December 29, 2021

Kindness, crafted just for us.

All of the various shawls, hats, scarves and cowls crafted for us in 2021 by the TOM BIHN Ravelry group.

Every year for the past however many years, the TOM BIHN Ravelry group has crafted wearable gifts for our crew. This year's wearable gifts are a variety of crocheted, knitted, and woven shawls, scarves, hats, and cowls.

Though it's become something of a tradition that each crew member looks forward to, it's never an expectation. As artists and skilled craftspeople ourselves, we know very well the incredible amount of work (and talent and skill, amassed over years) that goes into creating each piece of wearable art.

These are gifts we appreciate on many levels: they literally keep us warm, allow us to experience the generosity and care of others, offer us the experience of surprise and delight when we see them for the first time, and appreciate the skills of fellow creators.

From all of us here at TOM BIHN to everyone in the TOM BIHN Ravelry group: thank you! Special shout-out goes to Annie, who organizes and delivers each year's gifts. As we know well, logistics can be complex, so thank you, Annie, for managing all of that so we can enjoy all of this.

Below are photos of each crafted item! We had hoped to snap some photos of the crew with their choices, but between COVID-19 protocols and the icy/dangerous streets here in Seattle this week, that may not be in the cards. So, there's one model this year.... the photographer's assistant. You can see his photo at the very end of this post, modeling the photographer's choice of cowl.

Close-up of a card attached to one of the crafted items. It says: "Just For You. Handmade by: A TB Fan. Especially For: The Talented TOM BIHN Crew."

Four crafted items are laid out side-by-side; each is a variety of beautiful colors. Colors, clockwise from top: blue/green, pink/purple, silver/yellow, shades of green.

Close-up of a beautiful crafted item in shades of blue and green.

Two crafted works of art side-by-side. On the left, a multi-colored shawl, and on the right, a purple shawl.

Close-up of beautiful woven and knitted crafted items.

Two crafted cowls, side-by-side, in shades of purple.

Close-up of a knitted work of art; white, blues, purples and greens are amongst the colors.

Clockwise: a blue and green hat, a green and blue cowl, a pink and red cowl, and a blue/purple/red cowl.

Close-up of a knitted pompom on a peach colored shawl.

A scarf (rainbow of colors!) and a cowl (deep purple) side-by-side.

Close-up of a gorgeous thick knit in gold, pinks, purples, and blues.

Clockwise: a stunning orange scarf, beautiful rainbow cowl, and a blue/gold/green cowl.

Close-up of a beautiful white knitted scarf.

Clockwise: a multi-colored cowl, thick knit black scarf with long fringe, and a purple/white scarf with fringe.

Close-up of a card attached to one of the crafted items. It says: "Dearest TOM BIHN Crew, thank you for continuing to provide excellent customer service and functional designs."

A peach/pink shawl, alongside a blue/green cowl.

A card attached to one of the items. It says: "Happy Holidays to the TOM BIHN Crew! Wash by hand in cold water and lay flat to dry."

Three crafted items, clockwise from upper right: a vibrant Magenta cowl, a stripy blue scarf, and a scarf in blue/red/green/purple.

Clockwise: a blue/grey/green shawl, grey scarf, and moss green scarf.

Blue scarf, green and black shawl, light grey cowl, and red and white cowl.

Four beautiful cowls. And a dog standing above them! Clockwise from upper left: various blues from dark to light; light grey with speckled red and yellow; dark red and pink; blue, red, brown, and white stripes.

Three scarves ~ grey on top, blue/red in the middle, and white at the bottom.

Three hats! Multi-color, grey, and white/light blue with a pompom on top.

A card attached to one of the items. It says: "Many thanks for all that you do to make TB magic happen!"

More absolutely gorgeous crafted items, this time in shades of blue/green red, light blue, purple and white, and multi-colored (a beautiful rainbow of color!)

Three beautiful cowls and scarves! One is purple/red, blue/green, and white/blue/yellow.

Four beautiful crafted items in blue, dark green, shades of grey and rust red.

Four cowls! Each an interesting shade of dark blue, medium blue, multi-color and green.

Various beautiful knitted cowls and scarves! Light grey, dark grey, chocolate brown, and a multitude of colors in a stripy pattern.

Various beautiful knitted shawls and cowls! One in shades of green, one in a lustrous dark purple, and another in shades of grey with hints of subtle color within.

Husky dog wearing a cowl: it's covering his ears and he's looking right into the camera, all cute!

Community

17 comments

May - January 10, 2022

I really enjoyed knitting 3 different types of scarves for the Tom Bihn Crew. It was like knitting for my family! Happy New Year!
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TOM BIHN replied:
Hi May! That is so sweet of you. Happy New year to you too!

Chada Phuapradit - January 3, 2022

Thank you Tom Bihn for sharing this.

I always look forward to the Tom Bihn Crew Appreciation blog post. This year I knitted the two Clincher hybrid cowl/shawl. It makes me giddy getting to see the pictures of the items I knitted. The process from selecting the pattern, choosing the yarns, knitting & finishing up the item brings me joy.

Wishing everyone at Tom Bihn and their families a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
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TOM BIHN replied:
Thank you for the aesthetic expertise, skill, and generosity that went into knitting the Clincher hybrid cowl/shawls for us, Chada! Happy New Year to you and yours as well!

Anonymous - January 3, 2022

Amazing knitting and what wonderful gifts. Lovely tradition.
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TOM BIHN replied:
Thanks for recognizing the work of this amazing group!

Angelia - December 30, 2021

I’m a knitter. I didn’t participate in this year’s creations because I couldn’t (I’m working every day of the holiday season, so, no knitting has been happening). As I look through these pictures, I see the love that fiber artists have for Tom Bihn. Crafters used their good yarn for the items. They used patterns that call for above average skill. Crafters love the TB family. For one thing, we recognize your skill – the skill it takes to design the items, the skill it takes to make the items. You make high quality items – you don’t take short cuts. We appreciate that. We also appreciate that you make items for us. Not only do you make items for us, you actually ask for our feedback, so that the items end up being functional and exactly what we want/need. Most bag companies can’t be bothered with making bags for fiber artists/crafters. Thank you. Know that every item made for the TB crew every year is made with love.
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TOM BIHN replied:
"Crafters used their good yarn for the items. They used patterns that call for above average skill.”

We’re glad you recognized this and shared it with everyone. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment.

Mia - December 29, 2021

I spotted mine! Your company makes me so happy. We have a nd got a bunch of TB stuff for the holidays.
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TOM BIHN replied:
Makes us happy you are happy!