Whit's Knits: Tunisian Crochet Washcloths

I worked in our store for years before I finally learned the story of the weirdly long crochet hooks that kept getting tucked away in a forgotten corner. Oh, those? They're just the tool you need to whip up one of needlework's most beautiful fabrics!

Tunisian Crochet may get overlooked in the corner sometimes, but the distinctiveness of its fabric warrants closer scrutiny. It combines a waffle-like grid with a squishy density that is just right for blankets, pillows, dishtowels, and these washcloths!

If you already know how to crochet, you'll be old friends with this new technique in about ten minutes. And even if you've never held a crochet hook before, Tunisian Crochet is one of the easiest places to start. Our new Tunisian Crochet Basics Tutorial will get you on your way!

Use your new skills to whip up these decadently thick and wonderfully soft Tunisian Crochet Washcloths. They're made out of a combination of organic and pima cottons which subtly play off each other with their matte and lustrous finishes. We think a set of three is just what mom will love this Mother's Day! -Whitney

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Laura's Loop: Knit T-Shirt

I recently learned that the first T-shirt was born in the 19th century when someone decided to cut in half a then-ubiquitous one-piece undergarment (aka a union suit). To the wielder of those scissors, I say thank you.

Since then, the T-shirt has become a truly universal garment. From its beginnings as an undershirt for miners, farmers, longshormen, and troops to its celebrity-inspired mass appeal as the uniform of cool (a la Marlon Brando, James Dean, even Marilyn Monroe), the T-shirt has always fit right in.

Every modern decade has integrated the T-shirt into its trends. Sure, slight alterations have been made here and there (in the 80s it was all off-the-shoulder Flashdance; in the 90s it was all down-to-the-thighs Snoop Dogg ), but it always comes back to the basic, ever-so-classic, white, "T"-shaped shirt.

While of course T-shirts are typically made of cotton, I couldn't resist the brillant white and lustrous sheen of Habu's fingering weight 100% Bamboo. It's magically cool to the touch and has a drape that's both casual and elegant. I also couldn't resist adding my own little alteration: an optional breast pocket that provides an opportunity for a POP of color, knit here in Koigu's intensely saturated hand-dyed Koigu Premium Merino.

I know I'll wear this piece for years, since there's no chance of it going out of fashion. Perhaps one day paired with jeans, the next with a long, flowing, fanciful skirt. The T-shirt, it's lasted the test of time, it knows no bounds! -Laura

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Corinne's Thread: Felt Flower Sachets

The trees haven’t even bloomed yet, and my spring calendar is full: a trip to visit friends who just bought their first house in Madison, Wisconsin, two weddings here in New York, an open invitation to a friend’s backyard on the Jersey shore, and a Mother's Day brunch in May. These are all good things, but as the invites pile up, so does the daunting task of finding just the right gift for house warmings, weddings, hostesses, and dear mom!

I, of course, turned to the Purl Bee archives for some gift giving inspiration. I’ve always loved the Felt Flower Pillows that Molly made a few years ago but am wary of making something so big for someone else’s home. That’s when it hit me, why not shrink the scale and turn big pillows into pretty little sachets, easy to make and to give!

Luckily, not only do these sachets appeal to my more practical nature, they are also a blast to make. The beautiful, vibrant colors of the new Mariposa Felt Bundle made picking color combinations so fun, and I am completely willing to admit that I spent far too long arranging and rearranging the petals before I came up with my final choices. But, with colors like these, how could you not?!

And since each Felt Bundle makes 16 sachets, there are enough here to say good luck, congratulations, thank you, and even happy Mother's Day!

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Molly's Sketchbook: Running Stitch Scarf

The humble running stitch is such a building block of embroidery that it rarely gets a chance to be the star of the show. But why not? The simplicity of this stitch, both in practice and in looks, should be a virtue!

So for an uncomplicated and elegant Mother’s Day gift, I turned to the regular rhythm of the running stitch!  A rich spectrum of DMC embroidery floss travels from inky navy to cloudy gray atop a natural flaxen background. And the Essex Yarn Dyed fabric is so simply beautiful that I even left the pretty selvage as is! 

Just because it’s super easy to sew, doesn’t mean the Running Stitch Mother’s Day Scarf isn’t very special. Hand-embroidered stitches, a distinctive play of color and cleanly finished side hems make this a wonderful gift, lovely enough even for dear mom!

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Molly's Sketchbook: Inside Out Bag

When neon reemerged a few years ago, we all assumed it was just a brief flashback to the big-hair days of the 1980s. But since then, neon has shed its irony, and even its nostalgia, to take its rightful place at the palette table. Paired with neutral tones and in small doses, neon is way beyond Flock of Seagulls at this point. Bold and beautiful, neon is here to stay, so join the fun!

Our Neon Inside Out Bag lays bare the hidden details of a conventional tote, exposing crisp seams and jumbo pockets for a super smart finish. Michael Miller's new eye-popping Neon fabrics and bias tapes outline the details with just enough intensity to put a spring in your step, while Globalweave's very sturdy Tight Weave Linen in an incisive white sets the stage for all this color drama! (A helpful hint: To avoid bleeding and color transfer, launder your unfolded Neon Solids fabric separately before you combine it with light colors.)

We designed this tote for the real everyday world of commutes, babies, classes, meetings and all the other mayhem that is modern life. Each outside compartment is designed to organize all the things that normally get lost at the bottom of your bag, like your keys and cell phone, your measuring tape and crochet hook. And the bag itself is just the right size for transporting your current craft project, plus the book you're reading, the cardigan you need for your air-conditioned office, and even the ingredients you picked up for dinner!

Starting to feel the need for some neon? Get started right here! And to stock up on some shocking sewing staples, also check out Purl Soho's fabulous new neon collection of trims and ribbons!

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