Favorite Craft

[CultureVulture]

What's your favorite craft? 

I mainly crochet and knit.  But I sew, quilt, embroider and cross-stitch as well.  

I'm fortunate to be happily single with a flexible schedule that allows me time every day to work on my projects.  

Do you have enough time to really enjoy it, or do you struggle to carve out a few precious minutes to indulge in your hobby? 

[FiveAcres]

I am retired so I have plenty of time for crafting: mostly mixed media and other paper crafting.

[CTRLZero]

I go through phases.  Most recently I’ve been painting sci-fi themed landscapes and geometric shapes.  It’s very relaxing.

I inherited my mother-in-law’s sewing machine.  I used to sew when I was in my 20s.  Now that I’m retired, I may dust off my old skills.  I love textile arts and go to museums to see those exhibits, so maybe I’ll create my own. 

[CultureVulture]

I had an expensive embroidery/quilting machine that I ended up giving to my sister-in-law.  I realized I do mostly home dec sewing, simple summer skirts & dresses, so I never needed that much technology.  It's amazing how much you can do with just a basic machine.  

And it's nice not being held hostage by the fashion industry.  I have some 70's & 80's patterns and I made a couple of knee-length cotton wrap skirts last summer.  I kept having women stop & ask where I bought them!

[Giraffe]

I quilt. Occasionally I attempt a clothing pattern. I can sew it beautifully but I have yet to make anything that fits well enough to wear outside. 

[CultureVulture]

33 minutes ago, Giraffe said:

I quilt. Occasionally I attempt a clothing pattern. I can sew it beautifully but I have yet to make anything that fits well enough to wear outside. 

Thus my sticking to the simplest form of clothing, in a wrap skirt!!!     

I used to quilt, usually small wall quilts that I could piece by machine & quilt by hand. Prairie Points were one of my favorite edge features.  I've still got several, just not enough walls to hang them on or people to give them too!

[Alisamer]

I go through phases of different things. I have WAY too many hobbies. I like to draw and paint, and take photos, and stuff like that. 

My main crafty hobby is knitting, however. I have done a small amount of sewing here and there, and a touch of embroidery, some jewelry making with beads, and several other things. 

This past weekend my doll-collecting friends and I spent Thursday through Tuesday on a retreat together, mostly crafting. I pretty much knit the whole time. I came up with a recipe that I need to refine that makes a really cute sea-urchin looking doll hat. Other crafts going on were needle felting, sewing doll clothes, and making a teddy bear. I took supplies to do watercolor painting but never ended up using them. One of our friends couldn't attend because she was invited to a draw-loom weaving class! 

[CultureVulture]

I'm primarily a knitter too, but last year I got sucked into potholder making with the old-style looms & cotton loops.  SO much fun!!!  I made them for so many people, then donated a bunch to a local food pantry at Thanksgiving. 

These aren't the cheesy acrylic squares some of us made back in the 70's.  Now the loops are 100% cotton or wool, in designer colors and are woven into really intricate designs.  There are a bunch of FB pages out there with amazing inspirations.   It's incredibly addicting & fun.  Here are some I gifted to co-workers.  

[CultureVulture]

So now is the time for Christmas planning.  I'm thinking of crochet snowflakes.  Lots of them, as in dozens & dozens to gift in sets to friends & family.  I have some beautiful thin mercerized cotton with a gorgeous sheen that would work nicely. 

I'll have to start trolling the Net for some free patterns.  I want them to look intricate, but not be too time-consuming to make.  I'd say no more than 4 or 5 rounds.  

My favorite part is actually the stretching & starching.  

If anybody has a favorite site or pattern to share, that would be lovely!

[Alisamer]

1 hour ago, CultureVulture said:

So now is the time for Christmas planning.  I'm thinking of crochet snowflakes.  Lots of them, as in dozens & dozens to gift in sets to friends & family.  I have some beautiful thin mercerized cotton with a gorgeous sheen that would work nicely. 

I'll have to start trolling the Net for some free patterns.  I want them to look intricate, but not be too time-consuming to make.  I'd say no more than 4 or 5 rounds.  

My favorite part is actually the stretching & starching.  

If anybody has a favorite site or pattern to share, that would be lovely!

Those sound fun! I've not tried them yet, but I hope to eventually.

If you're not already on Ravelry, definitely head over there and look through the patterns available.

[Giraffe]

I've just put an order in for a perforated paper embroidery project. I'm visiting a sick friend for a few days and I figure that's a good icu-friendly thing that shouldn't take up too much space. 

[KSmom]

I’ve been knitting for quite awhile and started crocheting a couple of years ago. I’m working on crocheting small, 3” diameter, and large, 11” diameter, baskets for Christmas. I just finished a crochet project for our library/office that I’m really happy with. I especially like how the green looks on the lavender wall. 

[CultureVulture]

On 3/21/2024 at 10:08 AM, Giraffe said:

I've just put an order in for a perforated paper embroidery project. I'm visiting a sick friend for a few days and I figure that's a good icu-friendly thing that shouldn't take up too much space. 

That sound really cool, I'm going to have to check out some info on projects!

21 hours ago, KSmom said:

I’ve been knitting for quite awhile and started crocheting a couple of years ago. I’m working on crocheting small, 3” diameter, and large, 11” diameter, baskets for Christmas. I just finished a crochet project for our library/office that I’m really happy with. I especially like how the green looks on the lavender wall. 

Those are gorgeous!  And the lavender absolutely sets them off beautifully!

That type of Monstera leaf motif is really huge right now in a lot of crafts.  I've seen some amazing tote bag and throw patterns that feature those in mosaic crochet.  I'm itching to dig through my stash of green yarns now.  But really, I'm itching to go shopping for green yarns!  *LOL* 

[Alisamer]

1 hour ago, CultureVulture said:

That type of Monstera leaf motif is really huge right now in a lot of crafts.  I've seen some amazing tote bag and throw patterns that feature those in mosaic crochet.  I'm itching to dig through my stash of green yarns now.  But really, I'm itching to go shopping for green yarns!  *LOL* 

We print some yarn bands where I work - both for bigger companies and small indie ones. And yesterday someone mentioned talking with a "yarn buyer" about an upcoming order.

I was like "yarn buyer? How do I get THAT job?!?!"

I've even done that before. Lots. Too much. WAAAAAY too much. OMG so much yarn.

(This yarn buyer works for a local spinning mill, apparently.)

[CultureVulture]

Seriously, talk about a dream job!  Please, can I squeeze and fondle skeins, balls and hanks all day?  *LOL*

[KSmom]

Two of my daughter in law’s crochet and we all agree that buying yarn is it’s own hobby in itself! When my daughter was in high school and college her dream job was to work at crayola or a paint company and name colors. She is now an art teacher and still collects paint chips from the hardware store. 

[CultureVulture]

I have a Sherwin Williams store nearby, and every year I go by and ask if they have an outdated fan decks, the big spread stacks of all the paint chips.  I LOVE them & use them for various crafts.  Just reading the names of all the paint colors is entertaining!

And every year, I eagerly await the name & shade of the latest Pantone color to be celebrated!  *LOL*

Edited March 22 by CultureVulture