Crafts

Stick weaving

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

A while ago I picked up a set of weaving sticks from eBay so I’d have something different to do if I go to a reenactment event. Yesterday I tried using them for the first time.   So far I’ve woven over seven feet of braid.  I’m pretty pleased with that.  It’s easy to do, very portable and makes a really nice fabric.  I shall definitely have to invest in a bigger set of sticks, maybe even an actual peg loom.

This first effort will be added to my vike kit to be used as a belt. I’ll be trying some with colours next.

   
   

Fibro earrings

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

This morning I was making a few pairs of earrings which I am hoping to sell to add to the money Chris has raised to buy Raspberry Pi computers for her son’s school. I made those pretty quickly and while doing so found a few bits that inspired me to make some earrings for myself.

I’m trying to get into the habit of wearing earrings more often as I’ve been going weeks or even months without and as a result the holes keep trying to close up so hopefully these will encourage me.

The purple butterfly is one of the symbols for fibromyalgia and the spoon is a reminder to keep one spare for myself – this will only make sense if you are familiar with the spoon theory analogy which has become a go to guide for explaining how it is to live with a condition like fibro, although it was originally written to explain lupus.

I must admit I don’t really need to wear a reminder that I have fibro, the day to day pain and lack of energy does that for me, but I think they look quite pretty and might be useful for meeting other people that understand the condition.

  

These are all the ones I made, not bad for a lazy morning.

 

Another project

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

I have just added sensory bands to my list of things to make.

Apparently they help people with severe dementia find a bit of comfort and distraction.  Dementia is probably my biggest fear. I dread the possibility of growing old and confused.  Not knowing what’s going on or what I’m doing, being constantly lost and unable to communicate. I can’t imagine anything I’d hate more.  Anything that helps people in that condition find a few moments of peace has to be a good thing.

Normally I’d wait to post until I’ve at least started a project, but this is a new appeal and they need more people to join in, so please, if you knit think about giving this a try.  Actually, I’m sure crochet versions would be just as good so if you crochet maybe you could consider it too. It’s super easy – just a tube with random bits of stuff attached.

Sensory-band-pattern

You can find full details of the appeal online at http://icenipost.com/knitters-wanted-an-urgent-call-to-help-dementia-patients/

Craft course

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

i just realised I forgot to post after the course this week. I’ve had a migraine since that morning so haven’t really been doing much. I hate migraine!

Anyway, now that I’ve remembered I may as well post the update. The course was actually quite disappointing this time, only half the people showed up and the leader has decided to skim over all the business stuff because most of the people there are only interested in the social side and actually making stuff. Trust me to be different!

We had a very quick look at design specifications and the 6 Rs of being environment friendly then it was back to cutting up bits of paper and gluing them together. Only this time instead of little squares we made a mood board.


It was actually quite helpful and will definitely be a good inspiration if I ever do craft fairs etc

Next step – first crochet project

~ DMWCarol ~ 1 Comment

I’ve practised the single crochet enough that I am now convinced that I know what I am doing, so it’s time to be brave and tackle an actual project to put my new skills to the test.

Strangely enough there aren’t vast numbers of projects for a total beginner, they all seem to expect you to know double crochet and all sorts of other obscure magics that I have yet to attempt.

I could just make squares and call them dishcloths – and don’t think I’m not tempted – but that would feel like too much of a cop out so I have searched the internet and finally found something I think I can manage.

This shopping tote.  It’s pretty much just single crochet and chains so it really can’t get any more basic than that.

So far it  just looks like a really dodgy doiley but I have hope

  

 Fingers crossed!

Single crochet

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

i think I’m getting the hang of this. I managed to get hold of a new crochet hook this morning, plus some nice soft cotton to play with.  I’ve done a few rows and unravelled it to do again a few times. It still feels a bit awkward, but the stitch is coming out fairly even now.  Maybe I can master this after all 🙂

  

Project crochet

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

My mission for this year is to learn how to crochet.  I have a vague idea how it works, my friend Pam tried to teach me at an alt.fan.pratchett meet some years back.  I was sort of getting there, but I didn’t really try again after that couple of days in a field so I never really got the hang of it.

I’ve got loads of wool and I’ve managed to find a couple of crochet hooks in amongst the knitting needles I’ve picked up at car boot sales etc so I should be all kitted out.

Next step – watch some how to videos on youtube and see if I can find a really easy project to start with.