“Oh there’s a hole in my sock dear Liza, dear Liza…” Wait, wrong song but the hole definitely is in my daughter’s sock; we’ve all moved to mainly wool socks and with each pair running about eighteen dollars it’s time to darn that hole. First turn the sock inside out and put something round into the […]
Archive for the ‘Crafts’ Category
Darn That Sock!
Posted in Crafts, tagged darning, sock darning, sock repair on January 23, 2019 | Leave a Comment »
Bean Necklaces
Posted in Crafts, tagged dried bean necklaces, homemade necklaces on October 20, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
Every urban farmer should have at least one bean necklace for that perfect agricultural fashion accent. Right now is a great time to harvest those end of the season beans and get crafting. Here’s how: Many colorful varieties can be used and you can do patterns with solid color beans. I like using pliers to pull […]
Dyeing with Black Walnuts
Posted in Crafts, Foraging, tagged black walnut dye, dyeing with black walnut, natural plant dyeing on October 15, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
If you’ve ever handled black walnuts you know how well they can dye your hands, countertop and many other things you may not want a deep brown color. Dark brown yarn is lovely. The first step is to carefully harvest your walnuts. I always use gloves to do this as the fruit is a bit […]
Grapevine Wreaths
Posted in Crafts, tagged grapevine wreaths, wreaths on October 10, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
It’s a wee bit early to be pruning grapes but I wanted to neaten up the front yard so trimmed off the long, ropy vines. Using these vines to make wreaths is easy and they turn out great.
Hats!
Posted in Crafts, tagged hats, knitting on October 10, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
What do all urban farmers in this brisk chilly climate need? Warm knit hats! It’s easy to make these using circular needles. I like to use number 8 needles and usually cast on about 95 stitches to start for an adult hat. Once the stitches are on I do a rib stitch with two knit […]
A Visit to Camlann Medieval Village
Posted in Crafts, tagged Camlann Medieval Village, living history museum on September 30, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
I can’t resist a living history museum so off to Camlann for a Michaelmas celebration!
Making Dried Flower Bouquets
Posted in Crafts, tagged bouquets, dried flowers on September 5, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
Each year I look at the riot of colorful flowers in my garden and want to save them for the dark winter months. One of the best ways I have found to do this is by making dried flower bouquets. After a lot of trial and error the plants that seem to work the best […]
Spindle Spinning
Posted in Crafts, tagged natural fibers, spindle spinning, spinning on August 20, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
Spending time on my aunt and uncle’s sheep ranch I cleaned and carded wool but never got around to learning how to spin. A few weeks ago I got a drop spindle and have been giving it a go. I’m not very good yet but it is hypnotic to get the spindle going and watch the […]
Making Your Own Garden Tiles
Posted in Crafts on August 6, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
There is a new pottery painting place up the street from our house. I went there with my daughters and was wondering what to make when I thought “Of course – more garden art!” . Who doesn’t need yet more lovely things in their yard? Once the painting is done the […]
Spinning with Pet Fur
Posted in Crafts, tagged knitting, pet fur, spinning on August 6, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
Spinning with pet fur can be done! In this warm weather Mr. Bunners, aka Attila the Bun, is shedding his white fur in big soft billowy clumps. Petting him it felt sort of like cashmere so I decided to collect it and try spinning it into yarn. First I tried just the fur but the […]
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