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I have just discovered that dyeing yarn is addictive and very satisfying so much fun !

Yarn has to be 100% wool to take this simple dye, which is just basic food colouring (a leftover packet from many moons ago), water and vinegar.

First you wet the wool. Then fill a small saucepan with a few centimeters of water and add about three quarters of a cup of vinegar (I had 100 grams of wool) and place the wool inside, then sprinkle various colours on different areas of the wool, and press down gently with a spoon so the dye goes through to the bottom - do not mix up the colours. Then I brought it to the boil, and let it gently simmer for 20 minutes with a lid on. To my surprise the dye set so well, the water poured out clear ! Squeeze it gently, and hang it on a hook to dry.

Here is what it looked like after drying. I used all the food colours I had, red, green, blue, yellow.

And here it is after rolling into a ball, and starting a lacey shell scarf:

Next time I think I will use less colours. There’s too many here for my liking, but I still think its nice.

I will post a picture of the finished scarf soon

Hi there everyone, as you all know, I love an afternoon op shopping, looking for cheap interesting bits and pieces for my crafting and yarning habits. I also love to search for vintage patterns. There’s something about looking at vintage stuff whilst listening to “Magic 693″ on the overhead radio that is very relaxing. I think its because dad always listens to it at home, and also the music takes you to the 1940’s another place in time.

I was disappointed to not find woolen jumpers (what I actually went for LOL) - I use them for either felting or unravelling. The one or two I did find had gross GROSS colours.

However I did find some other stuff - see below:

Quilt, its nice and thick, in perfect condition, and all hand stitched with perfect tiny stitches (what patience!): paid $8.50 for this (the tissue box is there for size comparison):

Suede hooded long jacket, fully lined, looks like it was never worn (the mark is from the camera flash):

Patterns of simple stuff for me to make - 50 cents each

Jacket in a gorgeous weave, fully lined. Its a size 10 so I either lose weight or make it into a seriously gorgeous handbag.

I also got a full set of Lightning McQueen (my daughter’s fave DVD) licenced toys for $3.50, and she also managed to find a never used Lightning McQueen back pack (for $3.75). There’s some really great puns on it. “RPM . . . Nighttime Backfire Suppressant” and “Re-Volting . . rebuilt alternative” as well as padded pictures of McQueen and Matey. She loves it.

Hope you enjoyed my trip !

Today I wanted to go into an op shop but it was closed. So I went into a yarn / sewing store and asked about sewing lessons (since I just bought a sewing machine). I explained that I totally know how to use the machine (I used to use my mum’s old Singer), and I can make basic things like bags etc.

She said five 2 hour lessons will cost $200. And she starts with how to sew straight, how to sew a curve, how to sit at the machine type stuff. In fact the entire first lessons focus soley on that.

I then mentioned I want to make a very basic pinafore for my little daughter and she said, “Oh, that would take 10 lessons”.

I told my mum, and she said something like, “Do you know how much fabric you can buy with $400????? Do you know how many ready made pinafores you can buy with $400???? Do you know how much YARN you could buy with $400 !! I’ll teach you how to make a pinafore ! ” (Mum offered also to teach me how to follow sewing patterns.)

Love you mum :-))

This pattern uses different textures and thicknesses of yarns which causes it to ruffle and curl, and creates a warm, rich, textured looking scarf. There is no weaving in of ends in this scarf, and you can use up your yarn stash if you wish. If you want a FLAT (non ruffled, non curled) effect, just use the same yarn throughout, in different colours or in one colour.

The fringe is formed by each row starting with a 6 inch tail and ending in a 6 inch tail. Then trimmed straight. The length of the scarf can be made to your requirements, and the width can be adjusted by adding or reducing rows. Pattern begins after the pictures. This works up nice and quick. Enjoy !

Pattern: Stramendous Textured Vertical Scarf

Leave a 15cm (6 inch) tail at the beginning and the end of each row (each row is a different colour) and cut the yarn. This will form a fringe and eliminate the need for any weaving in of ends. Joy !

Yarn:

No particular brands are used, so you can go to the store and buy anything suitable that is available, or use up your stash:

3 skeins Cream coloured super thick yarn

2 skeins Pink novelty fuzzy yarn

2 skeins Dark Plum coloured loopy yarn

2 skeins Variegated pink/purple boucle yarn

or any colour you wish !

Hook size: 8mm

Note: US crochet terms used

In the cream, super thick yarn, leaving a 15cm (6 inch) tail at the beginning, chain loosely enough chains to measure a length of 140cm (55 inches).

(Option: place the chained length around your neck the way you would wear your scarf and decide your length – do not include the tail at the beginning, which forms part of the fringe)

DC in the third chain from hook, and every chain to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

[For the rest of the scarf, DC in the middle of the DC posts to the end (i.e. under the two stitches at the top of each DC post). ]

In the loopy yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch – allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch. Chain 2, and DC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

In the novelty, fuzzy yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch. Chain 2, and DC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

In the cream, super thick yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch. Chain 2, and DC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

In the boucle yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch. Chain 1, and SC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

Now turn the scarf so that you work your next row on the other side of the beginning chains.

In the boucle yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch.. Chain 2, and DC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

In the novelty, fuzzy yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch.. Chain 2, and DC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

In the cream, super thick yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch.. Chain 2, and DC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

In the loopy yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch.. Chain 2, and DC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

In the novelty, fuzzy yarn, attach the yarn with a SS (slip stitch) to the last stitch - allow a 15 cm (6 inch) tail of yarn before your slip stitch.. Chain 1, and SC in that same stitch, and in all the stitches to the end. Chain one, pull the yarn through that chain and cast off leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail.

Fringe: Existing tails: Tie two tail strands at a time together in a small knot, high up near the work, so as not to be visible, to prevent any unraveling.

Using several strands of the various yarns, tie extra tails onto each end of the scarf by folding (30 cm) 12 inch strands in half, threading the folded end into the end of a row, and putting the double tail end of the strand through the folded loop, and pulling through. Add several extra tails in the various yarns until you have an evenly spaced fringe on both ends of the scarf. Trim all tails at the length you desire for an even finish.

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Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these instructions. We cannot be responsible for human error, differences in individual stitching techniques or typographical errors.

Copyright © Stramenda | 2008 | All rights reserved.

Hi everyone . . . yesterday I bought my first ever sewing machine !! Yayyeeee !

It is a very simple machine, fairly inexpensive, bought on sale at Spotlight. It has 15 stitch patterns, a 4 step button hole maker, and can apparently sew thick items (according to the maker), oh and part of the bottom bit comes off thus making it a “free arm” to sew trouser legs etc. Not bad for what I paid. The total cost would be considered a deposit for a “real” sewing machine LOL. However compared to my mum’s 40 year old Singer, with its slipping motor belt, bobbin cap that kept flipping off, and stitches that kept missing, this is wonderful!

So I decided to make something using materials that didn’t cost me anything, so really, if I made a mess, it would be ok. I can barely sew in a straight line, and cheered when I got the bobbin working !

Here is my first creation.

It is made from a mohair jumper that couldn’t be frogged because the mohair had felted. So I felted it even further, and used the fabric to make the bag. I cut up an old 50s skirt my mother had made for dress-ups more than 20 years ago for the lining. (Sorry mum, I’m never going to wear it since I’ve had a baby, plus I can’t dance anyway :-).

I lined this by first sewing the lining onto the inside of the wool fabric, and then sewing a hem at the top on both sides, then folding it and sewing the side seams. I then sewed on the strap (which came with the jumper as a waist tie) into the sides.

I don’t know what I’d use a bag like this for. I’m the sort of person that likes big bags or practical bags with lots of pockets. Any ideas?

I really need some sewing lessons and some good, simple patterns. Suggestions are welcome