Yarn Crafters

GKids, that does sound like an interesting blanket!

Coo_kie, I've never tried machine knitting. I'm thinking I''d enjoy it, but between the hand knitting, crocheting, and sewing I think DH would shoot me before allowing me anywhere near anything that might increase my stash and tools! LOL

Think I made a decision. I've printed off two "easy" patterns, and am going to try knitting sweaters (pullovers with hoods) for my two youngest. If that goes well, then I'll try one for DH and myself. Also, am wanting to expand my horizons a bit, try some shaping. I love knitting lace, and have had a lot o fun with it, but would like to try something new.

So long as we're getting to know each other, guess I should say a wee bit about myself. I'm 50 yrs.of age (although I feel MUCH younger LOL) married, with 4 children, ages ranging from 9 to 37. I also have 2 grandchildren, 9 (10 next month)and 11 yrs. I homeschool my two youngest, and we have a lot of fun with it.  I live on the Southern Oregon coast. The only thing I miss living here is the snow, although we have managed to get a wee bit of the white stuff the last couple years. Last year the kids even managed to make some snowmen. Very exciting! If this keeps up I may have reason to knit them some scarves! LOL

It's so nice to see so many knitters, x-stitchers, crocheters, etc.  I thought for sure folks would criticize me for going along with the idea of a separate thread for "other" crafts.  I truly hope this thread, "yarn crafters", continues.

I live in Colorado.  I'm 57 & a SAHM with 2 boys, 16 & 13 (shudder...2 teenagers).  If you do the math, I had both kids late in life with no regrets.  I volunteer alot at the local zoo.  I love hand knitting.  My mom left me a knitting maching, never could get the hang of it though.  I also sew the boys' clothes & some of my own.  I also do counted x-stitch.  My only problem is I start a project, work great guns on it, put it down because of holidays or vacations or some such interruption and take forever to get back to it!  I have several such laying around the house & always tell myself to get off my butt & finish them.  So much for good intentions.

My interest has revived by reading "needlecraft mysteries series" by Monica Ferris.  The heroine owns a needlework shop in MN.  All that talk about different yarns, threads, painted canvasses, etc. has me itching to get back at it.

'Nuff for now.  Hopefully, this will thread will continue.  I'm looking forward to chatting with all of you!

Cathy

debbie Macomber also has some books about a yarn shop. I can'r remember the name right now, but I think Blossom St. May be part of it.

I am also a great starter. I used to make clothes.....clear up until time to sew on the buttons. Grrr.

gkids3_il:

I've made it for over 35 years, guess it's sort of my "signature" blanket for babies. 

I think that is really special to have a signature blanket that you make for the babies!!! 

cathyat:

My only problem is I start a project, work great guns on it, put it down because of holidays or vacations or some such interruption and take forever to get back to it!  I have several such laying around the house & always tell myself to get off my butt & finish them.  So much for good intentions.

I have to laugh at that ONLY because I think that HAS to be the heart of the TRUE crafter!  When I first married, I prided myself in purchasing my material and getting the garment made.... slowly or probably NOT so slowly, my material pile grew...and now I have material, yarn, cross stitch thread, flowers, beads... should I go on????   lol and I am not happy unless I have a couple projects going at a time.. one to work at in front of the tv.. one to work on in craft room.. and one just to work on!  lol.... PLEASE PLEASE tell me that I am not the only one!???!!!! 

Thank goodness for this post.  I have been checking the crafters chat off and on but haven't seen much to interest me until this post. 

I love to crochet but also do some knitting and plastic canvas and occassionally cross stitch.  Currently I'm just thinking of my next yarn project which will be a scrap afghan.  I am making myself finish up some plastic canvas projects before I start on it. 

I am 46, married to a guy who rolls his eyes every time I bring in more yarn but is nice enough not to comment otherwise.  No children but plenty of nieces and nephews and friends children to make things for.  I live in KY in a rural area with neighbors close enough to visit but not close enough to feel like I'm in a neighborhood as I can't see any houses from mine except in the far disance from my side yard. 

I do fine with my tension when crocheting don't even think about it now but knitting I have to watch it because I don't do it as often. 

Margaret

I am glad to see you here croknit! I have an idea there are a lot more yarn crafters than anyone realizes.

Red Heart Yarn has been mentioned..........are there any other favorite yarns?

I understand that WalMart is dropping their fabric department. Does anyone know if the yarn department will be affected? Does anyone order yarn to be delivered, rather than going to the store to purchase it? (Online, or mail order)  If so, where do you order it, and how long does it take? Are you pleased with the product?

cookie

Good Morning  Yarn Crafters!!!!  

I am also glad to see a seperate post for us yarn people!    I have already chatted with Marcia; she & I are "anything crafters".    ..........at present I am crocheting  baby blankets, hats & booties  for God's Tiny Angels; I want to try a dress or sweater. EASY EASY pattern! lol    I also do plastic canvas & some scrapbooking.

I am 65, SO & I live in a mobile home in a park in a small town in the Finger Lakes area of New York... with our very spoiled JackRussell terrier      named ZUES. I have 1 DD, 1 DS & 1 DGD who is almost 15.   I would be glad to chat with you all here...........applek     kathie

Good Morning all--

The WalMart store near us is still carrying fabric and haven't heard anything to the contrary.  It could be that this is the only store near this area that has any kind of fabric.  I have noticed that they seem to be cutting back on the amount of yarn they carry.  My big complaint about that is that they don't seem to have much in the way of same dye lot #'s so when I go to get yarn for a project I sometimes have to try and "improvise" the dye lots.  I did read a hint somewhere a while back that if you don't have the same dye lot # you can alternate the #'s.  I had to do that once with the baby afghan I made and couldn't see any difference but it was a verigated color so that may be why.  We are going to get a Michael's store opening here sometime this year so hopefully they will carry a bigger selection of yarn and colors.

 Croknit--I have made a scrap yarn afghan, I found the pattern off the internet, and it's worked in a continuous circle so it becomes a double afghan when done, looks rather neat with all the different colors and weights.  DH loves it, says it's really warm.

coo_kie:

are there any other favorite yarns

I like Caron Simply Soft.  It keeps it's shape and stays soft.  I also like to use Bernat Cottontot. It is great for baby afghans also.  I think I am partial to Bernat and Lion Brand. Vanna's choice is a great substiitute for Caron's Simply soft.  And I have ordered online.  I have used JoAnnes and also the Bernat and Lion Brand websites.  I don't know if there are any other that might offer good discount prices. Generally I can find what I want at Michaels or Joannes, but it is getting harder and harder to match the dye lot number and that is VERY frustrating to me!!!!!  I find that trying to integrate a dye lot number that is diifferent into a solid colored garment can be disasterous!!!  In a sweater if the colors are different it shows.. verigated seems to work better but I still try to get all the same dye lot if I can.

gkids3_il:

I have made a scrap yarn afghan, I found the pattern off the internet, and it's worked in a continuous circle so it becomes a double afghan when done, looks rather neat with all the different colors and weights.  DH loves it, says it's really warm.

It's knit--that's my first love.  I "dabble" in crochet. 

gkids3_il:

It's knit--that's my first love.  I "dabble" in crochet. 

Sigh.. I needed to wake up this morning.. I do remember that you said it was your signature blanket also!  lol... .. sorry about that!!!    

I purchase a lot of my yarn at JoAnne's, I especially like the microfiber yarn I can get there. Makes up real nice for lace scarves, especially for my Mother who can't handle wool.  Have also thought it would work up nice in some pullover patterns.

I also enjoy the selection of yarns offered at Knitpicks.com. They have some wonderful yarns for those projects you want to take to the next level from Red Heart, etc. and the prices are reasonable. They do carry a lot of wool and wool blend yarns, but not exclusively. One thing I really like about their offerings is that I can find the various weights of yarn I'm needing, which is NOT the case at JoAnne's, at least not at the store in our area.

Hi again HDMac.  Yes, I make a round baby blanket in knit.  I also made a scrap yarn afghan that I put on circular needles that you knit in the round so you don't have to sew any seams when finished but it's not round when finished it's just like a regular afghan.  Saw the post where you had a baby sweater you crocheted, very lovely.  Afraid my crochet projects just don't turn out well, not enough practice with it I guess.