holiday countdown: a quick(ish) gift that is (almost) too pretty to share and a giveaway!

My new motto is have sweaters will make something...I may have mentioned this before but I am not a knitter. I knit as well as I use chop sticks and let's just say you might not wanna sit with me when I am attempting to slurp up pho (i once threw a pair of chopsticks clear across an eatery, on purpose. I was frustrated). So, to assuage my lack of yarn art capabilities I have been looking to wool sweaters to see what I can come up with. Earlier this week I was in Anthropologie and saw these gorgeous crocheted headbands (I can't find them on the website, sorry) complete with flowers and I thought, hey...I can hack this and so I did.

What you need:
*wool sweaters that have been felted
*needle & thread (or machine)
*tape measure or ruler if you need specifics
*scissors

You can use one sweater or many depending on whether or not you want a monochromatic look or something a wee bit more colorful. Me? I went with color. Either way, you are gonna end up with four parts. Mix and match, you choose. Firstly, you will need a long strip at least 20" long and 4" wide. This will be your band. Sweaters stretch so make sure you cut it a wee bit smaller than you need. This is where the tape measure comes in handy.Now, you will need two smallish squarish pieces, these will be the bulk of your flower. Cut them into flower shapes, one smaller than the other. Set aside.
For the center of the flower you will need a thin strip of sweater at least six inches long and one inch wide. Pop it onto your machine and do a long running along the length of one long end. Hold one end of thread and tug a little to get your strip to curl up and ruffle a bit. It will look a little like a rosebud. Shape it to your liking and with a needle and thread tack it in shape and then stitch to the remaining to flower pieces that have been stacked with the smaller piece on top. You can wait to do this part and do it all at once as you stitch the flower to the band. Your choice.Fold your band in half, right (preferred) side facing in. Stitch the ends closed either by hand using a wip stitch or by machine using a zig-zag. Turn it right side out and decided where you want your flower to be in relation to the seam. I placed my flowers about 8" away. Depending on how you wear the band your flower may be worn up above one ear or down below the other. Versatile! Handstitch your flower to your band, put on some happy lipstick and dazzle your do with your headband and have a great day! Oh...or you can make up a bunch and give them as gifts this holiday season. I'm kinda having a hard time deciding. You probably wouldn't wear one if I gave it to you anyway, would you? Would you? Leave a comment telling me how you would wear your happy headband and I'll pick two delightful persons to receive one of their own. Thanks for stopping by!I'll pick the winners on Saturday and mail yer goodies out to ya on Monday...stay tuned!