Posted on 08/01/2020 7:38:24 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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Does making godforsaken masks count as a “fiber art”? (I don’t think so.) Even though I don’t wear them, I do make a few for Mom, elderly relatives, and church friends. It is helping to cull my quilt stash, though.
Sexy Men Who Knit
http://www.auntpeaches.com/2013/01/sexy-men-who-knit.html
Let’s be clear on this: I do not knit.
Lots of my friends knit. I like knit wear. I like knit people. For me, mere knowledge of someone’s knitting ability will spark my interest in them as a friend. I like people who knit almost as much as I like people with cats. And that is a lot. On the rare occasion I should meet someone who enjoys knitting and cats, they are instantly recruited into a special club of my own creation, complete with hats and secret handshakes. A club so special, so exclusive, nobody knows of its existence except for me. And you. And all the other crazy cat ladies wearing rainbow-plush eyelash yarn scarves that would put Bill Cosby to shame. We are the Free Masons of homespun craft goods. I could get cut out just for talking about it on the internet. Shhhh….
Did I mention we have hats?
But, you guys. I know you guys. I know there are knitters out there in my silent reader rough. Perhaps you haven’t joined my secret club yet, but believe me, I know what you like. You like chocolate. You like crafts. You like cats. You like sexy men who knit.
Let’s talk about it.
More at link...
My Mom has been making them like crazy for some of the Grandkids that are in the medical field and must wear them.
She’s made a few for us, but she’s not using very ‘breathable’ fabric, so they’re pretty uncomfortable to wear other than for a very short time frame. :(
“she’s not using very ‘breathable’ fabric”
I’ve modified my patterns since I started. Used to use the high-count quilting fabric as suggested. And most patterns require at least two, and sometimes three layers. The last/inside layer had a slit to add still ONE MORE layer — a filter. Well, I decided Homey don’t play that, ‘cause Homey can’t BREATHE. One layer. Loose fabric.
I have to wear one for 50 minutes twice a week at physical therapy, and it’s so loose horseflies basically could get through. Hubby volunteers once a week and has to wear one for five hours; his also are breathable.
I’d like to order a couple with messages from Redbubble, but don’t want to give mask companies financial support — although some are great! (Sadly, some contain minor profanity which adults could handle, but probably not kids in case you came across one of them.)
Thank you and your group for inspiring (pushing) me to attempt a heavy wool anorak.
Looking at the past posted photos I see many hours of careful work.
After about two weeks of hashing out details and making/modifying a pattern, yesterday I started cutting felted(shrunken)wool blankets. With some guidance from my sewing partner-cousin.
I insisted on a raglan sleeve and a three-piece hood, not some pointed cone head. The hood and sleeves hopefully allow the same fit with varying thickness sweaters/hats under the anorak.
Like this but a bit longer, different sleeves, different pockets... and lower cost.
http://lrbushcraft.com/lester-river-bushcraft-100-wool-olive-green-boreal-shirt-anorak/
A simple enough project for me and I have a commercial walking foot and aheavy duty Union Special surger. Also have made felted wool projects.
My cousin has a Singer #29 ( the original free arm)I may use to flatten the sleeve seams?
Gotta work, because I hate cutting up such lovely blankets.
Mine will be two tone because I used smaller blankets(throws?)
Thanks for the inspiration.
That is a super cool project.
Yes, making masks counts!
I knit a half dozen of them from either Patons Stretch Sock (cotton/wool/elastane blend) or a wool/bamboo sock yarn.
Very breathable, stretchy and comfortable. Only stops dirty looks.
Now making actual socks for stocking stuffers.
Also have a couple of furniture refinishing projects, a side table I am converting into a dog bed/crate and a headboard that needs to be given a beach/weathered look.
When I get those done, I have an armoire I want to install casters on and then build a hidden gun safe into the back side. Open the doors and it’s just storage shelves, Turn it around and it’s an arsenal.
“Now making actual socks for stocking stuffers.”
“Stocking stuffers” = Christmas = DECEMBER. Arrrrrgh!!! This insanity HAS to be over by December. Please, God ... begging you!
“Open the doors and it’s just storage shelves, Turn it around and it’s an arsenal.”
That’s a really cool idea. Pre-Covid/BLM/Antifa it would be a place to hide jewelry. Now ... guns.
Here is how a pro makes a similar project.
Original Boreal Shirt made from a 6 pt Hudson Bay blanket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=VgDzNtvqCVA&feature=emb_logo
I watch this looking for details.
I want to have a full understanding of the process before assembly.
Very close, but still not happy with setting the gromets in the wool even with a webbing backing???
I might try a leather strip on both sides?
That is going to be impressive! I love your idea of using the blankets for wool! Glad you found some inspiration here. Good luck!
I make most of my own jewelry. Recently have learned to drill and knot pearls. My stuff is original looking with no dollar value.
But the guns are breeding in the dark.
I probably would do actual button holes, maybe even hand embroidered ones.
I would be tempted to hand embroider the seams and hems and all manner of decoratives. Maybe needle felting, too.
Wool is really a nice medium to embroider on.
Just finished a baby bolero from “One skein” knitting book. I love the idea of using various yarns I have just one skein of to make nice, useable objects. Use your stash!! Leftovers!! And donations!!!
Anyone interested might find the “one skein” book on abebooks or similar, used, for not too much? Also I use the small amounts of yarn to make baby socks. Great fun.
Monthly plug for lovecrafts.com as an alternative site to ravelry.
Wool is really a nice medium to embroider on.
Wool and mostly felted wool is my current favorite.
Long ago started making my own rock climbing gear.
For years I made quilts from felted sweaters/coats/blankets.
Have now exceeded my quota of friends and grandkids.
Made one for a daughter in law, she said I was only the second to make her a quilt after her grandma.
I consider that high praise.
I used to do machine freehand embroidery with a Singer 20U, 3/8 inch wide zigzag! and I can run 4 top threads through a larger needle for the color combos I want. Also, control the stitch width with the knee on the fly.
Like pointillism with zig-zag.
I only started needle felting a few years ago, mostly for repair or small embroidery.
My favorite Herman Miller chair started leaking stuffing!
I first needle felted a small repair, it held well and then made a wool cover from a felted coat.
A couple of months ago and still holding.
Now, waiting for our daughters OK to start the grandkids on needle felting.
I installed a crank adapter on an old singer, and they use it... Under supervision.
“That is going to be impressive! “
If mine looks a fraction as good I will be ecstatic.
If this one turns out OK I’m hoping to make one for our son.
I offered first to my wife but she turned it down.
Looking for some advice from crafting people, help.
I’m getting ready to process my fleece from 13 alpacas. What’s a good weight? Sport?worsted?
Blends? Etc.
Please delete if not allowed
setting the gromets in the wool even with a webbing backing???
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Could you mark the grommet locations and then needle felt around the edge to reinforce before setting grommets? Sort of like stitching then slitting for a buttonhole?
Seems like it might work and be easier than stitching thru a leather backing, even w/an industrial machine and then using the grommet tool.
I’ve woven, sewn, wet-felted and needle felted. Never used a serger, though. Can’t see the need for one with felted wool. It won’t ravel. It should flatten nicely with steam and a clapper, but it might show a line on the right side. Maybe something like a towel to cushion underneath on the right side when steaming on the wrong side would alleviate the impression?
Maybe test on a scrap first?
Prototyping is my favorite thing!
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