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Visit the Mask Shop

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I’ve been making face masks for a while now. In fact, I’ve made almost 800 of them since mid-March. I gave away over 400 before I realized the materials were getting expensive, and it was time to start selling some. So I opened a little Shopify store to make it easy for all of us. Visit me, and buy a mask or two, at KimMilesHandmade . I’ve put a lot of care into creating a mask design that’s comfortable, washable, durable, and functional. They’re all made of 100% cotton fabric, double-layered, with a filter pocket. They have a fabric-wrapped double-wire shaper stitched into the top, so you can fit it properly around your nose. They also have adjustable elastic ear loops, for even more custom fit. I’m proud of my masks, and I have a wall of thank-you notes in my little sewing room, telling me how much people like them. As we open up the country, we’re all going to need masks. It’s the right thing to do for each other. I think of them as kind of a fashion statement too, like...
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A Gift Of Yarn and Knitting A Story

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A few weeks ago, before the world went insane, I was contacted by the lovely people at LoveCrafts , asking me if I’d like to have some free yarn to play with. Would anyone say no to that? Well, not me! The “rules” to the game were simple: Choose from a really nice selection of yarn, choose one of their free patterns to go with it, and post a link after I was finished. Count me in! It took me about a week to decide what to make, but knowing that I had a trip to Seattle coming up, I wanted something simple-yet-interesting, and also not too bulky, so it would pack and travel easily. I settled on the Twinette shawl and MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino yarn in Cloud Grey. I’d ordered from LoveCrafts before. Their prices and sales are great, shipping is always quick, and packaging is beautiful. My yarn arrived in time for me to get started before hopping on the train to Seattle. I got right into it, and found the pattern fun to make, easy to memorize, and interesting enough without ...
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DIY Face Mask with Ear Loops, Nose Wire, and Filter Pocket

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If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you probably know I’ve been making face masks lately. It’s a labor of love, as sewing is not really a thing I gravitate to. I’m surprised though at how much better I’m getting at it, and that I even sort of enjoy having my little makeshift sewing room to hang out in each day. It gives Rick and me a bit of perceived separate space while sharing a 600 square foot house. I wonder how true Tiny House dwellers are managing these days... A lot of friends are asking me which of the many online patterns I’m using. The truth is, I’ve sort of combined a few favorites into a hybrid pattern that’s easy for me to sew, and is approved by my official mask testers - a friend who works in the local liquor store, and my sister, who does home health care as an occupational therapist. Fit and comfort are top priority. With their guidance, I think I have it sorted out. These masks are made of woven cotton. They have a pipe cleaner (or other flexible w...
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the Sisters Hat

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I don't really think of myself as a designer, but I do like to invent simple patterns from time to time. It's a fun exercise to write them up and share them here. At the very least, I'll know where they are if I should ever misplace my scribbled notebook.  This pattern for the Sisters Hat has been test-knitted and proofread for clarity and typos by my cousin, Mitzi Miles-Kubota, who is a fine knitter, a self described "word nerd," and a mega-talented fine artist and crafter. She does it all, and she gave this the thumbs up. I wish you happy hat-making. Sisters Hat Knit from the bottom up, in the round, this is a fast and easy hat that works up in just a few hours. I designed it on a fun weekend spent with my two sisters, planning baby sis’s wedding. The hat fits my approximately 22 inch head on a very curly day. Check your gauge, measure your head, make adjustments as needed. Stitches used: K = Knit P = Purl K2tog = Knit 2 toge...
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really easy crochet shawl pattern

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I learned to crochet when I was ten. Even though I think of myself as more of a knitter now, I also still love to crochet. I think it's the easiest place for the newly yarn-smitten to begin, and for me, it's always a calm and quiet place to go back to when I need something more meditative for my busy hands and mind. My friend Denise asked me to teach her how to make a simple triangle shawl last week, and although she understood what I showed her, she knew she might forget once she got home. She asked me to write it out for her, and I thought I might as well share it here too. This pattern has only been proofed by me, so you are my test crocheters. If you catch any mistakes, please let me know Your gentle feedback regarding clarity will also be appreciated. Once I know it's all okay, I'll post a printer friendly version on Ravelry for you. For now, here you go! This is a super simple granny triangle with some extra increases to make it nice and wide. ...
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