We use crafting nowadays for leisure and a way of managing stress in our lives. In the old west, it was much more practical. Take, for instance, knitting. When you lived a two-day ride from town, by necessity, you created your own warm garments for winter. I’ll bet socks probably took main stage, but hand-knitted scarves, sweaters, mittens and hats were often found under the Christmas tree as well.
I used to cross-stitch, I’ve quilted, and occasionally sew my own clothes.
But for the past several years, it’s been knitting. The problem is, I feel like if I can do it, it’s too easy. So I end up mired in impossible projects that I barely make it through in a year. But when I’m done, I have a work of art! I mostly choose Fair Isle projects, for the amazing colorwork. Here’s a few examples of things I’ve made:
Since none of those did me in (though it was sometimes a near thing), I’m venturing into new territory; designing my own.
I took a pattern:
And am adding a motif on the back –
I used this to get a color palette
I’m only about six inches in, and it is HARD! I’ll try to remember to post when it’s done, but don’t hold your breath, it’ll probably take me a year to finish! Wish me luck.
How about you? Are you crafty? What is your obsession?
Laura Drake is a New York and self-published published author of Women's Fiction and Romance.
Her romance series, Sweet on a Cowboy, is set in the world of professional bull riding. Her debut, The Sweet Spot, was a double-finalist, then won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She’s since published 12 more books. She is a founding member of Women's Fiction Writers Assn, as well as a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West.
Laura is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
I love to do hook rug kits.
I have several that my dad hooked, back in the 70’s! They’re precious to me. Hook on!
I have never been very crafty. I have had a lot of failed experiments.
Well, you don’t know what you like until you try them all – I just knew I was going to love weaving…I took lessons. Turns out, not so much. Keep trying new ones!
I sew, knit and cross stitch——and read a lot.
I think sewing is a dying art! Which hurts me – I remember back in high school, you could make something much cheaper than buying – no more!
Not so crafty anymore. I use to piece quilts but have about stopped that. Arthritis had a hand in that plus my sister who always done the quilting by machine past away. I never did learn to knit or cross stitch and to old to start now. Now I just mostly read and take walks.
Reading is a GREAT option! I hear you about the arthritis – I can’t do as much knitting in one day as I’d like to.
Laura, I’m glad you did your crafting post after mine! Your skill is off the charts woman! You know how much a items like you can make would cost in a store?
PS After being in the corral for two days straight, I had to stop in and say something so I don’t go into withdrawal!
Honestly Julie – it’s not something I recommend – I’m a bit obsessive. No one could pay me enough to do it – I do it for love! Welcome back!
I paint and draw, make Quilts and knives, sculpting too
You MAKE knives? Wow, that would be interesting! I so wish I could paint, but alas, that’s not a talent I have.
Love this!! I’m not really crafty and don’t have time to work on things in this stage of life. I tried knitting and that just is not my thing. Crochet seemed to click with me more. I’d rather read! Once the kids are grown I might try again.
Crafts are MADE for empty nesters, Susan! Hang in, you’ll get there.
What gorgeous things you’ve made, Laura! And the best thing is that you can wear them and enjoy them for years to come! I love that you’re branching out and creating your own designs as well. I’m an avid cross-stitcher, and like you, I tell myself that it’s just following directions, nothing super creative. But I have made a few of my own patterns, adding Bible verses to pictures or when I get really brave, changing the color scheme on a pattern. My son is getting married this spring, and I am making him and his bride-to-be a wedding sampler to commemorate the day. I loved everything about the pattern they helped choose except for a couple of the colors used. So I got brave and switched out a section of tan/brown for teal/blue. I’m nearly done, and I’m really happy with the brighter color scheme. Sometimes getting brave and branching out on your own pays off in the end. 🙂
Oh, how wonderful, Karen – that will be a family heirloom for later generations!
Welcome today. Oh but your sweater is going to be lovely. I am a crafter. I have done many things over the years. When our kiddos were growing up, I loved to paint on sweatshirt’s and t-shirts. I let the kids pick their own patterns and colors. They loved it. Until they got too old for that kind of thing. LOL But now my main hobbies are: quilting (since high school), sewing (since I was six), count cross stitch (since I was twelve) and of course making my own greeting cards (this I have been doing for 37 years now and couldnt even tell you what cards in the store cost anymore) quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Do you have a hard time finding material for clothes sewing, Lori? JoAnn’s and others mostly cater to quilters. I’m going to try out a place an hour from me, next week. I have a friend who makes gorgeous cards, too! That’s not for me, but I’ve got a BUNCH she made. Bad news is, they’re so special I tend to hoard them instead of sending them!
HI! Starting at age 12, I have sewn most of my clothes until recent years. I dabble in quilting. I did cross-stitch for a few seasons. I tried knitting, but preferred crocheting. Three years ago at age 64, I learned how to needle tat. I enjoy making small pieces such as spool-pin doilies for sewing machines, bracelets and bookmarks. It is fun, plus it brings in a little extra income. I love working with different colors of threads and beads, and exploring new patterns. Being small, it is easy to take my tatting projects along as I wait in line to pick up my granddaughters from school.
That sounds gorgeous, Sherry, and you won’t have my year-long project issue! Thanks for reading.
In the past I have done crewel, embroidery, rug hooked, cross stitched, and made clothes. I made a wool pants suit and my prom dress when I was in high school and in college I attempted spinning but did some weaving on a simple handheld loom. I made a poncho for my daughter, although I didn’t finish it until my granddaughter was old enough to wear it. I attempted knitting, but had a horrible time. Now I quilt usually only large laps and smaller ones. I enjoy it the most.
I like to quilt, Karijean, but I’m not exacting enough – all those points coming together! The odds of me cutting, ironing, and sewing them all perfectly? Close to zero.
Your knitting is beautiful and practical. I have been sewing a lot of my own clothes since I was eight. I am short so if I want it to fit right I end up making alterations even when I buy a dress or skirt. I have never mastered making pants but I do know how to take in waistbands and shorten pant legs…not really a relaxing hobby at that point but a necessity. I have dabbled with knitting, crocheting and quilting and enjoyed it but it took me way too long to finish a project.
Ha, Alice, I have the opposite problem! Sleeves and pants are too short! Talls are SO expensive, I’ve been making my own pants for decades! I hope you can find a craft to settle on!
I enjoyed counted cross stitch and hardanger. They make great gifts!
They sure do! Bet you’re busy working for Christmas presents now.
I used to crochet and do embroidery. However, you must wrist movement to crochet, and my right wrist is fused in one position, so crocheting had to stop. I still embroider some, and I’m still working on a tablecloth I started over 25 years ago! Needless to say, I don’t do it much! Now, I make my own cards, and I’ll be starting to make this year’s Christmas cards soon!
Trudy, card-making is a huge skill – that I don’t have. Enjoy!
Many years ago Julie Benson and I got into making jewelry. Due to arthritis in my hands I cannot do that anymore. Now I knit rather obsessively. I’m currently working on a cardigan for myself. It has taken me a few years to finally find a pattern I wanted to do with the yarn I have. We won’t even talk about the size of my stash. Something tells me I have enough yarn to last the rest of my crafting days!
Oh, I’m hoping my daughter will find someone to giving my stash to after I go – If I’d started at 20 I wouldn’t get through all the yarn I have! I like that meme that says that knitting/crocheting is one hobby, and buying yarn is another!
Paper crafting and quilting.
denise
Ohhhh paper crafting – I’d love to see that, d!
Hi, I like to paint and decorate birdhouses with my grandchildren, we also like to paint rocks and just do paper crafts, I also love to make note cards.
What wonderful memories you’re making with your grandkids!
Laura, what beautiful work. I decided to teach myself to knit many (1968) years ago when I left for a Peace Corps assignment. I figured I’d have time in the evenings. Well, I had the time, but knitting while in the tropics living in a glorified bamboo house was not the best of ideas. I could finally knit and pearl but couldn’t combine them. Of course there was no one around to help. Maybe I’ll try again one day. I like your design and the colors. I am sure it will be lovely when finished.
Anyway, I enjoy needlework and sewing. When our children were young I made many of their clothing and have done much of mine since high school until the children came along. Anymore, I do costumes, simple outfits, crafts, and home goods. I haven’t had much time for embroidery, but when we travel I usually work on projects. I can do cross stitch while riding.
Patricia – it’s so much easier to learn to knit nowadays with YouTube – you just find a video and watch it over and over until you get it! I taught myself to knit too – those horrible little paper books they used to have, showing you the stitches – It’s a wonder anyone figured it out!
I sew beads and sequins on calendars and banners. I cross stitch as well as a bit of quilting. I crochet afgans. Your work is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Debbie. I’ll bet your beading is gorgeous!