Crafting

[drusy]

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.

West Yorkshire Spinners have a range of free downloadable knitting patterns. The Knitting Network have a range of paid for patterns from Stylecraft, King Cole, Sirdar etc, available as downloads or through the post. Hobbycraft and Love Crafts have a small range of patterns too.

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

I agree about over-buying. I have yarn from when I first started crocheting that I'll likely never use and should give away or to charity, and now I only buy for specific projects or if I know for certain I can make something with the yarn.

My last big projects were the Jamie Crow Persian tiles blanket in the eastern jewels colourway (I've done the original colours before) and a granny square blanket in 70s orange and peach type colours for my friend's baby. I'm chuffed I've managed to use almost all the leftover stash on another Jamie Crow pattern (magical lanterns), I've done 110 of 157 pieces, although I'll probably have to buy yarn to join them with.

Pictures of my most recent finished projects...

These are lovely. I haven't tried making anything that involve joining so many parts together as I think I would get bored or mess it up. The colours look gorgeous.

…

These are lovely fresh spring colours. Aldi are always good at making the craft event colours match the upcoming season.

 

[emmer_moans]

I love a bit of dressmaking. I wish I could crochet but last time I tried I nearly chucked it across the room, I just can’t figure it out

I know what you mean about crochet - I initially tried when I was a teenager but couldn’t get it, and I remember having a strop about it I tried again a few years later and after some practice, it seemed to click...so maybe try again in the future.

Opinions on gifting a Sentro to a knitting novice? This is for Christmas.

Amazon.com: Knitting Machine, 48 Needles Smart Weaving Loom Round Spinning Knitting Machines with Row Counter, Knitting Board Rotating Double Loom, Weaving Loom Machine Kit for Adults Or Kids

Shop Umootek at the Amazon Arts, Crafts & Sewing store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Save on everyday low prices.

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I’m curious about this too.

 

[WeepingCassandra]

I've embroidered a monogram onto some scrap fabric I had. I want to attach it to my little ones stocking but I don't really want to stitch it on, as the edges will look really messy I think. Any other ideas on how to attach it?

 

[orangelolly]

Glad to see there are others on here who enjoy cross stitch What are you all working on at the moment?

I'm currently working on a piece called "Puppy Love" by Disney

 

[emmer_moans]

Awww it is really beautiful. Lovely colours as well.

I really like Stylecraft. It is soft, has lots of nice colours, hard wearing and well priced. I have purchased a lot of 'budget yarn' and Stylecraft is around the same price and much better

I do see lots of people online who claim to only buy ' ethically produced' hand dyed and washed in nuns tears indie yarn from Etsy. All the better if it is from a women/LGBT/BAME owned business...

....And I honestly don't know how they afford their hobby, unless they only ever make small items. I have seen this stuff priced at 20 quid for 200 grams. It looks like but I can not afford to make a blanket out of it.

They are often so snotty to people who can't afford to buy this stuff regularly as well. I saw a bunch of people on reddit having a hissy fit over people buying yarn from Hobbi as they didn't like the company that owned it, and acting like anyone who bought from them is literally evil.

My point being, people need to stop being snobs and appreciate that other people can't always afford what they have.

Sorry for the Rant.

Once again, that cardigan is super lovely .

'washed in nuns tears'

 

[HoGi]

Did you make your frame cover thing? Not sure what it's proper name is. I could do with some of those myself.

The grime guard?

I would love to make them myself, and I have a sewing machine, but I'm too lazy! And not sure I'm good enough.

I got it from ebay

 

[Islawight]

That’s gorgeous!
I’m currently making this one https://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/aria-blanket.html
By the time I’ve finished I might feel brave enough to post a picture.

That’s lovely. It would take me longer to weave in all the ends than it would to make the blanket haha. Yes, please post when finished, I love seeing everyone’s crafts

 

[Days28]

I learnt to knit when I was pregnant and made a blanket, about to make another for my second baby but need to re learn again as I haven’t made anything since my one and only knitted project would love to make a cardigan too for baby but need to research best wool etc

Where did you learn? I’ve tried YouTube but couldn’t get my head around it

 

[Miss Begotten]

Have you got one of those handheld quilling devices or is that all by hand ? i saw one of the devices in instagram

Yes it’s all by hand. I’m a right clumsy git and I don’t think I’d be able to control a motorised one !

 

[supertickedoff]

Just started trying to learn crochet.. does anyone know any good YT channels for beginners? The ones I have found are too fast or hard to follow. I follow along but my single/double crochet just turns into a big knot.. I have got the chains down though. Have a few several feet long but I want to move on..

Definitely Bella Coco Crochet, I learnt from her tutorials and I think they’re excellent.

 

[Purrrrrrr]

For many collecting craft, stuff is a hobby in itself. I had so much each craft had its own huge pile.. Was so overwhelming .. I have now got rid of it all. Gave it away on a reuse site. all brand new and now someone else clutter

All I have kept is the children's craft things for pictures and cards etc. and my collection of odds and ends for making fiddle/twiddle quilts for care homes. as that is what I want to concentrate on. I will still do other things like the hanging towels but will buy those supplies as I need them.

 

[Woolmercardington]

Help! Can anybody give me any inspiration?

Years ago, I made lots of small cardboard giftbags. They're about the size of a party favour giftbag and would fit in a small item the size of something like a tealight, small piece of jewellery, sample cosmetic pot, etc. The ideas was to embellish the bags, so each one was unique, and I was going to pop in little hand creams, eye creams, etc (decanted into my own pots from a wholesaler).

However, it's something I just never got around to, but I have all these cute little bags and really want to do something with them. Not sure I want to go down the route of my original idea as it's just quite a faff with all the labelling and obviously if I don't sell them, they will go past their sell-by-date. I could just leave them as giftbags, but it seems a bit of a waste.

I also used to make cards and want to try and start it back up again. My theme was always vintage/showgirl/burlesque - I'm trying to think of matching the cards and bags up but just can't think of anything good I can utilise them for.

Any ideas?

 

[anniemouse]

It is worth it.

I thought it would struggle with the cards as they show the patterns as a chart, and i had never used a chart before.

However I have found them really easy to read, and much easier than a written pattern. I found it really helpful for identifying which stitch from row below i should be going into. If i was not sure, I would just hold my square up next to the card and it would become clear.

Oh that sounds good.

 

[WeepingCassandra]

I’m really into creative journaling at the moment and love the company “Note and Wish” they’re closed at the moment for maternity leave so I wondered if anyone had any good small companies I can support? I’m specifically after stickers, more specifically the clear PET stickers. Help a girl out!

Miso Paper, Nishura East, Art from the Heart and Suteki Stickers are my go tos!

 

[colouredlines]

Hi fellow crafters just new here but longing this thread! I'm a crocheter mainly but started off by knitting. This post perfectly sums up knitting and crocheting. I picked up knitting very quickly but took years to master crochet. I prefer crochet because it's quicker and easier to follow a pattern. When I knit, I make small toys but when I crochet I make large blankets... I can't do it the other way around!

I've tried a lot of different crafts over the years, about 10 years ago I was really into card making. I still have all the equipment but don't use it much. I'd love a cricut machine though.

My most recent thing has been making miniature rooms-they come in kit form and you put them together, customise them, wire up electric lights etc. I've done 8 so far and I'm running out of space!

Those miniature rooms sound awesome, do you have any pics?

 

[Piff paff puff]

That is really good idea. I have not seen one of those before. It is really cute
This looks gorgeous. It looks like something you would pay for.


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The Aldi Yarn Wars are back. It was the craft event and I don't like what it brings out in people. Saw one person in my group posting a haul picture that took up their entire bed, and then saying that they had 13 storage boxes of yarn already so it would just be put away until they need it.

Lots of people bragging about how much they have bought, but then also asking for help as they don't know what to do with it.

This morning I saw someone asking about how often the events happen and mentioning that they were not ' allowed ' to go again, the comments were all really nasty and saying things like 'are you a child?' And ' please sir, can I go to Aldi', as if some people are not on a budget.

I really dislike how craft communities encourage over consumption and hoarding of supplies, and people try and one up each other.

I have to much, mostly because when I started crochet I didn't understand how much yarn I needed for things, so I have to much or to little of some things. I am making an effort to get through it all this year. I know it is a very easy hobby to over buy for, and sometimes you do buy something because price is good and you put it away for later. But I have seen people hoarding entire rooms full of yarn they will never use in a million years.

I think I get so annoyed about this as I know I struggle from impulse control with buying, and I really have to fight the urge to binge shop when I am stressed or down, so it really gets to me seeing people encouraging each other to do it.

Thank you I hope it inspires others, especially since they are small and satisfying projects and great for beginner crafter's or anyone who can otherwise get easily overwhelmed

 

[Snippysnips]

Not sure if this is the right place or not, I do a few different crafts an some use card/stickers, does anyone use a good printer for theirs an can recommend one? Needing it to be able to print on card, print stickers etc, don't really want to go crazy with price with these massive printers you get, just need the most basic one that will not get jammed with card in it, thanks

 

[OhhBacon]

I have been attempting this for the last few months
View attachment 3330493
Each piece is made separately then joined, I've got this far, I find crochet easy but can't knit
View attachment 3330500 View attachment 3330501 View attachment 3330502

I love this... inspired to have a go myself!

 

[veronica71]

The last yarn I got from Aldi was in autumn and again lovely autumn colours. I made a lovely scarf out of them. It’s very good quality for the price. Like quite a lot of ALDIs stuff.