Sometimes, milestones are measured in unusual ways. I know my kids are getting big, because it’s finally possible to take a picture of JJ’s room that is not a total disaster! We (I) were focused on finding a new house … Continue reading
I recently made these vintage-style pennants to celebrate special places in our family. It was so fun that I went on to make personalized name pennants for my nephew and niece.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Here’s how to do it:
Here’s how the pennants turned out. I love all the color variations!
Julie aka “Jewels”
I’m here to share my latest project and also ask for your help! Here’s a felt wreath I made for Christmas decorating, and I really, really love it – but I don’t know where to display it, especially since it … Continue reading
I’ve channeling all the cozy winter feels for this holiday season (even if the California weather has other ideas!) To create a comfy atmosphere, my first project of the season was sewing these pillow covers from old sweaters. (More on … Continue reading
About once a year, my friend Ariana (of Act 2 Decor) and I get up early go to the Alameda Point Antiques Fair to browse and look for treasures.
I’ve been working hard to clean out the house this year, so I kept my shopping restrained, but I was looking for a vintage felt pennant to finish up a new gallery wall in JJ’s room. I found the perfect piece, and it was definitely meant to be, because it was sold by the family of a former coworker!
When I got home, I was inspired to make some more pennants of my own. I made one for my home town, Toronto, and one for my sister-in-law’s family in New Jersey.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Here’s how to do it:
Create a template for your pennant – mine is on two sheets of scrap printer paper. It is 7.5″ high x 21″ long.
Cut out the pennant from a large piece of felt
I sketched the images freehand in reverse on the paper side of the Heat ‘n Bond
For the script lettering, create a word processing document, print out the words, and trace them in reverse onto the paper side of the Heat ‘n Bond
Choose your felt colors for the letters and design and fuse Heat ‘n Bond to one side
Cut out your letters and designs
Arrange on the pennant and iron in place
Cut strips of felt for the binding (optional) and ties and sew in place
Here are my finished pennants. I should make one for San Francisco next!
Here’s a picture together with my vintage find:
And here’s how JJ’s new gallery wall came together!
I had so much fun! What city do you want to celebrate and what image would you use?
Julie aka “Jewels”
This beautiful scarf has been shared by many knitters. It’s a simple pattern where the yarn does the hard work. Originally made with Noro yarns, I tried it using some yarn I already had.
The concept is simple – two colorways of self-striping yarn alternating every two rows. The ever-changing combination is mesmerizing and beautiful.
How to do it:
This scarf is addictive to knit, because each section comes together in a unique pattern. It’s also very photogenic!
Warmly 😉,
“Jewels”
Yup, I have become one of those people who does a themed Christmas each year. I am still not sure if this is a sign of greatness of madness! While I admit to having accumulated many boxes of decorations, I … Continue reading
It’s officially winter and a good time to bundle up in style.
I knit these Hudson Bay-inspired caps in chunky wool yarn which makes them quick and cozy!
Stay warm out there, eh?!
“Jewels”
Okay, so these were supposed to be for my nieces’ birthday this year, but I wasn’t done in time. That’s alright, because it’s even better to give them the purses in person while they visit us for the holidays!
The concept is similar to the striped felted purse I made for myself, so you can read more detailed instructions there. I somehow managed to forget that the felting shrinks more in length and width, so the purses ended up a bit stouter than I intended, but I think they will work out. I added a little button and loop closure this time. I also made the straps out of fabric, rather then knitting and felting them, because I find the strap on my purse a bit scratchy. I think I’m going to go back and line my strap with some fabric.
Other than that, I’m very happy with how the purses turned out. It was fun to put some contrasting fabric inside, and I hope the girls have a lot of fun with them!
“Jewels”
I’ve been admiring felted wool bags and projects for some time now, and I was finally inspired to take the leap into felting after unearthing old sweaters and knitting wool at my parents’ place.
My first project was this felted basket that I’m using for my knitting projects. Steve calls this “Knitting Inception,” because of the knitting within the knitting… you know… well, there’s a reason we were meant for each other, and it may be because I’m the only one who appreciates his humor.
I used this pattern as a foundation for my basket. I wanted to make my basket larger, so I experimented with the dimensions.
To knit the base of the basket, I cast on 35 stitches of 100% wool “Iceland Lopi.” From that, I knit a square in garter stitch (about 45 rows) that is 14″ by 14″, leaving the stitches on the needle.
Knitting the base of the basket.
The next step is to pick up stitches from the other three sides of the square. I found it easier to pick up the stitches on separate knitting needles (or in this case, chopsticks!) and then join them as I knit the first row of the sides of the basket.
Picking up the stitches to knit the sides of the basket.
To create the sides of the basket, I continued to knit a large circle in stocking stitch, switching colors every 2-6 rows. I knit 14″ of stocking stitch and then cast off.
Before felting
Before felting
Now the part I was waiting for: felting! There are lots of tips on felting available, and I found a good summary of felting techniques on the Lion Brand website. I found I needed very hot water (used the “sanitize” cycle on my machine, after “hot” only partially felted the basket), and I preferred to felt the items loose, rather than in a bag, because I found that they felted more evenly.
As for proportions, I’m sure these will vary greatly with each wool and machine, but as a guideline, the garter stitch shrank to about 60% the original dimensions and shrank evenly in length and width. The texture of the garter stitch was still noticeable after felting. The stocking stitch shrank to 50% its original height – actually, even a little shorter because the top folded over. The width of the stocking stitch shrank to about 60% the original size. Overall, the basket held it’s shape very well.
The last step on the basket was to sew on handles. These are cut from an old scarf I found at my dad’s that was accidentally felted. Cutting into the felted material was the weirdest sensation – like defying a basic law of physics! I sewed on the handles using embroidery floss.
My sister asked if I’m pleased with my first felting project, and I am. It takes a little bit of letting go of expectations, because you can’t control the outcome that precisely, but I am happy with the result, and I’m using my new basket already!
I promise more felting ideas will be posted soon!
“Jewels”
Jewels at Home 