I need help ending a debate over the use of store bought cross stitch patterns?

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:39:01 +0000

Hello Everyone I need a little help in a debate two of friends started, one which I have no clue who is right in. My friends and I have been buying cross-stitch patterns/charts/kits over the years from different stores (lie A.C. Moore and JoAnns and once upon a time from Rag Shop when it was around). One of my friend’s daughters decided that she would like to use some of the patterns to make framed cross-stitch and then sell it. (Meaning she would sell the finished product she made not the pattern or kits or charts – just to clarify). Now her mom says she can’t do that even though the patterns were purchased at craft stores but one of my other friends said that if you purchase them (such as Dimensions designs) from craft stores that they are fair game to make and sell as long as you are not selling the patterns/charts/kits? Who is right?

I, myself, would think that it is ok to do as long as you aren’t selling someone else’s designs as your own design just your own hand stitching but at the same time I’m not sure if they are considered one and the same?

Thank you for your time, help and clarification.

Actually, the ownership of the copyright is either the designer or the company who puts out the design (depending upon their agreement) even though you may have paid for a chart or kit. Check the fine print on the kit or pattern for what you are allowed to do with it as many times you are not allowed to sell even one of the finished pieces. No design is EVER fair game unless the designer has stated so – sometimes small samples are. Disney does not allow you to sell what you have made from their kits and only permits you to make 1 of each item.
If you are ever in doubt and can not find the info on the pattern/kit, drop the designer or manufacturer of the kit/pattern first.
PROTECT OUR DESIGNERS, HONOR THE COPYRIGHT

What is the best material for crochet hook and knitting needle?

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:48:21 +0000

Hi!

I would like to start knitting and crocheting and would like to get the best tools. What are the best materials for crochet hook and knitting needle in your opinion and WHY? Wood, metal, bamboo, plastic, anything else?

Thanks a lot.

Having used hooks and needles of a number of materials, I prefer metal (non-aluminum) and wood, although I have some borosilicate glass needles I love, depending on the yarn I am working with. Metal needles hold up well and work well, for experienced knitters and crocheters, for nearly all yarns, but some yarns, notably cotton and other plant fibers, silk, llama and alpaca, are very slippery to work with and are easier to control on wood or bamboo needles, since these materials have rougher surface that holds on to the yarn more firmly. I don’t use aluminum needles, since I have found over time that these needles aggravate the arthritis in my hands, although other metal needles do not. I find plastic needles in combination with acrylic yarn squeak and it drives me crazy.

As for best, the suggestion that you try out various needle materials is well given. Many companies make fairly inexpensively priced needles in aluminum, plastic and bamboo. Buy or borrow a pair of straights, or circulars and practice on them to see if you are comfortable with them. Hit yard sales to get them even cheaper or thrift shops for some just to try, or borrow some from another knitter. Look at the yarn you generally plan to use. If it is acrylic or wool, you’ll likely find metal needles to your preference, but other yarns may lead you to other types of needles.

You also need to understand needle tips. Did you know there are several types of needle tips that also affect the comfort of the needle in what you are trying to knit? There are blunt tips (large rounded points), pointed tips ( not so large, but still rounded points), and sharp points (very pointy tips). For general knitting, or working with several strands or bulky yarns, blunt or pointed tips work well–usually the larger the diameter of the needle, the less sharp the tip, but for lace or cable knitting, very sharp needles are preferred to pick up the tiny yarns used in lace or to easily move through the twists in cables.

BTW, spending money for quality needles isn’t an extravagance, if you love knitting, having good tools can often make a difference.

Do you know good american cross stitch websites where I can buy cross stitch kits?

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:55:11 +0000

with a lot of choice if possible. But only to buy in the USA. Thanks.

herrschners 1-800-441-0838 www.herrschners.com herrschners,inc 2800 hoover rd stevens point, wi 54492-0001 annie’s attic www.annie’sattic.com 1-800-582-6643 marymaxim www.marymaxim.com 1-800-962-9504 2001 holland ave pobox 5019 port huron mi48061-5019 you should be able to find what you are looking for at one of these places. i have used all three at different times. they are all great

Selling crafts for a living?

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:40:47 +0000

i can knit, weave, crochet, macrame, sew, beadery, cross stitch, lanyards, upcycling of plastic bottles and straws, ect to make beads, bracelets and small accessory holders, i have a lot of: dryer lint, bottle caps, plastic bottle rings, plastic stars, and selling aluminum ans steel.

i also want to get into pottery, mosaics, soap making and candle making.

i can make over 50 items in total. what are the chances i can make a living off of crafting.

i also want to get into photography and sell rights to my pictures for like, 50 cents to a dollar a picture.
some pictures of what i make…

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/bracelets-162709774?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=10

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/100-percent-recycled-beads-162710534?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=9

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/my-crafts-2-146848344?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=51

I agree that Etsy is a good place to start selling arts and crafts. There’s a built-in market and Etsy takes the hassle out of establishing an online storefront. Unfortunately, Etsy has gotten so big, sellers cannot rely on generic site traffic to make a living. Many sellers credit their participation in the Etsy forums for boosting their sales.

That said, establishing a local, word-of-mouth following does wonders too. Don’t neglect local craft fairs, farmer’s markets and even local art galleries. Once you get some sales, and possibly regular clients, you can point them and their friends to your professional Etsy storefront.

For specific directions for selling on Etsy, read the article below.

complete cross stitch its have all kits included?

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:32:09 +0000

i see the cross stitch from ebay .that stitch is looking good. i try to buy that. but i have no ideas in the words" complete cross stitch kit"that means all kits included or finished cross stitch..please answer me

It could mean 3 things.
1. Kit complete with thread and needle and pattern
2. Kit complete with thread and needle and pattern and also picture printed on canvas
3. Already stitched up and you just have to hang it on the wall

Best thing to do is contact the seller and ask for specifics.

selling crafts for a living?

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:32:04 +0000

i also want to get into pottery, mosaics, soap making and candle making.

i can make over 50 items in total. what are the chances i can make a living off of crafting.
some pictures of what i make:

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/bracelets-162709774?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=10

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/100-percent-recycled-bracelet-162709311?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=11

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/100-percent-recycled-beads-162710534?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=9

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/my-new-furry-doll-156530043?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=15

http://iceveela.deviantart.com/art/my-crafts-2-146848344?q=gallery%3Aiceveela%2F5327058&qo=51

i also want to get into photography and sell rights to my pictures for like, 50 cents to a dollar a picture.

If you can make a lot of it, and keep it up … I bet you’d do awesome on Etsy (.com)

That’s exactly the kinda stuff people on there buy up … especially the funky, upcycled stuff.

If you could trade some of your crafts for some logos/graphics, that’ll help your business look a little more higher end too. (Just a suggestion)

And if you can hit up some (modern) craft fairs, that would help too.

Another suggestion would be if you could teach other people how to put together the crafts, that can be profitable as well. Basically you would put together little how to guides with pictures of each step and little descriptions of what to do… or even how to videos and then put them on DVD.

I do that with candy wrapper purses and it does pretty good.

Hope that helps!

Help me find a knitting pattern for a baby hat with hearts in the pattern?

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:10:20 +0000

I’ve been searching online for AGES but I can’t find a free knitting pattern for a baby hat that includes hearts! I want to knit my friend a hat for her baby (she’s due this winter) and I want it to have hearts in a different color from the main color. I could embroider it on or knit it in as part of the pattern, but I need a pattern, because I’ve never done hearts before. Please help me find some good patterns!

Here are a few nice options:

http://purplesagedesigns.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/cable-heart-tam-joins-the-celtic-child-flock/

http://www.p2designs.com/images/patterns/Set-Hearts.html

http://www.polarknit.com/files/Lacy%20Heart%20Slouch%20Hat.pdf

download the attachment here too: http://sites.google.com/site/clwork332/HeartMonkeyHat.pdf?attredirects=0

http://joann.lionbrand.com/patterns/kcw-heartHat.html

http://www.klaam.com/sheknits/PDF%20files/Valentine%20Hat.PDF

They ARE hard to come by….

hope you like, heehee (I better win best answer for this…haha)

What was or is the cross stitching product that Wal-mart sells?

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:50:57 +0000

In the Wal-mart craft section they use to (or if they still do. I can’t seem to find them) have a cross stitch kit that came with the fabric, string, pattern, and needle. It was in a clear plastic wrap. On the front is was dark blue on the top and it had a picture of whatever the pattern was completed. And on the back you could see the fabric and string and everything. I want to know what was the name of that company and if Wal-mart still sells the product. PLEASE HELP!!!

Cross Stitch Kits at Walmart – http://www.google.com/products?rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS260US260&q=cross+stitching+kits+walmart&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=k6HxS8CbJIK0lQeRyPW0CA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CD4QrQQwAg

I am looking for a cross stitch kit

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:25:43 +0000

The item number is EPX 169 ZEBRA. I do know this has been discontinued. Can anyone help me find a kit? The designer is Collette Rushton by Anchor. FLEUR DE LIS

If the kit has been discontinue and if you know who the designer
is than you might need to contact Anchor and find out how you
can still get that kit sent to you. Good-luck.

Is knitting with crochet hook faster then knitting with knitting needles?

admin — Sun, 02 May 2010 05:21:22 +0000

Is knitting with crochet hook faster then knitting with knitting needles?

I am planning to make a baby blanket. I can use the bamboo needles/circular needles I have . But I wanted to know If I knit a pattern (may be basic one) with crochet hook, is that faster?

Thanks

If you’re using a crochet hook, that’s usually called crocheting, unless you’re knitting with the handle part of two crochet hooks.

If you’re asking if CROCHETING is faster than knitting, the answer is "yes – usually." The blanket will be thicker and will use more yarn, but crocheting is usually quicker. Which technique to use is decided by what final product you want.

There’s a great website for baby patterns in both knit and crochet: www.bevscountrycottage.com