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CureMinorWounds posted:On that note our yarn ball winder is something we just started carrying, and it really sucks, don't buy it. It can only wind very small cakes, and can't do anything unless you have already unwound all the yarn for it. If you need to know what Hobby Lobby's got I can tell you. Sounds like the same one that I've been seeing at JoAnns lately. I think it's a Royal. Blue and white plastic. It's not the greatest, but I know a couple of knitters who have it and are fine with it. They know the limitations and while they'd rather have a better/nicer/sturdier one, the Royal is more affordable and does work. I hear the same stuff about the one from KnitPicks. If I didn't have a ball winder, I would have gotten the one from JoAnns as soon as I saw it. With a 40% off coupon I could live with it not being the awesomest thing in the world. I got a nice wooden ball winder soon after I started crocheting. My mom got it for me as a present for all the graduation gifts and whatnot I never got because I never told her what to get. I love it. But it's a bitch without a swift if I have a hank of yarn. So now I've got a friend picking up a swift for me. I'm hoping this is the last piece of expensive equipment I'll need. But I make a total mess of hanks when I try to wind them and it'll be worth it to not hurt the little bit of nice yarn I get.
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| # ? Jun 8, 2010 17:54 |
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| # ? May 21, 2013 17:51 |
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Ma_NiC posted:I've decided now that I really need a yarn ball winder thingee. Do they generally carry them at craft stores like JoAnn's, Micheal's and Hobby Lobby, or would I have to order one online? You can often find yarn winders on Ebay, I got a second hand knitmaster one for pretty cheap and I love it to bits.
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| # ? Jun 8, 2010 17:55 |
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I've maybe gotten yarn that comes in hanks twice (hooray for being a cheap crocheter/knitter), but I have a stupid pet peeve that I think requires a yarn ball winder. When trying to find the end of the yarn that's buried in the middle of the skein, I usually end up having to pull out half the loving skein trying to find it, then I have to wind it around the outside of the remainder of said skein, and then it takes forever for the yarn to be moving smoothly out of the middle, instead of having to unwind the previously wound yarn from the outside. It slows me down and disrupts my rhythm when I'm trying to make something, and it really pisses me off. Am I an OCD crocheter/knitter, or does anyone else have this silly frustration? In any case, I'll probably just buy a cheap one on JoAnn's website since I have that coupon. I'd like a nice electronic one, but I just can't justify spending that much on something to wind yarn.
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| # ? Jun 8, 2010 19:16 |
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Ma_NiC posted:I've maybe gotten yarn that comes in hanks twice (hooray for being a cheap crocheter/knitter), but I have a stupid pet peeve that I think requires a yarn ball winder. When trying to find the end of the yarn that's buried in the middle of the skein, I usually end up having to pull out half the loving skein trying to find it, then I have to wind it around the outside of the remainder of said skein, and then it takes forever for the yarn to be moving smoothly out of the middle, instead of having to unwind the previously wound yarn from the outside. It slows me down and disrupts my rhythm when I'm trying to make something, and it really pisses me off. Am I an OCD crocheter/knitter, or does anyone else have this silly frustration? Oh, I hate this too, as well as the time when you've used half the ball and the remainder gets all loose and tangled and you end up with four balls knotted together.
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| # ? Jun 8, 2010 19:44 |
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Does anyone here teach crochet classes anywhere? Do you get paid for them if you offer to do them at a library or something? Does hobby lobby use people who already work there to run the workshops for stuff like that?
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| # ? Jun 9, 2010 06:01 |
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http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/072803.html This is the one I bought from these guys, I think it was the cheapest one I found from someplace that wasn't Ebay. I like it just fine. I think having an umbrella swift is really what makes the difference as far as maintaining the right tension on the yarn and keeping it from getting tangled. I buy skeins of cheap acrylic and wind them into flat balls with this because it's much easier to transport/store the yarn that way. Occasionally I buy something that costs more than 3 dollars for 255 yards and it works just fine for that, too.
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| # ? Jun 9, 2010 06:13 |
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I found one on KnitPicks for like $20 and they have free shipping for orders over $50, so uh, guess I'll have to buy some other... stuff to get free shipping. My birthday is in a couple weeks, so I'll probably be getting some cash. Their swifts are loving ridiculously expensive, though. I'll probably go elsewhere for one of those.
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| # ? Jun 9, 2010 07:22 |
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Isis Q. Dylan posted:Does anyone here teach crochet classes anywhere? Do you get paid for them if you offer to do them at a library or something? Does hobby lobby use people who already work there to run the workshops for stuff like that? Hobby Lobby usually has a classroom space that they rent out to people that need a place to teach. As far as I know they only use outside teachers for stuff like that, its hard to find crochet teachers, cause most people don't want to pay like $50 bucks for two 1 hour classes. I thought it was pretty reasonable...
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| # ? Jun 9, 2010 13:04 |
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Isis Q. Dylan posted:Does anyone here teach crochet classes anywhere? Do you get paid for them if you offer to do them at a library or something? Does hobby lobby use people who already work there to run the workshops for stuff like that? I'm going to be doing a (so far) one time thing at my library in a few weeks. I work there so I'll be getting paid my normal rate. I'd have been willing to do them for free, but I can't really turn down money at this point. Libraries don't have huge budgets for programming at the moment, but call around and talk to whoever organizes the programs. The Hobby Lobby here lets instructors use the classroom for free. I think they allow the instructor to keep all the sign up fees as well. The thinking is that people will be brought in and will buy supplies there. As far as I know, all the classes they offer are done by outside people and not employees. There's a group on Ravelry for crochet instructors that may have more information. Ah, here it is. Devi fucked around with this message at Jun 9, 2010 around 17:15 |
| # ? Jun 9, 2010 17:12 |
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Thanks for the responses. I'd do a class at my library for free, it'd just be nice to get paid. What kind of things are you going to teach? I'm thinking of pitching a class as going over the basics and then building up to making a washcloth or scarf. Edit: With a bit of pattern frankensteining, the cat pattern from shark farts makes a cute bunny.  Click here for the full 479x720 image. pardon the blurriness. Isis Q. Dylan fucked around with this message at Jun 9, 2010 around 22:28 |
| # ? Jun 9, 2010 18:48 |
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I just wanted to let you crazy crocheters know that I've restarted  The Great Yarn Swaphttp://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...hreadid=3314729 Because you guys totally have yarn you have no idea what you're going to do with. 
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| # ? Jun 9, 2010 22:56 |
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I need to look through my stash. I probably just have a bunch of cheap acrylic to swap. HEY EVERYONE WHO STILL WANTS IN ON THE CROCHET/KNIT SWAP!!!! By tomorrow morning you should have your person. This means if you want to participate, get to emailing me!
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| # ? Jun 9, 2010 22:59 |
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Isis Q. Dylan posted:Thanks for the responses. I'd do a class at my library for free, it'd just be nice to get paid. What kind of things are you going to teach? I'm thinking of pitching a class as going over the basics and then building up to making a washcloth or scarf. What I wanted to do was just Crochet 101. Teach a stitch, have everyone make a square of that stitch, move on to the next one. That way they'd get some familiarity with the foundation chain, sc, dc, and hdc. But I've been told that instructors are the only ones who think this is a good idea and it would bore students to death. So instead I'm going to teach them enough for them to make rectangles in sc that they can sew up into fingerless gloves, a little card holder, or a pouch. This is assuming anyone signs up. I may just be hanging out and crocheting by myself.
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| # ? Jun 10, 2010 02:29 |
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I tried teaching crochet once to a bunch of campers at geek camp over the summer. My grand idea was that we could do a blanket for the director of the camp and teach them something that didn't involve being on a computer. And it all sounded like a wonderful plan in my head. And then I remembered that they were in high school. Me and a few other counselor ended up doing most of the blanket, not because they were disinterested, they were just incredibly slow. And we only managed to wrangle about 5 of them to do it too, out of the 50 or so kids. Out of that we had to complete most of the squares ourselves. The blanket came out nicely, but I will never, ever try to teach again. My wrists ache thinking about how much fun that was.
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| # ? Jun 10, 2010 02:47 |
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I (hopefully) mailed out everyone's people for the crochet/knit gift exchange thing. I tried to match knitters to crocheters when possible, but there were more crocheters than knitters. I also tried to match people up based on interests and things they knit/crochet, so hopefully it will work out well for everyone. If you sent me an email and didn't receive a person to crochet/knit for, let me know. Of course I get a crazy head cold when I need to pay attention to stuff. 
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| # ? Jun 10, 2010 20:51 |
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Dear Exchange Recipient, I am out of town until the 23rd. Please do not be alarmed if you have not received anything in the next two weeks. I pinky promise that as soon as I get home, your gift will be sent immediately! Thank you for your patience!
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| # ? Jun 11, 2010 16:01 |
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We have until the 1st of August to get our stuff out right? I have some things ready to go but I wanted to make something special. 
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| # ? Jun 11, 2010 16:11 |
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I changed it to the end of August because some folks were saying they needed more time and I figured out I'll probably need more time too. Keep in mind folks, this is the first time I've been in charge of a secret santa type thing, so bare with me.  If there's a major problem with something, email me and we'll try to work something out.
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| # ? Jun 11, 2010 17:35 |
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Oh phew! I thought it was like a "right now!" kind of thing. Heck, I can make all sorts of cool stuff by August!
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| # ? Jun 11, 2010 23:51 |
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Isis Q. Dylan posted:I changed it to the end of August because some folks were saying they needed more time and I figured out I'll probably need more time too. Keep in mind folks, this is the first time I've been in charge of a secret santa type thing, so bare with me. Is this a secret santa like thing, or can we talk to our gifter/giftee? Because I realized I wasn't exactly forthcoming about my interests in the email I sent. (By the way, I like cute and weird.)
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 00:19 |
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My giftee was kind of vague, too. I just want to know what colors she likes so I can make sure to give her something she'll like 
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 00:47 |
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It's entirely up to you guys! This is the beta version of all this so I'm sort of letting you take the reins from here on out. I'm only getting involved if someone's a deadbeat and doesn't give their person stuff. DON'T BE DEADBEATS GUYS.
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 01:23 |
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Well, I was pretty vague myself, now that I went back to the email I sent you. Maybe we can just post our preferences here for our gifters to read? I guess I'll start. Colors I like: Dark purple/plum, teal, kelly green, sage green, burnt orange. Stuff I like to get: Small items are nice. I've got a ton of hats and scarves and don't really need any more. I keep meaning to make tawashi's and face scrubbies and the like, and never get around to it, so that would be nice. I make amigurumi, but I also wouldn't mind getting some new little critters. In any case, I don't need anything large or elaborate.
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 01:39 |
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I tried with mine, if more info is needed I'll be glad to toss out some more ideas! I think I got some good ideas with mine though, just gotta figure out what I wanna make. which, I should have plenty of time with only one week of classes left yaay
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 01:40 |
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If we have questions we should probably just freely contact the person we got paired with - unless they're not pairs and we just got gifter->giftee->different giftee. Mostly because my giftee may or may not have already posted. 
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 02:00 |
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I was a little vague in what I wanted too... if it helps my buddy at all I like hats cause I don't have very much hair (shaved head) and they're fun to wear. And I'm good for any colors, so don't worry about that!
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 02:15 |
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I doled it out as gifter->giftee->different giftee. Wasn't entirely sure how to get everybody paired up and that's how we've done it for the preggo thread gift exchanges.
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 02:36 |
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Isis Q. Dylan posted:I doled it out as gifter->giftee->different giftee. Wasn't entirely sure how to get everybody paired up and that's how we've done it for the preggo thread gift exchanges. Ah, well then! If my gifter has any specific questions they would like to ask me they are welcome to contact me, as I would rather you feel secure about what you are sending. I will not be upset or unsurprised because whatever I get will be a surprise anyway. Just know that I look terrible in orange and yellow if you're looking at making something for me to wear. I still like the colors just fine, but I look atrocious in them. 
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 02:40 |
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Likewise, if my gifter has any questions, shoot me a private message or just ask in the thread, I guess. But be warned: I like most everything, especially surprises, but especially ESPECIALLY cute things.
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 04:26 |
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P.S. Scoots RE : Malabrigo! I haven't been able to take pictures of anything because I forgot I loaned out my camera to the other knitter I know. That lazy bitch, keepin' my camera.Anyhoo : Is there a specific weight/color yarn you're looking for (or fiber) or a finished project (I can make things! Including small felt stuffed animals? Felted purses? Knit things?) or a price (happy to Paypal) for it? I should probably post this in the other thread but I had this one open and didn't want to dig for the trade-y thread since this window is here and all. 
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| # ? Jun 12, 2010 06:27 |
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I will take something stuffed animal-y! Yay! Knit, crochet, felted, anything is good!
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| # ? Jun 13, 2010 01:33 |
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Scooty Puff Jr. posted:I will take something stuffed animal-y! Yay! Knit, crochet, felted, anything is good! Are there any animals you very much like?
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| # ? Jun 13, 2010 01:51 |
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otters, pandas, kitties... to be honest, there aren't many animals i don't like. (i don't think there are any, actually.) so...surprise me, i suppose! If you don't have PMs, you can email me at alison.e.ross-at-gmail-dot-com to exchange mailing addresses.
Scooty Puff Jr. fucked around with this message at Jun 13, 2010 around 04:50 |
| # ? Jun 13, 2010 02:39 |
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I realized I was really vague too. I love little plush things, especially foxes, rabbits and horses. I'm pretty open to other animals too. I love surprises so anything would be good, honestly. I want my gifter to enjoy making something, so if they don't like what I listed, they can do whatever they like.
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| # ? Jun 13, 2010 18:28 |
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Anyone ever try making the Fluffy Bunny Slippers from the Happy Hooker? I'm attempting to make these for my mom for her birthday on Friday. Everything was going swimmingly until I started on the top soles part, where there are apparently some errors in the pattern. Tried figuring out myself, but I'm not quite that great at figuring out pattern errors. All I know is that I somehow end up with extra stitches after every round, and I've frogged and restarted this part at least three times. I've searched on the internet for corrections of the pattern, but to no avail (only correction available was for the bottom sole, which I had no problems with). Help!
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| # ? Jun 13, 2010 20:25 |
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I know the patterns are designed by different folks, so maybe you could do a google search for "patterns by" or just the person's name. It may lead to a blog or etsy shop where you could contact the pattern designer directly. I've emailed Ana Paula Rimoli and Elisabeth Doherty and they were both really great about getting back to me in a reasonable amount of time. I'll give the pattern a look when I get a chance, but I don't know for sure how much help I'll be.
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| # ? Jun 13, 2010 21:13 |
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Those slippers were the first thing I ever crocheted. At the time I didn't even know that there were errors in the pattern. I think I just made a lot of it up as I went along as I had never read a pattern before which should give you somewhat of an indication as to how they ended up looking. If you do figure it out though let me know as I'd like to make them again.
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| # ? Jun 13, 2010 22:04 |
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I finally finished a scarf, and another one. Then I spent like a week making and unmaking a baby blanket and now I'm back to scarves until I can learn to properly count. I'm having a hard time finding patterns for beginners that I like the look of.
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| # ? Jun 15, 2010 00:03 |
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Got my assignee, (edit: secret)! I promise I will try to make you some cool stuff I realize now that I didn't really give much information compared to a lot of people, so if the person who was assigned me reads this: I like nerdy/weird/obscure stuff, I love colorful stuff, I'll be happy with anything! If you're stumped on something to make or don't have time I also love love acrylic yarn in pretty much any color ever, since it's cheap and that's what I make my little dolls with. Hmm, finally finished my fox pattern after getting monumentally distracted and wandering off to another state to visit some friends:  I'm quite happy with her! The pattern is for sale for $3 on my etsy. I also began making a Toothless pattern to share for free with you guys but I got sidetracked (big surprise) and haven't finished yet.  I'm sorry! Please don't hate me. So much to do boohoo
shark farts fucked around with this message at Jun 15, 2010 around 07:04 |
| # ? Jun 15, 2010 06:02 |
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| # ? May 21, 2013 17:51 |
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What do you use to get the nice white background? My friend has a photo box he uses for when he photographs food that's just posterboard glued into a box with some holes cut out for visibility. Is it something along the lines of that? Also, I got an order for a monkey, do you care if I use the cat body and mess with the pattern a little? If I'm going to profit off of it, I figure I should get some permission first, even if it is a frankensteined version of it. It seems like the swap is working out well so far. I think I'm still keeping mine a secret unless everyone tells theirs because then you all will just figure it out.
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| # ? Jun 15, 2010 06:47 |
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