Thursday, February 18, 2010

and now for the scraps...

If you have ever worked an embroidery from a kit before, then you will know that there are loads of threads left over when you finish. They've all been precut into lengths, so there's a limit to what you can use them for.

I used to keep them for any time I wanted to work up a small cross stitch, or to add embroidery details to another project. But not any more! I discovered how much fun it is to crochet with them...

scrap ball and hook (1.25mm)

So, I've collected all the leftover strands from my kit, and joined them together with knots. The only down side is that you need to use a fairly small hook... like the 1.25mm pictured here.

And what will I make with it???

Well...

Last time I used the scraps to make this little Easter surprise. I just kept all of those knots to the inside of my work, and you wouldn't even know they are there.

easter chick

Of course, I don't really need another Easter chick...

What's need got to do with it??? I hear you asking

Well, it WILL need to be something small. Two reasons - firstly, there's not THAT much thread here; and secondly, nedd I remind you I will be using a 1.25mm hook???

So maybe a camera pouch, or a case for my sunnies? Not sure just yet. I'll have a play around and see what comes to life.

18 comments:

Debbie said...

This is such a great idea, Sharon! I've been hoarding so much of these leftovers from years ago. Do you attach them to each other ahead of time (and how) or do you just keep working them in as you crochet?

karen said...

Sunnies? It took me a few curiously thoughtful moments and then I snapped my fingers and said, "Ah, I think I've got it!" Post a pix if this is what you do make, please, and I will see if I was right.

Bec said...

Great idea! I want a chicken, he is sooo cute! I still have the leftover threads from one I did years ago, saving for I don't know! If you want them, just yell.....

Michael said...

Neat idea! I wouldn't have thought it'd be possible to hide the knots so well, but it looks great-- and what a fun way to use up bits and pieces!

Sharon Maher said...

hey debbie...

I just tie a knot to join each piece to the next, then hide all the knots at the back of the work... I'll show some progress shots so that you can see exactly what I do

Sharon Maher said...

hey karen...

sunnies = sunglasses

we aussies love to abbreviate EVERYTHING!!!

Sharon Maher said...

hey bec...

if you don't think you'll ever use them yourself - I'd love them! sending you an email now :)

Sharon Maher said...

hey michael...

thanks! I'm thinking that this time I'll probably need a lining to hide the ends away... with the chick it was easy to just hide them inside with all the stuffing

Lisa said...

I love to crochet embroidery thread and I actually enjoy using that tiny hook :) I usually make hacky sacks.

Sharon Maher said...

hey lisa...

hacky sacks - what a perfect use for embroidery thread! good idea...

Deb said...

Just love your little chick - such wonderful details, from head to foot!

zephyr said...

I made a small pull string bag for the little "women things" always rolling around the bottom of my purse, the strands are WAAAY shorter than the ones I see you use, they average 5-20 centimeters... and I left the knots all exposed on the inside- IT TICKLES when I put my hand in, I have to keep taking it back from my daughter, she just loves walking around the house wiggling her fingers around inside the bag

Sharon Maher said...

hey zephyr...

you've got me thinking that maybe I should be saving my offcuts, too... good idea!

JoAnn said...

What a terrific idea. I have already started scrap yarn balls, thanks to you, but now I can see a few more piles of scraps -- too long to throw away, too short to readily use -- coming together for a future project.

Sharon Maher said...

hey joann...

isn't it wonderful when we can use scraps to make items of such beauty??

Merrilee Baker said...

I really enjoyed this post about cross stitch. It's amazing how much cross stitch there is out there.

jifr said...

I guess I'm a little late on this one, looking at other posts, but I had a Eureka moment about the time this was a new subject.

I used to do more cross stitch and Friendship Bracelets than anything, and still have 2 1/2 cases of the floss, but now I don't have as much time to sort and start those projects. I have found a few books that combine crochet and cross stitch, but I haven't had that kind of time either.

Anyway, I was at the craft store and saw the new Caron Paints (?) collection. They looked kind of neat, but then I almost fell over when I looked at the price... up to $5 for a 3oz skn! After regaining consciousness, the first thought I had was "It's plain yarn with multi-colored floss. Why would I pay for that?"

Like I said, a little late, but my suggestion would have been to make your own "Painting" yarn, or to use as a cross stitch motif on a larger project.

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