plain vest

i printed this free pattern out back in september. it's from pickles and it's called the plain vest. i thought it would be an easy first go at knitting a sweater/vest. the patten got lost on a shelf for several months and after my lovelies received these sweaters for christmas made by auntie L...

 i was inspired to dig out the pattern and give it a go. success! my first attempt at knitting a sweater/vest..it's size 12months..so it was a quick knit and very basic.

 i love it.

i'm already making another...

i used a debbie bliss, donegal aran tweed 100% wool, gold yarn

combing circle

a few ladies and i have been getting together and combing out musk ox hides. we use these magical brushes (wooden paddles with nails in them) called pik-puks (try saying that ten times fast) that comb through the guard hairs of the musk ox to the underlying treasure... QIVIUT! i mentioned qiviut before here. we've been spending hours and hours on our knees combing out this luxury. its a heckofalot of work, but so worth it! one hide takes approximately 5 peeps, 15 hours to comb out. the end result is about 4 pounds of qiviut....the softest, warmest, most amazing fiber ever! it's incredible.. nothing short of amazing really. i wish each of you could reach through the screen and touch it.

 after we are finished combing, we send it out to be processed..cleaned, carded, and spun. 

the end result is this:

going rate is about $90.00 an ounce

back at it.

i must apologize for my blogging/crafting hiatus. after the holiday crafting cram sessions, a break was indeed necessary. however, i was not anticipating an absence of this length...12 days! so, so sorry.
well friends, to kick off the new year, i had a 'knitting knite' at my place. i needed a time set aside to just sit, knit, sip on tea, and be inspired... and it was just that. a night of busy needles, sharing of patterns, and good company.

stay tuned for some finished products!

handmade holidays part:5 quick knits

and the last of the handmade holiday highlights....
more last minute knitted gifts..from more last minute knitted gifts....literally. 
i used the same big lace scarf pattern i used for this scarf... but shortened it and added and a groovy button. i also tried the pattern with a not so chunky yarn and it worked out quite lovely.

and another go at this hat. this time it fit my scrumptious 1 month old nephew.

handmade holidays part 4:papa's goods.

we are so lucky to have a papa who likes to make things too. for christmas all the grand kids were gifted wood stools made from recycled wood. AND new high chairs that double as slides when turned over. genius! thanks papa for your flawless handiwork!

handmade holidays part 3:driftwood racks.

in our attempts to gift handmade this year... my husband whipped out these beauties. driftwood racks... key racks, coat racks, apron racks, pot holder racks, bag racks, scarf racks...you name it. with driftwood found at the beach..... he sanded and shined them up.. added a few pretty hooks and viola! your very own handmade authentic bering sea driftwood rack.

handmade holiday part 2: snowman hands.

find a clear ornament ball and washable white paint. 

cover a child's hand with white paint. 

carefully place the ornament in the child's hand to apply hand print to ornament. 

hang to dry. 

once the ornament is dry. add snowmen accessories! 

handmade holidays part 1:gifts for the girls

we have four little ladies that laugh and play and run around together at all family gatherings. matching outfits were entirely necessary this christmas.  i found this quick and easy skirt pattern at oliver +s and made shirts to match with some left over scrap.

quick. cute. easy.

the wrapping paper this christmas consisted of paper bags decorated by the little ladies.
quick. cute. easy.

just the way i like it.