Posie Gets Cozy

Wooly Reads

Since it is, once again, fureeeeezing out, I don't feel so bad still playing with wool. I finally got around to making a cool little pincushion out of felted sweaters the other day. This little chunk is the Recycled Sweater Pincushion, a project designed by Meshell Taylor from my friends Larissa and Martin Brown's book, Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together.

It is such a cool experience to see a book come to life, and over breakfasts and barbecues in the year or so that I've known sweet Larissa, I've gotten to hear about and watch this one happen. Still, seeing the real thing is so different from seeing the page proofs, and finally getting to sit down and read the text is really inspiring — even for a sporadic knitter like me. This is much more than a book of projects, though there are twenty patterns here. It's truly an exploration and a celebration of the history of social knitting, as well as a mosaic of contemporary ways that knitters have come together around the world to knit with each other, even though they may be thousands of miles (and even generations) apart. I love Larissa and Martin's voices in the text — there is something incredibly soothing about this book. I've never done a knitalong, and I am a truly terrible, unreliable joiner, but this book makes me want to play with the group. L & M, you've really done a beautiful job with this topic, capturing the spirit of the individual knitter with her (or his) needles and skein in the context of this incredibly diverse and soulful community. I am so proud of you!

I was on the phone the other day with my friend Betz White, another genius with wool. We talked books, too, as it is so easy to do when you are trying to make a book and spending the vast majority of your time at home alone in your little studio, making things and making a book and not really talking to anyone about it, because it's kind of hard to explain what it's like. There are so many parts and pieces to the experience, it's hard to start from the beginning. If I get someone on the phone who has shared or is in the process of sharing that experience I begin to speed-talk intensely and at such length until the batteries on the phone die (this frequently happens to me). Betz's book Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects is so totally adorable, just like Betz. I frist saw Betz on Martha making these cupcakes and they are as cute today as they were the first time I saw them. The pattern is here, along with so many other darling things: a dog sweater, pillows, bags, kid stuff, book covers, hats, an apron. She is now working on her second book, and just updated her Etsy shop today if you want an original!

Inspired by the books, I went downstairs and pulled out my huge box of felted sweater scraps. Then I decided that I had too much, and I would pass some on, along with the calico scraps I mentioned a few weeks ago. So, tomorrow? Let's say, 11 a.m. PST? There are only fourteen half-pound bags of each, the wool and the calico, and there is absolutely no more wool. There is more calico, but I made as many as I could stand to. There's kind of an art to it — you gotta get all the pieces sort of facing out and you want all different pieces and, anyway, not my favorite thing in the world to do. But it always feels good to pass these on — I love the idea of people opening the bags and finding new little things to play with. I'm an inefficient cutter for exactly that reason, I think. I know my mess-ups will be shared and recycled.

Ooo — and I forgot to say thank you for all the kind comments on the tulip pics! Thank you! I wound up entering the tractor (16), the little girl with the hair in her face (3), and the one right below that (2). And if I could ever manage to get a link correct in this blog or on my web sites, it would be a miracle, but check these out — last year's winners. Awesome.

The Second Stack

Here are the books I picked out on Friday. What I did was print out all the comments and then start at the beginning and circle everything that looked interesting or that I hadn't read yet. I only made it through maybe the first third. Then I went around the bookstore and pulled everything that they had from my circles, and a couple more that I just thought looked good. Then I sat in the coffee shop (in the bookstore) and very quickly went through the stack and thinned some things out. If anything looked even remotely sad or serious or complicated I didn't want it. I don't like to know too much about books before I read them. Most of my choices are just based on intuition/cover/first page. I don't read book reviews. This is possibly why I am constantly coming home with books that I don't actually like, but that's why I mostly go to the library. I almost never seem to agree with the reviews, anyway. For me, it's best to have a big pile, and no due date. I cannot read my library books on time, generally. I don't like hardcover books, for the most part, and I hate dust jackets. Neither do I like new mass-market paperbacks. They don't open. Old ones are okay — they sort of crack open. I like trade paperbacks printed on nice paper. You can see I have many requirements before I even know what the book's "about." And you thought I was picky about lasagna (which, by the way, I didn't have this weekend, because the oven is still busted. We had shrimp scampi).

Andy is different than I am. I have never known him to do much "light" reading. In the past several years he has read The Canterbury Tales, The Plague, The Aeneid, Beowulf. Frankenstein. Not even kidding. Things the rest of us were forced to read then write papers about. Since he recently survived a period of head-exploding work-related stress, I convinced him to perhaps read something a little less taxing on the gray matter. He picked out several Louis L'Amours and I think he is enjoying them immensely. There really is nothing better, or more relaxing, than losing yourself in a great book, don't you think? I would love to see, like, some research on what people's brainwaves look like when they're reading some fiction they are loving. I bet they're long, loose scallops.

I've finished two books since last week, which is more than I've read in a looooong time, so I am psyched, on a roll. I read Mary Stewart's Rose Cottage, which I loved and was just what I wanted: English village, gypsies, cottages and roses, a second chance at love, mysterious disappearances, missing documents. Thornyhold is next for me. Already it has a witch and a lonely child. Perfect. And I finished Ruth Reichl's Tender at the Bone, which was brilliant. I've seen that book around for the past several years and probably wouldn't have picked it up had my friend not handed me her copy, but I really loved this memoir, and I will put her other books on my list now, too. She is such an honest writer, economical and evocative with her language.

I realized when I got these books that it has been a long time since I've bought fiction. I am really out of the habit. I miss it. I used to read constantly and this past year I've just made it through a page or two before falling asleep every night. I want to change that this summer. I might need a summer-reading t-shirt, and some stickers. I'm going for quantity here. 

Spring Reading

PEOPLE! You rule. I love you. Thank you so much for taking care of me here. There are a lot of books down there that look so good, sooooo good, and I am cheered just reading the list. My intention is to print it out and take it to Powell's. But this week I've been zooming around and the closest I've gotten to books has been Target, and my friend Sarah's house for lunch on Tuesday, and she gave me the Ruth Reichl. I've already finished half of it, which is so unlike me, because I am a pretty slow reader. But I got the other three at Target, and even the checkout lady was like, "You've NEVER read Janet Evanovich??? NEVER???!!!" "Er, no, I know, bad." "I can't believe you've never read Janet Evanovich. NEVER!!! Ooooooh, you are so lucky!"

I know, that's just how I feel. I am psyched. Amazingly, I have actually read a bunch of the stuff that was suggested, but a whole bunch of it I've never even heard of (as above, apparently, I am the last to get with the program) so this is good. I need this. And Leisl, because I love you and because you begged and because you've been reading this blog for two years (sigh, time flies), I may even put them in a list like I did a few years ago (almost to the day — weird) but not for a little bit because I want people to still add to it so I don't miss anything. I need to look at that list and see what I did wind up reading on it (the old one). I might even join one of those booksharing sites. But then I think I already have too many things to do on line and I just want to read. Because, you know all I ever wanted to do was read.

Frothy

The watched-pot theory prevails: I went out yesterday for a half-hour and, naturally, that's when the flowers came. After staring anxiously at the mailbox for a week, I should've known to just look away for a minute. So yay! Everything on its way out now!

On another note, and now that I'm ready to sit down and relax, does anyone have any recommendations for some fun, light reading? Novels, but nothing heavy? Something for spring? Romance? Villages? Mystery? Humor? Help. My nightstand is groaning under the depressing reads I've got going — none of it intentional, but still. I need some froth. Got anything for me?

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

About a year ago now, maybe, Jane sent me one of her favorite books, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson, published by the fantastically wonderful Persephone Books. I saw the preview for the movie on TV a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to see it. This sweet confection was so worth the wait and just what I needed! I highly recommend it. And I want hair just like Delycia's. Notice that the color of her suit here is Persephone grey? Double-delish.

Last week was crazy! I can't believe it's Monday already. Thank you again for all the orders — we have close to 200 to fill this week, so things will be busy busy around here. I closed all the orders on Friday afternoon, but I will make the kits and probably a few dolls available again after we catch up here. I want to make sure I can get everything out by the date I promised and we'll be hard pressed this time! So, when I'm all caught up I'll take an inventory and put at least the kits back in the shop. Thank you!

I have all sorts of catching-up things to do today. We need groceries desperately. I have to go to the library. But all I can think of is making a random-square patchwork quilt out of every one of these. Wouldn't that be the prettiest thing in the world? I can't stop thinking about it. Naturally, when I have absolutely no time for such things. Isn't that always the way. There must be a reason for that. As soon as your mind is occupied with something else, these little flowers come creeping in.

Vintage Crochet

I'm so pleased to be a part of this beautiful book, Vintage Crochet: 30 Gorgeous Designs for Home * Garden * Fashion* Gifts. My friend Susan Cropper, the owner of Loop, a beautiful yarn store in London, here has collected designs from some of my favorite crochet designers (including my friends fellow Pacific Northwesterners Kristeen Griffin-Grimes and Leigh Radford), and I am honored to be included.

I "met" Susan over the phone, two years ago now when she called to order my crochet patterns to carry in her shop, and she has been an enthusiastic and generous supporter of my work. In the first conversation we had, she asked if I would design a grown-up version of the Cecily baby cardigan, and so it is here in the book now, named Millie, done in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and decorated with Liberty cotton-lawn ties. This is the photo from the book, taken by Kristin Perers. I love the way she has styled and photographed everything. Isn't this photo so pretty? I love it. Everything in the book has this very calm, hazy mellowness about it.

I also designed another baby cardigan for the book, a little matinee coat we called the Maisie Cardigan, inspired by the angelic hellebore flower. This one is made from Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. I haven't seen anyone make this one up yet, but now that I have finally gotten on board with Ravelry.com (have you heard of Ravelry yet? oh my stars!) I can't wait to see what people do with it there. (More on Ravelry soon; in the meantime, if you are a knitter or crocheter, please go on over and sign up to receive an invitation to join. Don't be put off by the enormous number of people waiting; I think mine came in just a couple of weeks, and I know those guys are working as fast as they can to include everyone in this incredible community. Take the tour and see what I'm talking about. Very cool.)

Also, for all of the people who were wanting to make a ripple blanket like the ones Jane and I made last year (and a lot of other people made and are still making!), there is a pattern in Vintage Crochet for you to use — the Chevron Blanket by Bee Clinch will make you very happy. She gives you yardage for a few colors and some good notes. Other patterns that I love are Juju's dog coat, Kate's Breakfast Set tea cozy by Kate Samphier, and the Rickrack Kerchief by Juju Vail.

There are two editions of the book; the one with the blanket on the cover (above) uses American abbreviations, and the one with the girl on the front uses British. The covers and abbreviations are different, but the patterns are the same in each edition. Also, be sure to check the errata page on the Loop web site — the Millie Cardigan has a couple of changes (seriously sorry!), and so do a few other patterns. (And please note, I will be keeping errata on my published patterns and books here on my web site next to their listings so please check there if you're ever frustrated by something that just doesn't look right, and let me know if you find something that hasn't been caught yet.)

March 5th

Second proofs got here Saturday morning. There will be one more round before I kiss the book goodbye, my darling, and good luck, good luck! When first proofs came, about a month ago, it was an intense experience to see them, even just to get the package, I have to say. I immediately took the big envelope up to the hospital, and opened it in the hospital cafeteria with Andy. I thought it would be best to do so while under medical supervision, in case my heart jumped out of my chest. But really, when the FedEx truck pulled up in front of the house, I just knew I couldn't look at them without him. In the pages, I saw our life. It wasn't ever what I expected to see, when I started this book earlier last year. I thought it would be a book of sewing projects and patterns. But somehow, even without me really realizing it (or, truth be told, even wanting it, some days), the thing became something more than that. I expect it always does. I just didn't know. In the hospital cafeteria, I cried when I saw, feeling overwhelmed and privileged, thankful for so much.

Today is the tenth anniversary of my accident, that day that, in its way, led me to this life, with stitching at its center, though I didn't know that would happen, either. I've been looking at this paragraph for an hour, trying to figure out what to think about it, but really, all I can see is the future.

All I can feel is the urge to change, grow, bloom.

(After going back to reread last year and the year before: The metaphor, always the same. I didn't know that either. But, yeah. It feels the same every time. The tilting forward. Up.)

Where I Smock It: Psych!

For the past two nights, I've sneaked upstairs early to work on another little project just for me me me. I got a beginner's smocking book several months ago at Kinokuniya and have slobbered all over it every time I've had a free moment to let myself make stacks of lists of things I wanted to attempt when I had some time.

I buy all my Japanese craft books locally at Kinokuniya so I can't help with other sources, but check Crafting Japanese for a lot of good information. This one is called Smocking for Beginners, ISBN978-4-8347-2578-0, and it is adorable. I wanted to make this bag on the cover for spring.

It's hard to find 1/2" check gingham, isn't it? I can never find it. I like the homespun stuff best, because it's cotton (and I'm actually using the wrong side of some lightweightish flannel stuff), but they don't have a whole lot of colors in my local fabric stores (this one's from Fabric Depot). I love this olive color though, so I lucked out. I have never smocked before but I've always wanted to do it, so I pulled out my needle and blue floss and tucked in. . . .

Hrrrrrmmmmm. . . . ! Wha' happened? Not so good! How do you keep the tension in the horizontal stitches without pulling on the diagonal stitches? Good question. . . .

Then I noticed in the photo and the diagrams (didn't really look too hard at the diagrams before I started, gulp) that the top is all pleated up first. Ah! Now, I don't know if it was the pleating at the top that helped significantly, or if I was just getting better at it the second time around, but look! (Update: I would like to think it was just me, wouldn't I? Natch. :-)

Let's look again! Can you seeeee it in there?

Not so bad, eh [puffing proudly]? I'm so psyched! I love smocking now. If you've been thinking about it, you should definitely try it. I'd like to do it all day long. What is very, very cool about it is that there is nothing to transfer, nothing to read (can't anyway), nothing to really count, etc., etc., etc., etc. Many etc.s there, 'cause it rocks. I like it. Any tips are very appreciated, too. I think I might go out and get a smocking book written in English today, though it was kind of fun to suss it out on my own, I have to say.

When I finish the bag I'm totally want to make this apron to wear when I am dishing up something in my Polish pottery (and thanks for all the info about that — I am totally gonna get some now, especially with the apron motivation and all!).

I'nt that just too cute? SMOCKING. You're good.

Practical Magic

In the mail yesterday I got this amazing book, Practical Recipes for the Housewife, from one of my dearest college friends, Jeanne-marie. A few weeks ago, she'd found this old book of her grandmother's in a box of cookbooks in the basement. This book was published by the Chicago Evening American with the help of 13,000 housewives who contributed recipes. No copyright date. After doing a little bit of internet research, she discovered this amazing web site and sent me the link to download the pdf of the whole book. For free. W.O.W.

This site is so cool, kind of overwhelmingly cool. If you click on the children's library, wow again. All I could think was WHO WAS THE POOR SOUL WHO HAD TO SCAN ALL OF THIS? I feel so sorry for that intern. Except that possibly the books are just so incredibly cool that they didn't mind. All the better for us. There is so much there I couldn't even scratch the surface. Really quite incredible that it's just . . . available, waiting. I'm tongue-tied with wonder.

Eeeeenyhow, I finally picked up my mail from the P.O. yesterday and in it was the real book from JM! Thank you JM! I love stuff like this. Menus for Sunday Dinner and Cold Weather Breakfasts ("Hot Baked Apples with Cream, Omelet [Spanish], Corn Meal Muffins, and Coffee," with Xs next to many menus, indicating that our housewife had tried them, I expect), tips on how to clean piano keys and pasteurize milk, recipes for banana ice cream and Marigold Cake. Andy brought me some heart-shaped silicone cupcake bakers from the grocery store the other night and I'm thinking this batter for them:

I love old cookbooks. This book is so fragile, and has little cut-outs, notes, recipes literally written on the backs of envelopes all fluttering from between the pages, fragile as moth-wings crumbling between my fingers. I wish Jane were here so I could show it to her because anyone who is writing a book called Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer would probably love to see a real-life recipe for Nesselrode Pudding, don't you think? Oh well, the pdf will have to do! I love you, sweet Jane, but I can't part with this valentine.

Thanks again, Jeanne-marie. Now can you come visit me and I'll bake something for you? Puhleeeeeeeeese, pretty?

Early-Morning Blueberry Bake

I had a few blueberries leftover from the pancakes, and since I got up at 2:00 a.m. this morning (uggggggh — book proofing by day, and then "proofing" in "dreams" at night, decided to just forget it and get out of bed at 4-ish and . . . bake a cake at 7 . . . I know . . . and here it is) thought I'd try the Berry and Buttermilk Cake from Apples for Jam. Last night I was just lying up in bed going through the whole thing page by page for about the fourth time picking out about fourteen things I want to try, stat.

In case I haven't mentioned in the past five minutes how much I love this book, allow me to say so again. Love. It. As I was searching around for a link to it for you this morning, I found that Amanda made this same cake last fall with some variations — I wish I'd seen her recipe before I made mine because she added maple syrup and that is a great idea. Like blueberry pancake-cake. Wouldn't it be cool to do like a Julie & Julia thing with Apples for Jam? Just go through it color by color, dish by dish. Wish I had time for that. I don't think I do. Though I have made four or five of the things already — all awesome. Seriously good. The Spaghetti with Ground Beef was amazing. Cinnamon, paprika, and mint in the sauce. I find it difficult to blog about dinner in the winter. It's too dark to take a picture of anything. If you want to know what time the sun rises/sets go here. I will say "not early enough/too early" respectively, though apparently we did gain 2 minutes and 11 seconds over yesterday. . . . Sigh.

By the way, speaking of berries, I found the comments about the Swedish pancakes from the actual Swedish people very interesting! No lingonberries with pancakes, they say! Well, that makes sense to me, of course, because I don't actually like lingonberries, but I have never once ordered these pancakes at a restaurant and had them served without lingonberries or lingonberry jam, even at Al Johnson's or Ann Sather's. So I can only conclude that maybe this is an American version of a Swedish thing? Kind of like how my Italian family looks at spaghetti and meatballs smothered in red sauce and says, "That's not Italian." Like that? Just curious.

'Kay. Naptime.

I wish.

I'd take this out five minutes earlier next time. The toothpick was a bit too clean for me.