Learn something new this year

Have made the grand decision to crochet a full size blanket, Not all in one piece, but squares, that way I can carry it round with me.

We have a 'slasher' which came from Tools for Self Reliance (it's probably some sort of pruning tool) - never pruned with it, but it's good to know it's propped up in the corner of the bedroom when the floor boards creak unexpectedly at night!

polgara wrote:Have made the grand decision to crochet a full size blanket, Not all in one piece, but squares, that way I can carry it round with me.

Nice one, my mother in law found out that I wanted to learn how to crochet, so sent me the cheap first part of a keep and keep on keeping learn to crochet part set - she got one for herself - I just finally cracked it after lots of swears and have finished one square for an afghan

Well done Badger, I am doing sort of granny squares, at the moment in one colour cos I hate all the ends that need sewing in. Have made several knee warmers before with 9 squares, but that is the limit of my talent.

I am struggling to knit and crochet...

I learnt many years ago from my Mamgu ( so must have been at less than 9...)

but seem to be incapable of remembering how to do it , as I get quite good and then don't do it for a few years...and then when I come back to it I can't remember more than how to cast on, off and plain knitting...grrr..

Can do french knitting no problem, with the same level of break....was the first thing Mamgu taught me ...funny that...!

Edited to add that Mamgu was my Welsh grandma...and that was what I called her..Mamgu Reed or just Mamgu....

Now this is a course I'm happy to save up for: http://www.mallinson.co.uk/masterclass_one.html

How is the Afgan going Badger, I have managed 6 squares towards my blanket now. Each one is a bit better that the last with any luck may get it finished for next winter.
Pol

How are peoples projects going? I have been drawing & painting & made some improvement. The blanket squares are slowly getting more & I have been knitting for the prem babies. Also made some more bags, so I am happy in my little craft world.

The wool for my socks is sitting in a basket at the moment - too many things to grow at the moment! I'm waiting for some really bad weather before I start knitting...

Dandelion wrote:I'm waiting for some really bad weather before I start knitting...

How does the saying go "be careful what you wish for..."

Are you saying that I could be actually wearing the socks soon???

seileasdar wrote:I want to get a grip at tapestry weaving.
I have sort of started to start once and I think I would enjoy it.

Did you get there? I'm having a go at tapestry ewaviing, in a small way, meself.

My new one this year is hopefully going to be chocolate making - found a local course, so me and my mum and treating each other to a place on it each for our birthdays in september.

And I'm going to resurrect the hairpin crochet project I started up last year (well got as far as buying thread and beads for it) - to make bead edged covers to keep the flies off my food without having to use clingfilm. Have done hairpin crochet before, but never with beads added into the loops. Christmas presents maybe..

Hi,

new here, I'm starting a beginners weaving class this week. Have had a loom lurking in the dining room for the last 6 months or so, and need to finally learn how to use it.

Once that's started, maybe I'll try to spin some of the Husky's undercoat into useable yarn. Have a wheel and am hoping for a bad winter to keep me indoors of an evening learning how to use it.

I've promised to make a coat for our English setter from the husky hair

Jerry

Sounds good.

Having made the warp, and finally put the warp onto the loom, I started weaving last wednesday. Unfortunately, well meaning members of the guild finished off setting up the loom for me, so I haven't actually fully set a loom up, but I'm confident that I could.

Once I'd started, things went quite well, maybe 8 inches in the 2 hours allotted. It's amazing how many times I had to re-fill the shuttles .

I'm planning on setting up the loom at home for some woolen cloth, no pattern. Then try something lighter for scarves. Hopefully I'll have something to show you all by Yule.

Jerry

Well, while you lot are doing crafty things with wool, I am thinking about going back to the source and adding some sheep at Rhomboid acres.

Learning to crochet, learning how to improve with my painting and drawing (which maybe doesn't entirely fit but one thing I want to do is paint on wooden rounds and forms), and improving on my sewing. I have a proper machine and a dress form now so no excuse not to try and make one piece of wardrobe a month.

Wilhelm Von Rhomboid wrote:Well, while you lot are doing crafty things with wool, I am thinking about going back to the source and adding some sheep at Rhomboid acres.

Would love some fleece next year...want to felt and spin.

Felted soap is bril by the way CW, I've done it with some mohair and tussah silk for my soaps and they always sell well.

Haven't spun or done weaving in an age; pity I just don't have the space here for either machine but I've heard you can get a spinning wheel on loan from the spinners guild.

My hands have improved enough lately that I can thread a needle so I'm all agog to do up some mending.

The other thing is that long long ago in ancient days I was able to play piano in an amateurish way. I just bought a roll-up keyboard at a reasonable price and I intend to put in time regularly to practice.

So many things I don't do because I haven't been able to trust my hands. Large motor skills, sure. Work with my hands??? Hmmm.

Though I do cook and have stopped cutting my fingers on the paring knife. New therapy working, hopefully.

Is it arthritis you have in your hands, Penny? Glad they're improving - what treatment are you having?

I'm not sure -- doctors have a tendency to look wise and say things about poor circulation. I do exercises to keep them limber but the right hand the joints want to swell up which doesn't help.

Recently this year I've been using a cream for the varicose and spider veins which have been giving me fits and since the hands have swollen veins too I've been applying it there. Maybe it's improving circulation. Don't know for sure. Then again, sometimes I take an herbal supplement that's new and I blame it for any good effects

I mended two coats which have been waiting for a very long time. Michael mended the leather collar, though, where it was fraying loose from the cloth. That takes strength which I don't have.

But now I'm looking around for more projects. With health and arthritis, etc. one must do what is possible as fast as possible before it all goes to smitherines!!

I've never heard of felted soap. How does one make it? Is it very difficult?

I have found my poorly wrists have slightly improved with knitting.

Glad to hear your hands have improved a bit Penny

Penny wrote:I've never heard of felted soap. How does one make it? Is it very difficult?

A tutorial can be viewed here Penny

basically soap wrapped in fleece and then the fleece is felted around the soap until it is shrunk and felted so it acts as a face cloth with the soap already added! good fun as gifts.