Latest Forum Posts by: Bastelfan

Petra , I bought this Keraflott. It’s probably similar to what used to be called Keramofix. It doesn’t bubble and is a nice white color.
I still have various casting molds from the DM days (not silicone). Maybe this will work with Keraflott too. I’ll give it a try when I get the chance. I’m already itching to get started.
But right now, I still have a crochet commission to finish. In between, I’m also doing some beading and other crafts.

It never gets boring around here.

I haven’t tried it myself yet, Anja. But when the time comes, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Hey Steffi, that stone really is quite an impressive size. That’s great—I’d love to have a gravel pit like that nearby, too.
I bought some casting compound and I’m going to cast the stones myself using this silicone mold.
Your macramé pieces look lovely, but I wouldn’t have the patience for that anymore. We used to do a lot of that back in the day (hanging flower baskets, necklaces with beads knotted in...). I still know how to do those knots from back then. Just like those friendship bracelets.

But… we’re not running out of ideas anytime soon, are we? It’s great to get so much inspiration here and to be able to marvel at your creations time and time again—and every piece is different. Such variety!

I love soups—mmh, that makes me hungry just thinking about it; I can practically smell it from here.

Best wishes :-)

Good morning to you all, and have a great start to the new week

Steffi, you’re very creative. It looks great. How big is the rock? I paint rocks.

We’re already a big, diverse, creative group here—keep it up :-)

Lots of love, Andrea

Those are some great patterns :-) Pretty scarves

I moved my crafting to the balcony today—the weather is gorgeous 🌞😎.
These are my tools.

OK, I don’t have that one here right now. It’s definitely weatherproof.
I’m currently using Marabu Aqua silk/satin varnish.
There’s also a really glossy one; I’ll get that later when this one is used up.

Do you use acrylic paints for the stones, too?

Your projects look great.

I’ve finished another little project to work on in my spare time, and I used up some leftover yarn while I was at it.

Thank you all so much.

As Ina already mentioned, there are various tools and supplies available for this. I’ve already done some research on that. I already have all the casting powder and tools I need; I’m still planning to get this stone-shaped silicone mold, or an old container for mixing the mixture.

I have these acrylic rods—they all have different diameters—and these little pricking needles for the tiny dots. They work great.

I just started painting this pattern here on a whim. They’re varnished now; this matte varnish doesn’t shine too much, but they’re still weatherproof and smooth. So you can wipe them down with a cloth—nothing sticks.

It’s fun and relaxing.

That’s exactly how I’d handle it, too.

But if I need a crocheted border for my amigurumi or dolls, I’d use very fine crochet yarn with a 1.75 needle—it looks very delicate that way.

@Mel: Your shark looks really funny, and that bunny blanket is just great.
@Petra: Your stones look very pretty when crocheted around.

You can see my painted stones in a separate thread. I’m still in the practice phase.

Maybe I’ll paint some to look like ladybugs.

Thank you so much, Josefa—and to everyone else, of course.

The weather’s fantastic again today—really warm—we just had coffee on the balcony, but you can’t stay out there for long. There’s a bit of a breeze. I love the colorful autumn leaves on the trees. It can stay this way for a while.

Yesterday I went for a stroll with a coworker—we had a cappuccino, ate soft-serve ice cream, and sat by the water; it was wonderful.
Right in the middle of the city, you can sit by the Havel and take a leisurely walk.

My stones are dry and varnished.

Hugs, Andrea

So here are my first two attempts at dotting. They haven't been painted yet; they're still drying on the balcony.

I'm still practicing.

For movable amigurumi, there are these joint discs in various sizes that you crochet or insert between two body parts, allowing you to move the arms, legs, or head.

You can make crocheted figures slightly movable by crocheting or knitting all the body parts individually and then sewing them on separately—for example, both arms— First, use a long doll needle to sew through one arm, through the body, and out the other side (the second arm); you can sew on a button at the same time, then bring the thread back the same way and sew on another button on the other side to secure it. Do the same for the legs.
I did this once when sewing a little teddy bear, and I was able to move the arms and legs a little.

If anyone has any other tips, please share them.

Hey Petra, your stones look really pretty, too. That’s a great idea with the flowers. I like them.

wow Steffi, that already looks really great. And in two colors, too. I like it.

Back in the day we used to knot plant hangers; I still remember a couple of knots, or knotting those friendship bracelets.

What I’d like to try soon are these dotting tools, painting stones with dots. I already have all the materials. I’ll report back or post pictures when the time comes.

have a pleasant week, everyone
best wishes

The weather change is always drastic. But at least we can breathe freely again and sleep better.
The rain is holding off here for now. Just the occasional light shower—that’s it—otherwise gusty winds, cloudy skies, and brief spells of sunshine. Just changeable weather.

Yesterday was the first time I had to put on a cardigan outside. Otherwise, it’s been pleasant.

Have a pleasant weekend, everyone
Best wishes, Andrea

Hi Nicole, :-)

A little late, but from the bottom of my heart, belated birthday wishes from me.
Best of luck, and above all, good health—that’s what matters most.
Stay just the way you are, with all your ideas, and continued success with your shop. You make wonderful things.

Warm regards, and have a lovely weekend
Andrea

That’s a great idea, Inge. Yeah, those seats are pretty hard, too.
I know that from my job.

Dear Sonja,

as a latecomer, I’d also like to belatedly wish you a very happy birthday, good luck, and good health. Stay just the way you are, and continued success with your projects.
It sounds like you had a wonderful day. I’m so glad to hear that.

Hugs, Andrea :-)

Mmm, Ina, that looks delicious. It’s making me hungry just looking at it. Great harvest.

Thank you, Josefa—I wish the same for you all. We don’t have a garden, and out here on our west-facing balcony, everything gets scorched by the sun—there’s nothing green. It’s unbearable out there until late in the evening. Early in the morning is best.

You gardening enthusiasts among you always have plenty to do, but, as Ina says, you can serve healthy food without a second thought—and above all, sun-ripened produce tastes completely different.

Every now and then, our elderly tenant gives us fresh tomatoes from her garden, and recently my aunt gave me some fresh green beans. Delicious.

Bingo? I’m totally out of the loop. Could you please bring me up to speed? Thanks :-)

Thank you for the feedback.

This is crocheted with Katia BW yarn and Rainbow BW yarn from Hobbii.


Mosaics and small coasters based on a video tutorial

Anja, your sweater looks great with all those different shades of green. Kudos for your perseverance.
It was worth it. I’m fiddling around here with some small crochet projects. I’ll post a picture later (I always take them with my phone). I’m writing this on my computer (it’s faster).

It’s so hot everywhere. No one can stand it.
Hope you’re all doing well.

Hugs, Andrea

OK, thank you.

Wow, you guys are hard at work again.
I crocheted a little Halloween doll using a free online pattern. The rest is my own creation. I’m still deciding whether to crochet some hair or leave it as is.

Nice one, Mel—I sent this one just for you :-)) Pretty picture.
I love all butterflies, actually. This peacock butterfly especially.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone.

It’s going to be really hot here today—around 30 degrees. Still, I’ve made plans with my coworker to go into town, stroll around, and grab some ice cream. That’s perfect for this weather. Otherwise, I’m crocheting little things (hair for my amigurumi doll, little crocheted pouches, mosaics... and doing some beading here and there). There’s always something to tinker with when you have time off.

Here's a little note from me from my aunt's garden

I’d like to join in the congratulations, even at this late hour—all the best, good health, and many more great ideas for your shop so we can keep browsing.
It’s great to have you here.

Hugs, Andrea :-)

Thank you very much, ruthk :-)

Is this promotion still going on?

Good evening,

Giveaway? Did I miss something?

Anja, Your blanket already looks great, and you’ve already got so far. I have the pattern too; I only tried it out briefly, but then other projects got in the way again.
I don’t have any problems with my Prym mill. You have to crank it more slowly, but it’s a great thing. Saves time.

At the moment I’m crocheting mosaic granny squares again.

*Thumbs up* for all your lovely crafts.

I’m just fiddling away with my leftover yarn. Don’t have anything to show yet.

Collecting chestnuts

Right now, I’m crocheting my way through summer. Flip-flops are a must.

Good that you brought this up.
Until now, I’ve always crocheted from the outside, and that rolling ball of yarn always annoyed me, too.
As mentioned, most balls already have a little paper tag attached from the inside, and that’s great for crocheting. Just pull it, and the ball stays right where it is.

But with most of them, you first have to fumble around inside to find the beginning. I just wrap the rest around the outside and keep crocheting as usual.

With the big bobbles, I always crochet from the inside—so far, nothing has come undone for me. I leave the band around it until the end, so it has a little bit of support.

Collecting and pressing fall leaves

Collecting acorns for crafts

Thank you, and I wish the same for you. Enjoy your time, whether you’re doing crafts or gardening.
I’m going to an ’80s/’90s party later today.
On Sunday, it’s afternoon dance again. My youngest son is visiting today and will stay until tomorrow, so I’m
enjoying my weekend—I still have time off.

Hugs, Andrea

Wow, Inge, they’re absolutely beautiful. You still have such great treasures. I really like them.

Wonderful, Inge.

Preserving pears

Digging over the garden

Collecting red and yellow leaves

Harvest season

If you’re crocheting with multiple colors, I’d always end each round with 1 sl st and 1 ch—that way it turns out nice and even and not “staggered.”

When increasing, stagger the stitches (as previous posters have mentioned), and it’ll come out round.
That’s how I always do it, anyway.

Thanks for the tip. I tried it out right away. It works great :-))

Good evening,

everyone—I’d also like to wish everyone here a wonderful weekend. Enjoy it, whether you’re in the garden or cozying up on the couch when it rains.

Our vacation is over—it was really, really nice traveling along the Main, Rhine, and Moselle rivers. We saw and experienced so much, though I can’t even remember exactly what we saw and did, when, and where. So many impressions to process first.
Anyway, we rode the cable car three times, visited the Niederwald Monument and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, saw the Porta Nigra, and went to Cochem, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Koblenz, Drosselgasse… and so on.

Food in abundance—six meals a day—we couldn’t possibly eat it all, but everything was so delicious.
Now it’s time to go on a diet.

Sorry I couldn’t check in while I was away. Internet is just too expensive on the ship.
I didn’t bring any yarn with me either—which meant a 14-day forced break from crocheting, but I wouldn’t have had time for it anyway.

Tomorrow, Sunday, I’m going dancing again; I still have Monday off, then it’s back to work.


Hugs, Andrea

I also wish all of you here a sunny weekend, and lots of fun crafting and enjoying some ice cream.
Today, for the first time in a long while, I went to the hairdresser—just a little trim and a subtle color touch-up.
It started drizzling on the way there, but then the sun came out, and I made it home without getting wet. My hair still looks good.
My suitcase is packed—we’re leaving tomorrow for our long-awaited river cruise (Rhine–Moselle–Loreley–Trier…). I’m really looking forward to it.
I’ll be taking my tablet with me and will try to check in while I’m away.

Wishing you a lovely evening

Lots of love, Andrea