Even though we are having the mildest winter on record, (Note that I have not actually checked the record or anything. But it is the mildest I remember.) I felt it necessary to make an earflap hat for myself. I’m tired of pulling down my other hat to try and keep my ears warm.

It’s already been quite nice on a couple of frosting mornings when I drive Mari to school.

I used this pattern by Tienne. It’s a free Ravelry download.

The yarn is really nice: Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool in colors 7878 Mouse and 7875 Ash Gray. Soft enough that it doesn’t even feel scratchy on my sensitive skin. Hard to believe it is 100 percent wool. I’ll definitely use this yarn again!

It took some experimenting to get the size right. I got the suggested gauge on size 7 needles, knit flat. But in the round it made the actually hat huge. I went down to size 5 and it was still too big. I ended up using size 5 needles and making the child size. My head is rather small. I think it would have been perfect on size 6, but it blocked out OK, so I am good with it. The colorwork is just a tiny bit stretched. No one will ever notice that but me. And perhaps knitting snobs. Of whom I know none, so all is well!

How about we start 2012 with some lovely, acoustic piano music? Mari purchased Daniel Jorgensen’s solo album and recommended I give it a listen. Daniel is a guitarist and keyboard player who is one of the lucky souls in the Owl City live band. I say they are lucky because those folks have so much fun onstage. Makes the show even more fun for the audience.

The album is a sweet and simple instrumental piano piece. It is experienced more as a unit than individual tracks, at least for me. One song flows perfectly into the next and brings a peaceful and calming state of mind.

I almost feel like if everyone listened to this they couldn’t help being more kind to one another. But then I always have been a sentimental believer in the power of music. Here’s to a peaceful and kind year ahead for everyone.

Daniel is selling the album online as a limited edition (100 hard copies only) and includes a handwritten note with your order. Charming.

It is also available on iTunes.

It’s been a whirlwind of making around here. I’ve been very busy with the knitted coasters for my Etsy shop, but in between knitting sessions I managed to make some new Christmas stockings. I’ve wanted to replace our old ones for years. Neil and I both have continued to use our childhood stockings; we’ll save them forever, but I wanted a nice matching set for the fireplace.

See? Much better! And yes, we do have a Captain America movie poster over the fireplace. Thanks for asking!

I did an extensive internet search to find the right free pattern to use. I finally settled on this one from Fabricworm. It has a template you can print on 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper and then piece together.

I wanted a specific shape and proportion. Not too skinny. These also have a nice weight and structure to them because they include a layer of cotton batting inside. The finishing touch is a nice contrasting inner lining.

I found a silky “suiting” fabric on clearance that I used to line them. For the main fabrics I used nice quilting cotton.

These should be around another good 40 years on our mantle!

Are you doing any holiday crafting?

By now you probably have figured out that I love the creative process. Talking about it, learning about it and experiencing it. Today I thought it would be fun to get a fresh look at the whole deal by chatting with my friend and fellow craft artist, Michelle. She makes adorable, original sock toys that she sells at Sole Mate Toys. Here’s a little interview I did with her. Enjoy!

So Michelle, tell us about what you make and how you make it.

I make sock toys. Yes I know, crazy glamorous right? The “how” is pretty straightforward. I get a request or an idea then I sketch how it might work. Often this includes staring at socks and huffing. Once I have a direction I draw templates; then its just cutting, sewing, turning, stuffing with fluff and finished off all the details. All of my toys are hand stitched which takes longer but I prefer the process.

Why socks? How did this whole toy thing get started?

It was actually a total accident. One of my internet friends sent me a care package and it included a book on how to make silly sock monsters. I made a few monsters, then frogs and it just took on a life of its own from there. Socks are great though because they are so easy to get and come in super fun colors and designs.

What inspires your designs? It seems that you never make the same creature twice!

Many of my toys are requests or suggestions from clients and friends. Some are just things I thought would be a cute toy. I have a list in my design book of possible new toys to try and I’m always adding to it and trying to stretch myself.

Have you always been an artsy-crafty person?

Well… I’ve always dabbled. I can do lots of things but none of them especially well, LOL. I’m not really happy unless I have some kind of project going. I love making things for my family and friends, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

You are the mom of two home schooled kids. How do you manage to find time to make  things while you are educating your children and maintaining your household?

My toys are actually a perfect fit because it is a quiet craft and I can easily stop to help out a kid or answer questions. Plus as they get older they need me so much less so that frees up my time. Now as for house maintenance… while we aren’t ready for an episode of “Hoarders”, pet hair tumbleweeds are pretty common around here.

Lastly, here’s a totally random and unrelated question: what’s your favorite cocktail?

Is all of them too lushy of an answer?

OK, this is actually the last question… How can someone contact your about ordering a custom toy?

They can pop by my  facebook page  and they can visit my website  http://solematetoys.com.

Thanks for answering my questions, Michelle! Be sure to check out her links and do some toy shopping, dear Internet!

So I’ve had this dream. To make something fabulous out of Neil’s old denim jeans. Some strive for world peace. I want to recycle jeans. There room for everyone to dream, I guess.

I’ve been saving them. The jeans, that is, for years. Bins of old, soft, worn jeans. Just waiting for the right project. I originally thought of doing handbags. I might get back to that at some point. In the meantime I hit upon the perfect thing to make. Quilts.

This summer I made the first one, as an oversized throw for the sofa. It turned out great. The squares are large (six inches by six inches, finished) which gives it a more contemporary look. I also decided to quilt it very minimally – just around each block – to stabilize the batting. I chose a nice cotton batting that is naturally processed without any chemicals or resins.

I found the perfect backing fabric. It’s a vintage-style black and white print. It was a nice compliment.

It is finished off with a black mini-print for the binding. Voila!

This one was a practice, and I learned a lot about quilting techniques from the internet and my resident quilting guru, Susan P.

It was so fun to make, and because I still have quite a few pairs of jeans in the bins, I decided to make one for my Etsy shop.

This one is a baby quilt, the perfect size for a crib, a floor play mat or as child’s throw.

It has another fun black and white backing, this one a modern graphic design. If you are interesting in the details you can check it out on my Etsy store: Worksmith.etsy.com.

I can’t wait to do more! The next project will be experimenting with using the denim to make key fobs. Wish me luck! I have hardware and everything. Should be fun!

A finished scarf for Mari – just in time for Halloween! She went as a Hogwart’s Student wearing her house colors. Hopefully she is casting a spell in this photo to make that tree stop dropping red berries all over the driveway.

Pattern and details can be found on my Ravelry page. 

It’s a fairly simple design, knit in the round so that there is no back showing. I struggled with doing jogless stripes and tried a few different methods. What worked best for me is this one:

It didn’t look great until I wove in the ends and tightened everything up. Then it looked pretty good. Also, the fact that the color change was right on the edge where the scarf folds helps to hide it.

Mari wears it all the time so I guess that means it was a success.

Right now I am off to continue a quilting project that I am making for the Etsy shop. I shall give you a preview very soon! It involves upcycling. Trendy, aren’t I?

We are having a really incredible fall here in Cincinnati. Not tons of rain. Perfect sweater-wear temperatures. And stunning foliage.

I had to snap some shots during our morning hike.

I think the reds are my favorites.

There is a carved squirrel on a stump in the middle of the path on one of the trails.

We like him a lot. We also like views like this:

And then home for a cup of tea. Not a bad start to the week.

I recently got some new music from Stray Theories and I just had to share it with you. Micah Wolfe, the Australian one-man wonder behind the band, kindly sent me his latest project, Hopeful as well as a recent EP he produced called A Different Kind of Silence. I’ve included iTunes links below. I often listen to Stray Theories when I am journaling or meditation so I thought that instead of a more traditional review that I would just do a sort of free association while listening to it. Here are my thoughts and ramblings.

Hopeful

“Hopeful”
For some reasons this song gives me the feeling of being in the world of a David Lynch movie, if it weren’t all scary and bizarre. All the nostalgia and atmosphere without the oddity. It really does sound hopeful.

“Reflections”
Full of optimism. Has a nice Ullrich Schnauss vibe to it. A driving through the mountains on a winding road on a sunny day kind of feeling.

“Echoes”
I hear a teeny hint of an early-era Depeche Mode synth lines in this one. But the upbeat cheerfulness keeps it from getting too Mode-y.

“Sunday”
Reminds me of a Sunday mornings when I am often the first one up. I patter around downstairs and try not to wake the sleeping family. A pot a tea and a book. If I’m lucky I remember to take the time watch the sunrise.

A Different Kind of Silence

“Every Kind of You”
Mellow guitar sounds. Makes me think of what Ric Hordinski might sound like if his music were more electronic. Pretty female vocal over the top. This is going on a yoga mix for sure!

“Exit Games”
Tones in the background remind me of wind chimes. Deep mellow ones. Maybe that’s why I feel tension start to slip away while I listen.

“Like the Way”
The beginning of this one gave me the feeling I get during a long introduction to a Cure song. Something in the guitar sound says Robert Smith to me. Far away and reflective.

“Look Through the Stars”
Movie opening credit music. With raindrops on the windshield. This track is my favorite.

I do hope you will check these albums out. I’m sure the music will provide you with your own unique associations.

On a final note, Stray Theories is the perfect music for when we entertain. I think it is very welcoming and calming. Just the vibe we want to give our guests.

Jim Nichols! Congrats, Jim! I’ll be emailing you to get your mailing address.

Thanks for the comments, everyone. You gave me some good stuff to listen to that I haven’t heard before.