Misc Let's get this room going again!

Melodi

Disaster Cat
OK, I also took a break from this room, first I was rather busy and had some health issues that meant I wasn't crafting/sewing/knitting/weaving a lot and then I lost my husband.

I have actually been knitting more since he passed away in late September as I have more time on my hands and also I realized that after years of knitting for him mostly in grey, red, white, blue with some black or sky blue (on occasion) that I could now knit colors for me!

So I managed to collect some various colors from sales at the Hobbii site in Denmark (they ship worldwide) and I've started with making hats. I did my first full fair isle with color changes in the background every couple of rows and the results were stunning (I'll try to get a photo). I do lots and lots of charted colorwork, but usually is use one background color per design, this was a bit of a pain to sew in all those loose threads but it was worth it - I'm not sure about an entire sweater but smaller projects it works great.

I'm also trying to decide what to do with hubby's last unfinished sweater, it is interesting because it is a basic Scandinavian style sweater where you knit a tube, knit the sleeves, and then cut the sides (there's a technique for it) and put the sleeves on.

I was just at the point on the chest tube of knitting his "Othala" (Odin, Homeland, Inheritance) rune design that I had made when he passed away and I've been waiting and trying to decide what to knit instead.

Also, it is red and white, which while I like the effect, I wanted a break from for a bit - but it needs to get finished and it will fit me just fine, we wore the same size in knitwear.

Anyway, that's an update and a bounce to see if since it is Winter, we can get this room going again after a couple of years.

What is everyone up to?
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Thinking about getting back into embroidery - just struggle with the time. Years ago, DH and I went to an auction of a true Renaissance woman.... baking, quilting, needlework, ceramics, etc, etc. At the end of the auction, they were selling off stamped quilt squares and no one was bidding. The auctioneer finally put them all together and I bought them for $6. When I got home and pieced them out, there were enough for 18 quilts there. Guess I need to get busy!!
 

summerthyme

Administrator
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Too busy to post, but had to lie down to rest my back for a minute. Yesterday, I finished three pairs of leggings for the little girls, all with contrast strips of printed fleece down the sides. I sewed commercial baby socks to the 1 year old's... much easier to keep them covered that way!

Today will be three dresses... all black panné velvet bodices, with satin skirts... one is fuchsia, one teal and one lavender. They'll be gorgeous - gorgeous about 10 minutes until they decide to try to ride sheep in them or something!

Then, I made the mistake of telling my daughter that I felt bad sewing for the girls, but not for her sons (10 and 12). Boys are just pickier, and that's fine. But she surprised me by saying they'd love a pair of "wild colored" fleece pants to wear around the house. Oh, boy! Most of my fleece collection tends towards baby prints or girly stuff. I found a neat print that looks like some of the Hubble Telescope pictures that I think will work,, and a snowflake print.. all I need is an extra week!

The biggest problem right now is I've still only got my machines set up temporarily, and 90% of my stuff is in the shipping containers. Yesterday, I was zipping Alin nicely when I realized I only had 1" and 3/8" elastic... my 1/2" and 3/4" have vanished. Arrrghhhh! Next Spring, we're going to empty everything out, sort, label (accurately... it turns out the kids "compacted" stuff by stuffing unrelated cloth anyplace it could fit, which means my silk knits are... somewhere! But not anyplace we've been able to find in hours of searching!


One interesting tidbit... I found my lengths of flannel backed satin... it's wonderful for little girls nightgowns. (Family tradition that the kids all get new pajamas to open on Christmas eve). The receipt from 2006 was still with the cloth... I bought the majority of it for ONE DOLLAR A YARD! Hand dyed batiks were $3! The satin is now $8 a yard (and half the weight it was) and batiks are between $13 and $16!

Prepping pays!

Summerthyme
 

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Ive got mindless kitchen dish rag knitting for when I can let my brain go where it wants, going with cotton yarn. My current stock of clothes are finally giving up on me.

Ive got mindful knitting when I need to try and stop my brain from constant thinking going in the form of a pair of socks. About to turn the heel on the first one.

Plus still weaving the fabric for the recreated 18th C petticoat project. Been too cold, even with two heaters running, to spend much time in my weaving studio.
 

Toosh

Veteran Member
I've been saving old jeans and striped men's shirts for years. I finally have enough to make a queen sized quilt and pillow shams. I have no idea what I'll do with it but I've always wanted to do it and now is the time. It will be 70% jeans and 30% stripes with a jeans border. From the weight of the stack of squares I expect this to be a heavy, winter quilt (you know how heavy jeans are.) I had a great coupon from JoAnn's and purchased cream colored sherpa for the other side. I still need to find get some good warm batting for the middle layer. Should be a great January/February project.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
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I've been saving old jeans and striped men's shirts for years. I finally have enough to make a queen sized quilt and pillow shams. I have no idea what I'll do with it but I've always wanted to do it and now is the time. It will be 70% jeans and 30% stripes with a jeans border. From the weight of the stack of squares I expect this to be a heavy, winter quilt (you know how heavy jeans are.) I had a great coupon from JoAnn's and purchased cream colored sherpa for the other side. I still need to find get some good warm batting for the middle layer. Should be a great January/February project.
Honestly, warm batting may end up being overkill. One thing I've found that works well for these "working quilts" (quilts which aren't hand quilted and use denim or other materials- they make great stadium or picnic blankets, etc) is to use an old blanket (fleece works well) for the batting. It's thin, flexible, and will hold up without shifting or bunching through multiple washings, even if you don't tie the layers together closely.

Summerthyme
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Not exactly fabric related but I've been working on some wire weaving techniques, watching lots of youtube videos. Gotta say it's way easier weaving with thread/yarn on a loom than it is with copper wire. I have friends wanting to buy stuff off of my bench and I'm like you really want that piece of junk? Any whoooooo
 

NHGUNNER

Senior Member
I'm curious if someone could let me know how much work is left in finishing a particular quilt. My mother passed away last month and she was in the middle(?) of making a quilt for my wife. My father has mentioned a few times about letting my wife finish it. She has no clue how to quilt and homeschooling three boys takes up a lot of her time. When I look at the quilt, it doesn't appear that there is a lot left. Looks like mostly the border. If I can manage to post a picture, could someone let me know if it looks like a big project to learn and finish? Thanks!

IMG_7309.jpg
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've been dealing with so much that most of the projects are sitting. I did help a friend out with some very reinforce patches. He is tearing through pants at work. He actually managed to bring me a pair before the hole got so large that I couldn't do something about it. And he was surprised that I was so "picky" that I needed to go to the fabric store to get matching thread and DMC. So I could do a small weave. And so that it wouldn't be noticed by most people.
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
I'm curious if someone could let me know how much work is left in finishing a particular quilt. My mother passed away last month and she was in the middle(?) of making a quilt for my wife. My father has mentioned a few times about letting my wife finish it. She has no clue how to quilt and homeschooling three boys takes up a lot of her time. When I look at the quilt, it doesn't appear that there is a lot left. Looks like mostly the border. If I can manage to post a picture, could someone let me know if it looks like a big project to learn and finish? Thanks!

View attachment 308976

Do you have a quilt shop in your area, where you can take it and get a solid opinion on how long and how much it would take to finish the quilt? Also was your mom hand quilting or machine quilting the piece? Quilting, while easy, does have a learning curve and if you've never quilted before to contrast of the two different stitching styles can sometimes be harsh.
 

NHGUNNER

Senior Member
Do you have a quilt shop in your area, where you can take it and get a solid opinion on how long and how much it would take to finish the quilt? Also was your mom hand quilting or machine quilting the piece? Quilting, while easy, does have a learning curve and if you've never quilted before to contrast of the two different stitching styles can sometimes be harsh.

There was a quilt shop but it recently closed up. I can ask around and see if anyone knows of another one. I'm pretty sure this was machine quilted. She used to do it by hand but she bought a quilting machine about 8 years ago. The stitches looked pretty uniform compared to some of the quilts she made for me a long time ago. Thanks for the advice.
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
There was a quilt shop but it recently closed up. I can ask around and see if anyone knows of another one. I'm pretty sure this was machine quilted. She used to do it by hand but she bought a quilting machine about 8 years ago. The stitches looked pretty uniform compared to some of the quilts she made for me a long time ago. Thanks for the advice.
If there is no longer a quilt shop, look for smaller fabric stores. Ask there.
 

shepherdess

Member
Hi! Could I join in here? I’m a long time mostly lurker, but I recently got booted from social media and am really missing my spinning/weaving/ fiber groups and the sisterly camaraderie! I’m looking for a place I might fit in and get my fix. I love my sheep, spinning and weaving, and my day job is at a fiber mill. I'm a very poor knitter though, lol…hello. :-)
 

summerthyme

Administrator
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Sure, the more the merrier!

My project for today is cleaning, sorting and organizing my sewing loft... them I need to finish two velveteen and satin dresses for the older (3 and 4 years) girls, finish a matching fleece to to go with the color blocked leggings I made for the baby, and make 3 more sleepers for her.

Then, hubby and I need nightshirts! I can't find my silk jersey knit right now (stashed somewhere in the shipping containers) so I'm just going to use some silkweight wicking poly from Malden Mills for now.

In the week before Christmas, I made one fancy dress for the baby (lavender satin skirt with a black panné velvet bodice and sleeves), color block leggings for all three, fleece lounge pants for the two preteen grandsons, 3 sleepers, 2 fleece nightgowns and two fleece tops. The loft looks like an explosion in a fleece warehouse!

I also need to replace both needles and the cutting knives on my serger. I'm NOT looking forward to that! Rethreading that machine is an absolute bear... and with only one working eye, at times it's impossible. Right now, it's threaded and working well, but I *know* the needles and knives are getting dull. arrgggh...

Summerthyme
 
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Babs

Veteran Member
We have been in limbo since February, when we sold our home. We've purchased new property, but we won't be able to start building until this coming spring. We are currently staying in our Fifth Wheel. So, all of my projects, and tools are in storage. But, I am expecting my first grandbaby in April, and I really wanted to make something for her. I've ordered some Cashmere Merino Silk DK, and a really pretty crochet pattern. It just got here the day before Christmas and I can't wait to start it. I even had to order a needle, because there is no way that I can get to any of my sewing, crafting or needlework tools.

I've no experience with DK weight yarn. I think the yarn will have a nice drape, and I think it will give a closer (and warmer) stitch than most crocheted blankets, at least that's what I'm hoping. I taught myself some knitting from books and youtube, but I have more experience with crochet, so that's what I went with.
 

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Hi! Could I join in here? I’m a long time mostly lurker, but I recently got booted from social media and am really missing my spinning/weaving/ fiber groups and the sisterly camaraderie! I’m looking for a place I might fit in and get my fix. I love my sheep, spinning and weaving, and my day job is at a fiber mill. I'm a very poor knitter though, lol…hello. :-)

Howdy from another Shepherdess!! I raise Merino's on the west edge of the Black Hills.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I'm taking a brief break right now.

I crocheted two pocket shawls and six stocking hats in Iowa State Cyclone colors ("burnt cardinal" (deep maroon) and gold) and eight University of Iowa Hawkeye hats (black and gold) for Christmas gifts. No patterns! I just go by the stocking hat and pocket shawl that were gifts to me last Christmas, adjusting the shawl for height.

Needless to say, I'm tired of black, gold, and maroon!

Although I'm always grateful to receive HyVee cards (they have gas and groceries), I was thrilled that
4 of this year's cards were for JoAnn's. I think there's a yarn sale about Mid-January (I'll ask).
I'd like to make a light sweater vest for Easter.

Something like this but not solid white.

1640625867226.png

That's what is going on here.
 

Weft and Warp

Senior Member
Lately I have been planning to finish a weaving project on my tabletop loom.
I had it strung up for some dish cloths about two years ago,

--but my father's illness and death,
--cleaning/sorting things out for my siblings (from the estate),
--downsizing from all the extra "stuff" that we had accumulated over 30 years in our own home,
-- moving into the "old homestead-- which was also filled with my parents "stuff" which they had accumulated over their lifetime. (The move was done mostly by myself, since my husband just had a surgery and couldn't walk!)
--And other life issues just burned me out on doing anything with my weaving and spinning.

But even though there is still a lot of stuff left to do, I feel I need to get back to my weaving and crafting. I might even start a sewing project this winter since I need some more long skirts.

Meemur, I like the looks of that sweater/vest!
 
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Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I'm a very poor knitter though, lol…hello. :-)

Hello! I can't knit at all! I keep trying to teach myself, but it hasn't gone very well.
Maybe I'll try again this spring. I mostly crochet. My grandmother taught me. She knitted, too, but she started me with crochet right before she passed away.

I also do a little cross stitch, mostly for pillow cases and tote bags I'll be giving as gifts. My eyes are
getting worse, so crochet projects with size H hooks and above in light colors are easier for me to see.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Ladies, I can relate to being burned out! I've tried to do my crocheting about 40 minutes before "reading time," (hard copy books) about 15 - 20 minutes and then I go to bed. That way I have a lot less screen time right before bed.

I think I sleep a little better with those routines.
 

Babs

Veteran Member
Hello! I can't knit at all! I keep trying to teach myself, but it hasn't gone very well.
Maybe I'll try again this spring. I mostly crochet. My grandmother taught me. She knitted, too, but she started me with crochet right before she passed away.

I also do a little cross stitch, mostly for pillow cases and tote bags I'll be giving as gifts. My eyes are
getting worse, so crochet projects with size H hooks and above in light colors are easier for me to see.

I get the knit, but the purl messes me up. LOL
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
I get the knit, but the purl messes me up. LOL

it's okay to knit both sides, you don't have to purl ever!

I royally sucked at knitting, my mom tried to teach me from a young age but it just wouldn't take. then I met a gal from Denmark and she taught me to knit the european way, turns out I'm left eye dominant and if you were to watch me knit you'd ask me why I'm knitting backwards? It's because I'm left handed!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I use to sew all of my clothes but it became just about impossible because it killed my back. As far as crocheting the most I ever did was scarves. I knitted a baby blanket for my oldest granddaughter and crocheted the edging on it. I thought it was nice.

A couple of months ago I decided to crochet a scarf but just about forgot how to crochet, so I gave it up. I can't seem to sit still watching television, I need something to do with my hands. Unfortunately I play solitaire on my phone, I'd rather get away from that habit.

When I retired I went to the local fabric store and asked if they knew someone who would teach me how to crochet. They turned me onto a lady that ran a small group that would meet at a retirement home once a week. I joined the group and learned to crochet simple things. The group fell apart because most of the ladies from the retirement home had gone to the memory floor and no longer came to the group.

I do have a good supply of yarn.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

Weft and Warp

Senior Member
it's okay to knit both sides, you don't have to purl ever!

I royally sucked at knitting, my mom tried to teach me from a young age but it just wouldn't take. then I met a gal from Denmark and she taught me to knit the european way, turns out I'm left eye dominant and if you were to watch me knit you'd ask me why I'm knitting backwards? It's because I'm left handed!

I have always had the same problem with learning to knit-- and I'm lefthanded too! I'll have to look into the European method of knitting.
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
I have always had the same problem with learning to knit-- and I'm lefthanded too! I'll have to look into the European method of knitting.

The way most american knitters knit, which is the wrap and stab method, does NOT work for those of us who are left handed and/or left eye dominant. I do know a few lefties who finally figured it out, out of pure stubbornness, but for the majority of us it simply does not work.
 

Melodi

Disaster Cat
I think I may have solved the "hubby" now mine, sweater problem, I have to check the stitches on the sweater to make sure I can modify it to fit the design, but I downloaded a pattern from An Catin Bean. The original pattern is for a tight-fitting, small gauge sweater but it wasn't the sweater pattern I wanted.

It was the design I was thinking of which is essentially a Norwegian star with cat faces (most of her designs have cat faces) and I think of it as The Cat Flake.

I may or may not use the tree, that makes for a huge design and it will only work if my stitches are already about the right size, but I think the Cat Flake on its own, perhaps with a bit of modification will work.

I couldn't copy the design so I rotated a copy of the entire pattern (it was meant to be top-down and shown sideways) - I know her kitties are supposed to show up better top-down but I've already knit most of the body of this sweater, and I think the effect will be nice.

The original pattern I'm using is "Cully's Sweater" from one of the older Elizabeth Zimmerman books, but I had redone the central motif as Othala Runes (Odin/Homeland) for Wolf and putting it on a sweater for me, just wasn't well - me. I've made Cully's Sweater with her suggested design (which may still be my fallback) but I wasn't as happy with it as I have been when I stick in a different main design.

Anyway, finding this really cheered me up, because I like the pattern and may try a top-down hat even if I don't use it on the sweater.

I'm still working on another cat hat, for now, then I'll try and tackle getting the sweater down.

I have a lot of fleece that turned out to make it through the great moth nightmare of the last couple of years when I couldn't do much - it was properly double bagged by The Woolery in the UK, they were so wonderful I may keep using them even with the VAT issues, though I have enough for now - I just haven't really had time for drop spinning and I really need a double treddle wheel these days.

We did get my warping board in from my former weaving shed but it isn't on the wall yet, but one thing at a time.

Right now knitting is easy and portable, and since we are dealing with 25 years of my beloved Nightwolf's hoarding (starting with the downstairs) I need to keep things simple and easy to grab. All going well, I hope to set up spinning and weaving again by the Summer or next Fall.
 

Melodi

Disaster Cat
The way most american knitters knit, which is the wrap and stab method, does NOT work for those of us who are left handed and/or left eye dominant. I do know a few lefties who finally figured it out, out of pure stubbornness, but for the majority of us it simply does not work.
Most of my colorwork is done right-hand knitting American style and left-hand knitting European style - what is really funny was even after I broke my arm, I had terrible issues getting my left hand to knit (and pearl) European style on its own, but my brain/hands have no problem when I'm using both hands and two colors.

I find it amusing and sometimes frustrating.
 

TerriHaute

Hoosier Gardener
I put my most recent crochet afghan project on hold to knit a scarf for a Christmas gift. One of my grandsons, who attends a private Christian school, moved up to the grade this school year where the students are first "sorted" into houses, not unlike Harry Potter at Hogwart's. His house colors are blue and yellow so I knitted him a Harry Potter style scarf - about six feet long and on circular needles so it is thick and warm.

Now that Christmas is over, my afghan project is still on hold. My oldest granddaughter turns 17 in a few weeks, so I am crocheting a shawl for her using a pattern I found called Rivers. It uses Lion Brand Mandela tweed yarn. I selected a different color than the one shown in the photo but very similar.

img_2198-1536x2048.jpg
 

Deena in GA

Administrator
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So glad to see all these posts! Before Christmas I taught my 9 year old granddaughter to use a round knitting loom. She made her mom a beanie on it and is now hooked on the knitting loom and wants to learn to crochet too. It makes my heart so happy!

As always, I have a couple of crochet projects going on, a blanket for one of our daughters and an order for eight hemp washcloths that I’m halfway through making. Then someone ordered ten of my multicolored nylon netting scrubbies today, so that will happen after I finish the washcloths.
 

skwentnaflyer

Veteran Member
Picking up sewing again, it’s been a few years. I made pillowcases from a sheet, the fitted ones always wear out first, and then I have extra flat ones.
Sure seems like fabric has gotten more expensive. Ive been looking at linen fabric from Europe on Etsy, and it’s more than I want to pay. Thinking about ordering some white from dharma trading and dyeing it. Although I see they are having trouble keeping procion dyes in stock, go figure.
I did manage to finish a blouse for myself, the “Patina” pattern from Friday patterns. Sort of an 80’s vibe, but in looking around the indie pattern companies, that seems to be the thing right now.
 

MissionBend

Contributing Member
I have a crocheted afghan I started for my daughters wedding present and 3 yrs later? It is still in 2 bags. I think I am going to tear down the pieces I have already done and change it to a chevron ripple one instead of a "Wedding Circle" (I had such a good start on it too but the last block or whatever you want to call it I just couldn't wrap my head or fingers around getting it done. :bwl: So, maybe get it done by her next anniversary~ LOL
 

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Picking up sewing again, it’s been a few years. I made pillowcases from a sheet, the fitted ones always wear out first, and then I have extra flat ones.
Sure seems like fabric has gotten more expensive. Ive been looking at linen fabric from Europe on Etsy, and it’s more than I want to pay. Thinking about ordering some white from dharma trading and dyeing it. Although I see they are having trouble keeping procion dyes in stock, go figure.
I did manage to finish a blouse for myself, the “Patina” pattern from Friday patterns. Sort of an 80’s vibe, but in looking around the indie pattern companies, that seems to be the thing right now.

Did you try Burnley & Trowbridge for your linen? I dont know how their prices would compare
Burnley & Trowbridge Co. (burnleyandtrowbridge.com)
 

summerthyme

Administrator
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I have a crocheted afghan I started for my daughters wedding present and 3 yrs later? It is still in 2 bags. I think I am going to tear down the pieces I have already done and change it to a chevron ripple one instead of a "Wedding Circle" (I had such a good start on it too but the last block or whatever you want to call it I just couldn't wrap my head or fingers around getting it done. :bwl: So, maybe get it done by her next anniversary~ LOL
Don't feel bad... I just gave my daughter and her hubby their wedding quilt... they were married in 2004! LOL! It turned out absolutely gorgeous... my Amish friend did the hand quilting, *and* somehow fixed a major goof that I was sure was going to cost me an inch on one of the main Lone Star points! I've got pics, but I have to get them of my camera card to post them.

Summerthyme
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Picking up sewing again, it’s been a few years. I made pillowcases from a sheet, the fitted ones always wear out first, and then I have extra flat ones.
Sure seems like fabric has gotten more expensive. Ive been looking at linen fabric from Europe on Etsy, and it’s more than I want to pay. Thinking about ordering some white from dharma trading and dyeing it. Although I see they are having trouble keeping procion dyes in stock, go figure.
I did manage to finish a blouse for myself, the “Patina” pattern from Friday patterns. Sort of an 80’s vibe, but in looking around the indie pattern companies, that seems to be the thing right now.

Procion dyes have been an issue, along with certain paint colors, since the 2011 Tsunami that took out parts of Japan. BASFs main pigment/dye plant was located at Fukishema and was completely destroyed. That plant has since been rebuilt here in my town and is just now going full speed.
 

Seeker22

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I have been working on a scarf. I used Silk/Wool fingering weight yarn and 2.5mm Circulars. Redesigned the old Dayflower pattern in Barbara Walker's "Second Treasury of Knitting." Washed in Eucalan and Blocked, putting the points in. I had fun.
 
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