• General

    Darning Needles

    10/29/2021 /

    Darning Needles with instructor Steve Butler Class 145 What is it? – Darning needles, sometimes referred to as tapestry needles, are a no-nonsense, must-have tool for all fiber artists who work with yarns, flosses or heavy threads. In the needle world, these are the heavy lifters. Crochet, knitting, embroidery, counted cross stitch or sewing, they all have applications for darning needles.  The more traditional use of darning needles centers around the repair of knitted items like socks, sweaters or scarves. Darning needles have also proven invaluable for construction projects requiring attaching…

    Read More
  • Crafts,  General,  Knitting/Crochet,  Sewing/Quilting,  Tool School Extra Credit

    Extra Credit: Snag Repair Needles

    07/02/2021 /

    Snag Repair Needles By the Shibaguyz It’s happened to us all… you’re pulling your favorite sweater down from the closet and oops, it catches on a spot on the shelf—SNAG! Or maybe you’re the outdoorsy type and tend to walk a little too close to brambles or blackberry bushes—SNAG! Perhaps you’re like us… just walking through the house and somehow your handmade sweater (crocheted from 7 skeins of $30.00 a skein silk blend in a one-of-a-kind dye lot that you totally adore) magically gets a—SNAG! GAH!! You totally have to…

    Read More
  • General,  Knitting/Crochet

    Yarn Guide

    04/23/2021 /

    Yarn Guide with instructor Steve Butler Class 133 What is it? A particularly enticing knitting technique is called stranded colorwork. Using two or more colors of yarn simultaneously allows us to create amazing designs in knitted fabric. With a full pallet of colors, a wide range of fibers and a limitless assortment of patterns available to us, the creative potential is unlimited. Fair Isle knitting with its beautiful symmetrical geometric motifs in muted colors or Scandinavian knitting with its striking large asymmetrical motifs in bright contrasting colors or even your own dramatic…

    Read More
  • General,  Knitting/Crochet

    Swatch Ruler & Pattern Chart Marker Set

    10/17/2020 /

    Swatch Ruler & Pattern Chart Marker Set with instructor Steve Butler Class 121 What is it? – What is so special about knitting and crochet? Why are we inextricably drawn to them? It’s the opiate of creative expression. It’s almost intoxicating what we can do with yarns, needles and hooks. We can find creative examples all the way from grandma to Dolce & Gabbana. Trending projects in fashion and fashion accessories, home décor and amazing independent pieces abound. A quick trip to a favorite yarn haunt or cruising a favorite site online reveals an unending, even…

    Read More
  • General,  Knitting/Crochet

    Knitting Must Haves

    10/17/2020 /

    Knitting Must Haves with instructor Steve Butler Class 120 What is it? – Artists have them, sculptors have them and musicians have them. How about those who knit and crochet? Yes, they have them too. What is it that they all have you’re no doubt wondering. Specialty tools. Uncommon implements of assistance. You know, those relatively simple devices that perform a specific task in virtually any creative endeavor. A quality, purpose specific tool can make any task easier and more precise, freeing up more time for the creative process. It can also remove or even prevent the frustration…

    Read More
  • Knitting/Crochet,  Session 13

    Marking Pins

    11/10/2017 /

    https://youtu.be/FNI11PTK5hc   What is it? – Whether we’re into knitting or crochet we’re always making something, something made of individual pieces.  And that something usually means putting those component pieces together.  We all know there are several techniques for joining our knitted or crocheted pieces and that those techniques vary depending on our creative inspiration.  Do we want the seams to be invisible or not?  Perhaps we want them to be very visible and part of our decorative design as in, really standout.  Regardless there is one constant.  At some…

    Read More