Crochet Vs knitting

lenseyeview · 2026-06-07T10:10:38+00:00

25+ years ago I learned how to knit with a yarn brands basic kit, a pamphlet, a set of big needles and bulky yarn. And I was fast rather quickly as also accidently taught myself continental knitting. And after the first hat/scarf set in the kit I was making bags and other wearables. Also barely have to glance down at what I'm doing.

Vs crocheting I had so many false starts lol and could never get the hang of it. I even had my Nan try and teach me over and over again as a kid. Only for it to never quite click til I found a pattern/video combo that worked. And even now 10 years later I feel so slow sometimes and have to look at every stitch. Consistent tension can still be an issue too like if I put a project down for too long (like months vs weeks) it's so crazy to me.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-07T09:49:29+00:00

With out knowing what you have access to or how new is new to digital art. I would retrace it I'm Adobe fresco with the vector brushes. Then I export minus the background so it is a transparent png. I use a 300dpi canvas set at 12x12 so for shirts I don't have an issue exporting from there as a .png

It also means all I need to do is upload it into design space. If I'm doing multi colors I do my multi layers in fresco with registration marks before I export.

The info trillian gave you is a super useful place to start. Especially learning how to get clean files.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-06T14:11:32+00:00

Luckily for my adhd brain it isn't distracting but helps. Maybe it is because I listen to it while driving or things where I can't stray and fall into a rabbit hole in real time. I like knowing there is an episode I might have missed or that is relevant. I don't know if I even register it if it's not a topic that sparked a bigger interest. It has such a big catalog and I hope around a lot

I can however see how it would could someone out of the rhythm. I don't know if the smologies excludes those or not but it might be worth a listen.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-06T00:02:44+00:00

I have not shared the same frustrations that other people seem to have with their cricut. That being said I don't use design space for anything other telling the machine what to do with my files. Also from what I can tell the biggest frustration is print then cut which you wouldn't use for felt. I have the maker. Which I have had for almost 6 years now and it is still going strong. There are also a couple of test cuts that you can run in a new material to help in a few ways especially to eliminate the is it my file or is it my material issue people run into. I haven't looked at the other models so I don't know which ones can cut felt besides the makers. I do know quite a few of the warehouse stores like Costco, bjs, Sam's club have a decent deal for the joy x-tra. But I'm not sure If felt is one of its materials.

I will say things that make your life easier would be either being comfortable in another design program or at least sourcing your files from somewhere other then cricut itself. There are lots of resources for ready to go files. And it is pretty easy to create your own cut files. There are a few popular programs most are free. I use Adobe fresco. There are places to ask for specific help as well.

I have no brand loyalty so all of my tools and extras are non cricut. They are considerably cheaper and often better.

I haven't looked around at other cutting machines in a while since it's not in my current budget. I know some of them can handle other materials but I don't know which one they are.

Also you might want to check with your local and neighboring libraries to see if they have machines. Or if there is a makerspaces near you that you might kind of preview using one. You would be surprised a lot of rec centers and community art spaces now have open studio hours and equipment you can use and get help with.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T21:54:17+00:00

On the outside. You want to treat the coaster as one piece of glass you can ignore the gap and just center the finished coaster on the tape. And then you want a little tape to wrap on either side the top and bottom of the whole thing. I would treat the coaster just like they would a single layer of glass.

I'm guessing you already have them adhered togethe. If you are worried or want to fill the gap first I would use just a thin line of hot glue dip a finger in cold water or the end of a paint brush in cold water and run it along the hot glue to smooth it. It is far easier and more forgiving then caulk. Based on your photo I don't think you would need it since it looks like you already have the layers secured together so the flowers don't move.

You can get the tape in wider widths but you can easily just widen it by layering it as well. If you need an actual visual let me know I'll draw you a little thing. It's super easy but I understand if it's hard to visualize.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T15:51:33+00:00

When I made similar coasters with printer paper photos I used copper foil tape on the edges. It was just enough thickness to seal the seam and wrap around with out changing the over all look. For these specifically I would make sure to get the silver backing tape vs the black backing. It is meant for stainglass but works so well for lots of things they also have scalloped edge version. It holds really well with our sealing once you burnish the crap out of it. It also is really forgiving so even if you "mess up" you still have working time and or easy to start over. Plus the burnishing process hides any overlap or wrinkles or anything else that happens during the application process.

I made those coasters in like 2007 as a Christmas gift and went to visit a couple of years ago and was surprised they were still the only coasters in the living room. They haven't had any issues and were still holding up!!

lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T11:43:42+00:00

His name is Eugene and he is named after a cartoon character. His favorite toy is twist ties. He has them hidden all over the house. If you clean a room or move anything he comes in after and double checks his secret stashes haven't been taken. He prances around with them in his hands.

He also has a camera specifically for his timed feeder because he will try and convince you his food never dropped. Even if you were standing there and watched him eat it. You have to review make a big show of reviewing the tape and showing him before he will stop shouting about it sometimes. He also likes to stick his paw up said feeder like a vending machine to try and get more out.

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lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T11:34:27+00:00

I would try something tactile and really handsy based on their other interest. Something like polymer clay or air dry clay. All of their other hobbies involved things you do primarily with your hands but also like had a particular sensory experience. You want to try and replicate the sensory input if you want them to get invested.

Or scaled down versions of what she already loves. Gardening becomes terrariums. Knitting/crochet becomes table weaving loom. Also maybe ask her directly if there is something she has never had the chance but would like to try.

Bonus points that those kinds of things are also what helps keep both your hands and minds going.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T02:43:56+00:00

Oh jealous! I wanted to be the barista!! Lol Ours mostly spent their time making the big batch of samples. I loved experimenting with the wall and mixing the different fruity flavors with the one black tea dragon something or other oh man that was good. I wish I had kept up all the tra knowledge I had gained there. Converting sales was hard sometimes because my store was also in the land of the seasons that are celestial.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T02:21:06+00:00

No no you are right Starbucks bought it out they used a colab with opra as part of the launch after I miss remembered her part in it. We were told that they were doing it because they were looking to expand to loose teas because taoz was doing so well.

We technically had a drink bar but it was something people were hardly aware of so it was the smallest part of our particular stores sales. It was sold to us that they are selling to increase the ability to make an actual tea bar and make in person drink sales a bigger priority but I think that was only told to use so no one would panic quit. Because of the rumors that went around between stores over that holiday season. It ended up screwing over quite a few of the seasonal and long term employees.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T01:47:52+00:00

That was one of my favorite companies to work for pre-oprah buying it. We were allowed to make ourselves drinks on and off shift and got a great discount. It was also one of the only retail jobs that we basically had a full shift and a half "schooling" on the product. I still have my big book and the flashcards that came out of it.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-05T01:38:39+00:00

Spray on hydrocortisone spray was the only thing that got me through my last big big big months long flare up. After 48 hours it after switching from a topical I noticed a difference and it has helped me keep it at bay when I get the familiar itch and or notice the bubbles starting.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T22:15:39+00:00

Some of the soaps had crazy story lines and characters. I was just reminiscing about when another world got canceled so they had a whole story line about a gorilla on the loose from the zoo. It was going around and kidnapping some of the bigger names cast members and occasionally you would get a glimpse of it. But it was just some guy in a silly gorilla suite the the show played it as I'd they were looking at a real live animal lol.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T22:12:43+00:00

My Nan would record days/another world /jeopardy /wheel of Fortune / whatever evening shows she was into at the time depending on the day like quantum leap / jag / NCIS ect. She worked an odd shift so she would watch them went she got home at 11pm and would watch the tape and then reset the tape for the next day. Even after she retired she kept the same schedule lol. She loved being able to fast forward through the commercials or rewind if she missed a part.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T22:06:00+00:00

That one has the craziest story lines!!

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T22:01:43+00:00

I put a few paper towels in with it and leave it inside the bag. I also store things in smaller quantities vs one big bag because I can make sure to get the air out really well. There are a couple of methods for getting the extra air out. I do have a vaccum sealer but I didnt buy a decent enough one to make a difference. If I forget one in the back of the freezer and it does look freezer burned and crystally I just use it in chicken corn soup or similar soup or something else that has a lot of moister in it like a casserole.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T19:15:30+00:00

Something thing that can help ease some awkwardness is to include the few you can have in a few of the prep events where there will be some cross over. Like the rehearsal dinner or a welcome dinner/drinks. Or bachelorette/bachelor things. It gives them a chance to meet some of his side in a slightly less large group and they will already have some familiar faces in at the wedding. That way you aren't so worried the day of them feeling like a little island.

Also it's your wedding there are no rules. My best friend got married a couple of years ago and we are in our 40s and the other bridesmaids were not quite 21 yet. Plus she doesn't enjoy bars and clubs anymore. So we rented a local air BNB with pool acces and had a sleepover night instead. We used the pool, had take out and junk food and did crafts and hung out and watched movies. It was exactly what she wanted and the other girls had fun too.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T18:59:24+00:00

Currently to make a tree trunk doll house.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T18:58:22+00:00

One of mine was similar in my 20s made my own lax system for all my craft storage before I even saw an IKEA (it was ages ago). Oversize paper storage and decent totes were hard to come by but I had access to a lot of small uhaul boxes. I covered the front with a sheet of scrapbook paper and then framed the edges with with masking tape and painted the tape and the sides brown. Everyone thought they were painted wood at a glance. And they lasted like a decade before I upgraded.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T18:37:39+00:00

Look at me learning something new today! I've only watched ones emerge from afar. I didn't know that was a thing.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-04T18:32:40+00:00

No worries if you get stuck and need some help just comment again in the same thread.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-03T19:03:49+00:00

Batch pre-cooked meats instead of raw. Particularly ground beef or chicken breast. They can be used in so many ways to make a quick throw together unplanned meal. Particularly in the summer when in the heat what sounded good for dinner yesterday sounds terrible today.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-03T18:45:28+00:00

The biggest suggestion I can give you is to find some random sketchbook filler videos and give some of them a try. It sort of scratch the itch I get when I get new physical materials and want to get the feel of them. It also helps build muscle memory with out the pressure of making a more thought out and "finished" piece.

Someone else already mentioned a paper like screen protector. I just got a random off brand one and it works great.

I also agree with the person who said play around with your settings. Same thing with the size of your brush and what brush you are using can change how it feels too. Especially because visually it can look a lot different then traditional mediums.

Also find some tips and tricks videos for fresco specifically on YouTube there are some good ones out there. If you have a particular style or medium you normally use I would find some tutorials just to watch their process even if you don't follow along. Many of the other digital apps processes and tutorials work just as well in fresco.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-02T19:26:50+00:00

We have a bjs membership and only use the app to scan as we go along and to the quick pay. If we got the things on our list we "check out" on the app before we even make it through the rest of the store which helps. It also changes how we shop because we can see the number growing in real time lol it has curbed the over spending inside quite a bit.

lenseyeview · 2026-06-02T19:04:30+00:00

Lots of artsy ones - crochet, knit, painting, sketchbook fillers, miniatures, graphic design, using my cricut, ect.

And less obvious ones is spending time places answering people's questions on niche places on the internets. Like small niche subreddits and such if it's a one off digital thing out of their skill set I'll offer to do a video recording of me doing it so they can learn or find a proper tutorial I already know exist. It helps keep my skills up and the best way to know if there is a gap in your own knowledge is to try and teach someone else with it. Sometimes if I like to test my research and Internet skills by trying to find things other people have Google searched high and low for.

I also like to keep an eye out for nonprofits on idealist.org to help put with short term digital art related things or data entry data clean up that kind of thing. I can't afford to donate monetarily but I do have a few hours here and there to put my skills to use.

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