Felt

So I have never really cared for adding felt to my projects. When I found out that you cannot machine wash felt I stopped using it entirely. I want the items I make to be used for a long time. I use googly eyes or buttons or I embroider them, depending on the age range they are meant for. I truly do not like felt. In fact I have a toy that was made five years ago that we glued googly eyes onto that my cat plays with, they eyes did not come off with all the biting and kicking and scratching, but they did not. Finally not that long ago I ripped them off because they were just starting to come loose, after five years! I would rather make a pattern for what ever felting needs to be done then to use felt. The only reason I am going to be using felt on my Sneetch is simply because it will be removable so when it needs to be washed you can remove the felt and toss it in the washer.

That is my rant about felt.

Sabrina

Projects

So I know the question will come sooner or later, asking what kinds of projects I do. Well in short what ever peaks my interest. But in long? I have done everything from blankets to aprons, to olive oil drip catchers (never again!). I have done big stuffed animals to small stuffed animals, I have done scarves and touqes. But mostly I prefer quick projects to keep my interest up. I like to see professor quickly. I don't like projects that take forever.

Recently I tried arm knitting. The projects work up fast but I don't care for the loose stitching to me it looks sloppy.  I like nice tight worked things that look like it took time and care to do.

My mother does the local farmers market and sells the stuff she does. My grandmother contributed crocheted goods to her table for years because my mother didn't know how to crochet.  Now unfortunately my grandmother passed away last September.  However something good came out of her passing. My mother finally had the incentive to crochet. So I taught her. She hasn't done any knitting since she learned to crochet a couple of months ago.

Now in my opinion crocheting is much faster than knitting and you see progression much soon as well, so you feel more motivated to keep going. To me crocheting is a lot like life. You see progress which drives you to keep on going. Crocheting is that calm after the storm. It helps get you through tough times.

Was there ever a time the crocheting (or any crafting) got you through something tough?

For now,
Sabrina

The Beginning

In the beginning I was a knitter. I loved knitting. But then one day I happened across a pattern that only came in crochet! Who makes a pattern for only one why not both? Then the problem was that I didn't know how to crochet, nor did I have someone to teach me. My mother taught me to knit when I was 18. I was a Harry Potter fanatic and I wanted a Pygmy Puff, and I wanted to make it myself. So she taught me. But I found a pattern for Apa from The Last Air Bender, and it did not come in a knitted pattern. So my only option was to learn to crochet, but how? I has tried to learn from one of those "Crocheting for Dummies" books, but I couldn't understand the pictures. So this time my approach was, you guessed it youtube. I sat at my computer for a couple of hours with a hook and some yarn and made a stupid looking thing that had shown me every stitch. But I had it now. I was a quick learner with knitting, and certainly an even faster learner when it came to crocheting. I work at a craft store putting together artwork, and my yarn supply is tremendous. So right now I am making a variety of stuff to help use up some of my supply. I have ventured to cowls and neck warmers to use up some of my chunky yarn, and have several projects on the go at the moment. I am working on Toothless, from How to Train Your Dragon. As well as the 4 TMNT's from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And I have just started a Sneetch, from which Dr. Suess book I can't remember. Now the problem with me is that I get bored of projects very quickly, so I usually have a few on the go. I will try to remember to post pictures of my finished projects. If I happen to use a pattern of yours and I don't cite you, please let me know and I will fix that. I do not wish to upset anyone, I just want to share my experiences of knitting and crocheting and how it has changed my life for the better. I wish I had more time to crochet, but I do work full-time and I do have a house to care for, five cats that need my love and attention, as well as a wonderful husband who needs attention (aren't men needy?)

If you have a pattern that you wish to share with me or want me to share on your behalf, please let me know and I will post it for you. I am also going to start making my own patterns, because who doesn't like new patterns?

Until next time,

Sabrina