Molly's Sketchbook: Wool and Liberty Teddy Bear

In my mind’s eye, the perfect teddy bear is based on my own childhood toy, aptly named “Teddy.” He would sit with his arms outstretched, all round and cuddly in his  midsection. Sadly, he was lost in a move, but his ideal form has stuck in my head.

To tackle my own version of dearly departed Teddy I knew I had to use Mary Flanagan’s 100% Felted Wool. Not only does this material feel soft and rich, it also sews like a dream. The wool’s natural elasticity smooths the edges of curves and kindly forgives little imperfections. And to make my bear extra special I finished off his ears, nose, paw pads, and tail with some sweet Liberty of London Tana Lawn. Get all this, plus thread, buttons and stuffing, with our Materials for the Wool and Liberty Teddy Bear Kit!

Usually, I am intimidated by 3-D sewing. It seems so complicated and advanced, but I’ve found that if I work slowly and methodically, it is totally doable. If you have sewn a garment or any other intermediate project, I’d say you’re ready for this project! For me, all of the detailed work was easily worth it because this sweet little bear looks and feels just like my old pal, Teddy! --Molly

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The Best of Summer Crafting!

This summer we’re looking forward to a relaxing season filled with picnics, fireworks, roadtrips, and of course, crafting. When it’s hot and we’re on the go, we say yes to portable, breezy and fun and no to hot, chunky and heavy! Here are our favorite summertime craft projects, great for the passenger seat, the pool chair, or the hammock!

Projects are listed from left to right, top row to bottom row.

Friendship Bracelets

Inspired by a childhood fashion trend, Molly’s Friendship Bracelets are quite possibly the world’s most perfect travel project. With just your hands and some embroidery floss, you’ll be on the road to having your own stack of pretty bangles!

Pom Pom Peds

These adorable Pom Pom Peds are a fun and action-packed little project, perfect for knitting on the go. They’re also a great first sock project if you’re feeling up for a little summer school!

Bamboo Wedding Shawl

The very best way to make a wedding memorable is to infuse it with details that come from the heart. This Bamboo Wedding Shawl is just such an infusion! The cool drape of Habu Bamboo is especially elegant, while the simple lace pattern is utterly timeless. (And unlike the wedding dress, you’ll actually wear it again!)

Cap Sleeve Lattice Top

Laura’s Cap Sleeve Lattice Top is the perfect simple knit for summer lolly-gagging. Knit it up the back, over the shoulders and down the front, two seams, and you’re done! Then pop it on anytime, in warmer months as a slip of a sweater and in cooler months as a layering essential!

Citrus Coasters

Molly designed these charming felt Citrus Coasters for summertime get-togethers. Think sun tea and lemonade, friends and family! These coasters are so simple and portable that you can whip them up in the car, on a plane or at the beach!

Tiny Triangle Dress

Inspired by a traditional pillowcase dress, Molly’s Tiny Triangle Dress is designed for hot days and cool babies! In Libery of London’s Tana Lawn, this little shift is as fresh as a breeze and as pretty as a summer day. 

D Ring Belts

Ultra quick and cute, these fun belts could not be easier to sew or love. With just some Cotton Webbing and a couple of D Rings, a summer fashion craze is born!

Picnic Roll

From Griffith Park to Prospect Park, it’s picnic season! This festive Picnic Roll is  easy to sew, easy to haul and easy to wash. In a sturdy Organic Cotton Duck, this is a perfectly practical summer project.

Silken Straw Sweater

Whitney answers the age-old question of what to knit in the heat with her beautiful Silken Straw Sweater. Adored for its gorgeous hand dyed color and one-of-a-kind texture, Alchemy’s Silken Straw is also cool and crisp, just right for hot and humid!

Whit's Knits: Pin Loom Coasters

Imagine a group of extra-terrestrials gathered in a living room. They're poking and prodding a stack of coasters; and once condensation is explained to them and the subsequent ring on the table's surface is demonstrated, they all start bleeping and nodding their heads. Then they ask in their inter-galactic native tongue if it would be okay to take the coasters home with them... as proof of civilized life on Earth.

I doubt this set of Pin Loom Coasters will be leaving the galaxy anytime soon, but in the interim, I'm happy to have them around! They're fresh and summery, cute and simple, and very civilizing.

To make these pretty little squares I picked up Schacht Spindle Co's fabulous Zoom Loom. An updated version of a classic pin loom, the Zoom Loom is thoughtfully designed with smart details that make weaving a breeze. And now my head is swimming with ideas for all the things I'll make with my new skill: cute pockets, sachet pillows, gingham placemats, even blankets!

To get everything you need to weave your own adorable set of Pin Loom Coasters, just click here. And make sure you whip up a few extras for any, ahem, visitors. -Whitney

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Whit's Knits: Knit Octopus

I can't say that I've ever felt the desire to hug an actual octopus, but a stuffed one has a distinct appeal: eight embracing arms! With such magnanimity, a Knit Octopus makes a pretty sweet companion!

What I didn't know about designing an octopus was that it would put me on a deep-sea exploration of knitting's inherent intelligence. Knitting, like the ocean itself, answers to an inscrutable essence, part natural law and part mystery. Bound by the mathematics of eight, this Knit Octopus practically created itself, and so to me, the result feels magically inevitable.

And for mathematical magic there's nothing better than the purity of warm white. Blue Sky's Sport Weight Alpaca in Natural White brings a lovely serenity and simplicity to the Knit Octopus, while the wonderful softness of 100% baby alpaca (doubled!) brings us back to all that hugging I was talking about!

I hope, like me, that when you create your Knit Octopus you feel a little bit like the Jacques Cousteau of knitting, probing the fathomless world of knits and purls, learning a little something along the way! -Whitney

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Molly's Sketchbook: Simple Four Square Quilt

I’m not a painter, but I have always imagined that quilt making is a lot like oil painting. Both involve a detailed setup and complex series of steps, yet both tap into a deep well of freedom and creativity.  My sewing projects tend towards the quick, easy and practical, but every once in a while I like to slow down and explore big gestures using the refined techniques of quilting.

This Simple Four Square Quilt crystallizes everything I love about quilt making! It uses traditional block patterns in a decidedly unorthodox way, exploring color and proportionality much like a striking modern painting. I used Robert Kaufman’s Architextures prints, whose simple mechanical drawings I love for their clean freshness. I anchored the prints with a cool gray solid, and for fun, added a hot pop of neon orange dots.

With a project like this, it is important to do all of the steps, from the cutting to the piecing to the pressing, with care. Savor this deliberate process; it is well worth the extra time! The finished quilt is truly something special, an heirloom that is modern, elegant and simply beautiful! --Molly

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