Crochet "Chat"

[rancher hicks]

Random question, but I have to know! Do any of you ball your yarn? My grandmother did and I usually do. Anyone I ever crocheted with told me it was a waste of time and didn't understand it. I always regret starting a project if I have not balled the yarn first...this project included!!

I used to ball my yarn too but it mashes it down. Most skeins today are pull out so not too bad. Look for the center thread. The first bit might be a bunch but should straighten out and usually is used up when first starting out.

 

[sunflower4you]

I used to ball my yarn too but it mashes it down. Most skeins today are pull out so not too bad. Look for the center thread. The first bit might be a bunch but should straighten out and usually is used up when first starting out.

Agreed. Balling yarn takes way too much time and I think it puts more tension on the yarn (stretches it too much) compared to a center-pull skein. The only time I ball yarn is when I'm frogging!

 

[christine9]

I did not ball the skeins I'm working with now. I am really regretting it. I think it's so interesting that people feel strongly about it one way or the other.

 

[Kassaundra]

I never ball the yarn. I think it is mostly a waste of time and agree it "pulls" it to much for my liking. I also think it comes out much easier to control from the center instead of the outside of the ball that keeps twisting and turning.

 

[rancher hicks]

I did not ball the skeins I'm working with now. I am really regretting it. I think it's so interesting that people feel strongly about it one way or the other.

I don't feel strongly about it, but it seems the yarn gets smushed and since it may be years before I get to it, it doesn't unsmush. Some yarns are made of man made materials, but wool and cotton yarns might be okay to ball up.

It's just a step I chose to skip. Okay maybe I do feel strongly about it.

It don't matter really.

 

[sewchick]

Does this look like a maple leaf? I am not sure how to make it look exactly like one. I was thinking maybe the two leaves at the bottom might be a little smaller next time. I have not designed for some time now. I am a little rusty. This is only a mock up. The next one would be better. My picots are not even. I can see that. Geez. I so need to get back in practice.

 

[rancher hicks]

Does this look like a maple leaf? I am not sure how to make it look exactly like one. I was thinking maybe the two leaves at the bottom might be a little smaller next time. I have not designed for some time now. I am a little rusty. This is only a mock up. The next one would be better. My picots are not even. I can see that. Geez. I so need to get back in practice.

First off are you from Mass/Maine or Northern Maine? I saw a History channel thing about Maine and it was educational.

Now for your leaf. It looks very much like a Maple Leaf to me. Sorry this is so big but notice that Nature is not perfectly symmetrical, so that your picots are not even is in keeping with mother nature. I think she would approve.

Father time,

 

[sewchick]

I am originally from Chebeague Island, Maine. Now I am in Old Town, Maine. I am looking out my window at a couple of maple trees and going by what I think it looks like. The old eyes aint what they used to be.

Glad my work looks somewhat like a leaf. I will tweak the pattern tonight and see if I can make a couple of improvements. I have joined a group that is designing a fall themed doily. It's like a bucket list thing. Hopefully I can come up with something by the end of the week.

 

[Kassaundra]

Does this look like a maple leaf? I am not sure how to make it look exactly like one. I was thinking maybe the two leaves at the bottom might be a little smaller next time. I have not designed for some time now. I am a little rusty. This is only a mock up. The next one would be better. My picots are not even. I can see that. Geez. I so need to get back in practice.

Yes it does look like a maple leaf. The "uneven picots" I don't see as a problem at all since a natural maple leaf wouldn't be perfectly even. The only thing I would try and tweak if I were you would be the two base leaves, I would try and make them smaller

 

[rancher hicks]

I am originally from Chebeague Island, Maine. Now I am in Old Town, Maine. I am looking out my window at a couple of maple trees and going by what I think it looks like. The old eyes aint what they used to be.

Glad my work looks somewhat like a leaf. I will tweak the pattern tonight and see if I can make a couple of improvements. I have joined a group that is designing a fall themed doily. It's like a bucket list thing. Hopefully I can come up with something by the end of the week.

Well now if it's a doily you're looking to create, perhaps you can take one of those that has flowers on the border and switch them out for you beautiful maple leaves.

Please be sure to share. Once you're done offer the pattern for a $1 and an SASE. Might as well make a penny or two right? I'd be happy to send you a buck for it once you're done doing all the design work.

The Work Basket magazines I have, have ad after ad of how to make money from home. Of course in 1952 women needed to make some extra money.

In it is the heart pin cushion/sachet my grandmother used to make. I have it laying on the magazine to make as a nostalgic gift for family members. The crochet I can do the pillow inside might be something I can get DW to do.

It's very nice,

Rancher

DW laughs because I put dish towels over the arms of the furniture, but the chair covers of old protected furniture from the grease and body oil. Doilies protected coffee tables, end tables and dressers. If you have a nice supply you can clean faster and easier just by switching them out. A little spritz of End Dust, wipe it with the old doily and put down a new one. Toss the old in the wash.