Macrame' Workshop

It is a busy time of year but we had our last fiber arts workshop of our series last night. This one was on macrame'. I didn't think I had ever done macrame' but after a little research I realized the friendship bracelets we made in middle school and high school were a version of macrame', we just used embroidery floss instead of hemp.

The youth were excited for their last workshop. We had touched on so many topics, I was hoping this time there would actually be some finished projects. I have come to realize the true meaning of a sewing bee. It is definitely an opportunity to get together, socialize, and maybe work on a project. Same was true for this group of girls. New friends were made during the process and new skills were learned.

One of the best comments I heard last night was, "I could sit here and do this all day. This is so much fun!" Is great when that is the sentiment that is floating around (instead of one of frustration and desire for it to be over.)

Hopefully we will be able to schedule more workshops in the future. Right now we are switching gears to some technology games and activities, so will see.

Bracelet made by one of the youth (which ended up being a necklace!)

Hard at work!

4-H Knitting & Weaving Workshop

Watching a new technique!

We held a fiber arts workshop for our county 4-H'ers. It was great to be able to bring someone else in to teach so I could learn more also.

It was interesting for me since the way I was taught to knit is different then the method being taught. In order to help the youth I had to really focus on how the instructions were presented. Little tools to help them out, like making a puddle to cast on or grabbing a carrot. The idea of going through the front door, picking up your coat and going back out the door in order to make a knit stitch. Made perfect sense to some of the kids once you told them this.

After a few hours of practicing and working on our technique, many of us ended up with small washcloths made from cotton yarn. No two looked the same (mine ended up being more diamond instead of square due to an added row in the middle) but that is the great thing about knitting, every project is unique, even if you use the same pattern!

Weaving using pins, cardboard, a needle, and yarn!

In the afternoon we switched from knitting to weaving. This is something I have not done a lot of (unless you count basket weaving.) Using items many would have around their house we made little looms and made small items like bookmarks or bracelets. Seemed like it would be easy but trying to keep your tension the same and have the sides be even instead of being wider or smaller. Something to continue to work on and practice.

Workshop Results

Found the idea at http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/hula-hoop-rug-995304/.

Lots of fun ideas from the youth involved in this workshop.

Things we learned or discovered:

*We decided to use some white t-shirts for our base, since we wouldn't see them as much and we could save the colored stripes for the weaving.

* You need to make sure you cut all of your weaving stripes the same width or it can get lumpy (unless you want lumpy.)

* Tying or marking the spokes you wove together (so you ended up with an odd number) helps you keep track of them and you are less likely to incorporate extra spokes.

* Patience and careful attention to detail is needed or you end up not following the over, under pattern.

* You can hide your mistakes as you go around (if they are little ones) and only you will notice (or someone who is really detailed oriented and wants to stare at it to find a mistake.)

* Any kind of stretchy material will work for this, even if it isn't a t-shirt (some participant brought polos.) The only big reason you need to have the stretch is so it will fit on the hula hoop or frame.

Ideas for other projects:

* Small rugs using a embroidery hoop and cutting thinner strips would be great for Barbie doll houses.

* Can also make small ones and use as place-mats, pot holders, hot pad, or coasters.

* Is you have a lot of white t-shirts you can tie die the t-shirts and then cut them into strips or create the rug and then tie die the rug itself.

* Make rugs and donate to local humane society or nursing home.

A great workshop overall. A little frustration when the pattern was messed up, but some wonderful rugs were being created.