Sunday, December 14, 2008

A new message, a new focus, and a new pattern...

Happy holidays! I hope the season is bringing you peace and precious time to spend with those you love.

In these times when money is tight it makes sense to do more with less. It makes sense to do-it-yourself rather than to pay someone else to do it for you. There is a sense of satisfaction and pride that comes from having made something with your own two hands -- something you can use, give as a gift, or donate to someone in need. And in my own experience with knitting and handwork, there is the added benefit of mindfulness. In the quiet concentration of creation there is time for reflection. There are moments of clarity and moments of peace. There is a sense of being present in the moment -- something that is easily lost in the rush of modern life. There is a reminder in the movement of your hands -- a connection with all the grandmothers, mothers, and daughters (and yes the occasional fearless man!) who worked their hands hard to create the world around us. As we move forward into the new world where we will likely face a new way of living I think it is important for us all to remember this connection with the present and past. And the gifts we receive from being present in our lives, connected to one another, and proud of our work are not replaceable with money or things.

With these thoughts in mind I have a new focus at Sweet Mama - Small Sugar. I am working hard on pattern development so all of you who enjoy doing-it-yourself (or find it a necessity now) can have unique, well written patterns to help you along. My present focus is on the knitting beginner and advancer beginner. You can expect new SMSS patterns with the seasons. And I'm always willing to listen to your ideas for pattern development. Maybe you've seen something I've sold in the past that you would like to have the pattern for? Drop me an email and let me know. I will take it into consideration.

If you are not a knitter and don't intend to take it up, don't worry. I have no plans to quit offering my usual products and services. I am just adding pattern development as an equal focus.

Yesterday I released a new knitting pattern called the "Fae Folk Hat". In celebration I have marked both SMSS knitting patterns down 20% for one week. On Dec 20th they go back to their regular prices. They are also marked down at my Ravelry and Etsy stores if you'd rather purchase there.

I wish you a wonderful winter and New Year full of hope for our future!

Labels: hope, knitting

Sunday, September 21, 2008

"Bitty Britches" Ornamental Longies Pattern

Can you believe it's time for winter holiday knitting already? And not just *time*, but nearly past time! This quick little knit made with scrap yarn is a fun and inexpensive gift for any knitter or cloth diapering mama. Hang it on a tree or a key chain or anywhere you think it's fun to look at tiny pants ;)

(colorway above is Mosaic Moon's "Woodland Tale")

Gauge: unimportant since it's only ornamental.

Yarn: I used 2 colors of DK weight, but sport or worsted weight would work fine too.

Needles: I used US #3

Notions: tapestry needle & scrap yarn

Starting at the waist with your trim color:
CO 24 sts and join into a round. K1P1 for 4 rounds.
ROW5: Knit around increasing every 6 sts (28 sts)
Change to main color and continue in stockinette (knit all sts) for 10 rounds.

Divide for legs:
K 7 sts. Using your darning needle and scrap yarn transfer the next 14 sts onto scrap yarn. These are your stitches for the second leg and you will return to them later.

Knit legs:
Divide the remaining live sts evenly among 3 DPNs and *knit in stockinette for 16 rounds. Change to trim color and knit 1 round. Knit 3 rounds of seed stitch and bind off.* Return to the sts on the scrap yarn and divide them evenly among 3 DPNs. Join new yarn at the inside of the leg (leaving at least a 6-8" tail for closing the "crotch" later) and repeat steps between *'s.

Finishing & adding your drawstring:
Turn your Bitty Britches inside out. Make a couple stitches with your long tail to close the crotch opening. Weave in all ends and block. For my drawstring/hanger I made a tight twisted cord using my main color yarn and a hand mixer. You could just use a single strand of yarn, braided embroidery floss, ribbon, or any number of creative things to hang your britches. Whatever you use, you'll need a couple feet of it. Using your tapesty needle start at the front-center and weave your drawstring in and out of the ribbing until you arrive back in the front. Choose a hip you want the pants to hang from and pull a few inches of slack on the inside of the britches. Tie a little knot to keep it from pulling back out. Pull your cord snug from the front, tie a little bow, and snip the excess. Block and you're done. Blocking allows you to shape them a little more and really makes them look nice, so take the time ;)

Sunday, June 8, 2008

... each flake in its perfect place

I did it! 3 years, 360 class hours, and immeasurable amounts of determination, courage, and a touch of insanity have brought me to this day -- my graduation day. This morning I graduated from Core Star and I am now trying on the title of "Energy Healer" -- adjusting the fit a bit, but I think we're a match ;) Here is a photo of me and my eldest daughter at the graduation ceremony:

As a parting gift to my teacher I created a wall hanging. It is based on a zen quote, "The snow falls, each flake in its appropriate place." I took minor liberties with the wording and replaced the word appropriate with perfect. I'd like to share some photos of the process of this wall hanging's creation.

First the original chicken scratch sketch. This scene came to me as an inspiration while I was cooking. I grabbed my pad of paper I use for to-do lists and grocery shopping and sketched it out:

And here's that same scene sketched in pencil on poster board. The square is about 23"x23":

This the the canvas and background fabric (a hand dyed cotton with the colors of the evening sky radiating upward) with some of the poster board template positioned on top:

These were taken when most of the appliqué was finished. The wool felt tree wasn't yet stitched down -- it's just laying in place here. And the edges weren't turned yet. The crystals are just laying on top -- not yet in their final positions.

You can see here that the "snow" catches light when seen from the right angle:

and the variegated purple moon swirl:

And the fence fading into the horizon:

And this is the finished hanging:

If you're looking for news about Sweet Mama - Small Sugar... well keep watching for surprises ;)