Thursday, December 3, 2009

At Christmas play and make good cheer,
for Christmas comes but once a year.
-Thomas Tusser


Tiny sweaters, stiched from felt scraps and embellished with thread, buttons, scrap fabric yo-yos, and string. Could anything be more simple, inexpensive, and of good cheer?


I got the idea from Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle, a book Carla snatched out of my Amazon book shop in a Christmas Eve minute. (Thanks, Carla! Here's one of the projects I loved from the book....) The pattern for these sweaters is small and the teeny sleeves can be hard to fiddle with, but a cold winter evening under a blanket with fiddly handstitching spells ultimate comfort to me. Thus, my Small Sweater Garland was born.

Originally I'd intended to hang these individually from a small tinsel tree, but settled on stringing them from this string for now and hanging them from my dresser. (They have the string at Michael's, too.) The more I think of it, the more I think I will make enough for ornaments and a garland. Wouldn't this make a sweetly treasured heirloom for a special little girl you know? I thought so.

So I intend to add more as the month wears on: snowflake sweaters, embroidered sweaters, maybe even a polka dot sweater. Christmas time is here, after all. Time to play and make good cheer....

20 comments:

carla said...

I love that sweater garland! When I first saw it, I thought "Oooh, I want to make one." How wonderful that it's in the book.

And you bet I grabbed those books fast. Hopefully, that doesn't make me like one of those shoppers that grabs things out of the hands of others.

But I'm very pleased to be getting them. I have Sew Pretty Homestyle and it's a lovely book, so I've been looking for more by Tone Finnanger. Plans are to make the cozy for the French press coffee pot. Maybe today...

What I need is a book full of wonderful gifts (not knitted! I just can't!) to make for men. We have a family full of men. About all I've found that I can do it sew a mousepad.

How about you write one?

Thanks for the nod. I love your blog.

Lili said...

Oh how precious! And I love how you thought to display them on your dresser too.

Karen Deborah said...

this is cute--way cute---too cute--make a garland and wrap it around your tree. How about an miniature apron garland? I love this idea.

Unknown said...

Just adorable, like you Brin! :)

Kathleen Grace said...

Adorable Brin! I have that book too, it is filled with lovely things:>) I hope your CHristmas is filled with good cheer:>)

Lulu said...

so cute

Kimberly said...

Very Alicia Paulson:) Love it!!

wanderingbtrfly said...

Those are absolutely adorable!!

Gayle said...

VERY CUTE!!!

anita green said...

So cute...and a perfect touch for winter!

Tee of Vinnord Cottage said...

So cute!!!! Absolutely adorable!!

cheryl said...

Love the garland - it's so pretty.

Gives me inspiration - thanks!

Bev said...

Very sweet! what a great heirloom gift is right!....thank you for sharing :)

Ruby Hoppen said...

I love the little jumpers! I saw some similar decorations in a bookshop near my house except they were knitted. Can you imagine?

Mama said...

That is just too cute! I love it!

Lori said...

these are sweeeet Brin! adorable.

Southern Blooms said...

Oh so adorable the little sweaters. I would love it if your sold these.

I loved your post above too, but comments were disabled. Sure someone wants you! Don't say that dear Brin. You just haven't found him yet. And the picture is beautiful. The dream must have been one of those that really stays with you. And the picture is beautiful.

I love your new profile picture, you are so very beautiful !

Carissa Anne said...

Dear Brin,

This is in regards to your post "paintings" I did not see where I could comment on it or how to get a hold of you so I am leaving a small message here. You do not know who I am~~but I feel like I know you well through reading your blog now for more than two years. I'm sorry that I have never left a comment before... But let me assure you I have laughed, cried and prayed the whole way through with you throughout your journey thus far. For 6 months now I have had something on my heart regarding you~I have never known how to approach the thought so it has remained quiet. I have been through trials...It's never ending really...Constantly being molded. I have had dreams that have been shattered~I have also seen the Lord rebuild them. I would love to to talk... swishfam4@sbcglobal.net PS My Mom has purchased some of your knitted towels and then has passed some of the joy along to me....They're wonderful! :-) One way or another there is understanding and I am praying for you. Love C

Jillie said...

Your garland is simple and yet somehow just right for this year's holidays. And it makes me smile. I bet if you put one in your shop, it would fly out of the door! You are so talented and I enjoy seeing what you will come up with next.
Jillie

carla said...

Brin,

The books arrived yesterday and I am so pleased. They're even better than I thought they'd be. Packaged nicely, too. A lot of books arrive in my mailbox, but none had been individually wrapped before.

Nice presentation. Thank you.