Elann Community Chat Center

evelyn - all messages by user

8/12/2007 9:51:47 PM
Yarn storage Hi everyone....just wanted to share something with you. I just ordered a 15 piece storage bag set from
www.theshoppingchannel.com
These are fantastic for storing wool. You can reduce the size of your stash by 2/3 and your husband will think you have a lot less wool. There are 15 of these bags that you fill and then put your vacuum to the seal and take all the air out. They are dirt and moth resistant. And...the best part, all 15 are only $32.88
I have ordered from this retailer many times and they are as reliant as Elann. We all know how good Elann is so why not spend a few bucks on these bags and then buy more wool from Ann.
I don`t usually do the advertising for any product but these are just too good to keep to myself.
Evelyn
8/14/2007 9:22:51 AM
going to yellowstone; opinions please I visited Yellowstone about 10 years ago. I have done some extensive travelling and I found that Yellowstone is the most beautiful place on earth.
I envy you to be spending the time there. It will give you such a fresh new outlook on life. Just sit back and soak up the beauty.
Evelyn
8/14/2007 9:24:38 AM
Cheryl- Cheryl...you must keep trying..I had a lookie and I played it over and over again...It`s so uplifting.
You`ll really like it.
Eelyn
8/14/2007 9:24:38 AM
Cheryl- Cheryl...you must keep trying..I had a lookie and I played it over and over again...It`s so uplifting.
You`ll really like it.
Eelyn
8/15/2007 10:10:49 PM
Ok, kids-what`s on the needles? Can anyone guess what`s on MY needles?
That`s right. You sure are observant.
Ev
8/18/2007 4:38:12 PM
I am a new mother also!! Just what I need! I think he is telling you to call him
FRAIDY` as in fraidy cat. They are the sweetest addition to any household and he came to you for a good reason. Just what the doctor (or nurse) ordered for you right now Cheryl.
Evelyn
8/21/2007 10:11:33 PM
The Red Bag Hi there
I pop in frequently (daily) but I don`t post much. Since I only knit bags, I don`t get into the chats about other things. I wouldn`t have a clue as to telling you how to knit that red bag. I`ll have a look at some of the free patterns around and find one that looks similar. The yarn used in the red one is Araucania Nature Wool...colour Burgundy...knit double.
So keep an eye on this thread and I will steer you toward a similar pattern.
Thanks for your nice comments.
Evelyn
8/21/2007 10:17:02 PM
Cheryl- Me too
clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap
I`m getting tired.......but the heart is in it
8/21/2007 10:17:02 PM
Cheryl- Me too
clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap
I`m getting tired.......but the heart is in it
8/21/2007 11:02:27 PM
The Red Bag Hello Akroknits
I couldn`t find a free pattern but I did find a similar one that you can purchase. Go to www.blacksheepbags.com and look at the Elizabeth Bag. It is similar.... or you can look up one of the many free pattern sites including Elann to find one that would look similar. Good Luck
Evelyn
9/29/2007 7:39:53 PM
Felting Bags I use 2 strands of the chunky because I like a thick fabric when it`s felted.
10/1/2007 12:16:49 AM
Felting Bags Thank you for your confidence girls. I would love to send a few of my little secrets to you. Right now it`s 3 am and I don`t think I would be able to give you anything coherent but I will pop in tomorrow with some tips.
Sleep well
(I`m a nighthawk)
10/1/2007 10:23:37 PM
The Felting Tips You ASked For Hi everyone who is interested in felting!

I promised I would answer some questions on felting so here it is.
First: Kellygirl-My needle size when using Highland Wool Chunky doubled is either 8, 9, or 10mm. The larger the better for this kind of knitting. Generally I use whatever is vacant at the time in those higher sizes. I use KnitPicks Options needles always.
My patterns are non-existent. Since I sell my bags, I am not to use a purchased pattern without permission.

I usually just start by casting on anywhere from 24 to 38 stitches and away I go.The bottoms are always done in garter st. for a tougher bottom. Then I use a crochet hook to pick up the st. all around the rectangular bottom and start to knit stockinette st. to the desired height. Remember to make your bags taller than you think they should be. I have shortened some because I was tired of knitting with that particular yarn and then I was sorry after it came out of the washer. During the "trip to the top" as I call it while I`m knitting the sides of the bag, a style and embellishment usually comes to mind. I guess they "talk" to me and tell me the way they should turn out. Sometimes I decrease st. as I go up or make other changes. I have many patterns for bags and I read them all, then I do my own thing. I`m sure I pick up tips from just reading them.

At this point you must decide on the handles. Will they be self handles with them continuuing after you have cast off the top of the bag or do you want to knit an i-cord handle? I have tried buying handles but I find most people like the i-cord ones or the ones made of the same yarn as the bag. If you knit i-cord handles, knit about 9 feet of it. Depending on the wool, they come out at different lengths. Make sure you stretch them while they are still wet.

When you come to "felt" the bag, it will take different times with each bag. You really need a washer with the old fashioned agitator. I bought myself a brand new washer for this purpose only and all it does is wash and rinse and spin. This way I can control what is happening in the washer. My other fancy dancy washer is all computerized and didn`t like me trying to mess with it`s program. Every yarn and every colour felts differently so it is a hit and miss thing. I just did a HW Chunky bag in black and it felted to my liking in about 10 minutes. Another colour might take a couple of cycles. DO NOT ADD TOWELS TO THE WATER. THEY SHED AND YOU WILL NEVER GET THE FLUFF OUT OF THE FELT. I use some pieces of artists canvas that I cut up and turned the edges so they won`t frey. It`s an ivory colour. I used to use jeans in the washer but the colour came off on a pink purse and I was very angry.

Now comes the VERY MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS. That is the blocking. I bought a couple pieces of cork board from Home Depot and my husband cut it into appropriate sizes to put into the wet bags.
First I take a white Elann box and wrap it in plastic. I put this in the bag and then slide the pieces of cork board between the box and the fabric. Then I stretch it to the shape I want and use lots and lots of T-pins to hold it. This is especially important if your bag has stripes. Make sure those stripes are pinned perfectly with lots of pins. I have an extra long piece of corkboard to put in if the bag has a flap. I will send a picture of this so you can see what I mean. When it is perfectly dry, you put the lining in and please don`t skimp and buy cheap fabrics for this. I buy mine at a quilting store and they are beautiful. I put one pocket in them and sew my labels on the pocket. My trademark is the fancy machine embroidery that I do all around the top of the lining with a contrasting, complimentary thread.

Before you secure the lining into the bag, put the stiffening in the bottom. I use plastic canvas (another trial and error project) and I sew them securely into the bottom of the bag.

So this should answer all your questions but if you have any other questions and want to email me personally, you can send them to don.ev at rogers dot com

Good Luck with your felting. There are many yarns that Ann sells here that are perfect for felting. Highland Wool has such beautiful colours and it`s so soft to work with.

Evelyn
10/2/2007 11:32:59 AM
The Felting Tips You ASked For Billie......No I don`t sell them on Etsy. I`m just 2 hands trying to keep going. Since my husband is a glass artist, we have a studio tour each December and we both sell from his "huge" studio in the lower level of our house. It takes so long to make one purse, I couldn`t keep up to any more sales. This year I took one commission and of course it was the one that didn`t turn out. Wouldn`t you know it. So I don`t do commissions any more. The thing I am best at is.....buying more wool. I have tons.
10/2/2007 11:59:33 AM
what`s the difference? Thanks for clearing that up Bets. I always thought I was Continental but I see I`m the opposite.
Always learning good things here.
10/4/2007 3:39:00 PM
I LOVE that duck! What a fantastic pet. Oh to be a kid again.
Maybe someday your daughter could write a children`s book about her ducks. There sure would be many stories to tell. Keep the pictures coming..I love it !
10/7/2007 7:25:45 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends A big Thank You to all our American friends. When it`s your turn to go at the turkey, we will all be jealous. Right now, I have heartburn from the pumpkin pie and a big honkin headache from being with the grandkids (5 boys). Two are perfect angels and three are the worst behaved kids on the block.
Dinner wasn`t at my house so I don`t have any leftovers for turkey sandwiches, which is the best part.
Thanks for thinking of your Canadian friends.
Evelyn
10/9/2007 5:38:30 PM
I tried something new - needle felting! I took a class on needle felting last year and it was a waste of my time and money. I already knew more than the teacher after just doing a few projects. It is so so easy and I don`t think the needles are dangerous. I have a couple of those holders for 6 needles but I find I have more control just holding one at a time. They do get dull though and really affect your felting. Make sure you try all the needle sizes that do different things. Also, I have tried felting other materials, like the Angel fibers that you seal together with heat. That didn`t work too good. Other things don`t felt as well as yarn does. I am having a great time with it and others look at it and can`t figure out how I did it and I think that`s hillarious. My daughter has used a purse I made her two years ago with needle felting on it and it hasn`t even suggested it might be thinking of coming out. That`s the question everyone asks.

Bets, it is so much fun. How did you get so lucky to have a friend who sends you all these neat things just `cause you say you like it? I want her as a friend too.

How about putting up some pictures of the needle felting.
Evelyn
10/11/2007 10:50:25 PM
Has anyone WORN out their needles? I have a full set of Addi Turbo`s and a full set of Knit Picks Options, as well as the Harmony ones.
I love the Harmony ones but they are quite a bit shorter than the Options. They are warmer and quieter than the Options too. I use my finger to push the wool along and I have poked a hole in my skin with the Harmony`s. They are very sharp but a breeze to use.
10/21/2007 7:00:19 PM
Patw, BEAUTIFUL sweater! Absolutely amazing !!!! There`s a genius among us !!!
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