Crafting

[emmer_moans]

It’s only taken me a year to pluck up the courage to thread my gift overlocker. Made a pair of pants yesterday I’m wearing today - so no pics as I need to protect you from my arse!

Someone said a few pages back you Don’t have to be great - just enjoy it. I’ll remind myself of that next time I’m unpicking a seam… or struggling with which way up to face the fabric.

I love my overlocker. It's a game changer and means I can wash my homemade clothes knowing they'll survive the wash.
---
For crochet, I recommend keeping trying, because initially I just didn't 'get' it and once my crochet hook was flung across the room in protest... but then once day it just clicked.

 

[veronica71]

I’ve crafted all my life and in some ways I love how accessible social media has made it but in others it’s taken so much from the process. I’ve tried to have an Etsy store for my makes and as a result had to have a social media presence and there is sooo much time spent in making videos and photos and believe me it is not all as it seems. Please don’t let it make you feel bad, practise really does make perfect xx

 

[MadameFoner]

Love this thread and everyone's pics! I do a bit of everything...typical crafter really! I'm a very basic crocheter but have coveted a lady on Insta called debrosse_nyc, her book Modern Crochet is beautiful and I got it for Christmas. I'm self taught needle felting, its so therapeutic. Has anyone seen the ads on SM for Domestika courses? They have loads, just signed up and they've sent me a discount, 3 courses for €25. They have no expiration date and you can watch over and over. I'm thinking of doing Painting with Thread. Crafting keeps me sane......I can really relax, listen to a podcast and escape for hours! I want to learn to knit, I can do basic garter stitch but that's it!
Also has anyone ever checked out NanaIro patterns? They're beautiful. And there is an Australian publication called Peppermint, on they're website they have a ton of print your own sewing patterns on A4 paper at home for free, they give instructions on how to put them together. They just ask for a PayPal donation which I have as I downloaded a few! Sorry I'm rambling now!

 

[grumpycat]

I love cross stitching! It’s so relaxing.

I’ve just started! I’ve never been this way inclined but I have really enjoyed an afternoon on the sofa doing a cross stitch.
I’m thinking of trying some embroidery after I’ve gotten a little better

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

There was a trend awhile ago to make a star shape blanket called ' The Six Day Star'. AFAIK the original version was using chunky yarn and for a toddler, but there is a large DK version. I have seen video after video of people doing a ' can I make the 6 day star in 6 days' challenge.

They almost always manage it, but it is clear that they had hours and hours of free time and don't seem to be doing paid work/household work/childcare on top of what they are doing. At this point I am only interested in seeing another of these videos if they can show me how they made it in 6 days whilst working full time and looking after 3 kids under the age of 5.

So anyway don't worry about the bloggers, they probably have infinite time to spend on crafts because of youtube income.

Also, I am kinda glad that I don't go as fast as some people do. If I was knocking out a blanket/sweater every week, I could not afford to keep buying yarn required to keep up that pace.

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

How are we getting on with our early spring/late winter craft projects?

I currently have 36 granny squares which are completed and joined together, and around 10 more that need finishing off before joining.

I have enjoyed this project a lot, but i am at the stage when I want it to be nearly done and it isn't anywhere close. I think it is because it looked like lots of squares when stacked on the blocking board, but it didn't look ' big' once I had actually put them together.

I am going to work on finishing up a shawl for next few days, to give myself a little break before getting back to the squares. It is nice not to be weaving in ends all the time.

 

[colouredlines]

I'm a crafter! I've had a silhouette machine (similar to a cricut) for over 5 years but like somebody else said every bugger has one now! I mostly use it to vinyl designs on clothes for me and my partner. CBA with the drama that comes from selling anyhting from it!

I've just ordered an new ipad to get into procreate drawing. I don't know who I think i am. I want to make cute sticker/art designs but I can't draw for shit so it's going to be hilarously bad!

A friend of mine took up drawing and painting a couple of years ago. I kind of stupidly assumed that artistic talent was something you have or you don't, but holy shit, the difference from when she started to now is insane. She's come so far, and it's amazing to see the development.

I'd quite like to try my hand at pixel art, but there aren't enough hours in the day...

 

[Moongirl69]

Ive a lot of scrap yarn. Thinking of doing granny squares to use it up. We're snibbed at home today with a red weather warning so I can get started.

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

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 .

 

[Piff paff puff]

I had some left over wall paper so I covered this shoe box using some spray glue to match the walls. Easy to do and costs nothing in these economic times, win!

 

[pixxyy]

loving all the Bella Coco mentions as I went to School with her. I've not done any myself but my Mum made me a Waffle Blanket from her pattern.
I've not done much crafting lately just 3 cards but I want to do more. I've a cross stitch baby sampler that needs finishing as baby is now one.
And I want to get back Diamond Painting as I keep seeing designs on Temu, though made it a rule that i'm not buying any til i've finished at least 5

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

Something else I wanted to add. I find learning new things very frustrating and time consuming, but it is so satisfying when you crack a technique and get it to work.

Also, I find that if I am struggling with something I look at a few different videos explaining what to do, as sometimes people explain things in different ways, or will forget to mention something because they think it is obvious. I watched 3 people explain the solid granny square and it took until the 3rd video ( after 2 false starts) before it clicked as to how I did the corners.

@LydiaDeetzHat please do not give up. It took me over a year to learn to drive, and I only managed to pass because my instructor was going to retire so it was my last chance unless I wanted to go elsewhere. We can get you making a scarf much faster than that.

 

[merlot]

I made a cocoon cardy.
I feel/ look like I'm just wearing a throw.
Very disappointing

 

[Aquamarina]

I’m a knitter, but haven’t knitted in a while. However, I was given a couple of cross stitch sets for my birthday last year. I might also knit something too, eventually. I’m probably not as talented as other members of the cabal, but I am going to make an effort to be more creative in 2021. Especially as we’re realistically likely to be in lockdown for a good while yet.

 

[Snippysnips]

I try an do everything I can ive done crochet, resin, soap an candle making, needle felt, diamond art, an I have embroidery an cross stitch kits, an I've a ton of paints, pens an pencils

I'd love to try needing punching as well, right now am building two little book nooks, a train one an a magical alleyway

 

[Aboveallelse]

I'm a huge Drops fan too. Mostly because it's affordable on my budget. It's great value. I'm a big fan of all their cotton yarns. Currently Safran is a favourite to work with. My treat is a bit of scheepjes catona. Superb for amigurumi.. Here's. Something I made for my daughters play kitchen

The sunburst granny square is so addictive! I made 4 blankets with that pattern last year It was hard to stop.

It's a classic!

 

[Piff paff puff]

I had a go at making a macrame plant hanger. Tried wikihow but couldn't get the hang(er) of it
So as usual, went off piste and tried to come up with something that I was happy with. Photo is second attempt.
Highly enjoyable. Just can't understand tutorials I'm just going to use visuals to help out when I try some other bits.
It's all about creativity after all!

 

[HideTheHunter]

I dabble in mostly everything but just now I'm trying collage art with a bit of journaling on there too. I cannot bring myself to put words onto an image for the life of me, so I'm trying to make myself merge the two things in the same page. Just to see what happens.

 

[Vanelope]

I have finished knitting my first adult garment (cardigan) have mainly been an accessories and kids knitter up to now and hate seaming - this was a top down long circular needle job from Mrs Moon and I very much enjoyed it, minimal sewing and she wasn’t picky about the number of stickers picked up for the button band so bonus.
Edit

 

[JoeBloggs]

I have a cricut maker. Had it a few years but only really go into this year but it seems everyone has one now I do love it but I’m lacking the inspiration to make anything unique and fed up of putting names on things.