While the Crazy for Mental Wellness Swap is in full swing, I noticed that a few people were interested but didn't sign up, mentioning that they were too busy or did not feel up to that much crafting.  I though it might be a good idea for us to do one tiny thing or even just store-bought postcards, to give support to each other, without a really huge commitment of time or energy. 

Anyways, just an idea 

Looking for a pattern for baby booties online, I found hundreds.  I randomly printed up one and tried it.  Following the directions, it turned out huge.  Using a hook half the size recommended (even though it was a tad bit too small for the yarn and was annoying) made it smaller, yet still too large for a baby. 

Does anyone have any patterns which you've used before that you know works well??  Preferably free.  I was hoping for one done in the round, as I don't like seaming much, and crochet, because four tiny needles to knit one seem a bit much for me at the moment.  But, after making that, I'm just hoping for a pattern that works. 

Thanks for any ideas. 

I knitted this gorgeous, drop-stitch scarf out of very soft, fluffy acrylic yarn from JoAnn's. My mom recently washed it (and maybe put it in the drier?).  I can't really think of any words to describe it now other than felted.  It is stiff and non-fluffy.  Is there any way to fix it?   

I made this for my boyfriend's mother for Christmas.  The pattern was from the summer Spin-off magazine, which I received in the adopt-a-college student swap, because I want to learn how to spin (which I will be doing as soon a I get my bf's Valentine present done).  Thanks shoegirl!!



I had to restart it several times, as I kept having to go smaller and smaller with the thread. 

Oh, it's meant to hold a ball of yarn around your wrist while knitting/crochetting instead of it inevitably rolling across the room, as yarn has a tendancy to enjoy doing 


Edited to add:  The blue plastic bag is just to show stitch definition against the white countertop.   And ignore the sink, as the bathroom was the only place bright enough to take a picture, as the stupid flash on my camera doesn't work. 

I was wondering if anyone has any good vegetarian recipes that could be made in a microwave or on a small George Forman grill?  I am lactose intolerant   so it would have to be reasonably dairy free. 

Edited to change title

I'm in costume shop at my school.  For a play about Ohio, we each got one-fifth of the state to represent the five stories they were telling.

I did a Native American block.  It's a coyote with wings.  The sun took nearly the whole semester to do.




They also needed a second one, but I didn't have time to do such a complicated sun.  But it still turned out well.



Edited to add: Please ignore the odd yellow thread lying across the block....

I am just beginning to spin on a drop spindle, and I am trying to figuure out how much twist should be in the yarn.  Should it be so twisty that it wraps on itself when tension is taken off?  Or should it be the opposite, and if I let go of the roving, should it untwist itself to a point that it likes?  If that makes any sense.  Thanks!

I am trying to start a crafting group/club here at Hiram College.  I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to do this correctly (i.e. without screwing up too badly).  I am currently sending out ads on the bulk email, to see how much interest there is for one. 

Any reponses will be greatly appreciated 

Inspired by the tie-dyed prom dress  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=116563.0 and using the lolita dress tutorial http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=77268.0 (which was insanely helpful, as I couldn't find a pattern I liked that actually fit me) I made my dress for homecoming.  Please excuse the crappy pics, as we used a cheap disposable camera and there was no light in the gym. 







It's sad that the best picture of the dress is one of my bum, and that I am making an incredibly weird face in it.  Of course my boyfriend took that picture without telling me. Sigh. 

I gained weight this past year, being away at college for the first time.  My problem is that the weight gain wasn't even, and my chest is several sizes smaller than my hips.  So trying on shirts the other day was really horrible, as anything that fit over my hips was way too loose on top. 

Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix clothes like this? Do I get the smaller size and add on for the stomach and hips, or is there any way to decrease the chest/sleeve area of a shirt?