| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| sally_in_wales |
New craft skills for the winter months?With the nights drawing in its starting to feel as if planning evenings in front of the fire with a nice new craft project might be just the thing to look forwards to after a hard day at work.Is anyone planning to try anything new over this winter? I'm hoping to find time to do some knitting for me, rather than to sell, but I'd quite like to get some embroidery underway as well, haven't done any in years and it would be nice to dust off the silks. |
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| mousjoos |
Not so much "craft" as such, but I'm planning to make a big hole in the kitchen wall & knock through to our "old stable".... Head Office" is of course oblivious to the joys of dust & mess, & is resisting strongly. I've pointed out that as I dont drink, I need a distraction at Xmas, other than "The Great Escape"
Note to self, learn to type less like a tw@t, & more like someone with some degree of hand/eye coordination...... "bog hole" indeed, what a maroon! 
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| ksia |
Hope to try candle making for first time. I've got loads of scraps of wood veneer which I read in an article you can use as wicks. | ||||||
| ksia |
And that reminds me moosjoos, still need to make a dry toilet box thing. | ||||||
| Frewen Feltmaker |
I'd like to progress my sewing skills from cushion making into something a little more advanced 
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| ros |
and I still haven't taught myself to crochet properly,
there's only a week of the October cosy challenge left, so I think I may have failed again 
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| Fee |
I need to learn to crochet too.
However, I am determined to try my hand at soap-making very soon. |
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| emmac |
I'd like to pick up knitting again, after teaching myself to knit scarves and hats a couple of years ago. I have a bit of a wool stash ready and waiting
I'd also like to learn to crochet - any tips on sites to help me learn this? |
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| alice |
Yeah, me too. How many cushions and bags can one person use? 
I'd like to get a bit more adventurous in the patchwork line too. But I do like a nice straight line. And squares. You know where you are with a right angle
I mean, triangles ? That's just this side of anarchy that is 
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| vegplot |
I tried to do some leather work last night () and realised how rubbish I am at it. I wanted to pad the lever of an under lever rifle to make it more comfortable and the result was so appalling I cut it off.
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| Fee |
That's a few for crochet, maybe a November challenge? | ||||||
| judith |
I don't think you will be alone in the failure corner. Unless there is a class for cosies for one-armed people... |
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| colour it green |
I've booked a basket making course.. so obviously hope after one day of that that i will be able to turn out artisan* baskets galore
I learned how to crochet this summer.. well the basics anyhow.. i can do granny squares.. so hope to finish my first granny square blanket as a pressie for thingymas. that might be artisan* too A friend said she would show me how to felt.. and we have all this wool lurking in the shed.... *artisan means... not very even, possibly some mistakes, rustic.. country style.. in our house.... |
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| mochyn |
Oh no: don't tempt me to learn something new!
I'll concentrate on the spinning though. I need to make some progress in that. |
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| earthyvirgo |
Quite fancy taking my framing skills a bit further, more experimental framing styles (where appropriate, not just for the sake of it).
EV |
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| mochyn |
Just been looking at those shoes, Sally.
Bum. |
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| sally_in_wales |
shoes don't take long though, realistically its one evening to fiddle with the pattern and another to actually cut and assemble them |
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| mochyn |
You wicked, red-haired temptress. I've even got enough leather and stuff. |
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| sally_in_wales |
do a mockup in thick binbag, cloth or anything flexible first, the general pattern always needs tweaking for an individual foot,but once that is done, its just a cut and assemble session. Maybe add a nice insole for squishyness. | ||||||
| Frewen Feltmaker |
This is something I ought to try and learn - having no framing skills whatsoever
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| gil |
I will make time for knitting. | ||||||
| AnnaD |
I'm quite intrigued by tablet weaving, but the chances of having time to try it are very slim! I've already taken 4 months so far to crochet a blanket, and it's too small yet to cover even Hazel. | ||||||
| earthyvirgo |
Frewen;
Once you've got the basic tool kit (it can be quite primitive), it doesn't take long to get to a stage where you can make very good quality frames. I use Robinsons in L'pool for my mouldings, glass and mountcard but there are plenty of good suppliers countrywide. I use a basic mitre saw (powered, and it scares the hell out of me!) A fantastic guillotine to get the mitres perfect A Logan mountcutter Simple hand glass cutter and that's about it about from glass cleaner, wood glue, flexipoint gun and backing board. Can't justify/afford an underpinner and morso mitring guillotine (yet) and haven't got the space anyway. EV |
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| Frewen Feltmaker |
Thanks EV - that's really informative 
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| Ren |
Stop with all the temptation. I surely haven't any time for new winter hobbies.
In the last year I have started knitting, tried my first bit of crochet, picked up my sewing again, (although off topic, begun wine making & foraging), in additon to desperately trying to sort the house of doom  and trying to keep on top of the weeds at the allotment.
All have been managed to varying degrees of success, but they take me ages. (Ok the crochet doesn't as I have been relegated to the bus to get to / from work so it passes the time during the commute) I still have several knitted garments to finish (I get bored when it takes too long). A couple of tops to crochet for nieces for christmas and some denim to re-fabricate into probably bags. SO Please - no more temptation - I am weak willed and OH will go bananas if I start another hobby (especially if it involves more 'stash' or 'kit' to fill the already full (of tat) rooms! Maybe I could try something quick & easy that gets rid of tat at the same time? |
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| wellington womble |
me too. The wheel is in the library, which has no heating, so I only do it when the fire is alight! |
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| gardening-girl |
Improving my spinning (ie,using less bad language) And having a go at thinner socks.(chunky wool knits up so fast)
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| mochyn |
Actually, I've been saying for a few years that I was going to make some pampooties so I suppose it's an idea whose time has come this winter. | ||||||
| marigold |
I'm another on track to fail the October cosy challenge - plan A hasn't worked and I haven't got a plan B . Still, there are seven days to go...
I'm hoping to work my way through Drawing From The Right Side Of The Brain by Betty Edwards over the next few months. And to knit another cardy if I can find some suitable/affordable/lovable yarn... |
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| mochyn |
I was thinking of getting that off the shelf earlier and doing a bit of drawing each day. But when?! |
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| Bodrighy |
I've just been donated an old scroll saw so hopefully I'll be getting my head around that. Trouble is I know for a fact that once I do I am going to start getting frustrated with it's ;limitations and I'll be on here surreptitiously googling 'Scrollsaw' and accidently opening ebay.
Pete |
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| Gill |
Be strong, Pete, be strong. I'll help you.
I'd rather like to have a go at pyrography over the coming winter. I've got my little burner, now all I need is to cut some wooden blanks. Oh, and go to a timber yard and buy some sycamore. This could work out quite expensive in the end... |
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| Bodrighy |
I forgot you were here as well Gill. Reckon you may be getting a few desperate PM's on one or the other forum once I get going
Pete |
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| Gill |
Don't worry... there's nothing to it . Give me a yell if there's anything bothering you, but scrolling really is a doddle.
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| gardening-girl |
What are pampooties Mochyn? | ||||||
| Azura Skye |
I'm doing a few courses these days.
Dress making - made my first pair of trousers! so exciting. then I've got a permaculture course tomorrow and a Woodworking one in a week, so I can learn joints. cant wait. also doing yoga course, but been doing that for a while. As well as a meditation workshop that I've done two times now. yay
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| Bodrighy |
Didn't know we had twins on here
Pete |
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| toggle |
Re: New craft skills for the winter months?
i went to a talk on braiding today. i think i want to try some japanese braiding |
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| mochyn |
they're a very basic, one piece shoe that I've seen in 'Celtic' books: think they came from Ireland. I've made fulled ones and felted boots but now I'd like to have a go at leather pampooties with a felt sock... If I remember I'll post a link. ETA here's a link... http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SHOES/SHOE57.HTM |
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| vanessa |
I'm going to do lots and lots of sewing. When we have a table to put my sewing machine on! I hadn't done any sewing for about 6 years, and recently made a dress for my mum. Now I've got a scrummy stash of fabrics bought cheaply, I'm itching to get making!
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| Ian33568 |
I love frames - they can make or break a picture - I am planning some driftwood sculpture and maybe doing something with the mounds of beach glass I have but not yet inspired. |
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| Sherbs |
I'm kind of hoping to expand my knitting repertoire a bit. Last year I started knitting again and made some very basic scarves for family Christmas presents but I've never really been able to do anything more complicated that straight knit/purl alteration. However, since then I've managed to make some slightly more complicated things that actually required me to use a knitting pattern! (for me this is a mjot step forward) and so now I'd really like to take on something a bit more exciting. | ||||||
| catbaffler |
I think I'm going to be practicing spinning.... | ||||||
| BahamaMama |
I have just started an evening course in stained glass, my first project will be using the copper foil technique (like the Tiffany lamp effect) but I have created a design with loads of pieces that is taking ages to cut out.... Lesson 1 - keep it simple..... | ||||||
| Ren |
I would like to see your progress because as a new knitter myself, I find I get bored with following patterns, I am just finishing a top I have made for a friend that I have 'cobbled together' from bits and pieces of pattern and a bit of luck!! It would be good to see what other newbies are doing. |
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| ksia |
Ta for the link Mochyn. Interesting. When you say "fulled ones" what's that? I'm asking cos I'd like to have a go but not with leather. |
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| Faithmead |
I bought an Inkle Loom (2ndhand) cos I thought it would be small enough to have on my lap on those winter nights....  .. I've managed to warp it up following instructions in a book.....but.......the rest is yet to be practiced So, gonna have a book in one hand, loom on my lap and......hmmmmmmmmmmm 
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| marigold |
Fulling is when you knit or crochet wool, then hot-wash it to make it shrink - doing on purpose what you do to your favourite jumper when you ignore the hand-wash only label and bung it in the washing machine 
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| ksia |
Much ta marigold. | ||||||
| mochyn |
The fulled ones were made from an old favourtie jersey that had got itself shrunk, so I cut out pampooties. It also made a toy mouse, a teddy and a toy pig... | ||||||
| ksia |
That's good thinking! |
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| Ginkotree |
Ive set myself up for a choice of crafts this winter, threaded up a peg loom to make a rug for the lovely chap who demonstrated shearing at a skill sharing weekend Sally and I held here this year and has said he would happily do it again next year so I think he deserves a rug from his own fleece.
I have lots of lush fleeces to spin up and dye , have saved the plant samples I bought from sally to have a winters day dying session so I shall then get the crochet going and think I shall return to knitting again for a change. I made Jack a patchwork quilt to take to University with him, sending hugs with it, it came in useful when he phoned saying he had the flu and was missing us...so I want to enjoy the sewing machine and make more. Oh and practice the basket and skep making skills I learnt this year...when the leaves are down its a good time to harvest hazel. And carry on with the pottery things I started this year...so... enjoying being busy waiting for Jack to come home on his birthday in December......Ill show him how I was too busy to notice he was not here....
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| Ginkotree |
Glad to see that Catbaffler is going to be spinning....those weekends will serve you well...youll be addicted so be warned..
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| Helen M |
hello lovely x |
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| wellington womble |
I really ought to get something done on the new sewing machine, seeing as it seems to have jumped into my basket.
Helen, have you still got my corset? I think I've got the insides and you've got the outsides - or Penny has? |
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| Bodrighy |
Not me but the bss: Some ever so kind lady from this forum turned up on the doorstep yesterday with a fleece in a bag. They had been talking behibnd my back nd Sue (the boss) is now going to have a go at felting. Does this mean I am going to have bits of sheep al over the place as well as cotton, fabric, and wood shavings?
Pete I don't mind really...if she has bits of her stuff everywhere she can't moan about a few shavings and a bit of sawdust can she
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| sean |
I don't think it works like that. People are nearly always blind to their own mess. | ||||||
| catbaffler |
Heh heh! Yup, think you're right there
Here's my new toy! 
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| Frewen Feltmaker |
Well I know where you put your foot but after that
What sort is it? |
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| wellington womble |
Tsk, don't you recognise it. It's that same as mine!
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| Frewen Feltmaker |
Can't be - it's not covered in collie fluff  (hope you are collecting it up for me)
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| catbaffler |
Yeah, I'm ok at the foot bit but the rest needs a helluva lot of practice
It's an Ashford "Traditional" |
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| Frewen Feltmaker |
My eldest sat still and watched a lady spinning with a wheel today - do you think 4 years old is too early to learn?
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| wellington womble |
No, I think it's ideal. It's definitley a knack - like riding a bike - you can't explain it, you just need to get on and have a go and refine techniques as you go. She may as well get started.
I'll add 'brush the dogs' to the list, then! |
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| Frewen Feltmaker |
Auntie WW is going to have to teach her - I can't do it
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| vanessa |
I think 4 years old is the ideal time to start almost any craft. I first learned to sew aged 4, and can stil remember my maternal grandmother (who used to be a London dressmaker in the days when they had the Paris originals flown in and had to copy them and send them back on the next flight!) teaching me to make worked thread button-loops.
Hmmm, is that "eternal life"? The fact that I can still feel her with me every time I do worked thread button-loops? Sorry, that's just a musing, not a question that needs answering ... |
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| catbaffler |
I know what you mean though, my maternal grandmother taught me to knit and crochet at an early age and i think of her whenever I crochet
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| maryf |
I too learned to knit and crochet pre school at my grandmothers knee, sewing and spinning came later - I would really like to make rag rugs this winter - anyone know how?? | ||||||
| mochyn |
It depends on which kind you want to make, Mary. I'm suer there's at least one thread about it on here though.
And I can't remember learning to knit, crochet or sew. I just feel like I've always been able to. I think it was mainly my Nan though. |
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| lowri |
A friend made me an inkle loom for Christmas one year; I'm ashamed to say I haven't done much with it but I am glad to have it. I would not care to use it on my lap, though.
A peg loom, yes ...... and I've got one of them! I ought to learn to spin properly, but it's lack of space until I get the library sorted..... However I think it will be the knitting road, I am very slow and can't knit while watching TV, or do anything fancy, but I enjoy it - with thick wool and big needles! I can knit a jumper, and have knitted at least three in my lifetime, but it takes me on an average - fourteen months! Scarf, anyone?
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| Frewen Feltmaker |
Ah - but how long do the jumpers last
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| lowri |
I still have a baggy acrylic jumper in pale blue with a red and white stripe round the chest, and I do wear it! I have a pair of gloves to match (knitted by my mother, I hasten to add!) The gloves have the symbol of Aries embroidered on the backs!
It is vintage early 70s, I think! 35 years old, maybe? If it had been wool I fear Mr and Mrs Moth would have machine-gunned it by now!!
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| Minamoo |
I went to a bead fair over the weekend where I rediscovered my bead addiction. Spent a truly obscene amount of money but I keep telling myself that yes.......I spent £100 on bead and things......but it means I won't have to buy any presents for people at all. And surely they would have cost more than £100? and besides, I think people are going to tire of receiving jars of jam pretty soon. Lol!
I've also got a couple of orders for crocheted hats ( I really need to wear my oen hats to uni more often!) which will help me pay back at least a little of the cost of my wool stash.
I bought a giant cone of pure silk yarn to make into a scarf for MIL too. I have no clue when I'm going to finish all this in between doing Christmas markets, going on Hajj and doing my PhD.
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