lightlyknitted

[lightlyknitted]

It did and it's lead to a five pound box of dolls I want to restore

I hope my silly idea of repairing a doll doesn't awaken something in me.

[lightlyknitted]

I hope my silly idea of repairing a doll doesn't awaken something in me.

[lightlyknitted]

one of my favorite things about being a fiber artist in this day and age is that everything is still mine.

patterns are still being made in physical books.

paying for a pattern on ravelry gives me a PDF file, not a link or a subscription or some stupid NFT style thing.

anything i make by hand with a fancy pattern, any stephen west pattern I put together- no AI can replicate that.

sure, you can try to use it to write a pattern, but it’s going to make even less sense than whatever other AI “art” slop is being put out.

sure, maybe it’s because what we do has already been “replaced” by easy textiles and fast fashion and big brands. but a hand knit object will live longer and look better and has far more care put into it, just like any other hand-created piece of art.

i just. feel really blessed as an artist that this is the community that i have. support your LYS, get involved in your community, make your friends’ wardrobes a little more sustainable.

[lightlyknitted]

With JoAnne Fabrics going out of business I feel it is my duty as a cosplayer, historical costumer, and general sewing gremlin to help teach y'all how not to be reliant on evil overpriced mediocre big box stores for fabric and cosplay supply, cause if I catch y'all going into Homophobia Lobby to get cosplay fabrics imma have to start throwing hands. And frankly you guys all deserve better.

- Find a neighborhood full of brown people. Probably a slightly poorer neighborhod. I know, I know, but they will have small independent fabric stores. Selection in each may vary. Hispanic and Caribbean areas will give you prints that EAT. Muslim areas will give you fabrics with amazing drapery. Indian and Southeast Asian areas will give you beading that would make the House of Worth wet with envy. (Try to avoid oldwhitelady quilting stores unless you are a knitter or are specifically trying to cosplay Kirsten Larson.) (Also ask while you're there for lunch/dinner spot recommendations. Your fabric store guy usually has a buddy with a joint nextdoor with the best *insert relevant ethnic food here* you'll ever put in your mouth.)

- DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OWNER OF SAID STORE. This I cannot stress enough. Abdul, my fabric guy, can and will get me whatever I want cause he knows me, knows I bring in other young people, and knows I will be back every month for more. Indie fabric stores tend to have older clients. They are anxious to see faces under 60. Just chat with whoever is in there about the kind of stuff you want and need and they will help you. This also frequently leads to discounts. I have not paid listed price for fabric in years and just walked out of Abdul's with 7~ yards of gorgeous teal satin for 10 bucks. Not a yard. Total.

- Do not be afraid of mess. The best shit comes from stores that look like a hurricane went through them. Don't try to understand the organization. (One day, 4 years into your relationship with the store, suddenly the fabric gods will reveal the knowledge to you.) Again, talk to whoever is in there about your project. They'll help.

- Give up on one stop shopping. Get your crafting supplies elsewhere. Like a small independent hardware store. There's usually an old guy in there that reminds you of an uncle who will also help you.

-Worbla and whatever other Cosplay Specific Material you're using is a fatphobic material straight from Satan's hot taint, you do not need it, and any old hardware/tractor supply dad will help you find better, more durable armor/weapon/detailing material. Don't snub your nose at paper mache and plaster of paris. Venetian Mask makers have been using it for years. Balsa wood is also your friend. Hardware store Uncles will teach you to work with both.

- Elderly people are your bffs. If you see an old person TALK TO THEM. They know how to do all kinds of shit. I know there's a hesitation around old people because of the political climate and a fear that they may be homo/trans/whatever-phobic, but hey....minds are changed by making friends. My elderly Muslim fabric supplier is an Our Flag Means Death fan because of me gushing about the teal I needed for Stede Bonnet. He wishes me happy pride now. He put bolt of rainbow in the window in June and kept it up all summer. And he'd never had a thought about queers before me.

- Don't feel limited to Craft and Fabric stores. Hardware stores are cool. They stock outdoor fabrics and umbrella and furniture covers that are very durable....my first cosplay was made out of patio furniture covers. Also upholstery stores and upholsterers have velvets and damasks and faux leather and real leather and all sorts of rich textures. Most of them will part with a few yards pretty cheap. Second hand sheets and bedspreads and curtains also make some really cool garments. A significant amount of my ren fair garb started as household goods.

- If you are forced to order fabric online, please for the love of all that is holy DO NOT BUY FROM MOOD or any other famous store. You're paying for their branding and their place on certain reality shows I will not mention. Indie is always cheaper for the quality and usually not abusing their workers.

- If the fabric/hobby/hardware/upholstery/etc store you develop a relationship with is inconveniently far from you, see if said owner is willing to take your order via phone and send it to you. You'd be surprised how accommodating people in the crafting and sewing world can be.

It all really comes down to having to form a community. I know finding multiple small stores is a lot less convenient than Joannes. But forming a relationship with a local supplier will, in the long run, yield you much better results AND put money and good back into a community near you.

(And if you're in the NYC area DM me and I'll put you in contact with Abdul. He's the absolute best and I'd do anything to help him and his business grow!!!)

[lightlyknitted]

Getting drunk. Ready to cry about Lore again

[lightlyknitted]

My third! quilt is in the books. It's for my best friend to hang some of her grandma's Girl Scout badges. Just need to finish the ribbon to hang it and it's good to go!

[lightlyknitted]

The world might be ending but I've got to glitter some pots of gold for a bunch of 4-5 year olds so 🤷‍♀️

[lightlyknitted]

im watching a little doc on youtube about an 11th century castle, and theres a bit where they are talking to a group of older women who are working on a large hand embroidered tapestry commemorating its nearly 1000 years of history & into the modern era.. and off on the border they show a bit where the women have stitched themselves working on it into the piece itself, and it made me kinda emotional

how amazing to have a visual depiction of the women who spent literal years painstakingly stitching such a wonderful piece of art that historically would have gone uncredited

[lightlyknitted]

Got the increase ratios down to where I don't have to look at the pattern anymore.

[lightlyknitted]

Doll purchased 😎 now to wait for her to get here so I can confirm

Might have found a kit kitterage AG doll second hand and if I did my besties next birthday is going to be lit

[lightlyknitted]

Might have found a kit kitterage AG doll second hand and if I did my besties next birthday is going to be lit

[lightlyknitted]

The Eras Tour Advent is finished! It features one boot for each album and two extras to make 13 spots.

[lightlyknitted]

Now that my wedding is all said and done, I feel like I can finally share one of my biggest projects that I took on for the wedding: my wedding shawl!

I started her in April this year and finished in August literally the day before school started. Could not have started the school year and knitted this thing. It was a challenge of my skills because I had put down the knitting needles when I started college. The last project I worked on prior to The Break ™️ was the cuff of a sock! I picked them back up at the beginning of this year when I realized my life largely consisted of just teaching or performing. The sock was finished and, in a timely manner, its second half was too.

I discovered a knitting group at my local yarn shop and I’ve been knee deep in knitting since. It’s gotten me out of my little social circle and connecting with strangers in my community. It’s like an extra third space where I don’t have to teach or perform. The folks in our group learn from each other, cheer each other, and commiserate with one another. It’s a special group. I would not have finished such a big project, and frankly, meaningful project without them :)

Pattern is Illumine by Nim Teasdale and the yarn is Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Sport

[lightlyknitted]

Been playing around with felt to make a eras tour advent for my best friend. Finished two album boots. Only nine albums and two unlabeled ones to go. 🥲

[lightlyknitted]

My small joy is forcing my bestie to watch movies that defined me via Google meet.

[lightlyknitted]

I know I draw on here but I need people to see the star trek sweater that I knit

[lightlyknitted]

I know I draw on here but I need people to see the star trek sweater that I knit