19
votes
Accepted
What fiber crafts can I do when I am allergic to wool?
Yes, while you may lose some techniques that depend on wool's specific properties (like felting), there are a variety of fibers still available to the wool-allergic:
Other Animal Fibers Alpaca is the ...
- 926
15
votes
Accepted
Is there a way to determine the fiber content of a yarn if I've lost the label?
According to Maggie Righetti in Knitting in Plain English1, there are a couple of methods you can use to narrow down the possibilities.
The Burn Test
Take a small length of the yarn and hold a flame ...
- 595
9
votes
Accepted
Can a wool coffee cozy sustain high temperatures?
In addition to being extremely insulative, wool is ideal for something like a coffee cozy because it is stable in the presence of a fairly high degree of applied heat, it is un-meltable, and it has a ...
- 1,025
9
votes
Can I use Upholstery Vinyl as the fabric for a hardcover book opposed to using Leather?
Yes, using upholstery vinyl for bookbinding is certainly a possibility. I got a large reem of it from my grandfathers and was curious if it would work.
I found my result to be satisfactory (see ...
- 11k
8
votes
Accepted
How important is hand/finger position in fiber crafts?
The finger positioning—actually the way the yarn loops around the fingers—controls the overall tension of the yarn. Think of it like the path the thread takes on a sewing machine—all those ups, downs ...
- 551
7
votes
Accepted
Is there a way to unclump dryer lint?
I think what you need to do is carding the lint.
Carding is a process used in spinning fibers like cotton or wool and it disentangles the fibers and arranges them (mostly) in one direction.
(Image ...
Elmy♦
- 12.6k
4
votes
Accepted
How can I block acrylic / wool blend yarn?
Data point: I successfully blocked a mixed-fiber scarf by soaking in warm water! It was made of fingering weight yarn, content: 75% superwash merino / 25% nylon.
For an arbitrary mixture, the safest ...
- 2,385
4
votes
Accepted
Connecting 5mm wide elastic bands in multiple locations
Simply sew over them with a sewing machine. If you don't have a sewing machine, hand sew a few times through both bands instead of placing just a single loop. About 6 - 10 stitches should be stable ...
Elmy♦
- 12.6k
4
votes
Can you identify this yarn tool?
That looks like a bone folder (aka paper creaser) to me. A plastic version though, not actual bone. I've got one that's similar in bright orange, although mine doesn't have the notch near the tip.
It ...
- 146
4
votes
What type of sewing machine is appropriate for making heavy fabric bags?
If you cannot find a maker space as suggested in the comments, find a reliable dealer that has a repair shop. These machines are very heavy and cannot be transported for repairs.
Working in the studio ...
- 1,639
3
votes
Are different bobbin roller pillows specific to different styles of bobbin lace?
From a modern perspective, the type of pillow you chose (especially if both choices are roller pillows) is mostly based on your personal preference and working style. Traditionally different styles of ...
Elmy♦
- 12.6k
3
votes
What are these balls of wool bound together with a rubber band?
These are just pom poms on elastic bands. Those particular ones appear to be made from rabbit fur. That is, according to the less that useful description given from the site where this image came ...
- 11k
2
votes
How important is hand/finger position in fiber crafts?
Why reinvent what others have already worked out, if you don't have to? :) That said, it is definitely possible to learn to keep tension on the yarn or thread with nonstandard finger positions.
If a ...
- 112
2
votes
What fiber crafts can I do when I am allergic to wool?
I crochet with cotton threads from DMC.
You can also look into embroidery and cross-stitch. Cross-stitch can take a long time (especially for big pieces) but are really rewarding. You can pick up ...
2
votes
What fiber crafts can I do when I am allergic to wool?
I'm allergic to wool and I knit daily. Bamboo is my favorite but silk, linen, hemp, there are even fibres based on nettles and seaweed.
I have also knitted cashmere and alpaca with no issues at all.
- 21
2
votes
Accepted
Are there "forensic" tools that can typically be done at home to identify fiber content of yarn or fabric?
For most people at home a burn test is still the most viable option to identify unknown fabrics and yarns. With a little experience handling different types of fabric, it becomes easier to guess the ...
Elmy♦
- 12.6k
1
vote
Accepted
Capsule making?
Write out your messages on paper and then cut it out.
Roll it up into a scroll.
Take the height of the scroll and add about 3/4 of an inch to determine the length of drinking straw that you need.
...
- 3,235
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible