Posted by Astrid on 2007-09-18 14:51:24
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The trick for crocheting with beads is to thread all the beads you want to use on the skein before you start (beads with fairly big hole seem advisable). Then pull the yarn through the beads while crocheting until you need one.
I suppose for the collar and leash it's best to use sc (to get a firm result), for the rest it seems to be a matter of sizing up your dog's neck and finding a suitabe clasp.
And I woud use firm cotton yarn.
Good luck with it. Sounds like a pretty fun project to me!
Posted by stella on 2006-06-09 22:24:57
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there's a pattern for a cotton tote bag on a past issue of Knitty.
i've never heard of anything called "twist" other than buttonhole twist, which is sewing thread. you might try looking just using "cotton yarn" or "cotton string" instead.
Posted by Cindy on 2008-02-18 22:24:53
Post Subject: Dishcloths with Scrubbies - Free Patterns
Ok, I'm back with a new free eco pattern to share. I've seen dishcloths made with scrubbies but not using recycled plastic bags for the scrubber. Here's my three completed projects to share.
These are made by crocheting with plastic bag yarn or plarn and then finishing the dishcloth using cotton yarn. Just don't put them in the dryer as the plastic centers will melt.
Here is the free pattern link http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2008/02/16/dishcloths-with-plastic-scrubber/
Posted by Jan1311 on 2005-12-26 16:35:26
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Xuli is right. My cousin just steals my cotton yarn, since I'm always making rugs with them, so I'm sure it is cheaper for her than buying them pre-made. ;)
Posted by stella on 2007-08-19 16:15:03
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$5 for 100 yards of yarn is pretty cheap! a 50 gram ball of cotton yarn in worster weight usually has around 100 yards in it, so if you compare the price, it's very reasonable.
a company (Judi and Co) that sells raffia bag kits sells their yarn at $10 for a 100 yard ball for solid colors. it is rayon, not plastic.
Posted by Jan1311 on 2005-12-26 06:58:28
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You need cotton yarn and beeswax. You wax the yarn, and then use it as the wick for your candles. I've never made a candle myself but my cousin makes them, and that is what she does.
Posted by xuli on 2005-12-26 10:35:57
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Also, you might want to compare the cost of getting cotton yarn and beeswax vs. just buying pre-made wicks. Pre-made wicks are very inexpensive and might even be a better idea, given that this is a new craft for you and not something you are looking to invest a lot in. You can get pre-made wicks at places like Michael's.
Posted by rratstarr on 2004-11-10 14:36:18
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Knitting isn't difficult, but it's one of those things that some people have a hard time getting started with until it "clicks" with them, then they take off. Does that make sense? I've heard of people being taught the basics of knitting when they were 4 or 5, so it's definitely an all-ages craft.
First of all, some types of yarn are harder to work with than others. You should avoid cotton yarn, especially. Wool is usually the recommendation for beginning knitters, but since it's for baby blankets, you need something machine washable. I would suggest a synthetic/wool blend. If you're using donated yarn, then I suggest getting them started with whatever is available, then if a girl is having difficulty you can switch her to an "easier" (i.e. more wool content) yarn.
I taught myself to knit, and originally bought the cheapest materials I could find (Red Heart acrylic yarn); I put it aside in frustration within a few hours, and didn't try to knit again for a few years.
Another thing to keep in mind: the cast-on and first row are *much* harder to knit than any subsequent rows. If any of the girls are having a really hard time getting through those first two rows, maybe a troop leader (or someone else) can get it started for them, then they can keep going from there. Then, after gaining a little dexterity, and figuring out the best way to hold the needles, they might get the hang of casting on for the next block.
Posted by stella on 2005-08-30 23:27:27
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most people make wash cloths out of cotton yarn, like Lily Sugar n' Cream or Lion Kitchen Cotton. you can also make wash cloths out of hemp cord or yarn for a rough, exfoliating type effect.
i bet you a million dollars knitting.about.com or crochet.about.com have washcloth patterns up the wazoo.
Posted by purple_glitter on 2006-02-11 15:05:42
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craftfetish, you're right -- as long as the yarn is the same guage as the yarn called for in the pattern it should be fine.
aimesk, if there's some kind of wrapper around your yarn or looped through the yarn, it should tell you everything you need to know about the yarn. It will usually have a weight (in ounces or grams) and length (yards or meters) and a suggested needle size and guage. If the weight/guage of your acrylic and the cotton called for in the pattern is the same, you'll have no problems. If they're a bit different, you'll have to play around with needle sizes to match the guage called for in the pattern.
Acrylic yarn sometimes has more "give" than a cotton yarn, meaning that it might stretch a bit. But if you're only using the tops for a few days, it probably won't matter.
Posted by stprcsm on 2004-06-22 00:36:25
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I second the use of plastic canvas. I wonder if you could feel the "grid" through the batting tho. they make bty non-slip fabric for the feet of footie pjs, they also sell a liquid glue-type stuff ( or you could use caulk)
what fabric do you plan to use? terrycloth? flannel?
I crocheted slippers from cotton yarn but my hardwood floors prevent me from wearing them very often
Posted by msfish on 2004-12-08 00:11:23
Post Subject: needlepoint portraits
i've never tried embroidery or cross stitch, but i've been doing large, andy warhol-inspired needlepoint portraits for the last year: in the absence of specific software, you can enlarge and heighten contrast on your chosen image at a copy or photo developing shop and then use a graphed transparency sheet as an overlay (my local needlepoint store has a set called "transgraph-x" that included sheets of ten different sizes and cost about $15 - a bit steep, but they're incredibly useful). depending on the size you choose (i do 18pt canvas with perle 5 cotton yarn), projects can take a long time - but they're a lot of fun!
Posted by katbot on 2006-05-29 08:58:28
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here's a great cotton/elastic yarn that i've used for knitting leg warmers, and would like to eventually knit a bra out of:
http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=elann%2Ecom+Collection+Esprit&Season=&Company=&Cat=&ProductType=5&OrderBy=&Count=1
as for using this stuff for a bikini, i think if you made the cups out of cotton/elastic and the straps and band that goes around your chest out of regular cotton, it would be ok.
i say this because any bikini pattern i've seen, crochet or knit, only mentioned use of a cotton yarn, not cotton/elastic.
Posted by Becky65301 on 2004-07-09 12:24:23
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I am floating somewhere on the middle with this- I do use some disposable stuff, but I think things have gone a bit overboard too.
We do use paper plates sometimes, and I used disposable diapers.
But I do alot of crafty recycling, like bird feeders from milk jugs, etc, and I wash out ziplocs (unless they've had raw meat in them).
I bought one of those Swiffer Wet Jets about a year ago, with the lure of being easier. With 2 little kids, the kitchen floor is a huge issue. Right now I'm trying to figure out- there is another product similar only the pads are fabric and washable- making pads for it so I'm not buying the disposables any more. Part of it was the environmental issue, and part was the cost. I'm also picking up some cotton yarn next trip to the store, and taking a shot at crocheting some very plain basic washcloths.
But I don't quite "get" the whole thing with throw-away toilet brushes and disposable dusters and such. They are popular though, I'm not sure exactly why. Are we getting too germ-phobic, is that it? Or just so busy that the disposable is faster?
