Material Vice

[pocket-sushi]

Preventing Vertical Slanting while Crocheting in the Round

Similar issues had been brought up before and I provided a few tricks, but today I discovered one that used basic single crochet. It is probably common knowledge, but I have never, EVER seen it covered in any beginner’s crochet tutorial that I’ve read and I am a little annoyed that I didn’t know about this sooner. Credit goes to this post on Crochetville for the fix.

Basically, to get that vertical stripe effect without the stitches slanting, do all your single crochets in the front loop only. Using tighter stitches help, too–the example photo here is kinda loose and I had to do some tugging to get it to look as straight as possible.

I am aware that some people crochet like this by default and for the longest time I couldn’t figure out how they achieved perfect vertical columns (even just tightening my stitches didn’t quite work). It’s not quite as effective when you’re making something completely flat like a round potholder, though. If anyone has a solution for those, let me know!

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Nice tip!

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First Look at Embroidermodder 2

First look at Embroidermodder 2 open source embroidery software

I recently bought my first embroidery machine: it’s a Bernina 560E and I think it’s rather sexy. I had a great introductory class from my local dealer, and then took some on-line classes from Craftsy to master the basics. What mosts interests me going forward is digitizing software. Now, I have to recognize that my situation starting out in late 2015 is much better than those who started even…

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What's Coming

What’s Coming

It’s time I show you what I’m making and what will come out of Material Vice. Here are several things on my mind right now. Amigurumi Crochet + Electronics For starters, what’s cuter than a hand-made Amigurumi doll? My answer: one that responds to you! I’ve stocked up on various sensors and such from Adafruit, hoping to make a toy Giant Panda say something adorable, or to make a crocheted…

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nShAkOIUFBI)

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsBiRELnXz4)

Puckers be gone! Machine embroidery tips.

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MAKr Exhibition Opens @CRUXSpace Friday in Philadelphia #WearableWednesday

It’s Design Week in Philly which means everyone in love with architecture, fashion and design is roaming the streets to get their fill. As they say, “Winter is coming”, so it’s a frenzy of the best kind. Kim Brickley and Andrew Cameron Zahn have brought together a colorful group of artists at CRUX Space for MAKr: high design and fashion meet technology. This will be an ADHD paradise with making, models and blinky glam. Andrew Dahlgren will be presenting his hacked retro programmable knitting machines and his array of coded skein art.

Tara Webb, a resident at The Hacktory, will be presenting her new circus inspired neck cuff collection. This one is the “Animal Trainer Ruff”, and you can see an Adafruit Flora in the pic.

Jewelry fans are going to be loving Doug Bucci’s 3D printed cascading spirals that are based on data from his own body. Trust me that you won’t guess what kind of data.

Enrica Ferrero has been doing some interesting work with fasteners, and this button activated LED pointed collar is a great example. Of course, I wouldn’t be dropping all these breadcrumbs unless there was a bit of a surprise. I’ll be there with some work that you recognize from Adafruit’s tutorials, like my Jewel Hair Stick. I’ll also be unveiling a new piece, and the only hint you get is that it mimics a colorful natural phenomenon. So, come out to CRUX Space and join me for some wearable tech fun.

Every Wednesday is Wearable Wednesday here at Adafruit! We’re bringing you the blinkiest, most fashionable, innovative, and useful wearables from around the web and in our own original projects featuring our wearable Arduino-compatible platform, FLORA. Be sure to post up your wearables projects in the forums or send us a link and you might be featured here on Wearable Wednesday!

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This looks right up my alley! Will try to make it up to Philly for the reception Friday evening.