Tag: crafters

  • Beginnings (of a bag)

    Beginnings (of a bag)

    I’m making decent progress on this bag and have to say, it’s thick and sturdy: more so than I imagined it would be. For a crocheted bag of this size, it will be able to easily hold items and not sag under their weight. Full disclosure – I did work on my “Bourbon Street Shawl”…

  • Trying something new

    Trying something new

    In the spirit of my recommendations around “Fiber First Aid”, I decided to try something new. As I have mentioned previously, I prefer to knit and crochet with worsted or DK weight. Contrary to that impulse, when I saw Joann’s house brand “Big Twist” had come out with a t-shirt yarn in some bright colors,…

  • Making progress

    Making progress

    While not as much progress as I had hoped considering all the education sessions I sat through, I am pleased with how this reusable shopping bag (small) is turning out. The photo above is a little dark but shows the distribution of the colored bands. The second pic (below this one) had better lighting, which…

  • The right tension

    The right tension

    Happy Local Yarn Store Day!!! I hope you’ve visited your local favorite(s) and shown them some love. We (fiber artists) appreciate you all, (LYS owners and employees) and look forward to many happy returns to shop and visit!! On to today’s blog post, about tension. Tension, in the world of crocheting and knitting, is best…

  • Bottle slings (holders)

    Bottle slings (holders)

    I’ve been a bit obsessed with this pattern – especially when it’s made in a cotton yarn. For this (green) version, I started with a smaller base (30 sts), still using the H hook. I have a pink one also in progress, but in Big Twist yarn that I’m making with a G hook (pictured…

  • Change is inevitable. Yarn helps.

    Change is inevitable. Yarn helps.

    The past year has marked a significant SHIFT in my life. It wasn’t the birth or death of anyone close, but it was the end of an era, so to speak.  Last year in June, my oldest grandchild got his driver’s license, and suddenly, I was freed from being on call as my daughter’s backup…

  • Comfort in stitching

    Like most crocheters and knitters, I always have several projects in progress. I’ve found over the years that various moods or states of mind will align better with some projects than others. For those stressful times where there’s a lot of chaos or uncertainty, nothing beats a basic knitted piece like the wrap pictured above.…

  • Hot air, hype and holy cow!

    Hot air, hype and holy cow!

    I had a fascinating set of interactions on a social media site today that have undermined some of my long-held beliefs about the crochet and knitting community. OK, I wasn’t REALLY that naive, but I will admit to being surprised at the amount and level (intensity) of the vitriol. I have been curious about the…

  • Winter work

    Winter work

    One advantage of the cold and less-than-ideal weather in the Winter months here in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region of the United States is that I am less tempted to leave the house. This means I am likely to dig in my yarn or fabric stash for some inspiration, which almost always results in something delightfully creative.…

  • Last-minute gifts

    Last-minute gifts

    Like many of you, I’m looking at the calendar and my hair is standing straight up! I know, I know – the date is the same EVERY YEAR, but perhaps my schedule gets more convoluted each year, or I add more to my calendar and anyway, things just get busy. If you’re a fiber artist…