New crafts to get into .

During lockdown I watched a couple of youtube videos about napkin decoupage and I've really enjoyed doing it. It's easy, cheap to do and the results are amazing. I started off with an easy project: old coasters and placemats, gave them a couple of thin coats of ordinary emulsion paint left over from decorating and some pva glue. Since then I've gradually moved onto curved surfaces such as plant pots, vases and bottles. The bottles are particularly pretty with a string of battery operated rice lights in them and they sold well at the school Christmas fair last year. It's a good absorbing past time.

I have been teaching myself to crochet, watching videos and can do the single, half double and trying to do the double crochet stitch. I'm sitting here, there's a gale outside and trying to do the double stitch whereby you end up with three loops, but I cannot get my hook through the first two!! Has anyone got any hints here, what am I doing wrong?

Hi to all,

Dose anyone know of Crafts i can do with only 1 1/4 of my eyesight i am Registered blind and have constant blurry vision.
It would need to be something large so I can see it any ideas I do have a crochet set but not started it yet.

Sparklebright628

I have knitted small jumpers and given them to the charity shop. Hopefully it completes a circle as I buy the wool from the same shops!

I have made several rag rugs from both cotton and old fleece jumpers. My best had a Jacob Sheep design which I made for a friend who keeps them and has a shepherd’s hut.

Dogs and cats love the fleece ones as they are so snuggly.
Like the other poster I use rug canvas instead of the traditional hessian. I used to teach art and crafts and the hessian can be an irritant for people with respiratory problems.

But I still can’t crochet - respect to those that can!

On Sunday I’m going to do a day course learning about linocut printing. It was a birthday present from DD. I’m very interested in lino cut prints and feel that if I can have an understanding of the process, it will enhance my appreciation of the art works, even if I prove to be not very good at it myself. If it’s anything like the pottery day I did, it’ll probably be a dogs breakfast! I have painted watercolours for a long time and find that understanding the techniques allows you to see a lot more in the pictures you look at.

I taught myself how to crochet using utube. It was great as I could pause or rewind until I got the hang of it. Have made a blanket for my niece and making another one for a charity shop.
I am also learning how to do watercolour painting again using utube. I find it so relaxing. I'm not that great but I enjoy it which is the main thing. I can easily loose a couple of hours practising. Perfect for winter afternoons. 😊

How about macrame? A good old 60s craft which seems to be coming back.

Hi to all,

I would like to find crafts to do but I am registered blind & need things quite big to see things I do have some needles & wool but not got started yet ive just had an operation so need something to do while I am recovering ect.

sparklebright628

Is there University of the 3rd Age near you. I think they do a gardening course.

Sorry that sounds like rubbish . 🤦Meant to say we where very happy with the result.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202410/medium-682734-img-20241001-1503130742.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202410/medium-210182-img-20241001-1503271912.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202410/medium-80613-img-20241001-150340099-hdr2.jpg

We put up our exhibition of our gel printing at my local library on Tuesday . Took longer than we thought he very happy with the residents. It was great fun and we did a lot of laughing . Then yesterday those who couldn't come on came and then we went to lunch at a local pub. If we had laughed like we did for 3 hours in the pub we would never had gotten any work done during the classes . And none of where drinking. Hopefully we meet up again soon. Here are a few of the pictures of our work.

Just ignore the H lol

Allira have a look at the link Attic24 I posted, you'll find lots of help on her site. She doesn't just do blankets, she has lots of lovely things and explains it all in detail.

It's a very good site for anyone new to chrochet or anyone with experience too.

Thanks both. Yes I will get some chunky wool and a bigger crochet hook. It's not as though I can't see the stitches but just until I can master the basics. I would like to do Granny Squares but don't you have to do the basics first?

Yes, good idea Blue54 , Aran wool and a 6mm hook.

I don't like starting with a chain, I prefer Granny squares then either join or make a large square blanket. The only chain is the starting chain.
But then, I havent progressed to garments or small fiddly items yet.

Marg75 it might be helpful if you tried using a size 5mm or 6mm hook and thicker wool like chunky, it would help you to see your work better and make things a little easier for you.

You could try looking at Attic24 ... attic24.typepad.com/weblog/granny-stripe-blanket.html
Lucy is a lovely lady and she guides you through her makes with lots of help and detailed photos explaining everything with step by step instructions.

I am learning to crochet and have got the idea of basics but what I would like is when you learn to knit you have large needles and bulky wool, but with crochet everything seems so small, the stitches in the chain are small. What is the best way to learn. I have videos to watch but I need something bigger to get started with.

Good idea 😂

Marg75

Allira, thank you, I will have a look at all those things and see how I get on. Got lots of bulbs to plant in the garden first but the crochet hopefully will see me through the winter!!

If you start off with a simple Granny stitch blanket it will keep your knees warm as it grows 🙂

Allira, thank you, I will have a look at all those things and see how I get on. Got lots of bulbs to plant in the garden first but the crochet hopefully will see me through the winter!!

Marg75

I would to learn to crochet, where do I start?

I started with this book "Crochet Step by Step" -Sally Harding
and by watching YouTube videos showing step-by-step various stitches. BellaCoco and Hooked by Robin are good.

Firstly I made blankets in Granny stitch, then progressed to making squares and joining them (Hooked by Robin Join as You Go) and the more intricate stitches by following Sirdar Crochet Alongs (CALs). You don't have to buy the kits for these CALs if you have plenty of yarn already.
Buy a couple of styles of crochet hook (I prefer ones with a handle rather than straight ones) to see which you like and have a go!

I've only just started to follow patterns but not yet made a garment.

Ps I avoid the Magic Circle but some crocheters like it.

I would to learn to crochet, where do I start?

Catterygirl

I like paint by numbers in oil. Now my eyesight has improved due to cataract removal I shall give it a go.

That's like a new lease of life! I've had one eye done and now I'm just waiting for the 2nd. (Next month).
I can see the leaves on the trees, not just a blur of green!