knitting with mcs

Where is the Cheap and Organic Yarn?

2012-01-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!
       I hope everyone is having a good new year. I spent the holidays looking for new yarn. I still have problems with organic yarn and am seeking new brands. To avoid itchy fingers, I crochet different yarns into granny squares. I just pick and choose yarns as I go.
   The high price of organic and undyed yarn makes me hesitate to buy more skeins. Also, I react if the cotton yarn is stored near wool yarn. So, I surfed the net to find cheaper organic materials.
Floss
http://www.nearseanaturals.com/item.php?id=2600- hand dyed embroidery floss for $6.48 a skein.

https://www.fiberactiveorganics.com/products-page/sewing/embroidery-floss/
embroidery floss for $7.00 a skein.
Yarn
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-Natural-Silk-Undyed-Embroidery-Floss-Thread-/350410814217
Chinese silk undyed floss with bidding starting at $9.00 a skein
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88681041/embroidery-thread-crochet-thread-bead
silk and undyed thread for crocheting, beading and embroidery-$9.11- 1 package left
Websites for undyed yarn
http://www.paradisefibers.net/Undyed-Yarn-s/360.htm?gclid=CMPWqJSdw60CFYPc4AodgH8Q_g undyed wool and silk yarn.
http://www.pollika.com/yarnundyed.html
Bamboo, alpaca, wool, silk
Alpaca

       Last month, I tried several sample of Alpaca but they were itchy for me. Emails from the Alpaca company employees say they too have allergies but can tolerate Alpaca yarn.
www.AlpacaMagicUSA.com
http://www.victoryranch.com/victory-ranch-alpaca-yarn-c-45.html

I cannot find cheap and organic yarn. I wish Lion Brand Yarn would bring back their organic yarn. This month, I plan to purchase samples of silk and bamboo yarn and test for tolerance. Or, I may gamble and buy a box of new yarn. I cannot find bargains for good quality yarn, so I will save up for new skeins.

I hope everyone finds safe hobbies in the new year.

Knitting with gloves on

2011-11-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Happy Thanksgiving! With Christmas near, I knit mini ornament mittens from my favorite pattern.
http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Smitten_%28a_Holiday_Garland%29__D55474220.html .

I finish a mitten in under an hour. I use up yarn that I tolerate for a short amount of time.

New Projects

I am losing tolerance to favorite yarns and search for small patterns when I can wear gloves.

I dusted off my Knitting Board. The site offers several great patterns for the board. I wear cotton gloves to thread the nails. The company carries an new sock loom too.

http://www.knittingboard.com/ .

My new toy is a hairpin lace loom. This lightweight loom allows me to wear gloves. It is my new favorite brain fog activity. The hairpin stitch takes a little practice, pick a clear day to learn.

My hairpin loom required some modifications. Since my loom is metal, I covered it with medical paper tape. I also marked the right side. After the crochet stitch, the loom has to be turned one way. The label helps me remember my left and right sides!

Redheart has great instructions with a beautiful shawl pattern. The site includes a video from the PBS knitting show.
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/womans-hairpin-lace-shawl

I use the Susan Bates Loom.
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Products/Accessories/Crafts/Susan+Bates+Hairpin+Lace+Loom.htm

Here is a homemade loom site.
http://jenkinswoodworking.com/Hairpin_Lace_Looms.htm

When my yarn runs out, I will try spinning cotton yarn. I found a helpful blog.
http://www.newenglandsimpleliving.com/spinningcottonhandspindle.htm

http://laurieaeomeara.newenglandsimpleliving.com/

Happy Turkey Day!

Vintage Patterns

2011-09-28T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

This month I turned to vintage patterns for knitting and crocheting. The old knitwear pictures are comforting. Last month, I was knitting headphone covers for new headsets. While I was wearing them for an online tutoring job, I started having reactions. My face and tongue became itchy. I tried three headsets and had the same reaction after a couple of weeks, even with the latex free ones. I also found the physical demands of working even ten or so hours a week was too much. I had to quit.

So, I am using knitting as a means to move forward. I have searched for vintage patterns to find outfits to make and sell online. I think the best patterns are old vests, or undergarments, that look like modern camisoles. Here are some good sites:

crochet patterns

http://www.antiquecrochetpatterns.com/

http://sites.google.com/site/groovycrochet/system/app/pages/subPages?path=/home

http://web.archive.org/web/20011207170342/http://www.cei.net/~vchisam/groovy/21-20.html

knitting

http://knittinghistory.typepad.com/historic_knitting_pattern/

chart for old and modern knitting sizes

http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/needles.shtml

both knitting and crocheting patterns

http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/

tips for selling knitwear

According to an ebook from http://knittingforprofit.com/blog/ , I need to prepare a business plan, even for selling online. I am using a Microsoft Word Template for a start up business.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/business-plan-for-startup-business-TC001017520.aspx

cons with selling knitwear
Since I started to knit for money, I have ripped out more projects than I have finished! I see all the mistakes that I previously ignored. I am knitting more, and become itchy, even from my safe yarn.

new lead for organic yarn

My mother found another organic yarn at Old Forge Hardware Yarn Store in the Adirondacks New York. It is called Sublime/organic cotton dk from Europe and costs $7.95 for a skein. I did not see the cotton yarn on their online site, but they do sell Sublime angora merino yarn. The site is http://www.oldforgehardware.com/ . Scroll down on the left side and click on yarn shop. I am testing the Sublime cotton out now for tolerance by knitting a purse, http://www.knitheaven.com/vintagepatterns/image_317.htm .

A Google search shows some stores have a limited supply of Sublime or are sold out. One site selling the yarn is Tropical Yarns, http://www.tropicalyarns.com/index.cfm?PID=8&ProdID=1194&options=96-bone. Another one is http://www.shopinthemaking.com/sublime-organic-cotton-dk-scrumble/ , a store called In the Making.

Thanks for reading my blog!

2011-09-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a good summer. I am preparing for winter by knitting gloves and crochet afghans. I bought some headsets for online work. I had to buy a few pairs before I found a set I could tolerate. It turns out, most of the brands contain latex. I thought I could still work with latex headsets if I covered up the earphones. So I knitted some headphone covers from a pattern by Lionbrand Yarn.
http://cache.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/patternFinder.fcgi?search=Search&store=%2Fstores%2Feyarn&resultPageTemplate=ResultPage.html&resultItemTemplate=ResultItem.txt&noResultPageTemplate=NoResultPage.html&case=no&primaryServer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lionbrand.com&minPrice=0&noBoolean=1&searchText=headphone&sT=1&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

When my ears started to burn, I searched the web for a latex free headset. I found a Microsoft compatible headset from http://www.plantronics.com/us/?gclid=CPaxqoaPhqsCFQdN4Aodo1KD4w. Here is link for my set:
http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/blackwire-200?skuId=sku5480025

I used the set right away. Since the earphones are covered a kind of synthetic velvet, I decided to knit covers. I used organic cotton yarn. I cut and hemmed the covers to make room for the headband attachments. The best feature about the set is the metal microphone. As you can see from the picture, I aired the set out on my filter.

Once again, knitting helps me reduce my symptoms.

Good Luck!

2011-06-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my blog. In the past couple of months, I have been on the search for new supplies of organic undyed yarn. Knit Picks and Lion Brand are not selling the yarns anymore. I bought a hoard of organic undyed cotton yarn. I surf the web for a new supply. Above is a hat knitted in the round. It sits on top of hand cut wood.

I have a difficult time finding tolerable yarn. The skeins are organic and undyed, but they itch like wool. Yarn skeins need a warning label like food; "yarn is processed in a plant which manufacters wool." Or, "yarn stored next to wool." I am sending emails to companies, hoping to buy several skeins of yarn in a package. Buying the yarn in a package cuts down on allergens. The trick is to find out how many balls go in a package. Every company is different.

I am knitting hats and gloves wtih the hopes of selling online. Etsy may be a good start.. http://www.etsy.com/ I found some vintage patterns that match the yarn I am using. http://www.hjsstudio.com/rc2hand.html has lots of wartime knitting http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/patterns and http://www.antiquecrochetpatterns.com/ have old crochet patterns.,

On weekends I am still trying to weave. Tried card weaving for the hundredth time. I found an old picture frame and hope to make a homeade loom. I use my knitting board http://www.knittingboard.com/ to make a scarf using itchy cotton yarm. I tolerate about three rows a week. I'll keep searching for tolerable yarn supplies.

Take Care.

Card Weaving Looms

2011-04-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hi,
In the past blogs, I wrote of card weaving. I tried a homeade loom with a board, chairs, and c clamps. When the board fell and just missed my toes, I started looking for looms to buy. The good news is card weaving can be done on table, floor, and big weaving looms. The looms are expensive. There are cheap table top looms for forty dollars but they are made of plywood.

Here are some links to loom websites:

Village Spinning and Weaving has several small and large looms,
http://www.villagespinweave.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Shelf/ASP/Hierarchy/04.html

Mielke's Fiber Arts,
http://www.mielkesfarm.com/Products/weaving.htm

Table looms from the Woolery
http://www.woolery.com/store/pc/Table-Looms-c55.htm

Weavershand has information for tablet weavers,
http://www.weavershand.com/

Simple weaving
Of course the simplest way to to attach to weave to a door knob.
http://www.earthguild.com/products/riff/rcdweave.htm

Hints
Cotton yarn stretches, making weaving more difficult. Pick a loom with a tension bar to keep the weaving tight. I have my eye on looms with a ratchet system. These looms have cranks on each end for tension.
http://www.ursulasalcove.com/looms/inkle.html- This site has a cute mini loom with tension bar for $25.00.

My latest loom creation

Happy Crafting!

Card weaving and limitations

2011-03-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog!

It has been hard to concentrate on crafts this month. My free time has been spent protest emails about nuclear plants and fracking drills.. This saps up all of my energy. It is necessary to limit my time on the laptop and return to crafts.

Recently, I returned to card weaving. It has been a frustrating task because it reminds me of all my limitations. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is not only about sensitivities; it can be the loss of endurance and coordination too. I have trouble putting the cards and yarn in the right order. My weaving turns into a bunch of knots. I have fixed the looms many times over. Card weaving should be so simple! After all, it is just about thread, cards, and a shuffle.

I have an excellent book on card weaving. It is called Card Weaving by Candace Crockett.
http://www.amazon.com/Card-Weaving-Candace-Crockett/dp/0934026610/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300454070&sr=8-1

I have c clamps and wood to make a cheap loom.

Still, I struggle so much. Like with knitting, my projects have to stay simple. Despite my years of practice, my closet will not have sweaters with fancy intarsia or detailed cables. No matter how many hours I spend writing, I can only produce short articles. My study in card weaving will result in a simple band. These tasks are completed only on good mornings, with mandatory rest in the afternoon and evening.

I think crafts have become a way to test my limitations in my home. It is a private way to test my limitations. I have to learn how to praise myself over simple accomplishments. I need to enjoy the beauty of a garter stitch without beating myself up that I cannot follow a lace pattern.

I will lower my expectations and return to card weaving. I will make the best simple band that I can. I will use it proudly. I do not have many alternatives. It is either crafts of playing in my mud.

Thank you!

Lovely lucets

2011-02-12T06:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to my blog!

February in the NorthEast means lots of hometime. To avoid cabin fever, Yankees look for ways to keep occupied. In between outside trips with the dog, I surf the web for new craft ideas. I returned to my interest in simple weaving ideas. My last post has a lucet video.

While surfing the Mielke Fibers website http://www.mielkesfarm.com/, I came across a lucet. This simple tool makes I chords. Usually, I make cords with two knitting needles or with a knitting spool. A lucet is much faster. With a lucet, I can make a couple of feet of chord while watching Oprah.

There are various kinds of lucets. The one I purchased from Mielke Farm was made of hardwood and I could use it immediately. Mielke also sells a lucet made of bone, http://www.mielkesfarm.com/kumihimo.htm. The company also has a four pronged lucet, as well as a few Lucet books, http://www.mielkesfarm.com/kumhimbk.htm.

According to the book Lucette Cord Made Easy, our ancestors used chords to literally hold their clothes together. Modern uses include: shoe laces, drawstrings, neckaces, trim, and doll clothes. In the ‘90’s, cords fell out of favor with preschool moms. It has make a comeback in totebage and purse patterns.

The Lucette Cord Made Easy book features a techniques that skips the flipping.. Being uncoordinated, it took me a couple of hours to figure out the routine of putting the yarn behind the left prong and in front of the right prong. These directions work best for me, since flipping my wrists makes me woozy

Lucet links

In my web searches, I came across another blogger named Jenn who was trying to learn to use the Lucet. She posted a really good video post on the technique. This method uses one side of the lucet. The tool is flipped back and forth.

http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-use-lucet-great-video.html

Here is another good video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3l85F9LAE

This link is a written pattern:

http://www.finniwig.com/lucetinst.htm

This link gives directions for a double lucet:

lucet resources
http://johanna.arska.org/lucet/lucet_resources.pdf

Double lucet
http://kws.atlantia.sca.org/photos/doublelucet/

What will I do with all of my chord?

Here are some links for ideas. Some of these have knitting patterns, but I think they could be adapted to the lucet.

I cord Christmas candy cane

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/holccornicord.htm

Knitted necklace

http://www.agoodyarn.net/PT_Knitted_Necklace.htm

Knitted necklace

http://www.abc-knitting-patterns.com/1139.html

Once the techniques is learned, it is a cheap craft..One YouTube post suggested making a lucet from a plastic or grilling fork.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y5K7FiT2Og

Another blogger made lucets out of utensils

http://echoforsberg.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-0

(Thursday, February 25 post)

Final thoughts,

I like the idea of making chords with material that I can tolerate. In the age of scotch tape and Velcro, I forgot that old alternatives work well tooThis is a good brain fog activity. It is also a good traveling craft. Give it a try!

Comment utiliser mes petites lucettes par créa-diddlindsey

2011-02-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

New spinning wheel

2011-01-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

Spinning and Blogs

2011-01-28T06:32:00.000-08:00

Welcome

Greetings from the snowy north!

Are you still interested in spinning cotton? Interweave has now helped us with the publication of a book called Spinning Cotton by Stephanie Gaustad. The book review says the reader can learn to prepare, spin, and boil cotton with a wide range of tools. The book is available for pre order at http://www.interweavestore.com/Spinning.html. Knit picks also has a new line of spinning tools at http://www.knitpicks.com/cfFiber/Fiber_Home.cfm

YouTube has many search results for spinning cotton. Different tools are used: a takli support spindle, a spinning wheel, a stationary tripod, carding, Turkish spindles, and drop spindles. One video that I viewed has a woman spinning with a mask on. It makes me wonder if spinning and carding will bother my dust allergies. I would have to make sure the cotton fiber is organic and undyed. I guess it is time to just buy a small quantity for testing.

http://www.tenfoldorganic.com/files/OrganicCotton.html provides a good description contrasting organic cotton (seeds and soil) to conventionally grown cotton. The Wheel Thing company provides a state list of fiber processors, mostly animal fibers.

The availability of organic cotton fiber is slim or carries expensive shipping rates. Perhaps it is a seasonal product.

Interesting blogs

Fragrant heart is a website full of free audio meditation downloads, http://www.fragrantheart.com// . It has added a blog about the meditative benefits of knitting (with free patterns). The 1/23/11 post has a description and links to spinning, http://www.fragrantheart.com/blog/ .

http://ourtinyfarmnc.blogspot.com/ is written by a North Carolina farmer and agricultural expert.

Thanks for checking in.

New spinning wheel

2011-01-28T06:23:00.000-08:00

2011-01-10T06:58:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Welcome to my blog! Happy New Year to all of you.

I have been knitting and crocheting with Knit Picks organic marshmallow yarn. The company had a Thanksgiving sale that allowed me to stock up on yarn. I knitted a shawl for my daughter and crocheted more and more granny squares.

Knitting Apps

I am surfing the web, looking for new trends. Can you tolerate cell phones, iPads, and iPod’s? If so, there are knitting and yarn apps to download:

1. http://www.trendsfashion.net/vogue-knitting-iphone-application.html

This is a $3.99 app from Vogue Knitting that provides a way to organize yarn and tools. Vogue knitting says-“Keep all of your project notes, multiple row counters, and needle and crochet hook inventories, yarn stash and swatch info with you when you’re out knitting or buying supplies at the local yarn store.”

2. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lion-brand-yarn/id347873773?mt=8

Free app from iTunes app for Lion Brand knit and crochet patterns

3. http://www.appstorehq.com/yarnu-iphone-556157/app

Another iTunes app for $3.99. This is an app about yarn with patterns, pictures, and videos.

4. http://www.knitluck.com/android-apps-for-knitters-and-yarn-addicts

Blog with app suggestions for knitters.

5. http://download.cnet.com/Yarn-Shopper-for-Android/3000-2130_4-75331019.html

Free app that calculates yarn and costs

6. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stitchminder/id287491425?mt=8

Free iTunes app that keeps track of “counting, rows, increases, and decreases.”

Non-toxic patterns

In my quest for tolerable yarn, I forgot about safe patterns! That is, finding a way to view a pattern that does not smell. For instance, I had to throw away a lot of patterns that I downloaded and printed because the smell of printer’s ink became too strong. Old pattern books were thrown out because they were musty. So, I have to look for creative ways to view patterns successfully.

I am hoping that I can tolerate the new technology soon. Until then, I will look for ways to cover the patterns. I could cover the paper with cellophane or glass. Or, I could read the patterns from my laptop. As a last resort, I can just knit simple patterns that do not require reading details. The important thing is to keep knitting!

Thanks for reading my blog.

More holiday ideas

2010-12-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my blog! This is a busy season for yarn crafts. The trend seems to be quick projects completed with one skein or less. For those of us experiencing brain fog, that still seems like a major project. Still, making crafts is still an inexpensive way to make a present.

Here are some sites for quickie tasks:

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90328AD.html?noImages=0&utm_source=20101210_Dec10&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=Weeklynewsletter&utm_content=P-KnitKnitterlyGarland-90328 - pattern for cute mini sweaters for ornaments and quick gifts. Lion Brand has free shipping on orders over $45.00 until December 31. Unlike most ornaments, these do not require stuffing. *

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90008AD.html?noImages=0&utm_source=20101210_Dec10&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=Weeklynewsletter&utm_content=P-CrochetHolidayCheerStocking-90008- crochet stocking *

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60739AD.html?noImages=0 -Intarsia ornament with cats and dogs*

* you will need to sign into a Lion Brand account to get patterns

http://www.crochetme.com/blogs/crochet_me/archive/2010/12/09/link-up-with-new-holiday-traditions.aspx -friendship bracelet from crochet me

New Tricks

I am finding that some knitting stitches hold up better that others. With organic and undyed yarn, stockinette gets really stretchy. I mentioned this in a previous blog about socks and suggested crochet socks. Recently, I tried the moss or seed stitch with my yarn and found the work did not stretch. Here is a link to stitch directions:

http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/stitches/moss.htm

Also, lace patterns keep their shape well. Basic lace patterns are not hard to learn. Advance patterns become easier when markers are placed at each stitch change. Here is a pattern that I am working on now with Knit Pick organic marsmallow yarn. The piece is maintaining it's shape and holding up well:

http://www.lornamiserdesigns.com/lacerimsshawl.html

Final Thoughts

Christmas and the holidays can be a lonely time for many of us. Crafts can help pass the time. Thanks to the Internet, we can find a craft to suit or tolerances and needs. Give it a try!

Crochet socks

2010-11-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

Crochet socks

I have been working a a couple of sock patterns using crocheting instead of knitting. In the picture, the knitted sock is on the left and the crochet sock is on the right. As it turns out, the heels of crochet socks made with organic yarn hold up better that my knitted organic socks. While I have darned the knitted socks many times, I have yet to touch the crochet socks.

Here are some patterns that I have been using:

Father's day crochet socks from Lion Brand

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0143AD.html?noImages=

crocheted socks

http://www.crochetandknitting.com/sockstxt.htm

Colorful crochet socks from Redheart yarns

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/colorful-crochet-socks

download books on crochet sock and slipper patterns

http://www.e-patternscentral.com/detail.html?source=froogle&code=W1457E

For knitters, there is a Japanese garter stitch sock pattern that is available for purchase. It uses the Portugese style of knitting.

http://www.andreawongknits.com/patterns.html

Tired of socks?

I found a good crochet pattern for a victorian doll. The pattern is in text form, which I prefer over charts.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/we2/victoriandoll.html

Happy crafting!

christmas patterns

2010-11-18T06:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome all,

Are you getting ready for Christmas? Knitting posts abound with quick patterns for Chrismas gifts. The popular gift patterns are scarves, hats, and totes. Here are some links to interesting holiday patterns:

Vanna White Scarf-crochet

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70482.html?noImages=0&utm_source=20101112_Nov12&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=Weeklynewsletter&utm_content=P-VannaElementalCrochetScarf

Vanna White tote bag-crochet

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0231AD.html?noImages=&utm_source=20101112_Nov12&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=Weeklynewsletter&utm_content=P-TwoColorTunisianCrochetTote

Leaf pattern small afghan-knit

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70798.html?noImages

Here are some Christmas patterns

Mini mittens for an advent calendar-knitting

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Smitten_(a_Holiday_Garland)__D55474220.html

A Yeti/Sasquatch ornament -knitting

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Fuzzy_Yeti_Sasquatch_Pattern__D50900220.html

The following tow patterns are for an elf ornament with a Hawaii shirt pattern-knit

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Holiday_Elf_Pattern__D50948220.html

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Elf-Sized_Hawaiian_Shirt_Pattern__D55464220.html

Stocking Ornament-knit

http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/santasock.html

Finally, here is a stocking kit with organic Pachuko yarn

http://www.ecobutterfly.com/products/Eco_Friendly_Holiday_Stocking_Pattern_Kit_Pakucho_Color_Grown_Organic_Cotton_Yarn-169-16.html

If you are in a hurry, don't forget dishcloths for an old standby gift. The research has already been completed by a savvy discloth blogger
http://dishandwashclothmania.com/grandmas-favorite-dishcloth-knit/

Happy crafting!

Socks, Sock, and more socks

2010-11-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

We had a first dusting of snow, or was it hail? Snowflakes are usually not so painful. I have been preparing for winter by making socks. 100% cotton socks do not seem to last too long; the heel wears out. I am trying to keep up by doing some old fashioned darning http://www.hjsstudio.com/darn.html . I darn not only my homemade socks, but also the store bought ones.
Store bought Socks
Vermont country Store sells cotton socks without all the new bacteria killers- http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/
Patterns
In the world of online sock patterns, there are different types of patterns and tools. Non knitters may want to try a sock loom. Lion brand yarn has a new sock loom (currently out of stock) http://www.lionbrand.com/6030/PictPage/1922245092.html . Lion Brand also has free shipping until December 31 (code-giftofyarn).
Looms
Looms are good for either non knitters or knitters who need a change of pace. It looks like the sock looms are made of wood with metal pegs. A hook is used to move the yarn over the pegs. I cover the wood with medical tape to reduce new wood smells. Allow for some time to test the sock yarns. Some yarns work better than others.

Here are some sites for sock looms
http://www.amazon.com/Loom-Knitting-Socks-Beginners-No-Needle/dp/0312589980 -Amazon link for a sock loom book

http://www.decoraccentsinc.com/Wonder_Sock_Loom_EFG_p/wondersock.htm

http://kiss-looms.com/%20-adjustable%20looms

http://www.dreamlooms.com/ -adjustable round loom with link for directions

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/looms.html -sock looms are used to make preemie caps. There are some plastic looms and looms with wooden pegs. She has a link on where to purchase looms.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6678076_make-sock-knitting-loom.html -directions on how to make a loom.

The loom below is made of plastic and nylon. There is also a YouTube how to video
http://mainline.webstorepowered.com/DA-Looms-WONDER-SOCK-LOOM/dp/B003ZVWTAU?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS61MXrBg8E

More videos and tutorials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPiGpy831eE

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Knit-Homemade-Socks-with-a-Loom-Part-430-265519594

http://isela.typepad.com/loomknitting/tutorials.html

The adventurous sock knitters
For those sock knitters, there seem to be three types of ways to make socks:

Two needle socks-(do not need to work in round)
http://www.knitlist.com/01gift/2-needle-socks.htm
Toe in the round socks with two circular needles:
http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=50631220

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RybPvCNfrT8

Three double pointed needle socks
http://www.hjsstudio.com/sock.html this one shows you how to measure for custom made socks):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NQMGCo_mXY

If you feel really ambitious, try socks on a knitting machine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCaPajT0JCM

The two hardest parts of knitting socks is learning how to knit in the round and knitting heels. Once you learn, though, the process goes really fast. Here are some links to knitting in the round and heels.

Heel flaps:
http://www.woolworks.org/sockheels.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN2B47KDNTM

Knitting in the round
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0jufgWj0bw

Final Thoughts
If you are just starting out, try the two needle socks. It is a good way to learn how to make a heel without having to worry about knitting in the round. Looms are also a good way to get started. The advanced knitters can try the two at a time with circular needles. Just give socks a try! It’s a good way to pass the time this winter.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Dyeing yarn using plants

2010-10-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Fibers and Dyes

2010-10-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hi fellow crafters,

It is still raining and I am looking for Noah’s Ark. I wonder what the ark passengers did for fun? After all, one gets tired of cleaning up manure. Maybe, they knitted with animal fibers! Perhaps they made knitted dishcloths to wipe up all the messes. Try this easy dishcloth pattern, http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0565.html?noImages= .

Perhaps they were looking for a way to reuse t shirts? Try
Try http://www.craftstylish.com/item/46369/how-to-make-a-two-color-a-line-tee-skirt

More dirt on fibers

I have spent more time surfing for fibers for spinning and dyeing. It is amazing how big these hobbies have become! I found a good kids’ website for dyeing with plants,
http://www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/projects/may03/pg1.html The easiest way to dye is to pound plants onto cloth or paper. Plants and water can be brewed like sun tea, or cooked on the stove. I don’t know how long these dyes will last, especially if the cloth is thrown in to the wash. I would be careful to pick plants that I am not allergic to and were not sprayed with pesticides. Still, natural dyeing looks like a fun outdoor activity.

A new book in the Knit Picks catalog has a book on how to dye in a “safe and environmentally friendly way,”

http://www.knitpicks.com/cfbooks/book_display.cfm?ID=31330 . It is called Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece and the author is Gail Callahan.

I also found a link to organic cotton fibers for spinning, http://www.ecobutterfly.com/catalog/Pakucho_Organic_Cotton_Sliver-6-1.html . The company calls the fiber Pachuko Organic Cotton Silver with the costs ranging from thirty bucks to one hundred and twenty five dollars.

Well, that’s all I have for now. I hope you find your winter hobby soon.

2010-09-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

September 20, 2010

Hi Everyone,

I bet you are sick of all my September postings. It is just that I am starting a cyber course, http://esltec.com/ , in October and am trying to catch up on my other tasks. In the last two blogs, I raved about my new finds in spindling and naadling. Unfortunately, these new crafts may not work for me. At the present, I cannot find a supplier for organic cotton fiber. Perhaps global warming will make my Upstate New York yard warm enough to grow cotton, but for now, I am out of luck. Naadling may not work with cotton yarn. It turns out that naadling works best with wool. These yarn edges are separated and twisted together to form a seamless thread. With cotton, I will have to deal with knots and weaving in the edges.

I have hit a wall with crafts. The only yarn I can use right now is undyed, organic, cotton, http://www.knitpicks.com/ and http://lionbrandyarn.com/ . This yarn is stretchy. That makes my knitted sweaters and socks look baggy. On top of that, I hate to wear my garments outside of the house because it is so hard to get plug- in smells out of cotton! This weekend, I threw a tantrum over my lack of yarn tolerance. I am angry that I cannot tolerate wool long enough to make one of those cute Fair Isle sweaters. I want to crochet with an acrylic yarn and make messenger bags. I want to be normal!

It was a blog from Yarn Harlot that made me put down the ice cream spoon http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/ (September 13, 2010). She spoke of her frustration over trying to work with yarn that had a chemical smell. It gave her a headache. She tried washing the yarn and airing it out in the sunlight a few times, but it did not work. She had to stop using the yarn. From this blog I learned that most crafters have some problems with materials. In fact, many of her followers had similar experiences! The trick is to know when to let go of a craft project away or send back the material. Sometimes we have to let go of our expectations.

A few years ago, I was in a knitting panic. I slowly lost tolerance to my needles and stash of cotton yarn. I stayed in denial as long as I could: using gloves, cutting down on my knitting time, taking a shower after crafting, working outside, or opening a window. Nothing worked. At the last moment, undyed, organic cotton yarn came out in the marketplace. Now, there is even organic cotton thread! Perhaps, in a year or two, there will be organic cotton fibers to spindle. For now, I’ll try to change my attitude and accept my stretched out garments. I’ll start a new clothing trend! Or, I’ll get some samples of hemp and test for tolerance.

The one thing that organic, undyed, cotton is good for is baby blankets. I make two for a donation to Soldier’s Angels. Apparently, our lady veterans need blankets, http://www.soldiersangels.org/ . My life limitations: no dyes, no wool, no scented products, no candles, etc, turn into a healthy plus for little ones who need cozy blankies. So when I feel frustration from pulling up my baggy socks, I take out my baby afghan and get to work.

Thanks, Chris

New ways to craft

2010-09-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Spindling Review

In the last blog, I wrote about Spinning. This converts unprocessed skeins into workable yarn. One can go with the traditional spinning wheel or use a hand held spindle. I followed the YouTube directions on making a homemade spindle (I posted this a couple of days ago). I used an old cd, pencil, cardboard, and tape. It came out really well. I have sent emails to various online companies selling cotton yarn for spindling. I hope to be able to buy organic cotton samples and test for tolerance.

Naadling

Meanwhile, a rainy day led to some serious web surfing. As it turns out, Mielke Fibers, which I mentioned in the last blog, has a lot of vintage crafts, http://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/ . These include bobbin lacing, braiding, kumihino, locker hooking, and netting. My favorite craft is naalbinding. This is a Viking craft, used in the days before knitting and crocheting. The only requirement is a flat needle. Mielke fibers have a link for a German site that has directions to make a needle http://home.arcor.de/nadelbinden/index-eng.htm.

I spent an hour yesterday trying to make a naadling needle out of a bamboo double pointed needle. Using the sandpaper sent me in an itching fest that resulted in a quick shower. Not to worry, the needles are not expensive. It’s a great way to make garments using just one needle. The technique looks like a cross between crocheting and macramé. Posted is a YouTube video on Naadling. Actually, the video makes the craft look romantic. The setting looks like a campground, with a German speaking young man. Perhaps this would be a good craft when we are outside. It would be easier to keep track of one small needle, rather than hooks and knitting needles.

When I get the nerve to try making my own tools, I think I will make a needle out of a toothbrush (the ones with a hole in the bottom). These are used to convert rag strips into rugs, http://www.ragrugcafe.com/toothbrush-rugs-complete-video-instructions-part-1-beginners

The tools for these hobbies are around twenty dollars, more or less. Kumihimo is Japanese method for using a wooden stand to make beautiful braids and cords. A locker hook looks like a crochet needle. It is used on loose canvas for needle working. Fisherman can make their own nets with netting shuttles. Patient crafters can use bobbing (look like sticks) to make lace.

Once again, I think the old fashioned crafts are the way to go for people with mcs. The materials are tolerable. There are easy ones when we have brain fog, and challenging ones when our head is clear. In these projects, I think the technique is valued more than the materials used. Some new patterns seem to show off the quality of yarn, rather than the skill of the knitter. When selecting tools, I can tolerate Birchwood and most bamboos. I seem to tolerate bamboo that has a light color rather that a dark color. I don’t know why.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Nalbinding step 1 of 2

2010-09-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

No-Cost Drop Spindle

2010-09-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

How To Spin Yarn With a Drop Spindle

2010-09-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Spinning Yarn on a Drop Spindle - Tutorial

2010-09-13T09:10:00.001-07:00

Homemade DIY Supported Spindle

2010-09-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

2010-09-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Spinning

Hi Everyone,
Welcome back to my blog! I am binging on sock patterns now, both knitting and crocheting. This is the time of year I kick myself over my wool allergy. There are so many sock patterns using wool with bright beautiful colors. Instead, I am reduced to making cotton socks extra long so I can double them up for warmth. Oh, well, I am having good luck with online patterns that allow you to custom make socks. Just measure your feet, write in the measurements on a template, do some simple math, and you have a pattern that works with cotton yarn! There are many templates online for all sorts of garments. The two that I am using now are http://www.hjsstudio.com/sock.html and http://www.crochetandknitting.com/sockstemplate.htm. These templates will be helpful when I get the nerve to make a sock big enough for my son’s size 14 foot!
Spinning
Knitting socks will keep me busy for a while. Meanwhile, I am always looking for my next creative project. The yarn blogs have been full of spindling stories. Just like Sleeping Beauty, crafters are using spindles to create yarn from a big ball of fiber. The most popular yarn is, of course, wool. I did find a site online that sells cotton fiber AND seeds! They also sell other fibers that I need to try, hemp and flax (linen). This site also sells books and provides how to directions, http://www.mielkesfiberarts.com./ Another interesting site was http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/.

Spinning has become so popular that it even has its own magazine! Spin Off is a magazine by Interweave, http://www.interweave.com . They have many magazines on knitting, crocheting, and piecework. Interweave has email newsletters too. My favorite one about spinning is about a woman in Alaska who has a business selling spun yarn. She even spins fiber from her pet rabbits! Her opinion on angora yarn allergies is that the sensitivities may be a result of poor spinning techniques. This article is on http://spinoffmagazine.com/blogs/amys-blog/archive/2010/08/25/meet-bobbi-daniels-a-spinner-by-happy-accident.aspx .

Above this blog are two You Tube videos about spinning. There is a lot of information available on the subject; it is a hobby unto itself. After spinning comes dyeing, which is another art form. For now, I am going to try to make a homemade spindle and find some save cotton fiber. It sounds like a good winter project.

Thanks for reading my blog!

2010-08-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

Mending

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to my post! Let's talk about knitting and mending.

Frugal Knitting
This summer I downloaded some YouTube videos showing frugal knitting. I was amazed about the Ramen noodle knitting. Knitting with noodles makes sense. After all, knitting is all about making your world a prettier place. Northing will get you next dinner party (imagined, virtual, or real) going than noodles made into a sweater vest. Maybe a ramen afghan covering your broccoli stalks? The possibilities are endless.

After viewing the posts on how to knit with strip rags from t shirts and sheets; I kicked myself for throwing away old items. To those of us with mcs, out gassed cloth and yarn is priceless. We should have a rag bag, just like Caroline Ingalls in The Little House series. When they moved, she made curtains out of rag bag material. Material and yarn must have been expensive in those days.

I don’t know about you, but I wear my clothes until they are a stained, disgusting, and holey mess. The YouTube tutorials about knitting material strips into washcloths are a good way to reuse material that would otherwise be thrown out. A quilt or a throw for your pets is another option.

Mend Clothes to save money
Mending is a good way to extend the lives of clothes and sweaters. I mend, even thought it looks really messy. As always, safe sewing materials are hard to find. The new spools of thread seem itchy, even the cotton ones. I am sensitive to the metal in needles, so I can mend a few minutes at a time. Like with knitting, finding safe mending materials took time.

I found that I could tolerate string on wooden spools. These spools have not been used in many years, so the string should be out gassed. It is possible that the older string contains fewer additives too. Look in attics, garage sales, and thrift stores for wooden spools with thread. Older plastic spools can work too. I tend to use white thread because it is easier for me to tolerate. The white thread on dark colors does look really sloppy, but at least I can still wear the garment.

Organic Material Sources
Organic threads and notions are coming out on the market. A good list of sources is a website called Crafting a Green World. The site also has craft pages for using old sweater, glass jars, and clothespins-
http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/20/6-sources-for-organic-and-all-natural-sewing-notions/

This site had a blog about remodeling a dress. It also has a good recipe for deodorant-
http://sewgreen.blogspot.com

Near Sea Naturals sells organic thread, lace, ribbon, and ecofriendly buttons at
http://www.nearseanaturals.com/browse.php?category=45

The sewing and craft alliance has tutorials about sewing at, http://www.sewing.org/index.html

For those of you that want to do more than mend, instructions can be found at http://www.craftandfrabriclinks.com/sewingbook/sewbook.html

Spiral Eye Needles.com makes stainless steel needles that can be threaded on the side. The website is http://www.spiraleyeneedles.com/

Sewing Machines
Perhaps you would prefer a sewing machine? Sometimes these are preferable because the material can rest on the machine arm instead of your hands. Vermont Country Store has a Singer Sewing Machine for $329.00. It is made with plastic and metal. http://www.vermontcountrystore.com

Singer also has a hand held sewing machine for fewer than fifteen dollars. http://www.amazon.com

Thanks for checking my post!

Ramen Knitting 101

2010-07-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

How to Make Recycled T-shirt Yarn

2010-07-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

how to make yarn out of a bed sheet

2010-07-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

Task analysis for crafts

2010-05-31T07:03:00.001-07:00

Hi,

Welcome to my blog. Are you knee deep in summer projects? I am using Knit Pick's organic, undyed sport yarn to make summer sweaters. http://www.knitpicks.com/ I am also using it to make socks.

How to make patterns easier

I have been tired lately. So, that means I turn to simpler projects. I am making two transverse sweaters with stockinette stitch. The sweaters are knitted from side to side. The stockinette stitch goes from side to side instead of up and down. An example of this style is http://www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches/wovenherringbone.htm . These transverse patterns are easier to keep track of; the sleeves and body are knitted as one piece. I still make mistakes, though. Yesterday I ripped out twelve rows, only to find that I was right in the first place. I mixed up the sentences in the directions. This is easy to do, even when I am alert.

While reading a chapter from one of my online courses, http://www.ed2go.com/, I was reminded of task analysis. I task analyze so often that I take it for granted. For someone new to the wild world of brain fog, a description of task analysis may be helpful. Task analysis is a list of all the tasks used to complete a job. It is like an assembly line at an auto factory. I learned about Task Analysis during graduate school. It is often used for instruction and as an assessment for special education. Recently, I saw a doctor/author who wrote a medical guide with checklists of procedures. Task Analysis helps me continue with crafts.

Let's use the above picture as an example of task analysis. Larry is helping me change the sheets on the bed. If I was to make a list of how to make a bed, I would include: taking sheets off the bed, washing the sheets, putting the sheets back on. I would have to add the task of getting Larry off of the sheets. Do I push him off the sheets or do I distract him? The task list can be modified to meet specific needs.

Now, let us go back to crafts. I have been trying for most of my life to crochet a granny square. The obsession started on the 70's, when granny squares were all the rage. A couple of years ago, I learned to crochet. I tried a dozen patterns of granny squares, none of them worked. All the other directions were in paragraph form. Then I stumbled up on directions where the task was given in a numbered list. http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com/granny-square.html . Now, I am on my second big granny square blanket.

Getting back to my project with the ripped stitches, writing the directions out in numbered form would have saved me the error. I did try other methods of keeping track: checking off sentences, checking off numbers, and crossing out tasks, but none worked for this project. It is a good idea to make a copy of pattern before writing on it!

Solutions

Craft stores sell many accessories to help with task analysis. These tools help with keeping track of rows and directions. Both http://www.joann.com/ and http://www.knitpicks.com/ sell row counters. I just bought magnetic boards to keep track of a sock graph. A magnet is moved along the graph. Magnetic boards are also good for needlework. Some people use post it notes to keep track of their place in a pattern. I suppose healthy people could use highlighters.

Sometimes, though, nothing beats pen and paper. This is necessary for me with patterns with frequent repetitions, like in a triangle or lace pattern. I write the hard parts in a school notebook and check off each line as I go. One time, with a tricky cable pattern, I make a homemade graph sheet. Each square had a stitch. Sometimes, I add the directions to a tricky stitch to the handwriting pattern. Keep space between sentences to add more notes as you go along.

Final Thoughts

Knitting, crocheting, and other crafts are tasks. Sometimes the patterns have to be modified to meet the abilities of the artist. Task analysis takes a long time upfront, but reduces frustration and mistakes. We have enough challenges in life without having to rip out sweaters and start over. It allows crafters to tackle projects that otherwise would be too difficult. Task analysis is addicting. It can be applied to many aspects of life.

2010-05-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Blog! Springtime has inspired many online crafters to post their latest artwork. Many postings relate to past posts of this blog. Let’s start with my latest project. This blog picture shows my new use for mason jars. I used mason jars and reused yogurt containers to make fly traps. A mixture of water, sugar, and vinegar is in the jar. I am hoping the vinegar will cut down on mold. I think next time I will add dog food. I have read that wasps like the protein in dry animal food. So far, I have been catching flies. It is too cold for bees and wasps.

I change the water at dusk or dawn, when the bugs are low. To be safe, I soak the traps in water before cleaning them to make sure all the bugs are dead. These are precautions that I read on other natural bug traps. Real Goods catalog sells a glass wasp trap, http://www.realgoods.com (item number 16-0120, $13.00).

Patterns

Lion Brand Yarn has a knitting spool pattern for a necklace. This link will take you to a sign up page so you can access patterns.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/NCFCeltic.html?noImages=0&utm_source=Patterns_20100504_May04&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=NewPatternsAlert&utm_content=CelticInterlaceKnotMedallionNecklace .

I found a good site called Little House in the Suburbs. They have patterns for a new sew rug and a knitted pocket to put in slivers of soap for washing.

http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/11/secrets-of-no-sew-rag-rug.html

http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/10/homemade-sponge-and-soap-saver.html

In fact, Little House in the Suburbs has many frugal patterns. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/category/free-patterns

Yarn

More natural yarn is becoming available. According to blogger Sharon Watterson, natural fibers are becoming more popular. I did not know that synthetic yarn was made of oil and petroleum. That explains so much about my yarn allergies! I could not get a direct link, but the site is http://www.examiner.com. The article is called

“Evergreen, ever natural for knitters and crocheters.”

Personal Projects

I have decided to try Tunisian crochet. It is a cross between knitting and crocheting. With a mother’s day gift card, I bought Tunisian needles. They look like crochet hooks with an end ball like knitting needles have. I also bought a book of Tunisian stitches. I think the new stitches will give simple projects a fancy spin. It will be my winter project.

Tunisian Crochet: The Look of Knitting with the Ease of Crocheting by Sharon Hernes Silverman, David Bienkowski, and Alan Wycheck (Paperback - Apr. 30, 2009) ISBN-081170484X

One set of 13 PCs bamboo crochet hooks US 2/C (2.75 mm)-US 15/N (10 mm)

by Excel Craft

http://www.amazon.com

Thank you

Thanks for reading my blog. I keep thinking that I need to come up with new topics. Then my Google alert searches show there are many new posts that to relate to my previous topics. A space age technology has enabled me to learn frugal ways to safely craft. Of course, I just bought new a new computer. So, that means I am crafting cheaply so I can buy new computer equipment, so I can surf to find ways to craft cheaply. Twilight Zone, anyone?

2010-04-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

Martha Stewart Crafts
Thanks for checking in! Martha Stewart has gone green with cleaning products and crafts. This blog gives the names of a few of her safer craft projects. I am unable to get a direct link for most of the craft pages. Type in http://www.marthastewart.com , then type in the craft name in the search bar.

Several recycled crafts, like a “patchwork quilt,” are featured on her web page, http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/eco-friendly-crafts .

Also, thanks to Martha, some of us with mcs may be able to wear lip balm again. On the Monday, April 19 show called Elegant Appetizers, crafter Kristen St. Clair made “homemade lip balm.” The recipe page has links to ingredients. I could not get a direct connection to the lip balm page.

Try going on

http://www.marthastewart.com, and type in “lip balm.”

Crafting is not only about learning a skill; sometimes projects can just be assembled in a glass jar. Here is a page for a flower arranging gift kit. Once again, try going on http://marthastewart.com and type in “flower-arranging gift kit.”

I rummaged through boxes of hand me down sewing notions to make a couple of sewing kits from Mason jars (see picture). “Type in Sewing Kits in a Jar,” at http://www.marthastewart.com . Martha has lots of tutorials, including “How to sew on a button.”

Mixes in a jar
Speaking of Mason Jars, there are many recipes for “soup mix in a jar,” and “cookies in a jar.” There are also recipes for hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and even dog biscuits! Mixes in a jar are the old-fashioned version of fast food. These are great mother’s helpers on the days you experience too much brain fog to cook. Mason jars are cheap, especially at yard sales. The mixes can always be stored in a bag or other containers. This is a good way to reuse Almond Butter jars!
The ingredients used may not be tolerable. In that case, the ingredients may need to be changed. Or, use the ingredients listed and save them for gifts or meals for kids, family, and friends. Putting individual ingredients in small Ziploc bags keeps the mix fresher. Here are some sites:

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgiftsoup/giftsoup.html

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml

http://www.thatsmyhome.com/general/soup-mix-recipes.htm

http://www.recipe-recipes.net/soups/soup-mixes.htm

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/gifts/soup-mixes.htm

http://www.heart4home.net/giftsinajar.htm

Final Thoughts

I hope you find some of these ideas helpful. They are inexpensive ways to make our lives easier. Making cheap meals and gifts allows me to save up to buy more organic yarn! Thanks for reading my blog.

I am going too far with the frugal bit

2010-04-09T05:57:00.001-07:00

Hi,

Welcome to my blog. In the last blog, I finished up my ideas about looms. My purpose for this blog is to find cheap ways to use yarn and develop hobbies while experiencing mcs. By using short bamboo needles or hooks, organic yarn, and rotating techniques, I am able to continue the hobbies of knitting and crocheting.

Yarn hobbies are great because we can make organic clothes for ourselves. I have made sweaters, hats, gloves, socks, Afghans, and dishtowels. I chase my kids around with a measuring tape in an attempt to measure them for clothes. Anyways, while rummaging through my closet, I pondered about other garments that could be made with cotton yarn. As my eyes passed over the sad state of my undergarments, I wondered if it was possible to make knitted underwear. As it turns out, the Internet provides many free patterns for undies, shorts, nighties, and slippers. It is possible for use to make our own organic underwear!

Patterns

It turns out there are many undie patterns online. One of the knitting patterns bras was found at http://www.interweaveknits.com/freepatterns/pdf/spr_07/knit_bra.pdf . Sweetheart shorts are found at http://www.knitpicks.com/ . Type in "shorts" in the search box. I cannot wait to try this retro pattern for bras and panties; http://www.knitty.com/?ISSUEsummer04/Patt1930.html . Other items are located on http://www.funcrochet.com/freecrochetpatternswomen.html . There is a also a pattern for inserts for women with breast cancer, http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/patthits.html

Let us take underwear a step further. While thinking about undergarments made of yarn, I came across a blog about recycling yarn,

http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2010/02/05/get-the-kinks-out.aspx

Is it possible to go the extra mile of frugality and make undies out of reused yarn? It could work. Why not? After all, this frugality is more fun than the other measures I have taken: reusing a dusty vacuum bag, drinking out of empty almond butter jars, and wearing a grocery bag on your feet under leaky boots. Crafting underclothes out of used yarn sounds like a lot more fun. Sure, the new garments will need to be hand washed. You won't get the support of spandex and elastic. However, desperate times call for desperate measure, or desperate stitches, as the case may be.

Thanks for reading my blog! Next time, I will write about the new varieties of yarn.

Blogger: knitting with mcs

2010-03-04T06:17:00.000-08:00

Blogger: knitting with mcs - knitting with looms

Welcome to my blog! Today’s picture is of my latest project. The pattern is from http://www.spincraftpatterns.com. I am using organic sport yarn from http://www.knitpicks.com. The pattern calls for seven colors of yarn. I use two colors. This makes it easier for me to control the yarn tension. The intarsia yarn behind the work must be kept loose; otherwise the sock will not fit. My first sock became a mini pouch because of that reason! I cut down on the number of projects that were in a previous blog picture. Now I am making socks and two Afghans. I found easy crochet directions for granny squares at http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com/granny-square.html.
Other Blogs
Are you unable to tolerate jewelry? Not a problem in the world of yarn. A picture of a designer crochet necklace is featured in the latest Lion Brand Notebook. Go to http://lionbrandyarn.com to sign up for their notebook. The picture of the crochet necklace is on a LionBrand.com blog, http://blog.lionbrand.com/2010/01/05/fashoin-statements-in-crochet. Wikihow has an easy pattern for a knitted bracelet. The site also has knitting lessons, http://www.wikihow.com/Knit-a-Bracelet . A link to a crochet necklace pattern can be found at http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/09/09/crochet-jewelry-an-elegant-gift-on-a-budget/. Amazon carries several books about crocheting jewelry; crochet flowers. One book looked good. It is called Crochet Jewelry, Forty Beautiful and Unique Designs (Pulvermaker, Ann, Waejong, Kim. Colorado, Interweave Press: 2007). In looking up bracelet patterns, I came across instructions for crocheting bras. Is it possible for us to make our own organic underwear? I think I found material for the next blog.
Weaving
In my last blog, I discussed simple weaving projects. In my quest for cheap hobbies, I came across a YouTube video called Weaving on a Cardboard Loom, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbtKnvc_9No. I thought I had reached the pinnacle of frugality until I came across a blog called Vancouver Yarn. This super agent weaver made a piece of art using railings, twine, and pipe cleaners. I think you could also use strips of cloth and plastic grocery bags. Check out http://www.vancouveryarn.com. Lo and Behold, there is a craft called stick weaving at http://www.madquilter.blogspot.com/2009/09/stick-weaving-school-holiday-fun.html.
Looms can be homemade. For those who do not want to offend the yarn by cutting it, the tri loom approach is your answer, http://taliesin.confabulation.com/~workstead/continuous.html. Can you tolerate glue? Try making a homemade loom at http://hallnet.com/Build.html . Perhaps the pieces can to put together with screws instead of glue. Use an old frame to make a knitting loom at
http://unplugyourkids.com/2009/01/11/picture-frame-loom. After using looms with nails for a while, my hands start to get itchy, even with gloves. I don’t know what else to use that would not require glue. Does anyone have any ideas? Also check out Amazon for the topic, “knitting without looms.” There are a bunch of books on this subject. Two books that look good are Weaving without a Loom by Veronica Buringham (1998, Ca. Search Press), and Weaving Without a Loom, Second Edition by Sarity R. Rainey (2008, Mass. Davis Press).
Drawing
http://www.knitpicks.com currently has a drawing for a fifty dollar gift certificate for people who sent an email about knitpicks new knitting tutorials. The offer expires April 15, 2010.
Final Thoughts
I am tired of not fitting in. I cannot figure out how to explain to healthy people why my new undies are airing out in the garage. Or, why my laptop is covered in cling wrap. I want to be normal and enjoy that new car smell. I turn to crafts for comfort. The Internet had allowed us to share old fashioned craft ideas. We can go back to the time when the priority of crafting was not buying new materials. Thrifty ancestors used what they had to make creative objects. The Internet led me to the new craze of organic yarn. Now I have a hobby that will keep me busy for hours. When I craft, I feel like I fit in for a while.

2010-03-04T06:16:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my blog! Today's picture is of my latest project. The pattern is from http://www.spincraftpatterns.com. I am using organic sport yarn from http://www.knitpicks.com. The pattern calls for seven colors of yarn. I use two colors. This makes it easier for me to control the yarn tension. The intarsia yarn behind the work must be kept loose; otherwise the sock will not fit. My first sock became a mini pouch because of that reason! I cut down on the number of projects that were in a previous blog picture. Now I am making socks and two Afghans. I found easy crochet directions for granny squares at http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com/granny-square.html.

Other Blogs

Are you unable to tolerate jewelry? Not a problem in the world of yarn. A picture of a designer crochet necklace is featured in the latest Lion Brand Notebook. Go to http://lionbrandyarn.com to sign up for their notebook. The picture of the crochet necklace is on a LionBrand.com blog, http://blog.lionbrand.com/2010/01/05/fashoin-statements-in-crochet . Wikihow has an easy pattern for a knitted bracelet. The site also has knitting lessons, http://www.wikihow.com/Knit-a-Bracelet . A link to a crochet necklace pattern can be found at http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/09/09/crochet-jewelry-an-elegant-gift-on-a-budget/ Amazon carries several books about crocheting jewelry; crochet flowers. One book looked good. It is called Crochet Jewelry, Forty Beautiful and Unique Designs (Pulvermaker, Ann, Waejong, Kim. Colorado, Interweave Press: 2007). In looking up bracelet patterns, I came across instructions for crocheting bras. Is it possible for us to make our own organic underwear? I think I found material for the next blog.

Weaving

In my last blog, I discussed simple weaving projects. In my quest for cheap hobbies, I came across a YouTube video called Weaving on a Cardboard Loom, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbtKnvc_9No. I thought I had reached the pinnacle of frugality until I came across a blog called Vancouver Yarn. This super agent weaver made a piece of art using railings, twine, and pipe cleaners. I think you could also use strips of cloth and plastic grocery bags. Check out http://www.vancouveryarn.com. Lo and Behold, there is a craft called stick weaving at http://www.madquilter.blogspot.com/2009/09/stick-weaving-school-holiday-fun.html .

Looms can be homemade. For those who do not want to offend the yarn by cutting it, the tri loom approach is your answer, http://taliesin.confabulation.com/~workstead/continuous.html. Can you tolerate glue? Try making a homemade loom at http://hallnet.com/Build.html . Perhaps the pieces can to put together with screws instead of glue. Use an old frame to make a knitting loom at

http://unplugyourkids.com/2009/01/11/picture-frame-loom . After using looms with nails for a while, my hands start to get itchy, even with gloves. I don't know what else to use that would not require glue. Does anyone have any ideas? Also check out Amazon for the topic, "knitting without looms." There are a bunch of books on this subject. Two books that look good are Weaving without a Loom by Veronica Buringham (1998, Ca. Search Press), and Weaving Without a Loom, Second Edition by Sarity R. Rainey (2008, Mass. Davis Press).

Drawing

http://www.knitpicks.com currently has a drawing for a fifty dollar gift certificate for people who sent an email about knitpicks new knitting tutorials. The offer expires April 15, 2010.

Final Thoughts

I am tired of not fitting in. I cannot figure out how to explain to healthy people why my new undies are airing out in the garage. Or, why my laptop is covered in cling wrap. I want to be normal and enjoy that new car smell. I turn to crafts for comfort. The Internet had allowed us to share old fashioned craft ideas. We can go back to the time when the priority of crafting was not buying new materials. Thrifty ancestors used what they had to make creative objects. The Internet led me to the new craze of organic yarn. Now I have a hobby that will keep me busy for hours. When I craft, I feel like I fit in for a while.

2010-02-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

This picture shows a vintage book that I have always had. It is called Learn How Book. It was published in 1959 by Coats and Clark. I have spent many hours looking through the patterns, even though I did not know how to make them. Recently, I learned how to do the shell stitch. I just started to crochet a couple of years ago. I completed the purse pattern from the book. Lo and behold-it does not look anything like the pattern! It is way too wide. I cannot believe I made yet another tote bag. This one goes to my daughter.

I plan on making her a shell stitch top and wide brim hat. I also started an afghan for my son. I gave up on trying to knit sweaters for him because he is growing so fast. There are not many patterns for men over six feet tall. I am still knitting two different kinds of socks. My baskets of yarn and needles are getting bigger and bigger!

Knitting news
In the last blog, I wrote about knitting spools. Beading Daily (Today’s how to for homemade jewelry) has online instructions for making wire jewelry from a knitting spool. The “How to wire spool in 7 easy steps is written by blogger Leslie Rogalski. The site page is http://www.beadingdaily.com . One of the comments posted a site for the wooden spool. It is http://www.softflexcompany.com/CategoryProductList.jsp. Type in “wooden spools” for the search.

Love Your Looms
Today I would like to blog about looms. I used looms several years ago. At that time I lost tolerance to most cotton yarns. Organic yarn had not come out yet. Looms allowed me to craft without having to hold the finished product in my hands. When I was really bad, I loomed with gloves on. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

I even bought a loom called an Inkle Loom. It makes small bands of woven material. I also bought cards for card weaving. The booklet for card weaving said I could tie my project to a tree and have hours of uninterrupted pleasure in the great outdoors. The trouble was that the Inkle Loom and card weaving seemed to require a lot of tugging. My 100% cotton yarn could not stand the strain and it stretched. This caused my weaving to come out lopsided. With cotton yarn, I think small and short projects are the best. Schacht Spindle Company makes small wooden looms, including the Inkle loom, http://www.schachtspindle.com. Halcyon Yarn sells 4 hold Weaving Cards for $3.25 (68710000), http://halcyonyarn.com.

Looms come in very small sizes for your lap and go up to the BIG looms that are the size of a grand piano. To keep to the tune of my blog, I will select the cheapest and easiest ways to loom knit. http://www.ehow.com has several pages on how to make a loom and how to use it. For instruction, You Tube seems the best way to go. Weaving is best learned through observation.

The cheapest loom that I found online is a cardboard one. Instructions are provided on the YouTube video called “Weaving on a card loom.” Other good ones were: “first weaving,”, “primary weaving,” “paper weaving,” and “learn how to weave with paper index cards-craft video podcast-craft video podcast.” I’ll try to post these on my YouTube Bar.

My favorite site for weaving is found on http://knifty.vox.com. It is called “A knifty Knitter’s Journal (knitting and weaving on little looms). Anyone who attaches her weaving to a radiator has my vote. One post from December, 2009 shows a craft completed on a knitting board, http://www.knittingboard.com. The wood on my new Knitting board smelled like new. I covered the board with paper medical tape to cover the smell.

Whew, I thought loom talk would be short and sweet. I did not even get into round looms and knit wits. So I will save that for next time.
Thanks for reading my blog!

2010-01-19T12:28:00.000-08:00

New Year's Projects

This week I started two new projects. I am making socks and mittens. The pattern for the socks was a download purchase from http://www.spincraftpatterns.com/ . I like these patterns because they allow you to custom make garments with the yarn or your choice.

Last month I bought an e book called Knitting for Profit http://www.knittingforprofit.com/. Liz Rand provides all sorts of worksheets, websites and a template to calculate costs of a home business.

I had dreams of selling knitwear on Etsy or Artfine. However, as my daughter pointed out, I need to knit clothes for myself. My clothes are out gassed but really sorry looking. I try to stitch up the holes, but eventually the clothes fall apart. So the money I would make from knitting would go to buy safe cotton clothes. It seem to make more sense just to make items for myself. So, in a way, I am eliminating the middle man.

I tried to sew accessories for myself, but I grew weary of airing out cloth. So that leaves me with organic yarn. The only problem is that I hate to wear my knitted garments out in public. It takes forever to get scents out of sweaters. Plus, I am afraid that my knitwear will fall apart with all the repeated hand washings.

Spool knitting
In the last blog, I wrote about finger knitting. This technique is a wonderful way to craft without having to buy tools like hooks and needles. In this blog I would like to talk about knitting spools. A knitting spool is a round object with pegs on top. Traditionally, nails are embedded into wooden spools. Once I made a spool for my daughter out of a toilet paper roll and Popsicle sticks.
Here's how it works: Yarn is wrapped in, out, and around the nails. This first row is lifted over a second wrap of yarn, and so on. Needles, hook, or nails can be used to lift the yarn over the peg. The end product looks like a snake; kids put eyes on their first cord. I make chords to use as drawstrings for bags and sweats.

Spools can be homemade or store bought. (try http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/tips/spool-knit.htm.) I love spools because the technique is not hard. Many knitters use spools as an introduction to knitting. I can make a spool from materials around the house. I can use leftover yarn. Spool knitting is the one thing I can do when brain fog sets in. Here is another good site about spools and how to tips: http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/knittingnancys.html.

Other Links

I like this link for spools: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/kids/corker.shtml. This site had an excellent link to the Gutenberg site. They have a free 1909 corking book with neat patterns. This website has good photos and directions for homemade spools:

There are spools online for purchase. If you can tolerate plastic, http://www.joann.com/ has a "Boyle Knit Spool" for $2.99 (item number 9822958). The store also carries a spool that looks like a pocket comb. It is called "Straight Version Pocket Knitter and sells for $7.99 (#8215360)

Here is a website that sells two wooden spools: http://www.halcyonyarn.com/kidstuff.html. The site sells a spool kit. This includes the great book, Corking, along with a spool, a pom pom maker, yarn and google eyes for your first yarn snake ($19.95, #8008000k). The site has a thin wooden spool for $9.00 (#68450000) The shop also has a spool for bulky yarn for $18.95 (#70700100).

Wrap Up

Spools, like finger knitting, are a good way to get started in crafts with minimal investment. Next time, I would like to blog about lap looms. Thank you for reading my blog!

Sadler, J. and Hendry, L. Corking(Kids Can Easy Crafts). /Buffalo:kids Can Press Ltd. 1995.

2010-01-11T06:22:00.001-08:00

Update:
In the last blog, I had a reference to a wikipedia blog for finger knitting. The link does not work. Try this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/finger_knitting
thanks,
Chris

2010-01-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings

Welcome and happy New Year. During the Christmas Holidays, I made a purse. I have a mad obsession about purses and wallets, even though I do not go out much. Wishful thinking, I guess.

In the past blogs, I discussed organic yarn and some tools. Today, I would like to discuss bare bones ways to knit and crochet.

Cheap knitting Tips

Finger Knitting

Did you know that you can knit without needles? Fingers can be used as knitting tools.

Last year, I came across two wonderful books on finger knitting. Katsuno Suzuki wrote the books, Finger Knitting One and Finger Knitting Two. The books provides instructions, patterns, and embellishing tips for using your fingers as tools. I am confused as to why the technique is called knitting, when actually, the finished product looks like crocheting. In fact, the books taught me how to crochet. Finger knitting is a great way to gain skill with minimum cost. It is a great way to keep busy while traveling. You do not have to worry about the safety of pointy needles.

*Secure your work with a paper clip or fastener to keep from unraveling.

Here are some websites for finger knitting:

http://www.wikihow.com/fingerknit

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/finger_knitting_with_one_finger

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/FEATfingerknitting.html

http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/kids_can_knit_a_stylish_headband_or_belt

http://www.kyledesigns.com/product/FINGER-KNITTING

Check out "Waldorf Knitting Flowers" on my YouTube Downloads.

Next time, I will discuss ways to make your own knitting spools out of recycled products. Happy Knitting!

References

Suzuki, Katsuno. Finger Knitting 1. Torrance, CA: Heian. 2004

Suzuki, Katsuno. Finger Knitting 2. Torrance, CA: Heian. 2004

2009-12-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome

This is the second post of my blog. Here is a picture of some of my fall projects. You will notice that my sweaters and shawl are striped. This is because I never seem to have enough yarn. For example, I will buy enough yarn for a sweater, then get distracted with other patterns. By the time I get back to a sweater, I do not have enough yarn to make a project in one color. When people ask about the colors, I just tell them I planned stripes all along!

Yarn Choices

My preference is to use organic cotton yarn. In the past couple of years, companies have come out with yarn that I can tolerate. Check out my blog list of yarn companies that I use. I have not smelled any odors on the yarn purchased at these websites.

Buying yarn is tricky because the fiber absorbs odors, just like clothes. In addition, what works for me may not work for you. Perhaps you cannot buy yarn due to intolerances or budget woes.

Here are some tips that I use to purchase safer fiber materials.

Yankee Ingenuity for buying yarn

surf for online yarn stores and sign up for newsletters. Stores have sales and free shipping specials.
search real stores for yarn that does not smell. Look for yarn and string on the back of shelves and the bottom of bins.
Buy yarn in bulk. Find out how many skeins of yarn comes in a package. I think Lion Brand Organic Yarn http://www.joann.com/ comes in a package of 3 or 4. Ask the store to sell you the yarn that is sealed in the factory bags.
check out yard sales and second hand stores. Keep in mind that the yarn will absorb house odors. Well meaning people give me yarn that has been stored in musty places.
Buy or borrow samples of yarn. Samples can be purchased from http://www.nearseanaturals.com/browse.php?category=72. and http://www.ecobutterfly.com
Unravel old sweaters and knit wear. This is a pain in the neck, especially if the knit wear was made in a factory. Sometimes, though, desperate times call for desperate measures!
Try different types of yarn. Today's yarn is not just about wool and cotton. Yarn also comes from bamboo, linen, hemp, and foods like milk and corn. The above Near Sea Naturals page offers many selections. Perhaps recycled yarn will also work for you. Lion Brand has recycled cotton. http://www.lionbrandyarn.com/.

"I bought yarn and it still smells!"

Put the yarn out in the sun. Attach it to a clothesline to limit spiders and tics ( they like the yarn as much as we do.)
Wash the yarn. This is tricky. I spent four months getting the knots out of several balls of yarn that I threw in the washer! Wrap the yarn around a plastic or glass object. The object should be big enough so all the yarn can get wet and dry quickly. Hand wash and air dry. Dry the yarn on a hot day or warm area so the yarn does not become musty. Perhaps a hair dyer would work.
Put the yarn on top of your favorite air filters.
wear gloves when crafting. This is tricky for knitting but is easier to do for crocheting and loom work.
Use good yarn for close work and cheaper yarn for far work. I need organic yarn to knit because I am constantly holding the fiber. I can use the cheaper yarn when I use the knitting board because the work stays on the table. http://www.knittingboard.com/

Final thoughts

I hope this blog helps you get started on finding the right fiber for your needs. Next time, I will blog about different hobbies that use yarn.

So, you do not want to knit but want to read about it? Try any of the many Agatha Christie novels starring Miss Jane Marple. Miss Marple can knit without patterns and solve murder mysteries at the same time without forgetting her impeccable English manners. What a gal. http://www.amazon.com/

These are just some of my ideas. Please leave a comment with your accommodation suggestions. Tips for how to knit and making other crafts are available on the blog's You Tube videos and my list of websites.

overview of knitting with mcs

2009-12-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog for knitting with multiple chemical sensitivity!

Hi, my name is Chris. I like to knit and make crafts with yarn. I also experience multiple chemical sensitivity.
So?

It is hard to knit and use yarn with mcs. It is a tricky and expensive road to find tolerable materials. It is easier now, with the new organic yarns, but a person still must be cautious.

For example, I bought organic yarn once, but it smelled like the perfume counter at the mall! Another time, the organic yarn was stored next to wool yarn. It said cotton, but smelled and felt like wool. These are big problems to a person with allergies and sensitivities.

I already have enough problems. Why do I need to spend money on a hobby that may not work?
Suffers need peace. Knitting is a form of meditation. While knitting, I can forget about chronic illness and concentrate on counting stitches.

On a practical level, yarn crafts allow you to make safer clothes, blankets, dish clothes, and decorations. They make great gifts too?

I do not have the energy to knit.
No problem. There are plenty of crafts, like lap looms, which require little experience. I have found projects that I can do in bed while experiencing full brain fog.

What will your blog do for me?
Think of my blog as a big kitchen table. I can share my discoveries that made knitting easier. Other people can share their ideas. We can find positive ways to live in peace.

How will the blog work?
I will write once a month. I will share my tips on finding the best products for us. I will also share my finds for websites, pattern books, and cozy literature.

More info
Check out my article the Spring 2009 issue of The Human Ecologist. It can be purchased from the Human Ecology Action League at http://www.healnatl.org

A big shout out to http://www.ed2go.com/waketech for the online course entitled "Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts."