Watcha working on? I've stopped working on the fishy cross-stitch for the baby's room because anything having to do with a pattern makes me want to scream right now.
So, I'm currently working on a crocheted baby blanket in squares that will be whip-stitched together. I've already completed one other blanket and hope to have a 3rd done before the baby gets here.
I also spent a day with a friend recently who taught me how to hand-quilt...yay! So, right now I'm machine sewing some blocks together that will eventually be handquilted. I also found a redwork kit that I'm embroidering. Oh, and sickeningly enough, I'm also in the process of deciding what to make for Christmas gifts.
Fill me in on your crafty gossip.
space opera
edit: Scrapbooking! I forgot about that. I've been working on Operaetta's. I like to look at the magazines to get ideas, but eventually they depress me because my pages will never look like that.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I'm resumed working on the quilt I stopped working on when I sliced my finger open with the rotary cutter. Fortunately, it healed up great, without stitches. I don't even think there is going to be a scar, you can barely see it now. So the moral is, if you're going to slice open your finger, do it with a clean, sharp blade. Oh, and make certain you keep it clean and use lots of bacitracin on it.
At any rate, I'm actually selling off a lot of fabric, I'm going to be listing a bunch with Ebay in the next few days. There is a possibility that my daughter Emily may move up to the competition team in gymnastics, and while we have budgeted the amount necessary for her classes this year, competition team requires more money plus a travel budget. So, I'm trying to get some money stashed away in the bank in case it does happen. Even if she doesn't move up this year, the coaches have told me she will most definitely be on the team next year, so saving money away will be of great help regardless.
I've also considered doing some more custom dyeing and selling on Ebay, one of my newest areas of interest is, predictably, leotards. Emily's favorite is a tye-dyed one, and I found a source for dyeable blank leotards so I'm going to try and dye some myself. I've already ordered several of the blanks and am looking forward to having them delivered this week.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
I'm knitting ponchos for each of my daughters for Christmas. The three that live in Idaho/Utah are getting wool ponchos and the two that live here on Maui are getting 100% cotton ones - more trendy than useful, really.
I'm also knitting baby sweaters for the three ladies in my church who are expecting (all boys!) between now and October.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
In between packing, I'm making a little dressy romper-suit for my friend's baby boy-- baby blue with tucks, ribbons, and buttons down the front. That is my ONLY project right now, because I'm not supposed to be working on anything. But at this rate, it's not going to be done before he grows out of it.
I guess in that case it would just have to go to another little baby boy. Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
Still trying to get my "drawn like a 12 yr old" artwork up to snuff. Spent all day drawing on Sunday with mixed results. I learned a new shading technique last week that looks pretty neat, especially for hair. I still have a long way to go though...
Pix
PS: Does this count as Crafty stuff or is it just Artsie stuff?
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
I'm working on an 18x7-inch cross-stich kit from a Charles Wysocki plate collection for my mother (who loves stuff like that). This is the kit.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
whoa Megan, that's an incredibly complex kit. I bet it will be awesome when you're finished.
Pixiest, I don't really draw too much of a line between arts and crafts. I think people who craft are artist just as much as sketchers and painters are. And I'm definitely interested in your stuff.
Hey guys, I'm thinking of trying some dip-dyeing. Something like this.
Do you think that technique might look good on a leotard?
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Yeah, it's the biggest one I've ever done. I've got it on a scrolling frame. My mother will LOVE it; she loves all things country and Amish.
Also, my mom is a big quilter; could you link to your fabric on Ebay? I'm going to send the link to her. Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
My crafting abilities lean toward making jewelry. Right now, I am making a double-stranded amber chip and round garnet necklace with a carved brown "jade" butterfly pendant. It should be a challenge because the pendant doesn't really have holes for a bail so I will have to find a unique way to attach it to the necklace.
However, in the next week or so, I will be learning how to make a sterling silver chainmaille bracelet. I've never really worked on something like this before, but I think it will be fun to try and work my own twist into the piece.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
that's cool larisse, are you making the jump rings out of wire or buying them all ahead of time?
I've started making an effort to catalogue my bead work-- here's what I have so far. Right now I'm gathering supplies for a cool seed bead cuff I saw in an issue of Bead & Button. I can't wait to get started on it.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
I'm trying to make a dress for Sophie, winging it by looking at another dress as the "pattern" I've been stuck at the pleats, though, because my machine doesn't want to sew over the top of them for some reason. And I haven't seemed to have any time as of late.
Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
*sigh*
I'm looking for a project right now...or at least I will be when it cools off enough that I can get out of the house to go shopping when the craft stores are open. I mostly only do counted cross stitch, but I haven't had a project for awhile. I'm ready for a new project.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
sarcasticmuppet.... love your bracelet. Are the two pieces on the chopsticks earrings? (Are those chopsticks?) I couldn't really tell. Very nice beads, especially the green ones.
I started out with seed beads. Now, I work mostly with gemstones and silver. Bead & Button has some very cool projects in there. I like to read through Beadworks myself.
As for the chainmaille, I am using a kit. I have never made my own jump rings, although I have an idea how to do so.
Oh Christy, I know you can do it. Can't wait to see pics of Sophie in her dress.
Belle, I think that dip-dyeing technique would be great on a leotard - very funky.
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
I'm on baby quilt #3 this summer. I also just finished a quilt top in this pattern. (the cover pattern)
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
That is so, so awesome.
What colors did you use?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
My playboy/muflap girl quilt is still rattling around in the back of my mind I have a feeling it may come to pass this fall.
AJ
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
larisse, where did you ghet the chainmail kit?
Belle, I would love to see pics of dyed leos!
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
The site is called UrbanMaille. A jewelry friend of mine sent me there when I asked her about the jumprings she used in her pieces. When I saw the kits, I wanted to try them. I went with the beginner's kit set. (Yes, it is expensive, but my justification is that I will be selling them later on.)
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I'm working on a picture for some friends who are getting married. My favorite new thing is drawing onto dark matboard, and so this is my attempt at the temple they're getting married in. The perspective's a little wonky, but I did it all intuitive so it's usually a bit off. I don't know if the light colors are contrasting enough to make it work.
Posted by kwsni (Member # 1831) on :
Annie, i love working with light on black. It's just easier for me to figure out, or something.
I just finished my brown coat to wear to Serenity. It's pretty. Linky.
Ni!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, this is the pattern I'm using for the little romper I'm making: view F, but in baby blue instead of white. Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I just pulled out some embroidery that I haven't worked on since my daughter was born 7 1/2 months ago. I have a hardanger piece I'm working on, which is pretty neat. I'm also working on two fairly large filet crochet wall hangings for my dad (they were supposed to be last year's Christmas present, oops). I'm nearly finished with that.
Lately I've been devoting most of the little free time that I have to writing, so my other crafts have fallen aside for a bit. It was nice to do some embroidery this evening.
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
I'm currently making this shawl in Blue Heron rayon/metallic yarn, though I can't seem to find the exact colorway I'm using anywhere online. It's all these gorgeous shades of green, blue, purple, and bronze, with a single metallic gold thread twisted through; I absolutely love it. It's my "me project" that I work on in between all the baby stuff I'm making for Space Opera, Jenny Gardener, Mrs. M, another internet friend, and my sister-in-law. It's actually only two items apiece, but with 5 expectant moms it kind of adds up Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I'll say what projects I'm entering at fair in six hours, that's close enough to what I'm working on.
Black dress, halter top, crew type neck, empire waist, circle skirt, butterick retro 57 pattern. I really like it and can't wait to wear it.
Cream chunky skarf and hat, knit, they're really cool, i got them done a few months ago so just ironed them yesterday (they're wool).
White mother of pearl necklace, strung on dental floss, has some beads sticking out at the ends, very pretty.
Pink and lavender shawl, this one was practically the opportunity of a lifetime, I got to use the lady I was puppy sitting for's loom, it's an 8 harness floor loom. I made this five foot long, 18 inch wide shawl out of a really old (but gorgeous) cotton lenen blend.
Scrapbook, I am doing twelve pages all 4-H pictures from my ten years in 4-H. this isn't quite done so I have to get off hatrack and do it.
The next thing I have to work on is Mrs M's baby hat, but I need to search to see what color to make it.
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
Wow-- what a talented bunch of people! It's fun to see what everyone's doing.
Belle, I think dip-dyed leotards would look really neat. I'm curious to know how profitable selling such things are?
I've almost got my latest attempt at knitting a sock completed. I've also been trying a pattern for knitted lace-- it's going okay. They are both kinda on hold for now, I'm helping with props and costumes for the play our local theatre guild is doing this August. Hand-sewing foam is not much fun, my fingers are tired!
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
Oh, and breyerchic, I'm very jealous of your chance to work on the loom. All your stuff sounds gorgeous, good luck at the fair!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I'm currently knitting a cotton tunic with an alternating openwork pattern. The yarn is kind of a turquoisy blue. It's very nearly finished. Perhaps I can find a place to post pictures when it's done.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
ctm, they can be fairly profitable if you're able to buy everything in bulk.
The dyes and chemicals you need for the dyeing process aren't expensive at all, per use, because they're so concentrated you use so little. It's expensive to get started, but I've already bought everything, I need for dyeing and found the cheapest suppliers for the chemicals. (Like getting my soda ash at WalMart in the pool chemical section, very cheap) At one time I calculated that I can dye an item for less than $1.00 in dye and chemical cost, so if you add a buck to the cost of the item, you get your actual cost for dyeing it.
It's the items themselves that get pricey, ready-to-dye garments can be expensive. The leo I've purchased to try out is $10.44 if you order 1-12, the price drops for each quantity of 12 you order, so if you order 60 or more they are $7.72 a piece. I only ordered four to try them out so I had to pay full price. I did what I normally do, and ordered my "test" pieces in sizes that will fit my kids so if I don't sell any, no big deal.
Now, name brand leos sell for more than $40, but that's for high dollar brands with lots of glitter and holographic fabric and other fancy stuff. No way I'll get $40 for one. I like to use the formula "double my cost plus 20 percent" which means I'll probably aim to get around $25 for these. Now, if they look like they'll go well, then I might buy in a bigger quantity, which will lower my cost, and my profit margin will go up.
Then again, I've got local sources, like people that own dance shops, that I know well and I might be able to sell to them in bulk at a wholesale price. That's what I was going to do with hand-dyed velvet scarves, I had a local boutique interested in buying them so I worked out what my wholesale cost would be. My markup would go down, but the quantities I'd sell would mean I could buy in greater bulk and my cost would go down too. Plus it's just as expensive to dye three items the same color as one item, so the more you dye at the same time the cheaper it is.
By the way, I did sell one of my hand-dyed scarves for a huge profit, to a local customer who saw my mom wearing one and asked where she could get one. My mom, the saleswoman, said "I got it from a local artist, she's unbelievable. I could probably get another one, and if you want to come by my office later this week you could pick it up." She told the woman a price more than twice what I was asking for them, and she didn't bat an eye.
Needless to say, Mom has agreed that if I'm going to try and work with the local boutiques again, she'll do the negotiating.
I think I would have done well with the scarves if I had pursued it, but with me starting school and the twins still at home I just wasn't able to work at it regularly enough.
The reason I'm considering it again is that the kids will all be in school this year, and I'm only taking three classes - all of them on Tuesday/Thursday. That means I'll be free from 7-3 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Naturally I'll have to study some, but I still think I'll have time to dye things and list them on Ebay or sell them locally if I want.
Posted by Vána (Member # 6593) on :
I've been taking a class in Chinese brush painting. I love it. It's the only painting/drawing type art style that's ever actually made sense to me, as far as doing it myself. It's pretty amazing to me to see that what turns up on the paper actually looks the way I was intending it to - very unusual. My favorite subject so far has been the koi, those came out really great. Once I have a table to work on at home, I'm going to buy myself some more supplies and do it on my own as well. It's so fun!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
That is so cool, Belle. *adds Belle to list of people to ask if they want to join in the Hatrack Boutique if it's ever organized*
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Think I've posted these here before, but since everybody else has gorgeous pics I wanted to join the fun. These are last year's scarves -
Belle, those are exquisite. Thanks for the business info... I know some people who sell hand-dyed silk scarves, I never asked if it was profitable... I suppose it was enough so to be worth doing. Their scarves in no way compare to yours, though.
Hatrack Boutique is a great idea, kq... wouldn't that be fabulous?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Well, we couldn't call it that, of course. But an online shop is much more viable for many people together than one.
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
Belle- I want to pick your mind about fabric dying. My brother recently took a fiber arts class and he loved the fabric dyeing part. If you don't mind, where do you buy your dyes and the scarves? He really has a knack for it and he'd like to continue but the dyes that we've found in stores locally are limited and very expensive.
KQ- I made the quilt in a reverse color wheel using a line of fabrics called Fairy Frost . You can't tell from the picture but it has a lovely sheen to it.
Kwnsi- Beautiful coat!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
coccinelle, I get my dyes and most of my ready-to-dye clothing and scarves at Dharma Trading. I absolutely love that company. Service is excellent.
They yield beautiful, true colors on cotton (colors shift on silk, so you have to be careful with silk) and they are highly concentrated so you don't need much of them.
What you need to find though is a local source for synthrapol and soda ash (sodium carbonate) both of those are cheap from Dharma, but they're expensive to ship. Soda ash is pretty easy, it's sold in some stores in the laundry section, but I get it in the pool section, it's also a pool chemical. Synthrapol is harder. Try quilt shops, I get mine from a local quilt shop. They tend to be more expensive per bottle, but when you factor in shipping, it might be better to get it locally.
By the way, I love Michael Miller's fairy frost. They are absolutely gorgeous fabrics.
Oh, I forgot to add, a two-ounce jar of dye will last much longer than you think. I only have a few colors that I buy in a larger than 2 ounce size, colors like hot pink and red that I use a lot of. Many of my colors in two ounce sizes have lasted me more than a year.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Oh, how I love to hear about everyone's projects. I'm so jealous of the talent in this thread. Here's something to make you yarn workers cry - My OB told me today that she has an entire herd of angora sheep that she's getting rid of soon. Why? Because in the 5 years she's had them, the only thing she's done with the wool is mulch it in the garden! She said she's just never had the time even to send it out and have it cleaned, etc.
Tonight I'm going to be working on pressing my quilt strips so that I can begin sewing the strips together. If anyone has a good book on basic sewing I'd love to hear about it. This has been the first time I've used a sewing machine since 7th grade!
space opera
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
Angora wool...MULCHED?!?!?
*sobs hysterically*
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
Belle- thanks for the info! I'm going to pass it on to my brother. I'm hoping that he'll teach me what he's learned
Space Opera- Best book on basic sewing- Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. Best book on basic quilting- The Quilter's Ultimate Visual Guide - What quilt pattern are you making?
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Checking it out, larisse!
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Stray, if you know anyone who spins, I used to know of a lady here in town that raises angora sheep, I don't know her name, or phone number, but she lives right by the kirksville fire department, which you could probably find, and ask about. She would just give it to anyone who came to watch her shear.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I have always wanted to spin. I see you can get a spinning wheel for under $200 on ebay, including shipping... Maybe I should take it up.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
larisse, to answer your question way back when--the chopsticks are actually hairsticks.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I just found out that the Southern California Handweavers' Guild rents out looms for $10 a month! How cool is that? Too bad I'll have no space to put one in. Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
That almost makes me want to live in southern California...almost.
I have only had a chance to use a loom once, but it was sure fun. I'm looking forward to when we are able to have a flock of Angora goats and alpacas. Wool, lovely wool .
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
I just bought fabric for my first quilt. This will be the first time I've sewn on a machine in quite a while. I'm going to do the piecing by machine. I have a dumb question about the quilting thing though. I have a dark fabric for the backing of the quilt. But there's lots of light and dark patterns on the front. Do I quilt w/ white thread even though it's going to show up everywhere? Someone mentioned clear thread but won't nylon thread possibly damage the cotton?
My last set of projects was a bunch of dolls that I gave to my friends. http://www.plghetto.org/photos/album14/dolls.jpg These were done by hand because I didn't have a sewing machine at the time.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Nylon thread, not a good idea. At least, not the clear stuff. It's all wiry.
I'd use something dark to match the back. No contrast on the back, and if you quilt small enough won't ruin the front.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
I've been watching the DIY network a lot lately since I took up making jewelry. One of the shows I've started watching, besides the jewelry making show, is Knitty Gritty. Now, I am not a fan of the hostess. She just irritates me. (Although, I do love the color of her hair.) I don't knit at all, but the patterns are just way too fascinating for me to overlook. Anyways, one of the most recent shows involved spinning. It was really cool to see how it was done.
DIY also shows little shorts in between the shows, and they showed one about spinning. It was very cool. Watching it made my fingers "itch" to try it out.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I saw someone doing it at the La Purisima mission when I was little, and I've wanted to ever since. *pines*
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
A friend who spins tried to teach me recently. I couldn't get the hang of it. It was in the middle of a dinner party so it wasn't optimal conditions (the rest of the guests looked at us like we were nuts.) I'd like to try again though. I once watched a friend of a friend spin with a drop spindle, she'd been doing it for years and her yarn was very fine (as in thin), even and perfect. I was in awe.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I got a chance to try out spinning at the Arizona State Fair a few years ago. I only spent a few minutes at it, but I think it's something I could become good at with practice.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Goody's stitching blog Warning, I've been letting quite a few more rants go off there than I used to, so there may be some language and possibly controversial topics.
Status pages for each of my major works in progress are along the right side with bars to represent approximate progress.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
anybody know a good source for natural wool yarns? I just purchased some merino from Ebay but I wondered if there was a better source for quality yarns.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Coccinelle, thanks for the suggestions. I'll put both of those of my Christmas wish-list for my family. I'm not really doing a pattern (though I can't wait to do a Log Cabin). The friend who taught me already had some large blocks cut, so she gave them to me and told me to start simply. So, it's basically just a baby print block, white block, baby print pattern.
A quilting store in a neighboring town is holding a beginner's quilting demonstration this Saturday which I'm planning to attend. It's basics like cutting fabric, etc. which I think will be helpful.
Sarah - those dolls are adorable!
Belle, if you go to mothering.com and search through the crafts forums I'm quite sure you can find links to some great sources for wool through there.
space opera
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I think every Chinese person I've ever known was a fabulous knitter. Curious.
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Wow, there are a lot of talented people here!
I'm looking for a needlepoint or cross stitch for the baby's room, but I haven't really found anything that I like.
They also just opened a knitting store close to my house and I signed up for a class. I love cardigans and I'd love to be able to make them for the Ladybug.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Mrs. M, this is the one I sort of have in mind for when I ever do one for a baby.
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Wow I want to do this one. Too bad I'm just about 1/4 of the way through my cross stitch.
Yes, I do realize that I'm a grad student. I know I know I should focus. But crafts are so much more fun and doable than my PhD.
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
quote:Originally posted by sarahdipity: I just bought fabric for my first quilt. This will be the first time I've sewn on a machine in quite a while. I'm going to do the piecing by machine. I have a dumb question about the quilting thing though. I have a dark fabric for the backing of the quilt. But there's lots of light and dark patterns on the front. Do I quilt w/ white thread even though it's going to show up everywhere? Someone mentioned clear thread but won't nylon thread possibly damage the cotton?
1. Adorable dolls!
2. There is no rule that says your quilting has to blend in. However, you want to consider the entire design of the quilt when you decide what color thread to quilt with. Some things to consider...
The qulting showing up on the back is just as much a part of the design as the front. Judges in quilting competitions look at the back and how the design fits with it as well. I've seen many quilts where the back was a dark color and the quilting was in a lighter color. It can be breathtaking if the quilting is done well. It can be a mess if not.
Are you going to machine or hand quilt? Hand quilting lends itself to white thread as it's the more traditional way to go. That said, there are no steadfast rules. It's a design decision.
Do you want the quilting to blend with the top? Are you doing straight lines or "stitch in the ditch"? This can be a pretty bland design and might not be something you want to show up on the back. You could change colors of quilting thread in different areas of the quilt. If machine quilting, I've seen quilters use different colors on the top and bottom threads so that they blend on both sides. Of course, your tension has to be perfect for that to work.
On nylon thread- Nylon thread tangles and curls easily. It requires a looser tension on the machine. I've seen quilts where it blends in and looks very nice. I've also seen quilts where it looks tacky. It shines so that can make a difference. They make a smokey color that looks transparent on dark fabrics. If you're making a utility quilt (one that will be used often) don't use the nylon thread. It doesn't stand up to the wear and tear. Cotton/Poly threads are much more durable.
To sum up: It's a design decision. You decide what looks best with the design you've chosen. If you're doing pretty quilting then the fact that people can see it against the dark back is just a bonus. If you want the quilting to stand out over the pieced pattern but blend with the back, then consider a darker color.
I'm sure that's more than you really wanted to know Good luck! I'm sure it will be beautiful!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I agree with Coccinelle, but have one more suggestion - have you thought about a variegated thread? They're a bit more expensive but you might find one that blends with all the colors well and doesn't stand out too much.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I love reading experts talk about their field. *admires Coccinelle's posting*
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
I bought a drop spindle kit with some roving from a llama farm near me, but wasn't all that great at spinning. The lady who owns the farm let me try out her spinning wheel, but I was even worse on that. I suppose I'd probably get pretty good with the drop spindle if I practiced more, but I'd really rather knit.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I have a spinning wheel, but I haven't used it in ages.
Posted by Pixie (Member # 4043) on :
We seem to have some experts in here!
I have two fairly big projects that I'm working on at the moment - one is a scrapbook to hold some of the 700+ photos I took on my trip through Europe, the other is my first quilt.
I did all of the cutting in mid-June, and I'm now terrified that after all of the washing and drying and trimming threads so the fabric wouldn't unravel that I'm going to terribly botch up with the sewing. I don't have anyone guiding me so I'm just going off of books here but if anyone (coccinelle? ) could give me a few pointers I would greatly appreciate it. I'm not following a real pattern, I actually made that up myself as well - it's a big quilt (7' x 5'6"), with a 6 in. border running all the way around and diamonds in three differents colors for the rest of it and then just one big plain back. Plain and simple but still pretty and will fit the wear and tear I think it's going to get. I haven't cut the border or back yet since I want to get the real size of the center first, but there are a few triangles between the border and the diamonds which I'm particularly worried about sewing properly (that and just corners in general).
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
Pixie 1. Did you wash the fabric after you cut it? 2. Have you already cut the diamonds?
I might not be able to respond this evening in library doing research) but I do have some pointers that I'll be happy to share
Edit: Help me get an idea about what type of diamonds you're talking about- squares turned "on point"
I have to thank Belle again for methioning Dharma trading company on Hatrack. I bought the fabric for my wedding veil there and it was so perfect. (That was the third veil I made -- the first two fabrics (one bought locally and one ordered online) were just not quite right.)
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Pixie,
Yay having yours cut! I started cutting mine tonight and it's going to take me a while to get the hand of the rotary cutter.
Thanks for all the great advice. I'm going to worry about piecing it but at least that gives me something to think about while I cut things forever.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
dkw I didn't remember that! I'm glad you got something that you liked there, and the veil was gorgeous.
Pixie, you have any pics? Be careful with rotary cutters, all! *looks down at healing finger*
Only advice I can offer about machine piecing is be sure to do lots of tests to make certain that the quarter-inch seam line on your machine is set correctly. I also used a permanent marker and a ruler to extend mine so when I'm piecing I can be sure to keep the fabric straight along that line. Consistent 1/4 inch seams are necessary if you want everything to line up perfectly and look sharp and crisp.
As for the corners, be sure to stop your machine, leave the needle in the fabric, then pivot the fabric in the other direction before continuing to sew. That will ensure you get a nice tight turn.
There's some diagrams here that may help.
Posted by Pixie (Member # 4043) on :
Thanks for the link and the tip on the corners, Belle! I'm sorry I don't have any pictures, but I'll have to lay out all of the pieces again before I start sewing so I'll take one then. I'll give you a hint, though - it's made up of blues, blacks/grays, and whites/light-beiges with a bright maroon/burgundy back so... it isn't really "pretty", but it's not bad-looking either (it's also for BlackFox so I tried to make it something he won't get teased too much over in the barracks ). I'm really pleased with the details or patterns on the pieces themselves, though - subtle vines and leaves on all but a few and even those continue the winding or dots found on the rest.
Coccinelle, I'm using what are apparently technically called "squares turned on point". I figured doing anything but squares would turn out horribly. Washed them before I cut to keep from shrinking but, yes, already cut them.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I just saw what ribbons my projects got at the fair.
The black halter top dress got a red ribbon "second place," it wasn't perfect, the hem was pretty bad, I'll re do it to wear.
The scrapbook got blue and honor, which is good, I think I was third in the class of 12, which is even better.
Woven Shawl got reserve champion in baskets, weaving, and spinning class, the winner was a gorgeous red white and blue reed basket.
Knit hat and skarf got reserve champion to a really awesome knit teddy bear.
(not crafts but my cat and dog both have gotten reserve champions so far too).
Posted by CT (Member # 8342) on :
Congratulations, breyerchic!
quote:Originally posted by kwsni: I just finished my brown coat to wear to Serenity. It's pretty. Linky.
Ni!
kwsni, that is absolutely fabulous. I'm stunned.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I have a cross stitch sampler I started two years ago that I am only just completing.
(I've only been stitching off and on - it's been abandoned for months at a time).
It's for my little sister, and is all animals - she is animal, and dog in particular crazy.
I'll post a picture when I'm done. I'm pretty proud of it. Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Congratulations Breyerchic! That's awesome.
Coccinelle, I thought about you and your brother when I was browsing Ebay. I found listings by a seller who sells dye kits like this one.
They're procion dyes, like the ones I use, and she includes synthrapol and soda ash in the kit.
Now just by looking, I'd say that's not enough soda ash. You use much more soda ash than you do dye - for example for a typical yield in a vat dye you'd use a tablespoon of dye per gallon of water, but a cup of soda ash.
But, it's a nice way to get several colors to try out. If you bought the smallest size of those dye colors from dharma it would run you well over $20.
I did the math and she must have a better source than me, or else she buys the dyes by the pound, because I couldn't make a profit selling kits like that for that price.
Posted by Pixie (Member # 4043) on :
As of an hour ago I've handsewn the entire pattern of my quilt . I'm really proud of it and have become very attached to it. My biggest lesson so far has been to never estimate the allowances needed on triangles - I barely had the extra 1/4" on the hypotenuses.
After I attach the border (how much of an allowance do I need for that and the back?), I'd like to continue with the handsewing for the actual quilting, but I'm not sure how to do the right stich for that, or quite sure how to neatly secure the edges once I've layered in the batting. I've read a few things, but they all include complicated words like "applique" and make me forget what I'm reading about. Should any of the fair quilting matrons and gurus of Hatrack have any tips, I would be more than willing to pay homage to their excellence and wisdom henceforth .
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
When do we see pics?
Oh, and as a personal update - I dyed the leotards and they came out pretty, but didn't work well in gymnastics practice. For one thing, it was lower cut in the front than the leotards she normally wears, and Emily didn't like it. So she decided to just keep it for practice at home.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
I had to scrap the baby quilt. The squares that my friend had given me were so badly cut that I couldn't sew the strips together correctly - even she advised me to give it up.
I bought some cute Disney Princess fabric, which I cut and began machine quilting as a wall hanging for Operaetta's bedroom. Wow, lining things up is much more difficult than I thought! I got the hang of it by the bottom, so there's a bit of crookedness in the beginning and middle. However, now it's time to bind it and I've been putting that off for a week.
I've also planned (with the help of my mother-in-law) Christmas gifts for my 2 sisters. I'll be making 2 Christmas pillows for each of them and a quilted holiday coaster with a jar filled with spice tea. I've already got the fabric from a Christmas in July sale.
Oh, and I also bought a cool book called Felt Wee Folk which shows you how to make the most adorable tiny fairies and people. Someone stop me now before I start sewing people vacuum covers shaped like cows.
space opera
edit: stupid letters
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I think I'm going to bring one of my stitching projects to the Bloomington barbecue this weekend. Probably won't work on it at all, but at least I can show off. =)
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I need some advice and opinions, please.
Okay, my cousin and his wife just found out they are expecting a baby, and since they live in Virginia and we don't get a chance to see them often, our family has all decided to have a baby shower for them during our family reunion on labor day weekend.
I like to make baby gifts rather than purchase them but with school starting and my father and stepmom coming in town soon I don't have much time. I found a project that looks quick and takes very little fabric - it's a diaper duffle. Look here.
We don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl yet. So, I need suggestions. would you use yellow or pale green fabric? I even thought about a fine wale courdoroy. You think that would work, or should I just stick with a cotton broadcloth?
What type of embroidery designs? The bunnies like in the example? I really like these baby toy borders but they are pretty gender-specific, aren't they?
If I knew the gender I'd use one of these baby fashions designs. But alas, none of them will work in this case.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
If you can find a fabric with lots of pastel colors (I recall a pastel rainbow plaid when I was working for Joann Fabrics) then you don't have to worry about gender issues. If I remember, that fabric was a cotton flannel, if that matters any.
As for the embroidery, on the site you linked the blocks and ducks are (to me) non-specific. These also look to be for machine embroidery, which is a consideration - make sure the patterns are compatible with your machine.
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
I think the bunny is adorable and the diaper duffel is a great idea. I probably wouldn't use courdory - it's more of a fall/winter fabric.
I would also use pale green. I've never understood why yellow is considered a neutral color - it seems feminine to me.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
The only reason I was thinking corduroy was because I wanted a substantial fabric that would hold its shape better and still be soft to the touch. And I was planning on a really fine wale, the type you use for baby clothing.
You might be right, Mrs. M, I'll just go look at the fabric store and see what I can find. Goody, I'm safe on any machine embroidery design because I have software that converts. And I've ordered from that place before. Good point though, it's something everyone should consider!
Mrs. M, I kinda agree with you - if I did a yellow and white nursery, for example, I would assume it was for a girl.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
Haven't worked any more on the dress and I just bought fabric for curtains to decorate our finished attic. I want to make a magnetic wall for Sophie and a little art/activity area. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be cool(est)?
Ideas so far:
Magnetic wall Felt board on wall
Activity table w/ gearello -- pegboard gears Duplo Thomas train set (my mom is getting Sophie some of the trains, so I figure we're going to need a setup) Tabletop puppet theater
The Duplo/gearello also come in wall mounted/magnetic forms, but I'm guessing they'd be more fun on a table. I figure we'd rotate what is out on the activity table and use it for an art table as well.
Eventually I'd also like to add a dress-up bin/box and there is a little nook that we have stuffed animals in right now that I've thrown a sheet over to make a hideway tent.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Christy, I think those are all great ideas! One thing I would definately add to the dress-up clothes is a set of play silks. They can be used for dress-up, blankets for dolls, practically anything. atoygarden.com has ones that are well-made and cheap.
On days you don't mind running the vacuum, you can also add a rice or bean table as well. Kids usually love to play in those with a few cups and spoons. You can also throw some small plastic animals in there for her to find.
space opera
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I love the bean table idea, especially with the excavation suggestion! Obviously you need to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't try to eat anything, though rice and beans would digest in time.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Bed rest leaves a lot of time to craft!
I finally finished the Disney princess wall hanging for Operaetta's bedroom the other day with the help of my mother-in-law. It looks really cute in her room, especially up against the newly-painted pink walls.
Last night I finished my neice's birthday present. Her first birthday is this week, and since I can't go to the party I at least wanted to ship her gift. I sewed her a cloth book (the pre-printed material you can buy at Wal-Mart) and then together Mr. Opera and I made her a set of four wooden gnomes. They are absolutely adorable; I should have taken a picture of them before sending them off this morning! Mr. Opera turned the bodies on his wood lathe (just simple wooden pegs) and then I made capes and pointed hats out of felt which I embroidered. They're just the right size for little hands to carry around.
Lately I've also been working on crocheting Operaetta a Care Bear for Christmas. So far I've got the rough head, body, and arms done. I think it will be really cute!
What's everyone else working on?
space opera
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
The bean table is a great idea! Although, I may try a large shallow tupperware. She has a sand and water table for outside that she absolutely loves and she's always rubbing her food over her high chair tray. *laugh*
Yeah, I really want a costume/dress up box, but I'm going to wait until she's a little older. She liked the scarves at her music class and I've been meaning to make her one of those, too.
Working on the curtains today. Painting's done -- woot! Sophie loves the magnetic wall -- yay!
Sounds like you've been keeping busy, SO! How wonderful!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I used the polka dots on yellow for one side, the polka dots on green for the other and bound it with the purple stars fabric. The yellow side had an appliqued baby elephant out of the green fabric and the green side had an apppliqued baby giraffe.
It was pretty cute when all was said and done.
Anyway, right now I'm working on a purse for my daughter and a dance bag for the other one.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Still working on the same big cross stitch projects... but if things go well I can probably have the memorial piece done this month.
And now the yarns are starting to call my name after the shawl suggestions recently.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I've put cross-stitch aside for a while and have gone knitting crazy.
It's a whole new world of needles, cotton, wool, angora, possum fur (!) and so on - and I'm loving it.
Oh, and Home of the Brave, as long as i'm at it.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Well done Goody!
I accidentally went to Lincraft the other day when they had a 50% off yarn sale.
Um, oops?
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I wanted to let you guys know that next week, the 17th through the 21st, Ebay will be having auctions of handmade items to benefit breast cancer.
If you are interested in donating something, let me know, I can put you in touch with the group that's sponsoring it.
If you're interested in buying something, I'll remind everyone next week when it starts, there will be some beautiful items for sale and all the money benefits breast cancer research.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Imogen, it's only oops if you spent more than you had available... otherwise it's woohooo sale!
And Belle, I'm definitely interested in buying. Don't have anything available to donate at the moment.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Goody, you do amazing work. Both of those are gorgeous.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I recently became interested in these felted wool patterns for knitting/crocheting. I went to Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and the Super JoAnn fabrics and none of them had any patterns yet! Not sure if they had the right kind of yarn, either. I guess I should look for a real yarn store. I might be going to Indianapolis on Sunday, come to think of it. Might be a store there. Bet yarn stores wouldn't be open on Sundays, though.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
A lot of quilt shops have felted wool patterns now, Theca.
Most craft stores are not open on Sundays, you're probably right.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I know there are at least two yarn stores in Indy, not sure where they are or if they are open on Sunday, though I was sort of thinking about looking them up because I will be there on Friday, so if i do, I'll post here. Also, i recently got a www.knitpicks.com catalog, and they have free patterns, and some good wool yarn for less than I think it is at most stores, but I haven't bought any yet (my grandma has in the past and says they're good).
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I don't really get what felting is - anyone care to explain?
Goody - you're right.
Hmmm, I also got an interweave knitting magazine subscription yesterday (only $28 US - including international deilvery!) and I love the subsciption only bit of their website.
I think I am not going to buy any more yarn unless it's for a specific project. I have enough balls of "but it's so beautiful and such a good bargain" stuff now. Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Felting is when you take wool and put it in the washer (though I think there are otherways) and it shrinks up, I'll look for you a link tommorow when I'm on a faster connection.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Felting is awesome; I really love the look of it. I'm making a felted tote for my mother-in-law for Christmas, which will be my first felting project. I second the recommendation of knit picks; I bought some merino wool there for super-cheap.
After the first of the year I'd like to start a project for myself. I've recently fallen in love with alpaca yarn, so I'd like to do something with that - I just need to find the right pattern.
Thanks, Boon!
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I found a link describing an awesome yarn store here in Fort Wayne. It is supposed to be in this big old store and people drive from two hours away to shop and take classes there. *Bounce* I can't wait to check it out. I don't think I've ever been in a real yarn store before. I did most of my projects back when I had more free time when I was living in a small Texas town. No good stores there.
Here is a question: My sister in law is now 10 weeks pregnant. They plan to find out if it is a girl or a boy, but that won't be for awhile. They live in hot, humid East Texas. What kind of knitted/crocheted patterns are appropriate? My mom advises me to just not make anything at all besides the large baby blanket I already made years ago for this first child. But I can't sew clothing. I want to knit or crochet more stuff! Baby is due in April.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Oh, I've heard of that store! or in the context of my grandma telling my aunt to stop there the next time she goes to Ft Wayne (they live in Hartford City).
I like making hats out of baby cottons, my favorites are Bernat Cottontots and KnitPicks Crayon looks really good but i haven't ordered it yet.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Theca, the baby won't be able to play with them for awhile, but I love little crocheted balls. They're soooo easy to make and so soft for baby to hold and eventually throw. If you'd like I can send you a pattern; I'm making our baby-to-be a few for Christmas.
space opera
edit: breyerchic, Mr. Opera is originally from Hartford City...small world!
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
wo it is a teeny world! Did he go to high school there? if so it's likely he knows some relative of mine, my grandpa had 11 siblings who all lived there, so I have cousins (some several levels removed) from 60 to 10 that live in the area.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Yep - he went to school there. His parents and most of his extended family still live there. If you want, e-mail me some of your relatives names for fun and I'll see if he knows of them. Probably so, since HC is so tiny!
space opera
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
If you're interested in felting check out this book (it just came from my book club): Felted Crochet by Jane Davis. There are over 20 projects and most of them are pretty nice. It also has an excellant description of exactly what felting is and how to do it by hand and with the washer.
Yesterday Mr. Opera, kids, and I went to a Fiber Festival in the next town over. I bought a needle felting kit to make Christmas decorations with and 2 big balls of natural roving so that Operaetta and I can make little animals. I'll let you know how it turns out; the lady said it was really easy.
space opera
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I have just started a yahoo group for jatraquera's to sell their hand made items, and others to buy them, feel free to join, use responisbly, I may list a few of my knit projects from time to time, join even if you don't craft, there might be something you want, price however you want, to make a profit, cover expenses, or whatever.
I went to that yarn store the other day. It WAS really nice. I ended up buying that felting book but haven't had time to look at it yet.
SO, I would be interested in the crocheted ball pattern, when you have time.
Breyerchic, what if some people want to just show off their projects on the site, but not buy or sell items?
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Thats fine with me too Theaca. That can be done here though, so I didn't mention it, but there's no problem with it.
I have a pattern somewhere for crocheted hacky-sacks, but I'm not sure where, my grandma makes them, they wouldn't be appropriate for a baby though.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Theca, I just pulled it out, so here in a second I'll e-mail it to you. I made a ball in part of an evening and it turned out really cute.
In case anyone wants to know, needle felting is fun! I was able to make a snowman decoration for the tree (about 5 inches high) in around 40 minutes. I'm sure it will go even quicker next time. The only bad thing is that you have to be careful not to stab your fingers, which of course I did. I'm not sure of letting Operaetta give it a try - Mr. Opera says "yes" but I'm not so sure. She'll definately need a lot of supervision and have to be VERY careful.
space opera
edit: Theca, I didn't realize your e-mail wasn't listed. Send me one and I'll reply back with the pattern
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I never saw your last post! I'm putting my email back in the profile (I put it in and take it out again regularly) and emailing you also. I'd love that ball pattern if you can find it again, no hurry.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
*bump*
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Theca, I'm glad you bumped! I'll get that pattern out to you tomorrow. It's soooo easy and they're really cute - I made Space Space Baby and my nephew a couple for Christmas.
space opera
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
SO, I'd love that pattern too. I want to make some for work.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Ball Pattern
H hook, worsted weight yarn - 1 band color, 1 stripe color
Ch 2 Rd 1- 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook Rd 2- sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc around (12 sc) Rd 3- Repeat Rd 2 (18 sc) Rd 4- sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc around (24 sc) Rd 5- Repeat Rd 4 (32 sc) Rd 6- sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc around (40 sc) Rds 7-9- sc in each sc around (40 sc)
Switch to stripe color (join with a sc)
Rds 10-12- sc in each sc around - finish off leaving a long tail
Make the second half of the ball by repeating Rds 1-9 in main color. Finish off.
With tail left from stripe color of first half of ball, join both halves together with a whipstitch around, stuffing ball with polyfill before completely closing.
Enjoy!
space opera
edit: You know what would be neat? Using wool to make one of these balls and felting it in the washer. I might try that soon.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Yes--I was planning to make nice soft ones for the babies, but a bigger, sturdier felted one for my cat! I think he'll love it. I'll probably make a cat one first, actually, since he's here and my niece isn't even born yet.
Thanks for the pattern!
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Thank you!!
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I've started knitting and so far, so good. I'm working with a kind of funky yarn that really hides flaws and looks great.
I started Saturday, dropped a stitch Sunday after about 8-10 inches and unwound the whole thing and started over. I've got about 2 feet done now.
I am seriously impressed with myself. Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:ERROR The requested URL could not be retrieved
My mother-in-law taught me how to knit a few years ago. I made my son an awesome Harry Potter scarf, just like they wore in the first movie.
But I never really enjoyed the knitting that much, and it hurt my hands.
Last year, a friend taught me to crochet. Much better! It doesn't hurt my hands, the work goes so much quicker, mistakes are easy to pull out, and it is more fun! I keep inventing new things to make. Today, I made myself a kind of scarf shaped like a mobius strip. It is made of this funky yarn called "Boa" that looks like feathers when you work it. I'm going to wear it tomorrow with my skirt and sweater.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Tante: was that error from my link?
You can also see the project in my blog. (For the date of Jan. 15, 2006.)
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I'm going to have to keep Cayla away from the "Boa" yarn - she'll want that, for sure. Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Thanks for the blog link picture. That does look like a fun yarn.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Um, wait, it's the 16th already? Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
CaySedai, that scarf looks yummy! Are you really finding that yarn easy to work with? My daughter was knitting with yarn like that and she found it really frustrating... although it hides mistakes well, she found it too easy to pick up extra stitches... I guess counting after each row would solve that problem...
This winter I've knitted 2 nice warm hats from alpaca yarn (so soft, not itchy at all!), one for my son and one for me. I'm also working on a pair of socks for my daughter (got one almost done) and a lacey scarf, also for my daughter.
Tante, your mobius scarf sounds cool...
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
That yarn is probably very hard for beginners. It's just too hard to see specialty yarns properly. However, CaySedai's scarf looks to be made with a very large needle size. That helps a great deal.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
You know, I'm beginning to be tempted by the thought of having a craft blog where I can put my pictures of my projects and so on. But that might be too much work for me to keep it up. But the knitting blogs I've seen do look neat.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Every few years my crafty urges overcome my lack of time, so this Christmas I spent several weeks madly crocheting scarves for family presents. But for now I'm bored with crocheting, so I'm planning on knitting a sweater-vest for a friend who recently complained that she can't find any sweater-vests in stores.
I know the basics of knitting, and I've been doing some pretty complicated crocheting for years, so I'm pretty sure I can teach myself the knitting stuff I don't know from books and whatnot. But this is the first time I've knitted/crocheted an actual garment where the gauge really matters for fit, so it'll be a fun challenge. I've decided on the pattern, but I'm still shopping around for the perfect yarn...I have to keep suppressing my overly-ambitious creative instincts so I don't choose a yarn that's a wildly different weight.
I do have a question about needles, though - thus far I've only used the Wal-Mart metal needles. Is there any particular advantage to using wooden/bamboo/plastic/whatever needles instead? Or is it mostly just personal preference?
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Oh, the wooden ones are supposed to hold onto the yarn better, so they don't slip right off. But they cost more, so I've never tried them. As long as your gauge is right, it shouldn't matter which needles you choose.
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
In my experience, the wood ones do hold the yarn better, but if I'm doing a bigger project where I'm doing a simple pattern for a whole row I find the wood slows me bit, the yarn doesn't slip along as easily.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Hmm...well, maybe I'll just get metal ones to start off, and if I'm having slippage problems I'll try wooden ones. I think I also read something about bamboo being a little more flexible and therefore easier on your hands, but the ones I've seen are even more expensive than wood.
Also, does anyone here knit socks? I'd like to try making those too since they'd be a smaller commitment than, say, a sweater, but I'm a bit intimidated by the patterns I've seen - double-pointed vs. circular needles, and I never realized a sock has so many parts before! Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I made one sock. That's all.
There are awesome sock patterns out there, I'm still tempted. They do take a lot of work and you need just the right yarn to do it justice. Double pointed needles aren't really that hard, once you try it out.
I made mittens and mitts instead the past few monhs, plus hats and scarves. The mittens are smaller than socks, with less "parts" and it's a good way to learn double pointed needles. Mitts are even faster than mittens, they are like half mittens with the fingers open to the air. They are actually pretty neat.
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
I've been knitting socks for a couple years, and have only completed one pair! My first few attempts ended up rather un-sock-like (except maybe for a person with balloon feet. So I unraveled them and tried again. I find them a bit of a challenge but I'm finally getting the hang of it. Don't be intimidated!
The good thing about socks is they are small, easily portable projects that you can work on anywhere, and for most of the sock it doesn't take much brain power. But turning the heel is the tricky part and does require concetration.
I use double-pointed needles, wood ones so the sock doesn't slip off. I've been using a sock pattern I got for free off the internet, at sweaterscapes.com I think. There are books on knitting socks. You may want to look for a pattern that lets you start at the toe and work your way up, I've heard it's easier to get a good fit that way.
Just find a good, basic pattern and take your time!
Posted by Lynx (Member # 8760) on :
I'm crocheting a huge blanket for my sister that was supposed to be a christmas present. Hopefully I will finish it before I see her! I've been making cording,trim and jewelry with a lucet, and I've been working on some wood burning. Next I want to get my hands on an inkle loom. My husband got me an amazing sewing machine for christmas but I haven't used one in... at least 12 years so I'm taking some classes before I attempt anything! I'm involved with the SCA so the first things I'll be sewing will likely be garb.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I've been knitting a year, I've made tons of scarves, quite a few hats, some purses (two huge felted ones), and a baby sweater. I've been using circular needles for my hats for a while, but when I got to the decrease I was just using them as straight needles, and had a two inch seam, at christmas I learned to use Double Pointeds, and they're fun, still haven't done socks, but I'm getting there (they should be next), the yarn is thinner, so it's harder for me to make sure it's straight when making the circle.
My aunt gave me a sock pattern that you start at the top, but instead of a normal sock, you make a tube sock, since supposedly turning a heel is hard, she hasn't done that yet either.
[ January 16, 2006, 12:26 PM: Message edited by: breyerchic04 ]
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
ctm: I have picked up an extra stitch a couple of times, but the next row I combined two to make them go together. I also dropped a stitch once this time around, but transferred the completed stitches back to the other needle until I got to that loop and just put it on the needle, then transferred the stitches back and went on from there.
I realize that's probably not the way to do it, but it still looks good.
I'm using US13/9mm plastic needles. That brand (Penn) was on sale at Hancock Fabrics (half price). The person at Hancock Fabrics who showed Cayla and me how to knit said to use bigger needles. She meant even bigger than the US12 and US13 size needles that we got. The yarn label suggests using 6.5mm size needles, IIRC. I can't find the label right now, but I'll check and correct this later.
Yarn Bee yarns are half price at Hobby Lobby this week, so I'm going to stock up just a little. Other yarns and needles and so on are also on sale.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
It probably does want 6.5 mm, lots of yarns do, I always use 13 or 15 wit those for making scarves. What you do when you drop a stitch, is grab it down there with a crochet hook, and if it's several rows back, you work it through the lines that are there now (pull it through, I'm not sure how to explain it), then put it back on the needle, if it's on the current row, you did it right.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Oh, it's on sale? I made a great hat last week. I maybe should look at the yarn this week, see if I want more colors. Also I need some baby yarn, maybe that will be on sale too.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
I got some knitting stuff for Christmas, but haven't had the time yet to sit down and give it a try. Hopefully I'll be able to this week!
I have an *adorable* crochet pattern for a felted hedgehog that I want to make Space Space Baby. I also have a care bear to finish for Operaetta (was supposed to be a Christmas gift...oops!) and another one to begin for my niece's birthday.
Do any of you scrapbook? I've been working on Operaetta's baby book for ages - I got the chance yesterday to sit down and sort out some pictures. After that I need to do Boy Opera's, and I also have a Disney one from our trip to complete.
So many crafts, so little time!
space opera
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I did a scrapbook about my senior year in high school, and one for my 10th year in 4-H (going through the years and projects), I'm going to do one just of my friends now.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
CaySedai, that yarn is just tooo awesome looking! Mind if I add your blog to my blogroll?
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
My problem with new projects is that I always want to skip the baby steps and go straight for the cool stuff. Hence I was originally wanting to do an argyle project when I've never knitted anything with multiple colors before...luckily, I realized that that's probably not feasible for me just yet. At least, not when I want to get the vest done by my friend's birthday in March.
ctm, the wooden needles for socks sounds like a smart idea - I'd probably only work on them infrequently, so I know I'd be upset if they slipped off while I wasn't looking.
I started a scrapbook of my 2002 semester in London right after I'd gotten back home...but I haven't finished it yet. I have all this non-photo stuff I'd saved all semester too, receipts and postcards and ticket stubs, all sorted by country and everything. Someday, it will get done - and then I'll have to do a 2004 one for my other semester there!
*sigh* So many projects... Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I use bamboo needles, which yeah are more expensive, but are so much more fun to use, my circulars are metal, but either the painted ones or the really fast ones.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I do some scrapbooking (along with crocheting, knitting, embroidery, etc). I have some pictures of my latest pages on my blog. I've been trying to set aside one day a week to work on scrapbooking, so that I don't get any further behind. Here are the ones I'm currently working on:
Baby (Cerra's first year, plus her birthdays) Fiction Publication (Pages for my fiction publishing credits, plus any reviews) Christmas College 1 (Freshman year) College 2 (Sophomore year) Family (everything that doesn't fit into one of the more specific books)
I still need books for three of those. Are there any places where you can get nice scrapbooks (12X12) that aren't too expensive? Most of the prices I've seen are insane.
--Mel
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Have you tried ebay, Mel? I bought most of my stamps on ebay for quite a lot less than I would have paid Stampin' Up. Stamp pads too.
I especially liked the hiking pages layouts. I tend to like the simpler layouts best and that one turned out lovely.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
quote:Originally posted by Goody Scrivener: CaySedai, that yarn is just tooo awesome looking! Mind if I add your blog to my blogroll?
Be my guest. Where is your blog? (I've got links to Hatrack blogs in my Bookmarks.)
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I finished a jumper for my sister for Christmas - chunky yarn on 10mm needles. I'll try and post a picture sometime.
Now I'm making myself a cabled vest for work for winter (to wear over my shirts): very very small cap sleeves (just ribbing really) and v-neck. It's in a grey-purpley tweedy wool with flecks of different colours through. It looks much nicer than it sounds. Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Mine is here, and I think I linked it earlier in this thread as well... Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
Thanks, jeniwren. I feel like I'm just starting to get the hang of what makes a nice layout.
I took a look at Ebay, and there are some nice-looking books there. I'm just a little bit worried about being able to see it before buying. The reason is that I bought an album that claims it is 12X12, but it is really 11.75 X 11.75. It was only $5, so I'm not too angry, but I don't want any more like that. Is this a common thing, or should I only be wary of this company (Pioneer)?
--Mel
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
I don't know...I make cards more than anything else, though I have done a little scrapping. I like doing it, just don't have very much experience. Is it a big problem if the album is off by a quarter inch?
If you're unsure about what you might be interested in on ebay, email the lister. If they've got good feedback, you should get a decent response. I've had nothing but really good experiences with crafters on ebay. If you're not totally sure, you could go to your local craft store, find the brands you like, then look for them specifically while shopping on ebay.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
My 12x12 scrapbook paper is actually 12 by 12, just measured it. I don't have an album to check, my current working album is 6x6. It's not big of a problem except you have to cut to fit. I had to use 8.5 by 11 for 4-H albums, and that's a pain, since the paper is more expensive than 12 x 12 paper.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
That's just it. All of the paper that I have is truly 12X12. The problem with that quarter inch was that I didn't know about it until I had already made three pages. Luckily, I was able to shave all four sides without it looking too bad, and now for that book I cut the paper down before I begin. I don't want to have to do that all the time, though.
I've seen some album brands advertise that they have true 12X12 pages, which look promising. I guess you're right: I just need to do my research before buying anything.
--Mel
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I finished two scarves - one long one for an adult and a shorter, skinnier one for a child. They are for specific people and have been sent on their way.
Nice work! Those knit up very quickly, you must be speedy. Speedier than me and my eternal socks, anyway.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
I'm working on ponchos for my daughters. I made a hooded "outside wear" type poncho for my daughter who lives in Idaho first. I've already given it to her, and didn't take a picture first. I made it last Spring and gave it to her for Christmas. She's since gotten pregnant, and likes the fullness of it. I had plenty yarn left over (it's an acrylic/wool blend and very soft and warm), so I made a hooded baby sweater to match.
For my daughters who live in Hawaii, I'm making more "trendy - wear inside of air conditioned building" ponchos made out of cotton yarn. I'm into more assymetrical patterns, so I like how this one hangs off center. I'm almost finished with a black one for my younger daughter.
My oldest daughter, who lives in Utah, saw the white one when she was visiting and said she wants one too, so as soon as I finish the black cotton one, I'll make hers out of a rose colored acrylic/wool blend. I think it will look nice.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
Years ago, when I had my second daughter (the one who's now expecting my grandson), a neighbor of mine had just had her first child. This friend of mine was from Wales, and her mother came to visit when she had her baby, and brought scads of hand knitted sweaters and things. I guess knitting is very big in Wales, because all of her mother's friends had made things for her. When my baby came, she 'shared the wealth' and gave me two beautifully knitted sweaters.
A few years later, when my third daughter was born, a lady at my church gave me another hand knitted sweater for her (she was also British... I've come to associate knitting with British women, I'm afraid). This wonderful lady (her name was Sister Faudree) made a habit of knitting sweaters for all the new babies at church and I was thrilled to get one. While I was pregnant, she noticed that my girls' coloring would look good with a mint green sweater, so that's what she made for my baby (all of my older girls have red hair). I felt so special to have the only green sweater, when all the other babies were in pink or blue or yellow.
About that time, Sister Faudree taught some knitting classes at the church, and I learned the rudiments, but with so many small children around all the time, I never had a free hand, so I didn't do anything with it.
About a year ago, I decided I wanted to be 'Sister Faudree' here in Maui, and make sweaters for all the babies in the neighborhood. My ultimate goal, really was to be able to make sweaters for my grandbabies. I bought some needles and some yarn and practiced up a bit. I started by knitting squares for Warm Up America. Then I found some simple patterns online for dishcloths and I made a bunch of those to learn how to follow a pattern. I made a couple of simple baby afghans first, then found this pattern and started knitting sweaters. I've made probably a dozen or so of these sweaters since May of last year for co-workers and ladies at church. I still haven't made any for my grandbaby, but I will. I got a little more bold and modified the pattern to add buttons. I found another website that has an added hood pattern for this sweater.
The sweaters that I make for babies in Hawaii, I like to make with cotton yarn, or they're too hot. I found this siteto purchase cotton yarn by the cone, instead of the little balls.
I've really enjoyed making sweaters and love to see the babies wearing them at church or when their moms bring them into the office. Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
My grandma makes a car seat blanket for every baby at her church, and my aunt makes them all a hat and mittens (maybe booties too).
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Right now I'm crocheting a blanket for Matthew. I seriosly need to start on a sweater for Livve (It's supposed to be a birthday present, Feb 7th.)
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Scarves, scarves, scarves! I've been making scarves like mad this winter. A friend complimented me on one of the pretty scarves that I had made for myself, and asked if I could make her a lavender chenille scarf. (She paid for the yarn, I did the work). She loved it, but a friend of hers went crazy for it, and she landed up giving it to the friend, and then asking me for another!. We went yarn shopping, and she paid for four skeins of Patons Divine yarn, which is very soft and fuzzy, and made a wonderful long fringy scarf. I made another long wintry scarf as a thank you for a friend -- this one replete with ruffles all over.
Crochet rocks!
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I just accomplished socks. Well not quite but I've got the double points going enough I know they'll happen in a week or so.
Oh if I haven't linked it, www.knitpicks.com has some of the best and well priced yarns I've ever seen, especially if you like natural yarns.
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
I've become very fond of knitpicks.com. Their alpaca yarn is so soft and warm...
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
Ooh, thanks for that link. When I get better at knitting I want to tackle a wool sweater for my husband.
--
Kohls was having a 50% off sale in the scrapbook album section, so I went ahead and bought a couple. Strangely enough, one was a Pioneer album with true 12X12 pages. I compared when I got home, and it called for the same refill pages as the first one I bought (which had 11.75X11.75 pages). So I don't know what the deal is, but at least now I have albums for my pages.
--Mel
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I haven't bought any alpaca except for Suri, which is a bit different, but very cool. I'm ordering yarns for felt bags, and a few more for socks (these are fun).
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
I love the look of those felt bags, I'd love to see a picture of your when you are done, breyerchic.
Socks are fun, aren't they? I like how portable they are, I take mine everywhere and work on them whenever I have a few minutes. Got almost a whole sock done on my flight to Tucson a few weeks ago.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I've done two now, I need to take pictures of them. Both using the Booga bag pattern, but I decided I want to try some different (and cheaper) wool.
Socks are fun, mine is about 5 inches long now, and it's just a tube sock, but it's cool. I have a flight in March that I'm just planning what to knit on the way, and the whole week in Florida.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I'm still liking the noro colorways so much I want to do more. But it's so hard, having to figure out what the colors will look like when I have to buy it online. I'm going to order several balls but I keep putting it off because I'll have to decide on colors.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I'm so glad some companies have color cards, so you can order this card with all the available colors.
I just googled Noro Colorways and found blogs but no place to order it.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Breyer, maybe if you post comments to the bloggers using the Noro asking for details, someone will let you know where they buy it? I've gotten designer and shop information for cross stitch patterns that way in the past!
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I just found a site, but I was thinking Theca could tell me where she got hers.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
The yarn and needles for the sweater-vest I'm making came in the mail yesterday. I ordered it from elann.com, which seems to have lots of high-quality yarn and supplies at really cheap prices. Their shipping was very fast too - it's a Canadian* company, and my order only took 3 days to arrive. And they have lots of pretty free patterns on their site. This is the yarn I bought (in the color "Jacaranda"), and I'm very tempted by the Peruvian pure alpaca yarn as well...but I'm trying not to get carried away with projects.
I also got some of that self-striping Moda Dea yarn at Michael's so I can try the Great Sock Experiment. I went with double-pointed birch needles, so we'll see how it goes. I'm figuring with two different projects, I can use one to take a break from the other.
* I'm in NY, which is why I was surprised by the speed (although the return label says it was mailed from Point Roberts, WA, so I guess they also have US warehouses). When I reread this, I realized it almost looked like I was insulting Canadian companies.
[ January 29, 2006, 08:27 PM: Message edited by: Nell Gwyn ]
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Oh, I got my noro kureyon from ebay. That's what I use for things like bags, purses, etc. I got Noro silk garden for a hat, it's less coarse. You just go search noro kureyon on ebay, then look for whichp sellers have a lot of selection. Many of the sellers have ebay stores with fair selection. Seemed cheaper than the yarn stores.
Oh I should add that I looked at the colorway on other websites, picked out my colors, THEN chose my ebay seller.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Cute sock! I've got to force myself to sit down soon and learn to knit!
But in all honesty I should probably finish up other projects first. I begin so many things because I just want to learn how to do everything! I saw something on beading the other day and thought, "Must. Stay away. From beads."
space opera
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I don't bead much, but I have, knitting is actually relaxing, so I do it more than most crafts, though I love the finished product of others, they don't have quite the fun in the process.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I'm starting a new scarf, but can't decide on what to use, so I'm doing swatches. I'm going to use two yarns together. I'll post pictures later.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Does anyone know if the major chains have sales on the same thing across the chain, or if the sales are local?
I thought it would be cool if we could have a thread for which chains have what sales each week. I know I'd find it really useful.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
I buy most of my craft supplies online. There is a dearth of craft stores on this island. I get regular emails from Joann stores, and buy from them when they have free shipping promotions. I usually get my orders in under a week, which is great for Hawaii.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
The chains are relatively standard, or at least state wide, not just by the store.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
quote:Originally posted by blacwolve: Does anyone know if the major chains have sales on the same thing across the chain, or if the sales are local?
I thought it would be cool if we could have a thread for which chains have what sales each week. I know I'd find it really useful.
Different regions definitely run different sales. On the AOL boards (hush you!) there are several gals who post what their stores have on sale for the week, especially when DMC or yarns are on sale, which typically starts yet another round of "why are your sales different" ...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:the return label says it was mailed from Point Roberts, WA, so I guess they also have US warehouses
Not necessarily.
Point Roberts is a not very large community directly across the border from Tsawwassen, which is directly south of Vancouver, BC and is considered a part of the Greater Vancouver Area. Point Roberts is used by many Vancouver and area businesses who need a US presence. There are a lot of mail box drops there and banks that deal with such companies.
The owners of the business in question could just as easily have driven across the border and mailed it themselves.
As a point of interest, Point Roberts is located on a peninsula and is not connected to the rest of the US. To get to the rest of the country, you have to drive through Canada.
I had clients in Vancouver & area who used Point Roberts for just such purposes.
[/useless information]
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
I love those ponchos maui babe! I'm itching for a new project now that I've proven I can make something besides a scarf. Where did you get your pattern?
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Anyone working on anything today?
I've decided one way to snap out of my funk is to do something creative, so I'm doing baby gifts this morning. I still haven't completed Aerin's gift and my first cousin just had his first baby early this morning so I've got to work on his too.
I wont' tell what I'm doing for Aerin, but for my new second cousin, I'm dyeing a pair of denim overalls a pale blue, then I'm appliqueing a toy airplane on it. His Dad, my cousin, loves planes and I know they did the nursery in an airplane motif. As soon as I hear back on what they've named him I'll probably also do a blanket with his name embroidered.
So I'll be doing some dyeing and sewing today, and right now I have some stuff in the dye bath. Of course, what's in there right now is pink. Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I'm knitting a bag that I can put my needles and stuff in for my flight to Florida in March (it will go inside my carry on).
I made a list of things I want to knit before June (when I'll probably start working at a summer camp and be uber busy).
Felted wool bag with Fair Isle flowers Two pairs of socks (one wool, one superwash) An infant set (2 hats, booties, mittens, maybe a bib) Alpaca legwarmers
I also still have 4 silk scarves to dye, for myself and my mom.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
How's the dyeing going, breyerchic? Have you tried any of the devore satin scarves yet?
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
The Devore are the ones we haven't tried. The habotai went really well, and we did two Crepe De Chin squares for my brother (red and brown, he'll use them as small curtains in his red bathroom with brown tile). I love salting them, and used two different salts for different results. Also I did a few in spiral like tye dyed t shirts, it doesn't show much because they're long and thin, but the color has neat patterns. I'm hooked, it'll be a while before I order more, but it's great fun.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I'm working on an afghan, I hit the halfway point last night which I'm realy happy about. I want to finish it by Spring Break, which is early March.
I'm also making a scarf for my boyfriend, I can probably finish it soon, but I keep getting distracted.
Finally, I'm working on more squares for Warm up America just because.
I made my first hat last weekend! It's the first thing I've made that has any shape, it actually turned out really well. I'm very proud of myself.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I'm working on a beaded mer-man. It's an on-going project, though.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I'm making an afghan for a church raffle, so it'll be done by February 24.
I'm working on baby ull Dalegarn baby set. I'm starting by doing a bootie, to boost my confidence. It's HARD. And all done with size 0, 1, and 2 needles. I'm having a terrible time doing it at home with my cat around. I brought it to work today to work on over the lunch hour.
I'm playing with some pretty yarn to make a hairpin lace afghan pattern but for a baby blanket. Still not sure it'll work out.
I have the yarn for two wool purses but haven't started them yet.
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
I'm in the middle of a stained glass project. I am making a quilt block patterned window for my friend's birthday (she loves quilting)...and her birthday was yesterday. Oops.
When I went to the glass shop to buy supplies, I saw that they had classes on how to make glass beads. I thought it looked pretty fun. I won't have time to take a class for awhile though.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
I had to take a break from knitting for a while because my wrist was hurting. It's feeling better now, so I'm going to jump back in to my project. I'm doing the one on the front cover, in almost that same shade of blue. I'm using Lion Micro Spun yarn. Its label claims that it's lilac, but it looks more periwinkle to me.
Unfortunately, I had to stop knitting right in the middle of shaping one of the pieces. I had been taking notes on where I was in the pattern, so hopefully I'll be able to jump back in without undoing anything.
--Mel
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
That's a cool pattern, and I love Lion Microspun, but I agree the lilac is more perrywinkle.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
CrowsWife that is a gorgeous pattern!
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
You know, the first thing I knitted was using Lion Suede that claimed to be teal, but seemed way too dark to be called teal to me. Maybe the person naming colors at Lion has eyesight problems.
(Here's the bag. Judge the color for yourself.)
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Hmm, I don't think that's green enough to be "teal". It just looks blue on my monitor.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I see the green on mine, but I'd definitely label it an intense, dark teal.
It's lovely, though.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Thanks! I thought it turned out well for a first-ever project. It's actually darker than the picture shows, but Karl, yeah, it's much bluer than I ordinarily think of teal. It is to teal what navy is to royal blue.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
My brother and sister-in-law are expecting twins next month, so I am starting a project of making baby blankets. I got some very sweet, soft fleece, and I am trying to figure out how to crochet a baby chenille border onto the fleece. I need to either punch holes in the edges of the fleece, and crochet into that, or, if I can not do the holes, then, whipstich all around the edges with yarn, and crochet into the whipstitches. The expectant couple already knows the babies' genders, but they aren't telling. One blanket will be pale yellow with a pale green border, the other will be pale green with a pale yellow border.
When my son saw and felt the amazingly soft fleece and baby chenille, he was a little jealous, and wanted one for himself. The stuff is awesome to the touch.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
Muppet,
Sorry, I missed your post above until just now. I used this pattern, but I knitted it longer than the pattern said, and sewed it differently, so it would hang asymmetrically. I used Peaches and Cream 100% cotton yarn for the one in the picture, and size 11 circular needles. It took just a little less than a cone of yarn.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
I'm finishing up a rose colored wool poncho in the same pattern as I just posted above for my daughter. Then I plan to start a pink wool sweater using this pattern. I used this pattern for this sweater I made for my daughter's baby, and it was very easy.
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
Megan, I love that bag, how did you do it? I'd like to make one...
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
quote:Originally posted by ctm: Megan, I love that bag, how did you do it? I'd like to make one...
On my mom's advice, I just knitted a rectangle of stockinette stitch (32 stitches, size 9 needles, bulky yarn), twice the width of the bag I wanted, and as tall as I wanted it to be. Then, I folded it in half and sewed the bottom and side seam using a whipstitch. Finally, I cut two lengths of cording twice the width of the bag and wove them through the second row of stitches all the way around, starting on opposite ends of the bag. I knotted the ends to make the drawstring.
I've made drawstring bags before out of fabric, but this was actually even easier, because I didn't have to make the tube for the strings.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I finished today's project. And I'm happy with it. Can't show pictures yet. Maybe soon.
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
Thanks, Megan! I love the suede yarn, this seems like a good project for it... Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
I like it, too. I actually have my husband to thank for that yarn choice; the bag is for him, and I took him into Michael's and said, "Pick a yarn for your bag." And that's what he chose.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
I'm currently working on a little cross-stitch right now. Just something for fun to do while I'm watching TV. I haven't done any crocheting in a while, but since I can only make scarves and all my friends already have one, I think I'll be okay. I need to learn how to make something different!
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Does anyone know where I can get wool in pound skeins (is skeins the right word?). breyerchic told me she saw some online, but she doesn't remember where, and I don't know anything about shopping for yarn online. I make a lot of afghans, so pound rolls are much better for me than any other kind, but it's hard to find ones that aren't acrylic.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I just did some searching on my own. Wool is obscenely expensive. Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
I know. I almost always use the Caron or Red Heart acrylic, as they are the cheapest stuff going.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I agree, I'd never make a wool afghan. No way.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Breyer recommended the yarn there as good and cheap.
Wool of the Andes looks cheap. I'll have to consider buying some.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I've had good luck buying natural fiber yarns on ebay . If you watch the auctions for awhile, you can get some terrific deals. There are often large cones of yarn for sale which could be convenient for knitting afgans or other big things.
If I'm going to put the time in to knit something, I want to use a quality yarn. By the time I'm finished the time I've put in is far more valuable than the yarn. It seems a pity to put in all the work and end up with something I'm not satisfied with because I started with a cheap yarn.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Oh, I agree. Except for large afghans.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
That's why I haven't knitted a large afgan in 20 years.
Sweaters are so much more fun.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I've started my mom's sweater made with Rapture yarn, half wool, half silk. It really is more fun with nice yarns.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I have an afgan my grandmother knitted for me about 25 years ago. It's beautiful and means alot to me particularly since she is now dead. Unfortunately, it is knitted with an expensive acrylic yarn and it hasn't worn very well. It has pilled and is starting to look old. I have another afgan I croqueted from red hart yarn about the same time and it also is looking a bit beat up.
My mother has an afgan her sister knitted for her about the same time from a wool yarn and it has held up much much better. It still looks practically new despite the fact that it has been in use for over 2 decades.
That's why I think its worth the extra cost in the long run to use a better yarn.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
That is a good point.
Aren't a lot of people sensitive to wool? Does that make it harder to use as gifts?
I suppose I should add I basically spent the first 24 years of my life in Texas. The thought of using wool for knitting/crocheting anything was never, ever brought up. Acrylic afghans are lighter, less hot, less scratchy (well, perhaps) and more suited to hot Texas weather, from what I could see.
Now that I'm not in Texas I'm learning how useful wool can be.
[ February 24, 2006, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: Theaca ]
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I really don't like giving wool things as gifts, you have to hand wash it or it ends up felted, it can make people itchy. And though I respect afghans, I really don't use them, so a wool one would feel like a waste of great yarn and money to me. But I do swear I saw somewhere with not too bad pounds of wool somewhere, maybe $12 a pound.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Not entirely happy. My tension is all screwy so it pooches in places. It's like you can read my mood swings in my work.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Oh, I totally see your point about using a good yarn, most of the time. But not for a kid's ourfit- mine at least will trash it anyway. And my 8 year old is sensitive to wool, though I suppose I could make him something cotton.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
My first crochet project was a terrific and big Afghan -- about 7 pounds of yarn are in it (it's a heavy Afghan). Now I sleep under it every night, and it is wonderful. I started another, using cheaper yarn, and I'm not as happy with it. It is stiffer and scratchier.
But 7 pounds of good yarn can get pretty pricey.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Even the cheap wool, at Ho-Anns, is about $6 for 4 oz.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
romany- I love your sweater. It's so pretty. I don't know what you mean about pooches, I don't see any.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I'm planning on finishing up a purse for my teenager, I've been working on it off and on since before I got sick. Bless her heart, she hasn't complained yet that I'm taking 10 forevers to complete it.
I'm crazy quilting the front in fabrics of pink and black, think very Parisian. The back is a drapery fabric in pink with black polka dots. The lining is solid fuchsia and it has black handles. If I finish it this week I'll post a picture. The crazy quilting is all done, now it's just construction stuff to do.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Is she really a teenager? That does sound like a cute purse.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Yep, she's 13. Hard to believe. I can't see myself as the mom of a teen, at all.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Belle, I 'd love to see a pic.
blcwolve, if you look at the side seems, you can see that they don't lay nice and flat.
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
I think it looks great romany! My 9 yr old saw it and thought it was so cool!
Your purse sounds darling too Belle! Can't wait to see it.
I finished my stained glass piece but forgot to take a picture of it. Oops
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Belle, my son turns 13 in three weeks. I can relate. Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I have a question for the crochet gurus out there.
I'm working on a pattern that is a lot more complicated than anything I've done before and some of the terminology is escaping me. Every row I'm supposed to work either in front of or behind chains from the previous row. I don't understand what is front and what is behind. Is in front of just the side of the work that is facing me? Or is it the same side every time, so that if in the first row the front was the side facing me, in the next row it's the side facing away from me?
Also, here is a bit of the pattern that is confusing me. In the row previous I had done blocks of dc seperated by 3 skipped stitches connected by ch 4 sections. In this row the pattern says exactly: "working in front of ch-4 sp, shell in the 2nd st of the next 3 sk sts in row below and in ch-4 sp at the same time" (the shell is 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc). How do I work it in the ch-4 space at the same time? Am I supposed to somehow work the top of the dcs into the ch-4? If so, how do I do that.
I know this is complicated, but if anyone could help me out I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
quote: Is in front of just the side of the work that is facing me? Or is it the same side every time, so that if in the first row the front was the side facing me, in the next row it's the side facing away from me?
It's always the side facing you (assuming you're turning your work).
I haven't done shells yet, though.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Thank you! You have no idea how helpful that is.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Wow, is this the same pattern beating you up from when we were IMing the other night?
I *think* that when they say front and back, they mean to only take up half of the loop from the prior row of stitching. Normally you put the hook under both loops, when you work in the front, you put the hook only under the loop closest to you. That helps the stitches of the shell to poof out.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
quote:Originally posted by blacwolve: Also, here is a bit of the pattern that is confusing me. In the row previous I had done blocks of dc seperated by 3 skipped stitches connected by ch 4 sections. In this row the pattern says exactly: "working in front of ch-4 sp, shell in the 2nd st of the next 3 sk sts in row below and in ch-4 sp at the same time" (the shell is 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc). How do I work it in the ch-4 space at the same time? Am I supposed to somehow work the top of the dcs into the ch-4? If so, how do I do that.
Is the pattern supposed to create a kind of poofy 3D-thing? If it is, I think they mean for you to actually fold the previous row with the "ch-4 sp" behind the "2nd st" part, and work your shell through both those stitches, sort of like hand-sewing when you put the needle through both pieces of fabric at once. I've never had to do anything like that, though, so I'm not positive, but that would be my best guess. And the stitching in the ch-4 space means to just stitch around the entire chain, rather than any one particular stitch in the chain - I couldn't tell if that was part of your question or not.
Does the pattern come with a picture of the finished product that you could post? Usually with complicated crochet patterns I can figure out what they want more easily if I know what the outcome is supposed to look like.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Nope, I finished that one. This one is a baby afghan and it's significantly more complicated.
If I knew someone in my physical area that I could ask for help, I think I could get it pretty quickly, since most of my questions are basic. I just don't know anyone who crochets IRL.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
April, you, me, my grandma.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nell Gwyn:
Does the pattern come with a picture of the finished product that you could post? Usually with complicated crochet patterns I can figure out what they want more easily if I know what the outcome is supposed to look like.
If I can find a scanner, I can post it, I'll ask my boyfriend if he knows someone who has one. The pattern doesn't look like it's supposed to be puffy. It looks like there is a backgroud of double crochet with slightly raised diamonds with corners touching all over. Does that make any sense?
Also, Sarah- I don't know who April is, I doubt you can help, and your grandma is not in physical proximity to me.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
If you could see me examining that picture with my nose about 6 inches away from my screen, trying to see the individual stitches, I'm sure you'd laugh at me.
Okay, I'm guessing that if you rotate the afghan in the picture 90 degrees counter-clockwise, that would put it right-side-up in accordance with the pattern instructions, right? So rather than looking at it as a pattern of raised diamonds on a vertical dc background, I'm seeing it more as a bow-tie shaped pattern (going shell-to-shell) with horizontal dc rows in the background. Does this make sense?
(Sorry, I have a hard time describing things that I understand on purely physical and visual levels with words.)
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
To be honest, I can't tell. The shells are each seperated by what amounts to eight double crochets, if that helps?
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
*long pause to reexamine original post*
Wait, I think I get what's going on now. "3 sk sts in row below" - I missed that word the first time through, sorry. So you're basically working across the front of the previous two rows in order to start the raised diamond/bow-tie part, right?
*getting frustrated by trying to mentally manipulate yarn and hook that aren't there*
*going to get real yarn and hook to test ideas that I don't have words for yet*
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
April was the month, not a person, and oh well I'm not explaining it all.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Okay, I think I may have figured it out. That is complicated!
Here's what I did: When you go to do the shell, do the first half of each of the dcs in that 2nd sk st in the row below, going in front of the row with the 4-ch space. And when you do a dc in general (not that I think you don't know, just for an attempt at clarity), it's YO, insert hook through front to back, YO, pull loop back to front (there's 3 loops on hook now), YO, pull new loop through 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook now), then at THIS point, YO around the 4-ch space - as in, insert the hook under the 4-ch space as if it's one big stitch, then grab the new loop from in front of the 4-ch space - and then complete the dc by pulling the loop through both loops on the hook. That gets the new row of dcs laying across the front of the previous rows.
Mind, I've never worked with a raised pattern that works across the front like this does before. Well, I think I tried crochet cables a long time ago, but mostly I've done a lot of lacy open-work, doily-type crocheting. This was just what I got from experimenting to see what would get me something that seems to follow the instructions and also looks like what I'm interpreting the picture to show, so I could be totally wrong, and if I am, someone please correct me! But that's what I'd do if it were my project. I'm guessing the next step on that row is to do a bunch of ch (like 12-14ish?) to connect to the next shell in the row, and that after a bunch of rows (6, or maybe 12, from the picture) the parallel chains get gathered together in the middle somehow to form the bow-tie/butterfly image? That's the guess that I was basing my shell-guess on, anyway.
I hope this helps! And that's a gorgeous pattern, btw. I hope you post a pic when you get it finished!
(Edited for clarity.)
[ March 06, 2006, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: Nell Gwyn ]
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Thanks! That does help a lot and the whole pattern makes a lot more sense now. Thank you so much.
I think my next project is going to be doing something lacy (note the vagueness there) mind if I ask you for help when that comes about?
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Sure, ask away. I haven't done a lot of crocheting lately, so I might be rusty, and I'm not an expert by any means, but I'll be glad to help where I can.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
My twin baby blankets are all done, and they are so sweet. The twins are due any day, and I hope they like their blankets.
I made each out of a very soft baby blanket-sized piece of fleece. Then I snipped holes about 1.5 inches from the edge, every 1.5 inches apart all around the border. I crocheted into the holes using this impossibly soft baby chenille, with one single crochet, two chains, then another single crochet in the next hole, all the way around the border. The edges kind of folded under and hemmed themselves in the process. Then I continued single crocheting around the border for a few rows, for the contrasting border. At the last row, I switched yarns to a color that matched the fleece. I made two matching blankets. One is soft green fleece with a pale yellow border, edged with soft green. The other is pale yellow fleece with a soft green border, edged in pale yellow.
(they are not giving up the genders of the twins, so they get yellow and green)
If I had a camera, you could see them. But I don't so, well, let your imagination picture them for you.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
They sound gorgeous! I really want to try that idea now.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Awww that does sound adorable, Tante. Maybe I should borrow that for the fleece throw my daughter wants but I can't seem to get around to making.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Also, super easy to do! No pattern to follow, and all the work is the border. Which, by the way, is made from a super chunky yarn. I used an "N"-sized (9mm) hook, and Lion Brand Velvet Spun Chenille. The main part of the blanket is just bought from the fabric store.
Still, if I were the baby, I'd be very happy to be under such a blanket.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Have any of you heard of the website www.etsy.com ? I'm not a very crafty person, but I love handmade, unique items, and etsy seems to be the best site on the intraweb for these things. A couple of friends of mine who are crafty love to browse the site to look for ideas... I love to browse it to see all the pretty things I wish I could afford. Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
I've been there Jhai. It has some great crafts there. I do have an account there, but I have yet to place anything up there.
Posted by katdog42 (Member # 4773) on :
This is a call out for help from all those craftier than I.
I have cross-stitched the names of each of my neices and nephew in various styles of letters based on their age, gender and general interests. I want to give them to the kids to put as name plates on their doors when they move to their new home in a few month. I was wondering if anybody had (simple and inexpensive) ideas for mounting them. What could I put them on to make them look attractive. I have a broad ribbon that I could use, but the ribbon that I have doesn't match two of them so I would have to go find another color to finish those. Help!!
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
Matteboard itself is pretty inexpensive, but you'd need equipment to cut it properly if you can't get it cut inexpensively by someone else.
Maybe different colored/patterned fabrics?
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
The local craft store sells a sticky board that can be used as a matte. You can cut the cross stitch fabric, stick it to the board, then just glue some ribbon around the raw edges to finish it off. Add some long ribbon to hang it from the door knob.
Posted by katdog42 (Member # 4773) on :
Thanks for the ideas. I hadn't even thought of matting it. We have equipment here to do that and lots of people around here know how to do it who could help me out.
In a few weeks, I'll be able to go to a craft store so I'll look around. Thanks for the suggestions!
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I buy 1/4" thick foam core at Hobby Lobby for about $2 a sheet (24x36" size), which I can cut to size with a utility knife. I make most of my ornaments by sewing a coordinating fabric to the reverse side in a pocket, slipping a piece of foam core in the middle, and whipstitching the opening shut. Then I get 1/4" ribbon to cover the seams and act as a hanger.
I also use the same foam core for framed pieces and pin the fabric into the edges with sequin pins.
I won't use the sticky-faced boards (EZMat?) anymore because I discovered that the adhesive discolors my fabrics once they've been mounted. This usually takes some time (like a couple years), but I have a piece I mounted about a year and a half ago done on antiqute white linen that was icky cream within 6 months. And I've never smoked or allowed smoking in my home so I'm certain that's not a factor. That was my last adhesive board mount.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
At least make sure they're acid-free. Otherwise use glue or staples on the underside, depending on how thick it is. Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Anybody make anything for their mom for Mother's Day?
I sewed a purse for my step-mom. She loves dolphins so I found this pretty dark teal placemat at the home store for $2.99 and cut out a purse from it. I printed out clipart of a leaping dolphin then traced it onto tear away stabilizer. Ironed the stabilizer to the bottom of the purse, so the dolphin is leaping out from the bottom right hand corner. I then used seed beads to outline the dolphin as well as some stylized waves of water using dark teal beads for the dolphin and light blue for the water.
I just finished putting it all together - black satin lining and a bamboo handle. If I had my birthday present yet I'd show it to you (I'm getting a new digital camera from my hubby but it isn't here yet.) At any rate, I'm rather proud of it. It's the first time I've made a purse with the purchased handles, I usually make my own handles from excess fabric, but the placemat wasn't big enough for that. I like the way it looks. Little bit extra work, but I think I will do more this way in the future. The only drawback - the handles cost $4.99, plus $1.99 for the D-rings to attach them so they were a lot more expensive than the material!
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
I'm so excited about what we're making for Mother's Day.
I teach 1st-5th grade sunday school, and all of us are doing this project for our mothers. (As much fun as the project has been, I don't think I'll do it again...tons more prep work than I thought it would be). I will however do this myself again. It's been a kick coming up with ways to improve it.
Over the past few weeks, I've been taking pictures of the kids in my class, then cropping them in Photoshop to 2.5x2.5, printing them out, then punching them out with my 2.5" circle punch. I've got about 5 or 6 of each child's face with different facial expressions. Silly, mad, surprised, smiling, relaxed, that sort of thing. The kids will pick out their four favorites and glue them to cardstock flowers I cut out a couple of weeks ago (I use Fiskar's Shapecutter with a template). They'll take another flower and a blank circle cardstock center (cut with my 2.5" punch), write something they love about their mom in the middle, then glue the center to the second flower. The picture flower will get taped to a short chenille stem that is wrapped with florist tape to a ballpoint pen (I've been doing these up while sitting in front of the TV...just have 40 more to go...). The Mom Sentiment flower will get glued to the back side of the picture flower, sandwiching the chenille stem. They'll make four picture flower pens for their moms, then put them in paper mache flowerpots we decorated last week, that I'm going to fill with beans tonight and cover over with tulle to make sure they don't fall out before they get home.
In the end, they'll have a small bouquet of picture flower pens in a flowerpot pen holder. So far, they're turning out adorable -- I knew one of my kids wouldn't be there this weekend, so I did her pens up as a prototype. I was really proud of how they turned out.
I'm going to make one for my mom with all of the grandkids for the faces. Once I have my mom's done, I'll take a picture and post it. I'm planning to decorate her flowerpot decopaging bleeding tissue paper. I think it will end up looking like stained glass, then I'll heat emboss butterflies in glitter over the top of that. I think it'll look really cool.
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
That sounds beautiful, Belle! Sheesh, I feel lame now for just going the flowers-and-card route, but the holiday kinda snuck up on me and now I don't have time to make anything.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Oh I should have knit something for mothers day? I'm giving my mom a face for a tree.
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
quote:I'm giving my mom a face for a tree.
... what????
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
These, but I paid less than that at Lowes.
Posted by Sabrina (Member # 9413) on :
quote:Originally posted by breyerchic04: These, but I paid less than that at Lowes.
I have a big old tree that looks like Gandalf - I think that would be just the thing for it!
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I crocheted big thick twin-bed sized Afghans for my Mom and Mother-in-law. It takes a while to make a big thick Afghan, and twice as long to make two.
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
Those are great, breyerchic. Really ... amusing.
I'm finally going to learn to crochet. I've found a class. You guys have inspired me.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I think it would be neat, we live in a wooded area, so having one tree that can look back at you will add flavor.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Say it ent so!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I finally got the picture of the purse I made for my stepmother online. Here it is.
The color is not quite right - the material was lighter and more green than in that picture but because it had a sheen to it it was hard to capture the exact color.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
Pretty!
I'm in a polynesian dance class, and decided for a memorial day project to make my own poi balls -- two long, and two short. I have tons of yarn just lying around, so the rope part of it is almost completely done. Today my teacher's gonna show me how to make the ball part.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Oh, and make certain you keep it clean and use lots of bacitracin on it. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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And I haven't seemed to have any time as of late.
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
) could give me a few pointers I would greatly appreciate it. I'm not following a real pattern, I actually made that up myself as well - it's a big quilt (7' x 5'6"), with a 6 in. border running all the way around and diamonds in three differents colors for the rest of it and then just one big plain back. Plain and simple but still pretty and will fit the wear and tear I think it's going to get. I haven't cut the border or back yet since I want to get the real size of the center first, but there are a few triangles between the border and the diamonds which I'm particularly worried about sewing properly (that and just corners in general).
![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
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![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
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Hence I was originally wanting to do an argyle project when I've never knitted anything with multiple colors before...luckily, I realized that that's probably not feasible for me just yet. At least, not when I want to get the vest done by my friend's birthday in March. ![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
I have all this non-photo stuff I'd saved all semester too, receipts and postcards and ticket stubs, all sorted by country and everything. Someday, it will get done - and then I'll have to do a 2004 one for my other semester there!