February Check-In

[yourlibrarian]

How have things been going crafts-wise? Anything to share?

Last month we discussed shows about crafts, but so many people have learned them from another person directly. Is that how you learned any of your crafts? And have you ever taught someone else how to do a craft?

Comments

[badly_knitted]

My mum taught me the basics of knitting but I taught myself the rest, and taught myself cross stitch and other things just by doing them, following instructions in kits, and booklets. Don't think I've ever really taught anyone else though.

Just cast on for the back of a sweater for myself last night, so I'm going to continue work on that in a little while. It's a pattern I've made before, so I shouldn't have any problems with it. The first one turned out so well I decided to make it again, this time in black because I am in serious need of a new black sweater.

[yourlibrarian]

So convenient to be able to make clothes!

I had a friend who was into all sorts of crafts (at least 1-2 new ones every year!) and also did teach some classes to help support her habit. She helped me with some basics when jewelry making came around. Funnily though I remember she originally showed me how to use fishing line for strands and tying them off and this was a complete pain! Apparently she suggested it because the line was cheaper but when I used beading wire I found it much easier.

She was off onto something else soon enough but beading was the one thing (of probably 30 she walked me through!) that stuck. She always felt very proud of her success in getting me to do a craft!

[badly_knitted]

I think the beading you do is awesome! I do a bit of jewellery making, but mine is very simplistic, just a charm and some beads on a cord. Then again, they're only meant for the kids at Halloween, so no one is expecting anything too fancy.


I can knit anything I want to wear, within reason, been knitting 40+ years, but there are times I wish I could sew. My mum tried to teach me that, and my school tried as well, but I was no good at it at all. Knitting a sweater is WAY easier. I have 20 rows of rib completed, another 10 and then I'll start the lace pattern.

[yourlibrarian]

Same! My mother could sew reasonably well and made most of my clothes as a kid. She made a concerted effort for over a year to teach me to sew as she thought it was a necessary skill. However by the time I was in high school, the cost of clothes had become much cheaper (and was to become dirt cheap in another decade, far cheaper than fabric costs). Lucky for me, because my sewing skills were terrible!

[badly_knitted]

Yes, my mum made a lot of my clothes too. Fabric really is pricy, so maybe we're better off not being able to sew.

[chromatic_crow]

I've finally gotten back to doing my fiber crafts after a bit of a hiatus and have been working on a Tunisian crochet throw. I had been working on a crochet throw but one of our dogs ate my hook...my fault for leaving it where he could get it (RIP Clover 6.5mm.....). Neither of the projects are much to look at right now though.

While I taught myself knitting through videos and 2 weeks of trial and error, my mother taught me how to crochet and cross stitch, I now do both of them as a way to remember her. I had also taught her how to knit and read patterns for both crochet and knitting since she never learned and just did everything by either reverse engineering or trial and error. She also got me started on the sewing machine but didn't know how to do too much, it was enough to get me going though. I've also taught a few different people how to knit or crochet though I'm not sure if any of them actually continued or not.

[yourlibrarian]

Oh no, I hope the dog was ok!

That's really nice that you have an activity that brings back memories like that. Amazing that she managed to figure it all out on her own!

[chromatic_crow]

Oh he's more than okay! luckily he didn't eat the whole thing, just chewed it up really well. He's very good at that.

I was always so amazed watching her crochet and cross stitch as a child but it never translated to my young brain. But it is really nice, something that we both enjoyed and I can tangibly hold on to :)

Done!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Last Monday I walked around the yard taking pictures. See the House Yard and South Lot plus the Savanna and Prairie Garden.

Wednesday I took pictures of the first blooming crocuses, in mid-February!

Thursday was mostly raking and other yardwork. My seed-starting kit arrived! I need to get that set up.

Friday I hauled more logs to create an enclosure behind the log garden to hold dead leaves. Didn't cost me anything other than ass-busting amounts of effort. \o/ I love this kind of garden craft.

Saturday we went to the Crimson Market, where we walked around indoors looking at lots of cool crafts.

Today I tried a new garden craft, winter sowing in water jugs. It will be interesting to see if this works.

Re: Done!

[yourlibrarian]

I would definitely welcome getting to see crafts on offer. There are some at our Farmer's Market, but both the market and the crafts available are limited.

Good luck with the sowing in jugs!

Re: Done!

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I would definitely welcome getting to see crafts on offer. <<

Around here there are lots of street fairs with modern and historic crafts. The oddities markets are newer but I'm loving them. There was a blacksmith at the Crimson Market. He was nowhere near as good as the ones I see at historic fairs, but that's okay -- people need a chance to develop skills.

>> There are some at our Farmer's Market, but both the market and the crafts available are limited. <<

The biggest farmer's market in our area has been mostly taken over by crafts. I'm not thrilled about that. We've been exploring the much more convenient afternoon and evening farmer's markets. Some of those are also mostly or wholly crafts, others are more produce and baked goods. We found some that are definitely worth revisiting this year.

>> Good luck with the sowing in jugs! <<

Thanks. I'm really curious how it will turn out. I started with fruit tree sprouts because I have scads of those in the fridge; not sure if it'll work or not. My original idea, which I will plan to do, was for things I know will sprout when planted early: the Shithouse Marigolds, wildflower mixes, and I think the native grasses are worth a try.