crafts

And now with hair!

And now with hair!

As I was experiencing a distinct lack of mohair, Theresa at Yarn Over came through for me with a big bag of the stuff. After spending three days of my life gluing nylon curls on this doll (in an attempt to make-do) and producing what can only be called a ginger-fro, I was only more [...]

Dressing up travel dolls (part 3)

Dressing up travel dolls (part 3)

Without cutting sew the shoulder and side seams using very small stitches. Then I cut away the excess fabric, making sure to leave enough to turn the raw edges of the neck and arm holes down for finishing. I finger press or carefully iron the seams open, trying not to cause more fraying at the [...]

Dressing up travel dolls (part 2)

Dressing up travel dolls (part 2)

Cleaning up patterns the first time around can be a little intimidating, it really is just a matter of going through the right steps with the right tools. The muslin pieces are so small and floppy they need to be stiffened up in order to facilitate tracing. Fusible interfacing works, so does buckram and fabric [...]

Dressing up travel dolls

Dressing up travel dolls

I usually find hard plastic travel dolls for $3-5 a piece, up to $10 for the 10 inch tall ones. I’ve yet to find one that is horribly expensive or rare but still I look for ones with messed up hair and clothes so I don’t feel guilty about ruining an original in good condition. [...]

Children’s Classes

It’s true. I’ll be teaching impressionable young minds every week, on Thursdays at Come Yarn Over here in Klamath Falls Oregon. I’ll be alternating basic small loom weaving and making sock animals. If your child happens to be conveniently located in or near Klamath Falls on a Thursday in August they will no longer have an excuse for [...]

Dear Paton's, about your Kroy FX

Dear Paton’s, about your Kroy FX

I don’t often address yarn manufacturers on my blog, but the first sock is turning out awesome Paton’s, thanks for not crapping on me with this sock yarn, it’s actually pretty decent considering the price. I think I may change my mind about your yarns. At least this label. I’m looking forward to wearing this [...]

Needlework progress- slow

Needlework progress- slow

I took my piece from the frame in order to see how I’m doing and to allow the linen weave to relax before I start the next series of rounds inside the border. Someone asked what kind of stitch this is, the book that I have says it’s a flat stitch although another needlework dictionary [...]

Just because it can be done

Just because it can be done

… doesn’t mean I should actually attempt it. Then again, I won’t know if it’s a bad idea until I try. On the other hand, many of my bad ideas started as good ideas that eventually went horribly wrong because I seem to have little (if any) awareness of my actual limitations. So far, things [...]

And then there were two

And then there were two

I still think self striping sock yarns are pretty nifty. You know what would be really cool though? Self ribbing sock yarns. Think about it yarn manufacturers, some one could corner the market on that one. If my yarn ribbed itself I would be on cloud nine. I am pretty happy with the easter egg [...]

My kung fu is strong

My kung fu is strong

Extra geek points all around for anyone that knows what movie I’m referencing in the title. A perfect geek score of 10 will get you the love and admiration of my imaginary friends. (Those of you that know that 10 in binary equals the number two now have a perfect geek score. The adoring crowds are now [...]