Monthly Archives: September 2010

Mini Fedora

Posted by on September 27, 2010 3 comments

New mini hat!

Mini fedora hat love

A miniature fedora to be exact. I just love making these, so quick and fantastic to wear. Thus when I saw this pattern I couldn’t resist casting-on right away. The free pattern, Mini Felted Fascinator Hats by Chris Wass, has variations for the Fedora, a Bowler and a Yarmulke/Kippah or Fasinator Base.

This was knit with some leftover Lion Brand Lion Wool Solids in #132 Lemongrass, a fantastic funky green. It didn’t seem to create as smooth of a felt as my usual Patons Classic Wool Merino but I think that may be due to non-optimal needle size for this yarn. It did hold it’s felted shape well however.

Attached some turquoise feathers, a hair clip underneath and this was ready to wear for the Oktoberfest here!

who needs more mini hats? I do!

White Bean and Rosemary Spread/Dip

Posted by on September 25, 2010 2 comments

I have a great food processor, a love of all things hummus-like and a gigantic overgrowing rosemary bush. This recipe? perfect solution.

Yummy White Bean Dip

Excuse the utilitarian serving bowls. Bad blogger me didn’t want to dirty some pretty serving dishes just for the sake of a photo. Call it being lazy green.

White Bean and Rosemary Spread/Dip
adapted from Food.com

  • 2 (16 ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped (1 teaspoon)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (I go light on this)
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest of
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 – 3 tablespoons tahini sauce (optional)
  • 2 – 3 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped (optional)
  • 1/8 – 1/4 cup olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted nuts (optional)
  • rosemary sprig (to garnish) 

Combine all except optional and garnish ingredients in a food processor bowl fitted with the steel blade. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds.

From here you can divide into separate portions to add optional ingredients or leave as is. I added tahini sauce to the entire batch, then sun-dried tomatoes to 1/3.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl(s) and refrigerate at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld.

Use as a spread on sandwiches or serve with crisp bread, chips/crackers and/or veggies as a dip. I may go do that immediately upon completing writing this…

Minute Keys

Posted by on September 22, 2010 2 comments

I have always loved vintage keys. My sister and I were making necklaces out of antique skeleton keys more than 15 years ago. So when I saw this Tatted Cameo Pattern, despite being able to use any kind of dangled charm, I had to go with the key.

TotusMel's Cameo Pendant

The pattern is pretty simple but a little fiddly with the long chains. It definitely needs a good steam iron or full blocking (like you do knitting). I also added a little starch. There seems to be some debate on the best method for this but I think this is more in regards to heirloom pieces and preservation. I’m not exactly worried about that, so just used some spray starch we had in the laundry room.

I <3 keys

I can see making several versions of these with different little found objects/charms.

Cross Stitch Fun – Free Pattern

Posted by on September 20, 2010 6 comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a cross stitch but I remembered I had worked up this design a while back and then hadn’t gotten to it. Glad I found it again. There’s just something about working with an embroidery hoop that makes you feel way old-school.

Live Fast Die Pretty

Wee!

Of course I had to find a delightfully overwrought frame at the thrift store to go with it.

$1 ridiculously ornate frame = win

I’ve charted this up and created a PDF pattern you can download for free HERE.

Enjoy!

A Little Different Dose

Posted by on September 16, 2010 2 comments

So apparently I can’t even leave my own patterns alone.

Latest headpiece- a slightly modified version of my Dose Pillbox pattern.

Dose, slightly modified

Skull and starburst needle felting detailOne of the fun things with shaped hats like this is the smallest variations can really alter the look of the piece.

This version is about half the height of the original with an extra repeat for the width. I wanted a more casual version and to play with simple needle-felting for the embellishment. What to felt? Skulls of course!

Worked in Patons Classic Wool Merino like my others. I love this stuff, felts beautifully. I’ve also found if you really work on smoothing the felt while it’s still wet/damp onto whatever you’re using to block it on, it really polishes out the finished texture.

now with skullies!

The original pattern can be purchased here.

Mr. PieKnits surprised me the other day with this awesome new retro purse! How I love it so and it’s goes so perfectly with my new hat I just had to share.

Shiny new purse!

Quadrille Earrings

Posted by on September 14, 2010 6 comments

My first tatting in a finer thread, or more specifically actual tatting thread.

Quadrille pattern

These earrings are done in Lizbeth Size 20 cordonnet thread in the colorway Red Burst. Cordonnet thread in size 20 seems to be the most recommended type for tatting. It’s a tight even ply of 6 threads and really makes the stitches pop. I used the #7 fine needle with this. I found threading this needle was more difficult, but working the stitches was about the same. It was nice to be able to see them so clearly too.

Tatted earings

I do kind of wish that the color transitions were a little more subtle. I might try getting some of the nice hand-dyed thread I’ve seen on Etsy. It’s still a neat effect and I managed to get the color shifts to match pretty closely.

The Quadrille pattern is available here by the talented Yarnplayer.

5 Minute Bracelet

Posted by on September 12, 2010 1 comment

Just another quickie. This literally took me no more than 5 minutes.

5 minute t-shirt bracelet

I had some saved scraps from a t-shirt modification (still need to photograph) laying around. Trimmed these into three strips about 1 – 1 1/2″ wide and pinned them together onto the carpet. I didn’t knot them as it ate up too much length (these are from a sleeve cut width-wise). A quick braid and then just pinned the ends together with a safety pin and wrapped twice around the wrist. I like the splayed raw ends, looks almost flower like.

And just for fun, a shot I took at the Iowa State Fair while on a recent visit back home.

Iowa State Fair Midway

Fluerette Tatted Necklace

Posted by on September 10, 2010 3 comments

More tatting, these are so quick!

The Fluerette Tatted Necklace pattern from TotusMel

Necklace is actually longer, just have it up for photo

This was a great beginner pattern as it’s broken down step by step with lots of progress photos on Instructables. It also teaches some more advanced techniques like the split rings and Josephine knot chains.

Fluerette detail

I love the look of this one. It was done in Crochet Cotton Size 10 with a # 5 needle. If I did it again I’d make sure my Josephine chains were gathered a bit tighter. Mine are a little loose and it makes the necklace a bit long. Though it’s easy to pull it up a bit and it stays there, as with the first photo.

Hat Habit

Posted by on September 7, 2010 3 comments

Little hats in a row

Lots o’ little hats, all waiting patiently for felting. It started out with the top hat, which had been on hold as I wasn’t completely happy with the felting the first go around. But it feels like a waste to run a whole washing cycle just for one little piece. This was my justification for more hats. A little fedora, a slightly modified version of my Dose pattern and a mini bowler are also in the queue now.

In other news, I mastered the square knot.

Mr. PieKnits new bracelet

Another by-product of learning jewelry making techniques for my job. Mr. PieKnits now has a new black hemp braclet that he had been requesting. Now dare I dive into macrame? I’m such a sucker for the kitch.

Tatted Earings, And a Little Info

Posted by on September 1, 2010 2 comments

Loving the tatting. I have a pretty new set of earrings!

new pretties

I probably should have elaborated more in my previous post on the tatting technique. Tatting is a form of lacemaking originating in the early 19th century that uses a series of knots and loops. The traditional method is done with shuttles holding the threads. Another technique is to use a tatting needle. The needles in tatting are several inches long with an eye that’s the same thickness as the needle and a blunt end. Via Wikipedia:

The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of cow hitch, or half-hitch knots, called double stitches (ds), over a core thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect.

You can purchase a set of 4 needles online or locally for about $12 (or less with weekly coupon) at Hobby Lobby if you’re looking to pick up some.

Tatted earings

This pair was tatted with Size 10 crochet cotton on a size #5 needle. The free pattern is from free-tatting.com.
More detailed info about the pattern in the extended entry for those interested in trying it out.

Read more »