Before we get to today’s links, can we talk about this photo above?! It’s a screengrab sent to me by eagle-eyed reader Katie G, who spotted actress Jane Adams (who will always be Niles Crane’s second wife, Mel, to me — love her!) holding a Fringe Supply Field Bag on the set of Sneaky Pete. (Before I forget to tell you, there’s another batch of Toffee in the shop!) This was in the behind-the-scenes extras from the last episode, and I haven’t watched the second season — didn’t even know she was on the show — so I’m dying to know: Is she in costume here? Is that scarf something Jane Adams knitted and this is her own Field Bag? Or is the character a knitter, meaning is there a chance that bag is part of her costume and might appear in the show? I have got to know! Either way, Katie, thank you SO MUCH for sending this to me. Crazy.
Ok, Elsewhere—
– Do you guys know about The School of Life? (One of my favorite fascinations from the past that I’d somehow forgotten about.) I just ordered this and can’t wait to read it: “This essay explores the way we can grow disenchanted with our immediate circumstances and pine for what is exotic, costly and out of reach, and gently returns us to ourselves, full of new found wonder and gratitude. Combining literature, economics and sheer good sense, Why We Hate Cheap Things reawakens us to the world around us and to the latent beauty and interest of what we have.”
– Knitting machine meets 3D printing
– How to clean out your closet responsibly
– A sewing machine cover is a thing I keep saying I need to make or buy; this tutorial makes me actually want to make it!
– Super cute Willow dress hack
– and this might suck me into the whole Alabama Chanin thing
Happy weekend, everyone!
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PREVIOUSLY: Elsewhere
The needle-threading video blew my mind, too, but – I can’t do it!
Me neither! I’m going to practice, though, because this would make so many things easier!
Just tried it. Doesn’t work. Maybe with a larger holed needle, but those are easier to thread anyway.
I believe they are using a type of self threading needle, which would explain why you can’t do it with ordinary needles.
I have wasted more time than I want to admit trying this, using several different needles, more than one type and brand of thread, different spots on my hand, and different speeds. I haven’t succeeded yet. I would love to know if anyone makes it work. It might not be life changing, but it sure would be great. The thread looks like unmercerized cotton,and I don’t have any on hand, but then it it only worked with one sort of thread, that wouldn’t be so useful)
Bummer, everyone! I guess I don’t need to rush home and try it.
I made it work with a larger eyed needle. Smaller, no luck at all.
Did a similar hack with Sonya Philip’s Dress #1 (it’s on my Instagram page @chez_lizzie). Great for year-round wearing with appropriate layers depending on the weather. And I’m about to run and try that threading the needle trick…
you should soooo make at least one alabama chanin garment. i have made several very simple ones of the years and i wear them to death. not one has won out yet. if i get tired of one, i dye it and keep wearing it or add more applique or stitching to it to make it a little different. it’s great.
What a great photo!
Whoever made that scarf, it is really cool. I find it interesting that she is not holding the bag by the strap. That’s one of it’s best features. It allows me to knit anywhere.
It reminds me of that Scarf All Around pattern that you showed us. Just more colorful than your example.
I see people holding it that way a lot — always interesting to see the different ways people interact with the same thing.
I have seen the second season of Sneaky Pete and do not recall this scene at all! Perhaps because I am always knitting while watching LOL, but in the show we never saw Jane knitting.
Fantasy/Ideal: an Alabama Chanin project made from all-thrifted fabric.
Think men’s tee shirts, that Thick, Heavy 100% cotton jersey one can sometimes find.
Applique’ed onto a thrifted garment. Or a garment made from thrifted fabric, should one be so ambitious.
All for under, say, $20.
PS – Never saw Maggie dressed like that! (on sneaky Pete)
Oooo, thank you for the tip on The School of Life!
Niles Crane’s second wife?? I’m a pretty big Frazier nerd and I completely forget this part of the plot!
Mel, the plastic surgeon who made him stay married to her even AFTER he had professed his love for Daphne.
Those are some of the very best episodes. The one where she makes the Cranes come to their wedding reception and Frasier makes the toast about how Niles has found the love of his life … it’s genius.
Having (obviously) seen the second season, I can tell you that her character is not a knitter and the Field Bag doesn’t actually appear in the episode, which is kind of a bummer but it would seem that it is her own bag, and I’d like to think the scarf was knit by her! I’m also a huge Frasier fan and she’s so great in Sneaky Pete, so I loved seeing her with a Field Bag!
After your email, I found myself hoping this might be a precursor of some sort!
Sadly, the needle-threading trick did not work for me. No sewing needle I’ve ever used is as large as the one in the video, nor is standard sewing thread the same gauge. Maybe a huge embroidery needle and thread, but not your standard supplies! I think we’ve gotten excited over nothing, I’m afraid!
In the interests of “science”, I also tried a size 18 needlepoint needle (has a longer eye), several kinds of thread. With the lnger eye, and an unmercerized ply from some cotton yarn, I succeed after several false starts and much very fast rubbing. I could have threaded about five needles conventionally in the same amount of time, plus, doing this several times in a hand sewing session would induce blisters. I would suggest that you all invest in a pair of extra strong reading glasses from the dollar store, and keep them with your hand sewing supplies.
I think I saw Jane Adams wearing the same scarf on the Netflix series, Easy; if it wasn’t the same, then it was another obviously hand knit scarf that made me think “oh, she must be a knitter.” So maybe she’s one of the cool actresses who knits in her trailer between scenes!
My sewing machine came with a plastic cover but I’ve really been meaning to sew one for one of my spinning wheels that is languishing in a corner, collecting dust.
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