Making Pot Holders

Some of the best pot holders are handmade. They are thick enough that even wet, you will not get burned. They are washable and last forever. Making them is excellent for emergency boredom prevention.

The key to making good pot holders is a metal loom to weave on (much sturdier than the ubiquitous plastic ones) and you have to get the cotton jersey loops not the nylon ones. (The nylon ones will melt if you get the pot holder too close to the heat source.) It is a basic exercise in elementary weaving. Over under, over under. The loops are put on in one direction making the warp and each loop of the weft is woven in a 1-3, 2-4 pattern. Once completed, the ends are crocheted off the prongs. The fun part is choosing the colors and pride of craftsmanship. And for a little while it will alleviate boredom.

Third Grade Homework and the Indian Maid

I had worked in the yard all day and had just settled in for a chat with my tweeps on Twitter when the phone rang. A small voice asked if she could come to my house to do her homework. She told me she needed a change in scenery. I have not helped with homework in years.
Deep breath. Alrighty then. Homework.

In addition to writing a book report, she had to create a poster reflecting the main character. As you can see, she was working on Pocahontas. We looked at the drawings in the book to get ideas, then scrounged around in the studio for yarn, beads, raffia, a feather, and some felt. The only thing she did not know how to do was braid hair. So I showed her how to do it.

I think the poster came out really cute.

I am now waiting for the next phone call.