cowboy

cowboy
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

Another piece to connect to Sew Mama Sew's hand sewing month. My mother stitched this piece for my brother when he was little. Actually, I think she stitched it for my father and for her. It is a good reminder for all parents of busy little critters.

Carpal Tunnel

carpal tunnel
Originally uploaded by venetia27

I've ignored this problem for far too long. So she says, as she types. Today is the day to schedule the first surgery. I'm completely bummed that I'll be out of stitching, knitting comission for a while. First the right, then the left and hopefully all will be amazingly better. I guess I'll just have to admire things and dream of what I'll do later--when it will be easier:).

Isn't thie work on this piece beautiful? Flicker's venetia27 posted this creation. Fits my thoughts today and it is lovely.

Vintage Daisies

A few years ago, I was shopping in an antique store in Eureka, Wisconsin--just outside a town called Luck. I found some yummy shoe clips and then was drawn to the linens. The little towel in the photo had to go home with me. Actually, it needed to make a home with my brother and his wife. My Sister-in-Law, the amazing designer I've mentioned before, had painted their powder room a yummy brown. I just knew this little piece would fit her sensibilities. It still lives in that room. I love that I was able to find something she would love. The color selections on this little towel are so modern and it is certainly at least fifty-years-old. Happy hand stitching.

Mason Jar

Mason Jar
Originally uploaded by Ankou

Green living is constantly on the mind. . . with little ones, we're worried about our carbon footprint. The mason jar is one way I'm making an effort in the kitchen. I find that I'm using more jars and fewer ziploc bags, less plastic wrap. . . you get the picture. I'm compiling a list of green crafting ideas--so many out there. When I get it together, I'll share it. Until then, I'll keep sharing the ways we are living green at our house. I'd love to hear what you do at your home.

Home Sweet Home

House HSH
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

The sketch for this little embroidery was inspired by my husband's childhood home. His parents live in a three story brick home with a huge side yard. Our kiddos love to visit because of the trips down the laundry chute, the stairs that go up one side of the house and down the other and all the fun photos of Daddy. Hope you're stitching up something fun. I'm working on block 8 of Gail Pan's Christmas Bom

Favorite Embroidery Piece

While visiting my parents, I finally took a photo of my favorite hand-work my mother did while I was tiny. This hangs in their hallway, right outside my bedroom and links my memory to the lake house where mom stitched it and I was a wee one. I love the colors, the perfection of her stitches and that it is 35 years old. I hope you enjoy this piece, too. The good folks at Sew Mama Sew are featuring hand sewing this month. Maybe we should all share some of our favorites. Let's see what we can find.

A Variation on a Cocoon

Oh, how I wish I had a friend with a baby to cozy into this little bowl. So here is my version of the Baby Bowl. My photographer friend, Christine, was so sweet when she received these little knit goodies. This one works up super fast!

Materials:

1 skein of something soft and yummy

Size 11 16" circular needles

Yarn needle

Cast on 60 stitches loosely with your prefered method

Place stitch marker and join

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2 - 6: Knit all stitches twisted drop stitch (tds)

Row 7: Knit 8, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 8 - 12 Knit all stitches twisted drop stitch

Row 13: Knit 7, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 14: Knit all stitches twisted drop stitch

Row 15: Knit 6, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 16: Knit all stitches tds

Row 17: Knit 5, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 18: Knit all stitches tds

Row 19: Knit 4, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 20: Knit 3, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 21: Knit 2, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 22: Knit 1, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 23: K2tog to end leaving you with six stitches remaining

Cut an 8" tail and thread it through the final six stitches.

Weave in ends and trim.

Have fun--this knits up super fast!

Baby Cocoon

Ah, summer. . . and I'm knitting. That may seem strange, but it is portable and lets me be outside keeping an eye on the kiddos. My friend, Christine, is an amazing photographer who showed me some of the props she had purchased for infant sessions. She told me she was coveting some of the cocoons she had seen, but not enjoying the prices. I thought I'd try to work one up for her and share the pattern with you all--just in case you have a newborn who might need to be extra cozy. I wish I had a baby to show you how sweet they can look in these little cozy, cocoons, but my babies are too big and I haven't yet talked my sister-in-law into having another.

Materials:

Size 11 16" circular needles

1 skein of yummy, soft yard you adore

A little time.

Cast on 35 stitches using the long-tail method

Place space marker and join.

Rows 1 - 5, knit in stockinette

Row 6, knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 7, knit all rows

Repeat rows 6 and 7 until your cocoon measures 15"

Begin decrease on a knit row:

Row 1 Dec: k2 tog, k5 to end

Row 2 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 3 Dec: k2 tog, k4 to end

Row 4 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 5 Dec: k2 tog, k3 to end

Row 6 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 7 Dec: k2 tog, k2 to end

Row 8 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 9 Dec: knit 2 tog, k 1 to end

Cut a 10 " tail, and thread through remaining stitches.

Weave in ends and you have your baby cocoon.