Crafting

[Purrrrrrr]

My first attempt at knitting… safe to say I won’t be knitting any jumpers any time soon
I really struggle with tension, no idea what the hell else made it go tits up
View attachment 1562659

Just keep going row after row and you will see it changing as you get used to it.

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

Thank you for you kind words about my hat. And my lovely scribble.

Crochet made me cry today.
I recently purchased yarn and a pattern from the only craft supply store in my town. I really don't like the store. The owner has a horrible energy, and I sense thar she cant stand me, to be honest. I'm full of nerves going in but had no other option. Anyway, I just could not get the project ( a blanket) underway. Despite meticulous attention to the instructions, the pattern just would not work out for me - and I'm an experienced crocheter! It was frustrating and perplexing. I ended up abandoning it, and restarted it using my own idea - and its working out beautifully. So, im convinced the negative energy from the store-owner jinxed my first attempt, to be honest.
Just had to share. Thanks for 'listening'!

I agree. The owner has clearly cursed the pattern.

I know that a lot of people want to support their local craft store, but they don't deserve our support if they are being dickheads for no reason.

Maybe look and see if there are any online stores you can buy from? There are a lot of smaller independent online stores if you want to support a small business. Lots of larger online businesses as well if that is your preference.

 

[Neonmoon]

I’ve started creating with resin but like with all cats I’m good at it in my head

 

[Miss Begotten]

@LydiaDeetzHat
Do you think you could try and explain what you’re having the issue with and then maybe we can talk you through it? ( I firmly believe that if you have mastered the chain then you can crochet ).
Is it where to put the hook into the foundation chain, how to hold the hook, the tension?

 

[Miss Begotten]

OOh ooh teach me crochet.. I'm still stuck on where i last reported... the chain

I am so close to ordering you to put your address on here so I can come round your house and show you how to do it!

 

[Readingismyhobby]

Thank you Yes crochet does create quite a heavy fabric. I've been mostly making blankets with crochet. But I think knitting is better for wearable garments. My kids are fast growing up. So I've missed the boat for knitting tiny bonnets and cardigans.
I'd love to see what others are crocheting, knitting and sewing.

The charity “Knit for Peace” is always grateful for knitted donations, for people here in UK and abroad. If I fancy making something small eg a cardi I send it to them. It says what they need on their website.

 

[What's your point]

I don't remember the last time I used straight needles, they feel so clunky once you get used to using circular needles all the time.

My mum has arthritic hands and said she would have to give up knitting a couple of years back as she couldn't cope with all the weight on the needles straining her hands. I showed her how easy it is to knit flat using circulars, with all the weight of anything big on her lap, she loves it again and it doesn't cause her too much pain

That's great that she is able to carry on knitting and enjoy it.

I've set myself a challenge to use all my yarn stash in 2025 or give away anything I know I will never knit with (chenille yarn..hate it).

I have lots of odd balls of various different yarns so I think will be mostly making cowls or hats as not enough of any of the balls to make a big project.

 

[me myself and karma]

I know it sounds a bit naff but I’d like to crochet something as a wedding gift, does anyone have any ideas as to what I could make?

Blankets make lovely gifts, I've done a few as wedding presents. There are some patterns with "wedding themes" entwined rings etc, wedding colours are good and I've done a couple that where temperature blanket for the year they met (one with the day they met in sparkly wool) xx

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

This may sound like an odd suggestion, but I am going to suggest putting your Disney squares to one side for the moment and make something else. It doesn't have to be big, so maybe a scarf, hat , baby size blanket etc. Just pick something simple that you can do in less than a month.

When that is done, go back to your squares and you may find that you feel refreshed and ready to go. I think sometimes a project can seem big and daunting, or you have been working on it for ages and the work just slows to a crawl as you get so focused on finishing that you stop enjoying it and put of working on it, making things go even slower.

One of my friends had been trying to complete a blanket for her daughter for years. Working on it a bit at a time and then stopping for months. I suggested she put it away, so something else and the come back. She went away and made a basket, and then found she was able to finish her blanket within a few week after.

 

[pixxyy]

@pixxyy those are lovely! Does he sell them?

He's passed from Covid now but most were just for friends/family. He sold a few of the smaller designs

 

[Girlinabubble]

Love this, thank you for setting up! Not mega crafty but am attempting to embroider some baby sleepsuits with my daughter’s name some point this / next week so will be reading for tips! xx

I’ve just used the soluble canvas - so easy to create original designs and stitch - makes it so much easier!

 

[Girty Drifter]

I second the chainless foundation. It’s been a lifesaver on occasion!

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

I want to try making a ' coccoon cardigan', but it is made from one very large granny square, and I have only ever successfully made a granny square once.

It is just the first few rounds that I can't get to look good, and if the middle isn't good it just looks worse as it gets bigger.

I ended up looking up tutorial after tutorial and getting more and more annoyed with my messy square, until I accidentally clicked on a tutorial for a solid granny square and something clicked in my brain.

It took me a few goes to get the corners right, but now it looks great. I like this better than the normal version. I just don't know if it will work for my cardi. Maybe I am just going to make a giant square to use up some yarn I have had hanging about for ages and the cardigan can wait for a bit...

 

[Moongirl69]

Can anyone else relate? I have multiple stashes of yarn but can't get started on anything and have 3 WIPs lying around ...thinking of starting a scrap blanket to get rid odds and ends.

 

[azzarzar7]

i follow leena norms on youtube - not for the knitting or sewing content specifically but do really enjoy those videos - and she uses lauren aston a lot as a beginner. they have kits and patterns / yarn seperately too but her final knits always look lovely!

Cardigans - Lauren Aston Designs

www.laurenastondesigns.com

As a beginner (shit) knitter I deffo recommend the Lauren Aston ones! Instructions are really clear and easy to follow - I managed to knit her babygrow pattern grow as one of my first knits! Also recommend www.thatcraftystitch.co.uk for super easy beginner kits!

 

[What's your point]

I've never seen these kits before in my life and today I walked into a shop and there it was! If I didn't still have a million Christmas presents to buy I'd have treated myself!

I would recommend getting one when you are able as they are so lovely to make, as someone above mentioned though the wire components are really fiddly! I scrapped those and made shelves and a table out of wooden chopsticks and thin plywood instead.

I wouldn't recommend the greenhouse one with the clear plastic cover it's a nightmare to get the cover right, I scrapped that project and to be honest not done another since! I am tempted to buy another flower shop kit though but convert it into a Greek taverna and make my own fancy little ceramic hand painted plates etc... maybe next year!!
---

I love these kits! I have this one plus about 8 others. They are very fiddly, especially anything made of wire but I love the tiny details

The wire bits are a nightmare I didn't do those bits I improvised!

I made a fake brick wall effect for the outside too by cutting up a thin piece of Cork into brick shapes and hand painting them.

 

[panda_eyes]

Im really enjoying knitting at the moment but struggling to get patterns. Does anyone use Ravelry successfully? I find it a nightmare to navigate and actually find anything. Is it American? I follow some tiktokers who post links to patterns, but id be grateful if anyone else could recommend a good site for knitting patterns.

I use Ravelry a lot - it's basically a big database of patterns/yarns/projects. Definitely use the "advanced" search feature, and on the left-hand side you can filter patters by price/yarn weight/colour/language etc etc. I don't really buy patterns from other places, but it's so handy to see other people's projects and colour ways, as well as any changes they made to the pattern when they made it.

 

[Snippysnips]

This may sound like an odd suggestion, but I am going to suggest putting your Disney squares to one side for the moment and make something else. It doesn't have to be big, so maybe a scarf, hat , baby size blanket etc. Just pick something simple that you can do in less than a month.

When that is done, go back to your squares and you may find that you feel refreshed and ready to go. I think sometimes a project can seem big and daunting, or you have been working on it for ages and the work just slows to a crawl as you get so focused on finishing that you stop enjoying it and put of working on it, making things go even slower.

One of my friends had been trying to complete a blanket for her daughter for years. Working on it a bit at a time and then stopping for months. I suggested she put it away, so something else and the come back. She went away and made a basket, and then found she was able to finish her blanket within a few week after.

Thanks I might try that, I actually make worry worms for my work, there's still a few at my work so maybe I could do a restock, they are quick to do an simple as well, it might help me to feel like I've actually gotten something finished

 

[panda_eyes]

Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone has used wool and gang or we are knitters kits and think they are worth it for a pretty much complete beginner knitter? There’s a couple of lovely cardigan kits on both sites that I would like to try but they are very expensive! I have knitted in the past but not for about 10 years and never more than a scarf. I have also just taken up sewing so I’m not sure if I should get another hobby thank you!

Exactly what @veronica71 says above - there are a lot of patterns on ravelry that are free or not much (if there's one you love but think it's a bit pricey, see if the designer has a website and sign up to their newsletter, they normally give you a discount code for signing up). Ravelry is also great for seeing other people's projects on the same pattern too.

To see if the wool you like matches what the pattern states, a really helpful site is Yarn Substitution to check if what you want to use will work well (if it's not listed in someone's elses project already).

Happy knitting

 

[Miss Begotten]

feeling you. I have the chain aced.. but can't seem to get any further.. STILL

You CAN do it!
Have you thought about trying to make granny squares? You might find working rounds easier to get the hang of?