Baskets

I have been working on my basket weaving skills lately. Volunteered to weave a basket for a silent auction item. It has been awhile since I have made a larger basket. Didn't turn out perfect, but was still fun to make (and those in my book club were impressed.)

I also have been using up some scrapes that have accumulated. The result is a few smaller baskets (all different patterns and sizes.) I recently purchased some different materials too. The accent in the large basket above and the maroon row in the ones below. The maroon material is ficus root. Is a bit delicate but still fun to work with some new materials.

Polymer Cool Neck Bands

A project to do to utilize some of the scrape pieces of fabric I have and also to help those who serve through Operation Gratitude. 

How to Make Cool Ties or Bandanas

Each pound of MEDIUM size polymer contains about 115 teaspoons of crystals, which will make at least 50 bandanas at 2 teaspoons per tie.

There are several ways to make Cool Ties.  Cotton fabric will work best, as it has superior wicking properties.  Let your imagination be your guide.  One method is to take an ordinary bandana and make a Cool Tie  by simply folding over the wide edge about an inch or an inch and a half and stitching the “hem” down to create a tube.   Complete the bandanas as with the following instructions for the ties:

	Scissors
	Tape measure
	Serger/sewing machine
	4" strip of fabric 45" long (actual length will depend on personal preference)
	One Tablespoon of medium Watersorb polymer granules.  order page

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut one strip of fabric 4" wide from a fabric that is at least 45" wide.   If you want to have a bow to tie use a 60" wide fabric.
2. Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise (the piece should be 4" by 22 1/2").   Mark the fold.  This is the center back of the neck band.  Open up the fabric and measure and mark 7" on each side of the center back.

 

Fold the fabric right sides together the width of the strip (the piece should now be 2" by 45".)  Using a 5/8" seam, stitch between the marks.  (There should be 14" stitched--7" on either side of center back.)

3. The tail ends may be rounded or slanted to give a more finished look.  Finish the edges and ends of the rest of the band by serging or turning and stitching.  Press.

4. Turn tube right side out and press. At one end of the tube, stitch to close, then double stitch for strength. At this point you should have one end of the tube open.

5.      Carefully pour the polymer granules into the tube (1-3 teaspoons). Stitch the tube closed. Reinforce with another row of stitching.

6. To use the cool neck band, soak in   water for a 15-20 minutes (hot water speeds the hydration process).  As the polymer granules soak up the water "mush" them around so the polymer spreads out equally along the tube.  Tie around your neck for a "Cool Band."  

TIPS

• The polymer granules are used in gardening soil for water retention. (Use Watersorb Medium 1-3 tsp) Each pound of polymer has about 115 tsp.
• The cool band can be refrigerated so it is more refreshing on a hot day.
•  It can be soaked in cold water and used over and over.  
• If too many polymer granules are used in the tube, the polymer will ooze through the fabric tube.  Generally two teaspoons is all that is needed.

 .... ·         Store in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator, or hang dry.   The polymer will rehydrate again using instructions in step 6.
Prepared by:  Joy Polk, Benton/Franklin Clothing and Textile Advisor, and Kay Hendrickson, Area Extension Agent, Washington State University Cooperative Extension.

White Heart Basket

I have been working on some reed heart baskets. After a little experimenting I have found out what works and what doesn't. For my closed reed basket I use a 5/8 inch natural reed. Each one is cut to 16 inches. I did one with 4, 5, and 6 reeds on each side. The one with 5 reeds looks the best in my opinion. I can make the opening a little wider (in case it was to be used for a flower girl basket or a hanging flower basket) by stuffing in some kitchen towels while it is drying. I am working on developing instructions. Getting the time to make one while taking pictures is the key.

Here is a link to basic instructions using smaller reed.

I used round reed for lashing and flat 1/4 inch reed. I liked the look of the round reed (pictured below) while my husband decided he liked the flat reed (pictured above).

I also experimented with lashing the heart when it was still a little wet or waiting until it had fully dried. It tends to be fuller when it is fully dried and then lashed. I soak the top part of the heart (the round parts) for a minute or two before lashing it and then stuff it with some dish towels to help it maintain it's shape while drying. The opening on top is a little wider and the shape is fuller. (As you can see in the bottom picture, the one on the bottom right was lashed before the heart was fully dried.)


In order to make one white I had to do a little research. Found the best recommendation was to use white pickling. We used an one gallon Ziploc bag and poured about a cup of the pickling in it along with the reed heart. After a couple minutes of shaking to get all the surfaces covered we took it out to dry for three minutes. At this time we patted off any access (that we could get to) and then hung to dry. I later took a paint brush and hit any spots where it wasn't covered well (especially the outside surface.)

We also took a reed heart and used flat, white, spray paint. It was a little easier to cover, but when I went to put on the ribbons, the reed moves a little and you can see a line. Hard to get all of the crevices and edged covered evenly. By using the paint I was able to get a brighter, truer white.

The method I have come to use regularly is first to whitewash using the pickling and follow with a coat of the spray paint to get an even covering. Many times I also finish with a light coat of shellac (you can purchase it in a spray can, it was recommended to me to use for sealing undied or painted reed.) 

I think I like the white-wash better, especially since you can still see some of the grain of the reed. I diluted the pickling a little and the result was a light, white, almost sand colored appearance. (Top: unfinished, Bottom Left: diluted white wash, Bottom Right: white wash and paint)

Heart Basket

I had someone ask me today if one of my reed hearts could be used for a flower girl. Since the sides are open, it would not serve this purpose well. The question did get me to thinking about ways that I might be able to adapt the design or use another design to make a heart basket. While doing a little research, all I could find were Swedish heart baskets. These would work great, but are not easily made from reed.

After playing with some paper (since it is easier to manipulate and doesn't cost as much as the reed) I still hadn't come up with a solution. After more pondering I wondered if I could lash the sides together, similar to how I finish many of my baskets. I went home and started to put my idea into reality. Here is the result!

Learning to Knit

I recently purchased a mystery box of yarn and supplies. When I received the box it also had a set of knitting needles. I had learned how to knit when I was about 10 and quickly moved on to crocheting (and had not knitted since.) I decided to see if I could re-teach myself the art of knitting.

So far it has been a little frustrating since evidently I learned the combined knitting
style of knitting versus the English or Continental style. The result is when I watch videos things seem a little off. I am trying to work on a pattern I found, but have ripped it out more times than I can count. Is starting to look similar to the picture, but I think I may need to switch some stitches (ssk and k2tog) so it slants correctly.

Found a blog that might help me on my journey (and help me realize that I am not alone.) 

I even found a website with a conversion table!

Will see how things go and if I keep knitting or go back to just crocheting!

Students Finished Work

 Here are pictures from a participant of a rag rug workshop. The rounds were pulled to tight so when they took it off of the frame it curled up and formed a basket or bowl. The cats seemed to like it and have adopted it as a new bed!

Shawl

I have been working away on a new shawl pattern that I have found. Since I am a self taught crocheter, some times following a pattern can be a struggle. I do believe I have finally figured it out and am almost done. It will definitely be done by Mother's Day (although maybe a little warm for the time of year, but you never know.) I need to get a picture of it and find the pattern to post.