OOooh...AAaaahhhhh!!! Heleen de Vaan -- The Return of the Knitter

[Thom Courcelle]

A very special package arrived a little while ago from Heleen de Vaan in the Netherlands.  Both of us being members of the Fiber Artists Group and lovers of all things yarn-ish, I had sent her a knit/woven card quite some time ago.  Well it was my turn to be treated and surprised with her astounding knit creation made just for me...

Here is the back of the knit purse...

And here is the front, addressed especially to me (!)...

Yes, that's even a little fabric 'artistamp' in the corner depicting Heleen's trademark insignia!!...

But that wasn't all... there was a card and note inside WITH EVEN MORE ASTOUNDING FABRIC WORK:

WOWSERS!  I had seen samples of Heleen's miniaturist knitting samples in others' blogs in the past.  But I have to say, it is truly a miracle of craftwomanship to see just HOW miniature this work really is!!  I should have photographed it next to a ruler so you could see just how tiny it is.  The little "scarf" is approximately 1 1/4 inches long (in four colors) and approximately 1/2 inch wide.  As far as I can tell there are 14 stitches on the "needles," which are actually PINS.  Even the "cross-stitch" lettering on the card (done in ink pen) is pretty astonishing for the time it must have taken.  Just spectacular!  This is definitely one for my 'hall of fame' of received mail art!  THANK YOU, HELEEN!!!

Here are some more detailed views of the miniaturist knitting Heleen did:

 From the envelope that everything came in:

[RUTH GILES]

That's beautiful!

[Jay Block]

Remarkable work.

[stripygoose]

And if you go to Heleen's page you can watch a tiny video of her tiny knitting - it's amazing: > )

[stripygoose]

Totally fantastic - wit and skill : > )

[vizma bruns]

NO WAY!! I know how difficult that is!! That scarf is a major feat, how wonderful! Right, I'm joining the fibre group! Ever tried knitting with broomsticks? It's fun!