This dress just makes me happy! However, this was not a simple project. Like another of my recent projects, this all started with the fabric. This fabric is yet another find from Fabric Mart Fabrics. It is a silk organza, but instead of being a plain weave like most organzas, it has brocade-like patterns and… Read More The Sunflower Dress, Part 1
Last summer I realized that all my ratty pairs of gym shorts that I used to wear to clean the house and work in the garden had gotten a bit too ratty. I have plenty of longer pants, but I only had nice pairs of shorts. Rather than buy some, I decided to go crazy… Read More Fun Shorts for Dirty Jobs
I am so excited that this shawl is finally finished and so proud of what I have accomplished. Making this shawl has been a long journey– probably about 5 years long. When I started, this shawl was nothing but a bunch of really dirty mohair. We are talking so dirty that when I washed it,… Read More A Rags to Riches Shawl
This may be my most favorite recent project. It started with the fabric, which I bought from my favorite online fabric store, Fabric Mart Fabrics, awhile ago. It is rayon challis, and as soon as I saw the print, I knew I had to have it. When it arrived, I realized that the print included… Read More Splendid Spring Dress
I’m so pleased with this project! When I started, this vest was nothing but (clean) wool. I bought it at a wool festival awhile ago, and made it into yarn about two years ago. Since I’m still pretty much a beginning spinner and my yarn isn’t perfect, I wanted something with some texture to hide… Read More Fiber to Finished Vest
One thing I love about natural dyes is that they turn up in the most unexpected places. For instance, would you ever guess that the pits and skins of avocados can yield light pink and peach colors? I started saving the pits and skins from the avocados we ate so I could start experimenting with… Read More Avocado’s Hidden Secret
I have been trying to branch out of my sock knitting comfort zone, and I thought this pattern, Wanderer, would show off my contrasting colors nicely. I was also drawn to it because of the mosaic knitting, which is a new technique for me. These socks did not go smoothly, but I did get a… Read More Worst Knitting Pattern Ever
I have done a bit of natural dyeing in the past, and I have a beginner’s natural dye book, so I am always on the lookout for plants to dye with. This fall I noticed that my neighbor across the street has a Japanese maple. According to my book, The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes,… Read More Experiments in Ecoprinting
Last year for Christmas, I made robes for my sister and her boyfriend, so this year I thought I’d make slippers to go with them. These slippers are knitted and then felted. I also made a pair for myself (had to test out the pattern!) and my mom. The first thing I did was to… Read More Felted Slippers for the Family
A friend of a friend of my mom used to raise alpacas, and I am lucky enough to have a bunch of her yarn. It is all the natural color, mostly shades of brown and black. I thought it would be fun to have matching sweater for my husband and I. I knew I wanted… Read More Alpaca Aran Sweaters