tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551238322203454182024-03-05T20:58:45.276-05:00Mummble-Jummble2A little blog about life, knitting, felting, dogs and anything else I can think of ...Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-76963148487863644442024-01-28T15:22:00.000-05:002024-01-28T15:22:06.346-05:00Take-Along Sun Has Gone International! Bain de SoleilChristhalinette has paid me the ultimate compliment of translating the Take-Along Sun pattern into French! Please take a look at her blog and see the Bain de soleil. How lovely the pattern is written in the French language! And while you're there, look at her wonderful projects! She's inspiring!It's so exciting for me to know that people all over the world are enjoying my patterns.Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-25081541710289849242021-01-31T15:39:00.001-05:002021-01-31T15:43:19.746-05:00 Hello!!!It has been a really, really long time since I last wrote on this blog and I'm definitely hoping that will change this year! As it turns out, there have been so many life-changing events in the last several years that's it's been really hard to keep up. It's difficult to spend creative time/energy on new patterns ... and it's also difficult to actually find the time to sit down and NeantheBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05795037437830059047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-19019447094579621512019-07-17T14:32:00.001-04:002019-07-17T14:32:43.997-04:00Waldorf Birthday Crown and Woodland Cake
Here is my first attempt at a birthday crown. I started this so many times ... months ago! I finally finished the night before my grandson's 4th birthday! Phew!
I had seen so many magnificent pieces online. Quite a few looked to have been needle felted. While I have tons of roving that I dyed years ago, my first attempt was definitely not up to par! I ended up taking all of it out.
ThenNeantheBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05795037437830059047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-59393999212661884422018-06-11T10:40:00.001-04:002018-06-11T10:40:20.937-04:00Of Quiet Books, a Quick Room Makeover and Quilting! Part I: Quiet BooksBelieve it or not, I've been thinking about writing this post for a very, very long time. It's been such a long time, in fact, that it's hard to know exactly where to begin. So, I'll just jump in medias res.
With our grandson nearing his 3rd birthday (yes! already!), I find myself obsessed with all things toddler. Toddler classes, toddler education, best toddler bedrooms, best outdoor Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-45090299254600726382017-04-26T12:22:00.001-04:002017-04-26T12:22:24.726-04:00The Nursery Rhyme Blocks: Redwork
Stuffed in the back of one of my craft drawers, all folded and yes, just a little bit dusty, were a couple of panels of nursery rhyme quilt blocks. I don't even remember how long ago I bought them! I found them, along with several skeins of Anchor red embroidery floss and a plastic bag with a photo of the finished quilt.
I have so many other projects going right now, but I couldn't help myselfNean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-20257546885102296132017-02-22T13:08:00.004-05:002017-02-23T10:18:21.356-05:00Silver Stars, Sparkling White and Lots of Paper ... Wedding Preparations!
A lot has been going on behind the scenes since my last post! Our eldest daughter got married on February 11 and, thank God, it was a gorgeous day! Although we had nothing to do with the actual reception, we had planned to host an after-rehearsal party at our house for our out-of-town family and the wedding party and friends.
When I started counting up how many people, I realized it would Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-10898353245325732242016-12-09T09:45:00.002-05:002016-12-09T09:51:37.776-05:00Frosty on the Outside, Warm on the Inside!
Share the spirits of the season with this whimsical snowman bottle cover!
Knit in the round on double-pointed needles, then fulled in the washing machine, this sturdy cover is as practical as it is fun.
A cleverly concealed insert knit within the head fits perfectly over the top of the bottle.
It makes a unique gift cover for most 11-12-inch bottles (wine, liquor or Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-90287805627011023272016-08-13T10:25:00.002-04:002016-08-13T10:26:15.465-04:00Calling All Knitters! Knit a Chow for Charity!The other day, I received one of the best emails ever from Jeri Sayer in New Jersey.
"I have special needs kids, so spend lots of time with therapists," Jeri wrote. "Our youngest has speech issues. Her therapist had a great plastic mouth that everyone borrowed ... and one day, it turned up missing. Being a great knitting fan, I found CHOW on Ravelry ... knit it up and gave it to her. She was Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-58558389080377463462016-07-30T12:50:00.001-04:002016-07-31T14:14:41.059-04:00Making and Selling Finished PiecesRecently, I have been overjoyed with the wonderful notes I have received from people who have knitted up my Chow Hand Puppet design.
I have been asked what my policy is on selling items made from my designs. I am truly honored that so many people have found joy in my humble toys and decorations!!
I do believe in promoting handmade toys, and I want to be as supportive as possible. However, I also Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-42610499904268638162016-03-14T20:31:00.003-04:002016-03-14T20:31:52.725-04:00A New Use for Yarn!
A new use for yarn ... pom poms!
Here is Bif enjoying his pom pom ball pit ...
Introducing a happy chick, bearing a little Easter lily! He's my first attempt at pom pom animals ... I stitched the smaller pom pom onto the larger ... glass shoe-button bead eyes (size 5mm) sewn in ... I used an awl to open a path for pipe cleaner arms and legs and needle felted a bit of orange Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-89763463825520215952016-02-15T07:25:00.004-05:002016-02-15T07:27:20.514-05:00My First Waldorf-Style Doll ...Okay, so he's definitely not perfect. All in all, though, I have to say I'm pretty pleased with this little guy! I haven't used my sewing machine in years ... so, yes, his stitches are awkward looking ... and his crocheted cap for his hair leaves much to be desired. But already he's got a little personality! I'm trying another first ... a tiny sweater knitted up just for him. Of course, he'll Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-68803610896389387722016-02-05T07:46:00.000-05:002016-02-05T07:47:56.765-05:00Anatomy of a Jingle Column There's a certain sound that some little children's toys have. It's not just a rattle. It's something much more ... it almost sounds like a sweet little chime. It's soft. It's delicate. It's musical. All in all, it's pretty wonderful!
For years, I've been listening to this little sound, wondering how it was made. Then, one day, I decided to do it. *Gulp* Yes. I would dissect a toy to find out Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-25113295436338341092016-01-23T01:13:00.001-05:002016-01-24T12:17:57.290-05:00Say Hello to Dandy!Bring a whimsical touch of spring ... and a sprightly splash of color ... to these cold, bleak winter days with this quick knitted/felted flower! Introducing ...
Dandy
A Sweet Little Flower
Copyright © 2016 Anita M. Wheeless
What you'll need:
100% wool worsted weight yarn (not superwash!) in green, yellow and fuchsia (or whatever colors you'd like!)
Size US 8 Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-74839925243020574242015-09-21T15:29:00.002-04:002015-09-21T15:43:16.403-04:00At Last! A New Design: Cone Puppets!I can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote anything. I have lots of toy patterns waiting to be written up and lots of other projects to share. I moved my website to Shopify at the end of December and had all kinds of great ideas to post more tutorials and feature more designs. As usual, life seems to come at me full force when I'm least expecting it. That's okay, though! Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-53812644027814130482015-01-18T12:46:00.000-05:002015-01-19T06:49:54.531-05:00A Dish Cloth with a Sunny Disposition!
Sunny Scrubbie
A sweet, little dish cloth
Copyright © 2015 Anita M. Wheeless
An uncomplicated broken-rib stitch gets a fresh face with the addition of pretty eyelet edges. The textured surface is just right for scrubbing your dishes squeaky clean!
Finished size: Approximately 9.5-inches square, after blocking
Needles: Size US 7
Yarn: Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn (or any Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-65053891431380152272014-10-28T17:31:00.001-04:002014-10-28T17:31:47.666-04:00Experimenting in Needle Felting!I have been experimenting with needle felting lately ... and am trying my hand at a very basic nativity set.
I made a cone-shaped wire armature and wrapped it in core wool ... this will be the basic form for Mary, Joseph, the three wise men and the shepherd!! The little baby Jesus has a wire head/arm frame, then it's just wool needle felted tightly into a little swaddling blanket. The sheep Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-62212794858091600272014-09-19T08:51:00.000-04:002014-09-19T11:03:12.406-04:00In Loving Memory ...
My Dear Dad
John Frederick Mumm
November 21, 1923
March 17, 2014
It's been six months since my father died and I still have a really hard time writing this little tribute. In June, I quit my job to take on the task of giving away all of his medical equipment, cleaning out the closet, and sorting through over 20 boxes of files, papers and books that we moved to our house when my Dad Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-9284898832105191472014-05-17T06:40:00.001-04:002014-05-17T06:40:37.819-04:00I'm Still Here! Really, I Am!It's a chilly spring morning and I'm sitting here, sipping my cup of coffee ... and wanting so desperately to let you all know that I'm still here!
I've been through a lot these few months ... culminating in my dear Dad's death in the early morning hours of St. Patrick's Day. I've not had a proper post about him because I've just not been able to bring myself to do it yet ... just like I can't Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-65497415971947233232013-08-08T09:07:00.001-04:002013-08-08T09:07:14.293-04:00Summer Medley Scarf!
Tulip Chart
Bumble-Bee Chart
I had so wanted to have the light summer scarf pattern finished to share before summer's end! I revised my original swatch. I thought that the trellis stitches on the sides were too much. The piece, in general, looked too busy. However, I still wanted to use a variation of the two stitch patterns that I came across in the Second (and Third) Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-45370673972000724102013-07-12T08:54:00.001-04:002013-07-12T08:57:12.636-04:00I'm Back! Finally ... and with a Light Summer Scarf!
I know, I know. It's been ages and ages since I've last written ... or posted anything new to knit. I apologize!! And I thank you for sticking with me and checking back to see what's going on ... if anything!
Taking care of my elderly dad is a lot more time consuming than I ever realized ... that, along with our adult kids coming home, then going away again ... and our youngest getting ready Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-22801586028842603272013-01-03T11:41:00.001-05:002013-01-03T12:25:11.964-05:00Valentine's Day Fun!
Even though the Christmas season won't officially end until Epiphany on January 6, are you getting ready to un-decorate your Christmas tree? Have you carefully wrapped and boxed all your decorations and ornaments until next year? Feeling a little depressed about the end of all the holiday cheer? Well, why not work on a very simple, little Valentine project that's sure to please!
Yes! It's aNean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-91084040247394290702012-10-20T09:09:00.003-04:002012-10-20T09:09:37.951-04:00Halloween Is Almost Here!Wow! Time has been marching along while I wasn't looking! I can't believe that today is October 20 already! The trees are beautiful now, boasting reds and golds with greens still mixed in ... and the sky has been that special, cloudless blue that only comes when there's a chilly breeze that seems to sweep everything clean.
It's time to break out the apple cider and the doughnuts! Make oatmeal Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-89445586470684484472012-08-18T07:37:00.002-04:002012-08-18T08:08:50.900-04:00The Pattern Box Got a Face Lift!The house is a mess. Papers and clip-art books litter the family room. I haven't cooked a meal in weeks. BUT the newly designed and renovated The Pattern Box was launched around midnight this morning! Please take a moment to visit. I think you'll be glad you did! There are still a few things missing ... some dolls and a few free patterns; a couple of item descriptions; the tips/techniques page; Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-70138721900408184402012-07-09T10:43:00.000-04:002012-07-09T10:43:53.466-04:00That Was Easy!
Sophie discovered an easy way to get a treat!Nean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755123832220345418.post-77207751594248824612012-07-03T07:35:00.003-04:002012-07-03T07:35:57.073-04:00Join Me for the Christmas Elf ClassDo you need a little Christmas? You're in luck! Cottage Yarn is having Christmas in July classes and guess what??? I will be teaching the Christmas Elf! Participants will receive not only the pattern, but the yarn, too! The two-part class will take place on Thursday evenings, July 12 and July 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call Cottage Yarn for more information and to sign up (704) 545-8440. Hope to seeNean the Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251315510411787805noreply@blogger.com0