Crafty-ish resources

[Susie]

Hello everyone, I don't know if this is a daft idea or not, but I wondered if we could have a thread where we post resources we've found to help us in our crafty-ish endeavours? I was thinking stuff like: good suppliers (i.e. please save me from spending a fortune which I do not have on wool in John Lewis), ishy tutorials and how-tos, how to source recycled etc materials, stuff like that? I keep seeing people posting blogs and links and stuff and I forget to bookmark them and then I can't remember what thread they were in! Anyway, I'll start. These are some things that I use:

Knitting
Ravelry, natch, but I think you all know this one
Knitty (http://www.knitty.com) - you prob. all know this too - I love their free patterns, also they have articles on techniques (their article on kitchener stitch is the only one that works for me!)
Kemps Wool Shop - bargain wools - they have a really good deal on sock wool at the moment (p. 9 onwards in clearance wools section)
The clearance section at stash yarns - the wool is still quite dear but reduced.

Sewing
Crafster! http://www.craftster.org
Burdastyle
But I never know where else to go for sewing inspiration, and I'd really love to start making my own clothes this year - if anyone has any blogs/ ideas/ pattern recommendations/ suggestions how to start, I'd love to hear them!

Fabric
Lots of fabric and patterns on etsy (http://www.etsy.com), including vintage/ recycled fabrics, but not always very eco or cost effective depending on where they're getting shipped from.
I've had good luck with getting African Wax Print fabrics in the shops just off Brick Lane (London) - the reduced ones can be a good deal,
There is a lovely shop in Kensington which has loads of Liberty cottons where you can get cheap offcuts - I can't remember what it is called (this is helpful isn't it...)
Apart from that I am rubbish at finding good fabric!

Tie-Dye
I found this website that gives you quantities for mixing your own dyes - it looks useful, but I haven't tried it yet.

Sorry, that was a bit of an essay! Anyway, would love to hear about other people's resources (because I suspect you all have better ones than me!)

[prison break fan]

I think this is a brilliant idea! i probably won't be able to contribute much, as i'm not very internet savvy, but I would certainly appreciate the tips. pbf.

[fruitcake]

This is a fantastic idea - I am at the stage of wanting to do crafty things and about to start 'collecting' stuff as I don't have anything. I want to put together little projects to do with my neices and nephews too. Plus I was mega horrified at the price of wool recently so all website ideas much appreciated. So far all I'm managing to do is trawl the local charity shop but not too successfully so far.

[Millymollymandy]

Excellent idea.

I have just ordered from and received in really quick time via DHL an order from http://www.knitandsew.co.uk/index.html. I found their yarns cheaper than other sites. OK I have to pay a lot of postage being in Europe but the price of the knitting needles alone (€4 cheaper than in a French supermarket ) covered the cost of the £15 postage (I had to order quite a lot of diff size needles).

And my package was about 5 kilos total!

[snapdragon]

I haven't bought knitting wool for ages but did buy some from Lithuania (kutvela) on e bay,
does anyone think £9.98 for 500gms pure wool is good or not?
The wool is lovely and has knitted up a dream.

And there is a good source on ebay for rugwool in huge hanks too if anyone else makes their own (textile-fibres)

I didnt add links, as ebay ones are a bit mushy sometimes

[crowsashes]

http://craftingagreenworld.com/

i find this helpful for inspiration also has a lot on sustainable living ( tabs at the top) and lots of other ish type stuff

http://www.makeitandmendit.com/

i found this one recently and maybe worth a look, has a few knitting patterns, sewing projects, recipies etc all for free

[StripyPixieSocks]

There's Crafter...oo at http://www.crafteroo.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=forum

Lots of craftiness going on there :)

[jampot]

good selection of fabrics not too expensive either http://www.efabrics.co.uk

[Keaniebean]

I found lots of great patterns and materials on this website, really speedy delivery too:

http://www.abakhan.co.uk

and if your looking for fleece then http://www.planetfleece.co.uk have a good selection although not necessarily the cheapest.

If you like your quilting or just want some really funky materials then this shop is great, it's like being in a sweetie shop for me, I want it all so I cant decide.

http://www.fabricinspirations.co.uk.

Happy crafting ishers.

[fruitcake]

/the price of the knitting needles

our local charity shop has loads of knitting needles / crochet pins etc - am happy to check it out if anyone needs any before they go buying new (sorry its a bit of a late offer for you mmm)

[yvette]

Great thread - have learned lots.
I live in East London and I get a lot of my fabrics from Green Street (tube Upton Park - but don't go on match day, its jammed!).For silks and beautiful Asian fabrics there are many shops but their goods are not cheap (people come form all over to buy asian wedding clothes there). Try Queen's Market (next to tube) on Tues, Thur, Fri and Sat for cheap cottons and linens and sari-type and upholstery fasbric, typically £3-00 a metre. There is a very good haberdashery stall, though you have to be a bit selective - they have lots under the counter so ask if you don't see it. Opposite, Harrisons fabrics is more expensive but has some beautiful stuff (e.g. Liberty shirting) and is run by a very knowledgeable man.
Walthamstow Market is also worth a look for fabrics, and there is a shop about halfway down selling buttons and beads. Not much decent wool to be had though.

Yvette

[Millymollymandy]

/the price of the knitting needles

our local charity shop has loads of knitting needles / crochet pins etc - am happy to check it out if anyone needs any before they go buying new (sorry its a bit of a late offer for you mmm)

It's the thought that counts . I do miss charity shops!

[theabsinthefairy]

Great thread idea - thank you

I'm with you MMM - French prices for anything crafty are astronomical, and if you order online - I cannot for the life of me understand why it is cheaper for someone to post to the UK than to France, if they are based in a non-EU country - surely the UK and France both being in Europe would have the same postage charge - anyway rant over sorry

I buy a lot of things in Les Mains Ouvert - the only charity shop nearby (i.e. it is an hour's drive to it so classes as nearby) but even there wool can be dear, I tend to buy old vintage clothes and linens and cut them up to use as fabric for edging, patchwork, cushions, detailing, etc.

I try to stock on things when I see them over the summer at car boot sales, but even then the prices can be a bit steep. Just cannot afford the 'luxury' of wool suppliers prices even those on the internet.

I do buy job lots of oddments of wool on ebay, but as these are obviously someone else's cast offs they really are a grab them when you see them listing.

I like http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php for knitting pattern ideas, as a lot of the items in the directory then span off into people's blogs or other free pattern sites, and there is also a crochet version.

[Silver Ether]

If you live any where near Birmingham try out the Rag Market. Its not on everyday but Tuesday defo as thats when I go Fabrics galore as well as other stuff. I went on Tuesday this week and got amazing quality brocade fabric 108 inch wide £8.oo per meter... at least £30 in the shops

[crowsashes]

If you live any where near Birmingham try out the Rag Market. Its not on everyday but Tuesday defo as thats when I go Fabrics galore as well as other stuff. I went on Tuesday this week and got amazing quality brocade fabric 108 inch wide £8.oo per meter... at least £30 in the shops

i miss the rag market i really want to do a trip up to stock up on some patchworking fabrics etc reckon i could get cheap tickets if i book in advance! seems a long way to go, but i miss my home town :-D