I Missed This- Finally Taking a Class

One of my favorite things to do in the "before times", as I'm now calling pre-COVID, was take fiber arts classes. Over the years I've taken felting classes, spinning classes, carding classes, weaving classes, and all sorts of needlework classes (knit/crochet/tunisian crochet/etc.) Obviously, that has not been a thing that has been possible for a long time now. 

UNTIL!

I got an email from Flax & Twine creator Anne Weil about a Zoom class that she was going to have to make her Felted Wool Twined Woven Bowl. I couldn't stop myself, I signed up right away! 

I got the kit in the "Cocoa" colorway, which is absolutely delightful, and then eagerly awaited the day. Last Saturday at 3 PM, my time, we all joined in to learn to make these fabulous projects. 

We started by cutting some strands and laying them out as warp:

Then we started weaving around these strands with the weft:

Once we had a large enough bottom of the bowl, we laid it over the provided bowl mold and started weaving the sides:

Once the sides were tall enough (and we were running out of warp), we turned the bowl over and tucked in the warp/weft ends. Here is a picture before I started that process:

And here is my beautiful finished bowl:

And another glamour shot with it put to good use holding my knitting:

I had such a great time making this! It was so nice to be part of a class again, even if it was a virtual environment. The whole project took less than three hours, despite the fact that I've never done something like this before. Pretty remarkable! There are more balls of this gorgeous felted yarn available on the Flax & Twine website, and I think I'm going to need to get some so I can make more bowls! 

Have you found a way to engage in crafty goodness with others? Maybe via a virtual class, or a virtual knit night, or a virtual guild meeting? Let me know! I'd love to hear how you are reaching out to fiber friends in these difficult times. 

Happy crafting!

Obligation Crafting, Part 2

My last post was all about things that I want to make for ME this year. It was really great to list out a bunch of things that I can't wait to pamper myself with. However, let's be real, there are definitely some things that I want/need to make for others.  

Things I want to make for others this year:

Knitting: Bumble and Little Squirrel for my son, Ombeline, for my spouse, Joy for my nephew, and some Half & Half Scrubby for my dad (that one is actually loom knit)

Crochet: Turtle Toy, Digger Beanie, and Outside the fox cardigan for my son, maybe another Digger Beanie for a nephew

Weaving: a pulled thread rainbow weaving for my son (you have to scroll down a bit to see the right picture) and a Steampunk scarf for a friend from this book. 

Sewing: more masks, plus a Thomas shirt for my son

Even though these aren't for me, and therefore count as "obligation crafting" in my opinion, they are still things that I want to make, at least a little. I know that the recipients will greatly enjoy them, and that's enough for me to get excited about making them. :-)

Obligation Crafting, Part 1

Am I the only person that feels like they "have" to make stuff for others? I know that I don't- in fact, I'm rarely actually asked to make the things, but I constantly see patterns/tutorials and think to myself, "Oh, so-and-so needs this item! I will make it for them," and then end up grumpy because I feel like I never get to make anything for myself. It's so silly- I realize that I can simply not make these things, but I just can't turn that part of my brain off. 

So, a list of things that I want to make for MYSELF this year- 

Some hats (I have very few hats for a crafty person). Current plans include Duality by iknit2purl2, Tincture by Andrea Mowry, Tornado Hat by Pilarzyk, Perky Little Hat by Sharon Lentsch, and Gathering by Julie Hart. 

Some socks, as I really want to build upon my sock knitting experience. Current plans include Little Squirrel by tincanknits, Kimono Socks by Star Athena, Tulips Socks by Isela Phelps, and Plain Sight by Lisa K. Ross. 

I'm currently working on/planning on making a few shawls for myself. Currently OTN (on the needles) is Larch by Tinks and Frogs Rue. Following that will be Corrina Shawl by Jaala Spiro, Molly Shawl by Mrs. Moon, and Simple Yet Effective Bulky by Laura Chau. 

I'm also wanting to weave some things. Some projects I'm excited about are designed by Anne Weil of Flax & Twine(Chunky Basketweave Pillow, Twill Cowl, and Felted Wool Twined Woven Bowl). I'm taking a Zoom class with Anne on Saturday to do the woven bowl, and I'm so excited! Some other projects are designed by Lindsey Campbell of Hello Hydrangea (I bought several of her video classes, but the most immediate ones I want to make are her Twining Tapestry, her Draping Tapestry, and her macrame + weaving tapestries from her Macrame Weaving Class. 

I also want to make some assorted other projects. I'm designing a quilted Christmas tree wall hanging. I want to start a quilt from Stephanie Soebbing's new book. I want to make a couple locker hooking trivets designed by Lindsey Campbell. I want to try some punch needle. I want to cross stitch. I want to embroider. I want, I want, I want....

I'm sure you can see my flaw- even without obligation crafting, there isn't nearly enough time to make all of these things! Here I am, half a month into 2021, and I've only started one of all of these linked projects, and I only have immediate plans of making another (the twined woven bowl) because I'm taking her Zoom class. All I can do, I suppose, is make the best use of my time this year and be sure that any obligation crafting I do choose to do are projects that I know I will truly enjoy making. I do (of course) have a list of those, as well. Perhaps that will be my next post. 

So, what are you hoping to make for yourself this year? 

New Craft Books

I've added to my crafting library over the last few weeks! I am so lucky to have loved ones that understand my obsession with crafting. :-)

First up, I received Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book, edited by Vogue Knitting magazine. It is a giant lexicon of knitting knowledge, containing "recipes" for lots of different knitted elements, from different stitches, to shaping, to steeking and other advanced techniques. It would be extremely useful in the hands of a knitwear designer. I received this book from my wonderful in-laws. Thanks!

Next, I got On the Loom: A Modern Weaver's Guide, written by Maryanne Moodie. This book has a ton of basic information on how to weave using both frame looms and simple cardboard looms. There are even instructions on how to make your own frame loom. The last half of the book is a collection of simple weaving patterns, including a scarf, some rugs, and even a plant pot cover. There are lots of quick little projects in here to enjoy. I received this book from my brother. Thanks!

While I have not received this yet, I know that I will be receiving Fat Quarter Workshop: 12 Skill-Building Quilt Patterns by Stephanie Soebbing. This book has some beautiful quilts designed by the author for her "Stashin' with Stephanie" fabric club and most (if not all) have video tutorials on her website. I haven't received it yet, as it was backordered, so I will know more about it soon. This book was gifted to me by a dear friend. Thanks!

I also haven't received this yet, but I'm 99.9% sure it's coming- Welcome to Weaving: The Modern Guide by Lindsey Campbell. One of my friends asked if I had anything in particular on my wishlist, and I was sure to point her right to this book. I've really enjoyed the author's video classes, and I can't wait to dive in to her book that is all about weaving techniques for the frame loom. I got two of her looms back in October, as I'm sure you recall from my blog, and I plan to put them to good use with the projects in this book. 

So, when I'm not crafting, you can find me reading about crafting! What are you currently reading? 

December 2020 Wrap-Up

 It's time for the monthly wrap-up! What did I finish in the final month of 2020? A whole lot of stuff, considering almost none of it was for Christmas presents!

I finished my first weave-a-thon project, this Christmas tree tapestry, idea from Rebecca Mezoff:

I finished my second weave-a-thon project, this wall hanging inspired by Lindsey Campbell of Hello Hydrangea: 

I finished this tassel pillow, a project from the Mollie Makes 2020 calendar, designed by Becki Clark:

I finished this gnome wall hanging, my third weave-a-thon project, inspired by Lindsey Campbell of Hello Hydrangea, with the cross-stitch chart made by Sarah Schira of Imagined Landscapes:

I made this mug rug, an original design, as my fourth weave-a-thon project: 

And I finished my fifth weave-a-thon project, this self-designed weave:

I also sewed several things, including these masks (pattern from sewingtherapy.net):

And this Christmas stocking, designed by Stephanie Soebbing of Quilt Addicts Anonymous:

We finished the year by making these marbled New Year's cards, inspired by Becki Clark's final project from the Mollie Makes 2020 Calendar:

What a year for crafting! Keeping my sanity during this tough year was pretty difficult sometimes, but crafts soothe my soul. I'm so lucky to have the time/ability to do the crafty things that I do. 

I can't wait to see what 2021 brings! I already have several projects in the works, so I'll be sure to stop in with updates periodically. Happy crafting!