I absolutely love the Potholder Loom.

It’s a loom that is seriously under appreciated.

Many people were introduced to the potholder loom when they were children.

They began weaving with loops of nylon or cotton that were offcuts from the sock industry.

This has tended to fix the idea in people’s minds that loopers are what potholder looms are all about.

No no no no no no no no!

Luckily, I didn’t have a potholder loom when I was a kid, because I would hate to be stuck with the looper misconception.

Potholder looms are simple, basic square looms that are delightfully portable and offer infinite creative possibilities!

My Weavagarumi Plushie Critters are my latest designs for the Potholder loom,  and I am tickled pink with them.

Here are a few of them:

Weavagarumi Kitty, Ladybug and Bluebird of Happiness photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

And

Weavagarumi Lemon, Orange and Apple photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

As I have been designing and weaving them, I have been grinning from ear to ear. They simply fill me with delight.

Potholder looms just plain rock! Here’s to simplicity, affordability and portability, as well as unlimited creativity!

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

If your cat or kitten is your best friend, you want to make something for her/him for Christmas, right? Fortunately, you can whip up a crochet gift rather quickly. Here are some ideas for the furry feline in your life — and all of these patterns are free: 

Crochet chicken (or other bird) – Perfect for stuffing with catnip

Kitty sweater – Because what cat doesn’t just love to wear clothes?

Catnip mouse – More catnip

Snuggle tubbie – Although meant to provide a safe and comfortable place for shelter animals, this is great for any pet  

Octo-puss toy – Great for using up scraps

Want more kitty? Be sure to hop over to The Kitty Blog, where feline fun happens all the time. 

Image: Photos.com

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

I’d love to know who designed them! Lion Brand doesn’t share that info, and I know lots of people would REALLY like it if they did. Well, whoever the designer is, they hit the cute button right on the mark.

Here’s the link: Monster dolls 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

I have loved pom pom makers since I was a kid.

The blue pom pom makers on the left are ones that I have had since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

The red/blue/yellow ones are  new Lion Brand pom pom makers and the tan/red ones are Susan Bates.

Pom poms are a classic trim or embellishment. But!

They don’t have to just be mild mannered trims.

I often design and make wild and wonderful dolls with them:

Like this one that I made with recycled/reclaimed objects for hands/feet and head.  The head for this doll is a bamboo tea whisk.

Thumbs up for pom pom makers. You can use yarn scraps to make great embellishments and neat dolls and toys.
What’s your favorite yarnie gadget?

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

I am a wuss. Or is that ‘woos’?

I can’t stand the thought of writing a negative review of a tool or gadget or yarn or whatever.  I think: ‘How would the person who put all kinds of energy into creating this FEEL if I said I thought it stank?’

So…. I usually only write about things I really like. That way,  can avoid the uncomfortable feeling of ‘erg…. that’s gotta hurt….’

But, today I am going to talk about a gadget that doesn’t work for me. I figure, it’s probably older than I am, so its designer isn’t likely  to  be giving too many hoots about what anyone thinks.

My darlin’ sister-in-law keeps her eye peeled for wonderful old fiber arts gadgets for me. She found this Spears Kwiknit and sent it off to me.

I LOVE the box,the booklets, and even the way the funky little knitter looks….. but I just don’t like the way it works.

I’m not sure why exactly I don’t like this gadget.

It is, after all, basically a cross between a spool knitter and a manual knitting machine.

I find it clumsy to work with. There are little prongie things that get in the way when I am lifting stitches.

And, at the end of each row, you’re supposed to open up 1/2 of it and give it a flickieflip.

It’s charming, but it doesn’t work for me.

If you saw one at a garage sale or in a second hand store, I’d say, sure, pick it up if you’re not dropping a lot of change on it.

But would I invite you to go berserk on eBay for it?Nah.

(LOL! I guess you can tell that I wouldn’t be trying to sell this on eBay, would I?)

image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay 

Post from: Hankering for Yarn