two kitties

Great Horned Owl from Recycled Sweaters

Anna, of Pleasant View Schoolhouse, is selling these wonderful owls in her etsy shop. I love them. All the way down to the tiny, embroidered feathers. 

Felted Sweater Toys from Duckie Uglings

Photo: Rebecca Jo Malmstrom, Duckie Uglings.

I love these felted sweater birds in their pretty yarn nest. I met their creator, Becca Jo of Duckie Uglings, after she stopped by Two Kitties and left a comment.

It turns out we are muy simpatico. Like me, she loves felting sweaters, making softies, works in theatre, and went to the high school in the town next to mine - which means we know people in common even though we have 1) never met; and 2) live 1500 miles apart. But I digress.

Check out Recycled Goodness, Becca Jo's Etsy shop, to see some of her other softies!

Recycled Felt Sweater Pigs

I just put a litter of recycled sweater pigs in my etsy shop. Go check them out!

Valentine (and ANTI-Valentine) projects for the last minute crafter.

Oddly enough, today's Valentine inspiration was cobbled together from various posts on Twitter this week.

I follow @Jesus_ on Twitter. Now, obviously, he's not the *real* Jesus, but his "tweets" are kind of interesting. Today, he wrote: Prov 14:13 “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain…” It's Valentine's Day. Take some time to offer a loving expression to others."  That inspired me.

Twitter buddy Rebecca Shapiro was on TV the other day making these fabulous valentine hearts from felted sweaters. They are so quick and easy to make I bet you can whip up a few of them before your big date tonight. The "how-to" video and patterns for the hearts can be found here.

Suffered a recent breakup? Feeling kinda Anti-V-Day? Shred those old love letters and turn them into seed paper to plant in your garden this spring. OR, you could make THIS.

And, how about this quote from Richard Scarry? "If I write a letter to someone I love, someone I love may write a letter to me." Think back to the last time you received a hand-written personal letter - pretty rare these days. Why not send one to someone you care for? All it takes is a pen and a piece of paper. It doesn't matter if its late, it really, really doesn't. Really, really.

Recycled Felt Sweater Pig

Some time ago I figured out that whenever I'm really stressed about something - I sew. Stuffed animals, specifically. There was my sheep period.  And my rabbit period. And a scattering of other species that you can check out in the "Needles" category.

M. went back to Montana last weekend but I stayed here, at least in theory, to catch up on things on my desk. But how could I help myself? All my felted sweaters are here.

I'd been wanting to try a new bamboo fiber stuffing I saw at Joann Fabrics. I loved the bamboo - 12 ounces for $12.99 - it was like putting your hand into a cloud.

Felted Wool Needle Book for Cynthia Treen

**I wound up remaking this needle book. The new photos are here. **

Earlier this week, I received some serious blog love from Cynthia Treen, the author of Last-Minute Fabric Gifts. She is a fiber artist and the genius behind so many of my must-be-completed-in-one-afternoon-or-will-never-happen sewing projects.

Treen found Two Kitties on the interwebs, and extended the sewing basket of friendship via email. It really meant something to me.

When I reflect back on how and why I started blogging, I often think of her, because at the time I was working steadily through that book to keep from going crazy during a long, Montana winter.  If you've been reading me a long time, you might remember the sheep.

Looking at some of the posts Treen called her favorites, it is interesting to observe just how much I've learned about digital photography over the past couple of years. And, looking at the photo above, just how much more there is to know. I have yet to master macro, and yet to master good photographs of my own work. A resolution for 2009.

This afternoon, as a kind of steam punk thank you, I made Cynthia a small, sheep needle book from felted wool. He folds open to reveal a felt strip where Cynthia can store her needles. I also tufted his head so she can use him as a pin cushion while she works. His body is decorated with vintage buttons that can be cut off and used for her various projects. It's so much cooler in person!

Felted Sweater Deer

I love this guy! He's made from a Gap sweater I found at thrift. I modified a vintage McCalls pattern I had in my files and I'm so happy with the results!

Rachel Denny's Domestic Trophies

I love Rachel Denny's felted sweater deer.

 

Stuffed Cats from Recycled Wool Sweaters.

These glamorous kitties were featured on Little Love Blue recently. I love their simple styling and the texture the wool gives to their "fur." Little Love Blue has an etsy shop with plenty of inspiring wool felt projects. Her blog gives me courage.

Still no snow in Montana, but the temperature is dropping and I notice that I'm starting to think about sewing again. I'm not a great seamstress but I really enjoy it - as long as it's a simple project. Any pattern that requires a) special materials that require a 50 mile drive to town, or b) more than one afternoon to complete will likely be abandoned. I need the feeling of immediate gratification when I'm sewing. At least I understand that much about myself. 

I felted two sweaters last week - both vintage, wild and crazy stripe-y patterns from The Gap. I bought this pattern from Pink Chalk Fabrics with them in mind. Two multi-colored cats (without the skirt) to give to T & T for Christmas, or maybe just to keep.

Kim Taylor, The Sassy Crafter

Kim Taylor - aka "The Sassy Crafter" - wrote with news that her recycled sweater bags have been featured in Stephanie Girard's new book, Sweater Surgery!

The book features several of Kim's original patterns, including my favorite, "The Cheerleader." This little leopard number is also a fave.

Stop on over to Kim's blog to check out the post on this new book, and Kim's other cool crafts.

Felted Sweater Kitties

It's been awhile since I've done anything with felted sweaters. Just not the right weather, I guess. But I love these 'creatures' EveryLittleThing is making. A good use of sleeves and very cute!

Felted Sweater Bird Mobile

I'm still cruising Etsy, and tonight I found this bird mobile from Mosey.   

Karin Wagner's Felt Jewelry

My love affair with felt began at Robin Richman in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood.

That's where I first saw Karin Wagner's felt flower jewelry. I love the intense pigments in this necklace.

I own two Karin Wagner pieces - a flower brooch and ring. The ring covers nearly half the fingers on my right hand. It's hard to have a bad day when you have that on your finger. 

Cynthia Treen's Felted Rocks

Mike and I drove down to Prineville on Saturday so that I could check out the High Desert Wool Growers annual Fiber Market.

I felt lucky to find some beautiful hand-dyed wool roving at $2 a bat.

At last, I can do this felted rock project from Cynthia Treen's Last-Minute Fabric Gifts.

(Photo credit: Karen Phillipi)

Betz White's Recycled Sweater Scarf

This beauty uses a simple version of traditional Japanese shibori in the sweater felting process.

Betz White has a complete tutorial for this scarf on Knitty. 

Knitty also has dozens upon dozens of fab knitting patterns that are a little left of center. I like Piggle .

Felted Wool Projects: Betsy Chutchian's Wool Throw

I made a quick pitstop at The Quilt Gallery on my trip to Montana and found a great book by Betsy Chutchian and Betty Edgell.

Cotton & Ewe: Quilts Pincushiuons, Pillows and Wallhangings looks like a quilting book from the outside, but on the inside, there are countless project ideas for people who love felted wool.

This wool throw is made from recycled wool sportcoats and skirts. It's very simple to make and masculine enough to give a guy as a gift.

If you'd like to work with recycled suits but need a smaller project, you might try making an acorn pincushion.

Simple instructions with photos are available online at Old School Acres' Acorn Tutorial. Have fun!

Handmade Slippers with Felted Sweater Soles!

 

  I bought a copy of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine to put inside a crafty care-package for my friend Helena in Scotland.

I'd never really looked at it before, figuring the magazine was more for mom-crafters than aging, childless types like me.

But you know? Some of the stuff in there is pretty awesome. Check out Men in Hats.

I found this great slipper project by Heather Ross in the February/March 2008 issue. The slippers are made with Heather Ross fabric and soles of felted wool. I've got felted wool. I've got fabric. I've got vintage ric-rac. Lots.

Fierce Bunnies: Recycled Sweaters or, How to Deal with Turbulence

I first learned about Siamese twins Lori and Reba Schappell in the BBC documentary Sisters of Hope. Like all conjoined twins, the Schappell sisters have to negotiate each of their individual desires and tastes within a shared body. One twin became a Mormon, the other a country western singer.

While we were flying through turbulence, I remembered the Schappell twins saying that they could go "invisible" when it was needed, to allow the other twin privacy and space to pursue their own interests.

They said they go inside their own minds, calmly unavailable and emotionally distant to the other twin during individual involvements. A mammoth compromise for two people joined at the head.

I tried to do this while we were flying, to keep my nervousness inside so Mike could pilot without having to deal with my emotional freakouts. It worked for me, but it confused him when I got so quiet, and really weirded him out when I tried to explain it to him later. One of those things that should never be said out loud, I guess.

So it was no small comfort when I came across these "Fierce Bunnies" made by Canadian artist Sonja Ahlers.

They speak to me, not only because of what I'd just been thinking about siamese twins, but because they are made from recycled angora sweaters.

That's the ultimate re-use: returning the bunny to the bunny.

Vintage Embroidery: Crewel Pillow Kits and Hot Iron Transfers

My sewing closet is OVERFLOWING, so I've decided to sell some of the best quality vintage items from my stash.

I think some of these florals would look great cut up and embroidered with crewel wool on a felted sweater pincushion.

Visit my shop and you'll find this and other vintage crewel embroidery kits and hot iron transfers! 

Baby Booties from Recycled Sweater Cuffs

I found these great looking recycled sweater baby booties while trolling the internet this morning. Heather, who made them, created a pattern from a pair of baby socks she had on hand.

In her blog entry, she said that the only thing wrong with them is that they are way too easy for a baby to pull off. I'm wondering if a small piece of elastic in the cuff might do the trick. Any thoughts?

Heather publishes an independent D-I-Y magazine called Croq. Check it out.

A Small Knitting Notions Kit.

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Bitty Bird pouches, originally uploaded by popsiedaisy.

The 'Bitty Bird Pouches' designed by Popsiedaisy have inspired me. I've been needing a little pouch for my knitting notions for this bag. I can easily pick up the bird theme and I know I have a coordinating sweater in my felted collection.

Felted Sweater Pillow

anja's pillow, originally uploaded by square one studio.

I LOVE this. It reminds me of what got me interested in felted sweater projects in the first place! Crispina Fuschia blankets.

The only problem? I can never find enough coordinating sweaters to make anything big. This is a great project for smaller pieces.

Be sure to check out Square One Studio's felted sweater quilts and toys...

Pincushions Made From Recycled, Felted Sweaters

I'm one of those people that saves everything - even the scraps cut from my felted sweater projects. So when I came across this gem of a project on the Bernina website, I couldn't have been happier.

The pincushions were designed for Bernina by Linda Lenich and Jennifer Zoeterman, the owners of Pure Wool, Inc., a needle felting supply company in Chicago, Illinois.

You can download Bernina's directions by clicking here: Download berninapincushion.pdf  If you don't know how to needle felt, you can still add beautiful designs to the pincushion with crewel wool and some simple embroidery stitches. Have fun!

Felt Star Ornaments from Purl Bee

Molly's Star Ornaments, originally uploaded by the purl bee.

These are made with 100% wool felt sewn together with embroidery floss and embellished with beads. A quick and easy project that would make a great stocking stuffer or last minute gift. You could even monogram them and use the stars as gift tags.

Since I've got such a stash of old sweaters to recycle, I'll probably use those instead of wool felt. I've got a felted cashmere sweater in Christmas red that would be perfect. You'll find Molly's felt star tutorial here.

Tanya Aguiniga: Design Miami 2007

It was like a Close Encounter of the Felt Kind.

The designer Tanya Aguiniga of Aguiniga Design and her trusty girl/assistant dressed up in hot pink tights, go-go boots and factory-girl dresses.

Doing a real, live chair felt in the crush of Design Miami. By far, my favorite project of the week.

It wasn't until I returned home that I found the time to check the website. And now I love everything about her.

The felt outfits she makes for balloons, the "forest" sleeping roll, the foam lounger that embraces you while you sleep.

Scroll through the Aguiniga Design Gallery to see these projects - you'll be delighted.

Recycled Sweater Project: Christmas Stockings

Poppytalk Handmade is selling these Christmas stockings crafted from recycled wool and fur.

I often see pieces of fur at vintage and antique stores, but I'm never sure how to use it.

I like the idea of using fur as trim, maybe for some recycled sweater hats?

Felted Sweaters: Stuffed Rabbits from Scrap

I made some wonderfully soft cashmere bunnies out of some felted sweater scraps. They fit right in the palm of my hand.

Cloche Hats From Felted Sweaters.

The weather has turned chilly and all of the sudden, I want to sew like a fury.

Last week, I made these 1920s Cloche-style hats out of felted cashmere sweaters.

The hats are embellished with silk velvet ribbon and vintage deco belt buckles. You can see them a little better if you click on the photos.

The pattern came from Cynthia Treen's Last-Minute Fabric Gifts.
 

Projects that use Felt from Wool Sweaters

I love to make things out of felted sweaters, so I was really happy to see these projects in the latest issue of Marie Claire Idees.

But I have way too many unfinished projects as it is. So I'm sending off my favorite cashmere cardigan to Kim Taylor, the Sassycrafter, for "re-purposing." 

I came across this photo on her flickr site, and promptly put a request in for a custom order.

This charcoal grey sweater was made of the best quality cashmere - which must be why something chewed a hole in it over the summer.

Kim has free reign to alter the sweater in whatever way she chooses - I can't wait to see how it turns out! In the meantime, check in to Kim's websites to see what she's got going on!

Custom Onesie with Pig

I haven't done much sewing lately, I guess its just a winter thing.

But, I did finally finish caulking and painting my art studio on Saturday - at last! So I celebrated with a cherry wheat beer and a little needlework on the deck.

I whipped this custom onesie for a friend who had a baby not too long ago. I also finished a pink pig, cut from my collection of felted sweaters.