Fall Mood Means More Needlework and Crafts

At the Velvet Ice Cream
Factory grounds in
Utica, Ohio.

I've really neglected this blog, which is obvious by the July 7 date stamp on my most "recent" post. However, with the arrival of fall and increased creativity in the needlework and crafts areas, I'm feeling energized about Come to the NudgeryFaire again.

Not that I've been idle. I've been keeping up with my writing blog, Nudged to Write, and started a blog about the local county fair that actually inspired my interest in things like embroidery and crochet. That blog is called The Late, Great Carthage Fair. There I'm talking more about the history of the fair and my memories going back to childhood in the late '50s and early '60s. I did do one post about my first entry at the fair in 1969, and I'm going to cross-post it here.

I also want to continue to move posts from my first blog, Salmagundi Express; I'm going to focus on the fall-related posts there over the coming weeks.

And I've added quite a few items to my Etsy shop, including my first beaded jewelry pieces. More on that in later posts.

Amish farmer tending his fields near Berlin, Ohio.

In the meantime, I'm including a couple of shots in this post of Amish country in northern Ohio. My mother and I took that trip a couple of weeks ago, and it was lovely, as usual. And Mom, a devoted quilter, had lots of fun looking through all the great fabric shops in Holmes County and the general area.

Finally, if you're into knitting, you might enjoy my sister's blog at The Warden's Log. She started knitting last spring, and I'm amazed at how she's taken off with it. She discusses her triumphs and challenges with the knitting needles, links to free patterns, and displays her various projects. She also writes great pieces about "the Inmates," her two kids. Enjoy!

Horse on hilltop near Charm, Ohio.

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.