Getting Into Knitting

I'm very accomplished at many different types of needlework, but getting into kitting hasn't worked all that well for me. I've told myself that knitting is extremely popular and all kinds of stitchers are able to do it, but I'm simply not as comfortable with knitting as I am with crocheting. Maybe it's more exacting (I find it's easier to "fudge" in crochet), maybe it's less forgiving, for me, when it comes to correcting mistakes; I have no trouble ripping out rows of crocheting in any project and picking up again where I need to, but in knitting I'm totally thrown off.

I finally accomplished a very basic sock pattern, so at least I can make simple woolen socks for winter wear. That's pragmatic, though. When it comes to stitching for enjoyment, I reach for my crocheted lace books or hand quilting or find thread embroidery. I was the same way with tatting and bobbin lace. I won best of show at the Ohio State Fair in tatting, and even managed a blue ribbon in bobbin lace (and knitted lace, for that matter), but I don't gravitate back to these arts. Maybe it's something about the way the mind is wired. I've read stories where scientists or chess champions also did bobbin lace or complex knitting. 

My sister, also an experienced crocheter and needleworker, decided to give knitting a try earlier this spring. She's moved right along, attempting stitches and techniques I had to abandon simply after reading the instructions. Even at the dishrag stage, she dove into patterns I was too intimidated to try, such as designs with cables. She was brave enough last month to attempt a dog sweater pattern (free from the Lion Brand website, if you want to register and check it out) for the latest member of the family, Jimmi (a March adoption from Recycled Doggies). It took her a few tries, sampling different patterns and adjusting for chest measurements, but Jimi now has a new sweater. And my sister is courageously pressing forward as a converted knitter. Congratulations to her! Maybe she can make me some really swell socks for Christmas.

Two More Vintage Button Projects

As I mentioned in the previous post, I had some button projects included under my byline in the book Busy with Buttons by Jill Gorski. I have the other two projects I made for the book on sale now in my Etsy shop. The altered antique cabinet card is something anyone can do--although I recommend NOT doing it with a family photo. (Those are precious and rare, and someday you might want to scan that image and share it with relatives who are doing genealogy.)

I used an old cabinet card I bought in a photo lot on eBay, unidentified except for the photography studio. This kind of project can use up old buttons, lace and other trims, ribbon, and even scrapbook papers. In other words, just about anything you might have in your stash. Combining vintage trims and embellishments with an antique photo gives it special authenticity and charm. Local antique malls probably have old cabinet photos for very reasonable prices.

Another item you may find for a dollar or two at antique malls and flea markets is the stereoview card. Stereoviews are the long cards with double photos that create a 3D effect when viewed through a stereoptican. Rare historical stereoviews can be pretty pricey, and even cards that picture desirable locations can cost more; but stereoviews that show generic scenes can be a bargain and offer some interesting inspiration for embellishments. The altered stereoview I created for Busy With Buttons and now have for sale on Etsy shows a wedding scene. Naturally, I chose lace snippets and elegant antique buttons to go with the theme. Your own creativity will suggest ways to embellish stereoview cards, which make interesting and attractive doorknob hangers when tied with lengths of ribbon. Just be sure the stereoview you choose to work with isn't valuable; you wouldn't want to discover later you glued buttons and paper scraps to a desirable collector's item.

My Button Quilt Hanging on Etsy

One of the items I currently have for sale on Etsy is this miniature whole cloth quilt hanging with vintage fabric-covered buttons. I made this when I was working as an associate editor at Krause/F+W Media. We needed some additional projects for the book Busy With Buttons by Jill Gorski. I created three projects and wrote up the directions; all three were included under my byline in the book.

This project is a fun, simple way to use any kind of button; it's especially nice to feature fabric-covered buttons from old dresses. The material and pattern of the fabric can be unusual, and it provides an authentic record of fabrics of the past.

Redwork from The Workbasket

NOTE: This 11/13/99 post is migrated from my old blog, SalmagundiExpress.

Today one of the books I've been editing, Redwork from The WORKBASKET, went to production, another step closer to being published, although the book doesn't come out until next spring.

I've had a special place in my heart for this book, by contributing editor Rebecca Kemp Brent, from the start. Although it's really a machine embroidery book, the designs are taken directly from vintage embroidery transfers from The WORKBASKET, a great old magazine I remember my mother getting back in the 60s. Twenty years later, I started buying vintage copies in antique malls for the wonderful crochet and tatting patterns. I won a lot of ribbons making projects from old WORKBASKETs.

A little over a year ago I learned that Krause Publications, an imprint of the company I work for, F+W Media, actually owns The WORKBASKET. That means we have all that content at our disposal, including those fabulous embroidery transfers.

The designs were redrawn directly from the original transfers and digitized for machine embroidery. Since I've always been into hand embroidery (well, nearly always -- I started doing needlework regularly when I was about twelve), the part about this project that excites me is that all 100 vintage designs are in JPEG and PDF formats on the disk that comes with the book. That means anyone who's as crazy about embroidery as me can print these designs right off the disk and create a fresh embroidery transfer.

I did the hand embroidery samples for the book, which was fun. I stitched a redwork horse head, which is an unbelievable design, on a dishtowel and two pillowcases with morning glory designs in hand-dyed and variegated thread. Rebecca has some wonderful projects in the book, but since I don't do machine sewing either, I won't be attempting the bed quilt very soon. But my fingers literally itch to tackle more of those embroidery patterns!