bird's of a feather flock together!

woolly bird ornaments

I'm getting in the holiday mood early this year, for me that is. Usually I am making ornaments and knitted orders for others, but this year I am having a bit of fun playing with new ideas for selling the finished product. 

blue bird ornament

You really haven't heard much from me this year, it's been a slow year 2021, not a lot of creating unfortunately. It happens. Its part of the creative process, or so 'they' say. But the winds are shifting. Something is stirring and I'm starting to play again. I have a new motto: I'm showing up to play and I'm going to play hard! Interesting, huh? I think so too.

The birds on this page are three of these new ideas. I have taken the Woolly Birds pattern and knit the birds using fingering weight yarn and size 5 double point needles. Same pattern but different results: an ornament size. I have sold my bird ornaments for several years now. The Woolly Birds pattern gives instructions on how to turn the one bird-like shape (round and chubby) into a worsted weight yarn size Robin, Cardinal and a Chickadee. It's all in the embellishing with a little needle felting and simple embroidery.

oriole bird ornament

But this holiday season I have added three more birds to my bird collection: an Oriole, a Goldfinch (above), and a Blue Bird. I just love them! These bird ornaments are only available through my Etsy store sold as 2-inch wide by high ornaments. My pattern, Woolly Birds, is also available in both PDF and booklet format.

goldfinch bird ornament

I have an old fashioned fir tree on a black metal stand in my kitchen. I decorate it with these little birds as well as glass acorns and glittery silver pinecones. I don't take it down until almost Spring!

Each bird is knit and felted in my washing machine, and then stuffed with wool stuffing to hold its shape from year-to-year. Each bird is then embellished individually with a touch of needle felting, embroidered feather stitch on the wings and a smidge of wool appliqué, if needed. They're not exact but they sure give the essence of these birds in the wild.

Each bird comes in its own cello bag, sitting in a nest of raffia, signed and dated by me, and finally, tied with a black silk ribbon bow. Ready for quick and easy gift giving! A perfect hostess gift this holiday season!

Come by my store and check out my Woolly Birds Collection. Let me know what you think!

Happy knitting!

halloween knitting treats!

 

black retro-cat pincushion

buy me!

Tricks-and-treats time again! Knitting those Halloween treats just got even sweeter. My pincushion design for the month of October is the Black Retro-Cat PDF pattern. An easy knit and felt cat head with simple wool/acrylic felt embellishments. Its all in the detailing!

The cat head measures about 4-inches tall, including the ears. It is knit as one continuous piece, in the round, and no sewing needed. The pattern walks you through the embroidery. A great beginner's project with simple easy stitches. Nothing fancy. It just looks that way!

The clay stick pins shown above are from Just Another Button Company. They assembled this whimsical combination just for me and my cat pattern. You can only purchase this combination of pins through my Etsy store.

Be sure to check out my second Etsy store called MyWoollysomethings in which I'm selling off my samples for reduced prices. I have several pumpkins in various colors and textures, plus a large and small retro cat all done and ready for gift giving. Get them while you can!

Happy Halloween to all my favorite knitters. Its a fun time to be knitting as the weather gets cooler!

Happy knitting!

an apple a day, knit one!

back-to-school apple pincushion

It's time for Autumn knitting! The first day of Fall was just a couple of days ago, so you're not far behind. How about starting with an apple pincushion for that favorite teacher in your life? The apple pattern is a quick and easy knit & felt design with endless possibilities as there are apple varieties: A Red Delicious, a Golden Delicious, and even a Granny Smith (see where I am going with this).

The pattern uses so little yarn, 100% wool, in your favorite red colors. It is knit completely in the round with no sewing necessary. It is felted and decorated with a cinnamon stick stem and knit leaf. The knit leaf adds a wonderful new texture to the apple's smooth felted wool. Knit up a basket full of these savory treats for your table decor. Its just about Harvest Time!

golden delicious apple pincushion

Next month's pincushion, October, is a Retro-Black Cat, perfect for a Halloween themed-knit that is both decorative and functional. My goal is to finish my pincushion series within the next six months (6 more to go). I have a fluffy little Out-like-a-Lamp March sheep pincushion almost finished! Then onto my spring and summer pincushion ideas to finish off a whole year of decorative pincushion designs.

The mini-set of pins that go perfectly with the Back-School Apple pincushion was created by Just Another Button Company especially for me (per my request/suggestion). I sell both the PDF apple pattern and the School Days mini-pin set on either my website or my Etsy store.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions on any of my patterns, techniques or ideas. I am always here to help!

Happy knitting!

how about a bear hug?

 

I don't know about you, but I could use a good-size bear hug these days! Still feeling isolated and everything is certainly not back to normal quite yet. So how about sending some hugs to your family and friends, knit and felt a cuddly bear from my Lil' Bear Hugs pattern!

I just mailed off a bear for a customer, a knitted one. As part of the package I included a bear birth certificate complete with name and birthdate. The tagline reads: This little bear loves to give hugs. Please indulge on a daily basis!

It got me excited to make bears again in various sizes. I'm mulling over the idea of carrying the yarns in various weights to create three different bear sizes. I will keep you posted on that decision.

In the meantime, knit yourself a bear or two for that special someone. Everyone could use a little bear hug about now!

Happy knitting!

PS - want me to knit you a bear of your very own? Check out my website: MarieMayhew.com.

autumn samples up for grabs!

Just uploaded a bunch of pumpkins, woolly leaf trivets, black cats and more to my second Etsy shoppe: My Woollysomethings! I even have a pillow-toss pumpkin available. Never too early to get your Fall shopping started!

I will be uploading a few snowmen and extra hats and accessories. Just updating a few, giving them new faces and outfits. Then I only have one bin left to go through, the bin with my holiday stockings and odds and ends. Be sure to come back often to check out my newest items. 

Right now I still have a few Easter items on sale at 25% off while they last.

It feels good to make room for some new creating. I am pleased that customers have been sharing with me how excited they are to be receiving the samples. That delights me! Good to know they are going to a good home.

Happy knitting!

sample sale continues - 25% off!

woolly chicks

My sample sale is still going strong! For those of you new to my blog, I have added a second Etsy shoppe: My Woollysomethings, for the sales of my sample sculptures. Yes, I am cleaning house and pairing down. All of these samples are in great shape and are looking for a new home. For the month of April, my woolly chicks and bunnies are reduced to 25% off.

woolly bunnies

They are truly a one-of-a-kind, and once they are gone that is it. Come by and check them out.

I have just added a harvest basket full of knitted pumpkins and leaves. Its never too soon to start your autumn decorating!

Happy knitting!

 

marie's samples just keep coming!

I've added a lot more samples to my  Etsy shoppe: nest and eggs, a black kitty kat, Matilda the Witch and lots more. Next week I will be adding pumpkins and leaves. You can tell everyone you knit them! I won't tell.

I will even have a few one-of-a-kind snowmen with their accessories. I have so many hats and scarves of various colors that I may put together a few grab-bags for sale too. It sure feels good to pass along these items to those that will appreciate them. That blesses me! 

Be sure to check back often. If there is something you don't see, don't hesitate to ask about an item. I just may have another one around here. 

Thanks again for your interest in my work over the years. I am excited to be freed up to create again here real soon!

Happy knitting!