No Test Swatches, NO MERCY

Crafting sideblog for Bethspickleproblems

[starlit-meadow]

[batbetbitbotbut]

responsible adult: knitting a gauge swatch

irresponsible adult: for a project i absolutely don't need to start right now

responsible adult: tidied a smidgen of the craft zone (looking for knitting needles)

irresponsible adult: untidied a bigger smidgen of the craft zone (looking for knitting needles)

responsible adult: plying my singles

irresponsible adult: to procrastinate on the gauge swatch

responsible adult: at least i did various chores first

irresponsible adult: but not my yoga

responsible adult: having a fun relaxing productive evening

irresponsible adult: on tumblr

[memorydatas]

does anyone else remember when michaels (art supply company) accidentally made omegle again

[shadowthian]

when they What

[memorydatas]

michaels added a feature for a while in sept. 2020 where shoppers could ask questions that would be answered live by other shoppers anonymously. which led to some good michaels interactions.

[craftochism]

Turns out those 3d trading cards people make are actually pretty hard to do, but I think I did pretty ok for a first attempt & not quite using small enough scissors.

[artmorfic]

I was working on a quiet evening project and didn’t expect it to turn into such a sweet seasonal surprise. The burgundy and creamy white stripes gave it that warm winter feeling, the lace flap made it extra soft, and the dahlia button tied it all together. But the moment I opened the clutch and spotted that tiny Christmas tree shape inside, I knew this one needed to be shared.

If you want to make your own, the pattern is up. ArtMorfic.Etsy.com https://artmorfic.com

[tam--lin]

Everyone needs three hobbies: one to give you carpel tunnel, one to leave you sore and bruised, and one for your distant relatives to insist you monetize

[craftochism]

I don’t want to make money with yarn, I want people to want me around on holidays Fuck You

[annaplexis]

🧶 Cow hitch increase

Unlike all other single-stitch increases I know, this one is perfectly symmetrical. I’ve been seeing it a lot in my feed lately, so I thought I’d share it. Haven’t tried it yet in a project though.

It mimics the structure of a cow hitch knot - hence the name.

🎥 🧶 👀✨

How to make increases

Depending on what you are making, you may need to increase the number of stitches on your needles. There is a number of ways to do this. For

[henk-heijmans]

Knitting, 2021 - by Joseph Ford, English

[clementiens]

this is one of a [series] and they're all fantastic

joseph ford is the photographer and the knitter who made the pieces is nina dodd (ninadoddknits.com)

[stitchposts]

what is your LEAST favorite stitch?

I don't like counted work at fucking all. So: the cross stitch.

[rabbitindisguise]

reading this as someone who does cross stitch but is scared of the other kinds of embroidery is like overhearing an incredibly tall and buff person say they have beef with Mr. Tom, the kitten that chills at the bookstore

[stitchposts]

FUCK Mr. Tom and his stupid little fluffy tail ok. And his little charted designs.

[the-dragongirl]

Okay, but this neglects the true villain of embroidery stitches: the French knot

[stitchposts]

Don't you dare malign my girl again

[im-a-dream-wizard]

Ok the french knot is very useful but it is a BITCH to do it consistently

[stitchposts]

[ao3-anonymous]

We talk about how this website’s hate mail game is insane, but this might just be a new level

[talbatross]

"skill issue" made entirely from French knots is a next level roast. no coming back from that one. damn

[lucifer-is-a-bag-of-dicks]

I cannot overestimated how valuable a skill cross-stitching is when you're a fan of 8-bit games

like damn I wish I had a pair of Stardew Valley themed overalls, that'd be so cute-

KABOOM

STARDEW VALLEY OVERALLS

oh man a pair of Undertale themed jeans would be sick-

KABLAMO

UNDERTALE JEANS FUCK YEAH

also if you noticed that both these projects were started at the hemlines that is because not only is cross-stitching cool and awesome and the best ever, it also does a fantastic job at looking very pretty while securing your hems

by the way, both these games have dedicated cross-stitch guidebooks with patterns and even advice for newbies on how to get started

just so you know

[notsofrangible]

the world has been horrifying recently but i have personally witnessed something that brought me joy

Every year, California’s largest sheep and fiber festival, Lambtown, takes place in Dixon, CA. On the second day of Lambtown, teams of eight compete in a “sheep to shawl” competition, where the teams must start the day with un-spun wool and end the day with a 72” woven shawl. Teams may “warp” a loom ahead of time (where you thread the loom with its foundation of parallel threads), but on the day of competition they must spin their wool into yarn and weave it into a complete shawl.

This year competition was stiff, and very very close, and the winning team finished their shawl with two and a half minutes to spare.

I frequently hear about “needing to keep “politics” out of fiber arts, but art is inherently political.

These were beautiful, masterfully spun, woven, and finished shawls and that in itself is worthy of note.

But watching this team of eight would fight for hours, and pour their love for their community into their art was deeply moving and I am still reveling in the opportunity to have seen this win.

There are few things to rejoice in today, but they do exist. The horrors may persist, but so do we.

[knittyboi]

I reference this blog post every single time I bind off a project, Susanna Winter I owe you my life

[hlahlahlahlahly]

This is an amazing reference, I use it whenever i make something I don't have a "standard" method for

[nawilla]

Must read this.

[chthonicathenean]

I have the post bookmarked because it is so wonderful!

[pullonthisthreadasiwalkaway]

for sock knitting: magic loop or double pointed needles?

magic loop

dpns

some third option (put in reblogs)

see results

Voting ended onOct 7, 2025

[batbetbitbotbut]

Every sock option (socktion) i can think of

4 DPNs (in a triangle)

5 DPNs (in a square)

Magic loop

Travelling loop (smaller version of magic loop)

Mini/9" circulars

Two circulars

Flexi flips

I only knit socks flat

I use a different method every time

I don't knit socks

Sock nuance?

Results

Voting ended onOct 9, 2025

Tbf I sometimes start with 5 DPNs and continue on 4 when I lose one down the couch for a bit

[craftochism]

That ^ is also my preferred sock knitting method

[ancientknitter]

Knitted Petticoat (Netherlands, 1880-1910), The Fries Museum.

Made from red and black wool, this knitted petticoat features a ribbed waistband, contrasting vertical stripes on the upper half, and a zigzag pattern on the bottom.

The museum kindly provided a free pattern for this petticoat if you want to knit one for yourself!

[iplaywithstring]

.....can Tumblr help with a translation of the pattern. My daughter would love this and I would enjoy knitting it

[loomingtranssexual]

per my last reblog, i personally subscribe to a minimum three-craft theory:

one that’s completely portable & entirely brainless, my hands know what they’re doing & i don’t have to; ideal for conversations & TV-watching.

one that’s portable but needs a little attention; ideal for commutes, waiting rooms, podcast-listening, & sitting outside.

one that physically or practically cannot leave the house, if you speak to me i will explode you with my mind & have to start counting all over again, 100% CPU usage, why-am-i-doing-this-to-myself; ideal for. uh. uhm. idk satiating my masochistic tendencies??

[craftochism]

2nd category: I currently cross stitch during my weekly bar trivia, but that can also be semi involved knitting

[koniknits]

Me: can't really find a pattern I vibe with. But I've got an idea. I'll just get started and wing it.

Me a bit later: hmm it would be more pleasing if this stitch pattern was centered...and what if I also incorporated this stitch pattern...

Me three days later:

[mothecho]

They should invent a way to sit hunched over doing crafts that is Good for your body