I made Bridget make a list of the things she would do if she had time, since she was contemplating a change that would keep her very busy. After making the list, she decided that after all, she has a lot to do without adding anything.
By the way, a very good list for oneself is “Jobs 10 minutes and under” — to post on the fridge. When you're on hold or only have a little window before someone arrives — or a child needs a productive punishment, consult the list.
Wiping the front of the fridge, washing the dog's water dish, dusting under the radiator (or, in between the radiator thingies if you have twenty minutes), cleaning the outside of the garbage pail… mainly wiping things and dusting 🙂
Another time-management technique (to give a fancy name to me just trying to keep myself from wandering off the reservation) I have figured out is to use some downtime (*cough* watching Red Sox *cough* — I mean, could baseball get any slower? It's like watching your two-year old put on his pants or your eleven-year old set the table, only way, way less exciting) to line up my crafting projects.
I've finished some knitting that obviously I can't post about (gift), and despite my apparent inability to actually make good use of time on an airplane.
It isn't that I don't knit on the plane — I do! It's that I don't knit correctly on the plane. I almost always have to frog what was knit on the plane. Ugh.
Anyway, I'm on to something else (not that I don't also have quilting, but you have to have the right craft for the right time/space situation, and quilting doesn't go everywhere). And the best thing is to just get it all ready to go for those times you know you will be waiting around, watching a game, or on a plane (even with the futility thrown in).
So this project is the subject of a fabulous thrifting win.
See all this bee-ooo-ti-ful yarn?
We've talked about how some crafts can get expensive.
Yarn is, phew. If you don't go for acrylic (and please don't — I can't argue with you now, but what would be the point? It's your soul you're putting there in that handmade thing), how to afford the lovely natural fibers?
Like everything else, you have to keep your eyes open and try to maximize your buying power. Just wait, be patient.
Something is bound to turn up, as Mr. Macawber would say.
I was at my favorite “antiques” mall (not really lots of antiques, just a place to poke around for vintage stuff) and there, on a random shelf, was all this amazing New Zealand wool, not even kidding you, still in a bag from someone's stash. Five skeins of super chunky, undyed, gorgeous wool. I snatched it up.
I've added the iced tea so that you will know it's me and also have an idea of scale — that's my largest glass, by the way. There is a ball inside that bag. |
I've spent the past few months wondering what to make with it. This is it. No more to be had. I've decided on an afghan that will be five strips that I will sew together. That way, I can just have one scarf-sized project on the needles at a time and not be too weighed down by it. And I can also be ready to stop when the yarn runs out (my plan is to stop before the end of each ball and when I have the length I want, so that I have leftovers for sewing and can finesse the issue of how to make the strips of equal length).
I've settled on this lace pattern (you can see that I've modified it to have less of a border on each side, since the borders will be effectively doubled when sewn together).
I may alternate with strips of this lace pattern — we'll see.
Would you like to see my knitting bag? I can't remember if I've shown you.
It's made with a bit of precious vintage fabric I got at a yard sale –actually old curtains. It goes with my green leather handbag perfectly 🙂 I made it into a simple drawstring bag, except with corners at the bottom to make it a bit bucket-y.
But the best part is this rayon lining, which allows the project to be slipped in and out without dragging.
It just takes the aesthetics of the process up a notch.
So how much did I pay?
Not $28.
I went up to the counter and was given a discount just… because… the knitting gods got together with the thrifting gods and decided that the universe owed me one that day, I guess —
and I got it for $20!!
Any idea how much one 200 gram/265 yard skein of this wool or something similar (since it appears to be discontinued) would cost?
I know!!
What is chatty with you today?
Amy Caroline says
Oh! I love knitting deals! It can be an expensive hobby, but usually pays for itself in the long run. I know what you mean about acrylic. I still use it for certain things, like teaching kiddos to knit and toys. I can't quite fathom spending big money on something that will have to go in the wash if it is to burped, puked, and who knows what else on! Clothing, however…. never!
Lisa G. says
Wow – good for you. And you're so smart to knit an afghan in strips. I don't think I'd ever try knitting an afghan – crochet, yes.
I had time off last week, and knuckled down and made myself learn to knit with dpns. Something I'd been postponing for years. It was nightmarish at first, but now I am enjoying it. I have one hand warmer done, and the other half-finished. But I did some ripping out yesterday, because we had company and I guess I wasn't paying enough attention to my work! That's okay.
giedre says
I've totally started doing that “under 10 minute to do list” myself and it works really well! Makes me feel like I can actually relax without feeling guilty, if I've accomplished even just one or two things on that list. 🙂
Also: NICE score with the beautiful yarn!
xox
giedre ” target=”_blank”>http://www.walkingdotphotography.com
salomeellen says
Sadly, some people have a wool allergy. (That would be me.) Therefore I knit with acrylic, and cotton, and would use bamboo and silk if I could afford it. I tried one project with alpaca, which MAY be OK for me. My advice for knitting on planes is to do dishcloths; even if you mess up, you can still use the cloth, just not show it off.
_Leila says
salomeellen, what happens when you touch wool? I can NOT wear wool next to my skin. It's torture. But I can wear it with a cotton layer. I find that CASHMERE is just fine touching me anywhere at all 🙂 So, there you go. Cashmere it is. 🙂
I think the dishcloth idea is a good one.
salomeellen says
Wool makes me itch like mad! (And also makes me sneeze — it's an actual diagnosed allergy.) I can wear cashmere with a layer in between, but sometimes even that itches. Handling cashmere is OK, and I could probably knit it, but I'm not about to buy it and find out I'm wrong.
_Leila says
Ah, yes, that's extreme. I itch but do not sneeze. (I am allergic to lanolin, though — makes my lips peel!) Cashmere is pricey, which can only be justified medically 🙂
Jamie says
Dear Auntie Leila,
You'd think after all the advice and entertainment which you have given us, when called upon to be chatty, I could reciprocate. Well, I can't think of anything. um…Yesterday I changed my light bulbs from 60 to 75 so with the daylight fading we wouldn't be so dreary in the livingroom. And I put another bulb in the porch light for the same reason. I'd like to organize my old Martha Stewart Living magazines and my old Victoria magazines so they are according to months which would allow me to grab sections as the months change. It would make them more accessible and therefore usable. I should do that…..I am about ready to pull out my knitting again. I like the natural fibers the best. But. I have found that living in the pacific northwest where it is raining or damp and moldy, and working outside in that weather, for the sake of sanity, acrylic scarves are sometimes the way to go.
Thank you for all which you share with us.
Regards-Jamie
_Leila says
Jamie, when I was in OK I saw that Rosie arranged her Gourmets this way — by month. I'd never thought of that!! So brilliant!!
You should try cotton/linen blends, or alpaca with cotton or linen. Light and lovely.
Jamie says
Thank you for the yarn suggestions. I'm off to Ye Olde Yarn Shoppe. A.K.A. Michaels, JoAnne, WalMart, FredMeyer, and Internet. : )
DeirdreLMLD says
Given your recent propensity for spilling iced tea, it makes me nervous to see pictures of said drink in such proximity to that lovely wool!!
_Leila says
Deirdre, I know! Crazy. What was I thinking. I spent all day dropping and spilling things. Fortunately the wool made it 🙂
Mother B says
Loved this post and what a great wool find! Your 10 minute job list is a fabulous idea as well as the rayon lining!! Thank you 🙂
Susan says
I have mostly given even browsing the craft section at our local Goodwill since it is always seems to have nothing but ugly acrylic yarn. But last time I was there I literally tripped over a plastic bin at the end of a book aisle filled–filled!–with huge 100% wool skeins for . . .are you ready for this . . . $.99/skein. I bought the entire bin, obviously. My faith in thrifting craft supplies was restored.
So Much Forever says
Nice! Great find!
Shauna says
I agree about the acrylic yarn, having received so many lovingly-made baby afghans for my kids that were ALL made of acrylic…and they just aren't comfy or soft to me, so I rarely use them. Any chance you could share a beginner's guide to quilting? I've got it in my head to make a quilt for a Christmas gift, but don't have any idea where to start. Hand quilting? Machine quilting? All the cutting and piecing seems really overwhelming to me. Should I buy a book or is there some website that would teach me?
Gracie says
I, too, would LOVE a beginner's guide to quilting, or a recommended book or other resource to get started (particularly if there is a beginning guide to quilting for those who are also beginners at sewing in general… but that may be asking too much!). And thank you for the pretty and encouraging blog post!
_Leila says
Ladies, if you go to my pinterest board you will find good tutorials and things I consider doable and not fussy. http://pinterest.com/_leila/quilt-inspiration/
(Well, there is one tutorial linked there and it's this: http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/beginning-quilti…
And here is the board with my own quilts: http://pinterest.com/_leila/my-own-quilts/
Once you wrap your mind around what a quilt IS, and you get over the idea that it has to look perfect, you are good to go — as long as you can sew at all!
So Much Forever says
I just thrifted a vintage Singer at a thrift shop because I couldn't resist. It was the same model my mom had inherited from my great grandmother , which I had hoped to learn on as well. Unfortunately I didn't tell my mom that until too late… she no longer had the machine. I'm planning to learn on this “new” one and to teach my daughter on it too. Thats the idea anyway….. Anyone know of good instructional books?
I'm up to my ears in canning projects with little ones under foot. I pickled on Saturday, I did jams yesterday and Im off to salsa next…Do you can much from your garden, Leila?
-Tamara
_Leila says
Tamara, I haven't canned this season, but I've put some veggies in the freezer and I have some pickles going in the fridge (waiting for me to ferment them into bread and butter pickles, but I got sidetracked on the honey).
Barbara says
Great deal on the yarn. I was just today looking at my 11 yo daughter's very favorite sweater — the Tiny Tea Leaves cardigan, which I did, in fact, put my soul into, but used what turned out not to be great yarn, even though it wasn't exactly cheap (but not top-of-the-line either — KnitPicks). It is so pilled and ratty looking, but she loves it and it's her favorite, so I just have to look at it.
Anyway, don't be dissin' baseball. 😉 Slow baseball is good when almost nothing else in this whole world is (slow).
PS I absolutely can not knit anything besides stockinette while doing something else, including probably watching baseball (but since my husband and son are very boisterous Reds' fans, I just don't sit in the same room). It's hopeless. I knit baby washcloths when I need my brain for something else.
_Leila says
Barbara, you know I love baseball 🙂 But it's getting slower than ever, and that's actually just fine by me. Lots of knitting time 🙂
Janet says
How about a “how to” on making that fab bag? I just pulled some scraps out of my stash with the idea of making a bag just like that. I don't really sew (I quilt) and I am sure it is not that difficult to do, but how do I start?
Thanks!
_Leila says
Janet, here's a good one: http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2009/3/15/eas…
To line it, just make another one out of something slippery, but shorter (no channel for the drawstring, just fold the top over and stitch it or even just press it). Put the lining in the bag, wrong sides together, and sew around the top (under the drawstring channel) on the right side of the lining.
Janet says
Leila, thank you so much! . I currently have some velcro rollers hanging in a plastic bag in my shower that are about to have a new home. I may even make some as stocking stuffers this year.
J
Laura says
You're inspiring me to finish my baby blanket! Now if only that new yarn would FINALLY arrive. I love knitting. I just wish it wasn't so preposterously expensive that buying the yarn gave me ulcers…
ayearinskirts says
Just last week I found a brand new pair of Bloch tap shoes size 13 1/2 at my thrift for $6! I dragged my dad with me the next day (Wednesday) because then I could get the senior discount. So $3 for brand new awesome tap shoes that are the perfect size for my girl. These taps retail at over $50! I took dance until I was 16, so I've decided to “homeschool” dance lessons for her.
wstyrsky says
Oh I can't think of a better find that yarn, especially great yarn. Have you seen this pattern? http://library.ravelry.com/minimi/247588/gacoco.p…
It is on my list to do when I have a certain amount that I am afraid I can't find any more of.
Can't wait to see the finished gift!
_Leila says
wstyrsky, the link is broken 🙁
Melissa Diskin says
Oh oh oh — I laughed so hard at the “2YO putting on his pants”.
I made chore cards (just index cards with black handwriting until I get a feel for what colors could mean) a few weeks ago, with those sorts of wipey-dusty chores. I deal 4 out to my 3 kids every day. They actually do them, because each one earns them 5mins of screen time! I made sweeping the kitchen extra covetable (the sweeper earns 10 mins) because I hate doing it. The thought of 12 little chores getting done every day makes me so, so happy! Plus: no fighting over turns since I use a timer up high where no little hands can move it.
And have you heard of an Arnold Palmer? Half ice tea, half lemonade. Perfect on hot afternoons!
nancy says
Presently taking 2 classes in Literature to keep teacher certification (retired but determined to keep current). One class is concentrating on the Anglo-Saxon time period; the other class is concentrating on Japanese legends. Just finished a rehab of another property. In the meantime, broke a toe and used a lot of icy heat packs. On a more positive note…trying out some Thai recipes at home and refashioning a thrift store find.
bethinthecity says
I found some yarn at a yard sale for three dollars. I came home and found the receipt in the box for over $70! I feel bad for the lady but I am so excited. I needed some yarn for a baby hat.
_Leila says
bethinthecity, don't feel bad. She's happy she cleaned out her stash closet 🙂
bethinthecity says
Great way to look at it! It's such a pretty merino wool.
Rebecca Smith says
Try making dish clothes on the plane, these are easy and if you make a mistake…it's only a dish clothe, also they are a great way of learning new stitches…Blessing to your family I really enjoyed stumbling on to your writings!
Julie says
Love the description of baseball…I'm sure that watching one during my recent induction made it all the longer!!!
I love the idea of the 10 minute chores. I actually thought of this a couple of children back, but it somehow got lost in the shuffle. Will have to revive it. I'm currently working on a couple of belated bday gifts using a few minutes here and there to prepare to sit and sew. Not my ideal, but it's what has to happen these days.
bibliotecaria says
http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarn… This would probably be my closest average yarn equivalent, which is $12.50 a skein, and it is a reasonably priced variant. There are other that would be much more expensive.