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Post by gardentalk on Jul 24, 2006 15:43:43 GMT 10
So far I know how to crochet a square, and I'd have to brush on my knitting skills (could do a single line, LOL). And, I can crudely sew a button onto a shirt. Getting somewhere! Two things I would REALLY like to learn how to do are weaving and spinning yarn. I can see myself just spinning the hours away, or weaving a rug with an elaborate design. I love gardening, as my username goes, so I just need a simple, practical crafty (though I realize in the old days crafts were actually necessities) to latch onto. I dream bizarre, memorable dreams at night and have always felt that I could parlay my sub-conscious thoughts into something unique. Fire away!  |
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Post by violet on Jul 24, 2006 16:01:51 GMT 10
What about needlepoint? Some folk call it tapestry. It's very easy, there's really only the one stitch, in and out of each square on a piece of tapestry canvas. It's not too fine, if you use a heavier wool, and you can paint any picture/design on the canvas to sew. My boys have both completed needlepoint pieces. I've got a book with some beautiful William Morris style rugs done in needlepoint - there must be millions of stitches in them! Spinning and weaving sound very appealing, but I wonder if you'd need to be taught to do them? Oops, just re-read your post - I see the word Practical is in there. I suppose needlepoint is practical if you need magnificent rugs and cushions! How about French polishing? I loved the classes I did and have fixed up many pieces of furniture. For more ideas, here's a great site: www.craftster.org |
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Deed
Treasured
~Super Savvy Seamstress~
Posts: 2,240
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Post by Deed on Jul 24, 2006 23:08:27 GMT 10
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Post by gardentalk on Jul 25, 2006 0:17:57 GMT 10
Thanks to the both of you! If I were to do the handbag, I'd have to make sure the wife knew the handbag was for her. Wouldn't want to turn into that guy with makeup on the M*A*S*H show. ;D When I was in middle school a kid that went to my church used to crochet hackey sacks for about $10. My wife has made some really pretty stuff crocheting, I'm amazed at how quick-fingered she is with those popcorn stitches. She's a clutz, otherwise (is rubbing off on me), but can flat-out work the stitches in whatever she's doing.
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Post by violet on Jul 25, 2006 8:16:44 GMT 10
I hadn't even thought of those hackey sacks being crocheted. Hm.
Regarding the handbag, I saw a gorgeous bag, knitted in one long piece and sewn together to make a sort of narrow envelope shape, with a long knitted shoulder strap. Then it was chucked into the washing machine and came out felted. It looked fantastic.
Another project that impressed me was knitted throws. Do you call them that there? A square of fabric, knitted or otherwise, that's draped artistically over the couch or thrown around your shoulders while watching tv. Anyhow I saw one that had been knitted on HUGE needles using fluffy wool - it was knitted as one giant square (maybe 4 or 5 feet square?) - and it looked great.
If your wife can crochet, gardentalk, then maybe I can too - I'm definitely of the clutzy kind!
Deed, I'd never seen your crochet tutorial before - it's brilliant! Thank you so much!
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Post by cara on Jul 25, 2006 9:00:25 GMT 10
Welcome gardentalk. You come to the right place to learn crafts. We have some handy dandy crafters here. Deed can teach you to crochet, knit, and sew. Lots of the other ladies do crafts as well. Me...well, I scrapbook and love to decorate my home....does that count as crafty..LOL
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Post by braided-rug on Jul 25, 2006 10:09:05 GMT 10
Is popcorn stitch the one where you have a heap of loops on the hook and it comes out in a kind of bobble?
I think if you get the angle right it goes through OK.
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Deed
Treasured
~Super Savvy Seamstress~
Posts: 2,240
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Post by Deed on Jul 25, 2006 13:28:32 GMT 10
Actually Linda, I think the name of a stitch depends on the individual crocheter that is making up the pattern. What you are talking about is generally called a Bobble here in the states. A popcorn stitch is working 4 or 5 double crochets (trebles for you) in the same stitch. Then take your hook out of the last stitch, insert into the top of the first stitch you did and pick up the last stitch, slip stitch through both stitches. This makes those 4 or 5 stitches you just did, pop out into what looks like a piece of popcorn. LOL You can see it here better. Popcorn Stitch |
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Deed
Treasured
~Super Savvy Seamstress~
Posts: 2,240
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Post by Deed on Jul 25, 2006 13:35:38 GMT 10
I'm at a loss, what is a "hackey sack"?
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Post by braided-rug on Jul 25, 2006 14:38:28 GMT 10
You are right, I don't remember taking the hook out. Nice pattern there too, thanks.
A sack full of beans?
My son made a gif of a hackey sack. He talks about it so often, hackey sacks, but when I read this thread I was thinking of something else. I will post the gif.
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Post by braided-rug on Jul 25, 2006 14:51:45 GMT 10
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