Craft Corner

way better than mine @Bubbles3

@Bubbles3 I'm only new here yet, a couple of days so far, but I feel very welcomed by everyone.

Today has been a good day after so many really difficult ones, thank you.

The creativity of/ in your journal is really lovely, I used to journal feelings and such, but it was only writing, never thought to decorate it like you have.

@CheerBear Nice to see you also. I do enjoy talking craft things, it's still motivating for me too, when lots of things that used to motivate me now aren't interesting. Learning new things, or new ways of doing old things really brightens my day.

I wonder if you will like the tatting ... I use shuttles, have not yet learned to Needle Tat, but it's on my list of things to try.

I rarely use a someone else's pattern anymore, I will design my own, probably because I've been crocheting for so long now, and I'm impatient sometimes too. I wish I could properly write patterns though, that would be something.

My go to calm crochet is Tunisian crochet, I seem to always be making dishcloths or face washers and my bigger projects that are not Tunisian have been put to the side.

Well, summer could have had a part to play in that too, I suppose. Maybe with cooler weather I will be able to get the big things out and finish them.

Do you have a favourite yarn or hook? A go to pattern you really like to keep making?

@CheerBear thank you for that lovely post - was all set to answer but got very distracted by the art thread you linked will have to come back tomorrow to write more for you.

Hi @CheerBear I made it back here.

I agree that I can always count on craft to brighten my day too. My favourite hook sizes now are 5.5mm, 6mm and then 5mm and 8mm, all of which depends on the yarn and the feel of the fabric I want as a result. That's more important with Tunisian than quite so much with other projects. Denise interchangeables which I treated myself to a few years ago, are my favourites although I also have some Addi Swing ergonomics with silicone handles for my arthritis which are good but the heads need a sharper point imo.

I like the interchangeables for Tunisian as they are bendy, the long hard tunisian hooks are harder for me to handle for big projects. Tunisian can look like knitting, but it's done with a hook, and the way you do the first pass (there are two passes to each row) decides how the fabric will look. There's lots of vids on the net if you're interested in seeing how it works. I've made a single bed sized blanket using up all the 'orphan' yarns that were never going to be used for anything else.

Tatting - It does use thread, it's important to have a mercerised thread so the knots will slip along the thread they are on. I tend to use a thicker thread (size 20) these days, the itsy thin threads (like 80) are sooo fiddly for my hands. I bought some 80 spools ages ago, and i look at it every now and then with no idea what to do with it as it's so tiny. Maybe some to scale dollhouse doilies.

If you like amigurumi, I wish I could but alas, it's not my thing, I don't know what to do with the finished creatures, tatting might just be something you'd like, as there are patterns for animals, mostly flat, but there are 3d shapes that can be made. Not that I have done that, I mostly make lace for clothing, bookmarks or button closures.

The Antique Pattern Library is an excellent source of free patterns for all manner of crafts with patterns you can download for your own use.

Your mandalas are truly beautiful works of art. I have a couple of similar patterns and think one day I will do one, but other projects get in the way. LOL

I will have to work on getting some photos, not sure if it will work as they are very distinctive one of a kind pieces. Tried to find the yarn for a long car coat I made for myself but it's discontinued and no images unfortunately.

Here's a couple of tatted items I made for sale. (edited to fix images & to be clear the tatting is my work)

Tatted Bookmark Tatted Necklace

Dropping off a "CheerBear's guide to single crocheting in the foundation chain" complete with photos for @Phoenix_Rising and anyone else who might want to join ☺ If anyone is reading and wants to add anything or has a different idea, please jump in!

@CheerBear Just a quick response re the thread for your micro crochet and the tatting thread.

also, thank you for your kind words re my tatting. I do think tatting is so pretty and delicate.

You've piqued my interest with the micro crochet!

I did some research and noted that some are using fingering weight yarn with 1.25 hooks. You can use beeswax or the Thread Heaven product used for beading for 'hairy' thread if it's not mercerised, but with tatting, that's tedious. You run the thread over or through the wax as you use it. We had to do that on old knitting machines too. I have some Thread Heaven, it sorta works but it leaves a bit of a sticky feeling if you have to frog more than once. Still it can be done.

I wouldn't recommend normal sewing thread as it's breaking point is too weak and any frogging would weaken it further too, making it very frustrating to use.

If you use a smaller hook with the appropriate small yarn and a normal amigurumi pattern, it's supposed to make that item only smaller. Just like you can alter sizes by going up or down a hook and/or yarn with a garment. I have to find a pattern to try this myself.

I wonder if the mercerised threads for tatting would be useful for truly tiny micro crochet - depending on thread size of course. I found a variety of threads under the Theads & Yarns tab at Crochet Australia, who are really good to deal with too. The two big craft chains don't have the thinner threads, only crochet cotton which is too hairy for tatting anyway, it might work for micro crochet though.

Have you found any reference to thread size in any or your images? That could help pin point a start place.

Just remember that with Thread (different from Yarn) the larger the number, the smaller the thickness. I can visualise micro creatures in the lovely mercerised thread, they would be so elegant and finely finished I think.

I might just see if I can find an amigurumi pattern I like and make up one with a tatting thread I have. Most of my threads and tools came from Handy Hands in the US from long ago.

Re selling my work. Yes, so many items of so many sorts over time, now that I think about it. Clothes from day wear to ball gowns, mens shirts, pants (short and long), boys formal jackets, baby clothes from rompers to christening robes. Some to order, some on consignment. Tatting mostly bookmarks and jewellery, some lace edgings too. Crochet garments mostly, although lots of edgings on hankies and washers etc. I craft mostly for myself these days though, 'cos I made some incredibly beautiful stuff over the years and either sold it or gave it as gifts without thinking to keep any of it for myself. I'm a bit selfish with my hand work these days.

I love sharing tips and teaching others how to craft though, it's such a delight to see someone else 'get' the process and make something for themselves. It's something they then have for life.

I will probably hang out here a bit.

@CheerBear Oh My! I just fell down a rabbit hole re the micro crochet and discovered those really wee creatures are made with a .4 mm hook and Gutterman sewing thread! Gutterman is a good quality sewing thread - I use it for most of my sewing except when I'm using up stash reels of thread.

That is sooo far out of my league!

Edited to say: That's a really good tutorial for teaching the crochet chain too. Patience with the foundation is something I still need after more than 50 years of crocheting.

I just thought of a couple of things that can help a great deal, especially with the foundation row. The type of crochet hook you have can make a difference to how easy you find crochet. I have always liked the hooks with more of a pointy sort of end to them as they go through a loop more easily than the fully rounded ones, at least for me they do.

Also, don't be afraid of holding each chain in the foundation row by itself to get your hook through, if it's looser, it's a bit easier to do. I usually encourage beginners to use bigger single coloured yarn with a bigger hook so it's easier to see what you're doing.

Best wishes with your crochet @Phoenix_Rising