Category: Crafts

Wool, and some other animal fibers make me itch

Aynaria 13 Comments

Sheep

You know what’s strange?

I can crochet or knit with wool, cashmere, and mohair (as long as I keep it in my hands) but I’d itch if it were applied to other areas of my body. But trying to wear an item made out of those fibers will still make me itch. I’ve always had sensitive skin.  A few of my friends aren’t even able to use animal fibers period, and so I consider myself fortunate that I can work with them as long as they’re only in my hands. Honestly, I didn’t know that I could crochet or knit with it, until I was in my 30s.

Imagine my shock, when I stumbled upon a site, where a knitting designer was encouraging other knitters to make items for people who “claimed they were allergic to wool, and other animal fibers.”  Her reasoning was that they most likely weren’t allergic to the fibers. It’s all in their head. So you can make them something with the fiber, and simply not tell them. While there are some say they do,  might not have a reaction, there are many of us who do.

As a child I had a few experiences where people knew I had a bad reaction with animal fibers, and would still give items to me, since in their opinion, the itching was all in my head, because if I didn’t know the item had wool, cashmere, or mohair, I wouldn’t be itching. Yeah right. And while I thought the fibers were fine (because I believed them) my body knew, and as soon as I put on the item, the itching would begin since the animal fibers were in contact with my skin. Those who gifted me with these items,  were apologetic, but I was annoyed that they doubted what I’d already said. In my twenties, I became good at spotting clothing that contained wool, cashmere, and mohair, and never had to worry about anyone trying to trick me.

Instead of trying to trick a person, be understanding. People can be sensitive to a variety of things, if you know they have a reaction to something, be considerate and give them something that won’t cause a reaction.

In other news…

We’re having a great time in South Carolina, I’m working on a cable knitted purse. Recently I wrote about knitting using the cable stitch. Cable and ridge stitch are some of my favorite knitting stitches. I’m still unsure of who the recipient will be, but I most likely will be gifting it to someone for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

I’m almost finished, and most likely will post a picture of the knitted purse sometime tomorrow. I’ll be sure to post some lovely photos of South Carolina too.

Hooks and Needles; downtime projects

Aynaria 4 Comments

So… I’m coming to the end of my latest pattern test, and I’ve told myself not to volunteer for anything else until August..

Yeah, we’ll see how that goes.

In my defense some of the crocheted and knitted patterns that I’ve tested (over the past seven months) have been added to my Christmas list, a few were given to my daughter and her classmates, and some of the items I pattern tested were donated to a few local charities where I’m actively involved.

Items like the crocheted bookworm bookmarks, weren’t from a pattern tests, but were inspired by watching a crochet designers bookmarks, and thinking back to the bookmarks I received as a child. So no pattern test with those, just made them based on my childhood memories. The bookworms were made for my daughter and her third grade class, the majority of them love to read I might add, how cool is that? At her age, I was reading at high school level, my daughter is doing the same.

So… for my Christmas list, it means since some of the pattern tested items were made as gifts, that’s one less item for me to make. Yeah!

At the speed I’m going, I should be finished my handcrafted items before October is over. I still need to make holiday cards for the upcoming holidays; Halloween, Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas… but those are a lot easier to make, thanks to my Cuttlebug, awesome collection of stamps (traditional and digital), and a super creative mommy and daughter duo (my daughter and I).

When I need a break from some of my larger projects, like the knitted Coraline sweater I’ll be making for my daughter, or the knitted Guernsey sweater I’ll be knitting for my father, I’ll be adding washcloths/dishcloths to the mix. Both are the perfect size to try out new design ideas, and the result is I have a product that I can use, or gift to someone else.

Downtime projects; crocheted and knitted dishcloths and washcloths

I’ve always adored hand crocheted and knitted dishcloths/washcloths over the typical store bought variety. I found them to be a lot thicker, and more absorbant. My hand-crocheted and knitted washcloths also do a great job of gently exfoliating the skin. My dishcloths are excellent in cleaning utensils where common kitchen scrubbers are a No-No. They’re made from 100% cotton after all.

Before I use them, or send them or gift them to others… I always toss them in the wash a few times, to get rid of the residue that the store bought yarn is treated with during processing. Those who receive them as gifts, have always clamored for more, and raved about how much they like them more than the store bought variety.

How long does it take to make crocheted or knitted washcloths/dishcloths?

The knitting variety usually takes between one to six hours to create depending on the complexity, yarn, and needles used.  Crochet (usually)takes a lot less. My preference is the knitted variety. Mainly because I find them to be more stretchy, which I adore. But, I love the crocheted ones also, and have made several of those when trying out new stitches/design ideas.

While I’m not sure when I’ll be posting a washcloth/dishcloth giveaway, eventually I’ll do one here at Celebrate Life. It most likely will be towards Autumn, by that time my soapmaking days (for the year at least) will be over, and I can include that in my giveaway.

Everything old is new again; repurposed yarn

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The girls were ripping their old dresses and bonnets, sponging and pressing them and sewing them together again the other side out, to look like new

Farmer Boy

Farmer Boy, was one of the books in the popular Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Although I haven’t done what Almanzo Wilders sisters; Eliza Jane and Alice did, I have ripped apart outfits I’ve designed (and some I haven’t) and made other items out of them. It’s a great way to extend the life out of something I no longer wear.

A few weeks ago, I rounded up a few yarn crafted items that I don’t wear anymore, and put them in a “to be repurposed bag.” Eventually, I’ll start unraveling them. orial on how to unravel a sweater.

So yes… I have plenty of projects to keep me busy for a while…

Skull mh

Of course, my daughter already has asked me to make a Monster High tote bag for her using their signature skull. Tomorrow, I’ll be purchasing graph paper, and I’ll sketch a Monster High skull design onto graph paper. I’ll follow the design to knit it onto her tote bag.

Once my fathers knitted Bible cover is complete, and the hats have been finished; I’ll cast on the Monster High tote bag.

At the halfway mark; crochet and knitted bag for daughter’s teacher

Aynaria 4 Comments

Today, I’m a bit too busy to post photos and link to other works in progresses…

But I’m moving along with the crocheted and knitted bag I’m making for my daughter’s third grade teacher.

Thus far, I’d say I’ve put about ten hours into crocheting this bag. Because of the stitching used, half-double crochet, it is extremely durable.

If you’ve been following my recent posts, the pattern I linked to was obviously a crocheted bag. But that’s just a generic pattern guide. I referenced it, so I could get a general idea about the bags height, width, and base.

I’m almost halfway through crocheting the bag, after that time I have a few things I’ll be knitting, which won’t take long at all. The final step in the process will be sewing; yes, I’m adding that into the mix too, and perhaps a bit of embroidery.

I decided not to dye the crocheted bag…

This is my first time working with Sugar’n Cream yarn . Also, I haven’t used  mulberry as a dye in years, I don’t want any unpleasant surprises.  However, I will be introducing some earth tone colors in the form of trim, and it’ll make an appearance with a few other items also. 

There is a possibility that this handcrafted bag will be completed by tomorrow, but I’m planning on giving it to her teacher on Friday, which is the last day of school…

Knitting (socks) with Zegna Baruffa lace-weight yarn…

Aynaria 2 Comments

There was a pasteboard box full of bright-colored yarns and another box filled with embroidery silks and sheets of perforated thin cardboard, silver-colored and gold-colored. Ma gave both boxes to Laura, saying, “You gave away the pretty things you had made. Now here are some lovely things for you to work with.” Laura was so happy that she couldn’t say a word. -The Long Winter

The Long Winter, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, is one of my favorite books from the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. I read the series when I was eight-years old, and the above passage comes from the chapter; The Christmas barrel.

In an earlier chapter, Laura’s mother talks with the older girls of the inability to have Christmas presents that year. The town had received numerous blizzards that were preventing trains from coming to replenish the two stores supplies. Laura, took the initiative and gifts her mother and her sisters with items she’s created. Pa, received some embroidered suspenders from a local hardware store. The family put their pennies together and purchased them for 10 cents. 

In many ways, I could identify with Laura. Which explains why I’ve read this series countless times, and it’s a personal account of pioneer life. She’s headstrong, has an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and she’s quite crafty….

But, there is a big difference, many of the items she made were created out of necessity. However it’s obvious throughout the series that she loved crochet, embroidery, knitting, and sewing. I don’t need to make hand crafted items for my family or those in need. I make them because they bring me joy, and I love sharing with others, just as she did….

Zegna Baruffa yarn

Yesterday, I received these three extremely large spools of soft alpaca lace-weight yarn…

And just like Laura, I was thrilled.

I was so overwhelmed; I didn’t speak for a bit. In my mind I was already thinking of how I’d use these three spools of lace-weight yarn; crocheted and knitted lace, embroidery, embellishments, shawls, and perhaps socks too; which I admit, is what I really want to use some of this yarn for… Judging by the size of the spools, I believe the yarn will last for years.

I must say, seeing large cones of yarn, direct from the spinner is quite different from the tiny hanks I’m used to seeing at Big Lots (Think Joann Fabric, Hobby Lobby, Michaels) and local yarn stores (stores that only sell yarn related items). Giant cones such as this are what a crochet or knitting designer would receive if they were creating handcrafted items for a crochet/knitwear shop.

The yarn is from Zegna Baruffa. I must admit, that I wasn’t familiar with the company until yesterday, but after a few brief internet searches, I learned….

Zegna Baruffa is one of the leading Italian spinners of knitwear yarns.

They’re located in Italy.

How did I get the yarn?

These spools were mixed within bags of clothing we receive from a secondhand store. We receive clothing from them often, and we turn these items over to other organizations in need. if you think about it, most second hand stores don’t have unlimited storage, and after some time, they’ll have to remove the items that aren’t selling, to to make room for newer merchandise.

We pick up the castoffs, and turn them over to clothing closets and loved ones who might be able to give items to those in need. Clothing closets are beneficial for those who don’t have money, since they can receive nice clothing for free. Many of the items haven’t been worn. Occasionally we’ll receive additional items, such as electronics, which is donated to the Purple Heart. This is the second time I’ve received yarn…

The Night Shift and knitting; stockinette scarf update

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This has always been one of my favorite songs, and I heard it on Memorial Day.

 

My daughter and I stopped by A.C. Moore, when this song started playing, and I stopped and listened for a bit. It brings back a lot of good memories…

We were at A.C. Moore because I needed to purchase yarn.

As I’ve mentioned already, I do a lot of work with charity based organizations; several are generated from my Lutheran church. A. C. Moore was having a sale on Lion Brand Vanna Colors, $1.00 per skien. It’s my first time using it, and I must say I really like it a lot.

The skien is only 101 yards. As I mentioned in an earlier post, if I know that I’ll be making items for those who might not have a lot of money. I always choose a yarn that doesn’t need special care, and so acrylic blends are always a good option. I was impressed with how soft this brand was, acrylic yarns have come a long way.

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I’m happy to say that this yarn is working wonderfully with the knitted stockinette scarf that I’m donating to the local homeless shelter. This scarf is about 24″ now. I volunteer (make breakfast) and am the church coordinator for this ministry.

I won’t be donating the items until the cooler months. I’ve set aside a tub for all my charity based crocheted and knitted projects. Amigurumi toys will be finding their way into this charity bin also.

Amigurumi: Crochet Coraline; almost complete

Aynaria 8 Comments

 

I’m happy to say that my crocheted Coraline was finished in time for my daughter’s birthday.

Wait, I take that back… She was complete, until I decided to go in a slightly different direction.

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In the book Coraline by Neil Gamon, Coraline raves about these day glow green gloves that she sees at the store. Her mother was taking her shopping for school uniforms. 

And could I have Day-Glo green gloves to wear, and yellow Wellington boots in the shape of frogs?” asked Coraline.

Coraline’s intrigued by the gloves, and keeps pestering her mother for a pair. After all she’s looking for individuality, a way to stand out from others who’ll be wearing the same drab uniforms. In her mind, these gloves will do the trick. I’d have to agree. By the way, in Coraline the movie, the gloves are multi-colored. 

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The more I thought about my daughter’s crocheted Coraline; the more I realized she would definitely choose lime green pants over black! And while her mother might not have allowed her to have such a bold color, I would…

And so I frogged the black pants, and crocheted lime green pants.

I read Coraline years ago, so I’d already created my own image of her years before I saw other artist’s interpretation of Coraline. While I think other artists have made some amazing Coraline’s, I wanted to add my own spin.  

Crochet messenger bag 2

In Coraline the movie, she wears a messenger bag, and so I crocheted this one. I wanted to crochet a backpack, but my daughter was insistent that it be a bag. So, I listened to her request. I’d wanted to make something for her in bright pink, since I think Coraline would be all over that, but my daughter said, No!

This was a very simple bag to create, and it reminded me of a messenger bag that I’d made in the early 1990’s. It wasn’t knitted or crocheted, but I did sew it. Odd, that I haven’t thought of that bag in years. Then again, I’ve designed/sewn hundreds of items. There’s no way I’m going to remember every single item I’ve made. That sewn messenger bag was my favorite “go to” bag. It was made out of corduroy, velvet, and strips of leather. I carried it everywhere, and it received a lot of compliments. I wore it so much, that it eventually wore out, and I had to toss it, but not before I saved a scrap to use in a pillow I was creating.  I have lots of great crafting memories.

Regarding my crocheted Coraline, I opted not to do crochet individual fingers, this time… Time was a huge factor, but I will be making crocheted fingers with my next crocheted human amigurumi.

I still have a few minor additions to this Amigurumi Coraline…

My daughter is insisting that I add freckles; I believe I’ll embroider them on her face. I’m also going to add something to her hair. I’m just not sure what. I’ll most likely have to reread parts of the book, perhaps then Coraline will tell me what she wants. 😉 And… I’m wanting to add extras to the messenger bag; I have a few ideas that involve embroidery and beads, so we’ll see what happens.

If you want to make your own crocheted Coraline, please visit Sharon Ojala of Homemade Obsessions and  check out her free crocheted Coraline pattern.