Craft forum: join in now.

Dear users, dear authors,
What draws you to a craft forum? What do you find here that you really like?
Let me know.

Nice people who are all, in one way or another, hooked on needlework and addicted to yarn.
Good conversations about everyday and not-so-everyday topics.
Tips, great patterns, and inspiration.
A break from the daily grind....

I’m usually still here in the evenings. Reading posts from nice, like-minded people. Sometimes there’s really funny stuff too, like the UFOs, the PIAS, whatever. What I find here and really appreciate is the help I get from the more experienced members as a beginner. Sometimes it’s also the same things that are funny—the bouncy yarn, the UFOs and the PIAS.

Have a lovely evening, everyone
Jana

What I especially like here is that there’s a place for everyone—not just knitters like me, but also those who sew, do crafts, or embroider. It’s a wonderful mix of people who express their creativity in all sorts of ways, but who all share a love for DIY.

What I don’t like so much is that I don’t have a chance to correct my typos once I’ve posted :-)

@Jana
I’ve never heard of PIAS. What exactly does that mean? 

I’m always on the lookout for good ideas. Unfortunately, I’m not creative enough to design things myself. But I’m great at recreating them. And I’m open to any suggestions.

@ChristinaE what was that about the PiAs? I can’t find the translation anymore.

Best regards,
Jana

PiAs are “projects in progress”

Oh, right. The German version of WIP ;-)

I like the friendly atmosphere, the exchange of ideas, and the general chit-chat.
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only person with “yarn” on my mind....
For example, when I ask for yarn for my birthday, I’m met with nothing but confusion and eye-rolling in my “real” world. Here, many people can relate...

@Nadeleule, I agree with you, I know the eye-rolling all too well. ;) And that's why it's nice to see that others feel the same way you do. I've already been called a woolaholic (but meant kindly). Thank you very much for this opportunity to exchange ideas; I think it's really great.

Oh, I know that feeling too.
My mom said the other day, “You already have enough yarn!”
But you can never have enough yarn, right? ;-)))

Oh yes, I know this one: “Wool again? Don’t you have anything else to do?”
Or that comment: “And when do you do your housework?”… sometimes I could just snap.

And that’s the really great thing here—no one says it in a disparaging way! Everyone has their own ideas, and the experiences shared here—a lot of it is actually really fun to read. And I don’t feel like the “crazy crochet lady” (an Austrian expression for someone obsessed with crocheting).

Best regards, Sabine

“You’re crazy,” or “Are you totally bonkers?” or my absolute favorite question: “Why are you doing that? You can buy that much cheaper!”—immediately followed by “You might as well make one for me—making it yourself is much cheaper than buying it.”

The reason I post here is that I don’t have to put up with that kind of stuff.
Here, I’m understood, and we discuss crocheting problems—big and small (and all kinds of other issues, too, though personally I only have crocheting problems)—without any snide remarks. And best of all, people are actually willing to help you out. So, at this point—THANK YOU to ALL of you!

And in general, the atmosphere here is friendly and supportive, and I just feel right at home here.
As a craft-crazy yarn addict among like-minded people.

It’s much the same for me in the “real” world: People who just buy everything simply can’t understand why a grown woman does handicrafts or how something like that could be fun.
Here, I have the chance to connect with like-minded people who—even if they’re active in a different craft area—can understand all the joys of making your own things.

And since I have the place to myself today, my chores are done, and I didn’t feel like looking for more work (you can always find something if you want to), I quickly made an Easter bunny: a wooden block with a crocheted head. (Picture in the gallery.) Now I’m looking for my next project to use up some yarn. I have plenty of patterns lined up—now I just need to dig out the right yarn. I’m so happy to have such nice company here! You’re all so nice!

Oh yes, I know those puzzled looks all too well when I first have to order new yarn for a new project—"But you already have two closets full!!!" (my family’s exact words).... I think only you guys can understand how you always need exactly THAT yarn that you DON’T happen to have on hand ;-)

But what’s much more important to me here on the forum is the friendly atmosphere, where we can chat about all sorts of things and always help each other out with useful tips. It’s really nice :-D

So a big thank you to everyone who makes this forum what it is and keeps it lively :-D I really love being here!

I could kiss you all for your woolly posts. So-called “normal people” just can’t understand something like this. But how can anyone be “normal” if they can live without yarn????? I’m currently using up my leftover yarn. I’ve made all sorts of little creatures (bag charms, keychains, good-luck charms, etc.). They’re currently living in two shoe boxes in my closet, waiting to be given to dear people. They have to live in the closet; otherwise, the “I-don’t-have-the-patience-for-that” people, or the “you-can-just-buy-that” people, or better yet, the “you-make-stuff-like-that?” people will come rummaging through them, and in no time the boxes will be empty. I can’t make them that fast. And when I need a little gift myself, the box is empty, and there goes the spontaneous gift or little something to bring along. So don’t let yourselves get discouraged, girls! Back to your needles. Our creations are popular. Anyone who doesn’t make things themselves is missing out—on the joy of DIY and the joy of the finished product. Is there really anything better?

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I just skimmed through what the girls are writing here—I used to do patchwork for a while and sewed tons of quilts. When someone once asked me why I did it, I replied: *“Well, quilters are all a little crazy—they first cut the fabric into little pieces just to sew it back together again.” * That person really looked at me as if I were crazy, but it never even occurs to them that you’d do something like that just for the sheer joy of it.
I myself fall into the sewing category, since I’m not really into knitting or crocheting, but that’s the great thing about this place—everyone can be themselves and contribute to the forum in their own way.
I sew all my own clothes, including my bags and so on, and I’m happy to help with tips and advice if anyone has a question—no problem. I’ve also learned quite a bit here about knitting that I didn’t know before, so it’s a nice sense of community here, and it’s really fun

Best regards, Inge

I think it’s wonderful to be able to connect here with like-minded people, even beyond crafting, and this way I’ve gotten to know so many lovely women—true virtual friends—who give me countless ideas and motivate me to keep going when things aren’t going so well. Thank you all—something would be missing without you!

I find the forum really interesting because it brings together people from all over Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even beyond.... People of all ages and with all kinds of other interests and hobbies.
You get to know people virtually, and eventually you start recognizing their names :)

For me, it’s just sometimes hard to contribute to the “big” monthly threads.
  I often check them out and get so overwhelmed by the sheer number of new posts... I don’t want to just show off my new stuff without responding to anything else... And I don’t want to neglect anyone either.
That’s why I often end up not posting anything... Which is kind of silly and a shame :) 

You can showcase your projects in your own threads if you’d like.

Exchanging ideas with like-minded people who also enjoy handmade items.
Lots of ideas, inspiration.... 

I’m rarely here, but when I am, I find so many ideas that I simply don’t have enough time to try them all.
It would take me hundreds of years to use up all my yarn and ideas. I don’t really want to buy any new yarn, but either I don’t have enough of a certain color, or it doesn’t work for what I’m currently knitting.

That’s exactly how I feel, Hilde!