch to learn is the split stitch. Also check out the chain stitch, stem stitch, French knot, satin stitch and the lazy daisy stitch.  I wish I could show them to you in person but sadly that’s not possible. Luckily there are many helpful resources to be found both online and in embroidery books. I will share a couple of my favorites here.

On Needle N' Thread you will find excellent video tutorials which can help you to master many great stitches. I learned the French knot (feared by many embroiderers) with the video tutorial from that site!

Currently Amy from the Early Bird Special blog is starting a virtual Embroidery Class (free!). Amy is a very talented stitcher and one of her upcoming posts will cover some of the basic embroidery stitches.

Sharon B.’s Dictionary for Hand Embroidery and Needlework is a great resource if you want to learn new stitches (besides the ones I already mentioned).

Some of my favorite, older books for learning stitches are:
A-Z of Embroidery Stitches, by Sue Gardner
The Stitches of Creative Embroidery, by Jacqueline Enthoven
And recently Yvette Stanton released The Left-handed Embroiderer’s Companion, which will be very helpful if you are a left handed stitcher (like me!).

If you are looking for a book that covers the basics but has some cute projects too you might want to check out Jenny Hart’s Embroidered Effects, or Aimee Ray’s Doodle Stitching.

Now that we're all set to start stitching, be sure to check out Nicole's gorgeous patterns. You'll be able to make something truly lovely with any one of them!

Happy stitching!

Oh yay! Aimee Ray!

Ok, this is exciting. I've just added Aimee Ray (of Doodle Stitching fame) patterns to the shop. This is a big deal for me because it was Aimee's patterns, particularly her book, that first got me thinking about trying out embroidery. Her whimsical style really appeals to me and though I bought her book years ago (from Portland's own, Powell's Books, of course) I was too chicken to actually try any of the patterns.

NOM

Kaleidoscope

Happy Garden

Well, no longer. Far more courageous these days (I hope you're laughing about my sense of bravery—I certainly am!) I'm ready to give these awesome patterns a try. My first thought is to do a white-on-white dress with the Kaleidoscope patterns for my six-year-old. She'd love it (ok, true, she'd love it even more if it was pink on purple) and she's careful enough with her clothes (provided you strip her down before she goes outside) that it might survive long enough to be passed down to baby Norah. 

But maybe I'll do a pillow or blanket with Happy Garden... You know, it's futile to even  make plans like this because there are a bunch of patterns to choose from and I'll change my mind while I'm buying the embroidery floss anyway. In any case, I'll keep you posted!

Happy stitching everyone!

Sweet and Simple Baby Skirt

My sweet little neice Emily is turning one this month and I thought Leila and Ben's Simple Skirt would be the perfect gift.

Simple Skirt

And this is for two reasons: first, how cute is this skirt? Seriously, it's adorable. Second, the name of the skirt says it all, and doesn't lie. It's really, really simple to make. I managed it on a day when baby Norah would not, under any circumstances, be put down for more than two minutes. In about six two-minute periods I ended up with this:

 Cute, huh? It was so quick, in fact, that I'm thinking about making a Black Apple doll to match. 

{This is one Santa made for my six-year-old.}

Check out these super cute versions of this free doll pattern: here, here, and here.

Here's to simple projects for two-minutes-at-a-time days!

Happy sewing everyone!

Speaking of Kids Tricots...

This is either great or dangerous timing for me, depending on your perspective. There are three adorable new Kids Tricots patterns in the shop now. And as you now know, I've just finished Baby Liliha, which I loved making.

Baby Kina

Haimi

Kina

So, feel free to place bets on whether or not I can stop myself from starting one of these lovelies today. (Have I mentioned that during the last visit to the yarn store, um, yesterday, that I was seduced by a few skeins of ice blue, silky merino malabrigo and a few skeins of sunny yellow Jil Eaton Minnow Merino? And I'm sure either of them would be perfect for these patterns...)

If anyone else out there has recently given in to the siren song of some luscious yarn, definitely consider one of these patterns. They're well written (and that's translated from French even!) and easy to follow. And of course the end results are so sweet!

Oh, and I really hope you'll share your pictures!

Happy knitting everyone!

Baby Liliha for baby Norah

Don't you just love it when a pattern turns out exactly how you expect it to? Well then you'll love Kids Tricots patterns. Trust me! Even distracted by Norah's beautiful blue eyes and sweet baby smell (both intoxicating) my version of the Baby Liliha pattern turned out beautifully!

(Try not to notice that my six-year-old is stretching the poor little sweater out in her enthusiastic attempt to show it to the camera...)

I used a luscious baby alpaca yarn that I had bought for another project (so long ago that I couldn't remember what the project was) and I'll have enough to do one for said six-year-old too. Of course I'll use the Liliha pattern for that—which goes all the way up to a kid size 8. Yay!

But I was thinking it would be a perfect pattern for something lighter, maybe cotton or bamboo. In a sweet butter yellow. Or that gorgeous light sky blue that someday will be my Perfect Pie Shawl...

If I ever want to make all the projects I can imagine I'll need an assistant!

Happy knitting everyone (with our without assistants)!

New from Phydeaux Designs

Happy, happy! Two new designs from Phydeaux today!

Lattice Cowl

Soft Acrons Scarf

Aren't they lovely? Use a lightweight cotton for a breezy Spring accent or a heavier wool and get a head start on a cozy Autumn warmer. Either way, these designs are sure to make you happy too!

Happy knitting!

Follow the White Bunny Embroidery Tutorial Three

Transferring your Pattern to Fabric
This is the third embroidery tutorial installment from Nicole Vos van Avezathe of Follow the White Bunny. For a review you can find the first installment here, and the second here. Nicole is offering a free embroidery pattern on her blog today, so be sure to stop by and download your copy!

Iron on patterns
If you are using an iron-on design just follow the instructions that came with it. Be careful not to shift you pattern (paper) while you are transferring it to the fabric or you will end up with a blurry image.

Do-it-yourself iron on patterns
Sometimes people use the print out of a (non iron on) pattern itself to transfer, just like it was an iron on. As far as I know this only works with laser printers and it might be a good idea to try it on a scrap of fabric first!  Personally I have not managed to get very clear transfers with this method but it is worth a try.  There are lots of other ways to transfer patterns to fabric though.

Carbon paper
Carbon paper is another option and can especially be helpful when transferring to dark fabrics. You put the carbon paper on top of your fabric and the paper pattern on top of that. By tracing the pattern and thus applying pressure with a pen or a stylus (a special tool that looks a bit like an iron pen) the carbon transfers to the fabric.

Image transferred with a water-soluble marker:

{Photo courtesy of Nicole Vos van Avezathe}

Pens and markers
You can also use either a water soluble fabric marker or an iron-on transfer pens or pencils to transfer your pattern.  Both are available in craft stores.

If you go for the water soluble marker you will need some sort of light box. I don’t have one so I usually use my window as light box (this only works during the day of course). Lately, however, I’ve been using a clear empty storage tub with a bed lamp underneath as a “light box.” It looks a bit odd but hey, it’s cheap and it works! Stick your printed pattern to a window or put it on a light box. You can choose to use the pattern as it is printed or turn the paper around and reverse the image. Next, put your fabric on top of the print (I always use sticky tape to keep it in place) and start tracing with your water solvable pen. It’s easy! You can remove the water soluble pen with water after you have finished stitching. Sometimes, for more detailed patterns, I use a no. 2 pencil. But be careful because the pencil marks can be difficult to wash out.

Image drawn with a transfer pencil:

{Photo courtesy of Nicole Vos van Avezathe}

Iron-on pens and pencils are easy to use too. Read the instructions of your pencil or pen and use accordingly. With this method you will trace the printed pattern with your pen or pencil. The ink or pencil marks will be transferred to your fabric through the heat of your iron. Just like an iron-on pattern. Keep in mind that the image you produce with this method will be a reversed version of the actual pattern.

Now that we have transferred the image, the actual stitching can begin!

Thank you Nicole! Happy stitching everyone!

A Bit of Madness

When baby Norah was a mere two weeks old, my Mom and I took her on her first outing (that wasn't to the pediatrician, that is). Can anyone guess where her first adventure took her? Indeed, to one of Portland's many, many fine yarn stores. In this case, to Twisted.

The reason we just had to go was because this book by Melanie Falick had just arrived from the publisher, and I fell hard for one of the many lovely patterns.

Weekend Knitting

And that pattern would be:

Perfect Pie Shawl

This picture is too small to show how really, really lovely this shawl is. Lovely enough to enchant me into thinking that I might be able to knit it despite the fact that I was the mother of a brand new baby (and two other very busy kids). Ok, it occured to me that it might be tough but you see, when we got to the store it was all decked out in spring-y colors: butter yellow, blushing pink, new grass green, and sky blue. And I found the perfect blue yarn. I'm serious, perfect.

Thus, I suffered a bit of madness. Yummy yarn in the perfect color madness. The kind of madness that makes you think you'll be able knit an entire shawl between diaper changes, kindergarten carpool, and endless loads of laundry and despite all the other knitting projects currently residing in the work-in-progress basket (notice I conveniently forgot my New Year's resolution to finish those WIPs before starting anything new). 

What can I say?

In case you'd like to join me in the madhouse, here are a few other beauties from this classic book:

Cache-coeur Bergamo

Fingerless Mitts

Turtleneck Egg Cozies

Petticoat Socks

Happy (mad) knitting!

Daydream Forest Embroidery Set

Daydream Forest Set

Oh I love these patterns so much! Ok, I know I love everything that SeptemberHouse designs, it's true. And I haven't been shy about proclaiming my new found love for embroidery. But these trees! There's just something about them that makes me want to pack a picnic basket and head to the park with my family, snacking and stitching in the summer sun (or shade, more likely).

The set comes with the three patterns in the first picture as well as an extra page of leaf designs and another with two coordinating borders. 

You know you'll be seeing my versions in a post in the near future. Maybe sometime after the first summery day in Portland...

Happy stitching everyone!

A few (dozen) lunchbags

Last fall when I was getting ready to send my daughter to kindergarten I found this pattern for a cute little lunch bag from Linen Wool Cotton. (You can download the pattern for free here.)

 {A small sample of the many, many lunch bags I made.}

How many lunch bags does a kindergartner need? I wondered as I sewed one after another. They were just so easy to make! And so adorable! I couldn't stop.

Well, I'm happy to report that a family can use quite a number of these little bags! Maybe a kindergartner needs one—or two—for school, but we've found lots of other ways to use them since the fall: they make a great tiny truck carrier, are perfect for stashing snacks on the go, are lovely for organizing small knitting projects, are just the right size to hold a gift of homemade cookies, and of course are perfect for when you can't leave the crayons at home but don't want to take the entire bin.

Am I justifying my mini-obsession with making them? Perhaps. But hey, they're useful and there are certainly worse ways to spend your time than sewing!

Happy sewing!