Trying New Needle Arts

[icelandelf]

Originally Posted by carnation

alum just posted about some new Boy Scout quilting fabric and one of my daughters has just shown me picture of a fabulous October quilt called Spiderwebs. I'd love to learn, if it's not too very hard!

I'm also thinking about learning to knit. Does it take long to get good at it? I can do most of the other needle arts but I've been thinking about this due to all the recent fiction series about knitters.

Who has tried something new?

One of the nicest books I've found that shows a variety of needlework is one called The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. This book has great instructions (both photos and written) for everything from Embroidery, Needlepoint, Crochet, Lacemaking, Quilting, etc. It may be out of print now, but you might be able to find one in a UBS. Good luck!

[btb87]

Originally Posted by icelandelf

One of the nicest books I've found that shows a variety of needlework is one called The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. This book has great instructions (both photos and written) for everything from Embroidery, Needlepoint, Crochet, Lacemaking, Quilting, etc. It may be out of print now, but you might be able to find one in a UBS. Good luck!

Will look high and low for this book!

I love afghan stitching. I've been planning to do a blanket for a while now. I am looking for a specific type of afghan hook, but can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

[sageofages]

Originally Posted by icelandelf

One of the nicest books I've found that shows a variety of needlework is one called The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. This book has great instructions (both photos and written) for everything from Embroidery, Needlepoint, Crochet, Lacemaking, Quilting, etc. It may be out of print now, but you might be able to find one in a UBS. Good luck!

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 .

[RU OX Alum]

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.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

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!

[carnation]

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.

[sherbertlemons]

Originally Posted by icelandelf

One of the nicest books I've found that shows a variety of needlework is one called The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. This book has great instructions (both photos and written) for everything from Embroidery, Needlepoint, Crochet, Lacemaking, Quilting, etc. It may be out of print now, but you might be able to find one in a UBS. Good luck!

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.

[ztafromuk]

Originally Posted by icelandelf

One of the nicest books I've found that shows a variety of needlework is one called The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. This book has great instructions (both photos and written) for everything from Embroidery, Needlepoint, Crochet, Lacemaking, Quilting, etc. It may be out of print now, but you might be able to find one in a UBS. Good luck!

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.

[GeekyPenguin]

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.