Two-handed Fair Isle Knitting

Woohoo! I found a way to make Fair Isle that works for me!

I dreaded learning Fair Isle.

Anyway, yesterday I finally decided it was time for me to get over my dread and Googled Fair Isle knitting. I had heard of using both my left and right hand to control the tension on the yarns used and create whatever pattern is charted. I found this website with the help of my knittinghelp.com forum friends and I watched this video (viewable only in IE ): ). Once I saw how easy it was to strand the colors using the methods shown in the video, I made the Sampler Purse pattern. I only had a few colors to work with but I am extremely pleased with how it turned out. I bet it would be AWESOME if I'd actually had Philosopher's Wool to make it.

Completed purse with a US quarter for size.


Inside view of the stranding.


I now feel confident that I can tackle a Fair Isle sweater! :D

Meet Pedro the Panda!

Born December 22nd, 2007. Approximatetly 8" in height, Pedro is a member of the Amigurumi set.

I created Pedro using as my base a larger version of the head and body pattern from the "cutest little owl" pattern in the sept/oct 2007 Crochet Today magazine.

I made the arms, legs, ears, eyes and nose before I realized that the body should have been a tad less than half black! Ah well. I went ahead and assembled all the pieces, attaching the plastic eyes and nose piece along the way. Then I created a form-fitting vest that did the trick! :D Here's Pedro in all his glory!









Yes! Pandas have white tails! :D

Blessings all!

The Bantam Step-By-Step Book of Needle Craft

By Judy Brittain (assisted by Sally Harding)

I've owned this book since 1980. It is packed from cover to cover with information and patterns.

I learned how to crochet and knit using this awesome resource. Even though the book as a whole only touches on the basics of various needle crafts, there is enough depth of material to gain an excellent basic understanding of each. Thus, this book tends to be an outstanding resource to own when you are off the grid. (No internet? What do you mean no internet?!!!) If I had to choose only one crafting book to own, this is the one.

There are some minor errors in material that can easily be recognised by the experienced crafter. With time and perseverance, an inexperienced crafter can determine what the author was trying to convey. With that being said, it is a simple matter these days to simply query Google or other search engines to find the answer.

Contents include:

Knitting
Crochet
Knotted & Wovenwork (Subgroups: Knotting, Macramé, Netting, Tatting, Plaiting, Rugmaking, Weaving)
Embroidery
Needlepoint
Patchwork Quilting & Appliqué (Subgroups: Patchwork, Quilting, and Appliqué)
Basic Sewing

The Knitting chapter includes:

History
Needles and yarns
Casting on
Basic stitches and techniques
Knit and purl patterns
Cable patterns
Increasing and decreasing
Bobble and embossed patterns
Eyelet and lace patterns
Working with colour
Beaded knitting
Embroidery on knitting
Stitch gauging
Shaping
Finishing techniques
Knitting in the round
Lace edgings
Machine knitting
Washing

The Crochet chapter includes:

History
Basic techniques
Basic stitches
Basic stitch patterns
Textured stitches
Openwork stitches
Shaping
Finishing techniques
Working with colour
Medallions
Filet crochet
Tunisian crochet
Tubular crochet
Beads and sequins
Hairpin crochet
Embroidery on crochet
Broomstick crochet
Edgings and borders

The Knotted & Wovenwork chapter includes:

Knotting:

History
Basic knots
Projects

Macramé:

History and materials
Mounting
Basic techniques
Decorative knots
Working in the round
Fringes and tassels
Joining and finishing
Cavandoli
Angling
Projects

Netting:

History
Basic techniques
Increasing and decreasing
Working in the round
Hammock project

Tatting:

History
Basic techniques
Motifs
Edgings

Plaiting:

History
Basic techniques
Using fabric
Joining and finishing
Projects

Rugmaking:

History and materials
Straight and punch hook
Latch and locker hook
Rya and needletuft
Finishing techniques

Weaving:

History and materials
Card weaving
Frame weaving
Tabby loom weaving
Projects

The Embroidery chapter includes:

History
Frames and mounting
Fabrics and threads
Transferring designs
Stitch glossaries
Motifs
Couching and laidwork
Goldwork
Alphabets and monograms
Openwork
Needlepoint lace
Designing
Beads and sequins
Smocking
Braidwork
Shadow work
Care of embroidery

The Needlepoint chapter includes:

History
Needles and yarns
Ideas for needlepoint
Transferring designs
Stitch samples
Stitch glossaries
Florentine work
Backgrounds
Textures
Borders
Carpet motifs
Projects
Finishing techniques

The Patchwork Quilting & Appliqué chapter includes:

Patchwork:

History
Fabrics and implements
Templates
Planning and design
Joining
Finishing
Colours and tones
Pattern Glossary
Border patterns
Crazy patchwork
Shell patchwork
Log cabin patchwork

Quilting:

History
Designs
Patterns
Mounting
Finishing off
Stitches and motifs
Raised quilting
Tied and buttoned quilting

Appliqué:

Modern and traditional
Surface appliqué
Decorative edges
Reverse appliqué
Counterchange appliqué

The Basic Sewing chapter includes:

Implements
Sewing machines
Measurements
Fabrics
Cutting and marking
Toiles
Alterations
Hand stitching
Seams
Shaping
Necklines
Collars
Sleeves
Cuffs
Pockets
Waistbands
Fastenings
Hems
Interfacing and linings
Making up garments
Cutting patterns
Tablecloths
Sheets and pillowcases
Bedspreads
Cushions
Curtains and blinds
Mending
Removing stains

And finally:

Index
Acknowledgments

Cradle Cap Shawl in Crochet Cotton No. 20

I recommend that you NEVER use crochet cotton size 20 to make this beauty. At last! I have finished it! I don't have any place to properly block it so I draped it gently over a plastic hanger to dry last night and then had DD model it for me tonight.