More tea cozies & other winter warmth -

Free pattern links - - including two versions of the tradional pleated style knit in garter stitch which insulates so well...

Christmas Robin Tea Cosy

Tea Mitten (Ravelry Download)

Grannie's Traditional Tea Cosy

Easy Pleated Tea Cosy

(earlier post)

Palm Loom - Economical Home Rug Maker

Thrifted Treasure.

This is the sort of thrift store find that prompts me to audible exclamations of pleasure (TMI?)

I love tools, I love fiber arts, I love vintage things...& I love items made from 'the finest quality molded plastic'. I couldn't find an example of a rug made from the Palm Loom, but I'm sure they exist. I enjoy the tool, its direction sheet & its box, but I will not use it to make a rug. I'm not that dedicated.

The look of things

This picture changes dramatically depending on the time of year & weather. The view below is magical, & right out my front door.

From the recent weather at our house.

(Jim Gaffigan: 'Why is she showing photos of snow when half the country is experiencing below zero temperatures this week?')

(little) Christmas knitting projects

I enjoyed experimenting with this mistletoe ornament pattern today. The examples shown on Ravelry were very pretty, plus yarn and beads were involved. Other knitters' comments assured me that the knitting itself could be accomplished in one sitting...& I had some yarn in just the right color! I felted it by hand & used some vintage pearls & ribbon to embellish...

Felted mistletoe.

Ornament or pin; mine is a pin.

free pattern here - Caffeine, kids, and knitting...

A nightgown & cap for the Babe baby.

Vintage Holiday Humor

Candolier by Noma & many other companies. Graphics on the box are more than half the fun ~

Electric candles; how very funny. The thrift stores near me used to have boxes of them every year. Now they are fewer & further between. Not that I need any more.

Blue flames, green flames, why not? It's the idea of a candle with an electrical cord that I find so funny. Is an electric candle safer than a wax candle? Not if it's got a cool vintage cord & plug. The cord winding down from the windowsill to the wall socket below - an odd aesthetic. I think I like it!

Sought after accessories include these 'halos' which attach to the candle right below the bulb. I've never seen them in colors before. Perhaps that's why this set is $50 firm.

Waldorf Doll

I really admire Waldorf dolls. I love the way they are constructed. They are nice to hold & hug. They resemble little children. I made some for my children when they were younger, but I needed some fresh ideas before beginning this doll. Flickr did not disappoint with inspiration enough for numerous projects. A search for Waldorf dolls yielded over 3,400 results. Many of the dolls are wearing beautiful hand knit sweaters & cute little felt shoes. So much to love...

Favorite new idea is a nose. I really like the nose! I think it's a nice detail & adds a lot to the doll's personality.

Below are a couple of beautiful examples with links to the doll maker's photostream.

I particularly love this dolls mouth & facial expression. Created by auntboosbabies.

I love this girl's hair. Created by meike, who has provided a very helpful tutorial!

I love this girl. Created by Tiadelu.

Snow Day(s)

Yesterday was a snow day (no school). We live below the snow line, so this snowman took all of our snow. This morning it is snowing consistently - cozy!

New in my shop ~

A special amber bakelite button I've been saving.

A new baby bracelet or anklet.

Pear Ornament Kit

I love this! Knitted in one pleasant sitting from Carrie Strine's Pear Ornament Kit. The ready-made pear is also available. I didn't want to miss knitting with Carrie's irresistible hand spun merino yarn in all of my favorite greens.

Shopping for comics.

I did Christmas shopping online this morning & almost got lost in the black hole of books & zines on Etsy. I curiously anticipate the arrival of these two -

Breathers no. 1 by Just Mad Books

At Home on the Earth by Brian Oster

Dad's Portrait

kid art !

Christmas Package

For bracelets, pins, & stitch markers in my shop ~

International Chair Day

This year on International Chair Day; educational videos & instructional resources for you~

From Belleslettres; Mid-Century Modern flashcard set for beginners.

Know your Corbusier $25

~~~~~~~~~~~

Herman Miller lounge chair construction

This somewhat long (8:46) film clip shows the manufacture of molded fiberglass chairs.

Don't forget to turn up the sound.

Binary Solo

Nine days' blog intermission may be a record. It may not be; but for me inspiration comes in bursts (like many things) & when inspiration is absent, I have to go with it. I"m not a creative machine - am I? No.

I have missed my blog, however. Several December days have passed, without report on my vintage Christmassy objects & feelings...Oh well. There are still quite a few days left to enjoy these things. I have to strike the balance between squeezing in lots of good things & adequate time to enjoy them.

I blog today in a sideways posture, but with a leisurely attitude, as part of an ongoing study in personal limitations*.

*I wrenched my neck today.

I begin with something easy. I grabbed a treasury today on Etsy, its title is Binary Solo.

Tamarind Cowl with modifications...

Modifications: Cast on 110 stitches using a provisional cast on; knit several rows, then purled one row for fold under hem. Knit several more rows & then continued following the original pattern except I decreased every tenth stitch in alternate ruffle sections, so that the cowl would be progressively narrower toward the top. Repeated hem at the neck edge, but after purl row I decreased again every tenth stitch. At both top & bottom I sewed the live stitches to inside edge to retain maximum elasticity.
I also knitted 5 ruffle sections rather than 3 - to make a taller cowl. Bottom edge reaches to within 1-2 inches of each shoulder when worn.
Just how I like it!
Wouldn't this be pretty in Kidsilk Haze?

Tamarind Cowl