What I Make

Roll over each slice for the full photo!

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Most "creative types" will tell you there are more projects than time, and I'm no exception. As I hone my skills and make more varieties and quantities of beautiful things, there will be more to show.

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Beanies, potholders and mittens are crocheted. Maybe you're familiar with knitting. It's similar. Crocheting is only done by hand, so every piece takes several hours. It also means that using the same combination of yarns and counting every stitch, each piece is unique.

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Beanies:

It's Northern California and it's always time to play outside! You can make fun of us - we're spoiled rotten when it comes to good weather and amazing outdoor adventures. And we wear beanies. Our ears are cozy and our hats stay on in a breeze.

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I use a variety of yarns, though I lean heavily toward natural fibers. And being a coastal kid, I love the colors of the ocean and sky, so there's a lot of blue in my work. Adding more color and a bit of sparkle or texture brings in a bit more personality.

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Potholders:

Talk about utilitarian. Every kitchen has one - or several - and many are hidden away in a drawer. What if you were proud to show off the potholders in your kitchen? They can be lovely and useful.

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For potholders I only use natural fibers: wool, cotton, hemp, linen, bamboo, soy and so on. These will not scorch and burn under normal use.  Unlike synthetic fibers, which melt, natural fibers protect your hands from hot surfaces.

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I make potholders in single and double thicknesses. Single thickness potholders use a lovely chunky yarn that's full and squishy to protect your hands. The stitches are close together so your fingers won't poke through. Ends are woven in to fill any possible gaps. Double thickness potholders can use thinner yarns as the layering offers plenty of protection. 

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All my potholders have a loop for hanging - and it's part of the potholder - not added in later, so it won't pull away. 

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Fingerless Mittens:

These are surprisingly tricky! But they are awesome. I use either 100% wool or an 80/20 blend in sock or lighter weight yarn for a thin, but warm sleeve for your wrist and hand. And, the light yarn means there's stretch! This leaves your fingers free to type, nibble, take photos, text or whatever. 

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Wine Bottle Bags:

Perfect for giving the gift of wine! In a variety of materials from basic burlap to beautifully printed cottons and embroidered fabrics. Each one has a unique sense of style to match the wine inside and the gift giver and receiver. Sizes vary to include regular wine bottles up to Champagne bottles - check before purchasing! And pick a matching ribbon to tie it all together. Some ribbons are sewn into the bag and others are loose so you can choose the color.

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Hot (or Cold) Rice Pillows:

These pillow are perfect for a cold night or to sooth a sore muscle. Each is sewn from 100% cotton fabric and thread - for microwave safety - and filled with USA-grown rice and a handful of culinary lavender. Since microwaves vary, start by putting your pillow in for 2 minutes on high. Check the temperature by shifting the rice back and forth and giving it a test. If it isn't hot enough, add 30 seconds at a time until the rice is comfortably warm. It will seem hotter once you have it against your skin for a bit. I recommend keeping a layer of clothes between bare skin and a hot pillow. For ouchies (or migraines) requiring cold, put the pillow in the freezer (in a ziplock-style bag) for a couple hours. Rice pillows have a wide range of uses. A seam down the middle of the pillow keeps all the rice from shifting to one side or the ends.