The visual caught my eye and while it has items that can be used by knitters and crocheters it has three stitch markers that have lobster claw closure allowing you to attach to crochet work! Plus what could be cuter. Go to the Sexy Knitter on Etsy and buy one. While your there you may find something else you like!
Normally I talk about tools on Tuesday but today I am beginning my craft area diary. I have a small area in our office/guest quarters and I have wanted to make it my craft area for a long time. I dragged my yarn into the corner and eventually my sewing machine and the tools of my trade but it was never what I wanted. So last week when my husband agreed to help I started the project.
New shelf, peg board and small cabinet
Folding table which I will use for crafting and vending
Now I think I’ll paint the walls before we put boxes up to house my yarn. More to follow!
Today’s tool is graph paper. I have tried to make my own but it never works. This is a printable transparency that you can use to make your own designs. It comes in three sizes 4 stitches to 1″, 6 stitches to 1″ and 8 stitches to 1″. It is offered by Garilyn Knitting designs, tools, innovations and art on Etsy. Treat your self!
No tool before it’s time. For the first time in my recent foray into fiber I find the need for blocking tools. I actually pulled one of the needlepoint that I did with my husbands help. He drew the image on the canvas and I did the needle point. Now I would like to block and frame it myself. You block canvas like you would fiber work. Wet, stretch into shape and let dry.
The Udjat (all seeing eye)
In addition, I want to block a necklace that I made and I don’t have any blocking tools.
Crocheted Necklace
So I think that I will invest in some pins and mats for my fiber items.
Blocking Pins
Blocking Mats
It’ time!
Let me start by saying that felting needles are ultra sharp and can be dangerous. Because of this needle felting is surely not for small children and I wouldn’t do it with anyone not in their teens. They have tiny barbs on them that allow them to push fibers through other materials or to get animal fibers to stick to each other eventually making felt. This is a none scientific explanation. I will talk more about felt making at another time. Anyway you can get individual needles or needles mounted in handles that come as singular or multiples. These needles can be inexpensive but depending on how you use them, they may not last long. I read and article written by a felter who said you will stick yourself so get used to the idea and get over it. I recently stuck one of the needles clear through the tip of my finger. It was a sobering experience but one I bet that needle felters have happen often. As you grow in skill and do particular projects you will decide which needles you need. I have included pictures of several below.
Clover Needle Felting Tool
Needle Felting Pen
Felting Needles (individual)
I have talked about various types of knitting needles and crochet hooks and even highlighted some of my favorites. I explained to one of my classes recently that with the advancement of our crafting skills, comes the desire to get nicer, better and maybe prettier tools. Just as one would spend money on a “good” set of golf clubs or an expensive tennis racquet, we want nice hooks or needles.
When people are taught to crochet or knit they generally are given inexpensive metal needles and hooks to start. They are okay to begin with but if you are going to spend any time doing these crafts you will want to move on. I never get tired of trying new and different tools. I suggest that you visit your local yarn store (LYS), mine is KnitKnack in Maplewood, NJ. and explore. Besides the temptation of beautiful yarns, kits and books there are a good variety of needles to buy.
KnitKnack in Maplewood, New Jersey
I also included a picture of a product by one of my fellow bloggers and creative person who designs, carves, paints and sells her own crochet hooks. Check her out on Etsy as KimsKnots.
Kim's Knots Hand Painted and Carved Crochet Hook
Don’t limit yourself to one particular material until you have tried several.Sometimes the weight of the yarn will dictate what material you want to use. Sock yarn for instance is so fine that I like to use metal with a sharp tip. Slippery yarns are good with wood. Experiment and enjoy!
I came across this beautiful cable needle necklace today while surfing the net. I am going to be known as the queen of the “things I like even if I don’t need them”. This is another one. Leslie Wind Jewelers has a beautiful necklace made of brass which is also a cable needle. She even has a video on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtZ2jo8A8QM) to show you how to use it if you can’t figure it out. I know that you can probably live with out it but it’s fun anyway!
Another tool, another Tuesday!
Okay this is attempt three and I an no longer able to give sparkling chit chat. I worry every week that there won’t be a tool to discuss and then I visit the internet. This is a pricy little gizmo. Do we need it? You tell me. Visit knittingdetangler.com
No matter how careful I am with my needles I find myself guessing about my circular needle sizes. I don’t always have my gauge with me and it is really annoying. Recently I had a pattern call for rib in size four and the rest of the sweater in size five. I had finished the front before I realized that both of my needles were size five. Anyway I came across these little tags that slip onto the cable, stay put and don’t get in the way of your knitting. They come in small and large sizes and have multiples for popular sizes. There are 29 tags in each set and Yarnmarket sells them for $5.85.
I have talked about yardage counters before but in the past I only found high-end expensive counters. This one is made by Boye (American company) and is for sale at the Knitting-Warehouse for $10.79. As I’ve stated in the past, not knowing how much yarn you have left in a skein or being able to divide a skein evenly can drive you crazy and make the difference in a finished project or a UFO!!! So maybe you’ll want to try this one.
Happy Tuesday!
