Posted by manukenkun on 2005-04-19 17:44:34
Post Subject: KNitting a crafty City
Knitting exhibition
We need lots of submissions so get thinking and knitting - and pass it on if you're a member of a knitting or crocheting group.
Knitting exhibition in Bristol
What: An exhibition of knitting and crochet inspired by architecture. This exhibition is part of architecture week (www.architectureweek.org.uk), a prestigious national event.
Details: Work can be 2D or 3D, a sculpture, a wearable garment or a wall hanging (or any other category you can come up with). It could be an entire building or a tiny detail, a knitted architect’s plan or a crumbling ruin or any other knitted or crocheted item directly inspired by architecture. Be as imaginative as you like, the only constraint is that your object must be knitted or crocheted (although it doesn’t need to be made from yarn). Objects can be machine knitted or handmade.
When: 10th - 26th June 2005
Where: The Here Gallery (http://sparror.cubecinema.com/here/mainmenu.html) is an innovative artist-run space that shows local, national and international artists.
Costs: there are no exhibition charges or fees for this show but the Here gallery does take a 40% commission on any work sold. If your work is for sale, please include the price (and remember to allow for the commission).
Proposals: Please contact Kirsty Hall (kirstyhall@blueyonder.co.uk or 0117 909 3462) with details of what you wish to make (including rough dimensions). Images of previous work or pictures of the work in progress would be helpful but are not essential.
Deadline for proposals: 3rd May 2005
Deadline for arrival of completed work: 31st May 2005 (please don't apply if you can't manage this second deadline).
Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2005-03-20 22:47:10
Post Subject: interesting article on crafting
this is in the new issue of an crafts industry newsletter (creative leisure news):
"There's a new trend emerging in craft design and it's not cute. It's fueled by a younger demographic, consumers looking to express their individuality rather than following preset rules, and they prefer a more sophisticated look. In other words, no smiling bunnies. Examples:
1. Two craft stores that are appealing directly to this new demographic are the Spark Crafts Café in suburban Boston (www.sparkcrafts.com) and Urban Arts + Crafts in Kansas City (http://urbanartsandcrafts.com).
2. Craftster (www.craftster.org). The site says, "Craftster is a forum for people who love to make things but who are not inspired by scrapbooking with die-cut teddy bears, cross-stitched home-sweet-home plaques, wooden boxes with ducks in bonnets painted on...."
3. Scrapbooking may be catching on, too. SOHO Publishing put out a call for "edgy and unconventional" layouts for a book, Scrap and the City ("for the thousands of stylish city-dwelling and hip country-living women who are turned off by scrapbooking’s good girl reputation"). For info, call Paul Gambino at 917-916-0521 or email gambinopaul@aol.com ... Darcy Miller, the editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, has published Our Wedding Scrapbook. "Aesthetically, what Miller does has little to do with the current scrapbooking trends and the kitsch-heavy industry it has spawned," wrote W magazine.
4. Get Crafty (www.getcrafty.com.) For insight on this new type of crafter, click on "Jean's Manifesto."
5. The Mar. 7 edition of Time, reported in CLN's previous issue, also gives a good analysis of the trend. Visit www.time.com and type Pretty Crafty in the search engine.)
6. Media. A new HGTV series, Crafters Coast to Coast, (www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hcc2c) premiered recently and features a wide variety of non-cute projects. "Rather than bring artisans into our studio to share their ideas for viewers to try at home, we visit their homes and studios-wherever they may be. The result is a show that goes beyond "how-to" as we see how these crafters' personalities, lives, and communities influence their work." The projects are described as "cool," "hip," and "unique." (The series is aired almost daily at a variety of times. Check your local listings.) Notice the number of quick camera shots; it's crafts for the MTV generation.
(Note: HGTV is looking for designers to appear on the series. Email a recent picture of yourself smiling, images of your projects, contact info, location, and short bio to CoastToCoast@wellergrossman.com.)
This trend is having its effect on almost every product category. The yarn companies spurred the incredible resurgence of knitting and crochet by introducing new, stylish designs, but the changing demographics are affecting other categories, too.
Michelle Temares, one of the industry's best and most thoughtful designers, says, "I believe that this turn to individuality and self expression has been a significant contributing factor to the decline of craft categories such as counted cross stitch and decorative painting and the growth of categories such as scrapbooking and altered art. The former value and emphasize rote sameness while the latter recognize, encourage, and structurally support individual creativity and expression.
"Industry players who can recognize, synthesize, and decode these attitudes and trends will have the advantage in capturing new market share.""
Posted by lisiko on 2007-01-27 17:20:19
Post Subject: Get CRAFTY at The Stitch Cafe''s Artisan Studio!!
Having any cravings to get super crafty in Los Angeles??? Come to THE STITCH CAFÉ (located in the valley) where we recently opened up an artisan HAVEN, offering classes of all sorts, instructed by local LA artists sharing their wealth of know-how. Besides knitting and crochet, we indulge in beading, mosaics, polymer claywork, glass beading (lampworking), glass fusing, PMC (precious metal clay), soap-making, jewelry-making, embroidery, children’s art classes AND advanced fiber arts such as spinning, yarn dyeing and freeform knitting and crochet. Adult and children’s birthday parties are also available. Check out our website: www.stitchcafe.com for the class schedule and any other current events.
Posted by sammie cat on 2006-12-05 17:45:15
Post Subject: butterfly looms?
Has anyone used butterfly looms? I got some at Jo-Anns and I'm hooked.
I love going through their yarn deparment and just touching and loving all of the yarns. I sew and make jewelry but knitting and crochet always confused me. I'm so proud, I made a scarf and started working on a bag.
Posted by Dr. D. Light on 2006-09-03 01:50:04
Post Subject: Yarn Help????
I received several yarn donations - and some of my own stock got a tad dirty between moving and storage.
I also need to be able to use/offer it to my knitting and crochet students ASAP!
Any good tips on how to wash loose yarn (skein - not knit, crochetted or woven yet)?
I have a huge variety - from alpaca to silk. Some hand-spun. I already know not to use Woolite! (I was told Ivory is the best - and just a couple of drops.)
Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2005-03-20 22:51:09
Post Subject: interesting article on cool crafters
i'm sorry,i accidently posted this on share a craft, i meant to post here...
this article is in this week's creative leisure news (a big crafts industry newsletter). i think its funny that they call it a NEW trend:
"There's a new trend emerging in craft design and it's not cute. It's fueled by a younger demographic, consumers looking to express their individuality rather than following preset rules, and they prefer a more sophisticated look. In other words, no smiling bunnies. Examples:
1. Two craft stores that are appealing directly to this new demographic are the Spark Crafts Café in suburban Boston (www.sparkcrafts.com) and Urban Arts + Crafts in Kansas City (http://urbanartsandcrafts.com).
2. Craftster (www.craftster.org). The site says, "Craftster is a forum for people who love to make things but who are not inspired by scrapbooking with die-cut teddy bears, cross-stitched home-sweet-home plaques, wooden boxes with ducks in bonnets painted on...."
3. Scrapbooking may be catching on, too. SOHO Publishing put out a call for "edgy and unconventional" layouts for a book, Scrap and the City ("for the thousands of stylish city-dwelling and hip country-living women who are turned off by scrapbooking’s good girl reputation"). For info, call Paul Gambino at 917-916-0521 or email gambinopaul@aol.com ... Darcy Miller, the editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, has published Our Wedding Scrapbook. "Aesthetically, what Miller does has little to do with the current scrapbooking trends and the kitsch-heavy industry it has spawned," wrote W magazine.
4. Get Crafty (www.getcrafty.com.) For insight on this new type of crafter, click on "Jean's Manifesto."
5. The Mar. 7 edition of Time, reported in CLN's previous issue, also gives a good analysis of the trend. Visit www.time.com and type Pretty Crafty in the search engine.)
6. Media. A new HGTV series, Crafters Coast to Coast, (www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hcc2c) premiered recently and features a wide variety of non-cute projects. "Rather than bring artisans into our studio to share their ideas for viewers to try at home, we visit their homes and studios-wherever they may be. The result is a show that goes beyond "how-to" as we see how these crafters' personalities, lives, and communities influence their work." The projects are described as "cool," "hip," and "unique." (The series is aired almost daily at a variety of times. Check your local listings.) Notice the number of quick camera shots; it's crafts for the MTV generation.
(Note: HGTV is looking for designers to appear on the series. Email a recent picture of yourself smiling, images of your projects, contact info, location, and short bio to CoastToCoast@wellergrossman.com .)
This trend is having its effect on almost every product category. The yarn companies spurred the incredible resurgence of knitting and crochet by introducing new, stylish designs, but the changing demographics are affecting other categories, too.
Michelle Temares, one of the industry's best and most thoughtful designers, says, "I believe that this turn to individuality and self expression has been a significant contributing factor to the decline of craft categories such as counted cross stitch and decorative painting and the growth of categories such as scrapbooking and altered art. The former value and emphasize rote sameness while the latter recognize, encourage, and structurally support individual creativity and expression.
"Industry players who can recognize, synthesize, and decode these attitudes and trends will have the advantage in capturing new market share.""
Posted by twilight on 2006-07-23 08:14:28
Post Subject:
I definately love Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n Bitch books.
Retro knitting and crochet books. Also, check your local library for retro books. My library has a bunch of crafty books from the 70s that rock and are fun to check out for new ideas.
Posted by Athos on 2004-05-03 13:28:02
Post Subject:
dawn, i love your site. i'm a huge paper journaler, and i find it very inspiring. i've just cleaned off my desk (see the threads on painting organizers for what i've been doing!) and now that i have space again, i want to start working on more papercrafts (cards and bookbinding) that have kind of been pushed aside in favor of knitting and crochet all winter.
i think the instructions are really clear - could one use a dremel to cut out the images? i do glass etching too, so i'm very familiar with the tracing and cutting process.
Posted by baltica on 2004-09-23 13:21:26
Post Subject:
Susan, I agree, those Reader's Digest books totally rule. I also have one for knitting and crochet stiches and one called "Back to Basics", chock full of info on old-time-y crafts, self-sufficiency, gardening, etc.
Posted by JeraAndJune on 2006-01-11 12:33:21
Post Subject: Sick of Yarn
I am sick and tired of knitting and crochet. Its awful, but true. The holiday season has kicked my a$$ and it's not over. Some very special people need birthday presents soon and i'm very reluctantly planning out the items i will make.
But i don't wanna.
What is your stand-by craft? What do YOU do when you've knit yourself into oblivion?
-Jera
Posted by hevbee on 2006-04-11 11:05:52
Post Subject: craft ideas for fundraising
Hello,
I wondered if anyone can help me. I am doing some fundraising and I need some ideas of things I can make myself that dont cost an awful lot. I am no good at knitting and crochet. Any ideas would be greatfully received, I have tons of ideas in mind but would like a fresh outlook. Who knows I may have overlooked something really good :)
Posted by brdgt on 2005-09-28 19:10:48
Post Subject:
Permitted and Prohibited items (pdf file). I suggest you print it out and bring it because airline security know as much about these rules as my grandmother. Knitting and crochet needles are allowed as are plastic blunt pointed scissors.
Here is a handy article from knitty.com on traveling with your needles.
Security is getting easier and easier, if in doubt just put it in the plastic bin (shoes, coat, purse) and try not to wear a belt with a big buckle. Oh, and please, don't be one of those people who decides that flip flops are good shoe for travel, because the idea of going barefoot on an airport floor really grosses me out!
Posted by Kanle on 2005-02-01 11:13:55
Post Subject:
You could try Free Patterns. You have to register to get to the patterns, but it is free to register. Plus they have patterns for stuff beside just crossstitch, like knitting and crochet.
Posted by Astrid on 2008-12-09 12:19:11
Post Subject:
I love that it seems to be more focused on WHY we craft, on anti-consumerism and such than some other places.
This is exactly why I keep coming back here and the freestyle forum has been my favourite for quite a while. Other sites are good, but serve different functions for me. I like craftster.org for the Etsy forums, because Etsy's own are too vast (and too fast, lol) and confusing for me. They (craftster I mean) seem to be very positive to reuse and recycle, but the threads are slow on that subject. Other than that I find it just a lot of screaming for 'Look what I made', nothing wrong with it as such, but a bit shallow and too much of it for me.
To show off my work and ask questions about problems I have found the HGTV knitting and crochet board. This is a rather intimate and real 'sharing and caring' group. Even though membership is vast (good for lots of readers and lurkers and clicks on my blog link) the active posters all know each other quite well and even by their real name. I can throw in a deeper discussion once in a while and count on replies from real friends and even found I've opened people's minds a bit for certain things but it's politically neutral and not really the place to rally.
Because even on the HGTV t-2-t board, where I lurk a lot and post only sometimes, and where trash picking is a popular item, but it seems a place that also counts republican voters among them. Now I'm a foreigner and don't take sides, but sometimes I feel that it's more the love of recuperation and restoring old beautiful things as such (again, nothing wrong with that) than the environmental issue that drives some of the members there.
I use blogger's communities and photo sites for technical reasons but not much as a social network because they're not dedicated too crafts. Even if there are craft subgroups, I find the activity is relatively low in those. I mostly just connect to friends I know through other places.
So to conclude I still think GC is a place I need. I wouldn't start a discussion like 'Do you wear second hand clothing' anywhere else. Even though at the time that was to draw attention to a blog post, I love and suck in all the replies. Or where else would Jean start a thread about consumerism and craft? Too bad that one seems to have died out already!
To answer brdgts question: I don't want to brand anyone publicly or even privately to you. Because in most cases I think it's just a misunderstanding, but people copy each other and so it goes on. I mean all the blog posts that go 'Take a look at my shop' or 'New items in my shop' with the link in the post and meaning nothing else than to draw attention to that. I'm sure you know what I mean. To give an example of what I found a really good blog post lately: Boheme_anne's about her shop philosophy!
Comment notification still works very poorly. I only get them on threads I started myself and only about a week later! The good news is apparently there has been an article about us on Etsy. Or so it reads in one of the latest blog posts here. Haven't checked it out, but maybe that accounts for the increase of 900 members or so since last week?! Now what do we do to keep them?
Posted by andi.devine on 2007-11-08 15:51:06
Post Subject:
Just flew last week with metal crochet needles. It posed no problem. I checked this site: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
about a third of the way down it says all knitting and crochet needles are a go. But then today when I was looking for that again i found this: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1252.shtm
So. There you go.
Posted by purpledaffodil on 2007-11-09 15:28:26
Post Subject:
Just flew last week with metal crochet needles. It posed no problem. I checked this site: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
about a third of the way down it says all knitting and crochet needles are a go. But then today when I was looking for that again i found this: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1252.shtm
So. There you go.
i was told yes to crochet HOOKS. and no to metal knitting needles
Posted by LolitaContrer on 2004-07-15 23:49:28
Post Subject:
I have travelled extensively ove the past year, and have no idea about sewing needles, but Knitting and crochet needles are permitted. I always print out and carry a copy if the TSA regs http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_12_18_2003.pdf just in case but have never had a problem. 1/2 in sewing scissors however are not permitted;-)
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2005-04-11 10:28:57
Post Subject:
Needlepoint passe? Never thought about it. Yeah, could be. In that it is an ornamental form of stitchery that Gen-Xers and younger haven't explored.
Needlepoint easier than cross-stitch? It's like comparing knitting and crochet. The old which is better/harder/nicer/more politically correct or whatever. The comparison seems unjust. All of these forms have great diversity and can be done by people of little talent or by those of consummate skill and artistry.
In very general terms, I'd put cross stitch as easier and quicker than needlepoint. But that's because I'm more likely to invest my time in intricate needlepoint. And if I wanted to crash out something I'd use cross stitch, or more likely crewel. DMC's Linea type stuff.
For newer cooler designs, you will always be limited. It's only new and cool as long as chain stores don't have it in abundance.
Graph out your favorite motif. Enlarge or reduce or enhance for the application.
So you want pirate parrots or somesuch. Get an image you like, amend it for your color and style choices then graph it. Do the same with a couple of complementary motif, say pirate chest and palm trees. Keep the detail simple. You can always add detail when the motif is large enough, but it's hard to put a cross stitched twinkle in a two inch parrot's eye.
Posted by Astrid on 2008-07-26 19:34:58
Post Subject:
Thank you, Mele! To add to what I said, I think consumerism has been there ever since the word 'hobby' was invented. What's bad for me about it is not 'consumerism means big corporations making profit', but 'making profit' (still) comes before caring for our planet.
Kits exist as long as I can remember. To be honest when I was a kid I loved embroidery kits. They couldn't make me happier! When I learnt to knit they gave me a knitting kit once, with mini skeins of yarn and supposedly easy to follow patterns for doll's clothing. After failing to succeed the first project I used the yarn for my own 'designs' (sort of like you, boheme-anne!). At the time I thought I was too stupid to understand the patterns, now I know my own creativity was in the way. I've learnt to read (knitting and crochet) patterns, but I still can't follow them. I only use them to find out how something works, then use them for my own designs. But to this day, I can still totally copy an embroidery pattern and enjoy it. I'd even be happy if someone gave me a kit...
But that's aside. It's not the kits that worry me (I do believe they can be good for kids or starters to discover or develop their creativity). It's people who think they are artists (and maybe they are truely talented!) that are not yet concerned about where they get their materials from or only think in terms of quality. Yeah, that's fine in a world that's not being threatened. As it is for me being an artist (or just a crafter) is equal to being conscious and if you don't or can't recylcle (it's not possible for all art forms) then you should try to get sustainable resources. In the textile area there's enough to find already. There are complete sustainable clothing lines already, so you should be able to buy the fabrics and yarns they use as well. And if the companies who sell those make profit, good for them! I can only hope they become bigger than traditional producers or the latter will change!
Sorry if I hurt anybody's feelings, BUT IT'S REALLY FIVE TO TWELVE, and handmade alone is NOT THE SOLUTION.
Posted by go-fish on 2005-01-11 13:56:38
Post Subject:
'nyway...somebody on Glitter once mentioned that it takes 15%...or was it 30% less yarn to knit an item than if you crochet it..
really? That'll be good to know...
I like both. Crochet lends itself well to spur of the moment designing. Knitting requires more planning. Although I am sure modular knitting, ie, patchwork knitting, or even freeform knitting is totally possible.
Don't forget, knitting is way more elastic than crochet!
I started w/ crochet and couldn't get it, went to knitting no problem, and now crochet is fine for me.
I think technically crochet is easier, cause there is less needle manipulation to learn.
I think fine knitted items are amazing and if I had to choose between knitting and crochet (desert island) I'd take needles, (and make myself a crochet hook out of a stick later!)
Posted by craftfetish on 2006-10-24 14:19:35
Post Subject:
I think that a lot of people are probably making crafts for charity, but acting individually.
I have seen various knit-a-longs for charity projects and some knitting guilds probably incorporate charitable knitting.
But I like the idea of working together - that my one small project would be a part of a much larger get crafty donation.
Sorry, I can't make meetings in NYC - but I like the idea of using the forums.
Maybe something as simple as a stickied thread on charities that could use crafty donations.
Charities that want knitting and crochet projects are fairly easy to find (cold people need warm things).
I wonder what other groups may be out there that could use other types of crafts. Crafts may not help meet urgent needs like food/clothing/shelter (although sometimes they do) but I think that a beautiful object or something made with love can be a huge comfort to someone going through a difficult time.
I would think that scrapbookers/book binders/journal alterers would be a good match for programs that work with foster kids aging out of the system.
Or holiday ornaments or decorations for programs that work with people who lost their homes due to fires or floods or storms.
Or collages or paintings or other decorative items for programs for the recently homeless. (Habitat builds houses - does anybody decorate them?)
Anybody know of those sorts of programs?
My sister does a lot of work with Hope Closet - a group that provides prom dresses to girls who can't afford them in metro Detroit. I know that they could use fancy costume jewelry and accessories. And I know that there are programs similar to Hope Closet in other cities.
I bet Dress for Success could use jewelry and accessories too (although it would have to be business-wear appropriate).
Hmmm. I intended this to be a quick reply and here I have gone on and rambled. Oops.
Posted by schnitzle on 2004-05-19 11:08:26
Post Subject:
Great thread!
The craft that intimidates me the most is quilting. I know I don't have the attention to detail that it would take to make a quilt, but I LOVE to look at them and lust after them. A friend of mine made a quilt out of band t-shirts and scraps of fabric, and I was so so envious.
I'm also intimidated by sewing although I hope to conquer that.
All the stuff I like to do is so messy, why can't I like the "clean" crafts like sewing and quilting or working with paper? NOoooo it's gotta be painting and gluing and glitter and messsss :P hehe I do like knitting and crochet, which isn't so messy, but then again, I haven't finished a knitting project and haven't crocheted in a long time.
Posted by jasmineT on 2004-05-19 11:19:41
Post Subject:
hi! I hope y'all don't mind me joining you here. I'm the same jasmineT from the other boards (original and new glitter) aka jessica, jess, or jessa. I live in Rochester, NY. I'm a 29 y.o. domestic goddess to my husband, 2 daughters, and dog.
My life is full of contradictions. We're broke but happy. Left wing evangelical Christian. Love to garden but allergic to the sun. Believe in natural food but can't give up taco bell or salt and vinegar potato chips. Spend too much time on the computer but then complain that there's not enough time to finish projects. Love a clean and spotless house but hate to do dishes, laundry or vacuum.
Current obsessions are: japanese gardening, hypertufa, home decorating projects, getting organized, getting rid of clutter, looking at moss with my kids, alternative education, trying for a 3rd bambino, and wishing that the person grinding trees for the last 3 hours would STOP!
Other crafts I dabble in are: bookmaking, collage, computer graphics, photography, sewing, spa products, and rudimentary knitting and crochet
Posted by flibbleflabble on 2004-07-07 12:45:51
Post Subject:
Helleau.
I'm Megan, from Chicago. I'm 28, and flibbleflabble on every message board ever so I can always remember my sign in name and accompanying password.
I've always been a crafty lady, from a long line of crafty ladies, although now its more for fun instead of frugality. I'm not the greatest at sewing clothes, because fit can get so frustrating. I definitely dig knitting and crochet and sewing items. One of the coolest things I discovered is Hawaiian quilting--I just did a wall hanging, but it is so beautiful and symmetrical. I love projects that I can complete and take serious focus, like model cars, or lip gloss, or anything. I hemmorage cash in craft stores with good project kits.
I principally pay my rent through admin work (oooh, it has been too long), but the real plan is that I am an actor, writer, director, comedian. I do a lot of that on the side, so it's not a full pipe dream. my sketch group Brick
I'm single as of about 3.5 months after a super long relationship. This heh informs a lot of heh my posts. Mainly, I'm just dragging along in the search for some truth.
