I met Lena Corwin about 5 years ago when Kelli Ronci suggested that she illustrate her book Kids Crochet. Since then, I've met so many people that know Lena that I wonder if everyone is somehow connected to her in that strange way that everyone is somehow connected to Kevin Bacon. I'm excited to report that Lena's first book, Printing by Hand,  is hitting bookstores this week. I've posted a Q&A with Lena here. And a gallery of images from the book here.

Today I read on Natalie Chanin's blog that there is a Flickr site for projects from her book, Alabama Stitch Book, so I decided to photograph my Reverse-Applique Bandana to post there (and here). Here is the front of it.

 
And the front along with some of the equally appealing back.

I also made the Book Cover (which I posted about here back in December) and the Reverse-Appplique Swing Skirt minus the reverse applique), but a good photo is TK (editor-speak for "to come").

I am totally hooked on hand-sewing. It reminds me of knitting in that it's creative, tactile, relaxing, and portable, and it's, of course, so satisfying to look at your project when you're done and know that you made it with your own hands.

Sometimes my job as the editorial director of STC Craft feels overwhelming (that's part of why before today I hadn't posted in a long time). And sometimes my job feels very gratifying, for example, when I see projects people are inspired to make from our books, like those on the Alabama Stitch Book Flickr site.

I find fingerless mitts irresistible. And this pattern -- called Alternating Current -- from Knitting New Mittens & Gloves by Robin Melanson is  perfect when I need a quick fix. Requiring only a minimal amount of focus, they're also a good project to work on while commuting or sitting through kids' sports' practices and games, music lessons, etc.

The pair shown here--knitted in a yarn called GGH Aspen from my stash -- took me only about one soccer practice and two guitar lessons to complete. The pattern also includes instructions for the rest of the hand (to make a traditional mitten) and for a removable cuff/bracelet for embellishment. I have another pair in chartreuse on the needles.