I second the nomination on this book.

I excell at handicrafts and needle arts.

I can crochet, sew, quilt, counted cross stitch, crewel work and knit. All are self taught.

My knitting took me years and years to learn. I could knit, but I couldn't get the hang of the purl stitch...until one day I had an "ah ha" moment and realized what I was doing wrong :).

If a button pops off I can get it back again. That's it. That's all I can do, but it's something.

I know this isn't a guy's thread but still.

I can handle loose/random buttons.

can you please teach my husband how to do that??

I tried to teach myself how to knit from a book, and my stitches looked right but it was really hard, so I think I was doing something wrong. I managed to make a scarf for myself and for a family friend. I started on a scarf for my sister-in-law but then she had an affair and was no longer my sister-in-law so the half scarf sits in my craft basket unfinished (needles still attached).

I am working on a crosstitch christmas stocking for the baby. Hopefully it will be done by christmas!

Darn. I just read the latest Elm Creek Quilts book (I haven't read the rest) and now I really want to learn to quilt too. Like I have all this time to even finish all my crewel, hooked rug, and cross stitch projects! alum, I need to find a guild like the one in the book!

But...the 2 exchange students who are coming want to learn American crafts so we may all learn together and that's great.:)

Thanks for starting this thread, carnation! I like to crochet, and I really want to learn to quilt.

I'm going to seek out the book that was recommended, but any other tips for how I should learn to quilt? Is it really something that I can teach myself from a book? I've been searching for some type of group in my area and coming up somewhat empty handed.

Yes, you can teach yourself from a book, but I'd recommend a class. That's how I got stuck in my knitting - I taught myself the basic purl and knit stitch, but I really could not figure out how to read the patterns.



Try looking at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or maybe even Wal-mart. Many times these places will advertise that they offer classes for a particular craft. We have Jo Ann's Fabric stores all over Houston and sometimes they offer quilting and other needle art classes.

Another source would be leisure learning type classes that may be offered through community colleges. For the one knitting class that I did end up taking, the teacher was offering her advanced level class through the JCC - Jewish Community Center.

Ditto on that. If you can't find that and are interested in embroidery, I also recommend the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches.

Sublime Stitching also carries really fun transfers.

Tried to knit from a book, can't do it to save my life.

I also sew.

Look in your yellow pages under fabric for quilt shops. Specialty quilting shops are usually good sources for guild info.

This book is THE ONE. Really. I've had it since the 1970's, lent it out and lost it a few times, then buy it back. This intraweb thing makes it much easier to rebuy it! Many of the projects are quite tacky, but if you want to learn something, you can just dig the book out and play with yard or needles until you figure it out.

Have fun. I have not been on a crafty kick lately - maybe I should start again.

I am working on a cross-stitch for a friend's baby that's really 80% satin stitches which I am awful at for some reason. I hope it's done before the kid starts walking. My mom is going to teach me to knit after this so I can do easier projects. ;)

I, too, would like to learn how to knit one day, along with crewel. I actually just started a new quilt, and if it's done in a year, I'm happy.