I just sew and paint shoes.
Posted on 12/07/2006 6:51:44 AM PST by Knitting A Conundrum
OK.
Who's still crafting?
What are you doing?
Got any pictures?
Talk about what you do. Ask questions. Brag. Share ideas. Wrest the handwork we love to do from the lefties who think they took over our beloved crafts as a lefty thing to do. Have fun!
a surprise! VRWKNC ping!
When things seem too dark, crafters get out the workboxes...
I don't see handwork as political at all; rather, it's the antidote.
I'm currently knitting a "shrug" for a friend for Christmas, but the directions are awfully big and she's tiny, so I'm adapting as I go along, totally unsure if I am OVERadapting. KAC, have you made a shrug before?
Right now (well, not right now, but after work and on weekends), I'm sticking pins through beads and sequins, and inserting them in styrofoam balls.
So far I've only made two (a large Christmasy one and a small Hanukkah-ish one).
Also my medieval unicorn needlepoint gets pulled out on occasion. I need to quit playing that stupid computer game and get back to crafting!
I don't really...I just get irritated when I see people trying to tell me that knitting is a kooky leftwing lady activity...
I just finished knitting hubby a pair of socks that I even spun the wool for. He is very happy with them.
Sometimes, I think if I didn't FReep so much, I could get so much more needlework done...and stay away from Snood, my favorite time killer computer game...
Wow... you're up there with the Yarn Harlot, then. I've never done socks; I inherited my mother's distaste for turning the heel, I guess. :)
It is a surprise. I figured y'all were so busy getting Christmas crafts together.... busy fingers with crafts, little time for tapping on a keyboard. :)
I just moved a week ago. Crafts are for odd moments right now. If I don't have time to actually do them, it'll be nice to talk about them...
I am excited cause I have a huge room to set up as my crafting corner, though...
Oooh I love alpaca fur, that sounds beautiful. I'd love to move to the country some day and raise those critters.
I've started quilting (well, chosen and prepared the fabric for) crib bumbers for my first born. I'm having a daughter, Stella Mary, in February and would be in a quilting and knitting fury if I didn't have so much freelance work to do! :) And, of course, the constant distraction of FR... ;)
LOVE your screen name. :)
Thanks!
I love alpaca fur as well, but this is even softer as it is baby alpaca. Jr G is a tall thin man, but I am making this smallish for him to allow for stretching.
You don't want to raise alpacas unless you have a bundle of money. There is a farm near me and I hear about how much they spend with the local vet!
I'm not doing anything right now, but when dh deploys in a couple of months, I intend to work on a new quilt to pass the time. I'm excited. I am going to make it, and then donate it to our local animal shelter for their silent auction. I'll post pics as I go. I love to quilt when dh is gone. It is such a great time killer, and my kiddos love to help me.
Can I get added to this ping list? If there is one, I mean.
I'll be happy to add you!
Hee hee, yeah that pretty much sums up why we don't have any yet, and all I really know is how much they cost just to buy. Geepers it's like race horses! ;) They're awful cute though. I love the little "mmmmmm" sounds that they make.
Whooooooooohoooooooooooooo! Glad to be back and even gladder (is that correct usage?) to hear from everyone! You all are so dear.
I haven't cross-stitched for a couple of weeks because I ran out of the color of overdyed floss I was using. I hope I can at least closely match it with a new skein. Besides that, I have been busy fixing up my small abode for Christmas and recovering from a deep ankle sprain (12/9 will be one month since I sprained it).
Didn't make any Christmas gifts this year, but it is definitely the plan to do so for 2007, probably starting in January.
Congratulations! What a beautiful name! You will be busy in more ways than one.
I will keep your hubby in my prayers and I am thankful to him (and to you) for your sacrifice. Remember, we VRWKNWC peeps are here for you to lean on.
I scrapbook, quilt (a little) and sew... among other things. Love to work with my hands.
If you have a ping list, could you add me? Thanks!
Thank you so much for your kind words.
That would be "Knitting a Conundrum", and I add myself to your request.
ooops, sorry. I always forget to check who I'm replying to.
When the going gets tough, the tough start knitting.
KAC, that can be a motto for our group!
Bump for Lunch! :)
Got you added!
You're on too!
I know that's true for me...or sewing, or weaving, or spinning, or whatever....
I have started crocheting beaded wire jewelry, which has been really fun for me. I got three books (can't you teach yourself incredible stuff from books?) and sat down this last weekend, rolled up my sleeves, and just started. A couple of people I spoke to before I started said it was hard on your hands, but I haven't found that to be the case yet. The necklaces are obviously first efforts (especially the clasps), but I'm having such a kick learning this that I expect I'll improve with all the practice.
I totally stink at posting pictures (I know, I know, back to the sandbox for me), but I will try to figure out how to show you all what I'm doing. The other neat thing is that beads take a LOT less space than all my yarn for knitting and crocheting.
Hey---Thanks for the ping! Currently knitting and quilting. Thank goodness I decided NOT to make Christmas presents this year, so both are still for relaxation and most of all fun!
what? Not scrabbling for space? That's missing half the fun! ;)
One of my favorite easy sock patterns:
ANOTHER JOAN'S SOCKS
A pattern in three sizes (women's, men's, and children's) using 1
strand of WoolEase or other DK weight yarn. Will fit about a women's
size 9, men's size 11, children's size 2.
Some variations: use up leftover yarn by making multicolor stripes,
make heels and toes a different color, use a two color slip stitch
pattern for the ankle part, use any two or four stitch texture pattern
for the ankle part and/or the top of the foot part, make entire ankle
part in rib, etc.
Requires about one skein for the women's (medium) size. One set of
size 6 dp needles
Instructions are for women's size with men's size and children's size
in parentheses.
Cast on 40 (48, 32) stitches, dividing them on three needles as
follows: 10-20-10 (12-24-12, 8-16-8). Join, being careful not
to twist. Work K2P2 rib for 2 (2, 1-1/2) inches. Continue in
stockinette or pattern until piece measures 6 (8, 4-1/2) inches, or
desired length.
Begin heel flap. Work across first needle. Turn. Now, working back
and forth only on the stitches on the two needles with fewer stitches,
and turning the work each row: P one row (wrong side), slip one knit
one for one row (right side) until you can count 7 (8, 6) larger
stitches up the slip one rib - 14 (16, 12) rows. End with a wrong side
row (right side facing you ready to begin).
Turn heel. Slip 1, knit 12 (14, 9), slip 1, knit 1, passed
slipped stitch over knit stitch, turn. Slip 1, purl 6 (6, 4), purl 2
together, turn. Slip 1, knit 6 (6, 4), slip, knit and pass, turn.
Repeat last two rows until all stitches have been worked, then work
right side row.
Gussets: Pick up 10 (12, 8) stitches on left side of flap, work across
stitches on center needle, pick up 10 (12, 8) stitches on right side of
flap. Knit half the heel stitches onto this needle, put the other half
onto the needle where you picked up the first group of stitches. Knit
one row around. Decrease row: Knit to within 3 stitches of end of
first needle, slip, knit, pass, knit 1. Work center needle. On third
needle, knit one, knit 2 together, finish row. Knit one row even.
Repeat these two rows until you are back to the number of stitches you
cast on (40, 48, 32).
Knit around until 8-1/2 (10, 6-1/2) inches, or about 1-1/2 inches
short of desired length of foot. Work across first needle so that you
are ready to start with center needle.
Toe: Decrease Row: knit 1, knit 2 together, knit to 3 stitches before
end of needle, slip, knit, and pass, knit one, (on second needle) knit 1,
knit 2 together,
knit to 3 stitches before end of
third needle, slip, knit, and pass,
knit one. Work one row even. Repeat these two rows until you have 16
(24, 12) stitches left all together. Weave top and bottom of toe
together using kitchener stitch.
and my favorite scarf
Cast on a multiple 3 + 1
very easy: slip the first stitch. k k p across. Do that for every row until it's long enough for you.
I just sew and paint shoes.
Now that is really, really cool!
I like to use a multiple of 3 (usually 15 or 18), then knit all the way across, and keep going with the next rows until the scarf is the length you want. And you all already know it goes much faster when you use fatter needles and two or three different, but complementary strands of yarn, but I had to learn that for myself.
And I forgot to say earlier that I plan to try beaded wire knitting after I have a little more crochet experience under my belt.
Wresting from lefties BTTT!!!!
:)
If I don't have time to actually do them, it'll be nice to talk about them...
lol!
Hopefully you moved someplace local. Two years back, I moved across the continent, and I'm only just beginning to get my groove.
Tell ya what I did today. I have seasonal lamp shade beadwork. Today I put the Seasonal beads on the lamps. It makes the whole house sparkle and come alive. Some in deep reds, some in silver, some in gold, some in crystal. I've collected these "trim", but at times, expensive bead works over the years...
Mending.
Carpet Shampooing.
Dealt with the piano tuner.
Readied some plants for winter,
etc. etc.
"Who's still crafting?"
Me!
"What are you doing?"
I've made a stack of fun and funky hot pads from old quilted fabric that I've found at Goodwill. I've been squirreling away pieces for 50-cents or so all this past year. I usually find nicely quilted pillow shams, or old quilts that are torn or have stains (I work around those!)
Anyhow, they've turned out great. I made a pair for my Mom, my MIL and my Sister. A very fun way to use up materials that are already here and need one more life before they hit the landfill. :(
I've been crocheting dishcloths with cotton yarn, which are always a hit. Those are going to all female family and friends this year.
I made a wonderful, fluffy blue and purple scarf for my niece and one in cammo colors for my nephew who is "in that phase."
I've made Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce, since I had a recipe of raspberry jelly that didn't set up properly. I'll share the recipe if anyone is interested. You could use any flavor jelly (seedless) that doesn't set up right for you.
Other than that I've been making Gift Baskets for various friends and relatives and this year I made (sewed) six Christmas Stockings (Husband, Son, Son's Girlfriend, 3 Best Girlfriends) and have been filling them all year long with useful B1G1Free items and "freebies" I've collected through the year. (Gum, candies, razors, chocolates, toothbrushes, gas cards for the teens, etc.)
It's a VERY Handmade Christmas this year, but my family is getting older and it's getting more "in vogue" to make our presents, versus buying them. :)
Mom and I baked cookies and candy yesterday. Two women, 9 hours, 17 varieties and 600+ pieces of cookies and candies later, we were done! (Those will go in tins for friends, Christmas Parties we attend this month, the Mailman, the Paperboy, Church Coffee Hours, etc.)
It sounds like a lot, but I do a little at a time all year long. It keeps Christmas in your Heart all year long. :)
"I just finished knitting hubby a pair of socks that I even spun the wool for."
You rock! I always chuckle when I think of the old "Cheers" episode when Diane gives Sam "just a scarf" for Christmas. He doesn't get it. He thinks it's a dumb gift. Of course, she has to explain:
"I wanted to match the blue of your eyes EXACTLY, so I consulted a colorist! I took classes to LEARN how to knit! I dyed and spun the raw wool myself! I turned down EVERY holiday party invitation to finish it on time!"
Personally? I would've stabbed him with my knitting needles, LOL!
I just finished a felt (I know, not cool but it's what I can do) Advent Calendar for my 6 year old granddaughter. She's basically being raised as a pagan. She and I had a lot of fun obsessing on The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe last year and on Easter, I told her that Jesus rose from the dead just like Aslan and that's why we celebrate Easter. She did this "No way" look and then ran off to tell everyone. So this calendar has my own version of Aslan instead of the wimpy fawn lying down in the snow. He's free form but I found a wonderful picture of him on the net which inspired me and I also embroidered his name in another part of the calendar and there is a little retablo for Dec. 1st and a lovely necklace (did I mention that there are 24 pockets to put stuff in?)with a silver nativity scene and finally, in the 24th pocket, the baby Jesus from the Equidorian bread dough nativity set she is getting for Christmas.
300 miles. Not as wild as when I moved 2000 miles, and I've lived here before. I will miss my LYS, because it was one of the better ones, but there are a couple in this area, (one of which is new and I've never seen), and mailorder is just a click away.
That sounds so neet. Not doing anything that cool this year...and since we were moving, I even gave up my 5th grade catechism class...miss it.
And the other neat thing I'm doing is redoing the stocking that my mother made for my daughter 20 years ago. It's felt too. The beads must have had a touch of silver in them which tarnished because they were all dark so I'm replacing them with clear and I'm shaving the white felt to make it show clean and finally I'm replacing Santa's pack which for some reason, had candle wax on it. It's almost done and it looks so much better. It's a labor of love for my mother (deceased) and my daughter. She knows and is very excited.
That must be pretty fun to move BACK to a place. De javu on an order of reality, and provable! ;>
There sure is a deja vu feeling...I'll be going down a street...and zap...all of a sudden, I know where I'm at!
I'm impressed! I have two chairs I have promised myself to reupholster...you did such a nice job! It gives me inspiration!
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