Tag: reduce-recycle-reuse

  • Challenge of the STASH

    Challenge of the STASH

    In my crafting communities, a lot of the conversation of late has been around our yarn or fabric buying habits. Almost all of us shared that we have more yarn or fabric than we’ll ever use – and we are a group that includes a wide range of ages! We know that continuing to purchase…

  • In the bag

    In the bag

    I finally finished my red, white, and blue cotton bag for small shopping trips. I made it with Lily Sugar ‘n Cream yarn and using the Yarnspirations free pattern for their Mesh Bag. It’s perfect for quick trips to the store (I take it to the drug store when I’m picking up vitamins, etc.) I had previously…

  • Finally finished!

    Finally finished!

    Well, I made it through May, managing to knit and/or crochet every day! The month is finished (Happy June & start of Summer in this part of the world!), and my t-shirt yarn tote is finished as well. It’s really heavy, but would be perfect for a day at the beach, at a picnic or…

  • Beginnings (of a bag)

    Beginnings (of a bag)

    I’m making decent progress on this bag and have to say, it’s thick and sturdy: more so than I imagined it would be. For a crocheted bag of this size, it will be able to easily hold items and not sag under their weight. Full disclosure – I did work on my “Bourbon Street Shawl”…

  • Trying something new

    Trying something new

    In the spirit of my recommendations around “Fiber First Aid”, I decided to try something new. As I have mentioned previously, I prefer to knit and crochet with worsted or DK weight. Contrary to that impulse, when I saw Joann’s house brand “Big Twist” had come out with a t-shirt yarn in some bright colors,…

  • Making progress

    Making progress

    While not as much progress as I had hoped considering all the education sessions I sat through, I am pleased with how this reusable shopping bag (small) is turning out. The photo above is a little dark but shows the distribution of the colored bands. The second pic (below this one) had better lighting, which…

  • Bottle slings (holders)

    Bottle slings (holders)

    I’ve been a bit obsessed with this pattern – especially when it’s made in a cotton yarn. For this (green) version, I started with a smaller base (30 sts), still using the H hook. I have a pink one also in progress, but in Big Twist yarn that I’m making with a G hook (pictured…

  • Summer accessories

    Summer accessories

    I recently had a need for a water bottle holder, and thought I’d try my hand at making one out of yarn. The project ended up serving a couple purposes, including using up some yarn in my stash (always a good thing!). Although I free-handed this pattern, I recognize that I did not come up…

  • The power in finished projects

    The power in finished projects

    I have shared my opinion, and the published research supporting that opinion, that fiber arts, and specifically crocheting and knitting, are good for our mental and emotional health. This blog post takes that one step further and explores the healing aspects of finishing a long-left undone project. I was cleaning out a closet and emptying…

  • Update on my Re-Spun experience

    Update on my Re-Spun experience

    I just pulled my finished shawl out of the dryer and have to say, it was a VERY pleasant surprise! I washed this along with a shawl in Red Heart (Retro Stripes!) and another in Mandala Sparkle. As scratchy as I found this yarn to work with, it launders up BEAUTIFULLY! In fact, it came…