Coming Along Nicely

I can't believe that it has been this long since I posted lasted.  I have been so busy working on my new line of toys for my other store PreciousKnits.  I have taken some time recently to work on crocheting.  I am determined to learn this craft.  It will allow me to make a variety of things that I can not make knitting.

I have been trying to make granny square's since last year. My mother-in-law tried patiently to teach me but I just could not grasp it.  I recently bought a few beginner books and decided to start at the beginning and work through the book.  A totally new concept for me.  I usually pick something out and try to make it.  Then I get frustrated because I haven't learned the stitches that are involved.   After frogging back more times than I care to share,  I finally did it!  I made 8 squares so far.  Eventually, this will be a pillow sham for my couch.  Yes, I am actually going to be making something for myself that I intend to keep.  Shocking!

I have been obsessed about these squares because I have lots of little bits of yarn.  They are too small to knit anything with but perfect for granny squares or crocet in general. If you are a crafter you understand why we just can not throw out the littliest scrap of yarn, paper, fabric, whatever.  I mean sometime down the line, maybe years from now, you may find a use for it.  After all there is nothing wrong with it.

I am so proud of myself!  Patting self on the back!  Well back to work I go!

Stitch Nation Yarn Review

I saw the add for this yarn in the Sunday flyer for A.C Moore and I decided to give it a whirl.  I am always looking for new affordable yarns in great colors to knit with these days.

I have to say that the selection of colors, for this particular yarn,  in my A.C. Moore is nothing to write home about and the only color that I liked was the green.  So, I bought it.

Let's just go over the mundane stuff first.  It is called Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller Full O' Sheep.  It consists of 100% Peruvian Wool and is distributed by Red Heart.  Net wt. is 3.5 oz (100g) and 155yds (142m).  On sale for 2/$7.  That said my first impression (besides the colors) is that it is scratchy.  I would not call this next to the skin soft.  Maybe a hat but definitely not for scarves, mittens or sweaters. (in my opinion, of course)

It also splits.  I am not a tight knitter nor am I a loose knitter.  I find myself right in the middle.  As I was knitting along my merry way this yarn started to fall apart.  Now I have done a bit of spinning and I am able to put it back together but I just don't think that I should have to do so.  It happened to me more than once while knitting and sewing up my seams.  Not impressed AT ALL.  Also, I would not recommend this yarn for beginning knitters due to this very fact.  I would think that I was doing something wrong when, in fact, it's the yarn that is faulty.  Furthermore, this yarn would certainly not hold up to much frogging back due to the lack of its durability & it is fuzzy nature as well.  (like mohair).

So, would I buy this again? - probably not.  I can find better wool at my LYS for about the same amount and in better colors.

My advice - save your money and get better wool.

The Handmade Marketplace...

I was browsing in my local book shop for my usual knitting books and I happen upon this little book instead.

I decided to buy it hoping it will help me get some more traction for my little knitting hobby.  I am always looking for ideas and ways to find and interest more customers.   Lovely book filled with some great ideas that I plan to put into use this summer.

Since, summer is a slow time for knitting purchases think this is a great idea.  Plenty of time to read, research, read some more and experiment.  Ya know, throw some things against the wall and see what sticks.  I read this entire book in one sitting.  A fast read filled with Q & A's from some very talented crafters.  The husband and wife team that began Ravelry.. One of my all time favorite sites..   If you sell your goods online it might be worth your while to pick this little treasure for some light summer reading.

The Handmade Market place piqued my interest so much that I went to the library the next day to find more books to help with pricing, blogs, craft shows, etc.  This is when I found my next book "Crafting A Business, Make Money Doing What You  Love" by Kathie Fitzgerald.  GREAT Book.  Also read this one in an evening.  Very inspirational.  The book is broken down by several successful women who craft.  How they succeeded and their personal journeys that got them where they are today.  I also loved that she asked each crafter what their dreams were for the future.  This book is just great.   I found that it really got my creative juices flowing.  Also, got my hopes up because the market is a tough place to be.  I am not alone.

Each crafter is doing what they love.  They are honest with telling us that it is tough out there but if you are doing what you love and love what you are making.  Chances are there are others out there who will think your crafts are great too!  A few began their business out of need others were lucky to have a supportive husband to help them make their dreams come true.  Each runs their own successful business now.

Here is some of their quotes that I just love and found inspirational.

"There is more to life than making a living"

"Just begin. Start."

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that is most frightening us.  It is not just in some of us, it is in all of us."  Nelson Mandela

"Your success is measured by your confidence, your dependability, by your intellectual curiosity and by your bravery."