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Friday
19Mar2010

Whit's Knits: Fun Kid's Hat

Purl's newest yarn is an amazing blend of quirk and sophistication. Knit Collage Handspun Yarn is a tri-continental mix of wool from Australia, mohair from South Africa, and ribbons, trims and notions from the streets of Hong Kong. The result is a yarn with a whole lot of spunk to spare!

This one skein hat expresses the funky whimsy of the kids we all know. Coco is definitely one such kid. I love to make things for Coco because she is a kid who really appreciates an opportunity to express herself. Plus she's a total sweetheart.

Knit Collage does the wonderful job of challenging our creativity. I can imagine a sweater trimmed with this yarn, or a big beautiful striped cowl (try it with Blue Sky Alpaca's Bulky or Cascade's Magnum), or what about a sweater for a really fashionable dog? or crocheted trivets for a festive meal? or a big stuffed animal from a faraway place? Oh, man, I've got to get busy!

If you want to get busy with this project, please visit our Fun Kid's Hat Project Journal. Thanks! - Whitney

P.S. For all of us with a kid still inside, we've included instructions for an adult size hat too.

Posted on DateMarch 19, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | Comment3 Comments
Tuesday
16Mar2010

Announcement: Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing & Fabric Crafts Launch Party and Free Heart Shaped Potholder Pattern!

We're excited to announce a fun event being held by our friends at Martha Stewart (along with sewing machine companies Singer, Husqvarna Viking, and Pfaff).  In celebration of their new book, Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, they are having a festive gathering of sewists called Stitch Fest and you're all invited!

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing & Fabric Crafts Launch

Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 West 26th Street, NYC

Thursday, April 01, 2010 6:00 – 9:00 PM

$30 admission to the Stitch Fest includes your own copy of Martha's new book, plus cocktails and treats. The fun-filled evening will showcase a wide array of creative projects straight from the Encyclopedia's pages - from fabric crafts and easy sewing projects to embroidery, dyeing, and appliqué demonstrations.

$200 includes admission to Stitch Fest, PLUS Tote Bag 101- the evening's hands-on Introductory Sewing Workshop (taught by one of Martha's favorite sewing instructors!). Bring home the custom tote bag you make in class, Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, a pair of Martha Stewart Crafts Scissors, AND the Singer sewing machine you learned on! All materials included. Sewing Workshop seats are limited!

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.  We hope to see you there!

Here are some images of a few of the super cute projects in the book.

Shell Printed Sheets

Summer Sarong

Baby Shoes

We think this event is going to be so great because Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts is sure to become a classic.  This book is covers a very wide range of techniques and is very well explained.  It includes beautiful illustrations and photography that clearly guide you through all kinds of sewing techniques, from applique to quilting, to how to cut a straight line.  It also includes 150 beautiful projects with full patterns and instructions like the adorable baby shoes above.

As a special treat for Purl Bee readers Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is sharing this adorable pattern for Heart Shaped Potholders. We think these would make perfect housewarming gifts!  To find the complete pattern, please click here. 

The book will be released on March 30, 2010, if you'd like to pre-order a copy from us you can do that right here, or if you'd like to read more about the book you can find it on Martha's website right here. Happy Sewing! --The Purl Bee

 

Posted on DateMarch 16, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , | Comment12 Comments
Friday
12Mar2010

Molly's Sketchbook: Little Lamb Pillows

Several years ago I drove through Europe in the Springtime and I will never forget seeing all the adorable  lambs frolicking in the fields. They were unbelievably, utterly cute. I wanted to get out of the car and pet each one we came across. Recently when I was thinking of a project to add some springtime cheer to my  apartment I kept thinking of the little lambs and decided to try my hand at making a lamb inspired throw pillow.

I used the soft, lofty (and organic!) O-Wool Melton Wool for the body because it feels like how I imagined those lambs would have felt if my traveling mates had let me get out of the car and chase one down. Wool Melton feels like something in-between fleece and felt which is perfect for this project since it means it doesn't fray so you don't have to hem the scalloped edges. For the face, legs, and ears I used the rich Chocolate color of our 100% Wool Felt. I love the idea that the Little Lamb Pillow is made entirely out of wool!

This project turned out to be even quicker and cuter than I imagined so I sewed my first little lamb a friend to play with. They add a whimsical touch of Spring cheer to any room. If you'd like to make your own pair please visit my Little Lamb Pillow Project Journal right here.

Thanks! -- Molly

Posted on DateMarch 12, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , , | Comment33 Comments
Sunday
07Mar2010

Molly's Sketchbook: Spring Napkins

I can't wait for Spring to arrive. I am so sick of slushy snow, grey days, and cold temperatures! Besides the warmer weather one of the things I'm looking forward to most is sitting down with family and friends at all of the celebrations that happen each spring. There's Easter, Passover, Mother's Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo and even St. Patrick's Day (I know St. Pat's isn't technically in the springtime, but it's close enough for me!).

Every year my good friend Nicole has a wonderful brunch on Easter. There is always a sunny springtime feeling in her apartment during these celebrations, even if it's snowing outside. In anticipation of this yearly event I made these quick napkins hoping that they will add to the merriment as all the guest help themselves to hot cross buns and deviled eggs.

One of the best things about these napkins is how easy they are to make. I used two different Spectrum Bundles to create a varied and playful feeling, as well as four different colors of rick rack. Mixing and matching all of the different colors was so fun and each napkin is totally unique!

If you'd like to add some color to your Vernal table, please check out my Spring Napkins Project Journal here.

Happy Easter, Passover, Mothers Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo, and Saint Patrick's Day.... And happy sewing too! -- Molly

Posted on DateMarch 7, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , , , , | Comment23 Comments
Saturday
06Mar2010

Whit's Knits: Fuzzy Easter Chicks and Mini Easter Eggs

It's been a very long, very snowy winter in New York and, so, Easter is especially welcome to me this year. I can't wait for a holiday that celebrates spring's harbingers: baby chicks and lambs, budding daffodils, the bright colors of a warm, sunny day. To get the feeling started early, I made these Fuzzy Easter Chicks and Mini Easter Eggs. They fill me with anticipation and the hope that, yes, spring will actually come. I was excited to use Alchemy Yarn's latest inspiration called Kozmos. A fascinating blend of silk, mohair, cotton and wool, this yarn is unlike any other. Each yarn absorbs the dye differently, creating a complex depth of color that seems to shimmer and glow. The diaphanous halo of sweet fuzziness is perfect for the creation of a baby chick.

I know I can't make spring come any faster, but making these chicks and eggs did make me remember how sunshine feels and flowers smell. If you need a little end of the winter boost, please visit my Fuzzy Easter Chicks + Mini Eggs Project Journal. Thanks! - Whitney

Posted on DateMarch 6, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , , , | Comment20 Comments
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