Question For Crafty People:

[jennythereader]

This is relevant to the randomness section of yesterday's daily post:

Who knits/crochets/dyes/weaves/spins/needle felts/makes other cool things from yarns and roving? What are your preferences in terms of colors and fibers? What makes a yarn jump off the shelf into your hands?

Other crafters: What sorts of supplies do you always have your eyes open for? What do you have a hard time resisting when you see it?

Personally, I'm always watching for silk embroidery thread, especially in blues and other colors at the cool end of the spectrum. Also, variegated thread and floss in any combination of colors.

Comments

[scratchingpost1.livejournal.com]

I look for yarns that are made of natural fibers: cotton, wool, silk, bamboo. I hate working with acrylic yarns. I love working with variegated yarns too.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

Thanks for answering! I'm with you on the acrylics. Artificial fibers just don't seem to work well.

[gwenlianna.livejournal.com]

stuff with blues and purples, although any jewel-toned shade stands a good chance of striking my fancy.

SOFT

My preference is for non-wool natural fibers, unless I am making it for someone else who is okay with wool. (most wool makes me itch, especially oncce I'm actually warm.)

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

Jewel tones, especially blues and purples, check. :-)

Do you like chenille? It's hard to find in natural fibers, but to my mind it's the definition of soft.

[gwenlianna.livejournal.com]

I *like* chenille, but it tends to shed a lot.

[bodhichitta0.livejournal.com]

Since I basically crochet to relax, I prefer yarns that are easy to work with. I like bulky, thick soft acrylics and fisherman's wool. I like bamboo a lot but it is expensive and sometimes hard for me as an amateur to know how much I'll need.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize you crocheted. What sort of stuff do you make?

[bodhichitta0.livejournal.com]

Well, I know these are considered cheating by some, but both my daughter and I make purses and hats with these.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd791864

I've actually crocheted for years but with a big break between. Mostly I straightforwardly crochet scarves and blankets with double crochet but I can also make granny squares and do broomstick lace. I don't like things where I have to count or follow a pattern since I tend to do it while Husband and I are watching a movie or something, so I tend to gravitate toward scarves, blankets, etc.

I learned how when I was in nine in 4-H. It's one of those things like reading music and learning how to type that I am super glad I learned young.