General Chat

After wasting yet another fiver on 1837, I thought I'd have a break and do some stitching. Hubby is pleased to see me sitting in the same room while he watches tv even if I am sitting in the corner next to the lamp muttering to myself as I count stitches! (Not to mention the odd screech of OH NO!! when I find I've gone wrong and have to unpick again.) Heather

Hi Heather, I also enjoy a bit of cross-stitch, and another one doing Xmas cards, one of mine has got to be in the post this weekend to arrive in Spain in time. Bev

Hi Louise I bet your relatives treasure them, well, I hope they do! Heather

I love doing cards too. Quick and easy usually. I have also just finished a small Pooh picture for my niece. As for knitting. I started a jumper last winter and I am still working on that. I tend to go from one to the other as the mood takes me. And I've just remembered I have a small rug waiting. I haven't done one of those for years but I was given it for my birthday in the summer. Too hot to do then so I saved it for the colder weather.

I love doing cross stitch and crochet but I'm banned from trying to knit as I'm told it's too dangerous for everybody else in the house (can't get the hang of it, not sure if I'm right or left handed for this job. Things tend to go flying across the room and I become terribly short tempered).

Yep. Made strawberry jam in little bottles and put cross stitch covers on 'em for inexpensive gifts for my mahjong group. Now making a Christmas dress for my Grand daughter (she loves frillies). Lavender cushion for daughter-in-law who likes to lie down a lot with a head ache :-)))

Hi Heather I been cross stiching, seem to be busy all year with I try to make gifts for people to keep, I started on a christmas one for myself but don't think I will finish in time!!! in between spending time on here!!

I knew there were a few 'crafty' paople out there! A knitted shawl, Sandra, you must be far more patient than I am....I have a lovely pattern for a crocheted shawl which I've used many, many times, crochet is much quicker than knitting. I tried rugmaking many years ago and found it a bit hard on my hands so my dad finished it for me. Haven't tried knitting toys but my mum and aunt have knitted loads of teddies for a charity. Heather

I well remember the hours spent knitting first baby clothes when pregnant. Then dolls clothes when my daughters were a little older. Then the worse - clothes for Sindy! I spent weeks doing them one year for Christmas. It's okay until you have to sew them up and try getting tiny sleeves back the right way! Of course my twin daughters then had daughters of their own within 3 weeks so the process started all over again. Now they are 10 past the doll stage. I love knitting baby clothes though. Maybe I should volunteer my services for all the Mum's to be on here!

Knitting eldest daughter a lacy poncho - it's a surprise for when she's back from university. Quite handy with the sewing machine making curtains, etc for home. Used to do lots of clothes for the girls when they were young. Not so much these days, only special requests. Make patchwork quilts by hand. Have three waiting to be finished off, when I get the floor space to lay them out to assemble. Also make what is called a 'Quillow', which is a cross between a pillow and a quilt. It folds up and goes into a pocket to create the pillow part. Great success with my friend's children, especially as an 18th gift just before going off to university. Can embroider and cross stitch too, but only rarely those these days, has to be something that really takes my fancy.

I love being old so I can be really crafty! I spin, weave, knit, crochet and cross stitch. I have a great pattern for a baby shawl which is interlocked circles done with pastel shades of colour and silky wool if anyone is interested. Just finished three copper plaques of the family crest for Xmas presents. Cheap to make out of sheet copper but look lavishly expensive.

My dad taught me to knit! As a child he was ill and bored so his younger sister showed him how it was done. He made all the gloves for our children cos he could do knitting on 4 pins. I hear that loads of men do cross stitch, never seen one though. Heather

my dad can knit and sew , his mum taught him and he helped me with my sewing machine , and my mum taught me to knit, i recently bought some more wool to have another go but daughter has made me hesitate after saying 'you were going to give me a home made jumper,' with a smile on her face.

Heather, I have just finished a 'santa stop here' sign in Cross stitch. It is really cute, but didn't take too long to finish, only about 10 hours! The problem is, my niece saw it ands begged me to make her one, So now I am half way through another one! Pat

I know what you mean my hubby use to go mad at the clatter of the needles now he is just pleased if I sit with him as long as I am not on the puter LOL Debs.

I went to new zealand this year and fell in love with a spinning wheel...I just had!!!! to have one....you should have seen one of our cases...bulging at the seams tied up with a leather belt as it wouldnt quite close lol Gos knows where Im gonna find a sheep thats willing to lose its fleece! Yes I too have always done handicrafts...but the REAL sort not this junk in boxes they sell nowadays. I once made three patchwork quilts all made from the girls outgrown dresses and my maternity dresses....it made a very nice bedtime chat when putting the kids to bed.

There are so many things I'd like to try, tatting, bobbin lace and patchwork, just not enough hours in the day! Heather

Gerri...We once had a dog and the breed was a Samoyed. Her coat was long, white and woolen. We could have sent it off to have it spun but never got round to doing it. To this day every time I wash a wool jumper the smell reminds me of her on her bath days. Lynn

Its lovely to know that some of you are out there stitching, knitting and even spinning and weaving. I wonder if the younger generations will learn to do these crafts, I taught my daughter everything I know but grand-daughter aged 19 isn't interested. Heather

I do cross stitch when i have time, used tomake the children's clothes sewing and knitting, also had a knitting machine when theyw ere young. Still knit occasionally but not for a while now. Incidentally my daughter does beautiful cross stitch and my son in law also does cross stitch occasioanlly. Ann Glos