Craft Day

A Knitter’s Boon: Wyoming Wool

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Gray wall, skeins of gray-toned yarn, with basket on top of cream yarn. Text, "A Knitter's Boon: Wyoming Wool, Petticoats & Pistols"

Confession time. I’m not a knitter.

I would like to be one. I’ve tried knitting. My grandmother taught me the basics when I was eight or nine years old. Much like my messy handwriting, my knitting only produced oblong shapes, instead of tidy, neat rows.

Crocheting, on the other hand? Love it!

Yeah, I produce oblong shapes sometimes when I crochet, but I just unravel the rows and start over. I find crocheting to be relaxing.

One of my favorite parts of a crochet project is picking out the yarn. There’s something so satisfying about standing in front of an aisle of yarn. All those colors! All those textures! I want them all. I could spend a LOT of money on yarn.

An article in the Cowboy State Daily recently caught my eye, “How Two Wyoming Women Turned a Hobby into Largest Wool Mill in the West.” Everything about that headline made me throw out a YEEHAW!

Wyoming wool? Yes, please!

Here’s what I learned from the article.

Two enterprising women–avid knitters–from Buffalo, Wyoming, wanted to open a craft store that sold yarn made from Wyoming wool. Apparently, Basque sheep abound in their area. But when they purchased a large bale of wool from a local rancher, they couldn’t find anyone to process it. They found a mill in Canada to process their 400-pound bale and ended up with about 200 pounds of white yarn that they then dyed and sold at farmers markets and similar outlets. Crafters loved the yarn, and Karen Hostetler and her friend set out to expand their business.

It wasn’t easy. They had to research and apply for grants. They even toured mills overseas to learn the ins and outs of production. In time, they purchased a no-longer-in-use T-shirt factory, sourced the equipment, and hired people. The business has only grown from there.

These two ladies buy their wool from six Wyoming ranchers, and they’ve set up a custom dye shop. One nice thing about Wyoming wool? It’s soft, not scratchy.

Mountain Meadow Wool has expanded since those early days. They’re producing 60,000 pounds of wool annually and introducing 30-40 new colors this year for the three types of yarn they produce–a fingering weight yarn, a chunky worsted, and a three-ply. They also sell wool products online.

For “100% American Made & Wyoming Grown” yarn, head to Mountain Meadow Wool!

Do you like to knit or crochet? What’s your favorite hobby?

Enjoy your day!

Candle Making – Research for Fiction and Fun

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Guest Author –  Regina Walker

Howdy! I’m so thankful you are here with me today.

First and foremost, I’d like to thank the incredible ladies behind Petticoats & Pistols. I appreciate you allowing me to post here and interact with your readers.

I previously wrote a post about how writing historical Western romance gave me a new appreciation for my own family history. You can find that post here: https://petticoatsandpistols.com/2022/06/23/regina-walker-insists-genealogy-isnt-such-a-bore-after-all/

Through writing, I am able to experience many different walks of life. I get to put myself (or my characters) into the shoes of another. I can be, do, see, or say any of the things I may not get to in real life.

Candle-making is one such venture. I’ve always loved candles and the process of making them seemed simple, albeit fascinating. I cannot enjoy candles the way I would like, as I have a very sensitive respiratory system, but I knew I could write a candlemaker into one of my books.

Enter Calvin Clark, the chandler in Central City, CO. As the story between Calvin and Eleanor unfolded, my interest in candles sparked even more.

I gathered up my kiddos and asked if they’d like to make candles for the farmer’s market. As soon as they said yes, I tippity-tappity-typed my fingers right over to Amazon, loaded my cart with candle-making goodies, and completed my order. With nothing to do but wait for said supplies, I returned to writing the book at hand, A Christmas Candle for Eleanor (free on 4/14/23 only).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098BSD3LH?tag=pettpist-20

I had to go back into the story and add more candle-ish bits because once I placed my Amazon order, I fulfilled that curious part of my mind. The kids asked me a few times when the candle goodies would arrive. We don’t have a Prime subscription, so we have to wait a little longer for our packages.

We spent a weekend making candles and had a blast doing it. We also figured out that it’s not simple, even though I thought it would be. The wax can’t be overheated or underheated, you have to mix the oils in at just the right temperature. Essential oils don’t do as well in candles as fragrance oils. It takes many wax beads to fill a small candle jar once they’ve been melted.

The kids and I had a lot of fun even though the scents triggered a migraine for my son. But, despite having so much fun, the kids never wanted to try again. That’s okay. Some things are fun to try but don’t need to become a well-developed skill.

***

I’d like to thank you again for being here with me! I would like to award a signed paperback to one lucky reader who leaves a comment here on the Petticoats & Pistols blog. (This drawing will happen randomly. Available to US residents only.)

To make commenting easy, I have a question for you:

Have you ever tried something and found it to be more difficult than you assumed it would be?

***

You can find me in my reader group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/reginasreaders

 ***

Regina Walker crafts interesting characters facing some of life’s hardest challenges. Her heart’s desire is to always point toward Jesus through the way her characters face challenges, relationships, and adversity.

Regina is an Oklahoma import, although she was born and raised in the beautiful state of Colorado. She likes to curl up on the couch and binge-watch crime shows with her hard-working husband. When she’s not wrestling with a writing project, she can be found wrangling their children, riding their horses, or working around their small hobby farm.

 

Jewelry Art and a Giveaway

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Hi everyone, Winnie Griggs here. Today I thought I’d do a post on one of my more recent hobbies – jewelry art.

I first stumbled on this when visiting a small town Texas festival. I walked inside one of the vendor booths and saw all of this beautiful metallic and bejeweled artwork everywhere. There were Christmas pictures that featured trees, wreaths and angels. There were romantic pictures that featured hearts, flowers and gowns. There were message pictures that featured names, occupations and short sayings. Everywhere I looked there was something new to delight the eye and each of them were entirely unique. And what made it even more fun was when I looked closer I could see that each picture was made up of dozens of pieces of jewelry.

I didn’t take pictures that day (and kicked myself for that later!), but if you want to see some examples, you can look HERE and HERE.

My mind immediately went to the box in my dresser where I tossed all of my broken jewelry, the earrings that no longer had matches and the beads and rhinestones that had fallen from their settings. At last! Justification for holding on to all those seemingly useless bits and bobs. And for the costume jewelry I no longer wanted.

The first thing I tried my hand at was a Christmas tree. While it didn’t come out as polished as some of the ones I saw at the festival I think it looks pretty good ?.

I’ve made several others since then but have given them away and don’t have pictures. But I also tried my hand at forming words which resulted in this Book Lover one.

I eventually ran out of jewelry and put the hobby aside. But I still look for inexpensive pieces when I’m in thrift stores or at garage sales and estate sales and am gradually rebuilding my stores. So who knows, I may give it another go soon.

So what do you think? Have you seen examples of this particular craft before? Have you tried it yourself? Would you like to?

I’ll select one person from among those who leave comments to send the Book Lover picture to. (And in the interest of full disclosure there are several glue stains on the backboard)

 

It’s Craft Day With Linda Broday

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Valentine’s Day is approaching and I have a wonderful project for crafty fingers. It’s easy or I wouldn’t be able to make it. I’m not very good at making things but this is really fun and I have this hanging on my door. I made it last year.

Here’s what you’ll need:

A hot glue gun or bottle of Elmer’s glue

2 Heart shaped paper cake doilies (pink or red) 8×10”

1 box of small puzzle pieces (Dollar Tree or Dollar General will have these)

1 heart shaped thick cardboard cutout 8×9” – If you use the hot glue, avoid foam.

Red or pink Ribbon – 18”

1 sheet Heavy Duty Paper (red, white, pink colored)

1 container of glue-on jewels optional

You’ll be able to find most things at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or craft stores when it gets closer to Valentine’s Day.

To start, you can lightly spray paint the backs of the puzzle pieces if they’re plain. But this isn’t a necessity. I kind of like the front side of the puzzle pieces if they’re not dark colors.

Take two paper doilies and glue the heart-shaped cardboard cutout to them. Avoid over-gluing or it’ll crinkle the doilies. Then start gluing the puzzle pieces on the cardboard cutout one by one. I stack them for a better effect and if you use a few of the decorative jewels here and there, it’ll be even prettier.

Let the glue dry. You can be making the little banner. It’s easier if you use a computer so you can use a fancy font and change the color. You can write anything. Mine says “All you need is love, but a little chocolate never hurt.” You can simply write Happy Valentine’s Day. If you don’t have a computer, you can handwrite the message or use stick-on letters. I think those would work well.

Once the glue is dry, add your paper banner and make a bow then hang on a door or wall.

I think you’ll love the festive bit of cheer. Older children will be able to make these.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

Crafting Obsessions

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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.

This is a cross stitch I did back in the ’80s

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?

Decorating With Horseshoes for Craft Day!

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After I sold my first two books to Harlequin, I started seeing cool horseshoe stuff on Pinterest. Crosses, Christmas trees, reindeer, wine racks, even tables, benches, and chandeliers! I couldn’t do those things because they required welding. ? But there were other items that I thought, heck, I’m crafty. I can do that. Like the cross here that hangs on my patio. For my I “free choice” day, I’m going to walk you through how to decorate a horseshoe like the first simple one I made for my office.

       

The cool thing about this craft is you can make it simple like my first one or as elaborate as you want. It’s all up to you and your imagination. The other great thing is you can use those single beads you don’t know what to do with.

What you’ll need:

  • Horseshoe (old or new depending on your preference) nails removed
  • Miscellaneous beads
  • Wire
  • Feathers, pendants, charms or anything else you’d like to add
  • Ribbon (if you want a bow)

If I’m adding a bigger item in the center, like the cross and other dangle above, I select beads that coordinate with those. I found these at a local craft store for three or four dollars. I usually prefer a copper or dull gold wire that doesn’t stand out unless my embellishments are silver. I 20-gauge wire, but use whatever fits through your beads or what you have on hand.

       

Slip the wire through a nail hole and bend it to secure as in the above picture. Then just start playing  with the wire and beads. To get the curls I wrap the wire around a regular pencil. (See below) For smaller curls, I’ve used those tiny screwdrivers. Keep adding bead, wrapping, and twisting until you get what you like. Add charms or feathers, and twine or wire in the center. Whatever you envision. It’s easy to undo something if you decide you don’t like the look.

Here’s how my demonstration has turned out so far. I can’t decide if it needs something else or not, but not bad for less than a thirty minutes working on it. You can either add twine, chain, or ribbon to hang your horseshoe. Or you can mount it on a board the way I did with the courage, strength, and hope one. I’ve seen horseshoes put on boards with great sayings such as “Ride…as far as your dreams will take you” or my favorite “Live like someone left the gate open.” I think that may be my next quick project. Just remember to hang your horseshoe with the open end up to keep the luck from running out and to allow it to be refilled!

To see the cool horseshoe designs and items I’ve found on Pinterest, click here.

If it’s a fortune to mail the horseshoe above for the giveaway, I’ll send the beads I wired, plus more wire and beads, the dream catcher and twine. You supply the horseshoe. Whichever, it will come with a copy of Roping the Rancher, my story set on an equestrian therapy ranch. To be entered in today’s random  giveaway, comment on what you think of items made from horseshoes or what’s your favorite? Or, ask me a question about my directions if something wasn’t clear.

Now I’m off to see who offers a welding class. A horseshoe end table would be fantastic…

Happy Crafting!

Baby Booties for Craft Day! with Pam Crooks

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Back in March, I introduced our plans to fill up extra days here at P&P with fun ideas and stories.  I kicked off our Free Days with a knitted washcloth pattern, which you can see again HERE.

As I explained then, I am a very basic knitter.  I would love to take some knitting classes for more advanced projects, but Covid has delayed classes until the fall.  I’d made a gazillion washcloths over the years, but baby booties are a first for me.

I was inspired to make booties through the Mary Madeline Project, an endeavor here in Omaha that benefits preemie and stillborn babies.  The Mary Madeline Project is the brainchild of a grandmother who endured the heart-wrenching loss of a baby granddaughter named Maddie who was born prematurely and hung on to life for seven agonizing weeks with the help of a ventilator.  But eventually brain-dead, the tiny baby girl was removed from life-support.  Amazingly, she lived long enough for the grieving parents to take her home and spend a few precious hours with her.

In the meantime, the baby’s grandmother shopped for a burial gown only to discover there were none small enough, and the happy atmosphere of a department store chock-full of adorable outfits was a bit depressing.  She came up with the idea to provide booties, hats, gowns and blankets for grieving parents, all made by loving volunteers, and all accessible and given away by the hospital.  No department store shopping needed.  Dressing their precious angel in a beautiful outfit for pictures and memories has been incredibly comforting for grieving parents.

You can read more about the Mary Madeline Project at http://www.marymadelineproject.org/

I’m sharing with you today a pattern for baby booties.  While they are intended for preemies or stillborn babies, the pattern can be adjusted for full-term babies.  They are so simple to make, even I had no trouble. I can finish one in about 45 minutes.

 

 

Baby Booties

Use worsted weight yarn, and size 8 Needles.  Make two.

  • Cast on 26 stitches
  • Knit 10 rows.
  • Bind off 10 stitches at the beginning of the next row.
  • Finish row.
  • Bind off 10 stitches at the beginning of the next row.  This will leave you with six stitches in the middle – five stitches on one needle, and one on the other.
  • Knit the remaining stitches for 20 rows.
  • Bind off.
  • Using a yarn needle, sew the bootie together at the toe and the sides.  Turn inside out.  Embellish if you prefer.

Note:  Footbed is 2 3/4 inches long.

 

Do you volunteer for a cause that is near and dear to your heart? 

One of you could win a pair of little booties or a knitted washcloth.  Your choice!

 

Bookish Crafts

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One of my favorite crafts is cross stitching. I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager, and I find it to be very similar to writing. You start with a blank canvas, follow some guidelines, add color and creativity, and eventually a piece of art takes shape.

I make small projects like Christmas ornaments as gifts, and my larger projects that often take years to complete become decorations for my home. Recently, I finished a matched pair of medieval maidens – The Reader and The Musician. I gave these to my daughter for her 23rd birthday. She will be moving into a new apartment in August, and they are something of a housewarming gift. The first one was finished in 2017, and I didn’t get around to finishing the second one until this year. These are special because both my daughter and I love reading, we both played the flute, and we both love historical things. It was the perfect trifecta!

Cross stitching is very easy, and I find it quite relaxing. I often have a project going while my hubby and I watch TV, or it can be great to do while listening to an audiobook. It’s like paint by numbers but with colored thread (floss) instead of paint. If you can follow directions and make tiny Xs, you can cross stitch.

I get especially excited about patterns that allow me to mix my love of reading with my love of stitching. So today, I’m giving away a pair of prizes.

First – A hand-crafted (by me!) bookmark that combines my two favorite past times – reading and stitching.

Second – An easy, beginner-level kit to let you try your hand at your own cross-stitch creation.

Giveaway!

For a chance to win my handmade bookmark
along with the nostalgic and adorable honey bear kit,
leave a comment about your favorite craft.

And if you are a fellow stitcher, let me know!

New at P & P–CRAFT DAY! by Pam Crooks

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To fill unscheduled blog days that pop up periodically throughout the year, the fillies will be featuring some crafts, decorating ideas, and a variety of other fun things we think you will enjoy.

Now, I’m not a big knitter although I’ve been knitting most of my life.  Basic projects, mostly, like winter scarves, but my all-time favorite is a simple washcloth.

what if life were a ball of yarn?

I’ve made stacks of these over the years. They’re great for tucking into Christmas stockings (yep, my adult daughters still get them hung on our mantle), to give away as bridal shower gifts, to needy families during the holidays and so on.  They wash up beautifully, absorb beautifully, and are my favorite go-to washcloth in my kitchen towel drawer

I can make one of these in two good nights in front of the television. The instructions are super-simple, and I’m happy to share them with you.

 

BASIC COTTON WASHCLOTH

Size 8 knitting needles

100% cotton yarn (I love the Peaches & Crème brand)

Instructions:

  • Cast on 4 stitches. (I usually do 5 stitches)
  • Knit 1 row
  • Knit 2 stitches. Move yarn over to front to create an extra stitch.
  • Finish row.
  • Work until 50 stitches are on the needle.

To Decrease:

Knit 1 stitch

  • Knit 2 together
  • Yarn over
  • Knit 2 together
  • Knit to the end of the row
  • Repeat until 4 stitches are left on the needle.
  • Cast off. When 1 stitch is left, cut 6″ tail of yarn and pull through the loop.  Tighten, then weave tail through.  I use a crotchet hook to do this.

I’m giving away a washcloth to two winners.  To be eligible, just tell me if you like to do needlework?  Knit? Crotchet? Counted cross stitch?