Crafty Thread - what are you working on at the moment?

[campanula]

knitting - should probably on the knitting thread but hey, as it's Christmas...
round 2 of the knitting marathon with DiL's shawl, eldest son's cowl and another DiL headband.

I am on the final round - renovating an ancient teddy bear (Lost Ears) for grandaughter - got to sew on the new wool and velvet ears, clean all over, add some velvet patches, knit an outfit (which covers as much of its body as possible - have already done a jacket) and yay - Xmas done.

Shawl in process of being blocked.

 

[Hellsbells]

knitting - should probably on the knitting thread but hey, as it's Christmas...
round 2 of the knitting marathon with DiL's shawl, eldest son's cowl and another DiL headband.

I am on the final round - renovating an ancient teddy bear (Lost Ears) for grandaughter - got to sew on the new wool and velvet ears, clean all over, add some velvet patches, knit an outfit (which covers as much of its body as possible - have already done a jacket) and yay - Xmas done.

Shawl in process of being blocked.

Wow

 

[Siouxsie]

Beautiful and neat campanula as always

 

[clicker]

campanula Love the sound of Lost Ears

 

[bubblesmcgrath]

knitting - should probably on the knitting thread but hey, as it's Christmas...
round 2 of the knitting marathon with DiL's shawl, eldest son's cowl and another DiL headband.

I am on the final round - renovating an ancient teddy bear (Lost Ears) for grandaughter - got to sew on the new wool and velvet ears, clean all over, add some velvet patches, knit an outfit (which covers as much of its body as possible - have already done a jacket) and yay - Xmas done.

Shawl in process of being blocked.

They are beautiful...
I love the herringbone pattern

I used to knit a lot. Jumpers mostly. Knitted a few Icelandic mohair ones. They were very warm and very roomy. You could wear them instead of a coat over everything.

Would love to get back into knitting again.

 

[BoatieBird]

Can we see Lost Ears when it's finished please campanula

 

[campanula]

Can we see Lost Ears when it's finished please campanula

Hope so. I am keeping a photographic record of Lost Ears stay at the S. Street Hospital (under the care of Matron Suzy) as this is grand-daughter's main pressie. The poor old bear belonged to sweetheart's mum and has been seriously loved (battered). His head is skewed sideways after a previous cack-handed effort at repair while his earless head has always been covered in a hat...but despite all that, he has a rather nice expression and has been lovingly adopted by the little one. He is seriously threadbare though so will be knitting dungarees and boots, as well as jacket and scarf.

What's stopping you, Bubbles? You will be amazed at the yarns these days. Knitting is portable, requires no complex tools and is never out of fashion. Buy lovely wool for one skein projects and look out for clearance and discontinued sales.

 

[campanula]

OK, Here is Lost Ears after his scrubbing with Vanish carpet foam, recovering after surgery and finally jumping for joy in his new jacket (trousers still to do).

 

[Biddlybee]

You are brilliant campanula, what a lovely present with a great history, I'm imagining Lost Ears being patched by your granddaughter in many years to come

And your other projects looking lovely as always - nice colours, and bloody hell you knit quickly!!

 

[Cid]

This week I ave mostly been using jade.

 

[Cid]

It seemed appropriate, being in China. The general kit to work it was actually pretty cheap... above are earrings, gift to friend who’s going back to Korea. Plan on making a bunch of stuff for craft fairs on return to uk. Workshop:

 

[Shirl]

It seemed appropriate, being in China. The general kit to work it was actually pretty cheap... above are earrings, gift to friend who’s going back to Korea. Plan on making a bunch of stuff for craft fairs on return to uk. Workshop:

Is that tool a small bench multi tool. It looks like it would cut, sand and polish or am I way out? I am very envious of it as it's tiny compared to the big numb thing that I use.
I love your Jade earrings

 

[Shirl]

I've started next years xmas presents, everyone is getting something knitted as a stocking filler. Mostly hats and gloves. As well as getting started early and being well prepared I'll also be filling my evenings with something useful instead of watching TV which is pretty much rubbish these days.

I doubt I'll post many photos though, I have a long way to go to reach anything I'd want campanula to see

 

[Cid]

Is that tool a small bench multi tool. It looks like it would cut, sand and polish or am I way out? I am very envious of it as it's tiny compared to the big numb thing that I use.
I love your Jade earrings

Which tool? The one on the right? The grey thing is its motor, it then has a flexible shaft out to the hand bit - it's fairly practical, the shaft can get in the way sometimes, but I still find that type a lot more convenient than the Dremel type... I think it was about £25. Though I also spent extra on bits I never use. I actually use the mini bench grinder (similar price) in the box more, as you can put angle grinder size discs on it, which tend to be more stable for cutting. As well as polishing wheels, sanding discs etc (the thing on there is a velcro-back sanding disc for stone). I could actually just have bought that, as you can fit the dremel type extension to its spindle, but it's probably a lot more convenient having them separate. Obviously I'll use the flex handle thing a lot more if I start doing carved stuff. Next step would be more specialist wheels, as jade is a bit of an arse to polish (you can see the fibrous texture in those pics), but that can wait...

 

[campanula]

I've started next years xmas presents, everyone is getting something knitted as a stocking filler. Mostly hats and gloves. As well as getting started early and being well prepared I'll also be filling my evenings with something useful instead of watching TV which is pretty much rubbish these days.

I doubt I'll post many photos though, I have a long way to go to reach anything I'd want campanula to see

I have knitted all my life, Shirl...but the last couple of years has been truly thrilling as I have learned skills and techniques (including 2 completely new ways of holding the yarn and needles) which I had previously ignored, doing bread and butter knitting which never moved away from my comfort zone. YouTube has been tremendous - I learned the Latvian braid, Russian and Portugese knitting styles, and applied I-cord in one week. After a year, I guarantee, your knitting will be stellar, Shirl (I have seen some examples of your jewellry work, see)

Oh yeah, colourwork has moved onto the next level now I can hold a different colour yarn in each hand...and have a nifty little gadget which helps with tension.
Just knocking out some gloves for me after the last 2 selfless months.

 

[Shirl]

Did you find youtube tutorials helpful then? I may take a look once I'm ready to move on a bit

 

[Shirl]

Which tool? The one on the right? The grey thing is its motor, it then has a flexible shaft out to the hand bit - it's fairly practical, the shaft can get in the way sometimes, but I still find that type a lot more convenient than the Dremel type... I think it was about £25. Though I also spent extra on bits I never use. I actually use the mini bench grinder (similar price) in the box more, as you can put angle grinder size discs on it, which tend to be more stable for cutting. As well as polishing wheels, sanding discs etc (the thing on there is a velcro-back sanding disc for stone). I could actually just have bought that, as you can fit the dremel type extension to its spindle, but it's probably a lot more convenient having them separate. Obviously I'll use the flex handle thing a lot more if I start doing carved stuff. Next step would be more specialist wheels, as jade is a bit of an arse to polish (you can see the fibrous texture in those pics), but that can wait...

It's the mini bench grinder that I'm envious of. My bench grinder is massive and numb and I hate the damned thing. I have a Dremel but hardly ever use it and was advised to buy a Fordham pendent drill but can't afford one yet.
I've not seen a mini grinder but I've not really been looking. Are they much cheaper from China? Wolfie buys tools from China for some work he's been doing.

 

[campanula]

Did you find youtube tutorials helpful then? I may take a look once I'm ready to move on a bit

Some are better than others. A few really seem to like the sound of their own voices and take ages to get to the point but nonetheless, I have really expanded my skillset while my youngest has made some absolutely amazing things from YouTube vids - the latest being a full-size logging arch and an 8foot long treadle lathe. Alongside Ebay (for gears, ratchets, cogs, parts) it has never been a better climate for build-it-yourself experiments.

I love my Dremel...although I have a drill stand and a flexible lead for fine work. I don't use it as much as I should though.

 

[Cid]

It's the mini bench grinder that I'm envious of. My bench grinder is massive and numb and I hate the damned thing. I have a Dremel but hardly ever use it and was advised to buy a Fordham pendent drill but can't afford one yet.
I've not seen a mini grinder but I've not really been looking. Are they much cheaper from China? Wolfie buys tools from China for some work he's been doing.

I have no idea... I'd never really come across them in the UK. Bench grinders were always the industrial variety. I'm going to test its limits by trying different kinds of polishing wheels, maybe with diamond grit... But that will be for when I have a bit more cash/experience (I'm here to study Mandarin on a scholarship, but get part time work teaching which is ridiculously well paid - £20/hr). I'll probably bring it back with me somehow, like it a lot.

That Fordham drill doesn't look that different from the cheaper variants tbh. I'm sure the motor is better but... well. How much better? I suppose it depends what it's used for.

 

[Boudicca]

I've started an upholstery course and am finally working on the chairs which Leafster gave me about three years ago.

The tutor vetoed my plan to start with a reproduction French double seat as I 'would spend the first 2 weeks taking the staples out'. Am I fuck going to waste two classes taking staples out under supervision, I thought. The I remembered the girl who came to my beginners dressmaking class wanting to make a satin ballgown who couldn't even cut the fabric. So I decided to wind it back and start with a chair. Although I am doing one in class and the other two at home. Of course, I've also stripped the French seat at home and the tutor is coming round to me doing that next as he can now see I am competent and committed. I am going to be a real pain, poor man.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Been keeping up the ceramics and finally got some glazing done.

 

[wayward bob]

those are fucking beautiful nice work

 

[Siouxsie]

Elegant and tasteful, your colouring is always stylish, Artaxerxes

Reminds me of Denby pottery.

 

[RubyToogood]

I'm finally getting round to making new roman blinds for the kitchen, having only had the fabric for 5 years or so. However, it is slightly off the grain compared to the lining and I really don't want baggy blinds. I've been looking up instructions on how to straighten it but just stretching it on the bias doesn't seem to work (I may be doing it the wrong way as I can't quite get my head around which way to do it). Any tips? Boudicca ?

I have cut it straight (ie along the threads) - it's a tiny gingham so easy to do.

e2a actually I think I have cracked it - pinned the edges to the lining fabric, water sprayed and ironed it. Fingers crossed.

God soft furnishings are dull.

 

[wiskey]

In October I started a pottery workshop.

Today I picked up the first two pots I made using the wheel (in November - took a while to get them fired and glazed due to Xmas)... my first things to come to fruition.

I'm pleased with them.

 

[Boudicca]

I've only made Roman blinds once RubyToogood. They can however be seen on my cabinet maker friend's website. Ignore that fantastic furniture and feast your eyes on blinds of dubious taste made by ripping apart cheap Morleys curtains.

 

[RubyToogood]

Whilst frantically hunting for a vital bit of paperwork for completing my tax return I stumbled across a £25 voucher for Wool Warehouse! I'd been looking for it to no avail for about two and a half years, since I left the job it was a leaving present from.

What shall I spend it on? I think probably not wool, because I have a fair bit and have just bought some more in the sales. I thought maybe a swift (thing for winding those annoying skeins off) or something. Any other ideas? I have a set of blocking wires. Also they do sewing things as well as knitting.

 

[moose]

Swift's a good call. No more draping skeins round your knees or furniture.
However, I think their vouchers have a short use-by date, so check it's still valid

 

[RubyToogood]

Swift's a good call. No more draping skeins round your knees or furniture.
However, I think their vouchers have a short use-by date, so check it's still valid

I did - it said on the website that they expire after 12 months but I emailed them and explained and they said it was still valid

 

[moose]

I did - it said on the website that they expire after 12 months but I emailed them and explained and they said it was still valid

Hooray! I recently found a 50 quick John Lewis card that had expired the week before - gutted!
The cheaper wooden swift looks lovely! I've also admired the set of rainbow KnitPro double-ended crochet hooks for a while.