[devonbarmygardener]

I use a thread conditioner.  I'll find you a link.

I was going to say Thread Heaven 
Brilliant stuff 

[Aunt Sally]

It's great stuff. I'd not be without it now 

[New shoot]

I've been plodding on with an embroidery piece, but its slow going.  Partly because it is fiddly stuff and partly because I am not a patient person and have to be in the mood for it 

Anyway, it is a garden scene that is sort of realistic, but also with a bit of artistic license to give a nice result in the frame it is eventually going in.

The main features go in - wisteria hanging over a daphne and flowering cherry shrub



Then they are completed and some of the smaller plants go in.  I still have to put the leaves on the forget-me-nots.



Give me another 6 months and you may see it finished in its frame 

[snowdrops]

That's going to be lovely Newshoot😊

[chrissie B]

That looks lovley carnt wait to see end result, i have some old stuff from aunty doris , some shes started , theres 2 table cloths i would like to give them a wash first but im afraid i would loose the pattern .
chrissie b

[Aunt Sally]

That's very nice NS 

[Asherweef]

Hi all,

Think this is my first post in this thread; our house is filled with craft related paraphernalia as my girlfriend loves to quilt, block print etc.

She is also learning to knit after we bought the first copy of a knitting magazine (you know the 99p introduction with a couple of needles and a couple of balls of wool). However, I seem to have outstripped here here and am knitting a bit more voraciously. That being said I have still only made two simple scarfs (normal stitches) and a big pouffe-esque pillow. I would like to learn some more techniques (I am only just learning how to purl but it doesn't look right!). What would you recommend to improve my skills and knowledge? I think that I would like to be able to knit some socks...

Incidentally my girlfriend hs just started to stockpile dressmaking bits and pieces along with some fabric for the summer break (she's training to be a teacher) so any good ideas on cheap bits she might need would be welcome. 

Any advice or info would be appreciated - I'm spending some time on youtube learning how to purl. I know that sounds stupid as it's a simple process but it just doesn't seem right so I keep re-starting my knit! Her grandfather has Alzheimer's/Dementia so we will also be knitting a patchwork blanket for him with different textures - these patches would be ideal to learn new knits.

[chrissie B]

Hi asherweef if your not happy with what you knitted its no harm to pull it out , i tryed many years ago to show my daughter how to knit squares for a blanket i had to stop for the sake of my own sanity , i had to cut the stitched from the needle as she got tighter and tighter as she knitted, i suggested a different hobby shes good at sketching and liked to do caractures.
chrissie b

[Willow_Warren]

 image by Willow_Warren, on Flickr

I showed a few in progress photos of this, but finally finished it a few weeks back! Now I just need to take it to the framers 

I'm not very creative but I enjoy crafting, which is why I like cross stitch, tells you exactly what to do with so free styling!

Hannah 

[chrissie B]

Lovley work there willow -warren im the libra .
chrissie b

[Kate58]

Hi Asherweef - Good for you learning to knit.  YouTube is a great way to find out how to knit but sometimes the people demonstrating can go a little too fast.  One good way would be to go to your local library and you should find that they will have a wide range of knitting books - many aimed at the complete beginner.  Up to date ones have lots of diagrams and simple explanations. Knitty Gritty - for the absolute beginner by Aneeta Patel for instance is very good.  We have a 'Knit and Natter' at our local library and some knitting wool shops have them too.  You could make inquiries and I am sure if you pop along to one someone there should be able to help.

[Asherweef]

Hi Asherweef - Good for you learning to knit.  YouTube is a great way to find out how to knit but sometimes the people demonstrating can go a little too fast.  One good way would be to go to your local library and you should find that they will have a wide range of knitting books - many aimed at the complete beginner.  Up to date ones have lots of diagrams and simple explanations. Knitty Gritty - for the absolute beginner by Aneeta Patel for instance is very good.  We have a 'Knit and Natter' at our local library and some knitting wool shops have them too.  You could make inquiries and I am sure if you pop along to one someone there should be able to help.

Thanks Kate - I have considered Knitty Gritty. Any good?

I'm currently working my way through my first sock

[Kate58]

Hi Asherweef - it is a really good book.  One of our beginner ladies has used it and has found it very helpful - easy to understand and plenty of pictures.  I can highly recommend it.  I made myself a pair of socks but the youngest daughter decided they would be of more use to her!  I am on my second pair at the moment and I find it very relaxing just going round and round.  I like to use four needles as I can't get my head around using a circular with a 'magic loop'.  Good luck with your socks hope they fit when you have done

[chrissie B]

Ive finished my cruise pic did it on my holls last year which was a cruise !ive got a frame i enjoyed doing it .
chrissie b

[Goosegirl]

I'm currently doing some cross-stitch but want to know how to gently wash and dry it before being framed.