My Sweater and Sleep Socks

Been spending more time offline these days - it’s amazing what I can get done when I’m not scrolling. Working on some projects for my shop, and also treated myself to a little selfish knitting time. Made this cozy sweater and some comfy couch socks. Sofa socks? Sleep socks. All of the above!

I hope you’re well and enjoying the last days of summer!

Patterns: Marly Bird, Yarn: Lion Brand Heartland

The Light We Carry

I admire Michelle Obama for many reasons, and I love her even more for sharing her knitting journey. She’s asked fellow knitters to share a project we’re proud of and why we enjoy knitting.

For me, yarn crafting is meditative, healing, calming, and can also be challenging in a good way. It helps me focus and relax at the same time. I love the peaceful process of every stitch and the feeling of accomplishment when I’ve completed a project or learned a new technique. And it’s so rewarding when something I’ve made with my own hands makes someone smile. I also love the portability - I can take yarn therapy with me anywhere.

It makes me so happy and proud that my Mama was the first person to use these little knit coasters I made. ❤️

Pattern: Megan Goodacre, Yarn: Knit Picks, Needles: Knitter’s Pride

Love ❤️

Thankful 2022 was full of love and happiness! ❤️ I’m so grateful for my husband and our loved ones. Wishing you all peace, good health, prosperity, contentment, and lots of love in the new year and always. Have a happy 2023! 🥳

Rose and Fernando Reunited

My contribution to the Betty White Challenge! ❤️🐾

I have always been a huge Betty White fan, and when she passed, I felt compelled to honor her through yarn art somehow. My first thought was to make a Betty doll from an existing pattern, but when I couldn’t find one that matched the image in my head, my family encouraged me to design my own. On New Year’s Eve, my sister was watching season 3 episode 1 of The Golden Girls, called Old Friends, and she reminded me of one of the best Rose Nylund moments ever. I was inspired by the image of Rose getting her teddy bear Fernando back. She looked angelic (even though we know what she just did to get him back), and so joyful. I wanted to capture that. I like to think of Betty this happy now, reunited with her beloved Allen. I like to think that her little bear represents her big love for animals.

So this has been my design challenge for the past couple of weeks, and I’m so glad I completed this special project in time for Betty White Day, her 100th birthday. This little hand crocheted doll is one of a kind and close to my heart, and I will miss her when she is auctioned off. But I’m hopeful someone will love her as much as I do and help raise money for homeless pets at the same time.

(Fernando is removable, but I wouldn’t recommend taking him from Rose. 😆)

Thankful for the Crafting Community

As someone who was always shy about sharing what I make because it’s not perfect or as good as others’ work, the past couple of years’ worth of health struggles, plus the pandemic roller coaster we’ve all been on, has taught me there’s no point in hiding. And crafting has been helping me get through it all. I’m so grateful to the crafting community for the kindness and encouragement I’ve received as I share and continue to learn, and to all the designers for amazing patterns! I pour a lot of love into each stitch, and it makes me so happy when these little plushies make people smile. That is everything. ❤️

Crocheted bear pattern: Yarn It Darn It, Crocheted bird pattern: Stacey Trock, Knitted puppy pattern: Knits by Sachi, Knitted heart pattern: Studio Knit

I Made Bernie Mittens

Done! The second mitten took a lot longer because I thought I knew what I was doing - made more mistakes and had to start over. 😆 Might try lining them to make them extra toasty…

I love these Bernie mittens. Thanks so much to Marly Bird for the fun pattern (the best of the Bernie inspired ones out there)! Perfect snowy season project.

Pattern: Marly Bird, Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Worsted, Needles: Clover Takumi Bamboo Double Pointed

Still Making Masks

I’ve always loved crafting, and it has been good for my soul during this crazy time. The face masks were born out of love in the first month of the pandemic when fabric and elastic were impossible to get, and my family needed masks. I learned how to make them by cutting up and hand stitching cotton handkerchiefs together and sewing strips of them as ties until I could get better supplies. I had no idea that this would grow beyond my family and local donations. With each mask request I’ve continued to learn and improve, and 200 masks later, I now use a combo of hand and machine sewing to make them. Hopefully we won’t need masks for long. But while we do, I’m determined to keep doing my small part. And I’ll also keep trying to make them fun with cute fabrics! All of my masks are 100% cotton, have comfy adjustable ear loops, nose wire, and a filter pocket. I’ll be including my knitting, crocheting, hand lettering, and doodles in my new Etsy shop down the line, but for now my main focus is making comfortable face masks. I’m thankful for all the generous support - it helps me cover supplies and continue to donate as much as I can. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

The Most Epic Knitting Project

My sister came up with the great idea for us to be the Osgood sisters this year, which became the most fun, epic knitting project! I made each of us the 50th anniversary version of the iconic 12 ft. Doctor Who scarf. 64,240 stitches total! Each scarf took about a month to make, knitting every evening. Totally worth it!

Let There Be Music in my Heart

There isn’t enough space to list all the ways music keeps me connected to the people I love and to who I am. My parents gave me this framed prayer when I was a little girl. They knew before I did how important music would be in my life. My family shares a deep musical bond that I am so grateful for. Our house was full of song growing up, and it’s still that way when we get together now. Music gave this shy kid a voice, helped me connect with my emotions and express them. Sharing music with others helped forge lifelong friendships. Singing gave me a way to tell stories, which turned into a fulfilling career. Music is always there to celebrate and comfort through ups and downs. And of course, thankfully, music connected me with the love of my life - my partner and best friend. ❤️