I have full confidence that everyone will finish those handmade gifts on time, but just in case, I thought I would share this. It might come in handy ; )
knitted tissue cozy
As I was looking for some handmade stocking stuffer ideas on Pintrest, I came across these felt hankie holders made by Martha Stewart.
It gave me the idea to create some knitted ones. Here is a pattern I came up with while making some.
Materials:
worsted weight stash yarn in 2 (or more) colors (or any yarn that you prefer for the project)
a pair of straight needles US9 ( or an appropriate size for your preferred yarn)
a yarn needle
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Using an i-cord cast on, cast on 20 stitches in the contrasting color (cc).
Switch to the main color (mc) yarn and knit in stockinette stitch for 6.5″ ending with a knit row.
With the cc yarn purl on row.
Bind off using an i-cord bind off.
Turn the knitting wrong side out and fold so that the two i-cords overlap slightly in the center and sew the top & bottom shut with a mattress stitch.
Weave in all the loose ends.
Embellish with a crocheted edging, or embroidered designs. You could also add some ribbon or buttons.
Santa baby . . .
. . . slip some needles under the tree, for me
I’ve been an awful good girl
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight
This year for the holidays I am introducing these fabulous Santa Knitting Needles to the shop. They are fantastic. Each set has been masterfully crafted using Blood wood & Maple to create a striped effect. Each set includes 1 needle with a Blood Wood cap & 1 needle with a Maple cap.
There are only 8 of these special edition knitting needle left. So place your orders now!
Also, on Monday, Honey over at Mondorfment is hosting a give away for one of my portable weaving looms. If you would like to have a chance at winning one of these, make sure to remember to hop on over & sign up!
great gifts for knitters
1. Circular Needle Holder by Sevenannine
2. Row/Stitch Markers by Scarletfoxfibers
3. Silver Knit Ring by Aimeepawluk
4. Yarn Sewing Needles by Lesliewind
5. Vintage Figurine by Northwestnesters
6. Large Knitting Bag by Simplesmiles
7. Knit Notes by Papersheep
8. Knit Mug by Finnish Design Shop
9. Handspun Yak Yarn by The Rocking Yak
10. Knitting Needles by Joe’s Fiber Tools
11. Knitting Needle Bracelet by Sewnewthings
12. “Because I Love You” Tags by Lonelytreedesign
a handmade holiday
Today I was inspired by the words of Elizabeth over at The Sitting Tree as she shared with her readers the reasons why she has chosen to live a handmade life. She wrote:
“I know we each have our own individual, deep seeded reasons why we buy handmade gifts each year, but I wanted to share what has inspired us to live a handmade life….
*I live a handmade life, because… I have to create. Like I have to breathe. Or eat. To survive. When you purchase handmade from us or someone else, you’re allowing an artist to carry on. To nourish the soul. To find joy. Achieve dreams.
*I live a handmade life, because… I know exactly where my money is going. No middle men. No giant corporations. Just people trying to make a difference in the world. To real families, like us, who are paying the bills, putting food on the table, and reaching goals.
* I live a handmade life, because… I believe in quality over quantity. Purchasing high quality, well made items, means they will last for years, sometimes even a lifetime. Attention, detail, and a lot of love is infused into each item that passes through our hands.
* I live a handmade life, because… I want art to be unique and original. I love that when I wear one of my husband’s Tree Branch Necklaces, I know I’m never going to see anyone else wearing it.
* I live a handmade life, because… I care about the environmental impact of mass produced goods on our earth. From manufacturing, transporting, and disposal; the destruction is astronomical. All our items are either made of recycled materials or are organic material and can be composted back into the earth.
* I live a handmade life, because… I value connection. Through this blog and our shop we’ve met folks from all over the world. Becoming a part of each other’s lives, in some small, significant way is one of my favorite parts of living handmade. “
My husband & I chose to have handmade holidays when our children were born. We love the traditions that we have made with our kids involving them in making gifts for others. This year will be our first year having an entirely handmade Christmas. I have already enjoyed the challenge of finding gift ideas big & small that I can make to give away. I’ll be sharing some of these ideas over the upcoming weeks.
How have your holidays been handmade?
Happy Thanksgiving
Twining
“Twining” is a verb meaning to wind or spiral around something. It is a term to describe an old method used in creating baskets & bags. In honor of Thanksgiving, I thought it would be fun to share a historic handcraft that was used by the Native Americans & probably the Pilgrims as well.
- made by the Nez Perce
Many artifacts have been found all over the world showing us beautiful examples of how this technique has been used in many different cultures. It is a simple technique that both children & adults will enjoy using. It can be used in making very basic items or elaborate artful pieces.
I was introduced to the skill of twining this fall at a historical reenactment. A woman was making a bag & was kind enough to show me how she was making it.
To start with, she had looped a piece of twine the size she wanted the bag to be & secured it. This was to be the base of the bag.
Then she cut pieces of twine to a length that was twice the size she wanted the finished bag to be. She draped these pieces over the initial loop to create her warp.
She cut enough pieces to go all the way around the loop laying the pieces side by side.
To make the warp stay in place, she simply started to twine the weft around each pair of warp strands, twisting the weft after each pair.
She continued to work the weft in this way until she had gone around the bag several times. Then, she would create a gap & start again an inch or so farther down. I really like the look of these bags that she was making & think they would be great market bags. They look to be very strong & durable.
I had hoped to make a twined bag myself & post a tutorial for you. However, with this being my first twining project, it is looking a bit rough. A tutorial will come later.
1,000 words
“a picture is worth a thousand words”
Sometimes, pictures say it better than anything written.
Pictures grab our attention, and spur our imagination.
They cause our heart to swell, and they inspire our hands into action.
Wednesdays, are without written words.
1,000 words
“a picture is worth a thousand words”
Sometimes, pictures say it better than anything written.
Pictures grab our attention, and spur our imagination.
They cause our heart to swell, and they inspire our hands into action.
Wednesdays, are without written words.
1,000 words
“a picture is worth a thousand words”
Sometimes, pictures say it better than anything written.
Pictures grab our attention, and spur our imagination.
They cause our heart to swell, and they inspire our hands into action.
Wednesdays, are without written words.
artbycarriejoy.com 