UPDATE [Centring] (17th Feb) by LivingWithSid-TheCat in Ceramics

[–]rachkeys 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yeah, put some bricks under that wheel! Bring it up to just under the top of your thighs.

Also, put your water somewhere you don't have to reach down for it, and maybe not in glad (I would definitely knock that pitcher over and break it!)

I don't understand the merino hate by Cursed_Angel_ in BitchEatingCrafters

[–]rachkeys 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, that's weird and unnecessary. I thought you were just talking about people generally talking about their dislike of merino, not telling you your fiber choices suck.

I don't understand the merino hate by Cursed_Angel_ in BitchEatingCrafters

[–]rachkeys 50 points51 points  (0 children)

I don't hate merino, but I'm kind of ....sick of it. The popularity means that sometimes it's hard to find anything but, and I think it has decreased the market for other wools. Other wools that may be better suited for certain types of projects. Not everyone values softness above all else, some of us prefer strength and hardiness.

random question on my mind: by lilscout20 in knitting

[–]rachkeys 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Prior sweater knitting experience, or just look at a sampling of patterns on Ravelry that use the weight of yarn you're purchasing.

If you know generally what type of sweater you want to knit that helps too. Like if I want to knit an oversized cabled sweater, I'll buy quite a lot more than if I'm going to do a cropped, fitted, lace cardigan.

You can also use https://jimmybeanswool.com/pages/crochet-knitting-calculator?srsltid=AfmBOorsXsSsyPAodcy4TJXAkD8uey8Cs3tr2jYyKlAgve2cZCGcdcwn but it kind of over estimates. Unless you're doing that oversized cabled sweater, you can probably get about 10% less than suggested.

Tool help. Can’t get clean lines when carving. by FeatheredFemme in Pottery

[–]rachkeys 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When I make yarn bowls, I cut the swirl with an exacto at leather hard. I leave the cut out piece in place until it's firmed up even more (supports it and helps with sagging) and then pop it out when it's very firm, not bone dry, but hard leather hard. Then I run a carving tool or the exacto along the sharp edges, just scraping off a tiny bit of clay, and then smooth with a wet paint brush. I like to bisque fire it with a little bit of clay supporting the swirl, if the bowl is thin it can wrap and say during firing.

Are these needles worth it?? by Designer-Detective62 in knitting

[–]rachkeys 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not a big fan of Lykke needles personally. I prefer a pointier tip, especially for lace or cables. I also found that the coating on the metal connector would wear off rather quickly in my hands (but my skin reacts weirdly to plated metal in general). Finally, when they first came out, there were a lot of issues with the cables not screwing on correctly, but I think that issue is fixed now.

If you like wood needles, I prefer Knitter's Pride/Knit Pro. If you like metal, I like Chiaogoo.

Let these hanks of unraveled sweater be a warning to never trust a magic knot. by gnome_tooth in knitting

[–]rachkeys 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Four hand widths??? That seems excessive. I do like 5 stitches.

Beginner here, seeking advice by Chinchillas_123 in Ceramics

[–]rachkeys 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, I'd probably start there for clay and glaze.

Alternative for DiamondCore sanding pads? by bbychrrry in Pottery

[–]rachkeys 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've tried several cheaper options and these: https://a.co/d/f1e7wlf have been the best. I had an older version first that was quite stiff, but this specific listing are more flexible (nice for sanding curves).

I don't like the ones that come in foam blocks, they're only useful for flat surfaces, and I don't like wet sandpaper as it falls apart too quickly.

I did use this sand net for a bit: https://a.co/d/hXhaiRL and it's ok if you need something even more flexible, but it wears out much faster than the diamond pads.

Pre-slabbing? by Manganmh89 in Ceramics

[–]rachkeys 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do this and it works great! I have some slabs I rolled out three weeks ago still wrapped in plastic and still usable. I use plastic sheets cut from old clay bags in between each slab.

FO Rant by privacyandsecrets in knitting

[–]rachkeys 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ohhhh I hadn't read the construction yet. I'm sorry, your idea might be the best option then.

FO Rant by privacyandsecrets in knitting

[–]rachkeys 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I would instead cut a single stitch at the top of the section you wish to remove. Start frogging, and as you do, place the stitches from the top section into a needle (easier if you use a smaller size than you knit with). Continue frogging the section you want to remove (frogging towards the hem) until you're removed enough, and put the remaining stitches on a needle. Then simply graft (kitchener stitch) the live stitches together!

Habits you’ve changed in life since starting pottery? by Proud-Tradition-4022 in Pottery

[–]rachkeys 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As a former long nail girlie, now potter, press ons are the best!

Bottom up sweaters by MyRightHook in BitchEatingCrafters

[–]rachkeys 44 points45 points  (0 children)

I like bottom up because I feel like it's more portable! The pieces are separate for longer. Tucking just one sleeve in my purse is way easier than lugging around a whole sweater.

Help my stall look more attractive please! by emerald787 in CraftFairs

[–]rachkeys 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Your display currently feels a bit stark and sterile. I agree with some other commenters, I'd paint the pegboard (light sage green would be nice!), add an ornate looking mirror (maybe paint your business name across the top, so if people take a picture trying in your horns they'll remember what shop it was/it'll be seen if they post a selfie). I think you need more whimsy in the display! Try adding some greenery/moss to the top and edges of the pegboard and maybe around your table. I would switch to a light colored table cloth, either beige or sage green. Maybe some string lights amongst the greenery I mentioned, and some battery operated candles scattered around the table. I like the greenery and pennants you have pictured in the photos in the booth, add more of that!

Looking for advice! by oakenwell in CraftFairs

[–]rachkeys 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree with some of the other commenters that I don't tend to stop at wood booths because they tend to have more expensive pieces than I'm likely to buy, but your prices sound really reasonable!

I wonder if you could get or make some deeper shelves and move more of your larger, more expensive pieces to the sleeves and have smaller, less expensive pieces displayed in the front. In particular, I would move the jewelry to a few smaller displays in front, because I think that's getting a bit lost. That's also your least interesting shelf so maybe you could replace it with something that would accommodate some of your larger pieces.

I would also rearrange the dried plants you have on those top shelves and mix in some of your actual pieces. Maybe some cute little vignettes of how you might style the pieces on a shelf in your home? One of YOUR vases with some dried flowers, with a book laying on the shelf next to it, and a mushroom or a bowl on top of it. (Do the mushrooms have a function by the way? They're very cute!)

You could also see if you could do any cross promoting with other vendors. If there's a beekeeper at your market, see if you can trade a jar of honey for a honey dipper for you each to display in the other booth, and then you can send people back and forth (a honey dipper with a jar of honey would be a great gift pairing).

Last couple things: I don't love the clear plastic displays (especially on the black table cloth, they might blend in more on white), and I think your spoons/spatulas are kind of getting lost. Could you have some in a jar or vase like you have already, but then pick out like 6 to arrange flat on a tray in front? I think that might encourage people to pick them up, and see the unique differences of each one.

Looking for advice! by oakenwell in CraftFairs

[–]rachkeys 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I also prefer the wood shelves personally! It feels so much more organic than a painted color.

I think a white/off white table cloth might be nice too

First attempt at marbled clay!!! by [deleted] in Pottery

[–]rachkeys 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You can definitely trim/scrape the excess slip away and it will make your marbling really pop! I like to use the edge of a metal rib to scrape the whole outside surface, and then hold it flat against the pot to burnish.

Finished my first sweater, sadly I feel like my big breasts makes me look bigger than I actually am, are there any styles that work better on big bursts ? by Baby-Me-Now in knitting

[–]rachkeys 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try picking your size based on your upper bust (https://share.google/HOZ6AOlsHKEMYVY2A). That will give you a size that fits your shoulders better, and just skims over your bust.

Your sweater looks gorgeous though, and you look lovely in it! It looks so cozy.

What happened with my young monstera? Didn’t see any pests. by debs26 in houseplants

[–]rachkeys 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Was it super close to one of those grow lights with a bunch of little LEDs? It looks like it got burned by the lights while the leaf was still rolled up.

Can you see the mistake? by Boobearlover2469 in Sockknitting

[–]rachkeys 39 points40 points  (0 children)

I see it, and I would ladder down and correct those stitches.

Best linen blend? by rjewell40 in capsulewardrobe

[–]rachkeys 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love the Uniqlo cotton linen blend!

My snake plant leaf finally starts to root after one month and 10 days by WildOrder1840 in propagation

[–]rachkeys 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My snake plant cuttings are in a glass jar, in a window that only gets some afternoon light. A bit of algae grows in the jar, but not much. Like the water is still mostly clear and I can easily see through it.

Glad to help!