Craft Corner

[TheVorticon]

@CheerBear I never managed to figure out what part of the chain stitch I should be going into. 😛 So your tutorial and the video was interesting and helpful for me too. I had always just gone into the back loop on its own without the bump, because that was the only spot that it looked like it would go haha. (Also didn't know that the stitch parts had names!)

It's part of something I'd already started ages ago but not finished. I think you might know what it is... 😉 I still need eyes, eyebrow/s and feet. Everything else was already done, except the new bit in the picture.

[CheerBear]

My face kind of looks like this right now @TheVorticon 😁 Go you! It looks so good (and I picked it within about 3 seconds!) Glad my little pictorial tutorial helped also. Some people only use the back loop, often for a thicker edge in the foundation row. It's all up to what works for the piece, pattern and you I think.

I'm about to sit down with some wire, wire cutters and tape and work on a bigger than pocket sized dragon from a pattern I purchased (I think it's my very first purchased pattern which is a little bit fancy!).

Hope you're having fun with it! Yay!

[Former-Member]

@CheerBear The wonders of researching craft! 

I had a look for your re the thread sizing for you.

I measured 3 single strands twisted together, of DMC Cotton A Broder (Name on the label - it's ordinary embroidery thread), against various types of mercerised threads. 

Lisbeth #20 was the best fit. (This is my favourite brand of tatting thread 🙂 )

Perle #8 = 4 twisted threads of the DMC embroidery thread. (More a crochet thread than a tatting one as it's not a smooth as the others.)

Twilleys #20 was approximately 4 twisted threads too. (This is a good standard tatting thread too.)

Embroidery thread is tricky to crochet with, so many strands, if you can get a twist in it that's more helpful. 
I also love Sullivan's Rayon thread, and it's tricky to work with too as it's splitty and twisty, but it has a lovely sheen to it. 

I hope that helps, sad day today, (see my other thread), so your question gave me something to do besides cry, thank you. 

Did some crochet, making a cotton bath mat, or a hand towel, it'll depend on what I feel like when I get to doing edges. 

Hope you have a good night. 

[CheerBear]

Oh wow @Former-Member that's so helpful! Thank you so much ☺ I really appreciate that you took the time to do that and to reply. I will definitely look around to see what I can find now that I have that to go with.

I'm sorry you've had a sad day today. I hope your crocheting was comforting.

Thanks again ❤

[Former-Member]

So pleased I could help @CheerBear thank you for your kind wishes too.

I've looked for an amigurumi pattern - a really really simple one to start with 'cos I am not good with pieces - but so far have not found one that inspires me to try. I'll keep looking though. 

Have been doing my crochet, trying to finish the bath mat/ hand towel. 

Yesterday I sewed a fabric box thingy (sort of the same way you'd make a box out of card, but sewing it out of fabric instead) for my comb and hair ties to sit on the bathroom basin. Upcycled some cream coloured, backed curtain fabric that was too pretty to toss out and no point in keeping.

The first one was too big, so it's holding the serviettes on the breakfast bench now. The second one is half as wide, lined in self fabric, and also has a lid, 2 inside pockets and sits really nicely in the space. I'm pretty pleased with it all. 

Making something helps me to feel better about life. 

I hope you and your crochet is going well.

[CheerBear]

So nice to hear about what you're getting up to and making. Thank you for sharing @Former-Member 🙂 Your bathroom basin box sounds really clever and I love that you used upcycled fabric. What colour/s is it (if you can/want to share)? I am really not great at sewing but it hasn't stopped me from playing with my machine before 😉

I'm a little excited that you're looking for an amigurumi pattern! I was at one of my favourite crafty shops just to look at threads the other day. I found the pearle thread there and was very tempted! But I need a magnifying glass thingy to see tiny because my eyes can't do it without getting tired and I let someone borrow mine. I'll get it back soon and maybe give it a go with the thread you suggested then. I had a similar thought with the simple pattern to start 🙂

Today I worked on a dragon (not the wire one - that one and I aren't vibing at the moment). It's a test run one for when @Phoenix_Rising is ready to move on to making a dragon herself. I'm happy with it so far and think it could be a good pattern to go with (it's single crochet, slip stitch, chain, decrease and increase as far as stitches goes by the look of it). Trying to work out colours tonight - my yarn collection is all messy and jumbled up which is frustrating.

So much understanding how making something (anything) can help with feeling better.

I hope you have a good night SunShower 🙂

[Former-Member]

I managed some images today of a few of the things I've been making. Was a bit epic as the computer decided it didn't recogonise the camera, it had been a while, but still. *sigh* Sorted it on my own without any real upset, so proud of myself 'cos the latest technological stuff isn't something I'm good with. 

So, photo of bathroom box open    and closed  The colour is more light cream than either of them show.

            

 Also, here's 2 of the washers I've made for the shower with the toilet spray covered. All are tunisian simple stitch with an additional crocheted edging. The yarn is cotton, it has a lovely twist to it that makes it look quite different from an item made with a flat smooth yarn. The can is covered 'cos I hated that the colours of the toilet deodorant spray can didn't match everything else, so fixed it.  

@CheerBear @Phoenix_Rising @TheVorticon @Queenie @Former-Member 

Looking forward to sharing in the world of crafting happiness, really looking forward to hearing of some of your works in progress too. 

Here's hoping all our craftings go well. 

[CheerBear]

I saw these this morning but found myself a bit busy @Former-Member (they made me smile though!). They're awesome! Did you have to put anything in between layers of fabric for your box or is it standing upright because of the type of fabric?

This tunisian is so interesting also. One day 😉

Great job working through the tech stuff to be able to upload them also! Thanks for sharing 🙂

This is my latest finished creation. It's that corner-to-corner in the "mermaid" yarn with "sparkly shells border" lap/cuddle blanket. The yarn is beautiful and sparkly in person.

I found the yarn in a big box of mill ends which I had never heard of before - game changer as far as nice yarn at a decent price 🙂

[Bubbles3]

Hhi @CheerBear@Former-Member@TheVorticon@Queenie@Former-Member

[Former-Member]

It's really nice to see what others do - hope the image comes through soon. @CheerBear

Both the shape of the pattern (the way it's sewn up) and the type of fabric, and that it's also lined with the same fabric, help keep the box shape. if it was made from lighter fabric, it'd have to have interfacing or cardboard or something inside it. The pockets also gave it more structure. I should have made the lid slightly larger so it covered the top edges of the sides, but it'll do the job I made it for. 

It's a good feeling to be able to navigate the tech stuff when it goes awry, that's for sure. I can work a plug and cord telephone switchboard with my eyes closed, the first computer I ever saw had a whole room, the only air conditioned room in the building, all to itself with barely enough room to walk around it. No one but the tech was allowed in there!

How things change, but I can tell you heaps about sewing machines and crochet hooks and many other craft tools. LOL

Oh, mill ends, what a find for you! It's a good way to discover different yarns. 

@Bubbles3 how are crafty things going in your corners of the world?