Fiber Arts Enthusiasts

Hello there!

I saw this group and figured I should join since I'm a fiber enthusiast as well. My mum taught me to knit when I was 4 years old and I've been knitting ever since! A few years ago I learned how to spin and now I love making my own yarn as well as pestering my friends with sheep for wool.

Is there a forum for this group? It would be fun if we could post some photos of our projects here.

Have a lovely day!

Hi everyone. I was just browsing through the Catholic Answers site and headed to the forums home to see what kind of forum topics were available...and I found this one for starters! I love to crochet, want to learn weaving and do many different kinds of crafts--stained glass, paper crafts, etc. I taught preschool art for a while and loved working with the children; they really enjoy art.

I also make Christmas ornaments every year for my extended family and my husband's family. My mom did this for us for many, many years. Our Christmas tree is now very full with homemade ornaments. When my mom passed away in 2003, I told my brothers (I have 4 bros and no sis's) that I wanted to continue her tradition and they all said YES! The first year I made crocheted wreaths using the miniature ornaments for decorations on them. Every year the ornaments are made from a different media.

Right now I am crocheting a baby blanket for my niece who is expecting her first baby in one month -- she is due March 23rd and is having a boy.

I look forward to joining in on the conversations here. Have a great day!

Hi Jane -- Thanks for the tip. I'll keep a look out for it. But I haven't found any in any of the Walmarts in my area recently.

For Kalt: WalMart carries Lion Brand yarn so look for something called "WoolEase", which is washable wool. They also carry Fisherman's Wool, which is an ecru color, they have a brown shade and a twisted one with the ecru and brown. Let us know how you make out.

Hi Jane -- You are so right about places that sell yarn are closing. We use to have a Michaels near us, but now it's closed. Yes there are others, but I really can't get to them easily. Walmart is even going out of the crafts business. Most don't have fabric any more. The others don't have a large selection of yarn.

Actually, Jane, yes, one of our first projects was a wash towel. Now I'm trying to make a small set of them to give to my sister. Somehow mine turned out looking more like a diamond shape, so I'm making them into pot holders. We are also going to eventually make socks too. I think I'm going to give them to my nephew. That is if they turn out OK.

Hi Catholic Home, I'm sorry I didn't respond about the avatars. I'm pretty sure you can do a custom one. But I'm not sure how to do it. That's probably why I didn't respond.

Hi Kalt -- I get most of my yarn at Walmart for the most part. I've got alot of acrylic yarn. The problem with Walmart is that they don't carry any wool yarn. They do carry some cotton though. I just don't get to many other craft stores these days.

Kathy

Dear Kalt,
I love to get my yarn at yarn shops but you are right about them closing. I also go to Michael's and there are lots of people that get them off the internet.
Kathy, what are you starting on in your beginner's class? A good thing is to start on washcloths because you can try out all kinds of different stitch patterns as you make them, they finish quick, wear like iron and are fun!

Oh, nevermind about the Avatar. I forgot I picked one. Can you upload a custom avatar?

Hi Kalt, No, Absolutely do not dye the cloth myself! Too many irons in the fire as is! I've always loved textiles and am a little obsessed with finding lovely ones to work with. I am an avid coupon clipper and search for bargains but also find lots of neat stuff at estate sales. My husband is back from walking the dogs (stray dog hair makes a lovely embellishment, don't you think?) so I'm going to drag him off to one nearby. What a nice surprise for him. (Not!)

Speaking of dogs, do any of you make sweaters for your pets? Last year I dug around in my yarn stash and found a bunch of crazy fuzzy yarn and made a freeform sweater for our Puggle. DH refused to walk him in it. What a meany!

Off topic, but how do you add an avatar to your profile? I don't like being a question mark!

Catholic Home, WOW! The quilts are incredible. I don't have time right now to really read your site. Do you die the cloth yourself? The colors and detail is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Hello, Kathy. Thatnks for starting this group! I'm also Irish (American, really) and knit. My favorite projects are Irish and Icelandic knits. Have never made a blanket or socks, but I hear that making socks is all the rage now. My sister taught me to knit when I was a kid, and I've been kniting since. I haven't really done much lately, but it's funny that I found your group today, because I'm starting a sweater today (if I can find the right pattern and yarn). Most of the really nice yarn stores here have closed - lack of interest in the art, I guess. Where do you get your yarn?