The Big Lit Knit Thread (and crochet too)

[LilyBart]

• I pretend to knit and crochet... in reality I fondle yarn and drool over color.
  [*]

  
  Me too.
  
  Actually, I do neither well. I can knit a mean coaster, though. Although I learned to knit when I was 5 or 6, I still haven't progressed much beyond a gauge swatch or the odd scarf. And by odd...I mean, odd.
  
  So lots of gauge swatches that I pretend are coasters.
  
  I sew a lot, though. Quilting is how I started in sewing, and although I still love art quilts (and quilts, in general), I am more focused now on garments. I have been informally studying the architectural aspects of garment construction over the last few years and I find a lot of joy in this.
  
  But I am also probably a little ADD because I am easily seduced by color and texture and the "making". So like Homburg posted about viv's unfinished projects...well, I'm with you sistah! I get part way through something and suddenly find myself drawn to that lovely other thing that I was reminded of while working on "this" thing.
  
  Witness my library of books on:
  
• Dying my own cloth, in hundreds of varieties. At least 30 books.
• Making my own beads (as in melting glass...) Not so many books. 20, maybe?
• Chain mail..yep, got that one too. Only one.
• Painting on silk. 4 books.
• Knitting. 11 books.
• Quilting. Lost count...more than 60, anyway.
• Historical couture. Not so many...but those books cost so much more. I have the good ones, though.
• Cross stitch. One.
• Embroidery. One.
• Crochet. None.
• Re-upholstering furniture. Four. I'm insane thinking about this one.
  
  Bookmarks related to all of this? Yikes...I have no idea...

Completed projects? I'm not telling.

Although seriously, I do complete some. Eventually...

~LB

...who owns 1,000 lbs of fabric (plus dyes, paints, brushes and other accessories), and is grateful that her kids are now tall enough not to be buried in it anymore....

 

[ultramarineblue]

I learned to knit and crochet as a young child. I don't do that so much anymore. I've been working to focus my attention on painting instead. I still play around with batik, book binding, and mixed media things where I add fiber. I like playing with thread and yarn. I just got tired of using hooks and needles to finish things with it.

 

[fishercat]

As for Ravelry, I already mentioned I'm meredithp so feel free to look me up!

I've done cross stitch in the past, it's very rewarding!

I am trying to figure out what project to bring on the trip to Hawaii in a few weeks, I haven't figures anything out yet!

Wenchie, I have heard of Crochet on the Double but I haven't tried it. It's similar to Tunisian crochet, right? Pick up stitches on a forward pass, then finish on a return pass?

When I travel, I always take a little project bag with a small selection of tools in a ziploc and a new selection from my sock yarn stash. I stick to my basic pattern, which I have memorized. The small size and tiny needles keep me from bothering my neighbors on the plane, and socks take enough time that I rarely finish a pair during the vacation. Though I do bring a second stash yarn in case of a knitting emergency.

 

[the captians wench]

viv is a fiber art junkie. She does all sorts of things, and I can never keep up with what is crochet, what is knit, etc. I'm clueless.

She also starts a dozen projects and never finishes them. I have announced a moratorium in yarn purchases until exist projects are completed, as I fear losing a child one day and finding a dessicated corpse under a carnivorous mound of yarn.




Get a piece of cold-rolled steel rod in slightly less than the internal diameter you want. Have a hole drilled slightly larger than your wire, and a few inches shy of one end. Make a crossbar out of wood with a hole depth half the thickness of the boards, and somewhat larger than the outside diameter of your rod. Oil said hole well. Insert rod into crossbar, insert wire into hole in crossbar, chuck drill onto opposite end of rod, stand on the board and hold the drill, use the drill to turn the rod at low speeds while someone else feeds the wire. You get a nice happy long coil of wire. Then just run a dremel with a cutting disc down one side it after you detension the wire.

This is how my friend in the SCA made his links. Not terribly period, but, hey, it beat the hell out of doing it with pliers.

Problem 1, I do not own such tools. *giggles* Problem 2, I do not own a "someone else".

I rather enjoy hand coiling anyway. And I did learn enough at the shop to learn a nifty feature about cutting rings from said coil. I cut the rings off at an angel, that way when the butt together, they angel and are not hit dead flush. The mailer I watched endlessly said that this put less stress on the rings, but I wouldh't know.

I do want to get some one to make me one of the hand coiling contraptions he had tho.

 

[Etoile]

Fishercat, you've hit on my side project for the trip! I finished a sock a few months ago and succumbed to Single Sock Syndrome...I haven't finished the second! But I'm planning to bring my second skein (Bernat Sox in Jazz Hot) on the trip to finish that other sock. I'll still bring another project, but I'm planning to finish that sock!

I had to cut myself off on yarn purchases much like Homburg cut off viv. For one thing, I don't have the money, but also I just want the chance to work with what I have! I tend to stay away from the LYS because it is TOO damn expensive...I can walk in there and drop $100 without batting an eye. But I cut off Michael's purchases too...I have everything I need for many more interesting projects, so I'm going to stick with what I've got for now.

 

[Homburg]

Problem 1, I do not own such tools. *giggles* Problem 2, I do not own a "someone else".

But... But...

No, no, I just can't imagine not having staff around. Not gonna happen.

It's not actually too hard to work up a holder for the wire spool, but feeding it by hand is not too tough.

Drills aren't expensive, and are very useful. Same with dremels. You can pick up cheap versions of both at places like Harbor Freight and Northern Tool.

And I'm not even going to comment about how every house should have a selection of power tools. I'll be nice.

I rather enjoy hand coiling anyway. And I did learn enough at the shop to learn a nifty feature about cutting rings from said coil. I cut the rings off at an angel, that way when the butt together, they angel and are not hit dead flush. The mailer I watched endlessly said that this put less stress on the rings, but I wouldh't know.

I do want to get some one to make me one of the hand coiling contraptions he had tho.

My hands ache just reading about hand coiling. Ouchouchouch. You crazy maso types

 

[the captians wench]

But... But...

No, no, I just can't imagine not having staff around. Not gonna happen.

It's not actually too hard to work up a holder for the wire spool, but feeding it by hand is not too tough.

Drills aren't expensive, and are very useful. Same with dremels. You can pick up cheap versions of both at places like Harbor Freight and Northern Tool.

And I'm not even going to comment about how every house should have a selection of power tools. I'll be nice.



My hands ache just reading about hand coiling. Ouchouchouch. You crazy maso types

I know, I've been told my lack of tools is near embarrassing. I atleast have a tool box now, but it only has the basics, hamer, screw driver set, allen wrench set, and mini computer sized screw driver set ( in pink! ) and a few screws and nails.

When my friend, former state side primary, came by to hang shelves and build some book cases for me for my new sewing nook he brought a doctor's bag of tools with him. When I excitedly told him that I now own a tool box he looked at me and said "I think I'll still bring mine" to which I told him "you probably should" *giggles*

And if I'm totally honest about the coiling, it's not the maso that keeps me hand coiling...it's the feel of the wire as it runs thru my hands and is manipulated under my touch. I've always had a thing for steel. I love the touch of it. I used to fondle the swords in the shop very lovingly.

 

[00Syd]

I embroider. Anyone else?

I've been really getting into embroidery lately, which is sort of funny since I tried knitting once and found it hopelessly boring. I actually just finished a project that I'm really proud of and could post pics if anyone is interested.

 

[the captians wench]

I embroider. Anyone else?

I've been really getting into embroidery lately, which is sort of funny since I tried knitting once and found it hopelessly boring. I actually just finished a project that I'm really proud of and could post pics if anyone is interested.

Only enough to do monograms. After that, I get bored and it ends up in the "to be finished" pile.

 

[Homburg]

I know, I've been told my lack of tools is near embarrassing. I atleast have a tool box now, but it only has the basics, hamer, screw driver set, allen wrench set, and mini computer sized screw driver set ( in pink! ) and a few screws and nails.

Why am I not surprised that some of your tools ar epink?

And if I'm totally honest about the coiling, it's not the maso that keeps me hand coiling...it's the feel of the wire as it runs thru my hands and is manipulated under my touch. I've always had a thing for steel. I love the touch of it. I used to fondle the swords in the shop very lovingly.

Well, that makes sense.

Still makes my hands hurt. Though, honestly, I think I'm developing arthritis in on of my fingers. I have one knuckle I can't crack, it stays lightly sore all the time, and does not like pressure. No fun. And on rainy-ass days like today it is more sensitive.

Yay for getting old.

--

I embroider. Anyone else?

I've been really getting into embroidery lately, which is sort of funny since I tried knitting once and found it hopelessly boring. I actually just finished a project that I'm really proud of and could post pics if anyone is interested.

Having seen the pictures, I would concur that it is something worth being proud of.

 

[Netzach]

I embroider. Anyone else?

I've been really getting into embroidery lately, which is sort of funny since I tried knitting once and found it hopelessly boring. I actually just finished a project that I'm really proud of and could post pics if anyone is interested.

I bead embroider, but that's its own weirdness. Sure post your FP !

 

[Netzach]

I feel really weird on this thread, it's worlds colliding for me. Pervert crafster.

 

[00Syd]

Only enough to do monograms. After that, I get bored and it ends up in the "to be finished" pile.

It's really good for me as a means to keep my hands busy while watching movies so I don't end up eating three bags of popcorn. I'm not sure why I enjoy the repetitive motion of embroidery but not of knitting, though. It's nice to see a picture appear, I guess.

Having seen the pictures, I would concur that it is something worth being proud of.

Aw, thanks

I bead embroider, but that's its own weirdness. Sure post your FP !

TIKI Embroidery work in progress 1: http://twitpic.com/2xa2x
TIKI Embroidery work in progress 2: http://twitpic.com/2xa3c
TIKI Embroidery: http://twitpic.com/2xa40

Wave Embroidery work in progress 1: http://twitpic.com/2xa4y
Wave Embroidery work in progress 2: http://twitpic.com/2xa5h
Wave Embroidery: http://twitpic.com/2xa68

Most recent - The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Embroidery: http://twitpic.com/2s9o2

Hope y'all dig my crafts!

 

[Homburg]

Why the fuck are the angle dykes that I bought from a jewelry/beading store so much less tough/cutty than the angle dykes I bought from a modelling shop? Jewelry store sells these things to cut wire. Modelling shop sells them to cut frikken plastic. The fuck?

 

[eastern sun]

Hope y'all dig my crafts!

I love them! Beautiful! Beautiful!

I love to embroider, but haven't been doing it much lately. (I got into knitting with intricate color patterns - it satisfied that color urge. But I think my first love is embroidery.)

I'm inspired, Syd. Thank you.

 

[00Syd]

I love them! Beautiful! Beautiful!

I love to embroider, but haven't been doing it much lately. (I got into knitting with intricate color patterns - it satisfied that color urge. But I think my first love is embroidery.)

I'm inspired, Syd. Thank you.

Thank you so much! It is so flattering to know that I've inspired someone.

A big part of the reason why I got into embroidery in the first place was because all the different colors of embroidery thread were so beautiful, so I definitely understand the color urge. I'm lucky that near me at school is a yarn/button/craft store with a huge selection of embroidery thread in all sorts of gorgeous colors. I got a ton of metallic thread from them that I'm still trying to decide what to do with.

I just got a larger embroidery hoop, and so want to do something epic for my next project. I've started sketching this onto some fabric: http://twitpic.com/2xian But if I end up doing this, I'll do it in color.

 

[Homburg]

I just got a larger embroidery hoop, and so want to do something epic for my next project. I've started sketching this onto some fabric: http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/7354/andrewor9.jpg But if I end up doing this, I'll do it in color.

Heh, tripods. Awesome.

I'd still like to see it in greyscale, but, wow, that would be tough.

 

[Harmony_1985]

I should take some pictures of the pieces I have still in my house, but I have a row of Rockin' Robins, a forever friends bear and a countryside cottage hanging in my house that I've stitched.

Everything else I've done I've given away as gifts lol.

 

[Etoile]

Sharing some of my FPs too:

http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/meredithp/3834498/x6k3n7_medium.jpg

http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/meredithp/5753902/img2025ht3_medium.jpg

http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/meredithp/4803317/2envwxt_medium.jpg

http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/meredithp/3484145/il_430xn.49896250_medium.jpg

That last one is the fluffy silly scarf type I make from time to time. The one I started yesterday is here:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3419505174_4a0f392e15.jpg

 

[00Syd]

Sharing some of my FPs too:


http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/meredithp/5753902/img2025ht3_medium.jpg

So cute!

 

[Etoile]

So cute!

Thank you! His name is Filbert. He hangs out with his buddy The Safety Cone a lot and soon they will have a baby lamb to join them...just finished the body a night or two ago.

 

[00Syd]

Thank you! His name is Filbert. He hangs out with his buddy The Safety Cone a lot and soon they will have a baby lamb to join them...just finished the body a night or two ago.

The second I saw The Safety Cone I thought "awww, what an adorable smiling butt plug."

 

[Etoile]

The second I saw The Safety Cone I thought "awww, what an adorable smiling butt plug."

Yeah, I should have known that would come up in the minds of Litsters! Actually it was the first thing out of my wife's mouth when I gave it to her, too, LOL.

 

[00Syd]

Yeah, I should have known that would come up in the minds of Litsters! Actually it was the first thing out of my wife's mouth when I gave it to her, too, LOL.

The resemblance is uncanny.

 

[Etoile]

The resemblance is uncanny.

Of course it is! In fact, if he weren't bright orange, you wouldn't know he was a safety cone at all.