M1 Increase

Unlike a yarn over, the M1 increase does not leave a hole and is practically invisible.

Reusable Hand Warmers

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Need a quick gift for neighbors or family members? These reusable hand warmers, made from old flannel shirts, may be the perfect item.

Heat the bags and tuck them in coat pockets for warming cold hands while shoveling the walk, while hunting, while taking a walk. The uses are endless.

A tutorial for making the hand warmers can be found here.

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Simply Notable also features hand warmers and provides the poem shown above:  a PDF is provided for the poem at the bottom of the Simply Notable post.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

May your day be filled with family, friends, food, and fiber

Weaver's Knot

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This common knot is not only helpful to secure a join for weaving but for other crafts as well.

Back in Time - Christmas Tree Project

Guild members assemble the tree
Bea R. Lucy O., Alice B., Trish S.
Jane W. and Katheryn E. 

One Saturday morning in 2009, the Fiber Guild met to decorate its tree for the community fund-raiser called the Festival of Trees. First the tree had to be assembled: the pole was hot-glued into the stand and then each piece of the pole was secured with hot glue to keep the trees stable during transport to the display area and to the buyer's desired location.

An array of ornaments made by Guild members from natural fibers

The group started assembling and collecting handmade decorations after the first of the year. We held a meeting in April to felt balls for ornaments. Each member was also asked to make at least three additional ornaments.

Some of the ornaments were simple and others quite elaborate.

These poinsettias were knit and felted by Leane L. The flowers were stunning as were the lacy snowflakes.

The garland and each ornament needed to be secured to the tree with wire to prevent them from falling off during transport.

Nancy J. created the hand-felted Santa. Check out the garland, too. One of the members made enough of the tail-spun for the entire tree.

While the Guild was disappointed that the tree was not auctioned for value of the ornaments, it was a good community project for the group.

Using Blocking Wires

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Knitting Daily has taken the mystery out blocking shawls with blocking wires. The comprehensive photo tutorial can be found here.

Ebook - Guide to Processing Wool

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Spinning Daily is offering a free ebook: A Guild to Processing Wool to Make Wool Roving on their website.

The book covers various topics:
    Preparing Wool
    Washing Wool
    Flick Carding
    Hand Carding
    Drumcarding
    Minicombs

Other free ebooks offered by Spinning Daily can be found here

 

Back in Time - Locker Hooking

Jeni V., Brenda H. follow Mary H. instruction for preparing fabric strips
2015 Guild Retreat in Lander, WY

For the last two years, the Guild has hosted a May Retreat where Guild members teach classes. One of the classes for the 2015 Retreat was a locker hook table mat, taught by Mary H.

Brenda H. shares her locker hook project at the
June meeting

Locker Hook mats hanging in the Guild exhibit in Fort Washakie

Corralling Floss or Thread

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A small tea infuser can be used to corral small bits of embroidery floss or thread. Most infusers have a chain so they can be secured to a project bag.

Quilters might find this idea useful for keeping thread handy when hand-sewing.

Mini Quilts

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Mini quilts are an excellent way to get a taste of the quilting process: they are small projects that can be finished quickly, don't use a lot of fabric, and can be used around the house for various purposes. The mini quilts can be table toppers, placemats, mug mats or coasters, and even doll quilts.

Like large quilts, the patterns can range from simple to complex. Single quilt block designs can be used with borders added. An earlier post with hundreds of free quilt block patterns can be found here.

Other sites offer free patterns for complete mini quilts.

Country Lane Quilts

Moda Bake Shop

Podcasts - Listen While You Craft

If you love to read but can't find time to read and craft at the same time, you might want to check out some ways to do both.

Audio books (both fiction and nonfiction) are available to check out at the public library. Some are self-contained and do not require players, but others require CD players. Some libraries also provide audio books that can be downloaded on phones and tablets. Ask the librarian to assist you.

Podcasts are easy to download on computers, phones, and tablets and can be craft specific.

Knit Picks recently featured a list of podcast links on their blog.

Lion Brand also provided a list of podcast links in a recent newsletter.

I've listened to season 1 of Serial and recommend it for those who enjoy true crime series. Season 2 should be released soon.

Audio Archive provides links to numerous online resources for books, poetry, radio programs, etc.

Sarah Kate Creations (a modern sewist) lists several crafting podcasts that are her favorites.

With the technology options offered today, we can easily enjoy a book or story and craft at the same time.

Sewn Bind-off

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Knitters are always searching for the perfect bind-off for various projects.  Elizabeth Zimmermann introduced the technique in the Knitter's Almanac, published in 1982.

Sarah Knight (Crafts from the Cwtch) shares a step by step photo tutorial on the process here.

Back in Time - Needle-felting Classes

Lander Art Center Needle-felting class

Guild member, Nancy J. has taught needle-felting classes in Riverton, Lander, Thermopolis, and Casper for several years. The projects her students have made included Santas, Angels, Witches, Pumpkins, Petroglyphs, Birds, Gnomes, Sheep, and Poetry Pillows.

Needle-felting class at the Lander Art Center

Gnomes made during the 2015 Guild Retreat in Lander, WY

Knitting Gnome and Sheep on display at the Guild exhibit
Fort Washakie, WY

Retreat projects on display at the June Guild meeting

Guild Retreats are held in May with Guild members teaching the classes. The next Guild Retreat will be held on May 7, 2016 at the Frank B. Wise Business Plaza in Fort Washakie, WY. Retreat classes and instructor have not been determined.

Paper-Piecing Works of Art

free pattern on The Inbox Jaunt
"The Hydrangeas"
finishes 24 x 34 inches

Paper-piecing patterns can range from simple to elaborate. Peggy Aare Page has created gorgeous flowers using the technique. The Hydrangeas shown above and the Rose and At the Window are only a few of her creations.

free pattern on The Inbox Jaunt
"The Rose"
finishes 24 x 24 inches

free pattern on The Inbox Jaunt
"At the Window" 
finishes 30 x 30 inches

You can see more of Peggy's designs here.

Crochet "Cheat" Sheets

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If you are a beginner or even a master of crochet, you might find various links to "cheat" sheets on Andrea's Notebook helpful. The sheets' topics range from sizes of blankets to a trouble-shooting guide.

Vintage Tatting Patterns

Tatting shuttle and Tatting sample

Our Guild has a few members who create beautiful trims by tying knots, a craft known as Tatting. 

Tatting may have originally developed from netting and decorative ropework as sailors and fishermen would put together motifs for girlfriends and wives at home. According to Wikipedia no documentation of or example of tatted lace that dates prior to 1800. All available evidence shows that tatting originated in the early 19th century.

Modern-day tatting can be done with a shuttle (shown above) or with long needles (shown below). 

The original Priscilla Tatting Book, published in 1909 and containing 68 pages of tatting patterns is available online. The book is free and can be read online or even downloaded in several different formats. (Once on the linked page, scroll down for download options.) 

Even if you do not know how to Tat, the book is worth scanning, as the stitch samples are beautiful and intricate. Please share the book link with someone who may be interested in trying some new Tatting designs.  

Handmade at Amazon

No doubt you are familiar with Etsy shops where individuals can sell their crafts and art online.

Amazon is developing a new branch, called Handmade at Amazon. This new store on Amazon.com is for invited artisans to sell their unique, handcrafted goods to customers worldwide. The site is still being developed, but Handmade Amazon is inviting artisans to browse some of the new features and apply and become part of the site when it is launched.

To be considered as part of the Handmade at Amazon team, products must meet their definition of handmade. All applications will be reviewed before being approved.

More information on Handmade at Amazon can be found here.

Spinning Wheel Maintenance

Are you aware that Schacht has several videos on YouTube that can help you with maintenance of your Schacht looms, wheels, etc. The videos demonstrate how to oil your wheel, change a drive belt, adjust the loom, install apron cords, assembling equipment, and more

Schacht YouTube videos

Hanging Sweaters

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If you are tired of having bumps on the shoulders of your sweaters from hanging in the closet, then try hanging them, using the method described on One Good Thing.

Fiber Getaways

Many crafting cruises and land tours are currently available, allowing you to take lessons and vacation at the same time.

Here are just a few discovered in a quick search:

Craft Cruises (some specific areas linked below)
       Knitting
       Crochet
       Needlepoint
       Handspinning
   
Craft Tours (some specific areas linked below)
       Knitting
       Crochet
       Felting
       Weaving
       Textiles
       Quilting

Quilt Seminars at Sea

Sew Many Places 

Quilt Camp at Sea

Maine Knitting Cruises

Disclaimer: Links provided are for information only. Fremont Fiber Arts Guild is not promoting any specific businesses. Please check the business' credentials before making any arrangements. 

Baby Dress

dress made from recycled sweater
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Friday's post featured how to turn an old sweater into a shoulder bag, but with a bit more work you can make a special dress for a little one from a loved sweater.

Make It and Love It  provides a complete tutorial to create this adorable little dress.