Saturday, August 22, 2009

Moving on

Now that I have finally finished stitching my longest (20 year) project ever, a counted cross stitch, I can move on to my knitting (actually crocheting this time)! You can see what my project looked like back in 2006 here. Next I need to wash it and get it ready to be framed. Way back when, I actually took a class in framing cross stitch pictures using the lacing method. I did frame several pictures, but I'm not sure I remember everything I need to know. I will have to make a trip to the cross stitch store soon and do some investigating. Maybe if I tell them what I remember they can tell me if it's possible to do it myself...successfully that is. That's one thing you don't have to worry about when you knit...no framing required ;) I like that!!

Now, that I have that off of my mind so to speak, it let me be free to try something that I have been wanting to try ever since I saw it (sort of - I will explain) in a February 1977 Family Circle magazine that I came across last summer. Looking through the index I saw a craft that was new to me. Clothesline Crochet. I was soon very disappointed because by the time I found the appropriate pages to my chagrin I found that they had been cut out of the magazine. No pictures to see what this craft looked like. I was not very happy, but at the back of the magazine the instructions were intact! Yay! They used strips of fabric and there were 6 patterns to choose from. I wasn't sure that I wanted to go the fabric strip route. I did that once knitting strips of an old flannel sheet into a rag rug. It was very hard on the hands and I anticipated the same thing would happen crocheting strips of fabric. Definitely a good recycling craft, but I wanted to see if some one else had did it with yarn. A google search led me to these instructions - using yarn. I used the information there to start my experiment and here is what I came up with, a small basket:

Basically you use regular old clothesline,( yes, the stuff you string up to hang out your wash on) as a core which you crochet over and it gives your crocheted item a stiffness, almost like when you felt, but not. I think you get my drift.


Here's the basket...you can look inside of it:
I made handles similar to the ones on my plastic big bag. It was rather fun to try and there are numerous possibilities for making other items.
Before I forget again I want to show you what my sister sent me for my birthday back in June: Some beautiful handspun yarn that she spun for me. The lavender skein(didn't photograph too well) even has a metalic shiny thread running through it. Next on my to do list - must be on the lookout for the perfect pattern for this yarn. For now I just keep petting it as it is sooo soft! Included in the package was a teabag holder that her husband made from scratch from a piece of myrtle wood. I wish you could feel the smoothness of the wood. It is very special and I will treasure it forever :)
Well, as of the beginning of this week I was pretty caught up with my blogging and then pep band camp happened and I was quickly back to square one. It was worth it though as this year I helped with the uniforms, fitting the kids and altering the uniforms to fit them was rather fun. The kids were very appreciative. Between all the hems and buttons I had a pretty sore finger though. The first day I forgot to bring a thimble. The second day I had it and it was much better. Between that and bringing my middle guy to look at colleges, we have been very busy and there has been a little excitement in the family as my oldest son gave his girl a diamond engagement ring last Friday. No date set yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if a wedding is in the works sooner rather than later :) I know I should have taken pictures of them both (I'm a bad mother) but it was a bit confusing when they were here for dinner last night. There was a lot to catch up on as we had not seen him since the 4th of July weekend.

Well, hope this finds you all happy and enjoying the little bit of summer that is left. The time goes by way too fast. Never ever enough time to do everything you want to. Happy Knitting everyone :)

25 comments:

  1. Congratulations to your son! How exciting for your family!

    Oh --- I DO remember those band MOM days. I did my share of hemming and button sewing --- along with sequin fixing for the guard girls and polish for all those marching shoes.

    Sometimes I miss being so involved, but I don't miss hemming sleeves through those layers of buckram (sp?)

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  2. the cross stitch is BEAUTIFUL!.
    I am so NOT ready for back to school....
    *insert sigh* definitely will cut into crafting time.

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  3. Wow, your counted cross stitch piece is beautiful. It looks like it was done on linen. If so, a double WOW!

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  4. Yarn is always a most delightful gift, and the teabag holder is wonderful. It looks like it would be very pleasant to touch.

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  5. Your cross stitch picture turned out beautiful! I've never done a project that involved; you must have the patience of Job when it come to crafts. Good luck with the framing. I bet it will look even better when you're done with that.

    I'd never heard of clothesline crochet. Your basket is looks great!

    Oh my goodness, the first son goes, then you look around and find the house empty before you know it. (Don't worry though, that'll make lots more room for yarn.:) I bet you're glad you don't have to plan the wedding, although, I hear the groom's family does more in that respect these days.
    Have great week!

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  6. Congrats to you and your family on the engagement! How exciting!

    The basket is really cute - very clever, and I love it with the flowers in it.

    Gorgeous woodworking too - what a nice birthday gift (and happy belated birthday!)

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  7. Oh my goodness, congratulations!!!!!!! I hope you'll keep us posted... :)

    The counted crossstitch is lovely. I have a big project that I've been working on for years already, and it may take me 20 years to finish it.

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  8. Wow- that's wonderful. Congratulations to you son and his girlfriend!
    What a lovely birthday present. I like the wooden little bowl especially.

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  9. Congrats to your son, and congrats to you on finishing that cross stitch! I can't believe you had the perseverence to finish it after so long.

    I love the basket. I had read a bout clothesline crochet in a book a few years ago, and have wanted to try it, but I never remember to buy the line.

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  10. Your cross stitch is magnificent!
    It is very beautiful!

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  11. First off, congratulations to your son. That cross stitched piece is magnificent! For sure that's a family heirloom ! I do remember that method and the term clothesline crochet is somewhat familiar. Wow, that basket is wonderful. I love the yarns and I especially love the tea bag holder. Would you believe I just started collecting them last year. I will probably do a subpost about them this year. The piece that your clothesline basket is on, did you make that also ?

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  12. the finished stitching is amazing. it's so 3-d! that clothesline crochet technique looks interesting. oooh, the teabag holder looks smooth! the sparkly yarn is pretty. :) ahh, that's right! I knew your middle guy was going to be off to college soon. that was nice that you helped with the uniforms @ pep band camp. :) congrats again on your oldest son's engagement. :)

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  13. I was just passing thru and saw the basket and the wooden bowl
    I love it


    take care
    Paula
    http://www.thecranberrycupboard.com

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  14. congratulations on finishing up the cross stitch! i knew you could do it! : )

    what great presents your sister sent, too! the teabag holder is beautiful.

    and congrats to your son!!!

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  15. The cross stitch is gorgeous! Congrats on finishing it!

    That teabag holder looks a lot like a soy sauce dish to me. In fact, I HAVE used soy sauce dishes to put teabags on. :-)

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  16. Wow, congrats on the big news!! Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy. The cross stitched piece came out so nice! I like your crochet project too, I've seen something similar with fabric strips but haven't tried it.

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  17. Congratulations on your son's engagement. How wonderful to look forward to a wedding!

    Cool basket. Does that mean you have a collection of Family Circle mags dating back to 1977?

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  18. Congratulations!! You must be proud!

    Your cross stitch is AWESOME! What a great feeling to finish something that big.

    I had never heard of clothesline crochet - it looks fun.

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  19. Congratulations! And what a beautiful cross stitch! I actually bought one a few months ago after years of not doing them. It's been fun, but I have a feeling it also might be a 20 year project! The yarn is nice. You should make your self a beautiful hat and/or scarf!

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  20. Wow, you've been busy. Congrats to you and your son, thats pretty exciting. Keep us posted on plans.

    The cross stitch came out very nice, though I have no clue what lacey thing you're talking about. I always just matted and framed them. Sometimes with glass, sometimes not. Without gives you the benefit of texture; but the disadvantage of it getting dirty. After doing that several times at the suggestion of the cross stitch shop, I opted for glass. then you can dust.

    Clothes line...wow, as a kid I would snatch Mom's from time to time to play jump rope, but I've never had a clothes line. I really hate hanging up clothes on a line.

    Sandy

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  21. I just finished my Paula Vaughan cross-stitch--it's the seamstress's room one, with the sewing machine and the dress form. It was a long time coming. When my sister passed 8 years ago, my BIL found it among her things, just started-he thinks it was to be next year's Christmas gift to me. So I just finished it. I'm planning on framing it by making it a small wall quilt--cheaper and more fitting for my sewing room. Nice blog.

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  22. I'm not ready for back to school, either. And I've been in school all summer..argh!

    A 20 year project?!? It turned out gorgeous, though! The basket is nice too. I made a couple with a big hook and six strands and they still flop around. I must find clothesline.

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  23. first off, congratulations to your son.

    finally, your stitched piece is gorgeous! way to go!

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  24. Hoping you're doing ok, it's been awhile since you've posted, or since we've visited.

    Also wondering, the white star like stitched item in the background (placemats?), what stitch is that? A client showed me a coaster her favorite uncle made her years ago. She asked if I knew how to make it, it looks like this picture of yours.

    Sandy

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  25. Thanks for the info regarding loom. If you ever find a picture or something, I'd love to see it. I really think this is the method those coaster's were made from.

    Sandy

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