Posted by Som
Tue, 04 Jul 2006 18:55:00 GMT
I've been busy with crafting projects lately, but once again, I've forgotten to take pictures of some of them. I made diaper bags and changing pads for my sister-in-law and a dear friend, but alas, I gave them away without snapping a photo. I do, however, have pictures of the stuffed bunnies I stitched up for my girls this past weekend:
The pattern for these is free from Wee Wonderfuls, downloadable here. It's very simple to make, and with embroidered eyes instead of buttons, they'd make a great gift for an infant.
I've given up on the lacy serpentine scarf for now. I don't know if it's the yarn, the pattern, or just me, but that whole project has been cursed from the beginning. I just ordered yarn for three new projects:
- KnitPicks' Suri Dream for two cardigans for my girls (pattern "A Simple Sweater for Children" from Mindful Knitting.)
- KnitPicks' Andean Silk for the "Kata Felicity Scarf" from Mindful Knitting (this will probably end up as a Christmas gift.)
I'm excited about starting some new knitting projects, though I should probably knit something for myself every once in a while (as my husband keeps telling me.) I can make the "To Dye For" pullover from Stitch & Bitch in Suri Dream for under $30, so maybe I'll do that once I finish these. I can't recommend KnitPicks enough: gorgeous yarns in delightful fibers at bargain basement prices. It's a bit depressing to fall in love with a knittting pattern, only to discover that the recommended yarn would cost $200 for an adult's sweater; skip on over to KnitPicks and find a superb alternative yarn for around $50 instead! Srsly. I love that site.
Posted in knitting, sewing | no comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Som
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 01:37:00 GMT
Whether you're looking for some comfortable, casual seating or you want to make your meditation sessions more pleasant, a zafu and zabuton are wonderful things to have around the house. Zafu and zabuton are traditional Japanese cushions used for meditation; the zafu is a circular pillow with pleated sides, and the zabuton is pretty much just a large, flat pillow. You can order them online for $40+ each, but it's cheaper and more satisfying to make your own at home.
(I don't have the best meditation posture, but you get the idea of how the cushions work. The zabuton is a little small for me, because this is one I made for a friend who's shorter than I am.)
The zafu elevates and cushions the pelvis, and the zabuton cushions the knees and ankles. This position facilitates better posture, eases joint and back pain, and may help one achieve deeper, longer meditation sessions. As long as you're making one set, why not make two? Keep the extra set for guests, give it to a friend who meditates or has back problems, or donate it to your local Zen center or Buddhist temple.
About the materials: I chose to use a cotton/polyester blend for these because it's cheap and easy to clean with a wet rag; these aren't something you can just throw in the washing machine. When I'm more settled in my meditation practice, I'll probably make another set out of some heavy silk, perhaps adding some colorful embroidery or sashiko stitching.
As for filler, I used organic pillow-grade buckwheat hulls for the zafu and plain ol' polyester stuffing for the zabuton. Kapok would be a better choice for both, but it's fairly expensive. Manna Harvest sells organic buckwheat hulls for $8.95US/5 lbs. The only US source for kapok I could find is Carolina Morning Designs, and their prices are pretty high. From what I hear about kapok, though, it's probably worth the price.
Click below for full instructions on how to make the zafu and zabuton.
Read more...
Posted in sewing | Tags machine_sewing | 26 comments | no trackbacks
Posted by Som
Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:46:00 GMT
I needed a break from frogging the knitting, so when Hillary Lang put up a free pattern on WeeWonderfuls, I busted out the sewing machine and went to work. Introducing our Swirly Blue Pointy Kitty, dubbed "Kitty" by Isabella:
Yes, she's crouching. I'd like to say I did that on purpose, but the reality is that I positioned her head wrong. Izzy doesn't seem to mind, though; she tried to feed Kitty her eggs at dinner tonight. Now I have to make another for Ariana.
Next time, we'll return to your regularly scheduled updates of the creative ways I screw up my knitting.
Posted in sewing | Tags machine_sewing, softies | no comments | no trackbacks
