Beyond Knitting
Atlas Insider: Natalie Was Here
Dear Ann,
As everybody surely knows by now, you and I are both huge fans and devoted friends of Natalie Chanin, the visionary founder of the Florence, Alabama-based clothing company Alabama Chanin and its revolutionary DIY sister enterprise, The School of Making. We never tire of listening to Natalie, and learning from her. We’ve picked up a lot of handsewing knowledge from sitting by Natalie, for sure, but she is also a sustaining source of inspiration and thought about what we are doing when we are making things by hand, and as businesspeople, writers, citizens, consumers, and neighbors. In her gentle, clear-eyed way, she never stops pushing for an ethical, life-affirming way forward.
Last month, we were honored to welcome Natalie to MDK World Headquarters for two days of events.
Things got rolling on Friday evening, with a talk and celebration of Natalie’s latest book, Embroidery: Threads and Stories from Alabama Chanin and the School of Making. This book is a revelation, a scrapbook, and a sourcebook. I highly recommend it for anyone who wonders what one person can do in this world, and the places that clothes, and sewing, have in the world.
Our conversation with Natalie was one we won’t soon forget.
Books were signed.
Handmade clothing was tried on. This was my own me-made Cropped Car Jacket, which never travels in checked luggage. I think this shot is me trying to get it back. Either that or explaining that stitching it was easy, the work of a few evenings. (It felt that way, I promise! I was in The Zone.)
A trunk show gave us a chance to ooh and aah at the new collection, and the exquisite work of Alabama Chanin’s artisans, up close.
We were thrilled to welcome folks to Atlas Drive from all over the country, and from the next zip code over. Some were knitters and stitchers, and some were not, but everyone was a lover of handmade beauty.
The next day, a full-day workshop was a smaller gathering of America’s biggest fans of the running stitch. To see 30 new School of Making projects—skirts! shirts! ponchos!— set sail, with Natalie’s hand at the helm, was a thrill. We cannot wait to do it again. Come back anytime, team Alabama Chanin!
Love,
Kay
A Giveaway
Thanks to our friends at Abrams, three lucky winners will each receive a copy of Natalie’s book: Embroidery: Threads and Stories from Alabama Chanin and the School of Making.
How to enter?
Two steps:
Step 1: Sign up for MDK emails, right here. If you’re already signed up, you’re all set. We have a new option for texting, so when you sign up for those, you’ll get a coupon code good for 10% off your next MDK order.
Step 2: Tell us your favorite kind of handwork that is not knitting or crochet. Are you a beader? Do you long to attach sequins to your nearest and dearest? How about needlepoint? Quilting? Blackwork, anyone?
Deadline for entries: Sunday, February 26, 11:59 PM Central time. We’ll draw random winners from the entries. Winner will be notified by email.
Where to start? My motto is I Never Met A Craft I Didn’t Like. My passion is knitting but I’m also a sometime spinner, beader, sewist, reluctant quilter, small loom weaver, needlepointer, art journalist, and yes, embroiderer. I started out as a teen sewing my clothes and embroidering pillowcases before falling down the other rabbit holes. I have several Alabama Chanin patterns. I love the esthetic and the intentional slow pace of creating a signature piece.
I dabble here and there with other crafts from time to time, but the only other craft I do besides knitting is sew. I just started sewing again after a 20 year break, and wonder why I ever stopped!
Mending! I love to keep my favorite garments going and find hand stitching to be very meditative.
My first love was counted cross stitch and anything related. I sew for practical reasons and combining the 2 is like crafting on Crack. I made a nativity set with even weave fabric for the doll bodies and cc stitch faces and features .. the sewing was intricate, with all the clothing and accessories. Somewhere along the way, I found basket weaving and not the stuff of summer camp, the real deal suitable for the library art show. Now I’m addicted to knitting …. let’s face it, I’m not happy unless I’m making something and making is my happy place..
Beaded jewellry.
Always knitting, but embroidery piggy backs along with other small hand sewn and quilted projects. Natalie Chanin is simply magical ♡♡♡
Quilting and sewing my own clothes
I love to embroider, especially like the lazy daisy stitch and french knots. I’m currently working on a sampler for my husband made up of nuts and screws with a saying “Sometimes the little things matter.”
I rotate! I love to knir, daily, because it’s easy to take wherever you go. But I have a sewing room for quilts and clothing and every other kind of craft project going as well.
I love textile work of all kinds, always so much to learn and explore. Knitting is my favorite, but weaving, plant-based dye work, sewing, and reading about the history of the crafts and the fibers —all wonderful. Recommend two great reads… Fabric of Civilization by Virginia Postrel and Women’s Work by Elizabeth Wayland Barber.
I enjoy piecing quilts and have found great joy in teaching each of my grandchildren to piece and knot a quilt when they turn eight years old
It’s oddly seasonal for me! I love to needlepoint and have been as many knitting (winter months) WIPs as needlepoint (summer months)
Embroidery is my next favorite activity after knitting and sewing! Inwouls enjoy this book.
In is order, knitting, crochet, sewing, embroidery, weaving, cross-stitch, and looking at all the beautiful, natural fibers and fabrics for all!
I love to make my own clothes. While the sewing machine lets me work quickly and exactly, I savor the moments when I hand-sew a hem or zipper. I enjoy spending slow, personal time with my garment, doing those construction elements that hands do best.
Needlepoint, definitely. I also love English paper piecing, although I’ve never (yet) finished a project
Definitely sewing. It was my first makers passion. My Mom guided me down that road and it became a love that we both shared.
I’ve tried so many crafts: sewing, quilting, cross stitch, crewel as well as knitting and crochet. Still do them all from time to time.
I’m a work in progress, with big aspirations! I sewed growing up, which hooked me on the making of things. Then came needlepoint, weaving on small loom, some dyeing with natural materials, but knitting has the longest life in my craft journey (20 years & just getting started!). Next up, spinning & weaving on big loom!
Hardanger.
Knitting is my most enduring love but I also crochet, embroider, dye yarn, indigo dye fabric, do fabric printing and dyeing, paint and because I like to eat cook from scratch and make jam to give away.
Like you, I’m an Alabama Chanin devotee, so I enjoy stitching. I’ve gone to Running Stitch HQ—a delight!
My other craft is “stringing”. Some would say it is beading but to me that implies tiny beads sewn onto a backing. I would rather use larger one of a kind beads and string them to made a necklace.
I just finished hand quilting a baby quilt I had started for my son 39 years ago but never finished. He is going to be a dad for the first time. The quilt is now complete for his daughter. I loved every stitch.
Thank you for this . I too have a 20 plus years-old basted (!) top made for my now-married son. You’ve inspired me to finish quilting it by hand, for that day when he needs a baby quilt.
Embroidery for sure. In the last year I have taken classes in Boro and Hardanger. I have done simple embroidery since I was very young.
Bookbinding. I’ve sewn since I was tiny and knit as well. Making books involves stitching both in construction and in embellishment so it’s not a big step. I’ve made felt for book covers and a couple of knitted pieces for books recording a trip to Iceland. All craft skills are transferable – I found my sewing skills useful when laying wooden flooring but that’s another story.
All my trolls wore hand sewn clothing when I was a child but I’ve also enjoyed sewing my own clothing, weaving, cross stitch, crocheting, rug hooking, pretty much anything that uses “the sacred strings” as my husband puts it.
I’d love to hear how sewing helped with wooden flooring! I’m picturing a floor laid out in a quilt design… And I have also found many handiwork skills to be transferable.
Besides knitting every day, I do free form embroidery on felt, and painted fabric, and sometimes on paper. It’s nice to get off the grid and make it up as I go along. Would love to try this kind of work!
Are you also familiar with Minnesota Center for Book Arts? https://www.mnbookarts.org/
Sewing, recently expanding into quiltmaking! So much beauty, and I love to share!
What a crazy coincidence! I am just getting back into embroidery after many years away. And I seriously just ordered four of the Alabama Chanin books yesterday, but not the newest one. So yes, I’d have to say embroidery is my favorite other craft. I haven’t done beadwork with it and that’s one of the reasons for wanting to dive so deeply into what The School of Making has to offer!
I finished my peacock AC scarf kit, flat fell seamed the ends to make a double wrap cowl, and promptly began working on a second AC scarf in cream for spring! The hand stitching is completely addictive and the options are endlessly creative! Beads anyone? Varigated thread? Couched cotton yarn? Maybe repurpose a jersey print tee next? The new Embroidery book is flat out stunning. (Make the travel pouch and the needle roll to enjoy stitching on the go!) Go Team AC!
I love embroidery, crewel and needlepoint , beading and mending when my hands, neck and shoulders rebel from too much knitting
I am passionate about my knitting (love my wool socks and sweaters in Upstate NY), but cross stitch has also been a favorite ever since I made hand towels for my mom with a stamped cross stitch pattern to follow (and she kept them all of her life!) Now it’s counted cross stitch samplers, sewing Halloween costumes for the grands and anything else that involves a needle.
Definitely sewing but these days knitting is my go to!
Sewing clothes to wear.
Quilting is my other great love besides knitting— and any other sewing— by machine and hand. Needlepoint and embroidery are calming for me as well.
Visible mending. It uses all my fiber skills.
Cross stitch and wool appliqué
Fiber arts are me! I love weaving, sewing, embroidery & beading in addition to knitting & crochet.
Needlepoint is my go to choice after knitting. We have a group at church that gets together to stitch.
Sashiko! I discovered this craft last year, while investigating “visible mending.” It is wonderfully meditative and I have revitalized several piles of thrifted linen napkins with lovely classic patterns.
Free-hand embroidery. I am absolutely passionate about it. I use wild colors and just go where the spirit leads me. It is a fun change from knitting where I tend to be a bit more restrained (but just a bit).
Ooo, I would love to see some of your freehand embroidery!
Hand hemming linen tea towels…a perfect gift for those who admire beauty and appreciate utility!
Oh, how I long to get back to quilting. Hand sewn blocks only. After I get through more of my yarn stash!
I’m just starting to get into punch needle embroidery, and visible mending. I’ve machine sewed a bit in the past as well. I would explore all the handcrafts if I could!
I love to cross stitch though it is getting harder to do as my eyes arent s young as they used to be. I would love to try English paper piecing, I just need to dig in and give it a shot
I used to see a lot. I’ve tried embroidery. I love all of it.
Needlepoint and counted cross stitch began my early interest in handwork. Have since added knitting, of course, and needle felting.
I learned how to sew clothes when I was 12 and never looked back. I have made several quilts, beaded (including crocheting bead), crocheted before learning to knit, embroidery, Hardanger. I love textile history, the culture and cultural aspects. Love that you are embracing this!
In addition to knitting I spin, crochet, weave, quilt, embroider, Sashiko, etc. like many others, not enough hours in the day! If I had to pick one, I’d say my quilting is my favorite!
Knitting is my passion but I also love beading, embroidery, cross stitch, needlepoint and sewing. I’m about to try making some quilted bags.
Quilted bags are fun, I’ve made several using either trims or actual fabric from thrift or antique stores. I need to get out my sewing machine and get back to bag making. It would be a great way to test out the School of Making techniques, too.
Ever since my friends and I would cover our Levi jeans and jackets with embroidery designs in the seventies, I love embellish fabric, woven or knitted, with embroidery. Back then, we’d save our allowance or collect soda pop glass bottles to turn in for deposit, then ride our bikes to Kmart to buy new colors of DMC embroidery thread. We’d share different colors of thread and ideas for large and small embroidery designs.
sewing
My first love is knitting, but I’m currently also loving slow sewing of clothing by hand. So meditative and when finished you have a keepsake article of clothing!
I truly enjoy hand quilting. I took a class once where we hand drafted a sampler lapquilt, cut out the pieces, hand stitched it all together and then hand quilted it. I had five young children at the time and this hand sewing experience got me through. So memorable.
Working with precious metal clay … so tactile and sculptural. But these handseeing designs are really tempting!
Knitting sustains me, but I see our handmade house furnished and populated by the work of so many hands. I love the beauty of ordinary things, the clay vessels, the woolly tea cosy, the flowers in the bowl, the bread on its board. All the work of hands, mine and others.
I enjoy making beaded bracelets, I aspire to become better acquainted with a sewing needle, and an admirer of all things Alabama Chenin!
I am a novice at Saori japanese weaving and am discovering the possibilities of this free form. I think it’s inspiring my knitting,too.
I took a day long class in Saori weaving and loved it!
Any art form that employs fabric or wool is a joy. Rug hooking is a favourite. And at the moment I am making a family of embroidered and stuffed donkeys to string on a pom-pom ribbon as a gift for my nieces.
I love hand quilting using big stitches!
Handiwork involving fiber is a joy for me to do. I needlepoint, am learning tapestry weaving, and am in the dreaming stages of a collage project with fabric, fiber, and found objects.
Knitting is my true love both sewing is what’s intriguing to me these days. I’m just starting to dip my toe in and am excited about all things ahead
Quilting by hand. I loved the beauty of the quilts I use to see growing up. A distant relative had a large frame in her garage and would sit there everyday working on a quilt for each grandchild.
I was intrigued by the process as a child, but didn’t learn the craft until I was 52 years old.
I love handwork. I’ve made several pieces of Natalie’s, most of them gifts. I really like your cropped car coat, Ann. I may try making one for myself. I’ve made berets, purses, throws, skirts and totes.
Knitting is my passion! However, I enjoy sewing and love hand sewing and embroidery. I have one of Alabama Chanin’s earlier books and have one of her kits. Thank you for the opportunity to win this latest book!
I loved sewing when I was young but put it aside when knitting took over. Now that I have more time I’d like to return to sewing but it will not replace my love of knitting.
It’s all of the above, I love all of it.
But now, I am in possession of my late mother’s Bernina sewing machine. I know, it’s not hand sewing, but as it stands on a table in my office, it reminds me of all she, and the generations before her, crafted and created. How she taught herself to use this machine, with her first project pajamas for me, with set in sleeves and buttonholes. And the great-aunt hand made, and tatted baby dresses. The crimson velvet wedding dress, sewn by hand and worn on Christmas, by my great grandmother. My grand mothers crazy quilt, pieced with scraps from dresses long gone. The echoes of these loving hands are all around me, and I bless them, as they led me to the now of my own creations.
While knitting and crochet use most of my time, I learned a little about the Bayeux tapestry recently. I have a small kit to give a try of the bayeux and stem stitches.
I recently mended a torn linen sheet using an inexpensive piece of cotton fabric and a running stitch.
I have been knitting the longest , in the 80s I started embroidery and have done lots of counted work, gold work, hardanger and needlepoint. Mostly knitting and weaving now, no more wall space for embroidery.
While knitting is my primary handwork, I also enjoy counted cross. A couple years ago I purchased two embroidery Christmas stockings that are still in their original packaging. I need to work on those skills and get those stockings completed!
Cross stitch, sewing, quilting, and alas patching and mending, in addition to my knitting and crocheting. Thank God for retirement and there still isn’t enough time in a day!
I have tried so many crafts. I always return to knitting, crochet and embroidery. They work so well together. I have one Alabama Chapin book and I love it.
I have loved to sew since I made my first dolls clothes with my Bestemor as Avery little girl. The sewing machine has always been an important piece I my home. Adding hand work to my garment making gives my wardrobe a personal touch. Bound buttonholes on jackets are a favorite project. I cover some garments with literally miles of hand stitching.
I’ve been sewing since I was old enough (in my mother’s opinion) to operate a sewing machine. As a younger person, garment sewing was the “craft” and as an adult I continued but also learned to quilt. I am now an avid quilter, preferring hand work. I hope to return to garment sewing in my retirement. I am particularly interested in handwork techniques for garment construction and embellishment. Love every stitch just like knitting!
Does darning count? Darning in the most creative way.
Totally counts!! I loved darning as a kid and now have been amassing a pile of socks to fix this spring.
Aside from knitting, sewing and weaving are seconds. Thanks for your daily newsletter. Love it all.
Weaving. My children grew up with a floor loom the size of a baby grand piano in the corner of the living room.
Right now, knitting
I always liked the idea of hand-sewing small garments – my mother once hand-sewed a dress for me – but haven’t gotten around to it. Your jacket is stunning. I wouldn’t trust it to checked baggage either!
Cross stitch. It’s an on again off again relationship
I’ve always described crafts as anything with a needle and tried them all. My favorites are still knitting and crochet, but needlepoint and embroidery of all kinds are still there,too.
Sewing. And pottery!
I love hand sewing of all kinds: embroidery, crewel work, hardanger, cross stitch.
I’ve loved counted cross stitch, but now find it too hard visually to move from the chart to the work, as my eyes no longer want to make quick changes in focal length, and that is a problem. Fortunately, a friend recently introduced me to sashimi, and that I can do. It’s too soon to know if it will become a passion or just another fiber fling, though!
Sorry: that was Sashiko, not (as autocorrect thinks). Sashimi.
My ‘other craft’ is embroidery. I grew up in the era of embroidered jackets, pants, Phys Ed uniforms, bags, and anything else you could out a needle through. I continue today with stitching on knitted/crocheted projects, shirts, kitchen towels, pillows, and wall hangings.
What a wonderful time you have had.
Quilting
Quilting and sewing would be my choice if I am not knitting!
Knitting is the first handcraft I learned and has always been with me but quilting and cross stitch juggle for #1.
Team needlepoint. Especially with a Christmas theme. But I have been known to spend years needlepointing William Morris themed dining room chair seats too. Kudos Kay for combining the Cropped Car Jacket (swoon) and your Pressed Flowers shawl!
My first exposure to a fabric craft was embroidery. Woolworth 5 & 10 cent store sold pre-stamped pillowcases. Was in awe of the colorful thread available in the store. My mom helped me stitch the lines. Warm memory.
I love cross stitch and embroidery. Never have been that great at it, but I enjoy it.
Cardmaking – I love how each project I do is less than an hour, so perfect for not leaving UFO’s behind
Quilting — especially doing the hand quilting stitching. But it is too hard on my fingers now to do for hours on end.
Sewing. I like making things out of old denim jeans.
I have been dabbling in needlepoint flowers. Love them.
Floral design! I have discovered the art of creating modern and traditional art with plant material.
I love all kinds of crafts – but my first love was sewing – my sewing machine – a Bernina I purchased when I was in high school (on layaway – remember those?) in 1971. I still have it and it is works great!
Needlepoint, crossstitch, embroidery love them all. I need various types of projects on the go at all times.
I have been traveling a lot (in warm localtions) without being able to bring much plus needed a project that I could stop and start in an instant. Needlepoint fit the bill! Love it!
Knitting is definitely my first love, but I do like to quilt, explore wool applique, spin, and sew clothing. And years ago did some needlepoint. (Hmm….thinking maybe I should try it again!)
Well definitely sewing. Some beading. Does calligraphy count?
Alabama Chanin hand embellishment is my other favorite craft! Its so fun
I also never met a craft I didn’t like. Well, I take that back. Tatting got the best of me. With needles, without needles. No matter. Other than tatting, I have done it all in my 66 years. French hand sewing by hand and by machine and smocking, when my children were babies, this was my handwork of choice. Sewing (in Junior High I would stay up all night until I finished my sewing so I could wear it to school the next day! Anyone on this list ever done that? I bet you have!) Needlepoint, cross stitch. Crochet, my first piece was a granny square vest from Vogue Crochet, I wonder what ever happened to that? (also a Junior High project) Embroidery. Quilting, beading, knitting, and most dear to my heart is Natalie Chanin’s personal class of surface work. Thanks for offering the great giveaway!
I love to hand stitch quilts. It really is a labor of love.
I am a big fan of Alabama Chanin! I love hand embroidery and visible mending. I only wish I could’ve been at the workshop!
Embroidery for me!
My favorite handwork other than knitting is the needlework Christmas decorations I make each year for my four grandchildren, I made one for each of my two children when they were little, and when my first grandchild was born I started the search for the same kind of thing to make for him. I scoured eBay for the kits (from the late 70s to early 80s) and ended up with more than I will ever make for my grandchildren! I have so many distinct kits that I have organized them into a theme for each year 🙂
Making pillows from silk scrap cloth and embroidering them I have made several and love it almost as much as knitting!!
The past few years I’ve gotten much better at hand stitching, including making a few simple hand sewn tops. I like it much better than using my sewing machine!
Spinning from fleece to finished item. Love it all ! Through you all, I am learning about this lovely lady. Ty
I have made one Chanin skirt and am working on another. Who knew I would like handwork so much?
Needle and thread sewing: appliqué, sashiko, running stitch, I have made 2 AC skirts and I am hooked!
Machine quilting on my sewing machine and cross stitch
Needlepoint, crochet and cross stitch were my first handmade pastimes. Then I spent several years making porcelain dolls but never stopped playing with fibers. Knitting and sewing added more recently. I’d love to take one of Natalie’s classes!
I used to do a bit of ribbon embroidery. It was very pretty. I think I’m a one craft at a time person, and that’s been knitting. I’m intrigued by sewing some simple clothes ,though, again.
Needlepoint. Getting out the ornaments and stockings at the holidays brings me joy.
I learned to sew before any other handwork. I am teaching myself to quilt, what fun! Sewing for myself, family or friends brings me joy again and again. I also like to refinish furniture, handwork or not?!
My favorite craft besides knitting has been needlepoint. I learned needlepoint as a child when my mother’s Altar Guild made kneeler cushions for the altar rail at our church. In those days we only used the Continental and Basketweave stitches to fill the painted canvas with wool.
I took a long vacation from handwork while I was in high school but returned to knitting in my 20s because my roommate was a knitter who encouraged me to.pick.it up once more.
I returned to needlepoint later on when I found a wonderful store dedicated to the craft. The owner sold the most beautiful hand painted canvases and inspired her customers to experiment with new stitches and to use colors of yarn that suited their taste rather than using only the colors painted on the canvas. We became good friends and I was hired to work in the shop. Working in a needlecraft shop is a wonderful experience. Being surrounded by beautiful items,.learning new techniques to become a better mentor for the customers, and meeting new friends were the main advantages. Needleworkers are so excited to learn and share their skills, it is impossible to not be inspired.
Nancy D
My first love was cross stitch which I taught myself at 16 yrs of age. Over 20 years later I finally leaned to knit. Now over another ten years have passed and I’m picking up cross stitch again. It’s hard to keep up with my knitting and cross stitch projects especially with my new very playful kitten but I’m determined to soldier on.
Handquilting
I”ve started sewing again, and I’m enjoying myself.
I especially like quilting, needlepoint, and crewel embroidery.
—Also, Kay, that’s such a great shawl! The colors are reminiscent of Sashiko.
Latch hook rugs. Make your own design and use your leftover bits & bobs of precious yarn!
Needle felting, for sure! Especially tiny gnomes and animals as Christmas tree decorations.
My favorite non-knitting is appliqué, esp using wool fabric
I’ve been knitting for over 60 years, with an occasional crochet project thrown in. And 11 years ago I started quilting which has become my second love. Colors, shapes, texture- and they miraculously use different parts of my brain than knitting!
I started out attempting to make clothing for myself. I then worked on macrame, some crochet and more sewing. That moved on to quilting interspersed with some failed and some successful knitting. Through it all I have enjoyed sewing and hand sewing appliqué and hand quilting, and some cross stitch and embroidery. I began knitting again a few years back but my goal for this year is sewing clothing again.
Cooking, but not baking, or soap/lotion making.
Before I returned to knitting and crochet, I did a lot of counted thread embroidery and needlepoint. Anything but cross stitch! And I loved it.
I have to say sewing and embroidery.
Sewing, eco dyeing, embroidery…I purchased the Alabama scarf kit and simply must get started! Also bought Anna Atkins Blue Prints and cyanotype is in my summer future!!
I make soaps and lotions when I’m not knitting. Very rewarding.
I spin, and dabble with weaving on my rigid heddle loom. Before falling down the fiber arts rabbit hole at age 18, I loved origami and beading. I also did a bit of counted cross stitch, which I return to occasionally. I’ve been trying to learn sewing, too. My mom started teaching me on her mother’s 1937 Singer sewing machine. We got most of the way through a skirt, but haven’t finished it yet. (Me getting pregnant and now having my hands full with a five-year-old and a seven-month-old makes it challenging to find much crafting time, especially when I have to leave the house to do it!)
When I’m not knitting, I’m sewing. I make things with felted wool (shrunken thrift shop sweaters), and I repair clothes that would otherwise be discarded, especially denim jeans.
Used to love embroidery and smocking and making hand sewn garments for my girls when they were little. This inspires me to revisit that passion. Thank you
My favorite craft after knitting is sewing, especially creative mending, which keeps my family’s clothing functional and adds personal flair at the same time
Just started doing embroidery on felted knitting, been making felted bags and personalizing them. Someday, needle felting.
I used to spend most of my making time quilting, now it is mostly knitting but I also crochet, cross stitch, spin, needle felt, weave, needle punch and whatever else catches my eye
I love making cushion covers covered in satin stitch embroidery.
Hand sewing and embroidery. I am also becoming an expert at mending my grandsons stuffed monkeys.
Counted cross-stitch, usually napkins.
I love to make project bags for fellow crafters!
My favorite handwork is usually whatever I’m working on at the time be that crossstitch, embroidery, knitting, weaving or sewing. They all bring me joy!
Besides knitting and crocheting, I love sewing. I’m not as advanced in my sewing skills, but I can put together a pattern and usually adjust for my size. (I have a relatively small bust for my height and hip size.) Since I’ve seen you guys talking about Natalie Chanin, I’ve become re-interested in embroidery. I used to do cross stitch, but mostly gave up on it when I took up knitting. I just got The Geometry of Hand Sewing and am working through all the stitches in order as a refresher. I’d love to have the full series.
The pieces I am proudest of are crewel. I love the variety of stitches and the texture of the finished work.
I am a great lover of craft and creating beautiful items I use. Me-made is fun. I suppose creating design and sewing clothes is my fave after knitting. I am working on an Alabama Chanin skirt. The pattern inspires and allows for my own touches
Besides knitting, I love to sew by hand. Using my thimble, making stitches through fabric are so meditative. The process is simple and basic and timeless. You can create so much this way. Hand sewing connects me to my mother, grannie, generations through time.
there is something about seeing that brings back my childhood! giving quilting a try!
Sewing was my first creative adventure starting at the age of 8 and still going strong. Knitting has become a bit of an obsession the last few years. I still make time for cross stitch. Maybe this year I should make the time for some slow stitching with Alabama Chanin.
Favorite is sewing, quilting and making my own garments
I have a great love of quilting, although my skill level is extraordinarily low.
I love hand stitching! It’s such a calming and absorbing activity. And I get much of my inspiration from Natalie Chanin. Love her!
Once upon a time needlepoint was my jam. I made so many pillows, Christmas stockings and even a belt with my mom and one sister. I’ve no idea what happened to them all. I’ve kept three pillows and one by Mom. No interest at all in doing that work ever again.
I love many kinds of handwork, but my favorite lately is weaving.
Visible mending
I am a Maker of anything fiber or fabric. Cathedral window quilting, embellished fabric and fiber collage, hemming, embroidery….as soon as I finish these three current knitting projects. (and block them)
Crafting is such an exciting outlet. I live to dabble in beading and enjoy sewing clothing for myself and grandchildren. This book sounds like a must have for my library!
Without a doubt my favorite is hand sewing. Anything from sewing on buttons, finishing up a hem on a newly created garment to a bit of embroidery on a sleeve. I find it very soothing.
I’ve recently rediscovered embroidery, something my mom taught me but which I haven’t done in years. It’s a lovely way to spend a few hours, and I feel close to my mom when doing it even though she’s been gone for several years now.
I love it all. Anything that keeps my hands busy and my mind learning new things. Sewing was always a passion when my girls were growing up. It was easier to make a prom gown than search for one long enough for their tall bodies!
I started with embroidery and my mother-in-law introduced me to needlepoint. I sew crafty things and I knit most every day. The AC clothes are very enticing. I’d like to try it.
I have many other loves. Lately I have been super engaged in Hardanger Embroidery and tatting – it’s really all about LACE for me right now!
Love Florence Alabama have a cousin who lives there!! Will have to Alabama Chanin and the school of Making when we visit this spring! Besides knitting cross stitch and quilting are my crafting hobbies.
I am first a Knitter these days, but since childhood I have dabbled in all kinds of needlework. I guess the one I would be most likely to pick up now, besides knitting, is embroidery. I love it when there is a lot of variety of stitches used.
Freehand embroidery! It all began with old jean jackets from Ragstock when I was a youngster in the late 60’s. My inspiration was a book titled “Native Funk and Flash” … it’s around here somewhere … and one of the pictures in the book was of a young woman wearing a jacket that was completely covered with embroidery. She had done all the stitching while she was in prison, in order to keep from going crazy. It resonated with me at the time. I’m not sure if this link will still work by the time you read this, but here’s a link to the book at ThriftBooks.com — https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/native-funk–flash-an-emerging-folk-art_alexandra-jacopetti-hart/447852/#edition=4487990&idiq=11931746
Quilting. Once upon a time, all by hand – piecing, appliqueing and quilting. Now, because of time and eyes, mostly by machine. But the binding is always the slow, meditative coda done by hand. I also knit, crochet, embroider, garden and bake bread. My hands are always busy.
I love embroidery!
I have been sewing and embroidering since I was young! Knitting is still my passion but I love any needle work!
Lately it’s been quilting. I recently finished 2 (!) English paper pieced hexagon quilt tops (not quilted yet…). Helped me get through the pandemic, moving and helping care for my elderly mother.
I aspire to sew! And over the past few years have even collected some patterns and fabric. Now I must jump in. I have always been very fond of paper crafts, anything with markers and scissors and glue! Have been a knitter for 15 years and I like the portability. My foray into embellishments was decades ago when I created a one of a kind pair of sneakers for my wedding day. Pearls, lace, sequins, ribbons… perfection!
I did a lot of needlepoint in the 80s & 90s. I like to art journal and create books about where I’ve traveled from receipts, coasters, tickets, etc from each place. I count photography (black & white street and contemplative) because you hold the camera with your hands! I took up knitting about 2 years ago, obsessively. My mom taught me to sew when I was a teenager. Hand sewing sounds intriguing. Do I have time for another hobby?
Thank you for introducing me to AC several years ago ( and having Sunne come teach). It renewed me interest in embroidery and lighted a fire for hand sewing. I look forward each year to a new batch of Target ts I can style as my own and occasions to wear my AC skirts.
I recently tried Bargello. It was fan and a fancier version of the plastic canvas projects I did as a kid.
I love so many crafts. Embroidery, cross stitching, sewing , I love painting on ceramics coming up with designs from my imagination on plates etc.
Sewing pillows and bags!
So many crafts, so little time! Knitting remains my primary activity, but I also quilt, embroider, make clothes (and someday will make a Channin-inspired piece) and sew Sashiko designs. Thanks for all you do! Vicky
What an amazing evening! How I wish I could have been there. I love all forms of making involving fibers, but I am primarily a quilter and then a knitter. I love hand-stitched appliqué, English paper piecing, hand embroidery, visible mending – you name it and if it involves a needle, thread, thimble and a few lovely hours in my chair binging a favorite British show, I’m all in!!!
Beading!
Anything with my hands, but at the moment my second passion is needlepoint. Fine appliqué and hand quilting aren’t available to my hands and eyes anymore. Knitting is so forgiving
I think I’ve done all needlework except cross stitch, but other than knitting, I have the same feeling of relaxation with needlepoint as I do knitting; however, with knitting, I do worry more about gauge and checking the row I just knitted. I also enjoy the sewing machine.
Once I discovered knitting I left other handwork behind, but my Shakerag experience last year made me want to explore more needlework.
My favorite handwork, aside from knitting, is hand quilting. Right now I have started hand piecing a quilt.
I made a KZ Stevens one yard shirt, all hand sewn.Never thought I could do that. but every time I wear it I feel empowered. I adore Tatter and have taken some classes but mostly drool over them. I want to do more, but knitting gets in the way. haha
I’m fascinated with weaving and embroidery, especially when it’s artistic, modern, and unusual. Alabama Chanin checks those boxes in the most wearable of ways. Gotta get me some of that one day!
Cross stitch! I started with all kinds of tiny kits and graduated to full Christmas stockings for each of my kids.
I too, am a “crafter of many colors”. Knitting is my first love as well, learned st the age of 5, but I have tried them all in my life and would have to say that needlepoint and sewing are my “close encounters “ behind knitting!
Love all the interesting speakers and programs you bring to MDK.
Thank you!!
Other than knitting (and crochet), my favorite kind of needlework is hand-quilting. The rhythm of the needle and thread going in and out of the quilt sandwich is something that soothes my soul. I can sit quietly stitching for hours and end as relaxed and fresh as when I started.
Of all the non-knitting, needlepoint is the one I consistently go back to. I’m a secret quilter in my brain only (lol). Every now and again, I’ll Do some jewelry.
I love hand embroidery and thinking about hand embroidery, especially to embellish clothing and accessories.
My grandfather was a tailor, my mom a sewer, I started with sewing at 12 inventing my own way to insert a sleeve in a blouse. From there I went into design school and from there painting, pottery, and pretty much any craft, knitting being the latest because I couldn’t manage those two sticks until I discovered circs! I must have been channeling your weekend because I was going to start looking at my Alabama book again to see if I could start a project.
Embroidery! Shibori!
I do needlepoint and some embroidery. I just love all making.
Besides knitting, I like to needlepoint and I’ve dabbled in embroidery & quilting.
I always enjoyed doing latch hook rugs!
Cross stitching and needlepoint. I taught myself cross stitch back in the day when Target sold kits.
I do love embroidery and needlepoint….. fiber lover for sure
Needle point and sewing. With sewing comes the hand sewing of a hem, buttons & the occasional zipper.
I love needle felting. . . Tiny wild things.
Sashiko, embroidery, handsewing, ribbon collage, crazy quilting–I love it all
Embroidery. Rug Hooking.
I sew and quilt, using either a treadle sewing machine or my hands. I used to embroider a lot (3 tablecloths) but there is so only so much space in a house and there are many crafts to sample.
I’ve been learning to make mug rugs with an appliqué of JOY on them.
Crewel…preferably Jacobean patterns.
I love to sew my own clothes. Store-bought clothes have never quite fit me – always a bit short at the ankle, or high in the crotch, or tight across the shoulders – so years ago, I made a pattern for elastic waist pants, and more recently I made a pattern from a favorite pull-on top. Very easy projects, but each one is different because of fabric and type of stitching and slight alterations in neckline or sleeve. The remnants section of the fabric store is the first place I look. I never know what I’ll find. 🙂
Handwork oh my! Hand appliqué, hand quilting, hand piecing, beaded tiny purses, sashiko, embroidery, needlepoint and wool appliqué. Sew many ways to create! I cannot pick one favorite never enough hours in a week to do all
As well as a knitter, artist, weaver, spinner and stitcher, I am an embroiderer, a Brazilian Embroiderer. There’s not many crafts I’ve haven’t tried and loved. My studio is a testament to that statement. Loved the article, by the way.
I love quilting!!
I’ve done a very little bit of embroidery and would like to get better at it. I’m intrigued by the possibilities when mixing fiber arts.
I have been beading since 1997 making mostly jewelry, sometimes making beaded boxes. I started knitting in 2004 to knit with beads, but, I don’t do much of that, I just knit. I discovered Alabama Chanin through my local yarn store, A Verb for Keeping Warm, when they had Natalie come out for a talk and trunk show. I love her work.
Before I learned to knit I used to cross stitch and sew a bit for my kids when they were little I’ve done some rug hooking and I have a Kaffe Fassett needlepoint pillow I’m planning to start any day now.
Quilting.
Does mixology and baking count? Hand crafted Nutty Manhattan with locally made Nocino, anyone? And those three-ingredient tahini-oat-brown sugar cookies?
Like many, since the 60s I have spent years doing hand needlework of many sorts: needlepoint (do check out Maggie Lane’s books of gorgeous patterns), cross-stitch, crewel and sewing. Only in the last decade have I begun knitting, to be sure. But now my obsessive n is with weaving on my 8-shaft loom, often rag rugs to keep used textiles from landfill and make functional things also as beautiful as I can. Oh, and I am also starting doing more mending, trying for it to be decorative and fun.
Hand sewing
I make baskets…you can never have too many places to stash stuff (like yarn). I love the way the materials feel in my hands and that many baskets are just a big spiral.
I’m a knitter. My first sewing machine was used for quilt in a day workshop. Then it was parked for many years. Now it is used for pillowcases, handkerchiefs, napkins, two sided flannel baby blankets and of course many masks. I would like to make some bento bags for my knitting friends next.
Next to knitting I love to sew, both clothes and quilts.
I’ve loved sewing since I was really small and have made my living as a soft toy designer using my sewing skills. After a 30 year hiatus I’m unearthing my weaving loom and this past year I’ve revived my hand spinning.
I am a knitter first! After that I am a sewer. I love to quilt. The process if cutting out each piece by hand and then sewing them together to make a beautiful quilt is very rewarding. I have given all my quilts away to family members who I’m sure will take good care if them. Now it’s time to make some more.
One of my favorite hand sewing things to do is mending. I usually have several things at any given time in my “to do” basket that need a button; a stitch or two; or a hem that needs to be adjusted. This type of hand work is soothing and tranquil for me.
While I have knit most of my life and still love it, I also cane chairs.
Spinning and embroidery!
Embroidery is a large part of my mixed-media art. It’s an easy way to add line, pattern and texture all at once.
I love Alabama Chanin! It’s addictive once you get started.
Embroidery. I’m recycling some t-shirt fabric from back in the day using stencils from one of Chanin’s books. The faded ochre and taupe look beautiful together. I have no idea what I will do with it when finished but the process is fabulously relaxing after teaching 24 1st graders all day. And that’s enough for me.
Cross stitch, cross stitch, cross stitch. My mother taught me when I was ten, and it was my first crafting love (besides coloring in the daily comic pages, I guess).
Wow, talk about a tough question! I have done cross-stitch since childhood, and needlepoint here and there. I do love seeing a finished cross-stitch piece from afar—it’s like looking at a painting to me! In the past decade, I have also taken up spinning and weaving. They are both so meditative for me—when I knit I need I find I need to also arch tv or listen to a podcast to keep my mind focused, but not with spinning and weaving.
Sewing and quilting
I was just in Alabama Chanin last week. It’s the jewel of Florence, AL! I’ve done it all, sewing, quilting, needlepoint, embroidery, etc, but besides knitting, I would say painting and woodcarving.
When I)’m not knitting, I do Bobbin lacemaking. It is off-loom weaving. i cannot do needle-and-thread crafts, nor tatting. A pity, but we do what we can.
As someone who often does hand sewing for work, I must say that it can be so very relaxing. And as a sewist, you can sew a complete machine -sewn garment (at least I can) in much, much less time than it takes to knit a sweater or a lace shawl. All have benefits.
So many things to do, not enough time.
One day I’ll make a Alabama Chanin inspired piece – inspired because though the kits are beautiful they are out of my budget! I do have a few of the books to guide me though.
If I’m honest, I don’t do much crafting other than knitting these days. I have thoughts of getting back to embroidery or needlepoint but haven’t really done much. I also want to try needle felting.
Back in the day when I was teaching overseas, I completed some complicated macrame projects. I also embroidered tablecloths with thread I bought in the local market. What lovely, fulfilling and creative activities those are!
Weaving. The rhythm of the working loom is glorious.
I picked up sashiko-style embroidery during the pandemic. I’ve never felt such a palpable downshifting of my energy, from anxious to calm, as when I started this simple stitching.
I love ALL the needle arts. quilting and embroidery and appliqué .
Sewing is my second favorite needle work. It’s been a while since I’ve made clothes for my girls when they were small, but with retiring soon, I just might be breaking my mothers sewing machine out again to make something for me!
I have been determined to learn how to spin and started again in January, dedicating hours to it. I thought I’d be a pro by now but I struggle on. I admit I am totally addicted though.
I love Franklin Habit’s letters, and frequently come to the site to read them.
I still remember my very first crewel project. I was 5. It was a sampler. Every line wAs successively linger and a different stitch. When finished it was a Christmas tree.
Dyeing the yarn is one thing i love to do, and i also have a stash of fabric to make things out of. and i’ve made many many cross stitches in the past.
I come from many generations of sewists and I am the least talented of them all. I started with clothes but became a lover of quilt making. I have made dozens. I also love to make dolls. Hmmm. I bought Natalie’s book as soon as it came out. It is a treasure.
My favorite handcraft is the one I haven’t tried yet.
I am also a quilter and love to experiment with design!
Like so many of the other commenters, the answer is everything! My first needlecraft was sewing and I still make most of my own clothes today. I also love spinning and have dabbled in weaving and other crafts, fiber-based or otherwise.
Wet felting
I have recently returned to dressmaking which I used to love in my teens and twenties. I’m enjoying the journey but fitting is a lot harder when you are no longer a standard size And I have also taken up quilting which I love as it’s completely absorbing
My mother was so talented, and the best maker I have ever met or read about. She sewed all of my clothes growing up, as well as her own. She was a perfectionist, and every stitch and seam had to be perfect. I’ll never forget the appliques she added to my favorite bell bottoms back in high school (the 70s). She became interested in sewing very wee small things, and a miniature qult she made is in the Smithsonian. When I had daughters, they wore hand smocked dresses every day. Then she enjoyed French hand sewing. And of course, she loved knotting. Uh, I miss her so much. So much knowledge, but I had little patience then. I’m retired now, and knit every day. But nothing compares to her masterpieces. I’m tearful thinking of her snd the love she expressed through her work.
I do a sewing project every year. And I am working through my started cross stitch projects. I have a 60 for 60s list to finish these off.
Making Hawaiian Quilts (hand appliqué and hand quilting) is my favorite hand work.
Knitting is my first love. Needlepoint and Quilting are second loves. Thank you for asking this question. I was so inspired reading the range of responses.
I recently did my first needle felting on front, neck and armhole steeks with Shetland wool. I really enjoyed it. A future project I’m thinking about involves 6g skeins of 48 colors, each one with its own small hank of thread like embroidery dyed to match. Would be fun to embroider a knitted garment and or hold a different color for a bit of marling. I don’t know where the dyers samples are from but they are wool and have a 1995 date on them. This book looks wonderful!
Embroidery, counted cross stitch, needlepoint, handpiecing and quilting, sashiko and boro. They are all part of the evolution of needlework and have a place in my life. I’m planning a couple of quilts right now.
Quilting, embroidery or needlepoint. I so enjoy making something new and beautiful from bits of fabric and string!
I am making my first quilt which will be a laptop quilt for my daughter. I plan to hand quilt as I love that look having grown up with hand quilted blankets made by long ago relatives.
For me knitting is what I do most. My crafting journey started with crochet, then needlepoint, then knitting. then cross stitch, then apparel sewing and finally quilting. Knitting brings me the most joy but crafting in many forms has saved my sanity.
I’ve always enjoyed needlepoint, but there is definitely a limit to how many pillows one can do.
Needlepoint, mostly cross stitch
Does spinning count? If not, then writing pysanky is a longtime favorite (look it up!).
Thanks for the giveaway
After knitting and crochet I like embroidery and quilting. Because knitting and crochet are so very portable, though, that is what I mostly do. Any kind of craft excites me and I am in love with Kaffe Fassett fabric.
Probably just like most of us here I come from a long line of multi-skilled, hand-making people. I’m always so proud of them and the skills they taught me although my skills are not as good.
When not knitting or crocheting, I enjoy weaving, still learning, as well as sewing and all fiber arts.
Sashiko and kumihimo beading
I embroidered in High School – back in the 70’s. We recently moved my parents into a senior community. As we downsized their 4 bedroom house, I found a pillow I had made way back then – still looks great – if I do say do myself! So I reclaimed it for my house.
I did ton of embroidery in high school, too. It seems that every pair of jeans or jean jacket had some kind of embroidered embellishment. All made up on the fly. I wish i could re-tap that kind of serendipitous creativity.
My parents bought me a used Singer sewing machine when I left home for college, because, how could I manage without access to Mom’s machine? I was well known for saying “I could make that” when shopping with friends and a favorite piece was found. Just last week (some 48 years later!), I wore a haori jacket I sewed with indigo dyed Japanese cotton when we went out for sushi with friends. Wearing hand-sewn clothing out in the world is a precious joy.
I knit, spin and needlepoint. I’ve been introducing cyanotype fabric print projects to ladies who don’t usually do handwork. While they arrange their items to put in the sun I add more running stitches to my print. I’m hooked on Alabama Chanin style.
Besides knitting, it would have to be sewing. I picked it back up a few years ago, mainly to make project bags for what else but knitting projects! During the first year of the pandemic I re-upholstered a chair and have gotten very interested in hand-stiching and Sashiko and mending. Love Natalie’s designs and would one day like to make one.
I love to do English Smocking!
my current obsession is hand sewing and piecing and using tiny scraps of fabric and yarn to embellish. i have “the geometry of hand sewing” by natalie and still pull it out often after all these years.
I was a crochet and cross-stitch person but kids and repetitive motion problems pushed me to knitting and saved me from having to abandon hand crafts.
I enjoy making small quilts such as table runners where I can then hand quilt or hand appliqué.
Needle felting and making tiny doll clothes! Beading, clay, painting…it’s all so absorbing when we are looking for a little peace in this world
Sewing, spinning, weaving and soap making are my other loves ❤️
I make pottery. On a wheel. Decorate and paint with slip and underglaze. Love your description of this event and your happiness and sense of fulfillment in the process.
Needlepoint, embroidery, and would like to try quilting.
The very first handwork I ever did was embroidery on a hand stamped towel when I was 5-6. I love counted cross stitch but don’t do it much anymore because I am consumed with knitting!
Embroidery
My favorite embroidery project is crazy quilting using vintage fabrics and trims which I’ve been mucky to inherit from my mom and grandmother’s stash.
I love to sew. My last project was a king size quilt.
Knitting was my first rabbit hole some 18 years ago. From there other rabbit holes appeared: crochet, weaving, quilting, and very recently, folk art embroidery. There’s a beaded bracelet kit waiting for me in the closet, too. Time is a problem! I have never been a hand sewist because of my 4th grade Home Ec teacher from hell, but my quilting buddy introduced me to the Alabama Chanin concept a few years back…and I must say I love the look. Who knows what might happen in the next year or two?? Just sayin’!
I most enjoy doing appliqué on my quilts
I started very early doing embroidery after watching my mother sew by hand. To this day, I still have some embroidery work going.
Oh boy! Am I into a few projects, by which I mean, a ton: beading, embroidery, sewing clothing, quilting, I’ve done it all–and loved it. Since my massive stroke a few years ago, though, I haven’t ventured beyond knitting and crochet. Alabama Chanin has intrigued/inspired me for some 15 or more years, though, and this may be the impetus I need.
Knitting is the absolute top of my craft game. Every single day has a knitting component, I don’t even have to schedule or think about it. It it is certain that I will pick up a project and knit. It makes the day complete.
However, I cannot knit for hours like I used to. I have to take care of my hands. As a young girl I learned simple embroidery from my mother. By the time I was in college I had embroidered a blouse!!!! Now I make project bags, pillowcases….by doing “improv embroidery”
I would love to up my skills. Perhaps The School of Making? That would be very cool.
Totally off topic, but … . I have had the Atlas Field Guide at the top of my knitting basket – I absolutely love the Old Friend Pullover. COVID (and Paxlovid rebound) upended any plans I had for February (including my granddaughter’s birthday party) BUT I did have a bag of Ultra Alpaca that knitted to gauge (this had to be an instant gratification project). The pattern is beautifully written and the tip for using stitch markers to flag the short rows is genius. At some point I will treat myself to Atlas and make this beautiful sweater again. Thank you for helping me to navigate an otherwise miserable few weeks!
Loving all needlework and so many crafts that have passed in and out of my life, I must say the WEAVING in in my ancestral bones. From baskets to floor loom I have done it all, but I find that knitting satisfies my time these days. And really, what is knitting but another beautiful form of weaving.
I turn to cross stitching in he dead of winter and have recently resumed rug hooking to finish a few long dormant projects!
I love smocking and hand embroidery so much that I teach it! Like knitting, slow and repetitive. And I love seeing it worn by all the littles.
Pick one – hah hah! Last year I was a knitting fool; currently I’m playing with making simple wearable patterns and using repurposed fabric – latest was a lovely cloche with a beautiful upholstery fabric exterior and a cashmere/wool lining.
Anything with needle and thread, especially loving reverting back to the days of handmade doll clothing and sewing on hand woven or hand dyed scraps.
Love to knit and now am finally learning to weave on a rigid heddle loom. The possibilities are endless! And..more yarn!! MWAHAHAHA!!!!!!
If I’m not knitting, I like to weave. I recently made my granddaughter a little crossbody bag which was woven with fabric scraps and embellished with beads and danglers. It was fun to make, but the best part was the look on her face when she opened the box containing her new treasure!
In addition to knitting and crocheting, I love needlepoint and I am learning how to weave on a rigid heddle loom.
It may not quite be what you consider handwork – but baking is probably my very favorite handwork. Hands are essential for mixing, kneading, knowing when the dough is right; for shaping breads, cookies, whatever; knowing when dough is sufficiently proofed; and determining if it is fully baked. And I am trying to get back into embroidery and needlepoint after a thirty year hiatus!
I enjoy many crafts, currently (other than knitting) rigid heddle loom weaving and bead loom weaving. I’m thinking about getting back into embroidery!
I love to “play with string”. I spin and do counted cross stitch. And I tie flies. My signature fly has a “woven” body (which is actually more like macrame than weaving).
I am a few weeks from 80 years of age and have done many types of handwork over the years. I would say machine sewing was one of my favorites and
most practical as a young mother. I still have my mother’s Singer featherweight machine that will be passed to the next generation.
I have to tell you that needle felting grabbed me some years ago and I use it as an adjunct to my knitting projects all the time. It mends with turtles and bees. I put a bird on a limb on the back of a sweater in honor of Portland’s “Put a Bird on It” fame. It never fails to get a smile from someone when they see the little gem hidden on my handknits.
Love Alabama Chanin’s work and I would so love her book! In addition to knitting, I do embroidery and beadwork for making jewelry.
I love free form, unplanned embroidery stitching. With beads, of course!
I made an Alabama Chanin skirt. It took me 4 years, but it is a fine thing. I’m a knitter, but I learned to embroider from my Grandmother when I was tiny. I just made a pillow for my sister’s 70th. On it was a secret word we made up when we were kids. Embroidery is my quiet place.
I sew and like to add embroidery, beading or whatever urge strikes. I also like to do leatherwork.
I love all crafting! I usually have several different type projects going at the same time! I have a knitting room and a sewing/quilting room. I love to quilt, embroider, cross-stitch, crafting primitive dolls, and sewing clothes, and of course KNITTING. My hubby gets very nervous when I pull out the lap tap and open up Pinterest – I want to try my hand at everything I see! He calls Pinterest ‘craft porn’ – hahahaha! Creating is in my blood, learning to knit from my Omi who lived in Germany, quilting from my Granny Smith who lived in in the Smoky Mountains, and sewing in my Jr. High Home Economics class and sewing adventures with my best friend Mindy. Creating is soothing, self satisfying, frustrating, instructive, lovely and soulful for me.
Sashiko – making hanafukins!
I’ve gone through phases of embroidery, crewel, needlepoint, beading, beading on fabric, and wool felting. I always return to sewing, because what I can make is always practical and useful. I am currently learning Foundation Paper Piecing from my niece – and loving it. And I have all the supplies and a book to learn paper flower crafting. There’s always something!
I love these photos so much! Women and sewing supplies. Especially the photos of hands.
Knitting is my hobby, but sewing is my passion.
Lately I have come back to free form embroidery and hand sewing tiny fabric collages for the pleasure of it.
I recently forayed into the addictive world of needle felting! Hoping to rescue a moth-bitten sweater with felted applique.
I also fall into the Never Met A Craft I Didn’t Like category. Besides knitting and crochet, I rotate between sewing, embroidery, small loom weaving, macramé, dyeing, beading/jewelry, and paper crafts. I also hope to revisit needlepoint soon, to finish a project of my mother’s.
I love doing embroidered with my granddaughters and teaching them how to sew on the sewing machine.
I have lately gotten into and loved Visible Mending. So satisfying to play with the colors and rescue a beloved sweater.
My second favorite is weaving! And I’m partway through an AC T shirt kit that’s beautiful.
Have done crochet, sewing (made all my maternity clothes for one pregnancy), weaving and counted cross stitch, but knitting has been the most enduring. By far!
I love Boro and Sashiko Stitching. So meditative.
My favorite hobby (outside of knitting) is needlepoint…I’m making a collection of small needlepoints for my granddaughter, with sayings like “hugs” and “love.”
I enjoy needlepoint. I loved crewel embroidery when I was in my early twenties. I stopped because I thought it was too girly and I needed to focus on college and making a living. I wish I could have a chat with myself back then. I would say keep doing what gives you joy….don’t worry about what anyone thinks about it.
I love to embroider. It gives me the same peace that knitting and crocheting gives me.
Other favorite handwork I enjoy……hand spinning, quilting, and of course brushing my horses.
I sewed myself mini skirts in high school and have made some quilts over the years, done a bit of spinning and weaving, but my true love is knitting. I am pretty captivated by visual mending and hand stitching, however. I am working up my courage to put down my knitting needles for a bit and pick up a sewing needle and thread for some creative stitchery.
I love to weave on my rigid heddle loom, but not enough hours in the day to do it as much as I’d like. I also like to make beaded bracelets. I’m anxiously waiting for the rescheduled School of Making event in Chi. It was originally supposed to be in June 2020….. can’t wait!
My two favorite crafts that aren’t knitting are cross stitch and painting.
Apart from knitting, I really enjoy making quilts, sewing (clothes, bags, accessories) needlepoint (cushions which brighten up our couch), cross stitch, hand sewing felt toys and oil painting. Hand sewing anything (toys, quilt binding etc) is something I find particularly satisfying.
Besides my passion for knitting, I have done some quilting and sewing lately. Recently I saw some great Japanese embroidery kitsch that I’m thinking of trying.
I’ve dabbled in needlepoint, punch needle, and quilting. I have the supplies for sashiko so I hope to try that next. Haven’t settled on a favorite yet—I always seem to come back to knitting.
Where did Natalie get her vest please?
Mending, that I’ve done long before it was a trend. I used to do invisible but now increasingly I’m doing the visible kind.
I am a self confessed serial crafter. I knit, I sew garments, I hand sew garments, I quilt, I needlepoint, I embroider. I love expressing my urge to make in things for my family, friends and of course that I can wear!
Embroidery—free-form stitching makes me fearless. I am the only gaze that matters.
Oh gosh, beading, batik, cross stitch embroidery, spinning, weaving.
My favorite non-knitting craft is needlework. I started with cross-stitch as a very young child. And I moved into hand sewing and limited embroidery when I started making my family stockings inspired by my husband’s grandmother’s legacy work.
I love to knit, but also enjoy any kind of needlework. I do modern quilting, sew clothing, knitting bags and all kinds of scrappy things 🙂 I’ve missed seeing Natalie at 2 events in Ventura, I hope now that I’m back at Patagonia, I will see her when she comes to talk.
I was an embroider and needle pointer through much of the 1970s-1980s and crocheted. Then I started to cross stitch. In 2008, I started knitting, because it is quicker and I saw the beautiful items my daughter knitted. I have some W.I.P. cross stitch pictures to finish. I love the way you can shade when cross stitching. I have cross stitch pictures in just about every room in my house. I started and finished a cross stitch while home during the pandemic. Next to knitting, I love to cross stitch.
I used to like needlepoint until my husband took it over. He completes things a lot faster than I do.
Other than knitting, I love counted cross stitch. I haven’t done it in years but my mom and sister keep it up and their work is beautiful!
Embroidery! And bookbinding, furniture refinishing, cooking, gardening, sewing… kind of you name it, to be honest! I aspire to needlepoint and cross stitch.
cross stitching
Needlepoint is my only current non-knitting thread hand making (well unless friendship bracelets count). But I am intrigued to learn more.
I am not allowed (by myself) to have any other fiber-based craft obsessions. I do not have another room in my house to devote to storage of the required materials, and my yarn and knitting and crochet books and patterns in binders do fill an entire room. Other non-fiber-based obsessions threaten to engulf another room, and there is not a third one to spare, despite the gorgeousness of fabric, for example. Self-control is required, and recognition that I already have creative supplies way beyond life expectancy stored in my house. Sad.
I like to sew and do embroidery on my knits and on fabric. I also darn and mend.
I love needlepoint and cross stitch as much as knitting.
I loved reading the comments about all the many crafts that we are all into, but especially loved the phrase, “I never met a Craft I didn’t like”! What a great way to approach life too! I have recently gotten into creating junk journals and paper crafts. I love it. I try to learn something new each year for gift giving as I like to give handmade gifts and papercrafting is my latest love. It is teaching me that creating for art’s sake and not for function is OK! Something I struggle with.
I like hand embroidery but it does take a back seat to knitting.
Embroidery
My favorite stitching besides knitting is counted cross stitch. And, oh my goodness, the patterns available today versus when I started 30 years ago. It amazes me the patterns you can do as well as the new threads available.
Lately it’s been book binding and working on sewing beautiful spines with mixed waxed threads. I’m on the cusp of some new paper and fabric sewing for covers also.
I did a visible mend recently, and that has shoved other things aside. At least for now!
Sewing but not from scratch. I love remaking things that are out of style or salvaging worn out pieces into something new. Luckily, old styles are baggy (80’s, have lots of those!) and can be cut down, resewn and repurposed. The young women in my family unfortunately think I’m crazy. I will continue to work on them.
I love smocking and sewing heirloom children’s outfits and stitching reproduction samplers (with all kinds of specialty stitches along with cross stitch : )
I love to do embroidery and appliqué work but haven’t done it for awhile. Many years ago my mom and I made hand-appliquéd memory squares for a quilt shop. I loved making those sweet blocks knowing they would be part of someone’s special memory quilt
I’m a big fan of origami! I once spent a whole year making an origami dinosaur every week and decorating my room with them.
My favorite alternate handwork is Hardänger embroidery. I haven’t done any in a while, but think about it often.
Cross stitch is fun for me.
Embroidery or hand quilting are my favorite types of handwork. I always like to have something to work on.
I love embroidery.
Cross stitch. It’s very meditative. Appliqué is more difficult for me but fulfilling.
Let’s see. My potholder loom stays busy when I need a break from knitting. And I like to play with my small weave mending loom. And I do have an embroidery hoop I play with from time to time.
I’m a knitter first and foremost. But with retirement I’ve been trying to embrace being a beginner to learn new craft skills, mainly sewing and embroidery. I have a ways to go!
I love to embroider! And, Kay, I still remember the long AC skirt that you were stitching on last minute before a wedding (?) that you were attending. What a beautiful silhouette.
My favorite hand work involves teaching my younger (adult) child all the crafts they are willing to learn. Knitting and crocheting, for instance. We learned to dye yarn together. Next I will teach them needlepoint
Embroidery, preferably layered on knitting or quilting. More is more!
I like to mend – mostly visible mending. I sew sometimes, occasionally needle felt, and mostly knit.
Besides Crochet and knitting I’d have to say hand quilting. Then needle felting, clothes making, embroidery. For years I was a seamstress at a design company sewing dance costumes, cheer and colorguard costumes for schools. I’ve done a very small amount of weaving and making Dorset buttons. I’ve tried a LOT of different things. 🙂
My favorite new thing is practicing Sashiko stitching to use on a quilt I made.
Needlepoint, embroidery, paper crafts, some simple sewing – hemming, pillow cases, apron, table runners. So many projects, so little time.
Needlepoint led me back to knitting in the early 2000s. I still put in a stitch or two every so often.
Wow I have had my hand at so many hand crafts. But right now focusing on crocheting, embroidering and making my own clothes the simple ones!!
I am a lifelong maker of garments, quilts,needlepoint etc I am now not able to use my fingers as well but still can knit and crochet. That keeps me making and a blessing
I had a quilting spell in my late twenties—early thirties. Somehow at the time it seemed faster than knitting. But then I went back to knitting.
I’ve done a little bit of a lot of things, with knitting coming out on top. Next, however, is wool embroidery. LOVE the rustic, simplistic look of the things I make. I’ve branched out to wool or wool felt flowers, and am smitten again. It never ends!
I love hand stitching lace and beads onto wedding veils
I love needlework, embroidery, and sewing…as well as knitting and crocheting. Oh, and macrame, too.
I enjoy Quilting and use to do some embroidery. Have not done that in a while
Needlework is my go-to after knitting.
Quilting!
Does mending count? It’s so, so satisfying to use a combination of techniques to move something from being unusable to being back into the rotation.
Mending is such a great skill, and like fixing anything, involves so much creativity. I’m sure it’s really satisfying.
After knitting I love embroidery … but enjoy any fiber art handwork from quilting to needlepoint, batik and basket weaving, fiber dyeing and felting!
These days I mostly knit and occasionally sew but I started my fiber journey with embroidery as a teenager. I’ve bought the Geometry of Hand Sewing and plan to treat myself to School of Making fabric and supplies for my birthday.
I love cross stitch and embroidery. Living on the Big Island of Hawaii (on the wet side!) I’ve become a seasonal crafter. Summer months are too humid and sticky for yarn work, so I knit and crochet when it cools down. Holding a needle and hoop is perfect and cooler for those warm months.
My passion is recycling with rug hooking, but hand stitching runs right behind it.
I have long been a fan of Ms Chanin. Such magic!
My other favorite needlework projects are needlepoint and embroidery.
When I’m not knitting, I’m sewing. I make things with felted wool (shrunken thrift shop sweaters), and I repair clothes that would otherwise be thrown away, particularly denim jeans.
I have an infatuation with Sashiko❣️
Love to do counted cross stitch on 28 count Irish linen.
My favorite craft and also the one I am the most skilled at is knitting. A few years ago, I bought “all the things” to do a Chanin skirt— watched the videos, bought one of her books, thought I would spray paint it the stencil on my own fabric—-I found my plans were too ambitious for the time of life I am in, but hoping one day to develop my skills in hand sewing and beading!!
I love handspinning. And I long to be a better sewist and to make garments.
Reluctant sewer. Would love to learn embroidery.
I made my first Alabama Chanin project last summer. I am HOOKED! I have plans for an A-line dress, but am kind of stuck on the stencil issue, actually. So I am a newly minted hand-sewing fan (but have machine sewed for years — in fact I plan to machine sew a muslin [out of knit obv] to check fit — I did have issues with my “bird” t-shirt.
I’ve been really inspired by Sonia Philip’s THE ACT OF SEWING, and have been working my way through the book. It’s so approachable and fun!
I enjoy quilting, but I have beaded many dance costumes and really enjoy turning tulle and chiffon into a sparkly, magical creation.
Needlepoint it is, for me!
I love potholder weaving; so soothing, when I’m not knitting.
I haven’t done needlepoint for a while, but I’d like to get back to it. It’s so much fun to make a design and then make it happen using a needle, yarn, and canvas!
I love textiles. All kinds. Knitting, crochet, quilting, garment sewing. My “love” for each grows and ebbs. Right now, I am really enjoying garment sewing, but I just ordered some new yarn and am looking forward to casting on. Alabama Chanin garments and designs are glorious and Natalie is such an inspiration!
Crosstitch!
I love paper and fabric!! Even just wrapping a present well is a happy moment. Not the best seamstress, but making furoshiki so I can look at big blocks of a cool fabric pattern brings a lot of contentment.
Lately, I’ve just been knitting and sewing, but I do enjoy embroidery and recently bought a Sashiko kit that I’m looking forward to doing.
Other than knitting, the other craft that I do that uses my hands is baking! Particularly pies and cookies.
I spin have been since I was 14. I am now 70 so I have a lot of yarn to use up. I knit but also weave and crochet. And still I buy more fiber and yarn. It’s a never ending battle that I love to pursue.
I’ve gotten into small loom weaving, rigid heddle, pin, and inkle looms
Weaving! I mistakenly thought I would use up my knitting yarn stash (can we say storage unit?) by learning to weave. What I found is that I like to weave with finer threads and now have a whole new stash! Always room for learning more.
I make my own cards using stamps and water colors, pens, glitter, sequins, flower petals, leaves and washi tape. Love coming up with the designs and seeing them take shape on the paper.
I love cross stitch!
I enjoy needlepoint. It can be a carry along project and can incorporate multiple types of stitches. I like machine sewing, but it’s not portable
My favorite is hand stitching garments designed by Natalie Chanin! I love the mindfulness of the stitching and they’re so comfortable to wear.
I really enjoy sewing my own clothes – a work in progress, but I’ve surprised myself at how great things can turn out with patience and practice. Much like everything else in life!
Embroidery!
I sew, including stitching a lot by hand that could be done by machine – but much less pleasantly. I embroider, with and without beads; do some wet and dry felting and a little spinning.
Counted cross stitch is my non- knitting, non-crocheting craft.
Love Nathalie Chanin! Have all her books. Bought two kits. Dream of going to a workshop. But since i am in Europe, it’s a faint dream…Crafting. Well, I make all my own clothes including bras and knickers I love handstitching parts of them, for perfect hems and bias binding. Zips too. Knit, of course! Have at least four things on the go right
now, ranging from easy peasy for watching Jack Ryan, and complex for watching Father Brown :). Crochet too. I weave, sporadically, when I am feeling very calm… because my knitter’s loom makes me nervous as it’s rock and roll – god bless ashford. And I occasionall embroider. Currently slowly covering the front of a grey Irish linen slip dress in deep jewel covered flowers. Would love the new book, of course…
I love any kind of embroidery. I learned from my Grandmother, when my brother and sister were taking a lot of my mother’s time. I still have some of my first pieces.. Some of my latest are counted cross stitch and good looking holiday pieces.
My go-to needlework was always counted cross stitch, but lately I’m enjoying embroidery again. And can’t wait to stitch the Alabama Chanin scarf I got at Christmas!
My favorite craft, second only to knitting, is quilting. I learned cross-stitch as a kid and loved the tidiness of that needlework.
Beading! I need to do more of it but knitting has stolen my attention,
I love to see people thriving on the making of things slow. Although knitting is my go to craft, I also enjoy tatting.
I once saw someone years ago tatting and I, pre internet, learned to tat with a shuttle using various books. I still enjoy the intricacies of tatting and the possibilities it creates.
Aside from knitting and crocheting, I make handmade cards with stamping, die cutting, and recently have the urge to get back to needle felting (novice), as I received a kit to make a multicolored heart garland.
What a treat! I am on OG fan of AC, lucky to be close to the magic of Natalie in Alabama. My hand crafts began with jewelry, then a few corsets and tees from Natalie’s first few books, then learning natural dye of cotton…which led to dyeing wool…which led to YouTube University of knitting to put that wool to use! I am smitten with knitting, spinning, weaving —and am enjoying my first machine sewing lesson this weekend.
It’s always so hard to chose just one favorite! Apart from knitting, sewing is my fibre passion. It’s so rewarding to be able to make your own clothes, from drafting to assembling and then adding finishing touches with embroidery. I’d love to push the process a little further and learn to weave (since I already spin), but I need more space in my flat
Smocking and sewing for myself and my grandchildren.
When I’m not knitting, I enjoy making beaded bracelets and earrings. I also do counted cross stitch. If there were more hours in the day, I would love to sew clothing patterns a la Sonja Philip.
I started my crafting journey in the sewing arts. First as a means to decorate myself, and then as a way to clothe myself.
I love everything Alabama Chanin!
I enjoy cross-stitch
I quilt/sew during the daylight hours, eat dinner, and then I knit. I don’t seem to be able to just sit and do nothing. After I turn off the TV and get ready for bed, I sit in bed for another hour and read. I has become a routine since my husband moved into a memory care facility. I look forward to each part every day.
I’m mad for embroidery, especially applied to hand-knitted sweaters.
Drawing with thread. Handstitching.
I love needlepoint and cross stich. While knitting is still my main free-time occupation, there is something relaxing about the in-and-out of needlepoint and cross stitch. You always know where to go, it is only a matter of color and pattern in needlepoint and color, pattern and correct counting in cross stitch. My biggest personal fear is a loss of eyesight – I don’t know how I would cope with the loss of my deep pleasure that color, texture, pattern and form gives me. I am grateful for every day experiencing needlework.
I make art quilt and have even sold work in galleries and was a featured local artist of the month at West Elm. But I have probably tried just about everything with textiles except for weaving and spinning. Heck, I even tried to teach myself to tat as a child.
Embroidery, sewing clothes. Quilts. Decorating fabric with embroidery or dye for crafting. Pretty much love most needlecrafts.
Although knitting is my daily handwork, and my most recently acquired skill. Sewing and garment construction has been the constant in my life. I started in 4H sewing in the third grade and have been a sewist ever since. Along the way I’ve enjoyed cross stitch, embroidery, macrame, crochet, and am sure there were others along the way. I have an internal need to create and am grateful to have a variety of ways to do just that.
Needlepoint is my go to needlework if I am not knitting
I love just about all handwork. Quilting and Embroidery have been my faves of late.
Besides knitting I love embroidery and sewing. I’m obsessed with all things knitting lately but want to get make to more sewing and embroidery. Making things has been a passion throughout my life.
For other handwork, I choose quilting. I haven’t done in a while but I’m itching to try sashiko again, maybe a big project like a bed cover.
Handcraft dilettante here: knitting, crochet (for edges and in memory of my crafty grandma), seeing, quilting, visible mending, embroidery (next up, abstract embroidery!) and clay.
Thanks for sharing the books!
I’m a lapsed hooker (of rugs, that is).
My favorite hand made by me that is not a “yarny” work is a cross stitch of white only stitches on a navy aida cloth. It is a street scene in a calm snow. It is framed and hanging in my ex-husband’s house in a perfect spot – on an overhead beam, just the right height and length. I should have taken a picture of it so I can feel its power to calm me whenever needed.
I have made skirts and tees from Alabama Chanin patterns, and I’m now doing English paper piecing hexagons. I love s-l-o-w handwork of any sort!
Japanese shibori indigo resist dyeing!
I’ve been a quilter for years and years but I am also a Japanophile. Lately I’ve been teaching myself sashiko and getting closer to consistent rice-size stitches.
I enjoy embroidery.
i spin my own yarn. I also love embroidery. What fun this is.
My favorite hand work right now is mending. Visible mending of jeans – so much fun.
I have dabbled in and enjoyed embroidery, needlepoint, sewing, and quilting, but beading is my favorite. I love making jewelry. I would like to do it all, if only I had the time and energy to do so. I only discovered Alabama Chanin recently, and I am intrigued.
For years I have been a ‘needlepointer’ who loves exploring different techniques, colors and fiber types, beading and shading, hand painted vs. printed canvas…Awhile ago, needlework exploded on the scene and I was right there. What was the draw for me? Color. Design. and the people I met along the way at gatherings and our weekly class with a local designer. What a journey!
I love embroidery and hand stitching tiny little things.
Some sewing and quilting. I’ve also begun felting which is fun, but knitting and spinning are what I always return to.
Quilting! Next is Cross-stitch!
Oh my gosh! Where to start. I learned to embroider at a very young age – before I learned to knit. I remember the little dime store kits that I go and made up. I was probably seven years old. I have explored embroidery, needlepoint, counted cross stitch, hard anger and most recently visible mending. Let’s stick a little spinning and weaving in the mix. I cannot quite bring myself to hem with a sewing machine — it needs to be done by hand on anything but shortening blue jeans.
Does mending count? Whether it’s the satisfaction of practically invisible or boldly decorative, breathing new life into an old favorite thrills me.
I learned to sew at an early age from my mother as she made beautiful clothes. As I grew up I learned knitting, cross stitch, spinning wool, weaving,
quilting and am now enjoying cross stitch again. Although I could not resist the beautiful hat design from Arne and Carlos.
I have been in love with all fiber arts since my mother taught me to crochet when I was 9 years old. I taught myself to knit when I was 16 and when I was married in my 20’s I learned crewel embroidery and needlepoint, and did some plastic canvas bargello, too.
I found a book on Temari in the library and taught myself, and later others at my local craft shop, how to make these wonderful embroidered Japanese handballs. Tatting came along in my 30’s and in my 50’s I learned to weave on a “cricket” table loom.
The love affair continues with knitting and crochet, but I am always open to the next adventure.
Sewing, my first craft and one I even made a (kind of) living from when I worked in a ballet company’s costume shop. Lately, I’ve been drawn to the idea of embroidery, so this book might set me in my way.
I’m a quilter and a knitter. I make scrappy quilts and I let interesting yarn do the work in my knitting.
I like both embroidery and quilting, although my first love is always knitting. I think a pillowcase with an embroidered edge under a handmade quilt (that I pay someone to quilt because I am not interested in that noise) is a great thing to welcome me to bedtime.
I like to quilt by hand after piecing the quilt top on my machine.
I also enjoy mending by hand and embroidery.
Hoping to win this book, thanks for the chance!
Hand appliqué is my favorite kind of handwork. It’s the endorphin releasing needle turning and tiny invisible stitches. I use silk thread and have filled bobbin cases with every color so I’m always at the ready to sew any little piece of fabric down.
Embroidery is my newest adventure after many years of cross stitching. I love the sounds of needle, threads ,and fabric!
I like smocking
The list is too long! I started embroidery at age 5 then moved on to sewing clothes around age 10. Since retiring as a seamstress, I focus on quilting, embroidery (including wool applique, counted cross stitch, and raised monogramming). But knitting takes presidence over all. Too much fun!
I love embroidery, crewel, latch hook, beading, hand quilting! It’s all so
Thank you! I enjoy all kinds of Embroidery.I have done quite a bit of Shashiko and enjoy doing free style embroidery as well.I have made quite a few quilts and love beading which I find intriguing but hard.I have read Natalie’s previous books and I do own her geometry of hand sewing book.
Thanks again for this Raffle.
I love embroidery. Working on linen, or wool felt. And some beads thrown in always helps.
I love to do needlepoint, making the kind of pillows almost no one makes anymore. Big, detailed flowers of bouquets, or cats of all stripes. Knitting is probably my fave needlework du jour, though.
I do like all crafts needlepoint, cross stitch embroidery.
A mix of spinning (spindle and wheel) and macramé. Also love looking at quilt patterns though I’ve never made one.
Besides knitting and crocheting, I enjoy making quilts, beading, and am venturing back into the wonderful world of embroidery which I learned from my mother when I was a little girl.
Quilting and occasionally making a dress out of IKEA bedding.
I love handmaking so many things! I love to sew and quilt and knit and crochet of course. I love cross stitch and I really want to explore English paper piecing !
I am a sewist first, having started at age 10. All of the other stitching–embroidery, knit, crochet, counted cross stitch–came later. At this point, my go-to after knitting is quilting. I’m not making anything huge or fancy, just table runners & wall hangings. There’s a lot to explore.
Smocking, visible mending, needlepoint. Hmmmmmm. Should I make that car coat?
I am a long-time quilter who loves hand stitching. I’ve admired her style for years. I also love kantha quilts from India. The big-stitch quilting just draws me in!
I am newish to sewing, both by hand and with a sewing machine. I used to sit by my mother as a child and stitch along while she sewed. Fast forward to a Sonya Phillips class and I’m back at it!
My mom taught me early to sew my own clothes. Always, my hands need to be working.
The creativity of stitching with needle and thread is a familiar siren call and my sewing machine reigns again on the dining room table. I like to embroider and have experimented at Sashiko stitching with fun results.
I love embroidery!
I love cross-stitch!
Small squares of embroidery
Ebroidery is next best to knitting — thanks for reminding me that I need to make time for re-learning this craft. If I only had my hand-embroidered and patched Levi’s from the late 70s! I loved those jeans. Alabama Chanin’s work is so amazing, and I’m glad MDK has been shining a light on it these last few years.
I’ve tried so many handwork projects over the years, but I’m not sure there is a favorite. If I had to pick, it would be a hard choice between needlepoint and crossstitch.
I love all things fabric and embroidery floss!
I’ve just discovered weaving. Very addictive and a great outlet for some special stash yarn. I also like to sew bags.
I’m learning Bobbin and I am obsessed! (In a good way!) I’m not super great at it, but we do have an active lace-makers group in my area who are amazing.
Bobbin Lace… wish we could edit for when we get too excited.
Embroidery and detailed finish work that is a marvel to see.
In addition to knitting I love needlepoint and cross stitch. I have done quilting and embroidery and I do sew clothing and home projects. I just cannot imagine life without creativie outlets and I thank God for these gifts. Thank you for keeping fiber enthusiasts stimulated!
I love knitting. I love yarn and I love wool. Along with many wonderful fiber crafts I do I probably would pick spinning yarn as a second love. I have just washed a beautiful brown gray blue face leister fleece which will take a long time to hand card and spin. That should keep me out of trouble for a while!
I grew up in the 70’s and loved to macrame. I made a few books filled with poetry and photos although for the life of me, I don’t remember how the pages were sewn together. And yes, the poems were mine, probably full of angst and no capital letters.
Now I mostly knit, but on occasion you will find me at the sewing machine or the rigid heddle loom. But creating something out of ropes and knots is hovering in the background.
My other favorite craft is handweaving. Which is a good way to use up yarn snippets left over from knitting. I have been an Alabama Chanin fan for many many years and it has inspired me to not only blend my crafts, but also to recycle in creative ways. Then wear it
I’ve had a peep inside this book and it’s joyous. I love hand stitching and apart from finishes when dressmaking, I also embroider, do English Paper Pieces and whole cloth quilting. And I’ve made an Alabama Chanin cardigan! Your photos have reminded me that I promised myself a car coat for this year …..
Sewing. It is sewing. Well, or weaving. I do like weaving. But also morely maybe is sewing. Not sure if I have been watching the Alabama Chanin with a big eye for quite long enough to join the bandwagon. I am the slowest joiner of all, but I have loved it and “been meaning to” for over a decade.
My favorite fiber craft that’s not knitting or crocheting is quiltmaking! I’ve also done cross stitch and bobbin lace.
I thoroughly enjoy knitting, but also love to quilt and sew clothing and accessories. I love learning new quilting techniques. I am trying new plants in my garden for dying so that i can dye more fabric to use in my sewing. I would love to spend more time on hand sewing and embroidery, i have projects in my to do list.
New to quilting but love the journey of piecing and learning how to chose fabrics, colors, patterns and stitches.
Hand-sewing, little felt creatures, and simple embroidery, mending, embellishments on clothing are my favorites.
Cross stitch is my second favourite craft (other than knitting). I am looking forward to trying embroidery – I have all of the supplies – I just have to set down my knitting needles long enough to try it!
Beads beads beads! Knitting is my home, something I can do anytime anywhere, but beadwork is a block of time at my bench with proper lighting and good posture. I’m a big fan of the Contemporary Geometric Beadwork gang led by Kate McKinnon.
Visible Mending is my new favorite when I’m not knitting. A little flower here and there makes everything old look new again!
I was taught to crochet and knit at a very young age but never found the patience to sit and work on it, so my mother then taught me Cross-stitch and embroidery as well. I did counted cross-stitch for many years before I picked up knitting again.
Embroidery!
I’ve circled back to it my entire life.Cross stitcheddress in my hippie youth,, mottos and European embroidery kits, and now visible mending. Love it all
After the usual suspects (knitting and crocheting) I like to do counted crossstitch. I’ve also done small bits of embroidery. I like combining threads of different colors to create variations.
I ordered the scarf kit from MDK for myself and my daughter-in/law and myself. I’m really enjoying doing the stitching on that and incorporating some beads. So much fun.
Embroidery and bookmaking are my distractions from knitting.
I love counted cross stitch, and would like to learn embroidery as well.
I love most crafts – cross stitch is probably my favorite
Hand sewn garments, quilting, needlepoint, spinning, weaving, I don’t know how to choose between them!
Any activity that uses fabric and a sewing machine gives me pleasure.
Sewing whether it is quilting or clothing is my long time interest.
This past year I’ve added weaving to my favorite craft of knitting. I’ve woven kitchen towels and a scarf on a 4 harness floor loom and I’m now learning card weaving on an inkle loom to make some interesting straps for my handbags. I also joined the local weavers’ guild where I’ve met such lovely people who are so kind, generous and helpful with their weaving knowledge.
Needlepoint was my first handcraft from long ago, even before knitting! It helped teach me to be patient and focus on the project.
Sewing on buttons
I’m a knitter to the bone but would love to be a quilter and stitcher. Maybe this book will get me on my way!
Needlepoint. Love to pull it out in the summer and work on it on the back porch. I have a collection of Ehrman kits from the 80s and 90s acquired from Ebay that bring me joy.
Collage-making!
Knitting keeps me sane – and I’m determined to work down my stash. In between projects, I love to sew. I am a very, very beginner, but I love creating from fabrics. Also love embroidery and needlepoint.
So many choices, but I do enjoy quilting and needle punching.
I did hand beading on fabric when I made my Renaissance wedding dress 19 years ago
Traditional rug hooking with either wool strips or wool yarn. I learned 23 years ago and almost always have a rug in progress on my frame.
Sewing my own clothes. Have evolved from very simple to quite detailed and now back to simple with (what I hope is) an artsy attitude.
I started out cross-stitching around the age of 8 or 9. Crochet and knitting followed a decade and two later, respectively. I’ve decided I’m on my final cross-stitch project ever because it’s now hard on my eyes, but it’s a pattern that represents my mom who died too young to meet her grandkids. It will hang in my kids’ room when it’s finished.
This past summer, a friend shared these beautiful fabric collages she makes from scraps. It’s so lovely just to choose and stitch just for the sake of making. I’m also a fan of embroidery, but just a beginner at this point.
I love sewing and embroidery.
Sewing and spinning!
I am a quilter and I love to work on wool. It is felted and you use embroidery floss to decorate.. I make Christmas ornaments for my grandchildren and table runners.
I’m definitely a sewing – used to make a lot of my own clothes for work. Now I like the challenge of recreating fashion using mostly linen. Love the structure and easy care!
I love to needlepoint. I sew and embroider and bead, too, but needlepoint is my favorite after knitting.
My 2023 challenge is to tackle the bead kit i bought…oh well, lets just say a while ago.
i don’t know if this counts, but before i was a knitter, i made books by hand (not as a profession, just a hobby) and it’s definitely a form of sewing and considering there are paper yarns out there, stitching together paper into books is not THAT different!
I have been a knitter and sewer for many decades. Recently taken up visible mending as well as dipping my toes in quilting
Although knitting and crochet were the first handwork crafts I learned (and I’m a hard core knitter now), I fell hard for counted cross stitch in my teens. I churned out so many beautiful wall hangings that never got hung lol.
I am a new quilter, but also looking at opportunities to learn embroidery.
Hand-sewing (clothing at the moment after reading Louisa Owen Sonstroem’s book, although I had an intense period of embroidery and counted cross stitch as a teenager).
When I am not knitting, I am quilting, or weaving, or making clothes. But knitting is my real love!
Sewing and Brazilian embroidery are my 2 favorite handy crafts
Embroidery was my first favorite then crochet, but now knitting has taken first place.
Along with knitting, I make quilts and embroider……..Hand embroidery is beautiful but I have also branched out to machine embroidery in some instances!
Needlework. I think that would be in the top three of my many fibre crafts. Like many, I do like to be multicraftual.
My first love after knitting would be quilting. I taught many classes in my 12 years as an encourager of piecing, quilting, color and design exploration, as well as incorporating quilting into clothing in a fashionable and wearable manner. I still pull out the sewing machine and work on something colorful and fun when I am not knitting.
I have many fibery pursuits, – the most recent is band weaving on a small loom.!
There isn’t any handcraft that I do with the frequency or passion of knitting, but I truly enjoy putting together a patchwork quilt – especially of the “crazy quilt’ variety, with lots of decorative embroidery along the seams. I had a wonderful antique crazy quile made by my great-great aunt, but lost it in a housefire. My dream is to someday make one like it.
Besides knitting: mending.
I’m exploring embroidery and needlepoint! Stitching is so profoundly relaxing and meditative. I’m starting from the beginning, starting small, and adding stitches to my repertoire as I proceed. Next up: dyeing with natural plant materials!
I was fortunate to learn about Alabama Chanin and meet Natalie very early on, around the time of her first book. As I sat next to her at an intimate workshop in Brooklyn, I was in awe of her considerable gift to seduce an audience. A few dozen AC pieces later, (and a magical weekend spent at her Factory in Florence!), I’m reminded that it’s time to get out the needle and thread and some organic cotton Jersey. I’ve got my eye on her new Tony stencil.
I began counted cross stitching decades ago, but gave it up when my house became happily full of children and I was homeschooling and then working. Now I’m retired, so I am stocked up and ready to go with counted cross stitch projects–in-between knitting.
Embroidery is my second fav after knitting. Sometimes I like to combine the two!
I am a weaver, spinner, and some time needle pointer. Lately, the ideas have been coming faster for knitting than the other crafts, so I’m primarily spending my time knitting.
I enjoy quilting but I hope to begin sewing some simple garments for myself soon.
If I weren’t knitting, I would be quilting. Hand quilting. Piecing is just a mechanism to get to the quilting part. Jen’s pocket video is absolutely amazing!!!
I enjoy doing free-hand embroidery. No pattern to follow, just embellishing cloth with an assortment of stitches. It’s very meditative and can occupy me for hours at a time. Also I’m newly engaged with spinning on a supported spindle. Also meditative, but currently equally confounding.
I grew up learning all the needle arts and so it’s hard to pick a favourite. I’ve done them all – needlepoint, cross-stitch, quilting, hand appliqué, macrame and on and on. I think I’d pick sewing,if forced to pick. It gives gratification to see a project come together relatively quickly.
Beading and cross stitch
Currently, I’m pretty much just a Knitter! I used to sell a lot of my own clothes and my kids when they were younger. I’ve tried lots of things and used to make herbal salves and potions. Are used to do cross, stitch and other embroidery. Would love to get back into it.
Knitting is my #1, but I also love to embroider. Really, anything I can do with my hands, including baking and gardening. My she-shed is my happy place, full of yarn and fabric, my constant inspiration.
I love many crafts besides yarn-related ones, but especially embroidery. I am currently making smocked dresses for my granddaughters!
Embroidery! I did a lot of it as a kid, with stamped canvas, and then during lockdown returned to it after a 40-year hiatus and made a sampler. Have also completed two wee counted cross-stitch projects. I first saw Natalie’s work in a Selvedge article years ago, and then saw Rosanne Cash perform in one of Natalie’s stunning coats. I’m not much of a sewist but I have been coveting a “me-made” Alabama Chanin project for a while. Would love to win a copy of the new book!
Visible mending for fun. “Upcycled” a $3 (moth holed) cashmere sweater from goodwill using contrasting yarn and creating a unique new look.
I sew, embroider, knit, pour resin and crochet and am about to start beading again after being inspired by my expert beading sister-in-law. I also read ALL the crafting books, blogs and Instagrams and was once lucky enough to take a class with Natalie Chanin and then made my daughter a corset.
Embroidery, though I don’t know much about it and don’t get to do it very often.
There aren’t too many handcrafts I haven’t tried. My very first projects were doing embroidery along with my mother. I remember embroidering the napkins that matched the tablecloth my mother made for my sister’s hope chest. To this day, I search for small embroidery projects. They have a great way of calming my day.
I started my making/crafting journey with sewing and quilting with my mom and sister. I also enjoyed building doll houses, latch hook, making clay figures, painting and drawing.
I love any craft!
Sewing is my favorite other handwork, but started embroidering a pair of jeans last year (an ongoing project), and have also taken up nalbinding recently.
Needlepoint & knitting primarily. I am signed up to go to the School of Making in May!! Can’t wait to start sewing again
I am learning rug hooking. It has only one stitch, but there are many techniques for making that stitch makers must experiment with to get the results they want. The opportunity for creativity is endless!
After many, many years, I have returned to hand embroidery. I am adding it to my textile art to add another dimension beyond the free motion machine embroidery and quilting. Like knitting, it can be so meditative. I would love a copy of this book. What a generous gift!
Everything fiber arts. Spinning, weaving, felting, embroidery and machine knitting (although, I guess that’s still knitting 🙂 )
I’ve always loved embroidery…especially visible mending!
As I age, I am realizing the incredible gift I was given as a child. I was taught to embroider, see, knit, and crewel. I think. Embroidery is my favorite.
Are you kidding? Anything with a needle and some sort of string. In one word, everything. Which I also thank you for.
Aside from knitting and crocheting, I love needlepoint.
It’s a toss up between sewing and beading. I haven’t done either in awhile but am itching to sew. This book looks fantastic – think I’ll buy it if I don’t win!
I want to weave tea towel,not wall hangings. I saw a show on fabric production in Italy on fantastic looms but not achievable for me.
I have fond memories of doing bargello needlepoint in high school!
I’m strictly a knitter, but my mom hooks rugs that are truly works of art. She’s been rug hooking and making her own designs for over two decades and I’m so in awe of what she creates.
I pretty much to any craft with a “string”. I started out in stamped cross stitch embroidery with my grandmother and moved onto crewel and needlepoint. Growing up in the 1970s when the Bicentennial was coming up brought a massive resurgence in handcrafts, especially quilting. I learned to crochet and much later knit. I got into counted xstitch and passed a lot of these crafts on to my daughter. I currently have counted xstitch, quilting , and needlepoint in the works. It’s interesting that now all these “hand” crafts are good for you with stress and anxiety.
Knitting is probably my greatest love. I have recently learned to crochet granny squares and am down a rabbit hole with that. I love to sew and have been making baby clothes and fixing canvas work for our boat. I even learned to take apart and fix my serger! It all started with gardening 30 years ago and I still love to dig in the dirt.
I forgot mending and needlework. When I visit my mom, I work on a piece started by her mom and then worked on be her. I am finishing the background-melding colors like a good hand dye.
I like and do needlepoint. Hate counted cross stitch but will do some crewel embroidery. I have a daughter who does wonderful free-form embroidery and sells it! Runs in the family.
Various types of embroidery are my favorites. They chum up to a lot of the mending jobs!
Sewing with my trusty Bernina 830 (the classic 830!!) and hand stitching.
My favorite depends on my current obsession. I like to needlepoint, embroider, smock, quilt & sew and I’ve got the supplies to prove it I’m in a knitting phase right now though.
Visible mending is a lot of fun!
Needlepoint, specifically bargello needlepoint! It not only works up faster than one-hole-one-stitch kind, it creates geometric patterns and adds texture, much like quilting and knitting. Doodling with gorgeous yarns!
Spinner, sewer, and embroidery. Weaving with texture is up next. Have to craft and keep these hands creating!
I would love to see any book by Natalie Chanin! I have been sewing and knitting since I was nine years old (not that I was doing a great job with either, but hey….). It’s hard to say which I love more. I like it that I can take knitting with me, which is harder to do with a sewing machine. So I GUESS I will say I love knitting the most, but if I could learn some embroidery techniques, that travel-friendly option just might become the favorite : )
I enjoy quilting and love embroidering: I am slowly decorating a cheap cargo jacket with California birds and flowers. Very slowly.
So many choices, its hard to pick a favorite way of working with the hands…..pretty mending, making little stuffies and dolls, patchwork, and the embroidery that makes these extra special endlessly satisfying. Thanks for the inspiration you all constantly provide!
I cut my teeth in crafting with cross stitch–I stitched Dad’s initials on a handkerchief (who carries those any more??) that he kept for years. I think I was 5 or 6. I was re-introduced to cross stitch in Jr High school Home-Ec and love it to this day. I have done some craft weaving and other embroidery. So very satisfying! A piece I cross stitched for my Grandma was bequeathed back to me and it hangs in my kitchen now. I love learning new techniques, too!
In addition to Knitting and crochet, I spin. I’d almost rather spin yarn than knit it, as it’s such immediate gratification. I also repurpose vintage jewelry to make suncatchers to hang in the garden or a sunny window. My craft space is filled with yarn, fiber, and beads.
I love any kind of hand stitching, whether artful or practical. There is something really relaxing and rewarding about it.
I love the articles in MDK! I have recently started learning beading on cuffs and a bit of jewelry. I’m loving it. Thank you Dow the wonderful giveaway!
Needlepoint, counted-cross-stitch, free-form embroidery…the list goes on.
At present I am a quilter who loves the hand work. I have recently become enamored with big stitch quilting on small projects.
Back in the day, counted cross stitch was my go-to … with age, my eyes can’t handle it.
My grandma taught me to crochet when I was 8 yrs old. A cousin taught me to knit when I was 11. Knitting is my constant crafting project.
However, I love needlework like the kits from Elizabeth Bradley designs.They are thought of as needlepoint but the stitch on the canvas is really a crossstitch which makes a firmer more durable finished cloth than needlepoint. Think pillows, pillows, and more pillows.
I also like cross-stitch projects. Many are small and so portable for working anywhere.I take a small neck hung magnifier with me.
Macrame is fun and easy for making lots of different things—belts, purses, eyeglass cords. My daughter in law made a beautiful wall hanging combining a good sized piece of driftwood while she was visiting Mexico.
Tatting is tedious for me but I have made trim for pillowcases and for baby garments.
So many crafts—so little time. I want to learn calligraphy !
I like to embroider in addition to sewing.
Definitely cross stitch. Though my eyes are having more trouble on linen these days.
Just love this note today. Yearning to learn more about sashiko….I’ve done a bit on handmade bags with dyed indigo antique kimonos. Must look this book up. Thanks for enriching my Saturday mornings!
All sorts of hand work – I love to learn new techniques. Currently I am engrossed in embroidering a floral textile collage.
I sew, and I like hand sewing. That includes embroidery, to me, and embroidery was the first craft my mother taught me. I’ve made a couple of shirts in the Russian or Ukrainian style, and learned Yemenite embroidery from an Israeli woman who learned it at school. I make our Ren Faire clothing; nothing really fancy, and some of our folk dance clothing, and now, costumes for my grand children.
I have been known to play with beads and some embroidery. Need to do more of that!
When I’m not knitting, I’m making dolls for my babies. And now, grandbabies.
If I am not knitting (please note that I crochet under duress only, my bad!), I am embroidering.
I like to make shawl pins out of metal wire.
Embroidery. Always have an embroidery project going.
For me it is knitting (more recent) and crochet (35 years). I also enjoy hand embroidery and occasionally machine sewing (and have since a child.) I take pleasure not only in the doing but in the connecting with the past thru fiber.
I’ve recently started adding sashiko stitches to some of my sewn garments to make them feel even more special. The handwork forces me to slow down and is so meditative, much like knitting.
I’ve been enjoying some visible mending and also embroidery.
I am a big fan of black work. It gives me a sense of progress that I don’t always get from knitting. 1
I love hand making cards. Choosing the colors and embellishments and then adding the sentiment. Way better than Hallmark.
Sewing! Needlepoint! Quilting! Hand sewing dolls. I’m a Waldorf teacher!
My adult daughter, who needlepoints, and I, a knitter, love to paint together. We create or find a design we like and paint canvases. Like many others, we also started painting rocks when the pandemic started. I recently took a beginning sewing class offered by our public library and just purchased the materials to start my own project from home (pajama pants).
I’m a knitter, but have done cross stitch in the past. I use to sew my sons’ Halloween costumes. I’ve been intrigued with English paper piecing, but I think that will have to wait until I’m retired from teaching.
I am a quilter. I love piecing in traditional and new ways.
Sewing unusual clothes and all kinds of bags.
Sewing!
Lampworking glass beads was one of the greatest things I’ve ever taken on craft wise. I took a 1 day class at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA & was instantly hooked. I’m sure I was helped along by the fact that I felt a little riot grrrl because my craft required a torch. Ahhh youth!
I have dabbled in hand sewing and hand quilting.
I actually love embroidery, just don’t do it enough. This book might be just what I need to jump-start that passion again!
Sewing, and in particular — taking thrifted clothes and remaking them to fit me.
My favorite handwork (other than knitting) is embroidery which I have loved for decades. When I was a teenager I embroidered my jeans with images of herbs like basil or sage. Most recently I’ve stitched my routes on fabric maps.
Quilling!
Knitting is my first love; but during the pandemic I learn to crochet beyond the single stitch. Im also a beader and quitler. I tried spinning and weaving, but never seemed to have tje time or space for the equipment because we moved, had kids… yada, yada. Now I’m back to knitting a have so much fun trying to fogure out how to combine all my crafting ideas.
Weaving is my new favorite fiber work, on a four-harness table loom. But I’m not sure that qualifies as handwork. Needle in hand, I like stitchwork that involves the tidiness of a grid, especially cross stitch.
Quilting! But knitting has taken over recently, much easier to finish a project!
I love most fiber art, actively do embroidery (hoping to add to my knitting) and small loom projects
I love bead embroidery (adding non-bead elements) – letting the design create itself while I’m in the zone.
I have been a fan of Alabama Chanin for years! Other than spinning, knitting and dyeing, hand sewing clothing is my favorite. I always ask for a AC DIY project for Christmas and am currently working on the Mid Length Skirt Kit. It’s a perfect fit as sewing machines and I don’t get along, I’ve learned a lot about hand sewing garments.
I’m a wannabe! Too many beautiful things to make, and I want to try them all!
My latest exploration is paper flowers. I’m amazed by creating a beautiful three dimensional flower out of a simple piece of paper!
I once found a half finished quilt top at a yard sale, wadded up on the grass. It was the Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern. When I picked it up I saw it was vintage fabrics but still in good condition. Felt like I had found a buried treasure. It took me a very long time to hand stitch it and finish it, but I did. And I LOVE it.
Sashiko embroidery with boro patchwork! =^..^=
I’m really enjoying adding buttons to any and all projects
I’m just now learning to knit but have always loved embroidery and sewing small projects which combine the two crafts (needle cases, pillows, bags, etc.), as well as adding embroidery to clothing!
I always wish for time and ability to sit down with hand sewing. Or basket weaving. I do a bit of sashiko now and again – but knitting seems to usually win out. ♥️
My favorite kind of handiwork is making homemade Christmas stockings with beads, sequins, and embroidery. I use cookie cutters to outline the Santas, Christmas trees, angels, snowmen, etc. I made a stocking in the shape of a cowboy boot for my son-in-law from Texas.
I also like to needlepoint. I have several pillows on our chairs and sofas and framed projects on the walls.
Knitting and crocheting and sewing items for my home and sometimes to wear.
I enjoy a firm grounding in a variety of textile crafts – but the two that I’m currently fixated on are drop spindling and quilting. I’ve got a log cabin quilt in the works out of reclaimed jean denim.
Happy Saturday, I think my favorite handwork pursuit at the moment is mending. I have be learning how to needle weave to mend holey socks and clothing while developing my sashiko stitching to cover stains, rips and tears. Mending helps me take control over life’s little travesties and keep my favorite clothes in circulation. Recently I taught mending to my middle school class and we took in mending from my colleagues. It was a joy to perform this task on behalf of other teachers.
I have done counted cross stitch and embroidery in the past and also a little quilting. I was a big machine sewer, too. My favorites were the needlework projects. Sadly, I don’t think I could see well enough now to do the tiny counted cross stitch I did.
I mostly knit these days, but I also love needlepoint and have done a lot of cross-stitch. I also sew a little. I love making things!
I was a header for many years before I rediscovered knitting. And I still hope to spin and weave!
When I’m not knitting, making rag rugs or sewing, I enjoy beading.
Okay, so it’s doubly satisfying to add beads to knitwork!
I have a dream that I will develop my embroidery skills such that I can easily create embroidery designs on my knits. Easily is the key.
Embroidery! I’m fairly new to it, but it lets me play with colour in a much bigger way than my other handcrafts.
I like embroidery. Been working on a “french knot a day” pillowcover since last year. Maybe once I have 2 years of french knots in place it will be ready to stuff. Or maybe it will take three or more years. Very meditative.
I go through phases and dabble in a lot of crafts. Knitting is a constant, but I spin, crochet, quilt, have started to weave, and even made stained glass(but although a craft, that is not handwork)
Knitting is my favorite; if I had to pick another handcraft that thrills me…it is mending my children’s clothes. It sounds boring (sometimes it is) but I love the challenge and variety each piece brings, and of course the thrill of seeing my kiddos wearing their favorite garment again, knowing I made that possible. I would love to have Natalie’s new book! I was first introduced to Alabama Chanin years ago through a favorite blog: “Pleasantview Schoolhouse” on Blogger. Sadly, it is no longer active, but go dive into Anna’s old posts about her Alabama Chanin projects and DO check out all of her beautiful quilts as well! She made the most beautiful log cabin quilts, each in a different theme/color family. She used to sell them for charity, I always wished I could buy one. Maybe I will make my own when the kids are grown?
Here is the link to Anna’s blog:
http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/?m=0
Sashiko
my favorite craft other than knitting or crocheting is embroidery
Quilting and cross-stitch which both have me itching to do something Alabama Chanin. A jacket like Kay’s is calling to me!
Spent years hand quilting in the 90s. Life took over & found time to machine quilt but never found the meditative practice of slow hand quilting until finding knitting. Maybe someday will return!
While my current passion is knitting, I’ve also enjoyed a recent class in weaving on a floor loom. I enjoy smocking though I haven’t done any since my daughter was little, but I do love the finished product.
During covid lockdowns I knew a new diversion was required, so I enrolled in a course to learn traditional Norwegian band weaving. Now when I knit a steeked cardigan I can also weave matching bands to trim the cut.
I love to sew. I love to make bags, but also quilts.
I love spinning! And sewing. And embroidery. And woodwork. And weaving. Well, there is really no end to these “ands” 🙂
I learned how to make pine needle baskets while volunteering at a local historic park, on lands used for countless centuries past (and still today) by the Sierra Miwok Indians. I really enjoyed learning the traditional way to gather and use the needles from the ponderosa pine trees, as well as traditional uses of other plants in my home habitat.
I used to cross stitch quite a bit. Don’t seem to have time to fit it in anymore!
Knitting, crocheting, embroidery; and most recently, mending techniques.
Mine is blind hemming the binding to each quilt I make…actually that’s pretty much the only hand sewing I do other than the occasional errant button. I love my power tools!
After knitting, sewing has got to be next – machine sewn clothing – but also some hand sewing such as appliquing Christmas stockings and ornaments.
I have rediscovered embroidery! I alternate with knitting and wish I had twice as many hours in the day.
I just took a visible embroidery class at my LYS and really enjoyed it!
I also love to spin and weave. It makes my heart happy!
I love to bead, except those little critters keep jumping off my matt and ripping is not as easy as when knitting.
Sashiko! Learned it last year and it has become a staple in my visible mending fun. In a few years, I’ll have some clothes that will be more patching/visible mending than original fabric. How cool is that?!
Enjoy needlepoint and cross stitch, weaving baskets and stain glass, and scrap booking.
I like to sew though not so much anymore. I did just pick up some fun llama fabric today to sew a lining into the tote bag I’m crocheting!
I’ve been learning to tat, it makes fun stitch markers for my knitting.
I’ve been interested in taking up embroidery again. It was the first handwork I learned as a child and it’s been far too long since I last had floss and needle in hand.
I just learned saeksilnubi from Yeongmin Lee and loved
It!
Hand sewing. I learned to sew when I was four from my mother who made quilts, dolls and toys to sell and ended up being her helper. She also taught me to knit. My super power is being able to seamlessly mend any piece of cloth, be it knitted, hand loomed or machine loomed. I repair favorite pieces of cloth(ing) for family. I also love to visibly mend clothing – a concept from Sashiko mending. I cannot machine sew at all!
While I love so many different types of handwork (cross stitch, embroidery, beading, macrame, spinning, crocheting…), in addition to my passion for knitting, my next favourite is felting (wet and nuno)—an amazing way of working artistically with fibre and colour to create “fabric”.
mixed media collage …..or braiding hair
I love to sew project bags to gift to my knitting friends. Retirement has also given me more time to learn more about quilting.
I am now referring to myself as a fiber artist – finally – and am deeply involved in creating arts quilts, weaving on an 8 shaft loom, hand-stitching generally sashiko, shibori and basic natural fabric dyeing. Am soon going to be venturing into the works of bag making and getting back into garment making. But Knitting is my true home – always awaiting return after a few days of distraction from other fiber arts vying for my attention.
Cross stitch and needle felting are my knitting alternatives!
Wee, where to begin…quilter, sewist, embroidery, needlework, fabric painter, beading, ex-spinner & weaver (we broke up when I moved and sold the loom) and those are only the activities that connect my hands to fibre (-;=
I’m embracing embroidery. It’s especially fun on felt!
My favorite handwork is currently embroidery. I’d love to win one of the new books!
I have a love for cross stitch when not knitting.
Knitting and crochet are #1 and #2 on my craft list, with spinning at #3. But after that, it’s definitely embroidery and hand sewing, although I’m also interested in weaving. I guess it’s the effect of making all those elastic loop pot-holders when I was a kid catching up to me, lol.
I love cross stitch and really any kind of embroidery makes me happy.
I’m a dabbler, so it’s hard to narrow it down! Much mending is ongoing at present, darning sock holes and sweater snags, and reinforcing my favorite jeans with Sashiko-inspired hand stitching. I’ve grafted together some old much-loved t-shirts in interesting ways so as not to have to part ways with them. Always looking for the next new-to-me creative outlet!
My favorite kind of handwork to name other than knitting? It is probably smocking children’s clothing (for the grandchildren now) and embroidery on those clothing items. I love all handwork. I love the results and meditative quality of needle and thread.
I was an avid quilter until my girls were born and laying work out and straight pins didn’t mix well with toddlers. That was when I started knitting. Still enjoy hand sewing and visible mending/embroidery, but knitting is my passion.
Quilting-
Oh, where to start: sewing, needlepoint, beading, embroidery, and I just started spinning.
I’ve become really embroidery curious lately, and am slowly working my way through a little sampler.
Knitting knitting and more knitting….however as a child I was very fond of weaving, and freedom is that craft! I may revisit it.
Have been into it all over the years but have just started picking up embroidery again, both to repair worn pieces and to embellish. It’s a great art and very relaxing. Would love to make that jacket, wow!
I love needle felting . . . so simple yet very satisfying.
Has to be sewing. I love it when one of my children or grandchildren ask “do you think you could make. ..?” My response is always “of course!” From play teabags (not felt) to dresses for dances to clothes for favorite stuffed animals I always love the challenge.
My favorite handwork is handsewing. Sewed my first top this year!
I am a hand quilter. But honestly I love all sports using needle and thread!
I do a lot of different sorts of handwork. Handsewing is my favorite next to knitting.
I enjoy weaving and am getting reacquainted with machine sewing.
I love counted cross stitch.
Oh beadwork, there’s something akin to the peace I find with knitting in quiet beadwork weaving. The gatherings you described with Natalie Chanin sound so inspiring.
Another multi-craftual needleworker here, starting with learning embroidery along with knit and crochet from my mother, later taking on needlepoint too. Too hard to choose! I love the wide-open possibilities of embroidery, both cotton floss and crewel wool, as well as the more regimented boundaries of needlepoint (but see Kaffe Fassett’s book for expanding horizons on needlepoint).
My favorite kind of handwork that is not knitting is needlepoint. I take it with me when I travel, when my knitting is too big to take along. The compactness of the needlepoint gives me the same relaxation, Zen feeling, as my knitting. I almost always get creative with it and change the colors, add beads and metallic threads.
Actually I’ve been building flowers and pictures with legos.
I am a weaver and knitter, but my secret love is to embroider feathers on linen. It’s so beautiful and satisfying.
Non-knitting hand making? I use my sewing machine to sew things one can use – pot holders, project bags, tea cozies, table linens, etc. I have a yen to venture into clothes but haven’t ventured down that path yet. I’ll embroider. I actually have a pillow cover waiting for embroidery so I can sew its’ sides together….
Beading, sewing and quilting.
Really all you have to do is dangle something shiny in front of me and I’ll try it but lately I have found myself playing with paper a lot.
I liked weaving, but I always go back to knitting, my passion.
I used to make all my clothes (that showed) bit since compression fractures, haven’t sat at a sewing machine. I miss it and plan to try it again using my sit-stand desk from IKEA. I have embroidered since I was a kid. A table cloth went with me MN -> GA -> -> MN -> WA and ended up in MN at my mom’s table, where it came out for all family dinners. Embroidery is such a portable project and so versatile. I love it.
Needlepoint is one of my alternate favorites, after knitting. I also like needle felting.
embroidery, with the old fashioned wooden hoop, is making a comeback at my house! finished a favorite quote for my son, still working on something for myself….
Ribbon embroidery. I once embroidered jacket for my mother she wore it for my brothers wedding. There is something satisfying about taking ordinary and making it somethjng loved.
I was born with busy hands. As a wee one, I learned how to embroider pillowcases, graduated to crewel work, then onto cross-stitching antique samplers, and currently love the slow-stitching movement. I drool over all the DIY projects in the School of Making, and I will be trying to make a skirt soon.
Embroidery…look forward to experimenting on a knitted garment.
I like to dabble in cross stitch, nice and portable.
Does pottery count as handwork? Maybe not the handwork you had in mind. How about crewel? I learned to that in 7th grade as part of Home Ec, I still use some of those fancy stitch techniques on clothes I sew.