Op Shops are my new craft stores. They are my inspiration for new projects. I don't even really need to visit them any more, because I have accumulated such a fabulous supply of donated goodies from family and friends already. But I can't help myself. I still have to look. You never quite know what you might find...
So what do I look for?
First I like to sort through the knitted garments. As you know, my frog pond at home is huge at the moment, so I only allow myself to purchase more if there is something too good to pass up... or maybe colours that I do not already have. I have to look though.
Then I take a look through the crafting section. There's always an abundance of knitting needles in tall glass jars, though not always pairs! So I fossick through to see what I can find. At the moment I am searching for a set of fine double pointed needles for sock knitting. I'm also adding any crochet hooks I can find. There's usually a basket or two of yarn... sometimes a half knit garment... always worth looking through. Sometimes I come across those more unusual materials such as jutes and twines.
Off to the book corner now... leafing through the crafting section for patterns and inspiration.
On to the trinkets, to see what jumps out at me there. Like these small clogs. I bought them months ago, because they insisted on coming home with me... but I haven't quite found a use for them yet. Never mind, I will... one day!
I like to browse through the bedding... but I'm not allowed to buy any more. Doona or quilt covers are wonderful stripped into yarn for rag knitting/crochet, and if you follow this tutorial it's all too easy. But my rag supply is colossal... and even I know it's time to slow down.
Must always check out the handbags. The bags themselves might be a mess, but the handles and closures might be useful in another project. Also take a look through the belts, which can be used as straps on bags, or large interesting buckles can be used as embellishments.
And jewellery too. Old beads can come in very handy, like this wooden bead necklace did when I made my cheerful rag bag
You know what? I think I look at everything... just in case... because you never know what you might find lurking in there. I find it fun, challenging and inspiring. On top of all that, it's inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Plus you are able to create unique, one-of-a-kind projects... with character and history... I think that's what appeals to me the most.
Just thought I'd share my 'finds' for this week...
I haven't used a knitting loom at all before. When I was a child, my father made me a 'knitting nancy'. It was a empty wooden cotton reel, with four nails hammered in to the top, and a fifth nail was used as the 'hook'. I wish I still had that piece... not so much to use, but as a keepsake.
So I'm looking forward to experimenting with the looms... using jute, rags, plastic and wire... maybe I'll even try YARN!
My other find was a bag of nylon balls. The nylon is quite strong, and the strips are about half an inch wide. I'm thinking that they will probably take on a new life as a bath mat, but we'll have to wait and see...
3 comments:
Ooo! Just found your blog! Love it! Those cute glass clogs would make great pincushions!
Beware of the knitting loom. My friend bought me some because she likes them, but I found them to be much slower than knitting and you can only use them with chunky yarn. I re-gifted them to my younger cousins and one of them really likes it. My theroy is that only those who have problems with droping stiched and keeping even tention like the loom. But I could be wrong.
I love that you tried the dryer for the felting, when you told us how bad the wet wool smelled I feared that my husband would never let me felt after trying it once.
Those clogs would make the cutest little planters, but there would need to be holes in the bottom for drainage.
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