Master craftsman, designer of exquisite furniture, teacher extraordinaire and our friend Berthold Schwaiger died unexpectedly this week. Berthold was the powerhouse behind the Chicago Bauhaus Studios, which trained woodworkers of all backgrounds in Chicago. FunQuilts did some events with Berthold and our quilts never looked as beautiful as they did on his beds, which were often made from native woods and other natural materials. One memorable bed was made of osage orange tree wood and had a headboard woven from corn husks. I wish I had a picture of it to share with you.

Berthold’s death got me thinking about the legacy of the maker. Whether you are a hobby crafter who dabbles in numerous media or a full-fledged master craftsman like Berthold, the things you make are an expression of who you are. When we returned from China after adopting our daughter Berthold brought over a beautiful, dovetailed box as a gift for our new baby. The box refueled my interested in learning woodworking but as a new mom I knew it would have to wait. Last summer we commissioned Berthold to make a kitchen table for us. Who knew when he delivered it a month ago or so it would be the last time we’d see him?

As great as he was a craftsman, Berthold was also a wonderful teacher. Part of his legacy is also the huge number of people of people whom he inspired either to think about furniture in a new way or to become woodworkers themselves. As all you crafters out there wonder whether or not those handmade gifts you are rushing to complete will be appreciated by their recipients know that what matters more is that they are wonderful expressions of who you are and that you might inspire someone else to be creative just by making something yourself. Long live the makers.

Kids Knit: simple steps to nifty projects
by Sarah Bradberry

Published by Sterling

I have been looking at a few different knitting books lately and trying to decipher the various instructions that are more often than not included at the front for beginners. I find it strange to see a complex pattern book, which is obviously for advanced knitters, with a “how to cast on” and “how to knit and purl” at the beginning, and even worse for these instructions to be almost indecipherable for a true beginner. So I was really pleasantly surprised to see that this book, which is aimed at children but is equally perfect for beginners of all ages, to have a really good set of instructions, clear and concise and simple.

I suppose that this book is aimed at older children who are able to follow written instructions, however I think it would also be good for parents who are wanting easy projects to teach younger children.

It is a really colourful book with fun fonts and plenty of clear lists and not too detailed descriptions of different types of yarn and needles. Explanations of knitting terms, and how to read a pattern, are useful for anyone learning at any age. I find that many knitting books that are aimed at adults learning to knit, assume a lot of knowledge and don’t always explain basic concepts, I am really glad that this book does explain and doesn’t assume anything.

The projects are cute, like a knitted headband, a dolls blanket, a couple of small bags and even a cat toy. A few of the patterns are aimed specifically at girls, like the knitted doll and the barbie dresses, but most of the projects are unisex. I also like the fact that the pictures of the kids knitting in the book are of boys and girls.

Michelle from greeting arts sent in this link to Hilary’s free elf embroidery patterns.

Wild Deer sent in a link to a charity she is participating in FIRE all you have to do to help is ‘buy a scarf pattern, keep a child warm!’

A letter from Vicki:

Hi, just looking at the post on Stephanie’s little Christmas Trees. Love that idea, but also thought you may be interested in the pic on SouleMama’s site titled “is it time yet?” dated November 20, 2006. This little Santa is just the same shape as the cone Christmas Trees. It’s so sweet.

Melody sent this in:

I thought you might want to know that NPR is holding our First Ever “2006 News” Holiday Craft Contest. We’re asking listeners and readers to design either a handmade menorah or a Christmas tree ornament and send us the pictures. We already designed a Mel Gibson Mel-Norah and a Baby Suri Christmas ornament, and have received a (quite disturbing) Dick Cheney-full-of-buckshot-snowman. Thought you might like to enter, or let your readers know. J

And Toms letter (winner of whiplash a couple of month’s back):

Just another thank you - I just received the prize through the post and I’m really impressed with the wool, and those needles are huge and slightly terrifying, which is great.