Quite Simply the Coolest Thing Ever

http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/textiles/features/samplers/culture_clash/index.html

Handspun Yak and Wool Yarn

Shrugs!

I haven't written anything in forever--the months between January and May are particulalry busy, apparently, but I have been knitting and sewing as much as ever. Faithful readers (Anne), I know how anxious you have been for some new pictures, so here they are. I have become obsessed with shrugs. They fit better than cardigans and they give the allusion of a slender willowy build. They are also incredibly easy to knit, particularly if you follow the pattern by Jessica Harrigfeld, http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=5289847

For both of these shrugs I have used yarn from A Verb for Keeping Warm for the crocheted trim and Cascade 220 for the body.

Assorted Crafts . . .

Detty Scarf

A scarf for my former sort-of-mother-in-law who I adore! Normally I avoid the weird shaggy ribbon yarn they sell at some knitting stores because it looks old-ladyish. I used it as trim here and it actually turned out quite glamorous:

At long last . . .

Dear readers,
Forgive my long absence. I'm sure it seems as if I have stopped all hand crafts, but actually I have been non-stop knitting, sewing, quilting, spinning, etc . . . for months. The production has been so intense that I have barely even taken pictures before giving things away. But here is a brief sample of what I have been up to. This scarflet/neck warmer is for our delightful department secretary. I tried to make this neckwarmer as quirky and warm as she is. The yarn is from Falklandknits in the UK, the Spinninglab on Etsy, and the buttons are vintage and come all the way from the Czech republic.

Lady Felicity Victoria Bearington Goes to Africa

"Having finished her education at Riddlesworth Hall with top marks, the Lady Felicity Victoria Bearington plans to join her brother, Lord Neville Bearington, at is mission house in Africa. As several of you may recall, Lord Bearington departed last September to the darker continent in order to bring light to our lost brethren. He has sent back reports of smashing success. Lady Felicity is delighted that she can go and be of help to her brother. Is the young lady worried that she is leaving before her Season ends? Not at all! They eldest daughter of the noble Bearington clan has far loftier goals than ball gowns and waltzes. "It has always been my dream to join my brother in the greatest work of all," she has reportedly told several intimate friends. Before leaving our fair country, Lady Felicity enjoyed a tea party with some school chums. What a jolly time they had!"

As quoted in the Times, 1903

So I made this bear for the Mother Bear Project, a group who collects hand-knitted bears and distributes them to various African countries. http://www.motherbearproject.org/ The bears go to orphanages, refuge shelters, etc . .. where children are suffering from HIV or have lost parents to HIV. All the bears are made by hand from a 1940's pattern. It is really quite a sweet project, but I can't quite escape its colonial overtones. Hence, all the bears have British names and turn of the century identities. Felicity is my second bear--I sent Lord Neville off in January. My goal is to join the 100 Bear Club. I would love to start a bear-making club as well in Huntington.