Cross Stitch and Craft Cafe 2026 - come on in and join us!!

Charly27

Hi everyone, @Auti love the exchanges between you and @Sea_Shell although it’s like reading another language, the language of crochet patterns😃

Stunning work from you both and absolutely love the recent post topper.

I’ve done nothing with my hands for a couple of months now. I have self diagnosed with carpal tunnel and bought a support to sleep in whilst I wait for an appointment. This has really helped me get comfortable enough to sleep. Any add advice appreciated!

Sea_Shell

I'm having a go at a C2C. Had these colours in my stash, and they were calling out to me 😇🇬🇧

First attempt had far too many ends 😱, until I read about using bobbins of yarn and carrying them up.

Going to plan so far...😉

BobbinAlong

Success of the week is sorting out and cleaning my "sewing" room (includes a knitting machine) and sorting through all the boxes of "stuff" including abandoned works. Got ruthless and threw out several of those that, even if I'd completed them would be the wrong size and totally unecessary and I no longer need office skirts or suits.
Also sorted a pile of fabric to sell via a fabric de-stashing FaceBook group.
All very cathartic and ended up feeling good about things and ready to sew and knit more. Definitely recommended if you're feeling overwhelmed by your hobbies!

Auti

it is finished.

Sea_Shell

Looks amazing.

Out of interest, how much yarn did it use of each?

DK?

Auti

@Sea_Shell - it came as a kit (heavily discounted) online of yarn as pattern had to get separately. I am frugal with my yarn anyway and found I had a whole cake of the variegated yarn left out of 4 sent ( though only about a metre of the 3rd ball left so close to using the 4th ball) and 2 and a third ish (out of 6 sent) of the dark grey yarn left. I will use it on something else maybe using part of the blanket pattern. It is DK.

Am now on to the next project to give as a present - yarn came from Denmark (no import taxes) as just over £20 cheaper than anywhere in uk!

this is not DK but 4ply/fingering weight so smaller hook and more care. It is a mix of cotton and acrylic so lighter and more stitch defined ( must be even and not split the yarn) Also it is only in chart form - 3 landscape A4 pages to a row which something to get my head around! (I am a written instructions girl). It also has 255 sts per row compared to the other at 180……. Think it will be a challenge but fun (most of the time lol)

Sea_Shell

Aldi special buys, yarn

Seems like a bargain, but then you look at the metreage...short measures for 100g

It says DK, but must be fairly chunky DK, to only get 175m !

Apparently "DK" is a guide to thickness, not an absolute.

Still, it didn't stop me buying 7 balls 🤭

Auti

@Sea_Shell - Yes Yarn can be deceiving. Difference in weight and length can be how tightly the yarn fibres are wound together and the yarn fibre used - best bit to look at is the tension square on the label as that gives you an idea of what size your finished thing will be and needle/hook sizing.

The yarn I am using at the moment (variegated one) is 1000m long per cake (not shaped like usual “ball” shape) and is 4ply so thinner than DK and 220g weight.

What are you going to make with the 7 balls (a very precise number :) )

P.s. extra info for people who might be interested :)

Sea_Shell

They're not all the same😉

3 are sparkly blue mix. Not enough on their own for much, but could mix with a solid and maybe make a cardigan...or I'll make a pair of slippers, a headband and some fingerless gloves.

The others are stash fillers, black, white, forest green and rose pink.

Those are not the softest yarns, but OK for crafting things, rather than for wearables.

Coxy11

Hi all,

Some lovely finishes - well done all. Glad I'm not the only one who struggles with the explanations - and I crochet! The basket made the forum highlights this week @Sea_Shell you are on a roll!!

I have had my first Etsy sale. I started a shop with Mum last year. She has had 10 sales and I've had just the one but it's a learning curve. Trouble is the listing fees, sales fees, postage etc mean you get very little. They rack up over the months and when you get a sale it virtually wipes out any profit.

I'm itching to start a new project. Need to think of a theme for my next topper plus would like to make something for me - I do have a sampler I bought at the show in March so maybe I'll get the threads together for that.

Sorry to hear of possible CT @Charly27 that sounds really painful x

Take care all

Coxy