Craft Corner

Those booties are soo soo beautiful @CheerBear that's briliant work, I like how you got the foot part so similar to each other, makes them look like a pair, then the top is different. Gosh that's lovely. I'm so happy for you. High fives to you from me for getting that foot part so well matching!

Thank you for the name of that yarn, darn that it's no longer available, but I'm allergic to wool and if I'm remember the correct info, that one is a wool blend, so couldn't use it anyways. *sigh* I use mostly cotton, cotton blends, with acrylics too. Lion Brand has some lovely stuff too, it's nice it's now sold in Australia, but bit 'spensive. That Landscapes is indeed strong on the pretty! I am very attracted to multicoloured yarns.

I have not yet found a reward for myself, if you have any ideas I'm willing to listen. I just can't get excited about any yarns, or fabric, or anything, maybe need a helping hand with that.

I hope you had a lovely outing with the ducks and the water and your crochet - I used to do that and I miss being able to.

I cranked (crank knitter from Lincraft) another length of flat panel for a 'something' I'm making from some Tootgarook pink & white cotton yarn from Spotlight today. Pleased as the first one I did took days to do, but I've learned more how to use it now.

I do hope everyone's crafting is bring them joy. ((((( Craft hugs )))))

Just have to figure out how to attach one piece to the other without destroying any hope of balancing.

He's a bit of a mess, but he's my mess.

Wow @TheVorticon impressive work! I can see the balance re joining might be an issue. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Without a pattern, that is awesome work.

@CheerBear I found a youtube vid for the Lincraft crank knitter. They seem to be sold out again online, but some stores will probably have them in stock. You can knit in a tube, or knit a flat panel. I've been doing flat panels for a shawlie type over vestie thingamy. It may or may not work, and it may or may not end up being frogged (undone). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APYH6iKLnSw

I don't have the patience for those peg looms or for knitting needles although I had a knitting nancy as a child. *sigh* Isn't that weird. Hand pain definitly affects knitting more than crochet. I would definatley encourage little ones to learn how to do it though. The crank knitter is a lesson in patience too I must admit.

I will have to look up what the standyuppy things you speak of are CheerBear. That sounds interesting.

Re the CAL - thank you, that is a good idea. Hmmm, maybe we could find something we could work on together .... What would you choose? Would you wear a shawl, or would you need it to be a blanket? Sophies' Universe is very pretty, but I don't want to do another rug/ blanket.

I decided last night that the best thing for me to probably do would be to use some of the awesome yarn I have in my stash to make myself something a bit special. I was paid in yarn for some work I did for someone a few years ago.

My choice and something I never thought I'd be able to afford the amount of for the project I wanted to make with it. She had specials and stuff and I ended up with I think 20 balls of King Cole Opium in Lilac to make something sort of similar to this. circular mandala vest

I make each one differently but the basic shaping and concept is the same, some have sleeves, some have hoods. I also have some of that in Champagne from another paid in yarn project I did.

I think taking up something like that is the best I can do for myself, given there are a couple of projects that have been languishing in their tubs due to one reason or another.

I have to think about things now, and go check out my yarns.

Hoping you all have much crafting happinesses in everyone's day.

@CheerBear I have some images for you that you might like, but I can't do anything more here right now, just wanted to let you know.

The mandala vests are very dream inspiring aren't they. Glad I could facilitate that for you @CheerBear I find them very inspirational.

Colourwise, you could have more than one, you know. for different seasons and such. I'm sure you can rationalise it some how if you set your mind to it!

Yarnwise, it doesn't have to be cotton, you can use whatever you have, or can get to fit your budget. Being wool allergic, I use mostly cotton or cotton blends, or acrylic. Acrylic is great for these as you can block it and then carefully hot iron it to set it in place and then you don't have to be so careful with it.

You know, if you were interested in doing one of those mandala vest things, I think we could find a basic design that we could 'do our own thing' with and see what we each ended up with. I make mine much longer and wider in front than most patterns as I like it to be sort of enveloping.

I wanted to show you one I designed and made out of a now discontinued multicoloured yarn that I got cheaper than dirt a few years ago.

Photos removed.

Stash organisation, oh, my, that can be so satisfying, and depending on the size, so. much. work.

I HAD to do something when I knew I was going to have to move house. I bought 60ltr tubs in a grey colour (so light won't fade the yarns) on special from Kmart, had to go back a few times and ended up with 8 for yarns and 8 for fabrics.

I got those clip seal bags (Hercules Large Storage Bags twin zip) and packed yarns by type and colour, snipping about 10cm length of yarn from each different colour, brand, weight and fibre.

I taped each piece of yarn to an A4 sheet of paper and recorded all information next to it in an easily readable from a distance writing size (sharpies are so good) - How many balls etc. Then put that sheet in a plastic sleeve and taped it to the side of the box that I would be facing outwards.

WIPs got put in a box in their own bags, To Be WIPs also got put into their own box in bags with the patterns and notes for what has been decided etc.

It was a huge undertaking but so worth it now. The boxes are water resistant, fade proof, moth resistant, easy to access, and won't need to be resorted for any other moves.

I did similarly with the fabrics and tools, but without the plastic bags and detailed samples on the outside of hte boxes, just general names like 'stretch fabric', 'broderies', and 'curtains' and similar. It was such an amazing help when it came to moving to have it done in such a way,and it still makes it easy to access for checking what I've got. I stood the fabrics on their ends for easy visibility instead of layering them on top of each ohter.