What kind of crafting projects are you working on?
Magic Claims, grumble, grumble, grumble.
Things I have made recently: a sweater/T-shirt for Kid 2. I don’t have a picture of it finished, but it is. Here is in progress picture.
I wanted a very simple pattern, like idiot proof, because my brain was very fried at the time. This is Flax Light by tincanknits.
I also made a Perrito Sweater. The sweater was redone 3 times to size it down and it is still too big. Perrito now wears a sock, and the sweater will have to wait until he grows into it. I might try one more time, but he is ridiculously tiny, so getting the sweater over his head while making it still fit him is a bit problematic.
Mostly I’ve been cross stitching. I got myself into this pattern because it had bright colors and I’m trying my best to stitch myself out of it.
My pattern app assures me it’s almost 36.6% done, but I think it’s delusional. The little fox is a needle minder. It’s a magnet that keeps the needle safe and put up instead of being lost on the floor somewhere and puncturing feet and paws.
I am grimly determined to finish this one, but I also want to either knit or crochet a cowl or an infinity scarf of some sort. This winter showed me that I’m lacking in the cowl department. Specifically I need something to wear during that roughly 2 weeks of cold days sprinkled through out the winter season so I can go get the mail and get wood with Gordon.
Shawls don’t work that well as cowls because they keep unwinding and scarves are too long and get in the way. I managed to pinch my scarf between the logs when carrying wood, then in an effort to pull it out, hit myself with a log, and ended up with a bruise that prompted my gynecologist to gently ask if everything was alright at home during the breast exam.
So a cowl or infinity scarf to warm my neck, something wide enough so I can pull it over my head and it can double as a hat or hood or something.
The other sort of craft project is that I learned to do my nails. My nails kind of thinned out over the years despite only occasional manicures. I’m trying to reinforce them a bit. At first I did gel, but then I read that apparently UV lamps might be causing skin cancer. So I decided to alternate gel with something else, and that something turned out to be dip powder. It has taken me awhile to learn to apply it and this picture shows it as the nails are beginning to grow out, but I’m satisfied with it.
I’m using Saviland 29Pcs Dip Powder Nail Kit, which I bought on Amazon. As always, there are no affiliate links in this post. I suggest watching some Youtube videos if you are trying it for the first time because thick application will make them pop off after a day or two.
The other craft project that I keep trying to get to is a journal. I had this idea of making a story journal with pages devoted to different story ideas. I bought cute stickers and washi tape and … 2 years have gone by. Still no journal. One day.
I, too, got a journal thinking I’d fill it with fun collages and entries. Stickers galore!
I don’t know where the journal is anymore.
I’ve been crocheting a bit. lots of fun and very soothing after work. I also gotten into temperature changing gel polish (LED lamp and I wear fingerless gloves as well). happy Friday to you!
crocheted headbands and beanies. enjoying learning new stitch types.
Very cool patterns, Fern.
beautiful sweater/ shirt and so are the nails. have a great weekend.
Pattern app? Could you share the name of this app, pretty please with a bow on the top?
TIA
There are several. Pattern Keeper for Android has a good reputation, although I haven’t used it. This pattern is comes from either a Russian or a Ukrainian designer, and they use CrossStich Saga. I honestly love it. This pattern comes from Sofia Belenko.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SofiaMBelenko?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1197751489
Wow these patterns are amazing, thank you .. just what I need a new craft obsession ????
My nails got thin when I hit a stressful period in my life. Biotin supplements helped me. Biotin helped my daughter, too, when another medicine gave her biotin deficiency and her hair got dull and brittle.
Supplements are iffy, it is a very personal choice to use them.
Sounds like it’s time for a snood! Haha. Did you watch Wednesday? It’s a cute little hood/scarf thingy that one character gives to another as a gift. Hope your crafting goes well. 🙂
I saw the snood episode on Wednesday and have already made two! It’s basically the same thing as an infinity scarf or cowl, with extra care taken to make it wide enough to shape into a hood. Mine is 11″ tall x 28″ wide or 56″ circumference. So, naturally, we’re having a heat wave now. LOL!
I’m still working on the “As You Wish” shawl that I learned about from you about this time last year, LOL. I’m on the final clue. Maybe I’ll finish it this year, even!
I am making a second stained glass bookshelf to go with this first one I made. I’m also making a quilt for my youngest son’s college graduation. He wants to be a paleontologist so dinosaurs it is. I’m also attaching my latest finished stained glass project because I’m really proud of it.
I have two crochet projects and a lot of sewing projects to finish. Between work, going out, getting sick, and just plain “uh, I’ll get to it later” thoughts, the stuff sits and doesn’t get done. ????♀️
Go with the cowl. Isadora Duncan died when her scarf got caught in a car’s wheels. We have a vested interest in your survival!!
+1
Very vested interest
Ah the journal that never is! I am very familiar with the concept. Also starting one, lots of pretty washi tape and all …and after a week or 2 it’s abandoned. I have many a started journal in a box somewhere.
The needlework project is lovely and that fox needle minder is a great idea. I’ve been knitting the Trinigan cardigan. Finished the body and blocked it last night so I have to wait for it to dry before adding the sleeves and collar. I wanted a shlumpy cardi to wear around the house. I’m eyeing the Pressed Flowers cowl for my next project.
I’ve been wondering about trying dipped nails at home so thanks for the info and feedback!
Only regular craft-iness here – no projects. ????
You know we all looked at the “Random Book” to find clues to what you’re working on. I for one would love to see a magic giant sloth.
That would be awesome!
Nnoo. Must have both a magic giant sloth AND a magic sabre-toothed cat. Personally sabre-toothed cays and giant sloths prove that magic once ruled the planet.
I keep talking myself out of the cool journals. I use an online app called Journey and it’s fine. I wish it did a few more things but it’s basic and I can write basic stuff or elaborate stuff. The cool journal stuff with stickers and wasabi tape would just get put in yet another pile of stuff I mean to get too but never do. The online journal is just another thing to check off while I’m checking email, backups and facebook in the morning… which is why some of my journals are “BG is 146, fasting. Slept 8 h 23 m. Pain level 2. Dogs both pooped. It’s sunny and cold.”
Yeah, exciting stuff that.
It was too cold at home for anything (I can’t sew with cold hands, I can’t do anything with cice cold hands) until today, if the warmer temperatures hold I have a medieval bliaut waiting to be cut!✂️????????
I buy pretty journals and notebooks for vision boards, projects, registering commissions and what more… But they’re still all untouched because “they’re too pretty to be used”! ????????♀️????
My way of crafting is to cook. We are enjoying an embarrassment of gorgeous citrus right now. Oranges from our tree and Magical Lemons from our neighbor. Today I’m making Ina Garden’s lemon cake and hopefully orange cinnamon rolls from today’s NYT. Sending sweet and tasty vibes to everyone here!
I’m making both a book and a tablet snake. A book snake is a tube made of fabric, f about six inches long and filled with bb shot. It’s used to hold a book open without damaging the spine. A tablet snake is similar with two seams down the middle a quarter inch apart. Put the edge of the tablet in the seamed portion and the tablet won’t slide down when it’s propped up.
Tuna looks so relaxed and fluffy!
Have a great weekend everybody.
You can get a shawl to stay if it is the right shape and wrapped the right way. I have a couple designs that stay put no matter what and I have some I hardly reach for because they are always slipping off.
Have you looked into poncho shawls? Short (elbow length), relatively narrow (shoulder width, more or less) poncho.
I play 2 instruments (ukulele and piano, fairly new to both) and am studying music theory. (I almost typoed “magic theory”, which, if there was such a thing, I would probably study.) I do beading and crochet, but beading has temporarily pushed crochet off the sofa and on to the floor. I figure when my eyes can’t handle tee-tiny beads anymore, it’ll be time to switch to crocheting worsted-and-larger. I presently have a thing about 2mm semi-precious beads and have to work with a large magnifying light.
I also dip into welding and plasma cutters – the pic is a safety-orange T-Rex riding a pink tricycle wheel.
I don’t do many crafting projects, but recently I’ve been learning how to cook all the things I was afraid to try before. Canning was the big revelation. I need to get my last fig crop put up.
Also smoking. I’m learning to smoke meats and cheeses. My first batch of smoked cheese turned out amazingly, but I’m working on finding the perfect bacon recipe.
I’m impressed you finish your projects. Your family and friends must be so grateful to get the fruits of your labors. Useful keepsakes.
One question. Why don’t you do the Amazon affiliate thing? Just curious.
RE Affiliate: Because when we recommend something, we want to be clear that we are not doing it for personal gain. 🙂 I absolutely don’t mind when review sites etc do it, but when we recommend a book, BDH tends to stampede. We could earn a significant amount of money from affiliate sales, so we chose to leave it on the table.
The fox needle minder is cute, but then how what would my dad do if nobody was dropping needles and pins on the floor for him to find with his feet?
I eat 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds every day so that I can grow fingernails because they got so thin and it also helped my hair.
I saw significant improvement and then I went a month without eating any and all of my nails broke.
I inherited cotton yarn from my mom, not enough of one color for anything big. So it’s been potholders (crochet) made in rounds, double layered and only one seam. It amazing how excited people will get over homemade items.
Yesterday was 8″ of snow, so storm watching.
Stay warm and deep breaths, everyone.
I made infinity scarves as gifts a few years ago. I used 20mm needles (big) with 12 ply wool and just ribbed about 20 stitches until it was long enough to wrap loosely around my neck twice. Then you can sew the ends together. Can’t remember the exact number of stitches may have been 30 but too many doesn’t sit comfortably especially when wrapped around you neck twice. Quick and easy
I am looking at the first half of a rug (crocheted in super big yarn, the first 6 horizontal inches of a shawl (also crocheted), and the very beginning of a scarf (knitted). They are all done with commonly available yarns in allergy safe not-wool. Nothing exotic at all – though I love the colors and textures involved.
Why am I starting something when I could be finishing one of the other projects? It beats me. Realistically, I’m not making them for myself – I never keep anything I make – assuming I finish it. (This is not a sure thing.)
I work so slowly that I start projects way before I think I will need them. I also have 95% of a Christmas stocking for my grand-dog. (All the pieces are done, but not completely assembled.) Obviously, I didn’t finish it in time for this year and I am frustrated with the whole thing. Maybe Nessie will get it next year? I might start stockings for my cats at that point – or not.
I guess I have to have some reason to buy yarn, so I must get my needles and/or hooks out sometime…
I am 3/4 quarters of the way through knitting Time Sweater, it has been on my wishlist (along with hundreds of other sweaters/cardigans) but I got some nice yarn at Christmas of the right weight so I am happy with how it is turning out, though I have done the interesting yoke and on the boring stocking stitch.
I’m currently reupholstering dining room chairs. The finished product looks good enough to make a very simple project rewarding.
The last craft I did was with my great niece. We made Acorn Faerie Dolls.
The needle minder is pure genius!
You might like “Geek Knits” by Toni Carr, aka Joan of Dark.
She has several other books, too.
I’ve made this bandanna cowl (Retrospective by Laura Aylor) and worn it over my head in Colorado. It was very comfortable and kept my ears warm. There is another similar free pattern (Rokeby by Sandra Levey)that looks about the same without the color work. I think both could be made with a single color yarn.
I am feeling the need for something creative. I need to straighten the pottery studio to do any pottery and I’m not sure the state of my clay and glazes. I pinched a bag of clay yesterday to see if it was too hard. I thought about doing some paint pours but the mess seemed depressing. Maybe I’ll mess with my cameras
I was just thinking about giving dip powder a try too.
And omg I love journals! Buying them, the cute accessories, the glorious ideas/uses for them….and yet I never get more than a few pages in. Why is that?!
A ten stitch blanket. I have gotten into making these for the kidlets after the first one got “I got a rainbow blanket” from the recipient and was immediately coveted by her brother. Making one for her baby sister now. And yes, brother got his own “rainbow blanket”, as did their cousin. Pattern is on ravelry.
Nice sweater! Best of luck on Perrito wear. No crafts here unless taking care of plants counts. I used to macrame once upon a time (40
+ yrs ago hehe) and recently found a box of jute while closet cleaning. hmmmmm.
Thanks for all the posts this week! It’s been fun
I’m thinking that book in the background says “sabertooth cats”. Is Curran going on a fun playdate with a widdle kitty cat? 😛
I have a scarf going that I started at a conference in Israel in December. it was intended to keep me awake thru jet lag. it helped but now I need to finish it. Then I’m determined that I will revisit some WIP that have sat for years. We shall see. I have some tea towels on the loom, and a fractal spin on the wheel. I had to Red Alder Fiber Retreat today for two spinning classes tomorrow. I hope it’s fun and refreshing. Work has been tiring of late. Have a great weekend!!
I love your cross stitch! I recently started a stitch and bitch group and we meet weekly and hang together while stitching or show off our work. I finished a cartoon of Liz Climo’s with a hot air balloon that is super cute. I’m sending it to my cousin once framed as she just started university and living out of home.
I journal irregularly, often when I have a mad idea or need to process a difficulty. I have about five journals on the go currently. The hardest part is getting over the pure clean fresh pages and just scrawling what you will.
I think it’s been slightly over a week of picking out almost a full month’s clue of my cross stitch being off by one row. Which means it won’t meetup properly with the other half of the bow that lines up with the last 3 months of clues. It’s been a slow process. I could go faster with a seam ripper, but then I run the rest of destroying my linen and I don’t want to do that. And that is also the reason why I was leary of starting that mystery clue before I got the other half of the ribbon. I even checked it several times and got it off, but at I can also argue I was sick with flu/bronchitis/secondary bacterial infection at the time.
I’m not counting various ufos currently waiting for more free time than I currently have. The qualifying pattern for sock Madness 17 dropped yesterday, so I’m working on a pair of intarsia socks. I’ve never done intarsia, so this will be a learning experience while under a deadline. I’m also amused that the pattern is a bunch of balloons floating into the sky with a girl holding them, and the recent UFO sightings in the news recently. The pattern is called liecht on ravelry.
I had great plans, then I had to adult. The furnace died and needed to be replaced ASAP as I was freezing, then I got sick at Christmas and despite being negative on 3 covid tests, I’m still not 100%, then my refrigerator died. I decided to do some deep cleaning as well since I had to clean out the old fridge and behind it in prep for the new fridge. It’s been an expensive and time consuming 3 months. so my crochet project sits undone and I plan to unravel it this weekend to start over
I have gone down the rabbit hole of English paper piecing quilting. My needle minder is a cute cat in a ramen bowl. ????
For christmas i made my sister 20 crocheted book marks that she could give her coworkers as gifts. I started out trying to do Macrame ones cause that was my current interest, after two days and 1 1/2 inches of book mark i gave up on that and resorted to Crochet. I checked various crochet books looking for Irish crochet so i could make little 3D type ends to the bookmarks.
while working on them i came across Tunisian Crochet. I can knit, but i can’t do complicated and i blame it on crochet because it’s so easy to pick up and put down, and you don’t have to think so much. BUT Tunisian crochet can look like knitting, so i’m checking out books from the library and maybe i will experiment with some left over yarn.
Also, i’m doing macrame & beads jewelry. i’ve worked on two necklaces this week.
and i finished a baby afghan last week. Thank goodness for audio books or i’d never have time to do my crafting and reading and get anything done.
i once made 6 quilts in 6 months because i was mainlining JD Robb audio books at the time.
Wow! Just Wow!! – all of you are inspiring me to work on my yarn stash.
Gardening and landscaping are my creative outlets. All the narcissus I divided and replanted last year is poking up, which makes me happy on rainy, blustery days like today. I’ve started cutting down all the native seed heads, to throw on the bare section where some pines were taken down a year ago: ironweed, asters, goldenrod, black-eyed susan, false indigo, columbines and so on. I will likely cheat and throw some non-native seeds like daylily and iris as well. Those may or may not grow. The veggie garden needs a bit of tidying before it’s time to plant next month. I know roughly where everything will go this year though. I love spring.
I love reading what other people are doing for crafts – so thank you!
My eyesight has been really wacky over the past few years, so my usual journaling and sketching are tough right now. I used to scrapbook, but there’s been too much turmoil in my life for a while. I’d like to get back to it, as I really loved working with papers, stickers, pens, and images – laying it out in books to tell a story. I still have all the materials in a neat wheeled storage thingie.
Right now I listen to music and cook – usually baking or having fun with my crock pot. Scones, muffins, fruit butters, vegetarian stews, baked squash experiments … fun! I am also enjoying playing in my new (3 years in, with 2 down the pandemic drain, it’s still new to me). This year I’ll have more bulbs, bigger clumps of natives to support pollinators, vines, and garden “rooms”. I’ve also upped my letter writing game. I love finding flowy pens (ball point or fancy gel) and handwriting.
And this may sound weird, but I am still putting together my “new” place. Sorting, organizing, and moving things around feels creative to me.
Congratulations on all you get done while working full time and taking care of family. Good luck with the cross stitch, I had to give that up years ago due to bad eyesight BUT Mostly because I wanted to pull my hair out and throw the cross stitch in the fire. Now I do needlepoint and knit. Go with an infinity scarf that is large enough to cover your head. I have seen patterns for that in knit magazines. Good luck with all your crafts.
I have a bit of a love affair with möbius scarves, I have the Cat Bordhi _Treasury of Magical Knitting_ that I can recommend, (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/a-treasury-of-magical-knitting).
My favorite pattern for möbius scarves is “The Railway Station”, by Monika Eckert (Wollklabauter) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/railway-station it knits up beautifully and it’s sit in front of the tv and knit easy. The only downside of the pattern is it eats yarn like crazy!! Plan extra! It’s wonderfully warm and not only can you pull it over your head when you go outside, but it makes a wonderful sort of wrap around your shoulders and back of the neck. There was an error in the English version of the pattern but the German is correct.
The other möbius pattern I use all the time is “Lucy’s Diamond Moebius” https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lucys-diamond-moebius I never get the diamond pattern to work, but the stitch count is the perfect length for a lightweight scarf for under a coat, so I usually just do my own stitch pattern. It is a bit short and a bit narrow to pull over your head, but it’s great if you are a person who looses regular scarves, and just want one that will lie beautifully under your coat.
I have found this Cat Bordhi video super useful for casting on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4. If it doesn’t work for you there are several other excellent ones if you just search for möbius cast on.
Best of luck & Happy Knitting!!!
I just finished this Afghan for a friend’s birthday.
Started a sage variegated colored scarf and hat in diamond crochet
Pattern. But the arthritis is so bad in my fingers, I had to quit for
A while. Hopefully I can finish these before I don’t need them
Anymore!
I started knitting socks a few years ago. It gives me something to do, other than eating, while watching TV. My favourite thing to do when I have a free afternoon is turn chunks of wood into pretty things.
One piece finished last week
Beautiful!!
Thanks!
Wow, that is so gorgeous!
Thanks!
Wow- it’s stunning! Wood-turned items sell for a LOT at arts and crafts fairs.
I adore washi tape. During lockdowns I bought an inordinate amount of it, but have no actual use for it. But I’m keeping it! Stashing is an accepted craft, ask anyone who knits!
lol love that the gynecologist asked. If you want inspiration to journal just reread Dracula. It always makes me want to dairy/ journal everything in my life even though my life is boring. You never know OO
I made the Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowry twice, because it fits so perfectly, and can be pulled up into a hood. Highly recommend, and it is very simple.
I decided to fill a scrapbook with cartoons I find funny from a magazine I subscribe to, so I can look at them again when I need something to brighten my day. A year and a half later I have a couple of pages filled and a pile of unread magazines.
Your story of getting your scarf caught in the log etc gave me a good laugh. It reminded me of myself, my scarf gets caught in my coat and wrapped around my purse handle. It is like a puzzle to unwrap myself without choking!
Mostly my projects right now are cooking. I had fun making red snapper fish tacos this week. Normally we just throw leftovers onto tortillas, but it was really fun to make real fish tacos. Also did a new soup last week, from New York Times, Slow-Cooker Lemony Chicken Soup. My husband kept raving about it, though he likes most everything I cook!
I’d like to learn to crochet. I keep starting, then putting it down, then try to pick it up a few months later, but I have to relearn how to do it again! When I first tried to learn, my friend said oh it’s real easy, just do this, and she crocheted so fast I couldn’t tell what she was doing! Then my mom and aunt tried to help me, but they both were almost blind, so that was a comedy in itself! I have a new book and videos to learn from now, so this spring for sure I’m going to get going on it!
Good luck on all your projects!
I made this cowl. I like it. it is happy and colorful and easy knitting. The yarn they use is good. I like its feel. Mine is a little big because I am terrible at using gage or possibly because I stretched it during blocking because I didn’t measure, but I still like it.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-craze-cowl-2
I have made this cowl twice – once for myself and once for my dad – I like the chainmail look of it. It’s an add on from another pattern (which teaches the pleating technique. I made mine a little snugger than the pattern called for and I love that it doesn’t bunch under my hair.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/470819234/cowl-knitting-pattern-chainmail-add-on?click_key=50ed5fe68c054c943bb500f61fcd0fe471f3b246%3A470819234&click_sum=9fc3d562&ref=shop_home_recs_4
I’ve just started using dip powder too. and yes it does come off fairly easily, however I found if I use nail tips my bendy nails are protected and it then takes almost a week before it starts to come lose around the cuticles. My nails are starting to get a bit stronger since it started using it. Hopefully you can use this tip to help your nails get a bit stronger too. ❤️
I have the opposite issue making sweaters for my chihuahua. She’s a dear head so larger than standard.
I *try* to make Christmas ornaments but the little stinker demands a lot of time.
I have had to accept that I am a Pinterest Fail. I want to be crafty but it never quite works out.
glad to have company.
and thank you to the comment above that “stashing” counts too.
future me is crafty.
current me. . . Pinterest fail all the way
I’ve recently knitted myself a cardigan and a great hat for my husband while in the background working very slowly on finishing a Koko shawl (pattern by Olga Buraya-Kefalion) which I started well over 2 years ago. Next weekend there’s a big yarn festival near London (Unravel) and I hope to get inspired.
I have an infinity scarf that I crocheted over christmas. before we got a really cold cold temperature snap. I meant for it to go around my head twice but it has to go around three times in order to the tight enough to cover my face and neck, otherwise it just covers my cleavage. which I don’t show much in Michigan in the winter. LOL.
Love Kid 2’s sweater. The needle minder is an awesome idea! I recommend an infinity scarf. That’s what I wear on some of our coldest days – in Wisconsin (so I can cover as much exposed skin as possible, without obscuring my vision, yet I can quickly and easily uncover myself once I enter a public building). I didn’t make mine, though. I bought mine, at Aldi’s, of all places, years ago. I haven’t allowed myself to buy a journal – I already have a notepaper/paper problem.
I was wondering where you got that awesome needle minder. My kiddo is fox obsessed and she would love it so much if it’s still being made. I always keep an eye out for fox themed things.
Once upon a time I had a Chesapeake Bay retriever puppy who used me as a ball throwing machine. He would jump on my tired, laying down body, drop the ball and push off to go get the ball again. His paws were the size of my palm. I was covered in paw prints, aka bruises. I go to the doctor and he tries to get me to admit that I am being beat up by my non-existent boyfriend. It took a while to convince him or he finally gave up. I went home and was a happy ball throwing machine for another 13 years. Fortunately Jake the monster puppy, learned to run up and place it in my hand.
I’ve got a this-thing-will-NEVER-be-done blanket being crocheted for #1 kid and a cross stitch that I’ve made up for the phrase: “common sense is not a flower that grows in every garden” for funsies for me.
I have been taking Biotin for several years. its made a big difference in my hair and nails. maybe that would be helpful for you
Oh boy. Currently on the needles: Two pairs of socks that were promised at Xmas, a poncho for mom, a top down raglan for one of our charity knits, a stitch sampler vest for one sister, and a shawl for my other sister. I seem to be rotating randomly thru them all daily. They’ll all get done eventually! ????
Love the sweater! Amazing job!
I love shainalines designs cowl patterns. Just enough pattern to keep me motivated.
I really am interested in learning how to knit/crochet. Have all the tools and “stuff”; 5months later I’m still on the second row????????♀️
Bought big ceramic Santa boots for three additional peeps to our growing fam. (For the stocking stuffer stuff) Will start painting those next weekend.
Cleaning out the flower beds; and sewing fabric for the outdoor cushions.
Making canvas prints from my photographs, to hang on the walls.
I confess to being distracted by my “treasures”(books), thank God for audio books.
I have quilts going pretty much constantly. I have discovered wild rags from the horse site Hoofprints. silk scarf works great can be tied or run thru a scarf slide.
This is the most recent cowl I knit for my sister, https://www.ravelry.com/projects/AsMezgeja/fields-of-wheat . It’s really pretty and not bulky. I also use cowls. I once got out of my car after driving ten miles to work and found that I had caught my scarf in the door and the end of it dragged through snow and mud and street crap that whole distance. Cowls are the way to go!
me I’ve started knitting baby singlet as a lady in my church is having baby 4. and I plan to make peg pinnys. best way to have pegs handy whilest hand out or bringing in.
If you also sew there is a cute pattern on line for a bandana bib. It takes a 12 inch square of flannel folded into a triangle. Sew around the edges leaving an opening for turning. Cut one inch off the two matching end points and turn it right side out. Tuck in the raw edges , stitch the openings closed and sew on either snaps or velcro. The baby singlet sounds adorable. I never learned to knit very well. I admire anyone who can!
Finally finished a big WIP afghan for myself after about 7 years – fuzzy Patons mohair. I kept finding “just one more skein”, but I finally dug all my yarn out (I am trying to not have a yarn SABLE) and am pretty sure I found it all.
Of course, I also started 3 more afghans, so I’m not really ahead. However, those have recipients, so I will get them done before tackling another WIP for myself – it gets a bit embarrassing to give a baby blanket to a kid who’s now 5…
Trying to get back into cross stitch, at least to finish up Flower Power (https://www.crossedwing.com/charts/chartf.html). I’ve been working on it on and off (mostly off) for almost 30 years, and I just want to get it done. It’s huge, almost 2′ x 3′. It doesn’t help that I decided that I didn’t like how split stitches were coming out for some of the butterflies, so I decided to do them over 1 on linen. They look lovely, but are a major PITA to do.
And, we won’t talk about the SABLE fabric stash…
Love your needle minder. I stick mine back and forth through the fabric then get frustrated at the stretch marks.
Thank you. Off to browse Amazon. Or maybe my favorite local sewing shop if I get my Saturday chores done quick enough.
building a frankenplannerjournal with rocketbook and discbound pages.
wife made a baby blanket and I’ll be working on making custom seam rippers.
Beautiful!
I crocheted a snood yesterday/today because, apparently, it isn’t that hair refuses to grow, it is hair breaks at the same place all the time and ine should protect the ends from abrasion and dryness.
*SIGH* It doesn’t fit without bobby pins. So I think I will just knit a bag, line it with satin and sew combs to the opening.
For a cowl… check out Vicki Perkin’s design on Ravelry.
To be silly French…. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bertrand-louis but it breaks the first rule of hats, one should be able to put it on and not need a mirror to make sure it doesn’t look silly. Mine is half red, half gold (Iron Man colors) because that was what I had left over from making a Captain Marvel hap shawl for my BFF. Wonderfully soft and squishy but a bit difficult to wear as a hat.
Cowls. Some are quick one skein projects. Check out the ansh cowl by Kavitha Raman from Ravelry.com.
Cowl talk: Wait….have you learned to wrap a shemagh? The patterns for them should be super easy and if you make them with a nice wool all wind issues should disappear. Wrapping a shemagh takes a little practice but is a nice skill to have. Also the infinite uses from medical to filtering water are kinda amazing. I use one as an underlayer for most winter hiking and such.
I used to keep a travel journal. I was inspired to do so after reading “Japan Ai: A Tall Girl’s Adventures in Japan”.
Personally, I have a lot of respect for people who knit or sew. But I cannot do it myself, at least not for longer than a day, and mistake correction by pulling hours of work apart drives me crazy.
So I was very surprized and happy as I suddenly found a craft to my liking last year – chain maille. Lots of advantages from my point of view! No free-forming, just connect rings in a certain pattern. Calming as knitting, but the mistake correction can often be done only on the spot that needs it. And if it get dropped down or a cat plays with it, no work would be lost. And if one don’t like the form of a collier anymore, the same chains can be reconnected in a different ways to different projects easily and many times.
People often work with copper or aluminium rings, but I would recommend stainless steel. It requires stronger tools and fingers, but is hypoallergenic and gets no unwanted patina.
The Youtube channel “Aussie Maille” has a lot of very good tutorials – well structured, well filmed, and well paced – not too fast, not too slow.
Your sweater is impressive, it makes me want to try to knit again.
I am currently working on stained glass lamps, bamboo in progress. It doesn’t have the beautiful variation of color that that flower lampshades have, but I’m hopeful it will make a nice library lamp. Thanks for asking, fun to see what everyone else is working on to get through the last of winter.
A bamboo patterned stained glass lamp sounds gorgeous. I would totally buy that if I could find one in a natural color palette.
Thanks! Totally agreed, it needs to have a natural color palette. I added a little pop of color because I could not bring myself to just green leaves, pic attached (hopefully)
Trying a different file type
Hi Christine,
Unfortunately the limit for pictures is 1 MB. It sometimes works if you can screenshot the image and upload that ????
thanks ModR! I was wondering what I was doing wrong. I am giving up for now though!
If you have the time and energy, please try when you get a chance; I totally want to see that. There’s a local stained glass artist and I’m wondering whether I could commission one now. If not, no worries; I am all about rationing energy for the necessities these days.
I bought a bunch of pro artist grade gouache, and haven’t done a thing with it yet.
Did a survey of supplies: I have several watercolor sketchbooks and multimedia sketchbooks, several packs of watercolor papers, colored pencils, papers, etc. Some of the sketchbooks are ready for painting. There’s a stack of four ceramic rectangle dishes I use to mix paint on ready to go, and a huge amount of brushes, water containers, and other bits.
What I don’t have? Any energy to paint. UGH.
So as I write, I’m staring at all these supplies practically screaming in my face. I’m determined to paint this weekend, so we’ll see. I’ve been doing a lot of research for my stories this week, and it’s taken over everything. **Sigh**
By the way, I think I also have a copy of Giant Sloths and Sabertooth cats somewhere in my book horde. (I think it might be next to ‘Man and Impact into the Americas’ by EP Grondine.)
I started doing my own dip nails about a month ago. The YouTube videos were a big help and I love the set I got off of Amazon. I’m amazed at how much better my nails are since doing it myself, and getting the dip off is SO easy! Yours look great! Love the color.
I’m working on a Geode Cowlette in alpaca that I started in January 2022…and pretty much ignored for a year. I finally went and bought contrast colors I genuinely like (instead of what I have on hand) and whodathunkit, I actually want to knit on the thing!
I am also in a cowl place. I don’t like scarves, and using shawls either required fussing in front of a mirror for five minutes arranging the thing—who has time for that as you’re leaving the house?!—or wearing them lumpy. Cowls, you just yank over your head and run out the house screaming. (Head tip to the Knitmore Girls.) No fussing necessary.
I have more cowl plans once I get the cowlette done…
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/geode-cowlette
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/treppenviertel-cowl
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/askews-me-dickey
Ilona, you might be interested in:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hasukai-cowl
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seussian-cowl
I love Hasukai so much! Thank you for linking it!
Leslie from The Knit Girllls made a Hasukai a while back as a long-term project. Hence, it was in my favorites.
I started Hasukai a couple of years ago in a bright red alpaca, but got distracted. Thanks for reminding me to dig it out and finish!
I’m learning to crochet. I’ve made 4 squares that are named “dish cloths” although I can’t bring myself to use them yet. And seceded in my first attempt at using a pattern–I’ve made a little mouse (of which I’m ridiculously pleased).
Ilona, I don’t think Jacqueline Cieslak’s Ursa Canis comes in extreme miniature—broad range of sizes that is has—so maybe you need to knit the mini pup sweaters in 1×1 ribbing to help them to fit?
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ursa-canis
i have weak nails too, i tried gel-nails, but i don ‘t like them.
since i use
P-Shine Japanese Nail Conditioner (got it from amazon)
my nails are a lot better,
Well when i am gardening a lot, i still have to shorten them, but my nails are shiny and healthy ☺️
Making Celtic torcs and arm rings…
I recently knitted a very long scarf with sleeves at each end. I love that when I slip my arms in the sleeves it’s like a shawl around my neck and shoulders. Now the whole family wants one ????
I don’t have a lot of time to knit, so it says something that I’m casting on for my 4th one of these cowls! Plus, it’s so easy to wear and fills in that gap at the top of your coat just perfectly https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-shift
The shift is a fun mindless knit once you grasp the pattern, and because of the ways the colors interact with each other every cowl is an adventure. If you choose the right yarns, it really does become a “just one more row!” kind of pattern. 🙂 My fiber drug of choice for this one is Malabrigo Arroyo since I’m usually a more subtle/predictable color shift kind of girl. But Maker’s Merchantile sells kits with Schoppel-Wolle Edition 3, and boy did that make one with a lot of color that was fun to knit! https://www.makersmercantile.com/shop/c/p/The-Shift-Cowl-Kit-designed-by-Andrea-Mowry-x43655493.htm
Happy Knitting! 🙂
I have Zauberball®s waiting for The Shift… one day I will have one! (Or more?)
Lol. I have the blank journals, markers and the washi tape too. Maybe someday. I’ve been experimenting with Procreate. It’s a painting app for the iPad. It’s amazing, but it takes a little while to learn ????
I also got into doing my nails, I used to love gel and the salon but found gel polish really damaged my nails. A friend suggested Olive & June nail polish and I haven’t looked back! They are amazing. Their formula gives a gel look finish and depending on how active you are stay chip free for over a week. It is normal polish so you do need to resist attempting to do anything for 30 mins (40 to be safe) if you don’t want to smudge them while they dry. I put on a comfort show or movie and relax and it’s so nice. I don’t gush over many products but I love this stuff.
Anyone else do an automatic face zoom to the book?
I was knitting a sock, then the cuff fell off and I realised I had a whole bunch of rubbish weak yarn,
LOL. I’m sorry for your pain, but you just made my day. I read your stories, love them, come away marveling at your imagination, your ability to organize it, put it on paper and the blocks of knowledge in them that I always have fun researching. You bake wonderful things and knit and crochet and design, like I can only dream about. I write a few things for local newspapers, and newsletters, I bake and some people are kind about my efforts. I garden moderately well. Knit? Sew? Crochet? Only in those dreams. The cat does a better job of it. In fact our daughter said she could always tell when I wrapped the Christmas packages because it looked like the cat did it. And our son chipped in, “Yeah, wearing boxing gloves.” Yes, I am a klutz. But when someone of your skills can manage to hit herself with a log…well there’s still hope for me.
Crafting: I stopped making jewelry when I stopped working due to retirement because I don’t wear it anymore and don’t have coworkers to gift but I miss the crafting. I haven’t done needlework in a while either because of the arthritis in my hands. I do still make soaps and lotions and lip balms. Using herbs to make salves is something I do at least once a year. Oh yeah, and baking bread.
I totally identified with your Cowl or Infinity or What ? spinning in your head.
After many different projects with assorted outcomes ( and lots of presents for other people ! ) I came into some really lovely yarn, Merino or something ( did I mention I realized I am slightly allergic to regular wool ? ) and started out to make a very simple easily knit infinity scarf. I love it! ( mostly! ). The only down side was when someone at a bus stop ( a young urban kind of guy ) said wow what a beautiful yarn ! Why did you ruin it by making something so simple with it ?
Did I mention I live in Manhattan? Where people are always ready to offer comments !
Anyway I still love it. The yarn is beautiful and the stich was simple..
That is my advice by the way. I used some very simple pattern for creating an infinity scarf that did not need sewing together. Technically a mobius strip….From Ravelry , which i assume you have heard of 🙂
Meanwhile I must also take the moment to mention how deeply I love you and your husbands work….! Many thanks !
A good response (and true, at least for my projects) is “so the yarn is the star, rather than the pattern”.
I do a lot of simple projects with fancy yarn for just that reason. Plus sometimes I have no brain for the complicated stuff, especially when in public and opinionated mannerless persons interrupt my focus …
That sweater turned out gorgeous! I love it! You are so talented. The colors are beautiful.
Cod liver oil for your nails? Always works for my mom (can be a light blood thinner so if on thinners, don’t try it). She takes a capsule a day.
I got one of those bruises and the PA asked me the same question! Mine was on my back/lower hip from running into something while maneuvering backwards through a door and managed to hit the doorknob nice and hard. She didn’t believe me when I tried to explain my severe clumsiness. Follow me around for a day. Just stay back because I might trip over you!
I’ve got 2 projects I’m working on. The first I’m getting pretty good at, bread making and other tasty baked goods. I recently made a rustic pear, fig and cherry tart.
Now the second is certainly the work of a newby – wood burning. I’ve purchased the not cheap but img tools, watched plenty of YouTube videos and ruined my first piece of wood, lol. But I’m determined!
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share and feel.likeva community.
It may be the mobius pattern in ravelry
I do not know if you can go to my library on ravelry but if so, there are a ton of different patterns which could interest you:
https://www.ravelry.com/people/LadyMerrick/new_library?page=3&type=pattern
That just opens the Ravelry login page for me, but maybe people with an account can see it? ????
Nope, it shows me a blank page in Rav.
(Other people inside Rav had a similar problem when I tried to link them to an advanced search I did. I guess those searches are personal?)
Knitting: I have a pair of socks on the needles that will get finished soon whether I care about them or not. I have a sweater that I knit last year, it fits, it looks great BUT I have to sew up the sleeves and the yarn is very, very dark navy so it’s effectively black and doing a mattress seam on black yarn is Not Fun. I have a sweater I desperately want to cast on, but I’m holding the last sweater as hostage so there is no sweater knitting going on.
My big effort these days is making quilts. I travel to Scotland in July to visit my in-laws and I want to finish three quilts to take with us. One’s with my long arm quilter, one’s cut out but not yet sewn up, and one still needs input from the recipient. This feels doable, which that virtually-black sweater does not.
Working on miniature carousel horses. I have the habit of collecting different methods to make projects and this seems to combine all of them. Mold making, soldering , glass etching. The hardest part is trying to cut straight threads on the pole. Fighting with strange tilting horses
This is beautiful! ????
So pretty! I love glass
Totally impressed. That is wonderful.
this is amazing ????
I never learned to knit and have always admired those who could. I started knitting a sweater once for my father, seventy-five dollars, various knitting accessories and a full on brain-melt later, I decided knitting wasn’t for me, and have never attempted it again. I think that was around 1980. I stick to beading, polymer clay, which I luv to work with, and a few other minor hobbies, like the farm, the forest and keeping the wild at bay.
I am a proud member of the BDH, and wanted to send my thanks for the wonderful vacations you send me on. A cold winter’s day, a pot of soup on the stove, fresh bread in the oven, the fire going (its our only heat) and the wonderful series, books and short stories you provide.
From the bottom of my heart ..Thank You!!
also, I just reread Alpha: Origins, and I do wish you’d write more of this fragmented reality. 🙂
That sounds so cosy! ????
I did the GAPtastic Cowl. The pattern is free on Ravelry. I love it because it’s more like an infinity scarf but not as big and bigger than a cowl. You can also use it as a hood and cowl combo. It knits up really fast because it uses a bulky yarn.
I am into counted cross stitch right now and pointed pen calligraphy (Spencerian and Italian Hand). Some illuminated letters and watercolors. I used to knit lace and spin my own yarn but stopped when I retired.
I found a cowl pattern with a drawstring on top edge so you can adjust fit, pull it up & secure etc. on Ravelry, Frieze cowl. A drawstring might be the answer to your doggie sweater. Or a flap with a button.
I wear uv gloves to protect my hands under uv light.
Good luck with the crossstitch!
Love the pictures with the lap full of ..cat?! I have had to learn to not just WORK around my cats, but CRAFT too…. cross stitch, papercraft, make pompoms you name it…
This picture is of me and Orion diamond painting… an odd but strangely addicting activity… doing a lot of that right now….very meditative at a time I need calm, and it has two major benefits over some crafts…. one, my mother, who use to do a variety of beautiful crafts but has dementia now, can still do this one, and two, I can complete something in weeks rather than years, lol!
oops… it didn’t like my picture… one more try
Hi Kim,
The size limit for photo attachments is 1 MB, sadly.
A good trick, if possible, is to take a screenshot of the photo and post that ????
Thanks Mod R… that worked!
trying again…
I’m doing metal wall sculptures out of sheet metal and alcohol inks. (Is that considered a craft? I had to look up the difference between arts and crafts. One website said “Craft refers to an object that is created with the primary motive of decoration. Any object of decoration that may be used in homes may be called craft”. Since I make my wall sculptures to decorate my house, I’m going with yes). Anyway, I adore alcohol ink because it’s hard to mess up and if you do, just spray it down with more alcohol and keep playing with it until you like it. I just finished one for my foyer and now I’m working on a larger tropical fish themed one for outside on my pool lanai.
I do my own gel nails and bought a pack of fingerless UV gloves to protect my hands while they’re under the lamp. They’re pretty cheap and it covers your entire hand except for your nails. Highly recommend if you’re worried about skin cancer.
And while I’m giving unsolicited nail product reviews, I’ve had success using collagen peptide powder to strengthen my hair and nails. It’s flavorless, so I toss a scoop into my soups or hot beverages every now and then. I don’t know about nail thickness since my nails have always been elephant-toenail thick, but I do notice that they grow faster when I’m using the collagen. (I’m not a doctor or any kind of health expert. Your mileage may vary).
For your nails, we found this stuff that quite honestly I don’t know why it works, it is called Vital proteins marine collagen. it is a powder you can put in tea or coffee, and it really seems to have helped with our joints, plus it seems to make nails and hair stronger.
As far as craft projects go, after like 25 years I almost have the track laid on my train layout ( waiting for the last order,the track is made to order here in the US, &can take time). Now have to wire it once I finish with the track.
Love the flax sweater. I have made a couple of those myself. Have you tried the Darling Darby Dog Sweater? Great pattern to get a good fit on different dogs
I’m a bit crochet crazy lately….finished a hat, mitten, scarf set. Working on a shawl and a baby sweater….and I just learned how to make a crochet beaded bracelet! Wish I could post pictures they are too big to load….for me it is maintaining a little grounded sanity. I do cross stitch but haven’t been doing that lately….I have only about 40 projects in waiting if the need to cross stitch arises…..
I just started knitting again after a few years hiatus and am making my second one skein narrow scarf that keeps my neck warm when i wear those wide necked shirts on cold days
For your unasked for cowl ideas I’m going to throw out the Gap-tastic cowl on ravelery as it may fit your needs – mindless but not boring – and makes a long luxuious feeling scarf that can wraps and feels snuggly https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gap-tastic-cowl (it was wildly popular many years ago – you may have already made it!)
I would learn to knit if I had someone like Tuna to sit on my lap while I was doing it (though I’d probably be too busy petting the fluffy kitty to get any actual knitting done!) ????????????
I don’t know if this qualifies as a craft, but I am always exploring how to cook many different international dishes I never tried before. Tomorrow: Korean scallion sesame pancake bread and some sort of spicy noodle dish (not sure what yet) to accompany. ????
I machine embroidered Christmas and Chanukah ornaments for friends and, after the Holidays, knitted a couple of shawls. I was blocking the knitting when I took the shawl pictures.
My friend knitted me a thing called a shrug. It has two arm holes and is long enough to be down to my waist and I love it. It is oversized so it covers my upper arms.
I told kid 2 I would crochet her a hat before she leaves for a 7 month internship in New Hampshire that will have multiple 12 day back country conservation hiking trips. she wants it to be plain. We picked the yarn out. I’m trying to get motivated because I hate plain. it also has a deadline of 3/15.
trying to find the crojo…
Consider adding a removable flannel lining.
Option for additional warmth.
Option for easier washing.
Option for only using the liner.
I have been working on making jewelry. Practicing wire wrapping and creating fringe earrings with seed beads.
I have also been looking at finishing a quilt that I started. Needed to practice sewing around little pieces so have been working on mug rugs before I tactical the bigger quilt.
Oh, pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease have some giant sloths in the next book? 🙂 Sabertooth cats we’ve got Curran for, but oh, oh the weresloths (see link).
I was searching for needle minders after seeing Ilona’s, and randomly found three that I think Kate would love (if she does needlework). They’re all from a company called the Snarky Crafter.
1) “I stitch so I don’t stab people.”
2) “This is proof I have the patience to stab something 4000 times.”
3) see photo…
Awesome! ????
😀
My experience with the nails thing was best described as:
Nails are a mess, try the salon.
Nails are worse! Yech!
Try the other salon… “No, No, sweetheart” said the much elder nail specialist. “What your nails need is air, and stimulation. Buffed gently and left plain with proper nutrition will fix this. It won’t be fast, but it will fix this.”
It began to work and I learned to buff my own nails.
I took off my knitting hat before Christmas and put on my sewing hat. Fashion trends from the 70’s and 80’s have come back around, so as a Christmas gift for my daughter, I got busy and made Gunne Sax style dresses and skirts. Also, corset covers that are popular right now, maybe because of Outlander?
Reading your blog helped me feel more ‘normal’ about my crafting. UFO socks, sweaters, and shawls abandoned for months (or years). I don’t think I can tolerate cross-stitch again, but yours is lovely.
Very nice! I crocheted an afghan for a girlfriend past when I was in college. Don’t even recall which girl.
The missus and I do woodworking. She like to play with wood and resin with pretty colors. We are currently turning pens from exotic woods and colorful resin blanks on the lathe. Give some away, sell a few. Fun fun!
For journaling, I just use a college ruled spiral notebook. Pretty much every morning ritual as I sip coffee. Helps to do so before sitting down to write as it clears out all the junk from the day. Good luck getting started.
I’d love to learn wood turning once of these days, it looks fun.
I’m currently working on a embroidery journal that was given a a present, but realised I am to hate diary keeping in all of its forms as I want doing it (though I thought I’d love the idea) the blank canvas was glaring at me. so I’ve turned it onto a stitch bible instead by working on a different stitch on each of the months segments. far less stressful! plus embroidery embellishing another hoop and have all of the overlocked pattern pieces for a trouser pattern laid out of the floor…I really need to put them all together to finish arhhhh…
Just putting the binding on a quilt for a friend who will be starting chemo soon. Hoping it will be something nice and warm during a rough time. Working on childrens aprons that I sell with a friend at craft bazaars. Deciding which cross stitch to start next. I have several Lord of the Rings patterns to choose from. Also have some embroidery projects I want to start and always have another baby quilt to do. I give them away to friends, family and sometimes strangers. I always have a craft or 10 going.
Now if you had a horse
There is no time for nails
Makeup …rarely
Sleep rarely
Knitting…never
Books on Audio , I do those….lol
Finally finished a wedding present for my sister – only 7 months after the wedding:)
Now starting a new cross-stitch project on black evenweave for me
At least you didn’t get a note at summer camp – your sister stepped on one of your needles and it broke off in her foot so she had to go to the ER for surgery to get it out – she was fine but made middle school me much better at keeping track of my needles
Photo 1
Photo 2
I’m currently building banquette seating for my kitchen! It’s taking longer because I decided instead of just the traditional ‘l’ built- in shape I’m making one part able to move. This way I can have it in an L or I can rotate one side to face the other. I’m also adding in a plant ledge since I’ve got a large window.
it’s also taking longer since I don’t have a good space to actually make stuff in yet. i need to build a workshop area at some point.
Oh!!! I have the Flax and the Flax Light patterns in my stash. Maybe I’ll give that a try next. I also need to find a good shawl/wrap pattern, either crochet or knit, to make for my future daughter in law for the wedding in June. I just can’t seem to find one that speaks to me, so the search continues.
I see the “uv lamps are dangerous” thing is making the rounds again. If you have any questions about nail safety, Doug Schoon is a good resource. They also make fingerless gloves to wear during curing.
I love the sweater. I have only managed to make scarves. the instructions for complicated things make no sense to me, despite how many youtube tutorials I watch.
Revelry has a free pattern called “Gap Cowl”. It is made with chunky yarn and knits up quickly. I have made a few and gifted all of them eventually (when someone says how much they like it, I give it to them). I am making one to keep this time. Also a very easy knit to keep your hands busy is a Nuvem. After the cast on it is knit in the round. It knits up large enough to wrap out of the way, even for wood hauling/throwing. I do like your sweaters.
I have read that if you put a high SPF sunscreen on your hands before the UV light for gel nails, it can limit the damage. I also told my daughter, who gets very fancy nails regularly.
I play with clay current project is a lion with a flower/ leaf mane. A Dandylion hopefully he survives so many ways for clay to fail but sometimes it all comes together ????
I’m not doing much of anything right now. I’m too tired most of the time, and arthritis kicks my butt. When I can, I play with beads and do chainmaille jewelry. I love working with sterling silver, but also love the look of stainless steel-it keeps a nice shine. I tend to stick to 18-20g wire, with occasional forays into 22-24g when my eyesight cooperates.
I would love to learn how to knit and crochet, but I am finally at an age where I realize that I don’t have the space, time, or energy for it. So, I admire other people’s stuff instead.
Finished this a while ago
Hi Anna,
There is a 1MB limit for photos. Taking a screenshot of the image and uploading that usually works better ????
I made myself a craft project journal. It is so I can decide which major projects I want to make this year. I can detail what it is, who it is for, and when I need to have it finished by (birthday, Christmas, or just because). I can list what supplies I have and what I need for the project.
I rotate between cross stitch, crochet, and quilting/sewing. I’ve recently starting doing diamond art too. The last thing I crocheted was a dinosaur tail snuggle sack for my grandson. I’m currently cross stitching Mill Hill Spooky Gate. I want to make a shawl for myself this year too.
The Crochet Crowd has a lot of free patterns mostly crochet but also some knitting patterns (video tutorials too).
Nice work! It’s hard to fit a small animal. When we first got out yorkie we made him a sweater out of the sleeve and cuff out of a people sweater…LOL Nice cross stitch! My wife’s pretty crafty and has done cross stitch too. We have 3 or 4 framed hanging in the house. She gave all that up some years back when she discovered quilting!
I am yet another crafter of the BDH. I enjoy several crafts. So far recently I have completed my largest cross stitch to date which was a wedding ABC created for some friends that married yesterday.
I like card making too. This year I have made my first star card (for those same friends ) and lots of birthday, sympathy, thank you and get well cards. I have even created my first 40 or so christmas cards for 2023.
I enjoy diamond dots as an alternative choice for relaxation.
My craft and cross stitch stash is massive! There are several other crafts in my stash. I may get around to them one day…..
Aaaaaa! Cute fox needleminder! Do you happen to remember where you got it?
I’m working on a Flax (celtic cables instead of garter down the sleeves), about 30 other knitting wips, a bunch of crochet wips, and working on cross-stitch wipdown this year to stay in double digits. Most recent finish was a freebie from Durene Jones.
Ilona shared the link previously, here it is ???? https://www.amazon.com/needle-minder-for-cross-stitch/dp/B0949C8PT8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=21YYLPQQOYTXF&keywords=needle+minder+fox&qid=1673661871&sprefix=needle+minder+fox%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-4&fbclid=IwAR3WPCZ3dMvN9Ks9XCQjBD8N7Mq4YkiRLEQMliIbt0TwiWFKG9CcVy64JxA
The projects look great! I made a infinity scarf/cowl from a YouTuber I love his name is Fiber Spider. He does great, easy explicit instruction. I made it for my Mom. Didn’t take long. Love your books. Have read the Innkeeper and House Rogan/Baylor books multiple times. Giving myself the gift of reading your Kate Daniel’s books. Love that there so many to read. Thank you!
I don’t craft. I’m always in awe of people who do. I love to start a project but then lose focus and whatever it is languishes in a drawer or closet til I give it away.
If not sipping tea and reading, I like to do jigsaw puzzles;1K pieces.
Am I really that boring??
Hmmm… Guess so.
I am a life long cross stitcher and have now taken up quilting.
I love cowls! Recently I’ve been making caps and cowls for the seamenschurch.org Christmas at Sea program as well as stroller blankets for friends expecting grandchildren. And trying to learn stranded colorwork knitting.
I love to quilt and crochet. I also like to stay warm. I am replacing my 1972 era windows because they leak, badly. So instead of doing my favorite things I am clearing out in front of seven windows. Half of my sewing room has to be moved out to access the window. The good thing is that the floor and tables are getting cleared off and put away.
Maybe I can find a way to set up my machine in another room.
I have a closet full of someday-crafts. Beading and everything necessary for that. Jewelry wax and everything necessary to carve that. Sculptures, started but never finished in both modeling clay and wax, and everything needed for that. Sewing, everything from leather to silk.
Oh, and then my fine art media; watercolor, gouache, pen and ink, pan pastels, watercolor pencils, and colored pencils, plus sufficient papers for all these for a real artist’s entire career, all untouched for months now on the drafting table in my art corner.
I managed to rehome the beeswax candle making equipment and supplies (for both cast and rolled candles!), most of the leatherworking tools, the knitting and crochet things including yarn stash for years (oh, that was hard to let go of!!), the boxes and drawers of the now grown kid’s pipe-cleaner, pom-poms, and felt crafting supplies, and I’ve been surveying my shelves of art books since Christmas wondering if I should send the woodcarving books off to be discovered by someone who actually carves wood?
Creativity and discipline don’t cohabitate in my psyche comfortably. It’s definitely one or the other at a time. I create until my fingers fall off, my back revolts, and my eyes blur, a day or a few weeks, and then might walk away for a year. I’ve tried slow and steady, but hardly ever managed to keep it up past the first significant speed bump. Sigh. And especially the last couple of years have been rife with distractions, crises, and stress, and oh, so many perfectly reasonable excuses! (And good books to read! Let’s not forget those!)
Back to work, soon, I swear, on the colored pencil piece that was supposed to be for my husband’s birthday… last May … and will be lucky if it makes it for him for Christmas this year…
Squirrel!!
I like those nails. I have not seen nail powder before.
I mostly use nail stickers, because they take less than 10 minutes to apply, strengthen my nails, and are easy to change when the mood strikes.
I am working on puttying and painting the 16 windows in our dining room, as well as trying to put in a garden. Gophers and I have disagreements as to how the growth of my plants should progress.
I have a pattern for a fabric activity book which I really want to make for each of my children, for their children. I have not started on them yet.
needle-felting! stabbing wool is therapeutic.
I’m working on crocheting a large dragon for my 5yo. Just finished attaching the back legs to the body. Hubby and I are sad because we’ve been using said torso as a lumbar pillow on the couch and now we’ll have to buy an actual pillow or wait 10 months for me to get around to making one
Love the Flax pattern. It is on my to-do list. I am also into making a temperature scarf for 2023. Fun so far.
Looking forward to whichever series has the next installment. I enjoy them all. ❤️
Love the colors on the T.
I Knit and I found the perfect pattern for yarn I have only to find our the author pulled ALL her hat patterns from Ravelry and the book they are in is out of print! So frustrating, she has a blog and may bring back the patterns from time to time but why! Just keep them up. I want to make this hat and it is driving me nuts . LOL
My nails used to chip, split, & break. I discovered Nature’s Bounty brand “Hair, Skin, & Nails” strawberry gummies. I take 3 every morning, I now have to trim my nails! They don’t chip, break, or split anymore! The bottles come in 2 sizes, 70 & ~280. The bigger one doesn’t stick together in a mass!
A faster solution to the neck warming problem might be a wool hood that you sew. I made one back when I belonged to the SCA (playing midieval like some folks play Civil War or colonial times)
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post.
Re the gynecologist visit. Been there, done that except I had been kicked by a Great Dane I was retraining for a toe mail trim.
I prefer cowls too. Barney likes to eat scarfs and gloves. Lunatic bovine.
Yay for crafting – and finishing! I decided that I MUST finish (or frog) all my wips this year. Not that there are too many – so far I have finished three and there are only five left. One will definitely get frogged; I have restarted it (shawl) three times over the years but still keep messing up the lace stitch count so I will use the yarn for something. I don’t really use shawls much anyway. The Nightshift, however, will get frogged and restarted on a larger needle size; love the yarn (Noro), the colors, and learning the new-to-me i-cord edging, etc. This will be finished.
If you get bored, apparently asking ChatGPT for patterns is a thing. The photos of the results made my day!
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/feb/26/chatgpt-generated-crochet-pattern-results
Im a big cross stitcher and I love your fabric, where do you like to get yours from? Also I have never used a pattern app, jus printed pages and a highlighter, but I keep hearing about them. Do you recommend trying it out?