Check-In Post December 27th 2021

[badly_knitted]

Hello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


Today's Question: (From monksandbones) What new techniques have you learned this year, and which ones are your favorites?


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[badly_knitted]

Hm, I don't think I've learned any NEW techniques this year, but I've been brushing up on some old ones, especially my very basic crochet that I use on the mouse ears. My first ears weren't too good, but after some adjustments I'm much happier with the result.

I have completed another 5 meeces, start to finish! These are red, paired with light grey, brown, turquoise, bright green, and a green and white yarn.

[smallhobbit]

This time the meeces are red
And so all things being said
You are doing so well
More praises I should tell
But instead I'm going to bed!

[smallhobbit]

New techniques which I've tried - wouldn't say I've learnt as in mastered: lino printing, pastels, weaving, fabric crayons, silk painting without gutta, magazine bowls, zentangles, temari balls, paper flowers and wet felting. I do like Dare to Dabble!

And my month's post is here although I think I've already posted all the pics here.

[alafaye]

I was going to say that I hadn't tried anything new, but I did try water colors in November which I did like. But it was only the once so I don't know yet if I'm truly good with them.

Today I added a few rows to my scarf and acquired new supplies - I returned to work today and at my desk a "secret santa" had left a cross stitch magazine that had two free small kits!

[badly_knitted]

Bed is where I should be going too!

15 meeces left to reach 100. Can I get that far before the end of the year?

[badly_knitted]

You've tried so many new techniques this year!

[badly_knitted]

Well, the only way to develop a skill is to keep trying. Hopefully you'll find some time in the New Year to get out your watercolours and play with them some more.

Yay for scarf progress!

Double Yay for your Secret Santa! What a lovely surprise to get!

[annofowlshire]

I did some stranded colorwork knitting which I’d not done much of before.

Blending fibers on a blending board (I’d used a drum carder before).

Various embroidery things. I’d done a little before this year, but I’ve done a lot more this year.

Sewn method for cross stitch. Definitely a favorite!

[peaceful_sands]

If you continue at your current rate of five a day you'll get there. You're doing really well with them.

[peaceful_sands]

It's great that you've been able to experiment with so many things this year. Are there any that you particularly enjoyed and plan to do more of next year?

[peaceful_sands]

Great that you got to try something new and enjoyed it. Sounds like someone's Secret Santa know a good gift when they see one! Hope you enjoy that.

[peaceful_sands]

Sounds like you tried lots of good things this year - or extended your experience in things.

[peaceful_sands]

I learned how to do a magic ring in crochet - this is something I'd tried in the past unsuccessfully, but this year it clicked and now I'm a massive fan. I've also begun to experiment with Tunisian crochet - I've only learned a couple of stitches and made some scarves but I've been happy with what I've done so far and want to do more in the new year.

I've also for the first time tried to make my own project by adapting a pattern for something else quite substantially - it was just an amigurumi robin and I used some of the ideas from making a penguin but I've never felt confident enough before to even begin to adapt.

I've also used some youtube videos to guide me through trying and making things - this has been a revelation! A good video makes a world of difference - see the above magic ring and tunisian crochet for prime examples although not the only ones. As I don't have anyone to demonstrate or talk through a pattern with me, this can be a great way to learn something new.

Frustation over the last couple of days - I started a pair of fingerless mittens and just can't get the tension right on the pattern (it was okay on the test swatch) I've dropped a hook size but still no luck. I'll have to undo them again for the third time and drop another hook size and try again *sigh*.

[smallhobbit]

I hadn't realised how many until I came to list them.

[smallhobbit]

I did like both pastels and weaving. I'm not sure I'll have the time to do more next year given my current crafting activities, but we shall see.

[smallhobbit]

Hooray for small kits. If you know you like water colours you can always do some more and if you enjoy it that's the most important thing.

[smallhobbit]

That's a great selection of different crafts.

[smallhobbit]

I've never grasped the magic circle, but since I don't enjoy crochet it doesn't really matter. Yes, YouTube videos are great when looking for explanations and you can watch them as often as you need to.

[badly_knitted]

You've tried some lovely things this year!

Yes, that certainly makes cross stitch faster. I don't use the technique often as I have a tendency to pull stitches too tight, but it works on some designs better than others.

[badly_knitted]

Getting 5 done in a day isn't easy though, especially if there are other things I need to do cutting into my available time. We shall see.

[badly_knitted]

You've discovered and mastered a lot of new techniques this year by the sound of it. I'll have to look up this magic ring technique, see what that's all about.

I used youtube videos to refresh my memory on basic crochet stitches just so I had a better idea of what IO was doing for my mouse ears. They're really helpful.

That's so annoying for you! I hope it'll be a case of third time lucky. With things like gloves, the right tension is so important if you want them to fit comfortably.

[badly_knitted]

Well, they were spread out over the year so it's easy to lose track.

[pensnest]

I learned some basic crochet - it's not something I've tried before, but I crocheted a couple of lap blankets which have since been donated to the local dementia ward. YouTube is very helpful when you want to learn something new!

[badly_knitted]

Excellent! I'm sure the blankets were gratefully received.

[wiseheart]

The only new technique I've tried out this year was making lolly stick objects, which was great fun. Our Christmas tree looks certainly unique. *g*
I did a lot of felt work and paper work, though, as well as other kinds of sewing - and there was, of course, the Great Christmas Baking Frenzy. ;))

[wiseheart]

You've been amazingly versatile!

[wiseheart]

Brushing up old techniques are very important - and satisfying. Alas, I tend to forget how to do things if there's a longer pause in-between... which is why I have my notebook where I write down such things for myself. *g*

[smallhobbit]

Well, I just turn up and do whatever's on offer!

[badly_knitted]

The lolly stick decorations were a lot of fun!

You've had a very varied crafting year. All I've done is knit, lol!

[badly_knitted]

That's why I had to brush up on my crochet. I hadn't made mouse ears in about 20 years.

[alafaye]

True, true. Yes, I'm hoping to!

Verily \o/

Yeah it was wonderful. I'm still warmed by getting it :)

[alafaye]

Very. Looking forward to try more of it next year. It was a good surprise :D

[alafaye]

I love small kits; they're great for quick time passing things or changing up tasks. I'm hoping to play with water colors more next year :D

[badly_knitted]

Unexpected gifts are the best kind, especially such thoughtful ones.