Antique Road Trip

O'Neil's Antiques

I know when I set out to write this blog I wanted to focus on crafts, family, and life in NYC. Well I can't help it is my love of crafts and family are also tied into my love of travel. This Thursday (yes during the blizzard) my family and I started out on a road trip from New York to North Carolina to visit some family. Since the weather was bad we decided to drive about half way and spend the night near some of our favorite antique stores around the Delaware/Maryland border on Rt. 13. If you haven't figured it out already I am infinitely interested in tradition. I am a firm believer in understanding your roots before you can grow and spread your branches. So I guess it is no surprise that antique store amuse me. Walking through an antique store is like walking through a mini time capsule.

Loving all the books I found

One of our family's favorite antique stops is O'Neil's which is a few miles before you hit Maryand.  We have been coming here for years and absolutely love the big collections of estate jewelry, antique furniture, and treasures spanning a few centuries worth of nostalgia.  We were saddened to see that within the next few weeks the store will be closing.  The lovely couple who owns O'Neil's have decided after over 25 years they will be retiring.  On the bright side appointments can still be made to view their jewelry at their home.  Since everything was pretty much on clearance I went to work digging through each section looking for treasures. (Yes that is me sitting on the floor exploring craft books... the owners did say to make myself at home :)

Maybe I'm addicted, but at least its a healthy addiction

While there are so many beautiful things I would love to buy I decided I would focus this expedition on finding craft books, patterns, tools, and supplies.  I love looking through books to get ideas.  Many of the crafts I grew up with in my family seem to have faded as video games and computers have become the way to entertain so its pretty difficult sometimes to find resources.  Antique stores are a great place though to find these lost treasures.  Usually I feel lucky if I find a book or two but this trip I guess I was rewarded for braving the winter weather.  I  found so many craft resources that I actually had a hard time picking which books to buy and which I had to leave behind. With just two antique store stops I had literally piles of new craft goodies.  If you are looking for a cost effective place to load up on supplies antique stores, thrift shops, and yard sales are a good place to start.

Holding some of the new craft stash!

As for our followers, you can look forward to many new items in our Etsy Shop within the next few months.  The hardest part is going to be deciding where to start!  There are so many good ideas that inspire new items for my personal collection as well as the shop.  I even found some patterns I remember my Nannie working on when I was a little girl.  I love when we find little trinkets that remind us of our past.  Nannie was such an important part of why I am the crafter I am today so those things that remind me of her are extra special.  Antiquing turned out to be a successful part of the trip but we still had a few hours drive until we could begin our weekend getaway with some of our Southern relatives so we once again hit the road.  While flying is definitely a faster way to travel I wouldn't give up our road adventures for the world.  There is nothing like meeting new people, discovering hidden sight seeing gems, and spending time with your family.

We continued driving down south and decided to take a route that would bring us over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  For those of you who have never traveled this strip it is a combination of tunnels and bridges with a beautiful view of the water.  We were lucky enough to hit it just as the sun was setting.  The view was so colorful that we decided we couldn't just quickly pass it by.  Instead we stopped at their rest area.  There is a restaurant there with water views as well as a gift shop and convenience area. It is also a great place to stop and take a few family photos or just enjoy the spectacular view.

After all the snow we have had in New York this year it was incredibly refreshing to stand by the ocean on a warm day, listen to the seagulls and the churning of the water, and watch the sunset.  On that note, I will update our readers next post on the rest of the trip!

A sunset so perfect it almost doesn't seem real

For Part II of our road trip adventures click here!

 

My First Knitting Class

For those of you who have been following recently, you know that I was asked by a friend to go to a knitting class at a local craft store.  Well Sunday was the first class and I now know the basics.  I caught on to casting on pretty quick.  I wish I could say the same about the rest. Our instructor moved kind of fast so it took me a while and some extra practice but I think I finally have knit and purl down. We learned how to increase and decrease as well. 

My initial practice piece was a mess.  As soon as I got home I took it all apart and began from scratch.  I figured out a mistake I was making on my purl rows.  I was placing the needle correctly but I was yarning over from behind my work.  Once I corrected this problem my practice piece finally looks like the beginning of a knit scarf. 

So far I am finding knitting to be harder than crochet.  I am also pretty frustrated that the in the time it would take me to crochet an entire scarf I barely have a square.  I’m hoping with time I will gain so speed.  I have one more class this Sunday and I am looking forward to learning more.  I've been doing some research on my own as well (internet, other knitters, etc) and I will post soon with some tips for beginners.

As for my class, we can bring a pattern we want to try this weekend and our teacher will help guide us through it.  Any suggestions for a cute knit scarf pattern? 

Can I Knit?

I love crafting and I enjoy adding new projects to my ever growing to do list.  A few months ago when I was asked to complete a cross stitch I was nervous.  After completing the cross stitch I fell in love with it.  I have already bought a new one I hope to start soon (This time it is a counted cross stitch).  Recently one of my good friends asked me if I would like to join her for a two-part knitting class.  I love to crochet and have always wanted to expand my needlework to including knitting but I am also a little nervous.  Years of hearing about the difficulty in maintaining even tension and the horrors of dropped stitches is slightly intimidating.  Well I decided I am going to take the classes starting this weekend and give it my all.  I may very well only be cut out to crochet but at the very least I will have enjoyed two Sundays with great company.  

How To: Yarn Pom Poms

When I was a kid I think every winter hat I owned was topped with a pom pom.  I stopped wearing them when it was no longer "cool" to have that adorable fuzzy ball on the top of your head.  Well wouldn't you know that pom poms are back in style and they are no longer just for children's accessories.    

While pom poms can be a fun addition to a crochet or knit project, they are also a great way to use scrap pieces of yarn. I wanted to try creating a pom pom but I wasn't sure which of the many "pom pom tools" to purchase.  There are many options out there and I didn't know what was best.  Most of my craft friends recommend  the Susan Bates Easy Wrap Pom Pom Maker.  While I had used a friend's kit and found it easy to make, I am always trying to find ways to save money.  Though these kits are not expensive, if I could make pom poms with what I already have at home then I could put that money to use for new yarn :)  

Again after much searching I came across a homemade method that would create the cute pom poms I desired without me having to dig into my pocket.  I came across this pattern from helloknitty.com.  The Pom Pom Pattern called for cutting cardboard into shapes that mimic the plastic tools found in most pom pom kits.  While I found this method to be easy enough, one of my craft challenged friends felt this was too many steps and a little too complicated for a beginner.  

I set out again to find an alternative to allow even the most inexperienced crafters to create the pom poms they desired.  I decided to play with some scraps and see if I could find an easier method.  After a few failed attempts I found another homemade, cost efficient way to craft a pom pom.  

All that is required is a piece of cardboard, yarn, and scissors.  Follow the directions below. 

1. Cut a piece of card board to approximately twice the width of the final pom pom size your want to create. (Tip: I try to recycle whatever I can, and I have found that the cardboard toilet paper rolls we usually throw out make great pom pom boards.)
2. Wrap the yarn (use scraps to make a multi color pom pom).  The more yarn you wind around the cardboard the fuller your pom pom will be.  
3. Once you have achieved the thickness you want, fold the cardboard and slide the cardboard out from inside the yarn loops.
4. Take a long piece of yarn and place it under the center of the bundle of yarn (If I plan to attach the pom pom to a hat etc, I will make this piece long enough for me to attach the pom pom).  
5. Tie the string around the center tight and knot it twice.
6. Use the scissor to cut the loops both above and below the tie you just created.
7. Fluff the pom pom to you liking and trim as necessary.

I hope this helps with creating your own handmade pom poms.  They make a great accessory to top off a hat.  I have also used them to create children's toys by adding eyes and making them little critters.  And for the animal lovers reading, I have yet to meet a cat who does not love to bounce on of these pom poms around the house.  

Decoding Yarn Labels

My first project was a scarf made from a spare skein of yarn lying around my house.  After I finally completed my first crochet item, I instantly wanted to begin a new project.  I walked to my local craft store and confidently walked to the yarn section.  What could be so difficult about picking out a new yarn for a scarf.  Well lets start with who knew there were so many options?  I mean I should have after years of watching my Nannie but seriously who knew?!?  All of the sudden my head was filled with questions... what yarn type, how thick, can I use the needles I have at home, what color/colors, how much would I need, and why does the "same" yarn look different skein to skein?  My simple desire to create a second scarf suddenly felt a little overwhelming.  I wished my Nannie was there to answer all of these questions.  I eventually figured it all out but I know of some new crafters who have been discouraged from creating the project they have in mind due to yarn confusion.  So here is a quick summary to help decode the world of yarn.

As for what type of yarn, looking at the fiber content will be extremely important for some projects, while not as important for others.  Some of the common fibers are wool, fleece, cotton, and synthetics.  

• Wool is a natural fiber made from a sheep's coat.  It is commonly used in knitting and can suit almost any project.
• Fleece comes from the coats of various animals.  Some types of fleece that may seem familiar are cashmere, mohair, and angora.  These fibers are less common, often more expensive, and are not usually used for everyday projects.
• Cotton is another natural option which comes from a plant. It is soft and gentle on skin but also incredibly durable.  I recently discovered 100% cotton yarn is a great housewares fiber for projects such as washcloths.  My vegan friends and customers are fond of this fiber.  
• Synthetics are probably the most common fiber you will find in your local craft store.  Nylon, polyester, and acrylic are often found in some combination.  The yarns can vary greatly in texture and look even when they are comprised of the same material.  These fibers are often your least expensive yarns and are great for everyday projects.  

You may also come across yarns created for a special look such as variegated yarn which is different shades of the same color within a skein or tweed yarn which has color specks of a different color scattered throughout. Novelty yarns are also growing in popularity and variation.  These yarns may include: faux fur, ribbon, alternating thickness, and chenille fibers.  These yarns may be more difficult to work with so they are not the best option for new crafters.

Once you find the fiber you wish to use for your project the next thing to look at is the weight of the yarn. This will help answer a number of questions.  You can find the below symbols on the yarn label to help guide you in your decisions.  Most patterns will specify which yarn works best.      

As you can see from the above chart, the the yarn weight will help you decide the thickness, the hook you should use, as well as an idea of how much you will need.   While this is a good guide it is important to remember these guideline are not absolute. The thickness will also be affected by the stitch you choose.  The hook size for a project may also be affected by how tight you complete your stitches.  In order to better determine the ideal hook for a project you should stitch with different hooks until you match the projects gauge.  

The gauge is how many stitches and rows per a set inch, or square.  Above is a sample of a gauge square on a yarn label.  The hook size in the middle is a good start but once again you final choice will be based on your own personal stitching.  Yarn weight is also very important when you want to create a project with multiple yarns.  While you don't have to use the same yarn type, or even brand it is important that the weighs are the same.  If they are different there will be noticeable differences in thickness, and maintaining the gauge will not be possible. 

As for how much yarn you should purchase this is often the hardest part to determine.  Many patterns make a recommendation for how much to purchase. If you are using a different yarn than the recommended skein then it might be a good idea to use a yarn calculator to ensure you have enough.  When it comes to crochet or knit projects more is almost always better.  This is especially true for yarns that have dye lots, are limited editions, or are being discontinued.  Not all yarns have a dye lot, but be sure to read the label carefully to ensure if there is a lot that you purchase enough skeins from the same lot to complete the entire project.  While it might only be a slight difference, when you begin to work the second dye lot into a project, there will be a notable difference.

I hope this helped decode the yarn label mystery.  Don't be afraid to try new yarns, just make sure you take the time to ensure you have the right yarn and tools for the project you have in mind.  I know I haven't posted part II of our early Mother's Day outing but I am hoping to get the pictures from my sister's camera soon.  

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Book Review- "A Life in Stitches: Knitting My Way Through Love, Loss, and Laughter"

A Life in Stitches: Knitting My Way Through Love, Loss, and Laughter by Rachael Herron 

A friend of mine from work text me to let me know she had come across a book she thought I'd be interested in. I am an avid crafter and a few years back a began my own small craft business. I often find myself crocheting through life's many obstacles and I found this book to capture that feeling. The author describes her passion for knitting as a security blanket, a type of safe zone, and I think this is a feeling many crochet/knitters are familiar with.  In my first post I explained my fascination with how a string can become something great; you will find this is also a sentiment shared by Rachael.

Rachel takes her readers through some of the best and worst times in her life.  She does a great job of putting a comical twist on bad situations and reminds her reader that hard times are just lessons learned to carry with you to the better times.   By the end of this work you will feel like you know Rachel and her family. Reading her book helped convince me that there were others who treasured family and crafts as much as I do.  It is part of the reason I am writing this very blog.  You will laugh and cry, and if you are anything like me, be inspired to create.  This is a great quick read that I hope to pass it on to a friend as my friend was so kind to recommend it to me.