Hobbies and Crafts

Hi, Julia, I like to knit, but only dolls, usually Jean Greenhowe, I have made most of them at some time or other, I am just going to use odd bits of wool making the smaller dolls, but I cant make jumpers or anything else other than scarves... Never mastered crocheting, or tatting, bit thick really... sewing was always my favourite hobby, but that was years ago. now its srcapping and cards...what stuff do you knit?

Jean x

Yes, tell us about your knitting Julia, it will make a change from cards and scrapbooks Lol!! I used to knit a lot but with all the other craft work don't have time. I did make a scarf last year in the mohair type wool (don't know how else to describe it) In the past have knitted all sorts, even Aran sweaters when the boys were little. I think I stopped knitting when they got older. Just trying to think how knitted bits could be incorporated on a scrap book page, I bet they could you know, for texture Hmmm.

Hello Jean, I used to knit those dolls when my grandchildren were young. Such detail, but they were beautiful when finished.
I usually knit cardigans, jackets, etc. At the moment I am working on one that you start by casting on for the left hand sleeve, and when it is long enough, you cast on for the back and front, and work to the centre. Then you do the same for the right hand side, and join both pieces of work together down the side seams, and centre back seam To say it is challenging, is an understatement. My next project, is an Aran cardigan.
I have just finished crocheting four short sleeved cardigans for the spring, whenever it comes. When I start going out to do the gardening, and bending down to pick things up, I do not feel that I need a jacket on, but then your clothes start riding up and you get a bare back. Not a good thing at my age. So, a short sleeved cardigan is the answer. I can't crochet lace, as it is too fine for my eyesight.
I too, used to do alot of sewing, but just for myself.
Julia in Derbyshire

I knit too but my enthusiasm outweighs my skill LOL Scarves I am a master at but I tend to look at patterns and think maybe not. I did manage to knit goldilocks and the three bears for a project when I was at school but I did have lots of advice and help from my mum

Ann, what a good idea, if we knitted with the eyelash wool it could look like grass and stick bits on tree shapes to look like leaves, or just knit a square
you could vary the texture, getting quite excited at the challenge of doing it...
I once got a fine twig from the garden and I had a large stamp of grapes ,so stuck the twig on card a nd stamped a bunch of grapes on stiff card, then coloured it so they looked round, stuck that on the twig it looked very good, in fact I had orders for a few, I also glazed a lovely autumn leaf again a large one and attached that to a card...

Julia, that way of knitting sounds very complicated, but I would like to see it perhaps you could take a photo when its done and send to me please, it wont have any seams done that way will it?

Jean xx

I think I have seen that way of knitting before but for baby's cardigan or sweater.

Yes, that is what I mean Jean, grass etc.

Jean, yes it does have seams both at the sides and centre back. If you google Sirdar Yarns, and look for Yo-Yo yarns, there is a picture of it, though it is not evident that it is knitted sideways on. It is the one that has random colours from dark pink to dark green. I forgot to say that you start with the left side, and take the yarn from the outside of the ball, but when you start the right side, you knit the yarn from the inside. It is all to do with the random stripping.
Julia in Derbyshire

I made a baby's cardigan once... knitted it beautifully... the baby put it on her own baby, 21 years later... that is how long it took me to finish it, lolol

I loved crochet, but not knitting..... my sister can pick up stitches she (rarely) drops even from the most intricate of patterns... not me!! it all has to be pulled out and restarted.

I was the sewer in the family, though... I think I was fairly good making for others, but could never quite get things to hang right on myself... well, they didn't fit me any better, really, than shop bought stuff.... but looked well enough.

Love

Daff xxxx

Doesn't surprise me Daff, you probably mislaid it in the meantime!!!!

I have just re-read that... sewer? No I wasn't flushed with success, lololol!!! Seamstress sounds too grand, as does needlewoman.......

*grins at Ann* you are definitely feeling better, lol.... you and Jethro make a right pair!! Cheeky blighters, both of you, lolol

Love

Daff xxxx Who is off to bed in a moment!!

Well, I did feel better yesterday but today I feel as if I am recovering from something major, if that makes sense. T had to go to the dentist and then take his car in, I would normally drive down and bring him back from the garage but I felt so weary I just didn't have the energy so he did it on his own returning on the bus. My legs ache and my back, I can't breath and I now have an irritating tickle cough. Think I need putting down Lol!!!!

Yes I did notice that sewer could be read two ways Daff Lol!!!!

I have a page started but have really struggled to find complimenting papers, the photo is of the Grand canyon at sunrise in 1992, an old photo but a favourite. Will go and see if I can find anything to go with it again now.

Oh dear Ann, you sound in a bad way. I'll have to send you one of my brown and blue puffers, to help you breathe
Get well soon
Julia in Derbyshire

Thank you Julia, I normally ride colds out with no problem but this is a weird one and I feel like a wuss (to use one of daff's descriptive words) complaining. I must look poorly as OH is very sympathetic!!!

Oh dear, looks like I spoke too soon, Ann... sorry.... but wuss is a very descriptive word, and it isn't you.... you don't whinge about feeling rough like I do...... so you must feel dreadful.

I have the conservative (conservatory, even) now ready for action, all tooled up ready for a demented dervish of a granny, and a budding creative genius of a granddaughter...... madam's stuff corralled on one side of the table and the windowsill, granny's on the other side.... with the *free for all* stuff in the middle dividing the two, lolol

Speak later.... Ann, rest up!!

Love

Daff xxxx

Oh I am resting Daff, well sitting around in here sort of sorting craft stuff for the latest layout, but slowly and pottering on the boards, Body wont let me do anything else. Think it may be a combination of the cold and a reaction to the cream of 'flu like symptoms' (Got to have something to blame!)

When does littlie arrive? Is it today or tomorrow and for how long this time?

Almost finished the page, quite pleased with it, got a second page to do to match it. The first one was sunrise the second it sunset in the grand canyon.

Ann, glad that you have finished one page and that it's turned out well. I
Hope you are feeling a little bit better tonight. Goodnight, and sleep well!
Love, Sallie.x

I am sorry to hear that you are not well Ann...I hope you will be feeling much better in the morning.

I have a deju vu moment reading through the latest posts...better than a senior moment. I used to knit alot many years ago and last weekend my dear OH decided he was going to clear out the loft. Amongst all the "junk" was 6 black bin bags containing odd balls of wool, 4 bags of soft toy filling and 2 files of Jean Greenhowe patterns lol!!

Sarah....I blame you for me ordering the Tim Holtz kit lol...after all it was you who pointed me in the direction of his distress inks!!

Sadly I have not had time to do any scrapbooking this week as I am still sorting out the loft stuff which OH put in the spare bedroom...and I still cannot see the twin beds!!

I am still having problems with the page jumping whilst I type so I am going to give up yet again...am I the only one..it is so annoying.

Linda x

Linda, I don't have a problem with the page jumping. What browser are you on? I am on Firefox. Maybe it is your browser causing the problem.

I am afraid I don't know Ann...I am computer illiterate. It seems to ok at the moment so perhaps a GR glitch.

I will have ask OH when he gets home from work.

Linda x