We put jewelry together and sell it at markets as we move around. Its a nice way to meet the locals and make a little pocket money.

Maybe we can put up photos of the finished product. I'm nearly finished the crotchet rug I'm doing for my sister to give to her pregnant daughter.

That is beautifully done. Would need a pattern to work that one out. Maybe patterns can be put on or linked on here as well. I always buy any crochet patterns I find in op shops. The how to instructions are great.

I have heaps of crochet and knitting patterns, some mine, some from mum, but I never buy them any more I get 100% of my patterns from the internet these days.

I love making doilies, so sorry they went out of fashion though. I did a couple of dozen for the hospital fete once- made out of string and sold to put under pot plants. Sold really well.

Iknow what you mean about the doilies, Rosie. I have a stack that  my grandmother made over 80 years ago, and a lot of my mum's but I can't dispose of them for the life of me,but I know my offspring will when I am no longer here. God bless 'em. 

Marge

I use old doilies like that to write the story of any new patchwork quilt I make and then attached it to the back of the quilt. - no sorry, that would be the doilies that have linen in the middle of them, not the crocheted sort.

very pretty rug. good on you.

 

cheers

Lots of dog people among us, and some one might like this VERY EASY dog jumper pattern.

 

MATERIALS:

(1) sizes 5 and 7 knitting needles.

(2) 2 skeins acrylic wool- depends on the size. I use 8 ply, but if you use 12 ply check tension!

LET'S GO:

(3) Measure your pet's neck. I usually use a size 5 or 6 needle for a tightly knit ribbing (not too tight!). Wylie's neck is 10", and I cast on, loosely, 40 or 42 stitches.

(4) Knit 1x1, or 2x2 ribbing for 3" for a mock neck, or 6" or 7" for a turtleneck.

(5) Change to a size 7 needle, and commence in the stitch of your choice.

After you've knit one or two of these, you can see how easy it is to add cables, colorwork, or other texture stitches in this back area.

For the first one, let's knit in my favorite basic stitch, garter. That is, knit every row! Can't beat it for simplicity , stability, and rustic good looks.

(6) Measure the animal's back length, that is, from the back of his neck, just above the shoulder, to the top of his tail. That's how long you will knit straight, in garter stitch. That's right!, No shaping yet! When you have reached 2" short of the correct length, switch to size 5 needles, and knit 2" of the same rib you used for the neck. In garter stitch, this isn't really necessary, but looks good, and if you use another stitch, it keeps the edge from curling. If you used another stitch, you should also have knit the first 4 stitches of every row, to keep the side edges from curling. Bind off.

(7) Now, we will knit the chest piece. Using the size 5 needles, cast on 3 stitches. You will increase 2 stitches every other row, until you reach the width comparable to the distance between your pets front legs. You should increase 1 stitch 2 stitches from each edge. The magic thing about this, is that is usually exactly the length you need to cover that tiny chest. It's really amazing!
For a male, knit straight until you get to 1" shorter that where the ribcage stops, and add 1" of ribbing, bind off.
For a female, you can knit as long as the body of the sweater, to cover her bald little stomach. (ending with 2" of ribbing, just like the back.) Bind off.

The reason I usually knit this piece on the smaller needles, is, it has a tendency to get wet, and stretch. A slightly smaller gauge helps. If your not using garter stitch, knit the first 4 stitches of every row.

FINISHING:

(8) Seam the neck ribbing, remembering to seam halfway, and switch to the inside, if you've made a turtleneck. Now, place the point of the chest piece at the bottom of the neck rib seam, and sew a seam down both sides, until you get to the point where you stopped increasing. Leave a slit for the front legs there, about 2" long, and continue the princess seams down each side. Tuck in your loose ends, wash and block carefully.

-- Edited by Rip and Rosie on Monday 12th of August 2013 09:07:15 AM

Correction. My daughter has two FOXIES,not foxes.

Marge

I am into a lot of crafts....

Les makes wooden toys, I paint them. We make them and give them to the grand kids to road test...so far the original rocking horse is 11 years old and has gone through 4 kids and another on the way. So the toys are well made.

I knit, crochet, embroider (hand and machine), latch hook, sew, make quilts, toys, clothes. I have just bought myself a knitting machine too. I am making a hand knitted layette for grandchild number 8 which will be here in March 2014. I love being busy.

At the moment I am doing a Certificate IV in Small Business Management. I'm hoping to finish this before Christmas. As we are hoping to start our Toy and Craft hobby next year, or when Les finally retires, it's mainly to keep us busy and for a little pocket money.

Lynn

Our daughter did Certificate IV in Small Business Management (dare I boast? She topped the state!) and has found it invaluable in all she does. Hasn't yet got her own business but has done lots with what she learnt. Well done Grams.

This is a close up of the actual stitch.

 

Lovely rug HW.

Tired of the trow rug on my bed in the van always looking messy and want something thicker and less likely to wrinkle. Have started a new multi coloured bed cover using a thicker stitch.

Lots of colours, but not real bright ones, and no white as I don't want to have to wash it every week !

This is a double rib, and very thick- not a quick project though, uses lots of wool, but will stay flat on my bed.