Meg Hanson

Minnesota Winter

Minnesota winters can be brutal, but they are not as bad as they used to be due to climate change. There are still stretches of severely cold weather, but not as many or for as long, and days with above freezing temperatures are more common. Being comfortable outside is not necessarily about the temperature. AContinue reading “Minnesota Winter”

Upcycle Dog Carrier Backpack

Last winter when we were snow birding in the southwest, we used my backpack to carry our small dog around while on day trips. This fall I decided to make Lyla a dedicated carrier using a thrift store denim skirt my daughter had abandoned. It looked like the right size and shape for the purpose.Continue reading “Upcycle Dog Carrier Backpack”

Cotton Dish Towels

In December I wove some 100% cotton dish towels on my 15″ loom. Everyone can use a new dish towel, so I thought they would make nice gifts. And I can always use more myself whether they turn out perfectly or not. I started researching patterns and yarns, finding many options. I learned that cottonContinue reading “Cotton Dish Towels”

Happy Holidays

I have written before about my mom’s extraordinary creative abilities. In today’s post, to celebrate Christmas and honor my mother, I am sharing photos of Christmas decorations and other things she made over the years. The yellow angel has been around for as long as I can remember. My mom must have made that inContinue reading “Happy Holidays”

Wool/Silk/Yak Yarn

A spinning project is a good activity for long pandemic days at home. I figured out how to download audio books on my phone using an app called OverDrive, so I hardly notice the time going by while listening and spinning. I had two ounces of a “braid” of 50% silk /50% yak roving thatContinue reading “Wool/Silk/Yak Yarn”

Vintage Buttons

I was preparing to post some store sample hats from my cousin’s yarn shop for sale on ETSY. Normally I go for simple and practical, without a lot of embellishment. But I felt that these hats needed something more to distinguish them from the many other hats for sale. I had the idea of addingContinue reading “Vintage Buttons”

Too Much Stuff

Throughout history most people have lived with few possessions, by necessity, economic limits, or cultural norms. Early nomadic groups moved regularly. Most people for thousands of years were, or are still, just surviving. After WWII in the United States there was an economic boom that resulted in many people owning homes and experiencing financial stabilityContinue reading “Too Much Stuff”

Bison Fiber Last Post

One of my fall projects was carding the 100% bison fiber I bought in South Dakota last fall. It seemed a little scratchy, so I carded it again, blending in some wool I had on hand. The result was softer and more like what I am used to spinning. I had been thinking about makingContinue reading “Bison Fiber Last Post”

My New ETSY Shop

I am excited to let you know that I have opened an ETSY shop called LakesCountryHandMade. I am selling products I made including hand spun yarn and hand knit items, as well as store samples from my yarn shop inventory purchase. You can search on the store name in ETSY, or you can click onContinue reading “My New ETSY Shop”

Thick Socks & Thin Socks

I happened upon a knitting pattern for a thick sock to wear with hiking boots or winter boots. “The Fisherman’s Boot Socks” is a free pattern available on the website for “Maritime Family Fiber”, a family owned small business located along the coast of Maine, near New Brunswick, Canada. The pattern can also be foundContinue reading “Thick Socks & Thin Socks”