Patience

 

I have it and I don't have it. 


I don't know how I can sit for 10 hours doing one thing and be mad when somene  is 10 minutes late. I'm usually fine waiting in lines, but I can't stand chatting with the clerk. I can have patience teaching someone for the first time... but not if I've showed them already. 

 

I've decided blankets are a good tool to practice patience.

 

This blanket got me through a long, cold, dark and lonely winter of living alone. I loved it and I love it. 
I used soooooooooo much scrap yarns for this so who knows how many skeins total. I started last winter watching all of the available Downton Abbey episodes, which ran out waaay before my knitting did!
Projects like these are so great for passing time. I looked forward to banging out a few squares each night and paring up fresh colors each time. No two are the same... but I'm sure someday a child will prove me wrong.
I took the time to sew as I went, trying to get rid of all the ends and make strips so the final "sewing up" wouldn't be so daunting. It was still pretty daunting, but it just took a dreary winter day (the following year) to get re-inspired to finish. (Or more likely, bored with all my other endeavors.)
When I started, I had NO bleeeeeping clue I'd have my own yarn store in which to find the perfect border yarn: Manos del Uruguay's Maxima in the color acid. Yeah. It's the best. I also made a sweater out of it. It's probably not the last thing either,  I love the color so hard.
I don't know who will be the recipient of this blanket... a future child maybe? That's what I was thinking when I started. Hopefully it'll be my child, should I be so lucky, but who knows? It's kind of a strange size, bigger than a crib but not quite a twin or lap blanket. Well... it fits my extra long lap perfectly as long as no one wants to share... which is fine, because there's another long, cold, dark and lonely winter of living alone ahead and I need something to cover me for a bit until this winters blanket gets a little bigger.
I'll show you that one next year.

 

 

 

New in ETSY

It's been ages since I've posted here, I've almost forgotten how to blog. No, seriously. How do I post a photo and a link? Here it goes...

I really just wanted to show what I've been making. Mostly napkins and aprons. Click on the photo to be taken to Etsy to purchase!

Reversible, Mix Match Napkins

www.auntwilma.etsy.com

Canning Jar "Grab Bags"

Ruffle Apron

Relax...

Knit eye pillowMy April projects for Yarnplay

 

Aromatherapy Eye Pillows

Two very simple patterns, one knit, one crochet. Fill with flax and lavender. Click the photos for the FREE pattern and helpful how to photo instructions!

Photography by Emily Delamater

 

 

 

 

Cashmere neck pillow filled with buckwheat. Majorly comfy as you can see!

 

Techno!

Techno is an awesome new yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas ! I was lucky to get to design a project with skeins hot of the presses, ah, I mean spinners! You can read more about the yarn here in Blue Sky's first bluesletter(aka blog). I really loved knitting with it. It's unique construction, baby alpaca shot through a silk mesh... yeah, techno... makes it super soft, bulky (read: quick) and light! Bulky and light rarely go together, right? Finally, a way to knit a sweater fast... that's wearable, warm, hip and not heavy. I just want to keep knitting with it! 

To celebrate Technos launch, Blue Sky will be giving away a pattern and yarn to 10 people! Go to this blog post and make a comment to enter the contest! 

My design for the collection is below.

Happy knitting and good luck!

My new home!

In January I moved into a new house. A tiny little house that's basically just two rooms, stacked on top of each other. It's small, but amazingly, fits all the stuff I need. Plus, it's a short walk from the cafe, the dance studio, the food co-op, the hair salon, the dentist, the book store, the library, the grange hall (where the farmers market and community musical rehearsals are), the hardware store, the art supply store and the community garden. Phew. Main street could still use a few more stores, but for now it serves me well. I'm super close to the lake too! It's nice to get local eggs around the corner. And a latte. As far as small town Maine goes, I'm pretty lucky!

I sit in this chair to knit, rug hook and quilt. I often have to wrestle it away from my fur ball, Louis. Often, we can compromise and just share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The kitchen features a tiny gas stove (rare in Maine) and a moveable table. I love this. I can use it to help cook, eat or cut fabric. After getting to work in a huge studio for a while, the smaller space takes a bit of getting used to. I actually have to pick up when I'm done or else I'll have a side of thread with breakfast! I can't really work or store on anything too gigantic,  but I can move the table at least, to make a quilt sandwich.

Upstairs is my bedroom, a tiny office alcove(behind the orange partition) and my bathroom, which has the best shower ever! It also has open shelving, so I decided to get some tins at the flea market to hide away my 'less pretty' toiletries.

 

Where I sew...

plus a washer & dryer!!

 

Some experimental things I've been making for a show in May

Recognize this gal???

 

For Lion Brands January Yarnplay issue I created a cute embroidered hood. (I also did a little modeling) It's a very easy and quick project, that I think is better than a hat. One, it keeps your neck warm and two, it doesn't squish your hairdo. The FREE pattern also has helpful how-to photos to help you with the tricky parts.

 

 As alway, much thanks to my good friend and awesome photographer Emily. Have you seen her website?? GO now! It's so fun to work on these together. We love our lives!

 

Apron Endeavor

I'm now selling  aprons at Cafe Nomad, the awesome cafe in my town where I also work. This is my second batch thanks to the lovely "Main Street Supporters" out there! I'm also selling knitting needle cases at Artful Hands a little further up Main street, but I don't have photo's just yet. So fun to make each one be different.

Recent YarnPlay Projects for Lion Brand

Ok, so I'm WAY behind in posting these... but here they are nonetheless! Thanks again to Emily for such great photos!

Woven Place Mats:Click photo for how to instructions.

I love this yellow/pink pattern. I made a *mistake* but it turned out to be a pretty pattern, so I went with it.

 

Gift Wrapping Ideas:

Click photo for how to instructions

Click photo for how-to instructions

 

Knitting Green Blog Tour

Welcome to stop #6 on the Knitting Green blog tour! Like all of the other designers before me, I'm quite pleased to be a part of this book and tour. Knitting Green, by Ann Budd, is a great collection of practical and useful projects mixed with informative essays. Flipping through the pages, I found several projects I want to make, which to me is a good sign! Hmmmm, what should I make first??

The Caterina Wrap?

or the Eco Vest?

 

The bike basket, one of my patterns, is made of jute and lined with oilcloth. I'm jazzed that it made the cover!

Many people have asked me who makes the the purse handles, but I'm afraid I don't know. I got them at Brooklyn General, but there was no label or info on them at all, I swear! I'm not just a flake who forgets to write things down. I ordered the beautiful oil cloth from purlsoho.com.

 

The Save the Streams Slippers is also mine and I'm quite pleased with it. The shape is slick and easy to create. It makes use of scraps and tidbits and you can embellish with needle felting, embroidery or keep it simple. I want to make a whole pile!

The blog tour is almost over, but check out the rest of the stops here.

Then head out to your local book store to get your copy of Knitting Green! If they don't have it, check to see if they can order it for you. Most small book sellers are more than willing to special order at no additional cost.

Mom's Handmade Holiday

My mom got all handmade gifts from me this year...

 

The Oragami Organizer from One Skein Wonders

 

The "Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag" also from One Skein Wonders

 

A chair cover of my own design

The chair before:

 

And finally, the Praying Mantis from Amigurumi Knits

Look closely...

Can you spy the awesome, Mod podge Magnum PI container I made mom for her birthday in 1987? Not bad for a seven year old!! Of course, my Aunt Wilma did help. On the back I wrote a very inspirational birthday message: "Have a Happy Time!"  surrounded by rainbows. I love that Magnum still has a special spot in mom's room, now joined by a much creepier gift!