Latest Forum Posts by: Bastelfan

Here you go, Veronika.
I really hope it finally gets a little warmer here, too. We’ll see.

Donauwelle (cake)

Thanks, Monika, but it’s still pretty chilly. Definitely jacket weather.

Oh Ina, such wonderful and thoughtful gifts you received. Just looking at them makes me happy right along with you. You’re beaming from ear to ear.
Experiencing your special day together with family and grandchildren is surely the greatest joy alongside the gifts.
Looking at it all, you somehow feel as if you had been there—so warm, so fun, even rosé sparkling wine, mm, delicious.

I think those cards made with that paper quilling technique are so great; I know them too, but I’ve never tried making them myself. It was too fiddly even for me.
Of course you treasure such gems.

We’re so glad you had such a wonderful day, and thank you so much for the wonderful impressions in pictures.

Warm regards from me

You guys are so funny—I love that.
I’m giving you all a big virtual hug.😍😍😍

Thank you all for your help. I’ve already found what I was looking for. Exactly, a peace lily.
I even found it in my houseplant folder from A to Z.

Now nothing can go wrong. Thank you, thank you, thank you

Best regards
happy Andrea

My plant is blooming for the second time now. I got it as a cutting from a coworker.

Does anyone happen to know what this plant is called?
I found it listed as “spathiphyllum,” but a calla lily looks different, right? I’m not sure.

I’d really appreciate your help. It’s also about watering and care. I really like this houseplant.
But it is a bit delicate—every time I accidentally brush against a leaf, it turns yellow. I handle it very carefully, but it’s still blooming. Yay!

Best regards
Andrea

I also agree with Sonja that you are sharing this personal experience with us. Thank you.
Honestly, I had tears in my eyes while reading your story.

I’m always quick to tears anyway, and now in this difficult time even more so, because I miss my family and that personal closeness so much. Terrible homesickness for home.

One saying from my great-grandma also comes to mind  "Long thread, lazy girl".

There are actually hundreds of sayings and prophecies that have helped you here or there in life.
"Don’t put anything on the back burner" ,  "never put off until tomorrow what you can do today".

Supposedly, if it rains into the veil at the wedding, there will be tears in the marriage.
That was really true for me; it rained on my wedding day.
Or if 2 couples get married in the same year, then one marriage will go wrong.
My ex-sister-in-law and I got married in the same year, and now we are both divorced once—crazy how some things come true.

Yes Ina, you’ve started a really wonderful thread; so many lovely sayings from memory are coming back to light.

wishing everyone a lovely afternoon
we’ll be having cappuccino and muffins here later.

 


Hi everyone,
I finally got around to uploading my photos from my walk last Friday.
Since we don’t have a garden, I captured some spring scenes for you along the way.

  








    

Wow, Christina, looks like we were writing at the same time.

No, the mosaic technique isn’t tapestry. You don’t carry a thread. Each round is crocheted separately in a single color. There’s always a color change at the end of each round.
You basically crochet all the stitches into the back loop. The pattern is created by the double crochets worked deeper into the front loops of the previous row.

You keep finding such great patterns like this.

good evening again at this late hour,

wow, it’s exciting here again, with such wonderful crochet and knitting projects again.
And thank you to everyone if you like my things.

Sonja, mosaic technique isn’t hard. It consists only of double crochets, single crochets, and back-loop and front-loop stitches.
Sometimes I have patterns, and sometimes I crochet a lot from pictures, since I already know the technique. I really only need a photo for inspiration, and then I’m off.
Take a look in Google search for mosaic crochet or in the Et...y shop; you can find great patterns for inspiration there, or on You...e.
The pattern is created only by the double crochets worked into lower rows. I can’t knit DF, though, even if I’m tempted to try it sometime. I only have 2 hands too, but so many ideas. My yarn will still last, although I’d also love to order some.

Marion, has also ordered yarn, oh how lovely, and such great colors. I’m always happy along with you all. Someday my yarn diet will be over too, but right now I’m keeping things low-key. We’re really excited to see what comes from it.

Monika, Your swatches for the dress look so wonderful. I’m excited to see how it looks finished. With gradient yarn, such a big mix of patterns doesn’t really come into its own, that’s true. Maybe more in the “middle section” or at the edge—I can imagine that looking great. You’ll do fine.
It’s sweet of you to think I could manage an “author position.” But I live abroad, so there are all kinds of things I’d have to pay attention to, and implementing it with all the regulations would be difficult. Everything is already complicated here as it is, and the way they work here (at a snail’s pace), they all have soooo much time. I’d rather stay a buyer. You all benefit from that too :-)

I’ve also knitted a few rows on my knitted triangular shawl in between.
When I take a little break, I surf the internet, and when I discover something interesting there, of course I try it out—like the large mosaic granny. It was just a test for now. I don’t know yet what I’ll make from it.
I still have the other granny squares that I want to sew/crochet together into a blanket. A few are still missing, and I’m not really making progress on that either. Maybe I’ve simply started and tried out too many things. But that’s exactly what it’s all about: doing varied crafts.
In between, I get one of my urges and clear out my overfilled drawers, sort patterns... every day I tackle one craft box and declutter it.
If we ever go back to Germany or move, I won’t have to take so much with me; it gets disposed of right away, which is easier here without prior registration or anything. You pack your car full and drive to the recycling center. There are just a few little guys there who make sure you’re sorting correctly.

So, that’s it from me; I’m slowly getting sleepy. Sleep well. See you tomorrow, full of energy and yarn.

best wishes

Best wishes on your birthday

Best regards
Andrea

Hi,
I can’t help with the calculations right now, but I think with thinner yarn and a smaller crochet hook, the yarn might be enough.
If it’s a small amigurumi, definitely. I crochet a lot with 50g/125m yarn—you can even make a small doll with it. Without clothes.

Good luck!

Dear Ina,

my warmest congratulations on your special day today. Take a break from the “construction zone” today and let yourself be pampered—enjoy your day with your family and grandchildren over coffee and cake. Stay healthy, and continued success with your wonderful shop.

Warmest regards from me
Andrea

I always feel really bad about your little fruit trees.
But here in northern Norway, we’re used to these long, cold months. It’s really starting to get on my nerves. It just won’t get warm.

You can see it even better here. I crocheted two more rounds.

And my Oreo cookie as a coaster. I thought that was funny

Hi everyone,

The written and detailed part will come later.
I just wanted to show you my sample piece in the mosaic technique. The small purple granny is basically the center section of the large green-and-purple granny. I only had one photo. It was more about the border.
I'm very happy with the result. Finished crocheting it yesterday

Well, I crochet a lot of amigurumi. Mostly little dolls, too.
For dolls, I embroider the noses using the same color as the face—just a few small cross-stitches repeated a few times. I don’t like noses that are too bulky—just a subtle hint of one.
Sometimes I’ve also had a pattern where the nose was practically crocheted right in (multiple stitches into one, then decrease again)—that way, the nose practically puffs out on its own.

For animals and teddy bears, there are those ready-made black triangular noses. For teddy bears, you can also embroider these Y-shaped noses with a mouth. So, the Y; below the Y, a half-arc = mouth; embroider the upper part of the Y completely.
For larger figures, just crochet small bumps and sew them on.

For blush, I use an old lipstick. Put a little on your finger and rub it lightly onto the amigurumi’s cheeks. Done.

That’s how I do it. Have fun!

Dear Pinky, I’d also like to offer my sincere condolences.
We’re all sending you a big hug from afar.

Best wishes, Andrea

You have such cute little residents there, and so close by. Wonderful.
We sometimes get a few little birds, a cat, and even a squirrel and some magpies. But before I can take a picture, they’re already gone. Unfortunately

A wonderful good morning!

There’s plenty to read and marvel at again. Lovely reading here in the forum.

Ina, you’ve got quite the mammoth project there. I can practically picture it already—with fish and plants, and you relaxing on a lounge chair under a little umbrella, doing your handwork. 
Marion, those pot holders look so beautiful with Ines’s pattern. Until now, I’d only known this technique without a pattern. Amazing effect.
Christina, your cloverleaf pot holders look great. DF really is something special.

I have a little something to show you, too. I didn’t feel like crocheting anything big with that thick yarn anymore, so it became a small bag.  And a coaster, one size smaller, using a 2.5 mm needle.

Here you can see the front and back.




Warm regards

I wish you all a lovely evening.
Hope you had a great May 1st. Where are your “waving elements” and the “May carnation”?
Just kidding.
You’ve made me smile again. Just had to think of all the sheep running around in the meadow.
Thank you, thank you for your encouragement. But let’s skip the yarn package—it’s sweet of you, but the customs fees aren’t exactly cheap. Anticipation is the greatest joy, after all.

Every day I delight in your beautiful creations.
Ines’s bee is super cute—she looks so relaxed.
The car for Anton turned out great—it’s sure to make a child’s eyes light up again.

I have to crochet little things like this every now and then, like the coasters here on the forum, otherwise it gets boring.
Today I was too lazy to crochet, so I just sewed something together.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Thank you so much, Marion—it sounds delicious, and I can get the ingredients here, too.

Anja, “here” is way up north—Norway—where everything is more expensive anyway.

Have a lovely afternoon,

Anja and Marion, your knitted pieces already look very promising. I’m already curious to see how they’ll look when finished. I really like delicate patterns like these, but I don’t knit them that often myself.
Ines, your little bee already looks really cute, and so big. Great.
You got some new yarn, too. I couldn’t get enough of looking at your yarn delivery. Such gorgeous colors—those would be right up my alley, too. I’m actually a little envious of you all. Which brand is it from, and what kind of yarn do you use for knitting with fine yarn?

I’m always having to look for alternatives here; I still have some yarn in stock, so I’ll make do with that for now.
A larger yarn order wouldn’t fit into my budget right now anyway, because I don’t know how long this short-time work situation will last, or if they’ll have to close the hotel. So I don’t dare order anything right now.

But I’m happy for you all.

Warm regards from here

Hi Tina,
Belated birthday wishes from me too—and all the best! That’s such a great gift. You’ll surely be surprising us with wonderful things soon.
Stay healthy, and good luck with your new Brother.

Warm regards 

Mmm, it smells so good in here again.
Marion, your cake looks delicious—and so beautifully light in color. I’d love to try baking it myself. Will you share your secret recipe with us? Please, please 😊😉

Oh Monika, your garden is so beautifully colorful. It really makes you feel at home.
Thank you so much for sharing.
This is what it looks like here—and it’s still too cold for this time of year



But at least things are blooming indoors

Exactly, Petra—“ich stehe auf dem Standpunkt” was that little “1” with the dot underneath it, right?

Welcome to the club, Anja,

That’s amazing. I can still read quite a bit on your note. Everyone writes differently, after all.

In the 1st line, the last word says Goten
5th line says Otto
13th line says Bein

I learned dictation shorthand. There was also speech shorthand.
Here are my treasures still. Oh, and the writing in the notebook is my first name twice

Hello everyone,

That sounds really great for you all. Of course that makes you happy when you can go somewhere again, like to the zoo, for example, or like Monika, into the garden.
The weather here isn’t exactly inviting. Gray, cloudy, nothing green here, but... the shops are open again here in the small shopping center. I don’t know what it’s like in Oslo.

Today is a lazy day for me. Spring fatigue, slight stomach problems, but after chamomile tea and rusks I felt better again. My eye is okay again, too. However, I have to take another break from crocheting today; the thick yarn was probably too strenuous after all. Better to use thinner yarn. So I can’t show anything at the moment. But soon.

It’s nice to hear what interesting professions you all trained for. Maybe there’ll be a “careers thread” sometime.
When writing long texts like this, the secretary in me comes out too. The letters just flow from my fingers without looking. What is learned is learned, and shorthand was part of that too; I can still do it.

Have a lovely sunny afternoon, everyone.

Warm regards from the gray north

Wow,
this is just like a novel. Every chapter is interesting to read, and there are great pictures of your work.
In addition to my large coaster, I’ve also crocheted a small one.

I had this thick yarn left over from a commissioned project—it’s not really my style—so I’m trying to work with it using the Entrelac technique, with a size 5 needle. It’s hard to crochet with—it’s cotton.

What I wanted to ask you is: aren’t Entrelac and Tunisian crochet the same thing, technically speaking? Why are they called different things, or am I way off base?


 I crocheted this slipper from the blog’s pattern collection—it goes really fast.


Have a great day, everyone. I’ll check back later.
Bye!

Good evening, my dears,

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Here the weather was sunny, but very windy. When you sit inside and look out, you think goodness, how warm it must be, and then you go outside—feels like 2 degrees. Not fun. Luckily there is still yarn on hand.
You were all so busy again.

Monika, when I saw the picture, finally new yarn, and such gorgeous colors, I know exactly how you felt. It made me feel such a longing for new yarn too.
You have no idea what you set off in me. I clicked on your pictures right away to see which types of yarn you prefer, since you knit a lot too.
Then I first searched Google for all kinds of Garnbuttikken pa nett in Norway, and I did partly find some (theoretically for now; I haven't bought anything yet).
I went to the site where you ordered them and was amazed at how cheap it was. But here in the shops, no luck with that Drops You; it wasn't available. And I found the Safran, but they all cost around 3–4 euros per skein, everything is so expensive here, I can't really splurge, which makes me envy you all the more, so many pretty skeins. I'm sure you'll conjure up something beautiful from them.

So I have a yarn question for everyone (e.g., what is the yarn like, is it easy to work with, does the thread split when crocheting/knitting, is it scratchy, is it soft and fluffy, is the stitch definition even...)

1. Viking Garn 100g/500 m  , that's more of a delicate crochet thread for doilies, right?
2. Viking Garn Bambino 50g/176m
3. Viking Garn Baby ull 50g/170m (ull means wool)
4. Drops Safran 50g/160m
5. Drops Flora 50g/210m

Here are 5 yarns that would be my kind of weight. What do you think?
I would be very grateful for your help.

My friendly colors are slowly running out.

Sleep well then, see you tomorrow
Andrea

Here’s my Bundt cake—or what’s left of it

Have a nice Saturday,

Ruthk—that looks great. I hadn’t even thought of crocheting around T-shirts like that. I actually still have some thin yarn. Thanks for the inspiration.

I’ve finished another project, too—a coaster, nice and thick. It seemed too good to use just as a pot holder. I love this Entrelac crochet technique. You don’t have to sew anything together. Everything is crocheted right in place. Ta-da!

I had to read that twice, too. Turtles in the fridge. *laughs*
There’s so much to keep in mind and know, but it’s great that your turtles are doing well—and they’re such beautiful specimens.
I hope you continue to enjoy your little pets.

Wishing you all a lovely afternoon

Wow, Ines, your potholder looks great. I haven’t tried Tunisian crochet yet.

I also crocheted a little something—entrelac. I’m going to make a second piece, crochet them together, and use them as coasters.
I crocheted a few two-tone cords following a YouTube tutorial.
My shawl has only grown a tiny bit—just a few rows.

I’ve also thought about making an entrelac blanket. But one thing at a time.
I’m flexible about that.

In a bit, there’ll be coffee and Bundt cake with almonds, lemon, and rum flavoring. Delicious.

 
And I made mini books for the dollhouse following a purchased tutorial

Monika, I had to Google how to knit picot stitches first. It’s actually pretty interesting.
It’s like a row of holes that you just fold over and knit together. Or how do you do it?
Learned something new again. I haven’t tried it yet, though. The things you learn :-)

It’s always nice when things are blooming and turning green somewhere. The forsythias are just starting to bloom here now—they were already blooming where you are around Easter.
But it’s just still too cold for this time of year.

Oh man, I had to scroll quite a long way up to catch up.

Sonja, your “Paris” placemat looks absolutely stunning. That really is true knitting artistry. Much too good to use. So many color changes—that would drive me crazy. Hats off to you.

Monika, it’s great that you finally got your new windows, and as Anja already said, you’re on a knitting break because you have to clean all the new windows. After that, you’ll have a clear view again and can get going with your yarn again *lol*.

Anja, I’m just picturing you scrambling around in that tree to hang up your decorations. It wouldn’t be worth it to me, since it’s so big anyway.

We only have a small tree on the lawn (it belongs to the landlord’s property). It looks so spindly and ugly (except when it’s in bloom) that decorations would be far too good for it.
The other two trees (fir, birch) were cut down a long time ago. Unfortunately. But at least we have more sun on the terrace now, and those old leaves aren’t lying on the car anymore.

Thank you very much for your get-well wishes. My eye has already gotten a bit better. I guess it’s not a pollen allergy, because then both eyes would be red and bloodshot. It’s only the right one. I must somehow have gotten a draft from the wind. It was really swollen, as if I’d just come from a boxing match. It’s still watering a bit. But that didn’t stop me from doing a little crocheting today.
Here in the forum, the colorful entrelac potholder inspired me, and now I’m experimenting to see what I can make from it. I’m still on a yarn diet, so I have plenty of leftovers.

I wish you all a pleasant night, and later on, happy crafting.

Best regards

I’m glad I got you all dreaming. You just have to hold on to these moments, enjoy them, and soak them in.
Because today the sun is already gone—instead, thick clouds, wind, and rain.
Crazy. But that’s just how it is here.

Yesterday I was still enjoying the sun and the sound of the waves, eyes closed; in my mind, I felt like I was lying on the beach by the Baltic Sea. It felt a little like vacation, and I even felt a bit homesick. That’s just how it is.

I can believe it, Christina, that people look forward to seeing others again and doing things together. People need company; otherwise, they wither away.

I’m already longing for the day when I can finally hug my family again—it’s been two years since I last did, and there’s still no end in sight. Unfortunately. :-(

Just saw this, CreatOwl—wow, that looks really pretty. You’re crocheting with a hook that’s even smaller than mine. Impressive. My smallest crochet project is made with a 1.75 hook.

Hello everyone,

After yesterday’s wonderful sunny day, today’s weather is unpleasant again—rain and wind. So I have time once more to admire your lovely pieces.
Thank you so much for your feedback.

I probably won’t be able to knit much today, because ever since yesterday’s bike ride, my right eye has been kind of swollen shut. I’m guessing it’s birch pollen—I haven’t had this happen in years. No idea. Hope it clears up soon.

Anja, your colorful knitted shawl already looks great. It’s a simple but interesting pattern—I think I can manage that too. I’m not quite ready to tackle difficult knitting patterns yet.
Monika, the little dress for Juna already looks very pretty. I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished. And I’m happy for you that things are moving forward with your windows.
Ines, thank you. Yes, those English terms are always very misleading. Can’t we just call it a “knitted edge”? You never stop learning. And here in the forum, you really do learn a lot and meet nice people—that’s wonderful.
DieausdemGartenkommt, your sweater is looking very promising too. I took a look at the Järbo website—the pattern is simple, yet so strikingly beautiful. Great

Have a wonderful afternoon, everyone

I’ll be relaxing on the couch today

Of course, I’d also like to thank you for this helpful information—until yesterday, I didn’t even know what an I-cord was.
I’m currently working on a triangular shawl where an I-cord edge is knitted on, which I’ve only just learned how to do. It’s great, isn’t it?

Last week, when I was in Oslo, I found spring. I had forgotten to upload the pictures here.

 

Yesterday and today, I’ve been feeling good. The sun is shining, it’s wonderfully warm, and you can finally sit outside on the patio with your knitting. Then I went for a short bike ride and got some exercise, and that made me feel better right away. Now all that’s missing is my family.

They’re forecasting lousy weather again for the next few days, so you have to make the most of every ray of sunshine, and that’s exactly what I did. Great!

Have a lovely week, everyone, and stay healthy.

Hey Josefa,

yes, I really like this picot edge. It’s a very pretty finish, especially for small, delicate crochet projects.
I also like to crochet this edge on my amigurumi dresses—it just looks prettier.

This picot consists of 3 chain stitches, and you work a single crochet into the 3rd chain stitch.

Took a short bike ride earlier to the Drammenfjord (stopped to listen to the sound of the waves), then continued on. I have my usual route there—it’s enough for me. It was lovely in the sun.

And we were actually able to sit outside on the patio in short sleeves for a bit. Of course, fruit cake is a must. Today we’re having the last two slices. A little knitting. The laundry’s drying, too—everything’s great.

Have a great time, everyone!
Andrea

Here are a few snapshots from our weekend walk—the other side of the Drammenfjord. It was still jacket weather, but the sun was glorious.

 A lot has happened here again. You don’t check in for just one day, and before you know it, you can’t stop marveling at all your lovely creations.

But I just had to take advantage of the gorgeous sunny weather yesterday, so I knitted outside on the patio. It was so nice and warm—finally—that I even got a little tan.

That’s why I’m just popping in for a quick look, then I’m heading back out into the sun.

To everyone: you’ve conjured up such amazing things again. I’m thrilled. Mäxchen looks cute in those pants, and the four-leaf clover pot holders are so great—I’ll have to try making some myself when I get the chance.

Here’s my progress so far. I’ve been knitting in black and white. I still had two leftover skeins that match. On the swatch, I tried out the I-cord edge. That is knitted on separately. It’s not that hard at all. It’s explained really well in a video (Kerstin Landherzen).