quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Glory be and thanks to the very patient (and polite) crafters in here who contributed to Erin's banner.

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so that we can continue to admire the reptilian glories.

Firenze
Heaven Host
 

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Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Thanks Firenze - I was just about to post that! And thanks again to Banner Lady for organising this and sewing the pieces together.
 

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Posted by WhyNotSmile (# 14126) on :
 
Looks brilliant! Well done everyone! Looking forward to seeing close-ups of all the sections.
 

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Posted by Hennah (# 9541) on :
 
It's brilliant! I love the "pull up your big girl panties" one, can we see a bit more detail as I can't make out some of the others?
 

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Posted by snowgoose (# 4394) on :
 
Great title for the thread, Firenze.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Some time in the next week I will hopefully have a new camera and will take detailed pics, with explanations and provenance. Please stay tuned! It looks much better vertical, and as I was doing it, it felt very much like I was working on a window into Erin's life. There was great blessing in embracing it like that; because so many of the pieces had an iconic quality, in that there are simply images and words we associate solely with Erin.
And because she is now on one side of the window, and we are on the other

Thank you to Earwig for the lovely panties, bottom left; to Flausa for the poisonous dysfunctional gator-witch gobbling bunnies, top right; to Kitten for the marvellous patchwork piece bottom right; to Why Not Smile for one of the most accomplished applique pieces I've ever seen, centre top; to Boogie for the painted gator top left and the troll in the centre; to Lioplerodon for the hama beaded border on black ribbon; to Mrs.Shrew for the cross-stitch and sequined wording (which you can't really see in the photo, I'm afraid); and to protozoan for the stunning prints of the rat in the pistachio factory (again, you'll have to wait for the close-ups). I am so very sorry that Lamb Chopped's mola alligator is still circling the world. It is obviously lying in wait somewhere, and I sincerely hope it is not lost forever.

Next question: where does the banner go from here?
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
And of course thank you to those fabulous knitwits: St.Everild and Lothlorian for Great Googly Moogly with gator garnishes! Very clever crafters, all.

 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Brilliant!

Looking forward to seeing more pics!

Weren't you going to send it to Erin's family? Or is my brain fried still?
 

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Posted by nickel (# 8363) on :
 
Wow, that is fabulous! great job!
 

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Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :
 
Most of my crafting this year will be wedding related. We've got over a year until we get married but will have to get the invites out this year. It's a vintage theme and as we're having a train trip around Europe as our honeymoon it will include travel images. It's all a bit up in the air at the moment but I'm looking forward to doing some designs in the next few weeks. It will be difficult to get simple designs that won't get boring to make!
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by St Everild:
Brilliant!

Weren't you going to send it to Erin's family? Or is my brain fried still?

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I believe there were three possibilities discussed.

1. Sending it to Simon for his office.

2. Getting it sent through SoF to Erin's family, if they want it.

3. Having it as part of an auction at some point this year to raise funds to keep SoF running, as SoF was so dear to Erin's heart and she put so much of her time into keeping it a fairly safe place to be.

And the Good News is that there has been news of Lamb Chopped's mola alligator. I have suggested to her that when it finally arrives back in either her hands or mine, that it be made into a card to accompany the banner, listing all the contributors and their pieces.

Nice to know that gators always surface sometime....

 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 
Sophs, I crafted almost all of our wedding stuff including 150 wedding invitations and service booklets, all the table setting labels and the table plan. Oh, and I also made 5 handbags for my bridesmaids.

Here is a link to some of the things I made.

It was such fun

Auntie Doris x
 

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Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
I also have some wedding based crafting to do this year, my son and his fiance have set the day for July 28th. I will be making the outfits for their two boys (nearly three and seven and a half months at the time of the wedding), My son wants a victorian themed outfit and would like the boys to match so I have bought some georgeous tweed to make all three of them waistcoats.
 

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Posted by tessaB (# 8533) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Auntie Doris:
Sophs, I crafted almost all of our wedding stuff including 150 wedding invitations and service booklets, all the table setting labels and the table plan. Oh, and I also made 5 handbags for my bridesmaids.

Here is a link to some of the things I made.

It was such fun
Auntie Doris x

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quote:

---

Originally posted by tessaB:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Auntie Doris:
Sophs, I crafted almost all of our wedding stuff including 150 wedding invitations and service booklets, all the table setting labels and the table plan. Oh, and I also made 5 handbags for my bridesmaids.

Here is a link to some of the things I made.

It was such fun
Auntie Doris x

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Oh my word, those handbags are amazing. Do you sell your creations or is it just for gifting?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Details, details, as promised!

When I find somewhere big enough to hang it, I'll take a couple more vertical pics of Erin's memorial banner for us all.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Details, details, as promised!

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Whoa. We have some serious talent on the Ship! I love Loth's knittygators!
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
Love the banner it is amazing.

This year as part of my new years resolution I AM going to knit myself something. I need to brave a bigger project, I can knit well but always do small projects (last year managed two toddler jumpers, tea cosy with picture on it, gloves for me, hat, scarf with picture on it, oh and dolls clothes.) This year I am going to be brave and make something bigger, possibly a jumper ready for next winter. Feel that I may need some encouragement to keep going as I have a short attention span!
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
Feel that I may need some encouragement to keep going as I have a short attention span!

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Knitting is inherently boring, so I get past it by using colours. Either a variegated/painted yarn, or, more frequently, assemble odd balls of approximately the same weight/composition and knot them up into a colourway. There are some
Kaffe Fassett patterns - the poppies for example which looks complicated but is just two contrasting balls, one for the background, and one for the flowers.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
I have a problem that needs solving. My God daughter gave me two small hand embroidered pieces, which are important to her, but are the work of a nine year old in a household where there is no tradition of female handicrafts. What knitting, sewing, crocheting, embroidery and so on gets done, is normally done when I am around. I a pretty sure she made them herself.

Now I would like to take the pieces and do something with them so she can see I am pleased with her work. My initial idea was to make a cushion with them as in sets, any other ideas?

Secondly there is a problem with them being done by a nine year old. She has not understood the need to have a border. I therefore have very little spare fabric (typically double row of aida) to work with around the design. Any suggestions how to over come this?

Jengie
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Fusing and gimp, Jengie.
 

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Posted by Hennah (# 9541) on :
 
If there's not much border could you use them as applique patches? i.e., applique them onto a larger piece, that you can then turn into a cushion, bag, whatever...
 

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Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
You could mount them on a larger piece of fabric, I suppose.

I've been knitting a very simple jumper for what seems like a Very Long Time - I've just finished the second panel, so I've now got front and back, and the sleeves are integral. It was supposed to be batwing, but it's ended up as two rectangular pieces, with a big of a border each end for the end of the (short) sleeves. So, do I just sew it together and forget about the waistband, or does it really need a waistband?

Meanwhile, I've decided I really need a new bathroom mat. I made a small mat some time ago by lucetting wool into loose cords, plaiting the cords and then weaving them onto a peg loom. It's lovely and chunky, and sits by my bed. The bathroom mat will be at least twice the size (about a yard wide and maybe half as much again long). It will also use up vast amounts of my wool stash! So I've started using the lucet now - but it's another long term project.
A lucet is a medieval tool, basically a handle with a crescent shape on top to loop the wool round in a figure of eight - then you pass the lower loops over the top loops to make the chain/cord. It's a fun one to do for historical re-enactment, and easy to teach - you can even do it round your fingers, without the tool.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Use fraycheck so the edges don't unravel and then applique them onto another cloth. I'd sugest satin stitch (if that's the right word for it?) all around the outside, in a complementary color.

Alternately you could really blow her mind by having them custom framed, and work with the shop to deal with the border issue (mats?). I did this with some embroidery for my husband.
 

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Posted by Adrienne (# 2334) on :
 
This is the year when I Make Stuff, rather than moaning about not making time to make stuff. So, have spent the holidays using up a load of my Gedifra colour stash making diagonal, short-row Mobius scarves, which have gone to members of family silly enough to admire them while I was knitting them. Am about to start on a cowl for me, using a gorgeous skein of Malabrigo Rasta in deep reds that I was give last Christmas. Pattern has been mailed to Kindle. Not sure why I let craft stuff go these last couple of years, even a few rows at bedtime is hugely relaxing.
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
...really blow her mind by having them custom framed, and work with the shop to deal with the border issue (mats?). I did this with some embroidery for my husband.

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Or even just starch them really well, and have mounts cut professionally - you can then get away with cheap ready made frames.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Well this is embroidery by a nine year old, she is not untalented but has nobody to encourage the talent and I would feel sorry for the framer who tried to frame them professionally.

I have taken Banner Lady's suggestion of fusing and gimp well Wonda-web and ribbon. It has worked. Rough edges are now hidden and the embroidery securely attached to the fabric.

Now all I need to do is unearth my sewing machine and actually make up the cushion cover.

Jengie
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Back in the days when we (almost) had more money then sense, we shocked a local framer by having her do a manila envelope. It had a beautiful drawing on it--executed in M-and-M candies. Seriously. The artist was one of our young men who had landed in prison, come to faith, and had done this artwork with the only materials available to him.
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
Thanks Firenze but I want it to be winter/ Christmas themed I think.

Adrienne how do you get patterns to your kindle?
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
I love the openfronted, waterfall/drape front type cardigans that are so fashionable now. I have seen knitting patterns for them, but I can't knit! I've seen a crochet pattern for a jacket made of motifs, but I don't particularly like motifs. Can anyone help?
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
St. Gwladys I'm guessing the answer that you are not looking for is learn to knit.
 

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Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
I love the openfronted, waterfall/drape front type cardigans that are so fashionable now. I have seen knitting patterns for them, but I can't knit! I've seen a crochet pattern for a jacket made of motifs, but I don't particularly like motifs. Can anyone help?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
Thanks Firenze but I want it to be winter/ Christmas themed I think.

Adrienne how do you get patterns to your kindle?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
Thanks Firenze but I want it to be winter/ Christmas themed .

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ann:
Or, of course, attach the kindle to the 'puter using the natty white USB cable and copy the pdf to the kindle document folder.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ann:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
... how do you get patterns to your kindle?

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If you have a pattern in pdf format, you can email it to your kindle using your kindle identity @free.kindle.com - you will probably have to log into your kindle account first on Amazon to enable your email sending address to be accepted by your kindle.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dormouse:
Like I've said on my blog post here I want to try crocheting. Any hints? Is it hard? Have I set myself a truly impossible target?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Dormouse:
Like I've said on my blog post here I want to try crocheting. Any hints? Is it hard? Have I set myself a truly impossible target?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:
What sort of thing do you want to start making - clothes, accessories, toys?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Dormouse:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:
What sort of thing do you want to start making - clothes, accessories, toys?

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The link in the post goes to a blogpost where I show a blanket that my Nana crocheted for me some 40-odd years ago. I quite like the idea of crocheting another. It looks fairly simple - just going round and round in a square (?!) but maybe it's trickier than it first appears.

---

It's lovely - I've got a similar one my greatgrandmother made for me when I was born.

It's based on what is known as the granny square (appropriately enough!) and is pretty easy - it's what I started crocheting with. There's a pretty good description of how to do this here. And here's how to hold the hook, yarn and make a slip knot.

Careful - crochet is really addictive! If you like the making granny squares but fancy something more adventurous later, I loved Chez Plum's patterns 'Around the Granny Square'. I've also got Beyond the Square - many of the patterns in here use the same techniques as the Granny Square. One last Granny Square-inspired project I loved was this Starghan.

Can you tell I'm a bit obsessed with crochet?
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
When I was 15 I crocheted my nanna a stripey knee rug, all in double crochet (because it was the easiest stitch to do while watching tv). Fancy patterns have lots of holes, but she really used this rug because it was so densely crocheted, and therefore very warm. I used only three colours: red, black and saffron in stripes, because she was German. It was bordered in black. I reckon that rug is still in use somewhere, because these are also the colours in the Australian aboriginal flag.

BL. (It's 1am here, and I am just finishing off an altar frontal. Having trouble tying down the ends of my alpha and omega. They seem to have a life of their own. )
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Please, please, please help to keep your Heaven Hosts sane by not posting more than two or possibly three (if necessary) links per post. When we get more, we get cranky, since we have to check them all, you know.

jedijudy
Heaven Host with a Headache
 

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Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Sorry JJ - I should have sent Dormouse a PM!
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!
It took me about 15 minutes to do a slip knot and now I can't get any further. This is a bl***y nightmare! I think I need someone next to me, rather than a video that won't stop when I need it to, or pictures I don't understand. Never mind. Onward and upward!
 

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Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
Oh Dormouse, that sounds distressing. Perhaps you would get on better with a really good step-by step photograph tutorial or book? The ripple pattern I linked to earlier has really clear instructions with very clear photographs, but I don't think she has any really basic tutorials up on the blog. Once you have got the hang of things crochet really is rather fast and fun.

Last night I finished my second tiny teddy, the first was a little overstuffed so the second is more bear-shaped with less proportionately spindly arms and legs. He also has crocheted ears that are much quicker than the official ears and, I feel, more shell-like. Tiny Teddy the first went on a little jaunt to Edinburgh with my flatmate last weekend and Tiny Teddy the second is going to a moustache party this weekend as my proxy - he has a large Fu Manchu moustache and has been named Rufus by his recipient!
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
I'm happy to say I've now found an (English) friend who is going to sit next to me tomorrow afternoon and teach me to crochet.
The problem with the YouTube video (which w<as narrated by a very nice American man) was that I needed an extra hand to pause the video so I could see what he was doing. Otherwise my two hands were occupied with yarn and hook...! Also, if I didn't quite understand what he meant I couldn't ask him to explain it in a different way! Hopefully Margaret will be able to help.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Dormouse

Can you single finger knit?

If yes then chain is just finger knitting with a hook instead of your finger.

For those who don't know, single finger knitting is something I learnt to do in the playground while at primary school (along with skipping and elastics). It uses simply a piece of string and your index finger of your right hand. It is a version of the first method on this page, the second method is all over the internet but is very different.

Jengie
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Oh, yes, I believe I can. I may have to do a refresher course ( ) but I used to do a lot of it. So I just have to learn how to manipulate the hook... Thank you!
 

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Posted by Roseofsharon (# 9657) on :
 
The two BSJs are finished apart from buttons. There are none suitable in my enormous bagful (collected over 30 years). Funny how often that happens Nowadays there is nowhere locally that has a good selection of buttons, so that will have to wait - luckily I have a good month to go before I need to send off the first one.

I'm sure I mentioned the stash of (mostly) Rowan Little Big Wool found in a litter bin just before Christmas? Well I am now on a second hat from that, and I think a cowl will be next in line. I will be ready when winter finally comes
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
If you link to Blog 1 in my signature you'll see that I had some success on the crocheting front. Huzzah!
 

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Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :
 
Hopefully Sewing Machine will feature in my crafty endeavours for this year - I've made a cover for the Kindle I got for christmas (part of a Cunning Plan by Mr Marzipan to stop me filling the house with books!)

I've also started quilting, well, I'm making some quilt blocks. It will probably be a while before they turn themselves into a bed cover! They're on my crafty blog too, if anyone is interested.
 

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Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
Well, I cunningly went to a fancy dress 'C' themed birthday party at the weekend as a 'crazy crochet cat lady' and thus managed to crochet the 6' foundation chain for my blanket and between that and a flight home I have crocheted the first 2 1/2 rows. It's a good thing I have nearly 8 months for this one!

Tonight I will have a couple of hours of uninterrupted sitting time so I may continue with my crochet progress or I might cast on another tiny teddy - those little guys are getting a bit addictive!
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
Thought I would drop by and share progress of my jumper. It is coming along nicely, I have used 2 balls of 100g so far, so it is growing, but there is still a long way to go!
 

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Posted by Mrs Shrew (# 8635) on :
 
I have never got the hang of crochet, even though I knit quite well. Except granny squares, which seem to work fine for me.

Jumping back a bit (because I missed this thread until today) - Wow! The Erin banner looks incredible Well done to all the people who made parts of it, and thankyou Banner Lady for all your hard work putting it together.

My current crafting endeavours are on hold for a little bit, because of jobhunting but also a bout of apathy. Hoping to get back into it soon - I have several blankets to put together (knitted squares that will be joined up) and also some jumpers and my shawl calling me. eeek!
 

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Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
That sitting time was productive, even if it was in a chilly church hall. I upped my blanket row-count to 4 so it is currently 6' long by 2" wide and rippling nicely. While it is still so ribbon-shaped it winds happily around the ball of yarn, but I can foresee logistical problems once it is more than a few inches wide. Perhaps I'll just roll it into a cylinder and work the stitches in situ. And because I hadn't taken my third blanket colour with me, I cast on the body of another teddy. This one will be 'deep magenta' and has about a third of a body so far.
 

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Posted by Niminypiminy (# 15489) on :
 
My current project is making a pair of lace scarves as a civil-partnership-wedding present for my sister and her partner. I've got a deadline, 12th March, and am having to make myself do some everyday.

One is an eyelet lace pattern in some lovely sparkly rainbowy-blue lace yarn, the other a striped asymmetric triangular shawl using hand-dyed deep pink-purple and pale grey.

They're the most beautiful things I've ever knitted.
 

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Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :
 
Hello crafters.

I have a question. I've got a 9 hr flight coming up (UK to US) and had a bit of an idea - I could cross stitch the journey away! Can I do this does anyone know? Can I get the needle through customs?

Should I check with my Airline?

Thanks!
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
You might get a needle through the security check after you check in, but probably not any scissors. Sometimes I've lost a sewing needle, other times it has got through the check.
If the needle or scissors get taken off you then you should be able to get a replacement in a mending/sewing kit from one of the shops selling travel items. Which makes the security confiscations a bit questionable
 

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Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I am currently working on the second trade show here this month involving the needlepoint and knitting industries. This show seems to be aimed at consumers rather than retailers like the one last week: 35th Avenue Sew and Vac does not sound like a manufacturer or wholesale distributor!
 

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Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jenny Ann:
Hello crafters.

I have a question. I've got a 9 hr flight coming up (UK to US) and had a bit of an idea - I could cross stitch the journey away! Can I do this does anyone know? Can I get the needle through customs?

Should I check with my Airline?

Thanks!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:
I rang the airline about using a crochet hook, and was told by some little lad that I couldn't

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:
The idea was to crochet during the trip, so it would have become visible!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:
Don't overdo it, or you get "hyperbolic" crochet. Some people do it deliberately!

OTT crochet shapes

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ElaineC:
Last summer I picked up my knitting needles and made this

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I'm just not sure whether to make her one or not. Soon she'll probably be past wanting Grandma to make her something.

Any ideas?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
I like that shawl - where is the pattern?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Balaam:
This is as far as I've got.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Theophania:
Now I have a yen to make a sock yarn blanket, and am testing that by making a mitred squares blanket for a friend's baby, but reading this thread has made me full of wistfulness for the crocheted ripple blanket.

My long-suffering grandmother has spent ages teaching me to crochet but I still don't properly get it. Maybe I should try again.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Balaam:
This is as far as I've got.

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Balaam - the actual URL is missing, so I can't fix it for you. You'll need to repost.

Firenze
Heaven Host

---

Try this
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
I should not be allowed near the wool shop! Went to get some new needles for what I am knitting and got distracted by pretty scarf wool.
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
A friend in work is due to go on maternity leave, so I wanted to make something quickly. I'm making a baby jacket which is simply two hexagon granny squares - there's a number of different sites with the basic idea.
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
This is just a vague wondering as opposed to something I need to know! In the wool shop the man who runs it was calling what I would call needles, pins. Is this normal in other places, or local to where I now live. (I'm guessing the answer will be they are called a mixture of things in different places.)
 

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Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
I should not be allowed near the wool shop! Went to get some new needles for what I am knitting and got distracted by pretty scarf wool.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Little Miss Methodist:

I get so concerned with making something amazing and getting the right combination of pattern / fabric / yarn and of being the best and having people comment on my work that I think it almost puts me off being creative because what if what I make isn't good enough

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
This is just a vague wondering as opposed to something I need to know! In the wool shop the man who runs it was calling what I would call needles, pins. Is this normal in other places, or local to where I now live. (I'm guessing the answer will be they are called a mixture of things in different places.)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
I should not be allowed near the wool shop! Went to get some new needles for what I am knitting and got distracted by pretty scarf wool.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eigon:
I heard a radio programme with Kaffe Fassett once where he was interviewing knitters in the Scottish Islands, and they called the knitting needles 'wires'.

---

When I heard Kaffe Fassett speak he went up in my estimation by saying that life is too short to sew in threads at the back of a piece of work (I still do though - echoes of my needlework teacher haunt me still)
 

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Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by sophs:
I have some stunning yarn. And I think I want to make a granny strip blanket. Which means chaining 150.

The starting is the scary bit!

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quote:

---

Originally posted by sophs:
That's the pattern I'm using - I'm onto the third stripe after chaining 240 and creating the establishing row I just kept going! I've decided I want more colour in it, so the Mister is taking me to Hebden Bridge on my birthday to buy more yarn!

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:
Eeeep! I'm new to Rav, and I hadn't realised there was a ship group! I'm Chuggypig on Ravelry.

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The group is more or less defunct, but does still exist. I'm lilyofthevalley there.
 

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Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
I've recently been working on an embroidery inspired by Bjork. I got her album ‘Biophilia’ for Christmas, and was inspired by lyrics from the song ‘Cosmogony’:

"And they say back then our universe was an empty sea
Until a silver fox and her cunning mate
began to sing a song that became the world we know."

I wanted a bit of a challenge, so I decided to learn how to do silk shading and goldwork. And I wanted to do my own design, because I get bored working to other people's designs. I'm nothing if not overambitious.

So I started sketching foxes, particularly fennec foxes, read up on silk shading and goldwork, and had a bash. There’s pics of the final embroidery here, and I blogged about the process in older posts.
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Very nice, Earwig! And, I see Orion!
 

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Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Thanks jedijudy! You win ten brownie points.
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
That's really sweet.
 

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Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 
I had completely forgotton about the ship group on Ravelry! Thank you for friending me Earwig - i'll friend you back. I'll also try and remember to share some of my recent projects over there.

Earwig - your embroidery is really lovely, the contrast between the two foxes is striking and I like the way you've done them in different techniques.

I've been working on some socks recently which are going well but are, as is the nature of socks, relatively slow going. I am also getting on well with my pottery and have sent my pineapple colander off for firing this week!
 

---

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 
Here is another useful site for knitters. I found it while looking for stitch patterns as opposed to garment patterns.
 

---

Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 
An embroidery blog that I follow has Earwigs beautiful foxes mentioned as their pick of the day. They say that they are "flawless with amazing stitching". Well done Earwig!

Mr X Stitch blog
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
WHOAAA!! Thanks LMM - I hadn't seen that - been away from the internet for a few days. I normally go to Mr X Stitch's blog every day!

I think I'm now the second shippie to be featured on that blog - IIRC, ecumaniac had some work on there last year!
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
Foolishly went to the wool shop and now have wool and pattern for next big project, just need to get the current one finished!! It's coming along well at the moment, so hopefully will soon(ish) be finished.
 

---

Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 
My knitting and sewing have taken a backseat because of general work related stresses, but I have still been attending pottery!

I finally finished my Pineapple Colander, and this week during some much needed time off I went to a local ceramics cafe and did some painting...

What have you been up to?

[ 12. April 2012, 18:27: Message edited by: Little Miss Methodist ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I've been fairly slack most of the year, could not settle to anything much, have ripped out, rewound, put aside, that sort of thing. Lots of nasty family stresses and usually knitting would help me through. However a couple of days ago I finished and blocked Wingspan, a free pattern from Ravelry. Part of birthday present for DIL.

I still have stuff unfinished but as I pick things up again, that will happen. I'm doing my fourth Brangian shawl. It wanted to be something else but I could not make it work and I know Brangian does work and look good. MadelineTosh Pashmina which is a dream to knit and I've almost finished the stocking stitch triangle. Here's the first of that pattern done a while ago when I still lived with son and DIL.
 

---

Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
The town where I live has a campaign against a new supermarket coming here, with the name Plan B for Hay. One of the people on the committee has asked me to get in touch with the local yarn bombers to put yarn 'B's up around town - so I think that's going to be my next project.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Go to it Eigon, a supermarket would spoil Hay.
 

---

Posted by Roseofsharon (# 9657) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
a couple of days ago I finished and blocked Wingspan, a free pattern from Ravelry.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by To The Pain:
Beautiful RoS!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Roseofsharon:

quote:

---

Originally posted by To The Pain:
Beautiful RoS!

---

I can only assume you mean Lothlorien's "Wingspan" - mine is but a beautiful dream for now.

---

Oops, yes! I quoted from your post, hence the misattribution. You'll just have to make sure the pre-emptive compliment is appropriate
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
No problems here from me! Gave Wingspan to DIL the other day. She loved it and wore it. If I did another one I think I would go for bolder colour way with longer repeats. I used the one I did because I love the yarn and already had it in stash.

Am now starting lace part of Brangian shawl in Madeline Tosh Pashmina which is also lovely.
 

---

Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
I've finished my Jumper. Feeling suitably pleased with myself.
 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
Ooooh, I love the pockets of that, Surfing Madness! It is fabbitty.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I love Wingspan...unfortunately I can't knit, so I'll always have to love it from afar, but it is unusual and pretty and...and...and...
(Yes, I know the pattern says it is easy, but to a non-knitter like me it is as beyond my capabilities and flying to the moon would be.
Hope your DiL loves it too!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
I've finished my Jumper. Feeling suitably pleased with myself.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
This afternoon I cast off Bronwyn Parry's Brangian shawl. Pictures of unblocked shawl are here.

---

Oh, that's lovely. The colour is beautiful!

I recently picked up a second hand book about white work embroidery, and decided to have a bash at it! Looking at the pics in the book I decided Carrickmacross Lace looked easy enough - you applique muslin on to netting, couch it down, and then cut away the muslin that isn't part of the design. So I doodled a design of some birds holding a key, and over the weekend I made this.

[ 16. May 2012, 09:57: Message edited by: Earwig ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Your work is beautiful too. I really admire skills needed for that as I don't have them. I do cross stitch occasionally but find I now need to use quite a coarse weave of fabric and broad daylight or I can't see where to put needle. Glasses are a new script too.
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I've just completed this non-textile craft with a beautiful cup, sauce and plate set that I fell in love with at a charity shop - it was a far quicker end-result than all my various knitting, sewing & rug making projects that I have on the go. It's already in use, so back to the knitting.....
 

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Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
I suddenly have lots and lots of knitting queued - things for this year's crop of babies, and a super-secret present commissioned by one friend to give to another, and madpanic madpanic knitting and embroidering at warp speed to finish some jubilee / coronation stuff I'm doing for another friend which needs posted before the end of the month. Madpanic.

Was working on the coronation figures today and someone watching asked if I'd take another request once she's worked out what she wants...
 

---

Posted by cattyish (# 7829) on :
 
Last weekend, while driving up the road from a lovely shipmeet, I stopped at a friend's house and bought one of these beauties from her (she had three). So far I have used it to hem up a pair of trousers adn to make a dress for my sister-in-law.

Today I got three fancy feet in the post from the same friend, so now I need to do lots of sewing to learn how.

Cattyish, excited.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That's really lovely, Cattyish. My grandmother had a treadle machine. I seem to remember it was New Home?? Not as pretty as yours though.

Nostalgic Lothlorien.
 

---

Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
I'm loving lothlorien's shawls and scarves: I'm about halfway through my third Ishbel: this one is going to warm the neck of a dear friend who gets chilly in the University Library. It's lace weight, and an soft, rosy red.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you, Amos. I have done a couple of Ishbel in Luxury 4 ply from Bendigo mills down here. Lovely yarn huge 200gm ball and good price. I've also done Ishbel beret for myself.

I had a severe case of shawl fever a couple of years ago and did many. I used them as meditation when going through nasty divorce. I had to concentrate on the pattern and not think of circumstances.

I don't do as many now, but like to be doing them occasionally. I have a Transatlantic shawl on the needles but while it's easy, I find it a bit boring.

Have you tried Aestlight by Gudrun Johnson? I've done several of them in different weights. The plain triangle is knitted with yarnovers at the beginning of the row, then these are picked up and Birdsnest lace done and a border added to that.

Evelyn Clark has some pretty patterns for both shawls and scarves and I've done her Shetland fir cones a couple of times. MIlkweed is lovey too and quite quick and Brandywine which was a fundraiser for Haiti earthquake relief. Travelling woman is easy but I found it boring. Striped study and its similar make effective unusual shawls. All done with short row shaping.

So many. I put only the one link to avoid hostly annoyance!

Still typos even after previewing!

[ 22. May 2012, 06:57: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Anna B (# 1439) on :
 
Hello fellow-crafters!

At Christmastime my mother-in-law, who grew up in Norway, helped me put a warp on my loom. I've made minimal progress since then---I've been threading the heddles and it's going rather slowly, especially since the pattern is complex.

When I told a weaver friend who is also a Christian about this, she told me that the devil was preventing me from working on the loom.

I was rather at a loss for a suitable response, and am sharing this story with you in hopes of hearing one.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anna B:

When I told a weaver friend who is also a Christian about this, she told me that the devil was preventing me from working on the loom.

I was rather at a loss for a suitable response, and am sharing this story with you in hopes of hearing one.

---

'Why?'

As a ploy for compassing your damnation, it seems a bit on the feeble side.
 

---

Posted by Mullygrub (# 9113) on :
 
Anna B, perhaps you might articulate that (thankfully for your friend) the devil was also preventing you from enacting an extracurricula, yet creative, use for your shuttle involving her nether-regions and the application of substantial and targeted force from you.

Just a thought.

Of course, she may no longer wish to be friends with you after this.

Or perhaps that's impetus for you?
 

---

Posted by Mrs Shrew (# 8635) on :
 
Anna B -that is bonkers! I probably would have looked confused and asked what possible use prevention of weaving could have.

Hope it starts to speed up soon, as you get more used to it :-)

I am having a crafting day today as I wait in for the oven repairman. So far I have cut out a mockup waistcoat to fit on Mrshrew, and made most of a green taffeta skirt. The blanket I ought to be working on remains untouched however.
 

---

Posted by Drifting Star (# 12799) on :
 
Isn't there an Old Testament prohibition on mixing fibres when making cloth? Or maybe it's because you should be like the lilies of the field - alright, it's spinning that they don't do, but if they did spin it would be so that they could weave, I'm sure...

Please ask her what she meant!
 

---

Posted by Anna B (# 1439) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Drifting Star:
Isn't there an Old Testament prohibition on mixing fibres when making cloth? Or maybe it's because you should be like the lilies of the field - alright, it's spinning that they don't do, but if they did spin it would be so that they could weave, I'm sure...

Please ask her what she meant!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Little Miss Methodist:

I started a new pair on Thursday even though I have lots of unfinished pairs languishing around my house. I didn't feel like knitting any of those so I gave in to the temptation to start something new. Does anyone else do that?

---

Yes, of course! Different socks to suit different days / moods / times / etc.

The bit of socks I like least is grafting toes. I tend to leave finished-but-for-toes socks lying around for ages.

I'm impressed at your discipline in Not Buying More Yarn. I have so many projects queued in my head that I want to buy pretties for...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I actually like grafting, it's good watching it come together apparently seamlessly. You can always make a round toe, a bit like the top of a hat with evenly spaced decreases, then thread through few remaining stitches and pull thread tight.

Yes, I start things too, especially socks. At least they are easily carried and I can grab them on way out the door. Unlike a shawl where I need the pattern and somewhere to put it, even if on iPad.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Yes, I too start things before the previous project is completed,. I have a quilt that I started over 30 years ago, now a rug, a jumper (I suspect thatbwon't get completed because the yarn is too thick for our winters now) and so many more. There is always something new to try out, and mostly I have every intention to finish the earlier ones, and usually pick them up as the mods takes me. So many crafts, so little time.
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
For my brother's wedding I am making this dress. It's an original 50s pattern, and I love dresses from that era. They are so much more elegant and flattering than a lot of what's around now. At the time it was in fashion to be an actual woman, with a bosom, a waist and a bottom and they also cover all the bits of one's anatomy that a dress ought to cover.

I want to make the final dress in raw silk, which is expensive, so this weekend I ran it up using the least ugly thing out of the 2€/metre box to make sure it would fit. It turned out pretty well as long as you don't look at the inside, where I've been a wee smidge lazy on the finishing (I'm planning to take a bit more care on the final one). I'm surprised how well it holds together (wrapover dresses frequently fall apart) and it makes my waist look all teeny-tiny. I shall endeavour to post pictures if I can find the bits to hook my phone up to my computer.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:

...and it makes my waist look all teeny-tiny.

---

I want that dress!!
 

---

Posted by Ferijen (# 4719) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
A long time ago (i.e. shortly after New Year) I posted about doing something with my younger God-daughter's handiwork. Well my solution is finished. I should add I chickened out of getting my sewing machine out (the hard part) and making up the cushion so got a nice may to do it.


By the way I am also showing off Minerva.

Jengie

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Theophania:
I'm impressed at your discipline in Not Buying More Yarn. I have so many projects queued in my head that I want to buy pretties for...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Roseofsharon:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
a couple of days ago I finished and blocked Wingspan, a free pattern from Ravelry.

---

Wingspan is pretty near the top of my queue of intended projects - I'm just waiting to find the right yarn.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
So pretty Roseofsharon.

---

Lovely and it looks just right on that background.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
How beautiful, Roseofsharon!
 

---

Posted by Jenn. (# 5239) on :
 
I'm feeling rather proud of myself today after finishing a dress for my daughter. It might need taking up so I'll try it on her tomorrow. Hopefully will post pics tomorrow night

I am feeling a bit silly for picking such a difficult pattern (fully lined childs dress). I think it has mostly worked. Tomorrow is d-day either way. Wish me luck
 

---

Posted by Jenn. (# 5239) on :
 
Picture now on blog (see sig). Not 100% perfect, but I'm pretty chuffed. SJ calls it her princess dress
 

---

Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
That's cute, Jenn. Calling it a 'princess dress' sounds like pretty good endorsement.

At the weekend I knitted up and sewed the arms and legs on a tiny teddy for a friend's baby who was dedicated. Gave me a bit of energy for the gigantic ripple crochet blanket I'm working on. Only a month or so (I can probably stretch it to six weeks) to go on that one. Then I'll have to think of something new to do. There are babies being gestated all over the place, so I imagine I'll be able to keep fairly busy on that front.
 

---

Posted by Niminypiminy (# 15489) on :
 
Since I last posted I finished the shawls I made for my sister and her (now) wife at their civil partnership. By a complete fluke the shawls matched the colours of their wedding dresses exactly!

Now am working on a Merlin scarf for my mother's 75th. I'm doing it in silk, as wool irritates her skin, and not in stripes as the yarn I'm using is self-striped in very subtle pale green/pale grey. If only I can get it finished in time, there's only a month to go, and I still have 6 repeats of the pattern left to do...

And then there's also another baby surprise jacket to do before mid-July for one of my children's teachers, who is leaving to have her baby. So much knitting! So little time!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That Merlin looks light as a feather. Very pretty.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jenn.:
Picture now on blog (see sig). Not 100% perfect, but I'm pretty chuffed. SJ calls it her princess dress

---

That befits a twirly princess going round and round with skirts flying. Very pretty.


Justine has lots of cute and quick baby things here. Quick, easy and different to make. I've now made five of her aviatrix hats which have always been well received. Last one took just a few hours in smallest size. Some patterns are free, others for sale. She was in Sydney but moved back home to NZ.

Click on PATTERNS in top right.
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Help! Heeeelp! I need sock help.

I recently learned to knit, and made a bebby jacket for a bebby. I now want to have a go at socks, and I've found some patterns and got myself some socky needles.

But but but, all the patterns I can find tell you to cast on 40 stitches for the cuff. Really? I have quite chunky little ankles, and that seems pretty skinny.

Do I need a pattern for bigger people? If so, where could I find one that would be ok for a beginner. I've tried on Ravelry but I couldn't see any that looked right. Heeeelp!
 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
Earwig - for what it's worth, I generally cast on about 72 stitches (in 4ply sock yarn on 2.5mm needles) for the cuff. My ankles are on the chunky side of average, I reckon.

If you're not doing any kind of exciting patterning for the body of the sock, then it doesn't matter whether you cast on the number stipulated: just eg make sure there are multiples of the right number for ribbing.

This may not be helpful...
 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
Missed edit window

You might find it easier to go for a recipe like this one which gives you free choice over how many stitches, what yarn, etc, but tells you how to cope with them when you've got them.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I use 60-64 stitches with 4 ply sock yarn.

If you find a pattern you like you can often adjust i to fit. eg a purl rib between pattern repeats, or two purls or none if you need fewer stitches.

DOn;t forget that size of needles will change size of sock too. Find a plainish pattern and experiment a bit. SOmetimes I use a bigger needle on cuff and smaller on foot.

After all, who will really be that close to see.

Have fun. POst again with any questions, I know others here also knit socks.

I wear only handknit socks now, my feet love them.
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Thanks Theophania and Loth, that's really helpful. Glad I'm not going mad - 40 stitches did seem not enough!

Theophania - I love the sock recipe pattern and will definately give it a go. Will post back with problems or pictures!
 

---

Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
Oooh, I have only ever knitted socks using a loom and I kind of made it up as I went along, as is my wont. Probably not something I should take up right now though, plenty of projects to work my way through.

Yesterday I did a little crochet after work but I spent the work day driving around the country to hold meetings. My supervisor was doing the actual driving so I got all the little bits for a tiny teddy knitted up. Just need to sew on a face, stuff and sew it all together. My tension was a bit tight from being physically tense about dropping stitches while we were on the move, but I don't think it will have made all that much difference.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Earwig, another thought about knitting socks.

When I first started doing socks some years ago now, I remember reading ahead through the directions and getting all uptight about them. They just did not seem to make sense.

Now I think reading through is generally a good idea, but not for socks.

If directions don't seem to make sense, just do them as they say. It will work and you'll feel very clever and pleased with yourself as a heel emerges from your handwork.

Just don't do as I did once when I was very upset about the nasty direction my personal life was heading in. I picked up my knitting, looked at the length of the leg and promptly did a heel. When I was part way down the foot, something felt wrong. I had a sock with two heels at right angles to each other. The sock looked ridiculous and I had wasted a good deal of time.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
It was a metaphor.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
It was a metaphor.

---

Definitely.

 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Thanks Loth! A metaphor indeed.

I only just read your post, but as luck would have it, I did just that - only read the instructions I needed next. I'm using the sock recipe Theophania posted, and I have done mt first heel turn! Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!

My gussets are a bit saggy. But such is life. I'll darn over them when I've finished.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:


My gussets are a bit saggy.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:


My gussets are a bit saggy.

---

Botox works

---

The voice of experience?

Darn those gussets!!
 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:
I have done mt first heel turn! Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!

My gussets are a bit saggy. But such is life. I'll darn over them when I've finished.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair.

---

Pride, coming before a fall. I tried my nearly finished sock on last night, and realised it was far too big. I'd miscalculated the number of stitches I needed to cast on.

I've frogged my whole sock.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I'm knitting with Noro Silk Garden Lite - intermixed with some slightly less eye-wateringly expensive Rowan silk-mix yarn. I started with a couple of balls from a London branch of John Lewis, and was trying to find out if the Edinburgh one stocked it.

'Hello, I'm enquiring about a knitting yarn by Noro - silk garden lite.

What kind of light is it?

No, that's just the name. L-I-T-E. You stock other yarns by that maker. I just want to know if you have this one.

I'll put you through to the department.

Thanks.

Hello, Lighting here...'

Eventually I bought some on e-Bay.

However, given the wild variations within shades - and I have 3 - I'm having to knit front and back in parallel to ensure the colours are roughly commensurate. I'm aiming for browns/black, with touches of blue, at the bottom, working up to pinks and greens at the top, via quite a few other colours en route.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amos:
I have finally finished Ishbel III, in red, for my friend Rachel to wear in the University Library when it's chilly. I'll get it to her today, and then start a new project. Trying to decide now what that should be. Another shawl (I love knitting in lace weight--so portable, even when it's big)? Another Baby Surprise Jacket? Or something I've never done before?

---

quote:

---

However, given the wild variations within shades - and I have 3 - I'm having to knit front and back in parallel to ensure the colours are roughly commensurate. I'm aiming for browns/black, with touches of blue, at the bottom, working up to pinks and greens at the top, via quite a few other colours en route.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
knitting was exacerbating the fingertip dermatitis. Answer: cut the fingers off

---

 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
I had fun crocheting with a vari-coloured yarn last year. I was making a jacket, and wanted it symetrical, so had to work out which balls started with the same pattern of colours to do the two fronts and the sleeves. The end result was worth the extra effort, and won first prize at our local agricultural show.

Can anyone help me on this though? I've been doing some basic needlefelting, and have had the bright idea of making a bookmark. It's got to be an easy shape and have colour worked into it so that it doesn't just look as if I've cut the shape out of bought felt. Can anyone suggest a shape/pattern/template?
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
15 years ago, when our previous vicar moved parish, we made a friendship quilt. Loads of people signed patches, and we embroidered over the signatures, and I said "never again".

Guess what? The daughter of Sue, one of our church wardens does patchwork, and Sue, bless her, has roped her in to make a patchwork quilt.

I was off work today and managed to sew over a couple of signatures. My eyes aren't as good as they were 15 years ago, and I've had fune and games threading the needle, but I've now managed tro fine an effective needle threader, but have decided I hate "j"'s.

Ah well, if the secret's kept as well as the last one, they will have a big surprise in September!
 

---

Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
Wow, that sounds like a substantial labour! I am always in awe of embroiderers and quilters as I have very little patience for either craft.

My ripple blanket has taken a bit of a hiatus and that may be a problem. I have probably 5 weeks to get it finished and 9 balls of yarn to get through in that time. So it looks like I will be popping in here with updates so that I can muster some motivation. Since a ball of yarn is about 3 rows (although there's no guarantee I'll finish at the end of a ball), I'm looking at nearly 4 rows a week. Do-able but it really will take a little bit of work every evening and some concerted effort at the weekends.

And, of course, just as the second wedding anniversary I'm crocheting for approaches, my brother and sister-in-law announce that I will be an auntie early next year. So now I'm concocting baby-things in my head. Perhaps I'll take a wee break and knit some baby leggings or something before I ask if they'd like a baby ripple blanket, which would, after all, feel like a breeze following this mammoth construction.
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
I was off work today and managed to sew over a couple of signatures. My eyes aren't as good as they were 15 years ago, and I've had fune and games threading the needle, but I've now managed tro fine an effective needle threader, but have decided I hate "j"'s.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Auntie Doris:
I finally finished the rainbow quilt I made me cousin and his wife for his wedding. The pictures are here.

Auntie Doris x

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:
can anyone suggest where I can get some 2.5mm double-pointed knitting needles?...
...if I'm better chasing up the 3.5mm ones?

---

You will have trouble finding either size in the UK as we don't have needles sizes equivalent to those metric measurements. The 2.5mm don't seem to exist in the US either, according to this comparison website. I'm surprised you have patterns requiring those sizes - or are the from some other place?

Your best bet is to try needles in the sizes either side of those quoted and see which are giving the nearest stitch/row count to the gauge the pattern stipulates.
That is always the best course anyway (or so I am told )

[ 17. July 2012, 21:29: Message edited by: Roseofsharon ]
 

---

Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:
First, can anyone suggest where I can get some 2.5mm double-pointed knitting needles?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Auntie Doris:
I finally finished the rainbow quilt I made me cousin and his wife for his wedding. The pictures are here.

Auntie Doris x

---

That's gorgeous!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Little Miss Methodist:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:
First, can anyone suggest where I can get some 2.5mm double-pointed knitting needles?

---

I have three pairs of 2.5mm needles, none of which were at all hard to come by in the UK.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by To The Pain:

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Auntie Doris:
I finally finished the rainbow quilt I made me cousin and his wife for his wedding. The pictures are here.

Auntie Doris x

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That's gorgeous!

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Seconded!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Little Miss Methodist:

quote:

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Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:
First, can anyone suggest where I can get some 2.5mm double-pointed knitting needles?

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I have three pairs of 2.5mm needles, none of which were at all hard to come by in the UK. I regularly knit slightly thicker socks on them. Here are some possible online sources:

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Thanks! I'll have a proper look at those when I'm home. The problem with Oxford is that all the useful shops close down due to high rents...
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Have you tried ebay? Much as I support local shops, sometimes they don't sell what I want, so I fall back on this.
 

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Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
Celtic Knotweed - the last 2.5mms I bought were a madly gimmicky set from Regia, stocked by John Lewis, that come as a set of five with little rubber socks to keep them all together / keep the yarn on them. According to the lable they come in 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5mm. Probably available over the interweb somehow? Or I can post you some from London

I have blogged about my growing obsession with mitred square blankets. Now knitting my third...
 

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Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
Well, I got a row completed over the weekend. It was like pulling teeth. I'm not bored of the project, just finding very little time to squeeze it into. Perhaps a concerted effort this week will help. I'm also hoping that living in a house with a television will give me sitting and crocheting time, but it doesn't always seem to work that way.

And I'm moving house in a couple of weeks. That could seriously eat into my available crochet time. I have previously brought projects all sorts of places with me to get a little done in lunch hours and during miscellaneous waiting times but this is a pretty bulky blanket, not the sort of thing you can carry around easily on the off-chance of some time to add a few stitches. Ho hum.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Lost track of how many back to back projects I've done this year - but I am feeling extraordinarily pleased with myself for turning some unwanted white A5 envelopes into snappy little gift bags. I was visiting an office, and rescued a box of them from being thrown out even though they had the logo of a defunct politician in one corner.

I wanted them for a local mission that uses these gift bags - and have saved them at least $50. In the process I discovered how easy it is to make your own gift bags. The trick is to use a box the right dimension for the bag to fold the bottom part (just like beginning to wrap a present). The rest is easy.

It's the simple things that keep me happy.
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 
@Banner Lady That's such a good idea! Why had I never thought to make my own gift bags before.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Heh. The name of the polly and the Australian coat of arms got folded neatly into the base of each bag. I had to find a box that slid neatly inside the envelope without being too fat. Actually, the envelopes worked really well, because once the end is cut off to make a cylinder of paper, you are left with two nice creases at the centre of each side and that makes it so much easier to push them the opposite way to get that inverted side fold that carrier bags have. Even the envelope flap at the top was handy for reinforcement for the handles. The bit I cut off the bottom got reglued on to the other side at the top so each handle had reinforcement. I used a double hole punch and then knotted in some rafia or ribbon for the handles. The bases need good fast craft glue to make them stick as you fold them, but the bases of the bags were really strong by the time I'd finished.

Yes. This was A Good Thing!

Editing to add I am now going to attempt to make some from old calendar pictures. I figure that large calendars should have about enough paper in them to do this. I'll let you know how I go!

[ 24. July 2012, 01:24: Message edited by: Banner Lady ]
 

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Posted by Anglo Catholic Relict (# 17213) on :
 
I love this thread!

I am at present making the cake for our patronal, but in due course have a new cassock for the Vicar, a High Mass set and matching cope, some servers capes and some curtains for the Lady Chapel to make.

The cassocks each have 39 buttons, plus 9 more on the cape. And 48 button holes, even though most of them will never, ever be used.

Apart from that, it is going to be a quiet summer.

[ 24. July 2012, 07:25: Message edited by: Anglo Catholic Relict ]
 

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Posted by Anglo Catholic Relict (# 17213) on :
 
Also, during Lent I painted the Easter candle for my church. If anyone wants to have a go at that some time, I can explain how; acrylic paint mostly.

It has a vine leaf curling all round it, then on the front, in order, a wheatsheaf, Our Lady, the cross and date (as usual), the Agnus Dei and another wheatsheaf, and on the back St Mary Magdalen and the Risen Lord, St Maximilian Kolbe and St Cecila.

It took pretty well all of Lent to do it, but it was good to do. Father likes it, because he decided what he wanted on it; I just did the painting by numbers (ie copying images from elsewhere)

I remembered because it got knocked over 2 Sundays ago, and I spent most of last week gluing it back together again and repainting it.

[ 24. July 2012, 07:32: Message edited by: Anglo Catholic Relict ]
 

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Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
Managed nearly another row last night. I can do this.

But I just want to go and look at cute little baby things - becoming an auntie could provide a wonderful excuse to get to work on lots of speedy little projects.
 

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Posted by tessaB (# 8533) on :
 
Having been totally inspired by reading this thread I decided I wanted to learn to crochet. Youtube being my friend, I found lots of videos on how to do various stiches but do find that a lot of the really important information is left out.
Which is why I went to buy wool for a chair throw, bought 5 balls confidently, and have now used them all up to make about 6 inches of a throw. I might turn it into a scarf.
I don't know how to read patterns and can only do a couple of stiches - where do I go from here?
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I recently increased my reportoire of crochet stitches from 3 to 5. Though, TBH, the two new ones are simply arrangements of he ones I already knew. That's he thing with crochet, you can build quite a lot on the basis of single and double crochet alone.

My most successful piece was all in single crochet - make-it-up-as-you-go kimono style jacket. Works well in mercerised cotton, which gives a nice drape. Basically, just make as many chain as you want for the width of the back, and start working up. To vary the monotony, you can have fun with stripes. Whenever you feel minded, extend by as many chain as you want length of sleeve. You now have a T shape. When you think it's long enough to the shoulder, leave a space for the neck and complete the two sides to match the back. Finally, work round the fronts and across the neck until you have as much band as you want (more fun with stripes!). If you like, you can add bands to the end of the sleeves.

The great thing about crochet is that you can pretty well add on in any direction until you get the size and shape you want.

ETA: I've tried working from patterns and they just make my brain hurt.

[ 24. July 2012, 22:15: Message edited by: Firenze ]
 

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Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
Glad this thread inspired you, tessaB.

This site gives pretty good instructions on all the basics. You say you only know a couple of stitches; the good news is that crocheting is all elaboration on those stitches.

The one basic thing that site doesn't cover is how to make a granny square. I think this is a pretty good explanation.

Learning to read patterns will open up a lot of things for you; the first site will help you with that. When you're getting started with that, keeping a list handy that tells you what the abbreviations mean will help. Patterns will tell you how much yarn you need to buy. Also, assuming you're buying yarn in a small shop and not a huge craft emporium, talk to the people who work there. I found such folks to be extremely helpful when I was working on things I didn't have a pattern for and needed to estimate how much yarn to buy.

As far as where to start, scarves are a good idea. I made a bunch of scarves when I was learning various stitches -- you can go along for a few rows in one stitch till you feel like you've got it down, then switch to another, and in the end you'll have a sampler of various stitches.

One caveat: UK and US terms for crochet stitches are different. I've linked to things that use UK terms; if you find something you want to make that's described in US terms, you'll need to look up the corresponding UK terms.

And feel free to ask questions on this thread.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
TessaB, just a couple of cautions with sites. Are you aware that terms for various stitches differ . US terms are different to UK and much else of the world. I'll dig up a comparison when I get home if no one else has done it before. Same stitch, but different names and this will make a difference till you get used to it.

The other is amount of yarn. Crochet eats yarn much more quickly than knitting to get a similar size piece. However it makes a denser, fabric usually, unless you do lacy squares or similar.
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 
30% more yarn for crochet compared to knitting is the figure that I have seen quoted.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Here's a neat chart of different uses of terminology. There are lots of others around which are easily found with a search on crochet, US, UK or similar.

Some have instructions for each stitch included.

[ 25. July 2012, 00:58: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
I have a photocopy of several pages of a crochet book I found in the local library (only internal pages, so I can't even check what the books is) which has really good step-by-step instructions with photographs for a huge range of stitches. It's already been mentioned that most of them are variations on the basic stitches.

I've probably posted about Attic24 before - her tutorials are often combined with patterns (scroll down and they are all listed on the left-hand side) and make things really clear, with very good step-by-step photographs. Over time I think she has shifted from US to UK terms, but with the detailed instructions and photographs you can always see which stitches she means.

In other news, I managed nearly another row of my ripple blanket last night. I feel all is not lost but worry that my progress may be stymied by moving house in a couple of weeks.
 

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Posted by Mrs Shrew (# 8635) on :
 
I still haven't finished The Blanket Of Doom.

The trouble is that the more I think about it, the more I can't face it.

And last night I took my beautiful lace knitting out to knit at a craft group, and was too tired and made a huge mess so I am scared to even look at it...

It is not a happy craft week in Shrewland
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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It is not a happy craft week in Shrewland

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Having twice unpicked two rows of fine lace, I sympathise with you. That means two rows and another separate two rows. Each row was just under 400 stitches. Picking it out took a lot of last week.
 

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Posted by Mrs Shrew (# 8635) on :
 
You have my sympathies on that Lothlorien!
 

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Posted by tessaB (# 8533) on :
 
Thanks for all the encouragement. I hadn't realised that US and UK stiches were titled differently (blooming typical though ) so the list is really useful.
I have now finished a scarf (yes I know 32 degrees outside but being England I wll wear it eventually) and have had a go at crochet flowers. Very enjoyable, not sure what I will put them on but good fun.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Heh. I've just put some crocheted flowers on a fascinator. Mission fundraising event has a garden party theme. Home made fascinators are called for. Friends and I have made over 20 weird and wonderful millinery creations. Not particularly elegant, but some of them are sure going to be talking points! Note to self...MUST take photos...I always seem to forget that bit once I've finished doing something.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Little girls seem to like crocheted flowers on head bands. I've seen some on hairclips too, glued on with hot glue gun. Also brooches with a pin on the back. My granddaughters made themselves brooches of layered flowers of felt when staying with me. Again, a pin on the back. They asked if I had any flowers so they could do the same as the the felt. They were 7 and 9 then ls t year.. Crochet a chain and make a necklace. I don't do much crochet but read several crafty type blogs from down here. and see this sort of thing on many of them.

You could join individual flowers by petal edges as a bracelet or make wristwarmers from granny squares. These were also popular with my granddaughters and they wear them often.

[ 27. July 2012, 00:03: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
OK. I need some inspiration. Someone has given me 24 pretty shaped but plain clear bottles with cork stoppers in them. Their idea was for me to fill them with bath salts to put in some pamper packs I am making up. BUT bath salts by the kilo are not easy to find, nor cheap to make up. I am having such trouble in my town sourcing the ingredients that I've given this up as a bad idea. Each bottle would hold a good cup full of something, but if it's not going to be bath salts, what else could I put in them???


 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Would Infused oils be a possibility? Cooking ones with herbs in should be fairly cheap to make.

Jengie
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
You could make salt scrub exfoliant. Some girlfriends and I were wandering round the Marais and found a boutique selling this stuff for like, 30€ a tub. Which is expensive, but after trying out the sample I saw that it does leave your skin deliciously silky smooth so I was umming and ahing - then went on line and discovered it costs almost nothing to make it yourself.

Get a big handful of sea salt - I use milled, you can also use coarse sea salt, but don't use table salt (too abrasive). Add two spoons of sweet almond oil and a couple of drops of lavender oil or rose oil.

To use it, soak in the bath or shower for a while then get a decent lump of the scrub and rub it over your personage (it's particularly good for hands but can be used on any part of one's anatomy except for the face). Rinse. Your skin is now like a baby's bottom.

Whether this will work with your bottles depends on how wide the neck is.

[ 27. July 2012, 10:13: Message edited by: la vie en rouge ]
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
Would Infused oils be a possibility? Cooking ones with herbs in should be fairly cheap to make.

Jengie

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When infusing oils it's worth being careful to avoid nasties.

Would talc-free dusting powder work?
For each cup of arrowroot powder I add 1 tablespoon of crushed camomile flowers and another of crushed lavender flowers.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Some lovely ideas there - but to add to the difficulty (as if narrow necked bottles with cork rather than screw tops wasn't hard enough), these pamper packs must be scent free.

But I decided the easiest and cheapest thing to do with them was to make them into "Message in a Bottle" gifts. I put a thoughtful message on pretty pink paper and tied them up with pink and gold ribbon. They look even better than I hoped. I figure it's a different kind of pampering; for bathing the soul. And who here has never wanted to find a message in a bottle?

I always try to avoid being in the kitchen as much as possible - so this was my perfect solution!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
More crochet ideas, although I much prefer knitting.

I was out today and say a woman with a scarf made from granny squares. Just a single long line, although I think I would prefer it two squares wide. It looked too narrow. Three colours had been used and each square was a variation of the three colours. Looked good. I think this would be a quick and easy present.
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
.... I decided the easiest and cheapest thing to do with them was to make them into "Message in a Bottle" gifts. I put a thoughtful message on pretty pink paper and tied them up with pink and gold ribbon. They look even better than I hoped. I figure it's a different kind of pampering; for bathing the soul. And who here has never wanted to find a message in a bottle?

I always try to avoid being in the kitchen as much as possible - so this was my perfect solution!

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What a lovely idea :-)
 

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Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
The messages in bottles sound fun - just the sort of thing to cheer the spirits.

I've finally ordered those knitting needles via Get Knitted. Thanks again for the links Little Miss Methodist! Once they arrive I just need to get started on my/Sandemaniac's new gloves... after I sort out at least 2 unfinished cross-stitch projects, mend clothes, patch a rucksack and a bike pannier, take up walking trousers, fix the hem on work trousers... Suspect I'll just start them anyway and do my usual flitting between things depending on what I feel like.
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I saw some of those craft cutters that you can use to make things out of marzipan, icing etc. These are to make 3 dimensional doves in 3 sizes. I am going to experiment with craft clay to see if I can make them into dove mobiles...

I have never done anything like this before and I don't like getting "messy"...so I hope that I enjoy the creative process and don't worry too much about the end result!
 

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Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
I need a new bliaut (which is a 12th/13th century dress with angel sleeves). My present one has come apart at the waist (again), and anyway it's only suitable for the warmest of summer days, being very thin linen.
So I'm off to Hereford next weekend to get 5 metres of decent wool....
 

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Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
I just treated myself to some gorgeous red and white Westfalenstoffe fabric for a future quilting project, I'm planning a quilt in just red and white.
 

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Posted by WhateverTheySay (# 16598) on :
 
I've decided to take up jewellery making. I've bought myself a load of nice beads and string. This will give me something to concentrate on when I need to forget about all the shit.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by WhateverTheySay:
I've decided to take up jewellery making. I've bought myself a load of nice beads and string. This will give me something to concentrate on when I need to forget about all the shit.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Kitten:
I just treated myself to some gorgeous red and white Westfalenstoffe fabric for a future quilting project, I'm planning a quilt in just red and white.

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I really like the sound of that. I've just seen one somewhere by a beginner in just blue and white and the simplicity made it stunning.

I'm not a quilter and have no plans on doing quilting, but I very much admire many of the beautiful quilts around.

Red and white sounds great to me. Actually just my colours, white bedroom with a red set of drawers.
 

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Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
Oh, calamity! I've found clothes moths in my stash of dog fur, which I was going to spin, and it's got to go! I have managed to save some of it - but it is a reminder that I've had some of it for several years and it's about time I actually got on with it rather than just thinking it might be a nice thing to do!
 

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Posted by WhateverTheySay (# 16598) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

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Originally posted by WhateverTheySay:
I've decided to take up jewellery making. I've bought myself a load of nice beads and string. This will give me something to concentrate on when I need to forget about all the shit.

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A lot of fun can be had (and expense spared) by hunting through charity shops for pieces to deconstruct. Though the money you save, you then spend on
this kind of thing in order to store them all.

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Thanks. Definitely something worth doing. All sorts of interesting jewellery finds its way to charity shops.
 

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Posted by tessaB (# 8533) on :
 
For storage of jewellry bits and bobs I use the plastic lidded boxes that take-aways come in. Friends use them for cat food trays or starting off seedlings, very versatile and hey it gives you an excuse to eat take-away
 

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Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Eigon:
Oh, calamity! I've found clothes moths in my stash of dog fur, which I was going to spin, and it's got to go! I have managed to save some of it - but it is a reminder that I've had some of it for several years and it's about time I actually got on with it rather than just thinking it might be a nice thing to do!

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quote:

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Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
feeing rather chuffed...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:

Is St Ives still available and do you know where I can buy it who would mail down here? As I wrote this, I also remembered Sirdar Town and Country which I can no longer find here.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
As I said, strictly speaking I do not need it at the moment.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Theophania:

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
As I said, strictly speaking I do not need it at the moment.

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Everyone needs more sock yarn, no?

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Definitely. Sock wool makes lovely small scarves.
 

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Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Thanks Huai...I've been wondering if I "needed" one. I'm thinking probably not...
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Dear Crafters

An odd question, the price for the lapel clips to hold lapel microphones can be exorbitant (£12 for one that is basically a crocodile (alligator) clip with a holder attached).

So I am wondering if I can make my own homemade ones for lots less. Any ideas on how that might be achieved or where any pitfalls are?

Jengie
 

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Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
Hi Jengie

I have on my desk a small. gold coloured, metal clothes peg ( about 1" long) of the type normally used to peg Christmas Cards to strings. Could something like this be adapted, perhaps feeding the cable through the middle of the spring. I don't think these would be too dear but don't know the price as mine came out of a cracker
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
Hi
Returning to the Ship after several years break.
I'm a rather addicted crafter, I've been sewing for years, making clothes, home accessories and quilts. I also make jewelery and fuse glass in a small kiln. I don't knit or crochet though, I have early onset arthritis and decided a repetitive hand craft was not the way forward with me. I get jealous of everyone else's creations instead
Re: the Cuttlebug, I have something similar called a Big Shot. I use it to cut appliques mainly, as well as papercraft and stencils, and my husband uses it for sunday school materials. But the dies are expensive.

[ 22. August 2012, 21:27: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by WhateverTheySay:
I've decided to take up jewellery making. I've bought myself a load of nice beads and string. This will give me something to concentrate on when I need to forget about all the shit.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
Dear Crafters

An odd question, the price for the lapel clips to hold lapel microphones can be exorbitant (£12 for one that is basically a crocodile (alligator) clip with a holder attached).

So I am wondering if I can make my own homemade ones for lots less. Any ideas on how that might be achieved or where any pitfalls are?

Jengie

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dormouse:
I've seen lots of crafters on blogs talking about a "cuttlebug" - altho I've visited the Cuttlebug site I still don't really know what it does. Nor if I need/would like one for my card making.

Can anyone help with their experiences of a cuttlebug?

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Dormouse I have a Sizzix Big Shot which is a similar bit of kit. I've been using it this morning to do this to create this
 

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Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
My woollen medieval dress is successfully made - and I had a break in the middle of making it to pop round the corner to watch children learning to clog dance at the local craft fair!
 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 
Congratulations on the dress Eigon.

I've just finished the second of two cross stitch birth samplers. The children were born in 2005 & 2006 and I started them in 2008.

I finished the main design work quite a while ago but couldn't work out how to work out the placement of the names and dates and kept putting off thinking about it.

The eldest was thrilled with hers when I gave it to her a few weeks ago. So that made it worth while.

I have learnt that I don't like doing cross stitch very much.

I'm experimenting with surface embroidery which I prefer doing.

Next up is finishing a large number of small knitted ufos which all ground to a halt for various reasons. I'm a beginning knitter and I hit some sort of snag with them all and they got put in the pending bag.
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
At church we are planning to have a Christmas fair, and was wondering if people had ideas of things that I can make, and that are usually good sellers.
Also I have suggested a few craft evenings before hand, ideas of things that we could do/ suggest to people might be useful as well.

Thanks
 

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Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
I've made these mini knitted Christmas stockings a couple of times for fundraisers: they look really impressive, are dead easy to make (I used to knit them in lectures ) and sell like hot cakes.

Mine are here.
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Thyme:
Next up is finishing a large number of small knitted ufos which all ground to a halt for various reasons. I'm a beginning knitter and I hit some sort of snag with them all and they got put in the pending bag.

---

My knitting halted when I started getting eczema on one of my fingers (the one that the yarn winds around). I thought it had cleared, but when I started up again, it returned, this time with a vengeance

Will I forever be knitting with gloves on?!!
 

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Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :
 
How upsetting. Eczema is very mysterious. Would a small plaster or light bandage round the finger when knitting help?
 

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Posted by Drifting Star (# 12799) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Theophania:
I've made these mini knitted Christmas stockings a couple of times for fundraisers: they look really impressive, are dead easy to make (I used to knit them in lectures ) and sell like hot cakes.

Mine are here.

---

Oooh - those are gorgeous! I've just clicked on the 'free patterns' link on that site and there are lots of other things that would be brilliant at a Christmas fair - Christmas-themed and otherwise. Thanks for the link Theophania.

 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I made similar one year to hold small tags for gifts. They don't take long and they were very popular.
 

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Posted by To The Pain (# 12235) on :
 
That's where I got the instructions for knitting tiny teddies, although I cheat and crochet the ears to make them nice and round.

Late last night I finished the anniversary blanket. Totally failed to take any pictures, measurements or even count the stripes. Even so, I figure it's about 6' x 4' and contains around 1.5 kilos of cotton yarn. Because the ripple stripes run lengthways and are two rows deep each one took around 2 hours and IIRC there are over 40 of them, maybe even 50 or 60 - I shall have to get my brother and sister-in-law to do a count when they receive it. I am quite proud of it and hope they enjoy it.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ecumaniac:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Thyme:
Next up is finishing a large number of small knitted ufos which all ground to a halt for various reasons. I'm a beginning knitter and I hit some sort of snag with them all and they got put in the pending bag.

---

My knitting halted when I started getting eczema on one of my fingers (the one that the yarn winds around). I thought it had cleared, but when I started up again, it returned, this time with a vengeance

Will I forever be knitting with gloves on?!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ecumaniac:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Thyme:
Next up is finishing a large number of small knitted ufos which all ground to a halt for various reasons. I'm a beginning knitter and I hit some sort of snag with them all and they got put in the pending bag.

---

My knitting halted when I started getting eczema on one of my fingers (the one that the yarn winds around). I thought it had cleared, but when I started up again, it returned, this time with a vengeance

Will I forever be knitting with gloves on?!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Theophania:
I've made these mini knitted Christmas stockings a couple of times for fundraisers: they look really impressive, are dead easy to make (I used to knit them in lectures ) and sell like hot cakes.

Mine are here.

---

They are lovely! Thanks for sharing the link. As soon as I've finished knitting the body warmer I'm making as a Christmas pressie I'll start on those.... perhaps for 2013 though
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 
Dr tells me it's pompholyx eczema, which is a mysterious kind of thing. Currently it's doing ok with the prescription steroid cream and me being careful of "my poor delicate hands".

Previous box of gloves I had were disposable vinyl ones. Currently have the blue nitrile ones. No latex anywhere. I've got tubes of E45 scattered throughout the house/car/handbags so I can keep moisturised, and have replaced soap with aqueous cream.

The info I've found online has generally been pretty consistent and sensible sounding, except for the UK Eczema Society which listed homeopathy as a treatment! I tweeted this, and sparked off an argument with a couple of homeopathy apologists

After the current outbreak has cleared, I might have a go at the tape-yarn-in-elbow thing. If I remember right, I think it originally started while I was knitting with a silk/cotton blend.
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Ecumaniac

I do not know if this is useful but could it be friction related?

I think this would require some enviromental irritant which basically makes you susceptible but then the yarn moving over while knitting creates an extra stress and so the flare up.

I only get very mild stuff but I know at the stage before an out break my skin becomes very rough (no inflamation, redness or such) and I get paper cuts very easily.

Jengie
 

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Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
Thanks to Lothlorien, I spent my fortnight's holiday knitting a large all-lace Brangian shawl in lace-weight merino (Malbrigo lace, for yarn mavens). It's nearly done--just a couple more rows of Chart 3 and the picot edge. Then I'll have three shawls to block on the living room rug--the Brangian, a sky-blue Holden, and a grey-blue 'Age of Brass and Steam.' Whatever next?
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Amos:
a grey-blue 'Age of Brass and Steam.'

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quote:

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Originally posted by ecumaniac:

quote:

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Originally posted by Amos:
a grey-blue 'Age of Brass and Steam.'

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That sounds really cool. Link to a photo/pattern?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:
It looks slightly weird, but not unconvincing.

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I hope you will share a photo.

How do you get on with bamboo yarn?
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
The trouble with bamboo is, that while it is soft and drapes well, it drops dreadfully. I have a jumper in it that is steadily migrating into a dress.

I'm hoping this tendency may be kept in check in this instance by the admixture of other, firmer yarns.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
The picture knit.

Hopefully that link is visible.
 

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Posted by Surfing Madness (# 11087) on :
 
Very impressive Firenze
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
This afternoon I made a little grey felt cat brooch (OK, it was from a kit, but you have to start somewhere, right?) and I am quite pleased with it.

There was sufficient in the kit to make 2 brooches, so I'm going to look for some vivid green beads for the eyes (instead of the black ones that were in the kit) because I have grey cats with vivid green eyes IRL, and it will be cool to have a matching brooch. I'll probably give the one I made away as a present.
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Firenze, that is stunning! Very lovely!
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by jedijudy:
Firenze, that is stunning! Very lovely!

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quote:

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Originally posted by daisydaisy:

quote:

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Originally posted by jedijudy:
Firenze, that is stunning! Very lovely!

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Stunning indeed... And it must have taken ages!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Firenze:
The picture knit.

Hopefully that link is visible.

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Firenze that reminds me of a wonderful jumper my dear lamented MiL made for me - it had a Lake District scene on the front, with mountains and lakes and a house, and lambs frolicking. We had to buy enough wool for two, and when she handed it over to me, she said 'S, if any of your friends want one like this ....

.

.

.

...tell them to knit it themselves!'

Later, Mr. S saw someone else wearing one, and he came home to tell me he'd seen someone else wearing my jumper - but she had 'fatter sheep on broader fields!'



the phrase remains in our collective vocabulary to this day and I still have the jumper.

Mrs. S, cherishing the frolicking lambs!
 

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Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
Frolicking lambs sound fab!

Today I have accidentally started a sock yarn blanket. It's clearly going to be a work in progress for several years...
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
bump
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Theophania:
Frolicking lambs sound fab!

Today I have accidentally started a sock yarn blanket. It's clearly going to be a work in progress for several years...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
That cowl looks lovely and very cuddly! I so wish I could knit but I never learnt as a child (my mother had early onset arthritis so didn't knit). I also have arthritis now so will stick to sewing.
These last 2 days I've made a wallhanging to try out a new patchwork technique - a Convergence quilt. Must get round to updating my much neglected blog.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I have arthritis too and knitting is a form of exercise for the fingers. Over time, I have learnt what size needles and thread suit my finger. I can't knit with artificial fibres, my fingers burn and the lack of elasticity in the yarn hurts my hands. I take regular breaks and make things like socks on four needles instead of a long circular as the format forces me to stop and change needles. I do need to be careful how I sit too or will end up with aching shoulder. You will find videos online which start from very basic.

Do none of your friends knit?

Thanks for the comments on the cowl. The wool was beautiful to knit with. Organic and natural dyes made it very soft.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
Been busy cutting up pieces today to make a circle dance quilt in pastel shades, based on this http://www.backporchdesign.com/templates/l_circle_dance.jpg

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Ooh, nice!
 

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Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Heavenly Anarchist! Lovely to see you posting again!
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
I've returned after rather a long break.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
40 more patches sewn and it's sooo boring!
 

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Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I decided to make a sock wool blanket once with individual small fish. I did about ten when I realised just how many ends there would be to weave in and how many fish to stitch together.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Theophania:

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I decided to make a sock wool blanket once with individual small fish. I did about ten when I realised just how many ends there would be to weave in and how many fish to stitch together.

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Happily I have a pattern that doesn't involve sewing the pieces together, but I can see I'll have millions of ends to weave in.

Still, I'm already terribly in love with it. Photo of the beginning here.

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Mitred squares look lovely.

I don't know if you are interested for another time but Ravelry has a pattern for a cowl/scarf with mitred squares. Not done in leftover wools but two toning colours. Three or five squares for front and stitches picked up for neck. Don't have link handy but will look later.
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
That sock wool blanket is looking beautiful, very neat
All my patches for my circle dance quilt are ready to piece together now and I have a free day to get it done. I should be able to finish the top today and then I'll get dh to help me make the quilt sandwich over the weekend.
 

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Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
40 7 inch drunkard's path patches sewn today, 40 more to do tomorrow...

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I love Drunkard's Path! I still have (and use carefully, it's getting fragile) a 2-color DP quilt made by my mother circa 1935. It's all cotton, all hand sewn, and is deep rose 'paths' with a white (now ivory) background.

She loved to tell the story about quilting it. She and her sister proudly showed it to an older relative, saying 'And we put 8 spools into it!' to which the reply was 'Yes, and you could have put more!'
 

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Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 

This is my first Drunkard's Path so I went for the rather busy circle dance pattern in mixed pastels to cover up my mistakes. Now I've finished the top I'm very tempted to do a traditional two-tone pattern, perhaps in blue and cream, for our bedroom. But I also want to do another circle dance one in 'space' colours for my boys' bedroom, like lots of merging planets.
 

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Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
I would really love to get knitting again - for a number of reasons but primarily because I've heard of the good effects it has on depression. But my problem is that it's very hard for me to enjoy things for their own sake. If I'm making something, I want something I can use to come from it. I am not skilled enough to make clothing, I have enough hats, gloves and scarves and I don't need anything decorative. I was thinking simple slippers, but using more than 2 needles is a bit scary! Is it possible to make slippers from pieces stitched together? I was thinking a rectangle for the sole and then two more rectangles sewn together at the short ends and one long side of each sewn to the sole. Does this make any sense?? And what kind of yarn should I use?
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Chunky yarn sock pattern, starting just before the heel?

Or use mitred squares ? You can built them into all sorts of things - slippers, socks, vests, tops, wraps, blankets. Modular knitting in general is great for using up stash or oddments, plus you can start knitting without having to commit to it being anything in particular.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
These slippers use 7 squares a piece.
 

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Posted by Roseofsharon (# 9657) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
These slippers use 7 squares a piece.

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I made similar slippers as Christmas presents for my family a couple of years ago. They were easy and fun to do.
And the pattern is free
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
What about knitting stuff to give away? That way you also get to feel virtous about doing something nice for charidee A while back my Mum was knitting little woolly hats for premature babies - they're really cute and also go quite fast (because the preemies have little teeny tiny heads).
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Jade

How about knitting Amigurumi and giving them to people as presents. The nice thing about them is each one is relatively small to make.

Were I into knitting, used to be but my hands do not like it, I would have bought that book.

Jengie
 

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Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Jade - check out Loving Hands, a UK based grup that co-ordinate knitting for charities, including knitted boobs to help first time mums learn to breastfeed. I love that idea!
 

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Posted by Celtic Knotweed (# 13008) on :
 
Strolling over with a (hopefully) quick question. The Brother Knotweed's wife-to-be is pregnant, and I've got a pattern for a textured baby blanket which would make a good gift for small thing on arrival (mother-to-be also thinks this). However, brother doesn't always react well to wool, and chances are baby will be the same.

Pattern is for aran-weight wool, I was thinking of trying bamboo yarn, but have never used it. Can anyone provide some advice on that and other non-wool yarns, and the best way to work out how much I need compared to what the pattern says I need of wool?
 

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Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Earwig:
Jade - check out Loving Hands, a UK based group that co-ordinate knitting for charities, including knitted boobs to help first time mums learn to breastfeed. I love that idea!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:

What is everyone else up to?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
What are you sewing?.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
What are you sewing?
I'm busy preparing for the village Christmas fete. I have a stall selling fused glass items and am hurriedly producing candle holders, spoon rests and jewellery. I say hurriedly but as my kiln is tiny and each firing takes at least 8 hours, it is tediously slow. I might do some of the jewellery in a little microwave kiln so I can get some instant satisfaction.
I'm also considering selling some small girls' tiered skirts in pretty floral patterns as I sell these online anyway and can run lots up quickly - work for next week, I think.

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