just a bit loopy - the next day!

woolly sheep

Remember the 'before' photo of this woolly sheep? that scrawny-little thing just waiting to be washed and felted? Well, here is the final result . . . I am so pleased with this little guy!

The pattern is my Woolly Sheep using Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn, #8010 cream, and adding the loopy stitch throughout the body. For further details see earlier post 'just a bit loopy'.

After felting the sheep and once it was completely dried, I brushed the body vigorously with a nap riser brush to create extra softness and fuzziness. Even though Cascade 220 worsted does not contain any mohair or alpaca, it still brushes the fibers enough to create a softness to the wool. I brush EVERYTHING these days. You can never be too sure.

In addition, I created a black sheep version too, below. On this sheep I trimmed the wild-looking ends that emerged from brushing (didn't do this on the cream version), and thus created a more nubby-look to the overall body. It really is personal preference which version you prefer.

And to finish it off, a sheep in or two! A perfect pin cushion for the Just Pins 'Sheep' pins, wouldn't you agree?









Happy knitting!

just a bit loopy!

woolly sheep pattern

I love to play when I can! and I sure have been playing with my Woolly Sheep pattern lately. I discovered the loopy stitch that creates little nubbies after felting. The felted version of this sheep is in the wash now as we speak.

I used Nature Spun worsted, Aran N91. It is a good, tried-and-true felting yarn. I knitted the exact same pattern but this time I added the loops, see above, every other stitch, on the knit rounds and every other round, starting just above the place where the leg holes are added (Round 8). It takes a bit more yarn obviously, but it is well worth it.

I have tried the loops with black yarn and LOVE IT! I will photograph the finished sheep and display them here in a day or two. Stay tuned!

NOTE: This pattern is now included in my new book, Whimsical Woollies.

Happy knitting!

happy hoo-lloween!

woolly owl

Today in Minnesota it is cool and misty with a good chance of rain. Not the best day for trick or treaters. Tonight I am staying home passing out candy, my usual routine. But with a good movie and a little crochet I know I will be happy, as long as I don't mind getting up every 7 or 8 minutes. Better than eating a bowl of tootsie rolls!

Happy Halloween to you and your family!

Happy knitting!

woolly snowman kits are here!

woolly snowman kits

My snowman kits are finally put together and available for sale!

The kit has all the makings for one large or small snowman, complete with pattern, yarn and more. I have included a clay carrot nose in each kit to give a different texture. I love the clay noses because they hold their shape year after year. The scarf is knit using Frog Tree alpaca yarns to create a soft and fuzzy neck warmer. You will definitely have some cream yarn leftover to start another snowman!

Don't forget to brush your snowman after felting with a nap riser brush. I have found that it softens the felted wool and fluffs up any yarn even if it doesn't have alpaca or mohair in it. It also helps to hide some of the imperfections from the felting process, especially when using creamier or whiter yarns. Nap riser brush is not included in the kit.

The snowman pattern, kit and nap riser brush are all available for sale on my Etsy shoppe: Marie Mayhew Designs Stop by for a visit!


To mark 10 years of woolly snowman making, I have created a gold sticker and placed it on each pattern sold this year. Thanks to all those that have knit & felt snowmen for the past 10 years. It's been woolly fun!

Happy knitting!

a tutorial, anyone?

harvest pumpkin

I have been brainstorming ideas on how to connect with you, my customers, easier. How to help you more. And how to help knitting and felting my patterns even more fun and whimsical. I came up with the idea of tutorials whether in video format or step-by-step photo tutorials.

I LOVE teaching classes because of this very aspect, the one-on-one availability to others and the opportunity to show them what I do for a living -- create!

So, I am asking: What would you like to see? What have you been curious about? Or have you taken a class by me and just need that visual reminder to go back to again and again? It is so nice having an online encyclopedia of information on the internet at your very finger tips, isn't it?

I came up with a few ideas to start with, such as:

1) A tutorial on how to make french knots Marie's way that work every time.
2) How to make cute faces with a few stitches and a little love.
3) How to make a clay carrot nose.
4) How to use a Wonder Washer (that also explains what a Wonder Washer is)?
5) Wool fiberfill versus polyester fiberfill.
6) Basics of needle felting or fixing things with needle felting.

Any others? I have been talking about doing something like this for a year or more, but now seem to have more time and gumption. I would love to hear what you would love to hear more about!

Happy knitting!

a new kind of spider!

embellished harvest pumpkins

Notice the spider in the left-hand corner? I am not a huge spider-fan in my everyday life but I do LOVE beaded spiders like the one above.

This spider came from a kit I bought at my local bead store several years back. But I recently found a tutorial on how to make your own beaded spiders that looks easy to follow so I thought I would share the link with you. It comes from the blog, Shawkl Designs, and the author gives great step-by-step instructions with photos to help.

beaded spider tutorial

Once I get my son off to college, I will be attempting these eight-legged little guys myself. I have so many beads around here I probably don't need to even go out to buy more!

The spiders look so 'pretty' (if that is even possible) and natural on my harvest pumpkins as well as the woolly pumpkins too. They add dimension and texture to the wool which I just love! Hope you have fun making a spider or two yourself! Make them in Halloween colors (orange and black) to get you in the harvest mood. Enjoy!

Happy knitting!

Craftsy.com

Ever hear of Craftsy.com? It is a an online craft community similar to Ravelry where you can share your craft projects whether it be sewing, quilting, knitting, you name it. Craftsy also offers classes as well as options to buy craft supplies such as yarns and patterns.

As a knitter/felter, I also like to delve into a little embroidery, beading, crochet, baking and other crafty-like projects as the mood sways me. Craftsy gives you an outlet to share all your creative endeavors. I also have taken their online classes and hope to purchase another class on crochet embellishing. So much fun and convenient too!

I have recently added my line of patterns (pdf-format) onto their sight, so now they can be downloaded from there too. Come check out my pattern store: woollysomething

Happy knitting!