Hi there!
Thank you for visiting my website. I’m MaryAnne, and I love to create useful, everyday items with yarn and fabric. I especially love adding the finishing touches because no two creations are the same.
The Joys of Working on a Project
As I work through a project, I imagine the embellishments I may use. That’s the most fun! For example, felted purses are not just following the pattern. It’s thinking about lining the purse with complimentary fabric or what handles would look good. The last purse that I felted was lined with a print suede fabric. It wasn’t just lining the purse, it was how I carried the fabric outside of the purse. At the last minute, I decided to make the handles out of the fabric instead of using the already-knitted I-cord handles. I am so glad I did because it added a character to the bag that I wasn’t expecting. I then sewed a scarf with the leftover lining and it ended up as one of the most beautiful projects that I’ve ever made. I sold the purse and scarf as a set, and I have to admit, I was a little sad.
How I Started
I have been working with yarn and fabric from a young age. I was 10 when my mom taught me how to sew. My first project was a scooter skirt, and the fabric was a loud print of brown and white. I was so proud and excited, and I have been sewing ever since. I took some tailoring classes in high school and have sewn coats, kids and adult clothes, and home decor.
My aunts taught my sisters and me how to crochet when we were quite young. I learned to knit from a neighbor about that same time. Along the way, I have done other types of needlework, such as embroidery and counted cross stitch.
Getting Serious
I crocheted and sewed for many years, until about 15 years ago, when I went full force into knitting. A co-worker was knitting a scarf with Fun Fur—a trendy yarn at the time. I was totally mesmerized with it. I went out to the local craft store and bought several skeins and probably knitted 10 of those scarfs, one after the other. I was obsessed with the colors, the softness, the quickness with which I could make them. I still remember the pattern, too: cast on 11 stitches using size 11 knitting needles and knit back and forth for 22 rows.
After that, I joined a knitting club (suggested to me from another co-worker) where a group of knitters with vast experience met once a week. I was able to learn about the yarns, how to attain the correct gauge, and even learned how to dye yarn using nature as dyes, such as dandelions.
My next project (read: obsession) was a pair of socks. I made about seven pairs that I still have after 15 years. Then I knitted a wool sweater coat using two shades of blue that is so warm. At the same time, I worked on a simple summer top in multi-colored cotton. That was the first time I embellished a project. I crocheted a rose and added it to the left shoulder. I liked that I was able to use knitting and crochet for this top.
Why I Love Creating
Although I’ve enjoyed other needlework, my concentrated design area is in knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Most times, I design as I go. It’s motivating and exciting to work through a project. How the final project will look is not always decided when I start.
To this day, I wake up thinking, “What can I make today?” Before I go to sleep, I think, “What can I make tomorrow?” During the day, I envision MALSignatureDesigns. And, now that I am retired, I can work on MALSignatureDesigns full-time.
Thanking My Family
Thanks to my son, Benjamin, who gifted me with this website for Christmas in 2019. My daughter, Gina, for designing the MALSignatureDesigns logo. My other daughter, Angela, who is working on a marketing brochure. My other son, Adam, who encouraged me to take this on ever since I crocheted him and his wife Katie a cozy blanket. They have all helped to edit my website.
And, lastly, my husband, Perry, who helps me with the photography and setting up tables at craft shows.
How lucky am I?
I hope you come back. There’s so much more I want to show you.
-MaryAnne Lupinetti