I made you all wait way too long for this episode, but I think it’s going to be worth it. My guest is a fabulous storyteller who shares a wealth of info that I hope will serve as an audio springboard for all of you dear listeners out there dreaming of launching your own handmade business.

You can do it! You can do it! You CAN do it!

Now that I’ve got you pumped up a little bit, grab a project and settle in for a nice long chat with Kari Chapin, author of “Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally and Online.”

I interviewed Kari for my craft column right before the book launch and then I interviewed her again for the podcast because I wanted you to get to hear the full story. With experience as a maker, marketer, stylist and retail manager (among many other things), Chapin has done a fine job of rounding up helpful information for creative people dreaming of making a handmade living. And I’m not just saying that because she interviewed me for her book. (Some of my comments about podcasting are one on page 206, but you’ll be way more impressed with the famous crafters she interviewed to fill the other pages.)

Kari covers everything from pricing and taxes to social media and starting your own craft fair, so this book is pretty cool and includes a lot of info that I wish I would have known before I decided to launch my own crafty biz.

Speaking of which… ENTER TO WIN a copy of Kari’s book by posting a craft business tip below. What do you wish you would have known before you got started? If you haven’t launched a handmade business yet, please post a question. What do you want to know before you get started? The deadline to enter the random drawing is March 21. Good luck!

Thanks to our sponsor!
Libby Dibby stuff and style is all about being inspired by the joy of color and pattern – and things that are both vintage and new. Check out skirts, hand-stamped charms, baby slings and bags at libertyworth.com, and one-of-a-kind items at the Etsy store. The Libby Dibby blog is chock full of what inspires Liberty and ideas she shares with readers.

Support the show!
Buy a CraftSanity T-shirt or sponsor an episode. Also, check out my etsy shop to see my handmade line of wooden peg looms.

Review us on iTunes
If you haven’t already, review the show on iTunes to help get the word out about the show.

Taking Names
Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com

• Download the show (you may need to right-click the link)
• Subscribe to CraftSanity on iTunes
• RSS feed for podcast

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks filled with creativity and color, teaching  and talking art and craft. So while I’ve been away from the keyboard creating, this blog as been a bit neglected. So it’s high time for a CraftSanity update.

I’ve been training for the 25K I’m running in May and working hard to get local crafters interested in the apron contest I’m organizing to benefit Safe Haven Ministries, my charity sponsor for the race. (Read the details and download an entry form here.) I’ve been busy soliciting fabric donations for the sew-in, too. I’ve never organized a project like this before, so it’s quite an adventure. The response has been very encouraging, so I think we’re in for quite a show. And, dear blog readers, keep in mind that you don’t need to be local to participate. I would love to get aprons from far-off places. I promise that each apron and it’s creator will be celebrated with loads of photos and extensive blog coverage.

If you’d rather not make an apron, but want to get involved, I’m collecting neckties, men’s button-down shirts (size XL is preferred) and fun cotton prints in 1-yard and half-yard cuts. I’m also gathering trims, fringes, double fold bias tape and other fun items to use to embellish aprons. Oh yeah, I’m rounding up prizes for the apron contest winners, too. So, please contact me if you have stuff you think I might be able to use. All contributors to the project will get a mention on the blog. (Note: Donations of new supplies are tax deductible because I’m organizing this project for a charitable organization. So contact me if you need a the official donation paperwork.)

Episode 113 of the podcast is on the way. Seriously. In the midst of all the craziness, I have not forgotten that I’m a podcaster.

If you’re curious about the photo at the top of this post, check back here next week for the link to a fun tutorial that I wrote for Petite Purls. This assignment gave me the perfect excuse to take a break from making looms and actually use them for a change. Oh, how I LOVE weaving with color!

Okay, I’m going to get back to work so I can have a new podcast up later this week. More soon!

Download a PDF of the entry form

It’s no secret that I LOVE aprons. And it’s also no secret that I’ve been plotting for years to host an apron show of some sort. It all came together recently in the most unexpected way. When I made the top 20 competing for 10 spots on the  2010 25K Fifth Third River Bank Run Road Warrior team, I brought the apron I wore to last year’s race to my interview.  I knew there was a possibility that the apron would bomb, but I brought it anyway because I’m a firm believer in unusual visual aids.

Thankfully, the apron didn’t bomb and actually may have secured my spot on the team. Soon after, I was partnered with a charity sponsor for the race. On May 8, I’m running for Safe Haven Ministries, a domestic abuse agency that assists women and children here in West Michigan. At my first meeting with charity administrators I told them that I really stink at asking people for money, and then I threw out my charity apron idea. They already had plans for a quilt made of men’s neckties symbolizing male leaders in the community standing up for women. After some discussion, we decided to combine the two ideas and make aprons with neckties incorporated into the design. While I know working neckties into an apron design can be tricky, I think we’re all up to this challenge. Plus keep in mind that the tie doesn’t have to be prominent in the design or used in it’s entirety.

So in lieu of cash donations, I’m hoping that some of you kindred apron lovers would be willing make an apron to enter into the contest. I’m really excited to see the unique designs that people come up with. And even more excited to document the collection online. So when you send your apron, be sure to send your story, too.

Here are the details: 

Make an apron of any kind and don’t be afraid to get wildly creative. The only requirement is that a necktie be incorporated somewhere in the construction. Winning entries will be showcased online and displayed in a traveling exhibit to raise awareness for Safe Haven Ministries throughout the summer of 2010. All entries will be displayed at the David D. Hunting YMCA in Grand Rapids from April 30-May 6.  Entry is free, but participants must agree to donate their apron to the charity sale. The deadline for entries is April 19. Send entries to Safe Haven Ministries, 3501 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Questions? E-mail jennifer@craftsanity.com.

And I’m hosing a little sew-in for all you local folks…

What: An Apron Sew-in
When: 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday March 21
Where: David D. Hunting YMCA Community Room 
Why: Come and help sew aprons for Safe Haven Ministries. You will get contest credit for all the aprons you sew. 
What to Bring: Your sewing machine, ties, favorite apron pattern, and any special supplies and trims you want to work with. We’ll have limited fabric and plenty of ties on hand.

Thanks in advance for helping me raise awareness for this important cause.

Hi there. I’m on deadline for my next craft column right now, but wanted to write a quick post to let you know that I’m okay and planning to release a new podcast soon.

There’s been tons to blog about including my fabric yo-yo craze, but I’ve been very busy with family and work commitments. And I’ve been building a lot of peg looms lately, too. (Thank you!) I spent a lot time this weekend weaving, and boy was that nice. I’m planning a charity apron contest (more details to follow later this week) and I’ve also been training and racing with my 25K Road Warrior team.

Yesterday I competed in my first indoor triathlon and now I’m hooked on the multi-sport challenge. So I’ve been taking some time for myself, too. We all need to have some fun adventures every now and then. I’ll be back posting here this week. I’ve really missed you guys. Cheers, Jennifer

I’ve never been one to get caught up in the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, but I do LOVE making heart-themed craft projects for my kids all year round. Last night I stayed up insanely late to make a heart-themed bean bag toss game to entertain Abby’s kindergarten friends at the class Valentine’s Day party.

I used the project as this week’s craft TV segment, too, so I had to hustle from the station to the party and was feeling a little frazzled by the time I arrived at the school. But let me tell you what a blast it was to watch the kids smiling and cheering when their bean bag heart hit the pink center heart worth 100 points. You just can’t get that kind of satisfaction with a store-bought game. I’m telling you, you gotta make one of these.

I suffered the effects of a pretty serious craft hangover all day, but it was completely worth it. I made this game for the kids, but I love it, too. My favorite part was embroidering faces on the hearts. I can’t ever seem to get enough of stitching by hand. I’d stitch all day if I could.

The unexpected joy that bloomed from this project occurred this evening when my daughters started playing with the hearts as if they were a family of embroidered people. I wasn’t too surprised to learn that the heart with the mustache is the “dad.” Tonight polar fleece hearts stole the show from the plastic Littlest Pet Shop toys, proving once again that handmade toys rock the house.

Keep reading to find out how to make some of  your own Valentine bean bags to toss around.

Supplies
Polar fleece in at least two colors (I found deals by raiding the remnant bin at the local fabric store.)
Paper heart template
Embroidery floss
Embroidery needles (I like to thread several needles before I start so I’m ready to rock with all my colors.)
Sewing machine, pins, sewing scissors (A water soluble pen is optional.)
Rice or beans to stuff bags (I used rice.)

Step 1: Draw a heart measuring about five inches across the widest part on a piece of paper. Cut out the paper heart and use it as your template to cut hearts out of polar fleece.

Step 2: Working with a double layer of fleece, cut out five hearts in each of two colors of fleece.

Step 3: Cut out small swatches of craft felt in a contrasting color and pin to the front piece of each heart. Set aside the back piece of the heart while you embroider faces to the right side the front of the heart, securing the felt to the fleece as you stitch. (You can use the water soluble pen to draw faces to trace with thread. Or, make it up as you stitch.) Repeat until all the hearts have faces.

Step 4: Pin the back and front pieces of each heart together, with right sides facing, and stitch around the edge leaving about a 1.5-inch opening. Clip the fabric around the curves and turn right side out. Fill about three quarters of the way with rice or beans  and hand-stitch the opening closed.

Step 5: Now whip up a custom target out of polar fleece, cardboard, paper plates, a bowl,  bucket or whatever else you can find and let the games begin.

My little Amelia was my special guest at last month’s Craft Club meeting at the Y. She was having a rough day and not feeling like playing with the other children in the kids’ play area. She’s been having some separation issues lately and it rips my heart out every time I have to walk away from an upset child. So sometimes I just don’t.

On this particular night I gave her a hug and let her pull up a chair to the craft table hoping the other moms in the room wouldn’t mind. That’s when Amelia surprised me.

I was working on beaded pins and she asked to stitch with beads, too. At age 4, she’s already quite fond of stitching with scrap fabric and embroidery floss, but we had yet to introduce beads. So, my little sweetie, the child who has been clinging to my leg when I try to leave her, sat quietly through an entire adult craft session and stitched beads to a piece of muslin. I’m sure there was some fidgeting that went on, too, but I don’t remember that part. I just love what she made. 

Her random beaded stitches are beautiful to me and so much better than a tearful goodbye. I’m so thankful for times like these.

I haven’t had much time to craft just for me lately, but I did take a break last night to stitch this jumbo hexagon. The plan is the gradually chip away at a whole blanket. I love crocheting these. Check out this link to the very inspiring Attic24 blog if you’re interested in making some hexagons, too.

If you haven’t noticed, I’m on a major beading binge. And after treating myself to some new colors at a 40 percent off sale at my local craft store, my need to bead seems to have kicked into overdrive. I just can’t seem to get enough of those pretty little beads.

This week I whipped up some dainty necklaces inspired by the vintage necklace I inherited from my Grammy B. The necklace  is super long and fun the wrap around several times for a layered look. 

I find these necklaces appealing because they blend my love of crochet with my bead infatuation. Plus, they are super simple to make.

If you can crochet a foundation chain, you’re all set. If you have yet to master the foundation chain, no worries. You’ll catch on fast. (Check out the video demonstration at the end of this post to see how to get started.) 

Here’s how to make your own necklace: 

Supplies:

Packet of beads (seed beads or larger)

Crochet cotton if you’re working with seed beads (Thicker cotton yarn works great with larger beads.)

Crochet hook to match the yarn weight you’re working with (I used a 2.0 mm hook for the pink beaded necklace shown in the photo above.)

Step 1: String several beads onto your crochet cotton. When working with seed beads I’ll thread on 50 to 60 beads. (It’s better to string more than you think you’ll need so you don’t have to cut your thread and add more to the other end during the project.) 

Step 2: Make a loop and chain about 10 stitches. Slide a bead up to the last stitch you made and stitch it in place with another chain stitch. Continue adding beads like this about every 10 or 15 stitches until your necklace reaches the desired length. Then slip stitch into the first stitch to connect the beginning and end of chain and form a necklace. Weave in the ends and enjoy! 

* A special note to parents looking to try this project with kids… Try using worsted weight yarn, a size “G” hook and plastic pony beads. Another alternative is to skip the hook altogether and crochet the chain with your fingers as shown in the video below.

Check out today’s “Take Five” craft TV segment on crocheting beaded necklaces: 

Let me know if you have any questions. And feel free to comment about what you’ve made with simple crochet chains. I’d love to hear your ideas.

There’s something very satisfying about stitching with beads. I love the meticulous work of embellishing one little bead at time. And while many of my bead projects take considerable time, these little heart pins are small enough to whip up in one sitting. Read on to find out how to make some of your own. 

Supplies: 
Craft felt in assorted colors
Scissors
Straight pins
Seed beads
Beading needle (or embroidery needle small enough to fit through beads)
Pin backs
Hand quilting thread

Instructions:
Cut felt into heart shapes and make stacks of about three layers per pin for stability. Pin the stack of felt together with a straight pin and begin stitching beads around the perimeter of the shape with hand quilting thread. Continue to fill in the center with more beads or a text message like “LOVE” or “Be Mine.”  After all the beads are stitched on, sew a pin back to the reverse side and you’re good to go.

A little side note… My 5-year-old daughter saw me working on these pins and asked to make one of her own. Now she’s hooked on stitching with beads. So if you’re okay with the likely possibility that you will spend more time picking beads up off the floor after  your next stitching session, invite the budding crafter in your life to make a pin, too. It’s so fun to see what the little ones create and totally worth the inevitable bead spills. : )

Below is the clip of the craft segment I did this morning on WZZM Channel 13 “Take Five & Company” demonstrating how to make these pins.

This week my guest is Minneapolis-based designer Rebecca Yaker. I’ve been wanting to interview Rebecca since we met at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair a few years ago and she did not disappoint. This episode traces Rebecca’s unconventional creative path to becoming an independent designer, artist, handmade business owner and published author.

In 2005, Rebecca left the corporate world to start Hazel and Melvin’s Room, a custom baby bedding and accessories business that offers expecting parents a fabulous alternative to the mass produced products listed on many baby registries.

Rebecca made a huge splash in craft circles when images of her unforgettable sock monkey dresses hit the web. She continues to make wearable sock monkey creations for people of all ages and takes custom orders for her award winning sock monkey dresses. (Those must be an absolute blast to wear. I would love to run a road race wearing a sock monkey apron someday. Talk about distracting the competition.)

In 2008, Rebecca and her pal Trish Hoskins (co-founder of a retail fabric and needlework shop in Minneapolis called Crafty Planet had lunch with the president of Storey Publishing.  A year and a half later, Rebecca and Trish where holding copies of their first book “One-Yard Wonders!,” a book loaded with projects to inspire you to dig into your stash. Rebecca and Trish are planning to team up for a follow-up book and you can get involved. Rebecca will tell you how during the interview. And you can read updates on their Facebook page.

Enter to win a copy of One-Yard Wonders! Leave a comment below about projects you can make out of a quarter yard or less of fabric. Or, tell us what types of fabric, in addition to printed cottons, that you have in your fabric stash and saving for the perfect project.

Thanks to our sponsor!
Libby Dibby stuff and style is all about being inspired by the joy of color and pattern – and things that are both vintage and new. Check out skirts, hand-stamped charms, baby slings and bags at libertyworth.com, and one-of-a-kind items at the Etsy store. The Libby Dibby blog is chock full of what inspires Liberty and ideas she shares with readers.

Support the show!
Buy a CraftSanity T-shirt or button or sponsor an episode. Also, check out my etsy shop to see my handmade line of wooden peg looms.

Review us on iTunes
If you haven’t already, review the show on iTunes to help get the word out about the show.

Taking Names
Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com

• Download the show (you may need to right-click the link)
• Subscribe to CraftSanity on iTunes
• RSS feed for podcast

Four years ago the very first episode of CraftSanity was released into the world. My husband uploaded the show and added it to iTunes while I headed into to the office for my first day back at work after my second maternity leave. I was feeling emotionally torn about whether or not going back to work was the right thing and wondering how the world would respond to my first foray into a the wonderful world of podcasting.

Nothing was certain. But it all worked out. I eventually left my day job to become a freelance writer, but continue to podcast and love it. The photo I took of a skein of yarn I personified in my kitchen morphed into an actual logo (with help from my talented bro-in-law, Andrew) and eventually a registered trademark. I knew things were getting serious last summer when I invested in a branding iron to burn the CraftSanity name into the side of my new line of handmade wooden weaving looms .

So much has happened during the last four years and I’m so grateful to those who have cheered me on along the way. I wouldn’t be doing any of this stuff without the love and support of husband, Jeff, the guy who handles the tech part of this operation. And I would have quit this gig long ago if not for the encouragement and kindness I’ve received from you, dear blog readers and podcast listeners. Thank you so much for tuning in and sticking with me on this creative journey. It’s been an absolute blast and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Thank you so much! 

Writing a book is next on my goal list. Now I just have to buckle down and write my proposal. And when I can get my book project off the ground, I’ll have a very good reason reason to travel around and craft with you lovely people in person. Wouldn’t that be fun? So keep your fingers crossed folks, and feel free to mention my book aspirations to all your publisher friends. :  )

If you want to hear more about how CraftSanity got started, tune into Alison Lee’s CraftCast podcast. She was very kind to invite me on as a guest during a recent episode. Thank you so much Alison! You can subscribe to CraftCast via iTunes. So go check it out.

Program note: CraftSanity episode 112 will be released on Wednesday. To tide you over check out today’s craft column about running a handmade business.

I love baked potatoes. But the potato setting on my microwave has failed me so many times, leaving me with shriveled and lifeless potatoes.

Thanks to a fellow Michigan crafter I’ve stopped shriveling potatoes. Gerri Nielsen gave me one of her fabric potato bags and I swear it’s taken the frustration out of rapid potato baking. These fabric bags create a sort of a steam chamber for the potatoes that come out soft and tasty 4 to 8 minutes later. I’ve been so happy with the results that I whipped up a few more bags.

To make your own you will need two 11 x 24-inch pieces of cotton fabric and one piece of cotton quilt batting cut the same size. (I used a print for the outside and muslin for the inside.)

Step 1: Place your your interior fabric right side up. Place the outer fabric on top right side down, followed by the piece of batting. Pin the stack and sew around the perimeter leaving about a 4-inch opening on one of the 11-inch sides for turning.

Step 2: Turn right side out and press with iron. Top stitch across the short side to stitch the opening closed.

Step 3: With the right side facing up, fold the rectangle into the bag shape. First, fold the top down about 3 inches, then fold the other end of the rectangle up to meet the top edge, overlapping the edges by about a half inch. Pin and stitch along each long side.

Step 4: Turn right side out and you’re ready to bake some potatoes.

Baking directions: Wash potatoes and wrap in the paper towel you use to dry them. Do NOT poke holes in the potatoes. Place the potatoes in the bag and microwave for 4 to 8 minutes. Check the potatoes every 2 minutes to be safe and do not leave them unattended.

Buy  a potato bag: If you want a potato bag, but would rather not make one yourself. No problem. Gerri Nielsen will make you one for $10. Write her at 14426 U.S. Hwy. 45, Bruce Crossing, MI 49912-8704 to place your order.

Watch the video: Today’s “Take Five” TV segment was a bit off the hook. Watch the clip to see me forge on with my demonstration of the making of a potato bag after I bust my sewing machine on live TV. Fun times, folks.

When I decided to shed the security of a steady day job last summer, I knew my craft budget was going to take a serious hit. I thought I’d be bummed about not being able to spend at will, but it turns out that I’m having a blast crafting with my stash and filling in the blanks with thrift store finds.

Lately I’ve been obsessed with repurposing wool. Last week I demonstrated how to make hats out of wool sweaters. And this week I whipped up some custom fitting mittens. So fun! Here’s how to make some of your own.

1) The first step is to find a 100 percent wool sweater and completely disregard the washing instructions on the tag. (Goodwill is a great source for wool sweaters, or snag one from a friend who machine washed it by mistake.) If you can’t find a 100 percent wool sweater, no problem. If the sweater has at least 60 percent wool content, it will probably work. Once you find a suitable sweater, wash it on the hottest setting in your washing machine and then dry it in the dryer to full the fibers so they stick together and will not unravel when y0u cut your mitten shape.

2) Trace your hand onto a piece of paper with your thumb at about a 45 degree angle. Then go back and draw a mitten shape around the traced outline of your hand, adding about a half inch around to to allow for seam allowances.

3) Turn your fulled sweater inside out and place your paper pattern just above the bottom ribbed edge of the sweater on the folded edge of the sweater. Cut out the shape, leaving the bottom ribbing attached. (The ribbing will form the cuff of the mitten.) Flip the pattern over and cut another mitten out of the opposite edge of the sweater.

4) Unfold the mitten shapes and embellish with applique or button faces. (Note: make sure the button faces are on the top side, because it would make for an uncomfortable grip if buttons are sewn to the palm of the mittens.)

5) Once you’re done embellishing, fold right sides together and stitch around each mitten, leaving the bottom cuff open. Turn right side out and you’re ready to sport your new mittens. Enjoy!

I can’t believe it’s Saturday already. This week has been a complete blur. Here’s a recap:

* I sold more looms this week than I expected to, so I’ve been busy making more. (A special thank you to my lovely customers. You folks rock!) This uptick in sales comes at a good time because layoff notices have started to go out at the newspaper where my husband works and I remain a freelance columnist. These are some very sad and challenging times for journalists, so I’m so very grateful to have small, alternative revenue streams to help keep things going here at the CraftSanity Headquarters. Even though the decline of the newspaper industry is devastating to watch, I believe that good things will happen for all of us print journalism veterans who are pushing hard to reinvent ourselves and pursue our dreams with a renewed sense of urgency.

On a happier note, I’m also working on introducing some looms in cherry and maple woods very soon. So pretty, I can’t wait!

* My Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K training is going well except for the fact that I’m still drinking Pepsi. I’m telling you that “black juice” (as Abby used to call it) has a hold on me. In the good news category, I pushed my long run mileage up to 8 miles and it felt good. (I’m adding a mile each week.) And I’m spending quality time in the lap pool two to three days a week. LOVE that YMCA lap pool! I’m a better mama after I swim. Very hungry, too.

* This week I did some bead embroidery on my latest Posted Stitches quilt. (An early progress shot is at the top of this post.) Bev and I are doing are best to get back on track with our art quilt challenges after an extended hiatus. Expect to see some evidence of that soon.

* Speaking of evidence… Allison Rosen kindly invited me to be a guest on her quilting podcast called “Within a Quarter Inch” and let me set a record for most consecutive minutes of rambling about oneself. This is all the evidence you need to know that if there was a gold medal given for marathon jibber jabber, I’m qualified to represent the U.S. My word. The podcast is super long and feels like one of my extended after shows, the part of my podcast where I wax poetic (ramble) about whatever is going on in my life. Allison is entertaining and funny, so we had a great time.

It was both humbling and flattering to get to be a guest on another craft podcast, but I’m definitely more comfortable hosting a show as opposed to starring in one. Of course, it’s good to reverse those roles every now and then to fully appreciate what I put my guests through. : ) You can hear my chat with Allison here and you can subscribe to her podcast via iTunes to learn more about Allison’s adventures in quilting. (Thanks for your hospitality, Allison!)

* I neglected to mention this before, but Hannah B., the crafty southern belle over at B’s Wig Shoppe interviewed me a while back and posted a Q&A on her cool blog. You can read it here. (Thanks Miss. B!)  Make sure you check out her other posts, too, because her blog is super fun. I especially love the interview she did with her mom. What a great idea, now I want to interview my mom.

*Which reminds me that I’ve taken way too long to show you what my dad has been crafting to pass the time since losing his job in the auto industry. (It’s amazing how much journalists and auto workers have in common these days.) Anyway, my dad started out making shovel people and has moved into making lovely jewelry out of vintage silverware. (My sister, Jacquie, helps him sell his pieces on Etsy.) I want to support his creative venture and thought I had stumbled upon a major score at Goodwill last week. I spotted a boatload of forks and spoons in a bin and greedily loaded them all into my cart as I speed-dialed my dad. About the time he answered I realized that I had just pounced on a pile of stainless steal, not the classic silver utensils he uses to make jewelry. Darn. Back in the bin it all went.

* Podcast update: I’m working on a podcast featuring multi-talented designer, Rebecca Yaker. I plan to release the show next week so stay tuned. There are sponsorship opportunities still available for this show, so let me know if you’re interested. (Click for sponsorship rates.)

Okay, now that I overloaded you with this potpourri blog post, I will stop and get back to making looms. Feel free to leave a comment below and tell me what’s on your mind. After reading all this, it’s only fair that you get a chance to share something, too. Thanks for reading, folks.

I love soft and cozy wool, especially the affordable, recycled sweater variety. My affinity for warm fibers is definitely related to the fact that I spend most of the winter here in West Michigan trying to warm up. I’m typing this post while sitting in front of the fireplace with a quilt on my lap, wearing a hat made from a recycled wool sweater and arm warmers fashioned from the sleeves of another sweater.

I’ve made hats from felted wool sweaters using a variety of techniques. Today I demonstrated one of the simplest ways on WZZM’s “Take Five & Co.”

1) The first step is to find a wool sweater and completely disregard the washing instructions on the tag. (Or, better yet, collect a shrunken wool sweater from a friend who machine washed it by mistake.) I used a lovely mint green 100 percent cashmere sweater that I found at Goodwill.  (If it weren’t for the sizable holes, I would have kept it to wear.) If you can’t find a 100 percent wool sweater, no problem. I’ve had success with sweaters with at least 60 percent wool content. Once you find a suitable sweater. wash it on the hottest setting on your washing machine and then dry it in the dryer to full the fibers so they stick together and will not unravel when y0u cut your hat shape.

2) Measure your head to see what size hat you need. Subtract two inches from this figure to account for fabric stretch.

3) Turn the sweater inside out. Measure 8 to 9 inches up from the bottom ribbing and cut all the way across. Set the top of the sweater aside. Now take your head measurement, minus two inches for stretch and divide by two. (Ex. If your head measures 21 inches around, subtract 2, which equals 19 inches. Then 19 divided by 2 equals 8.5inches. These means you will make a vertical cut up from the bottom ribbing 8.5 inches from the side seam. Depending on the size of the sweater, you may have enough fabric to make two hats from this bottom piece.

4) If you want to add an applique to the right side, now is a good time to stitch one on with embroidery thread or wool yarn. Once the applique is stitched in place, fold the fabric again so the right sides are facing and sew  up the side opposite the existing sweater side seam with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

5)  Thread a yarn needle with about 18 inches of yarn and make half-inch basting stitches around the top of the hat about 1/4 inch from edge of the tube. (I used wool yarn. It doesn’t matter what color you use because it won’t show.) Pull tightly to gather the fabric. Tie a couple knots to secure. I like to continue stitching randomly across the gathered fabric and then knot the yarn again

6) Turn the hat right side out and you’re ready to brave the cold with a little more handmade comfort. Stay warm everyone!

P.S. Below is the video clip of today’s TV demo.