Whit's Knits: Knit Hedgehogs

The first hedgehog I ever met was Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Beatrix Potter's kindly washerwoman of the Lake District. From her tiny country cottage to her "little black nose [that] went sniffle, sniffle, snuffle, and her eyes [that] went twinkle, twinkle", she was everything I thought charming and good as a child.

Since then I have always felt a love and affinity for hedgehogs. But not until I sat down to write this story did I actually realize that Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle was not only the first hedgehog I ever met, she is the only hedgehog I've ever met.

You see, I've always vaguely imagined that hedgehogs were all around me, hiding in burrows and hollow logs and hedgehog-sized cottages, but a quick look into the matter has thoroughly disavowed me of my silly assumptions. Hedgehogs don't even live in the United States, let alone outside my window! They live most everywhere else, but not here. I'm sure this doesn't surprise our worldly readers, but to me this information was a little bit shattering.

This newfound knowledge only makes my trio of Knit Hedgehogs more germane, because now they're not just cute and adorable, but they also offer a very practical way to hang out with hedgehogs if you happen to live in the Americas!

England is one place hedgehogs do live (just ask Beatrix Potter!), and so for a truly native hedgehog, we turn to British crafter Julie Williams of Little Cotton Rabbits. Just before posting this story, Little Cotton Rabbit's equally adorable Little Oddment Hedgie was pinned to our Pinterest page. We love it!

For our hedgie I used Manos del Uruguay's pretty Silk Blend for its head and belly. With a gentle handspun shine, Silk Blend makes a lovely contrast to the Cascade yarns I used for the hedgehog's garter stitch backs. Both Eco Cloud and Superwash 128 are great heavy worsted weight choices for cuddling!

These guys are seriously fun to knit with not one lick of sewing or even grafting! So, if you'd like to populate your world with adorable little Knit Hedgehogs, just visit my Project Journal here. Thanks! -Whitney

Molly's Sketchbook: Liberty Hot Pads

Perhaps it’s just my practical Virgo nature, but my ideal sewing project is first and foremost functional. I’m not one for decorative topstitching or ornamental buttons; I want my finished projects to work (and to look good doing it)!  Hot pads are a perfect utilitarian undertaking because they’re quick to make and oh, so useful!

To keep this particular set of hot pads from becoming too hard-nosed I used the stunning new Flora Eve print from Liberty of London. This very special floral pattern looks like something in between a watercolor and a photograph and is printed with the exquisite detail and color that only Liberty can deliver.  And when paired with a rich yarn dyed denim, the contrasts take on a drama of their own: casual and elegant, inky and ephemeral,  practical and charming.     

This project is very easy to sew but uses a lot of different skills so it’s never boring. Just quilt the fabrics together using specially insulated batting and then hand sew cotton twill tape around the edges, and you’ve got a truly unique, beautiful, and best of all, fully functional hot pad! If you’d like to give it a try, please visit my Liberty Hot Pads Journal here! --Molly

Laura's Loop: Classic Mittens

Whitney made some. Molly too. And so I had no choice but to join in and make some of my very own wintertime mittens!

Being the last of three kids in my family, I might have a teeny, tiny bit of youngest-child syndrome. Some might even call it a fear of missing out (#FOMO). So after drooling over Whitney's elegant Gem Gloves and having a mom and daughter sew-along for Molly's Simple Felted Wool Mittens, I picked up some of Anzula's wonderfully bouncy, incredibly warm merino-cashmere Cricket and cast on.

With a hearty slip-stitch at the hemmed cuff and a perfectly rounded top, these Classic Mittens hark back to childhood days of bundling up at my mom's insistence, so anxious to slip out the door and chase after my big brothers.

Just as I used to run after my brothers, my creative eye is now on Whitney and Molly who have me inspired once more. Feel like tagging along? Just visit my Classic Mittens Project Journal right here! -Laura

Molly's Sketchbook: Anemone Magnets

I feel like the anemone flower is having a moment. Everywhere I go I am seeing their whimsical petals and moody color palette. Anemones seem to fall somewhere in between a poppy and rose which, as far as I’m concerned, is a good place to be! So for Valentine’s Day this year I looked past the classic rose to this more unexpected flower and designed these super pretty Anemone Magnets.

From inky navy blue to vibrant neon pink, our gorgeous new Anemone Felt Bundle evokes the drama and beauty of its eponymous flower. We love Wollfilz’s Felt for special little projects like this because its colors are spectacular and because its hem-free nature is perfect for easy hand sewing. 

These Anemone Magnets are so quick and fun to make that before you know it, you’ll have a whole bouquet! Give them this Valentine’s Day as sweet tokens of love and appreciation. Or help an older child who is learning to sew whip up a set for the whole class!

If you’d like to make your own, please visit my Anemone Magnet journal here.

PS- For more Valentine’s Day projects please check our holiday sewing gallery here!

Winter Classes at Purl Soho!

Brave the winter cold in Purl Soho's cozy and very crafty classroom! For knitters, learn the ins and outs of knitting in the round with our classic Intro to Circular Knitting class, or master the art of cables with our new Chunky Cable Hat class! Needles aren't your bag? Crocheters aren't left out in the cold! Stay snuggly with our new Intermediate Crochet- Hook Up A Hat workshop with Cal Patch!

Looking for a great sewn gift for your sweetheart? Whip up a quick Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Zipper Pouch in our two hour workshop, or create a seriously warm Lap Duvet in just four hours! Not sure where to start? Sign up for our Adjustable Apron class to learn all the sewing machine basics, and create a perfectly handy apron in the process!

For more descriptions and schedules browse our entire class page here! Or for a more specific search, check out one of our six class categories: Knitting, Crochet, Sewing & Patternmaking, Quilting & Appliqué, Spinning & Felting, and Needlework. And right here is a quick look at each class we have scheduled for the month of February!

Upcoming Classes

• One Day Sewing: Heart Shaped Zipper Pouch: Sunday, February 3rd from 12-2pm

• Beginning Machine Sewing - Adjustable Apron: three Wednesday evenings- February 6th, 13th and 20th from 6-8pm

• Intro to Double Knitting - Sprout Cowl: Saturday, February 9th from 11am-3pm

• Beginning Knitting - Basic Scarf: three Saturday afternoons- February 16th, 23rd & March 2nd from 12-2pm

• Intermediate Crochet - Hook up a Hat: Saturday, February 16th from 3-6pm

• Crochet Granny Square Workshop: Sunday, February 17th from 11am-2pm

• Patchwork Basics - Hand Piecing: two Monday mornings, February 18th & 25th from 10am-12pm

• Beginning Cable Knitting - Chunky Cable Hat: two Tuesday evenings, February 19th & 26th from 6-8pm

• Intro to Circular Knitting - Hats!: two Saturday afternoons, February 23rd & March 2nd from 3-5pm

• Home Decor Sewing Series - Lap Duvet: two Wednesday evenings, February 27th & March 6th from 6:30-8:30pm