a DIY series of little ornaments

woolly bird holiday ornaments

Advent is upon us, and Christmas is just about a block away it seems. Wow! Where did this year fly by to? But it ain't over yet.

I thought it might be fun to have an DIY, An Ornament Series to help those who truly desire to make something for gift giving, but don't have a lot of energy to come up with a simple, sweet gift. So I feel like playing, would you like to join me?

Frog Tree Alpaca in all four colors

Today's first ornament is from the Woolly Bird Holiday Ornament pattern: both in PDF download or booklet styles. The pattern comes with instructions to knit & felt  4 little birds: an owlette (shown above), a cardinal, a tufted-ear owl, and a penguin chick. I will be featuring one or maybe two more of these little guys within the weeks to come.

This owlette literally takes 15 minutes to knit. I timed it! It consists of a little knit ball made from sport weight yarn. My favorite yarn for this project is Frog Tree Alpaca sport #000 cream, but anything with alpaca will work beautifully. The alpaca makes it ideal for vigorously brushing with a nap riser brush. The brush pulls out the surface hairs to create this fuzzy little creature in the end.

The eyes are little buttons and the beak a quick, needle felted nose made from grey wool roving. Each time I make an owlette, once I sew on those eyes and needle felt that beak, while brushing I begin to smile as if I am viewing him for the very first time. Don't know how to needle felt? This pattern will give you the simple know-how to fall in love with another new hobby, if so desired.

The pattern gives instructions for making the wired hook for hanging, but you can also thread a simple ribbon or twine through the head, giving the ornament a more rustic feel.

Simple and sweet! That's what I'm interested in these days. A little creativity with big results in the end. Enjoy!

Happy knitting!

something 'woolly' new & old

woolly gnome & mushroom pattern

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all of you!

I am in the midst of editing a book, and am in the throws back and forth with my editor. So far so good. The book is scheduled to come out spring of 2015, just around the corner!

One of the patterns in the book is my Woolly Gnome & Mushroom with all its adaptations, with more details and photos to stimulate your creativity. As a result of this though, as of the first of the year (January 1, 2015), I will be pulling the free downloads off of my website and the only way to get them will be through my new book. So, head's up, get 'em while they last! I had some technical problems with putting Matilda the Witch on there, so if you want her just email me and I will send it directly to you.

But stay tuned because I have two new gnome PDF versions I'm playing with now for next year. I am excited to share them with you soon.

Happy knitting!

November MN knitters' guild meeting

I have been asked to speak at November's Guild meeting. If you find yourself in Minneapolis on the 18th, come on by!

November Knitters' Guild Meeting

November 18th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

As the days get cooler and that wooly skein looks even more inviting, why not try felting? Come join local designer and teacher Marie Mayhew as she dazzles us with her amazing felted projects. Marie will have you looking at your wool in a whole new way with some tips and tricks for successful felting.

Textile Center

3000 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Happy knitting!

 

halloween BOO pins

black pumpkins

I found these wonderful pins, perfect for my black pumpkins! The set consists of 5 pins, the black star is missing from this photo. They add such a whimsical touch, the finishing touch.

The 'boo' pins are available on my Etsy shoppe: Marie Mayhew Designs. Come check them out!

Now all this little frightful pumpkin needs is a few polka dots or curly cues, don't you think?

Happy knitting!

NEW! black pumpkin kits

medium-size pumpkin kits

I finally put together my Woolly Black Pumpkin Kits, and they are available in my Etsy shoppe for a limited time. I had planned to include white felt and/or yarn in each kit for needle felting 'BOO' on them, but in the end liked the simpleness of the pumpkin just the way it was. For those interested in a stencil, I will put a 'BOO' template here on the blog for you to use and instructions.

I have two kits available: a medium and large-size pumpkin. The medium is about 4-1/2 to 5-inches tall (includes stem), and the large, about 6-inches tall. The curly vine is made from brown kraft wire and the leaf is stenciled paper. This pumpkin would look cute covered in polka dots, wouldn't it? 

large-size pumpkin kits

I knit and felted a pumpkin in one night, a quick and fun project! I just ordered some "BOO" pins from Just Another Button Company that will look spook-tackler on these little guys. I will display them on my pumpkins when the pins arrive, hopefully this week.

Gets you in the pumpkin mood, doesn't it?

Happy knitting!

gettin' in the pumpkin mood

harvest pumpkin

I have been writing a book, have I mentioned that before? The book's distribution is scheduled for next spring, but first we have to go through winter again. Argh! But I digress here.

I have been busy writing, revising patterns, and taking photos for this book and looked up to notice the leaves changing color already. Pumpkin time! Have you felted a pumpkin today?

'Fright Night' Just Pins

The pumpkin in the photo was knit using Berroco Ultra alpaca yarn. It felts beautifully. I left a long tail at the end of the stem and let it felt like that. The attached vine look is what resulted. The pins are from Just Another Button Company, their 'Fright Night' set, are they not perfect for this pumpkin? I have one set available for sale still in my Etsy shoppe, but can get more.

I am in the works for selling a limited supply of black pumpkin kits this fall. A black pumpkin with a funky green stem and brown florist's wire for a curly vine. And either white felt or yarn to needle felt "BOO!" on its front. I will keep you posted. Don't have a photo yet, still working on the sample, but soon.

Happy knitting!

a simple correction

2014 Holiday Crafts issue

A big 'thank you' to the person that brought to my attention the errors in the Better Homes & Gardens Holiday Crafts roly-poly snowman pattern. I am grateful that they are minor, but nonetheless, here are the simple corrections:

• Small red jingle bell for the stocking cap’s pompom (it was omitted from the materials list)

• White roving (on the materials list, but not needed)

• In the abbreviations section, ‘inc 1’ was omitted. This increase method is knitting into the front and then into the back of the same stitch, increasing one.

• Stocking cap: round 19 should read *k2, k2tog*

I never got to proof the copy after I had sent it to the magazine, but mistakes happen. Sorry for any inconvenience. 

Happy knitting!