Wyoming Breezes

Clover Wonder Clips March 2018 The Wonder Clips are handy little gadgets. I used them recently to keep the layers of cashmere from slipping as I sewed. The clips stayed in place and didn't snag the delicate fiber. I also use the clips when I work on quilt bindings, as well as clipping notes to cut pieces of fabric. I love these helpful tools. Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation for this post: I am merely a satisfied customer.

stitch stoppers February 2018 Some of my most helpful tools are made from ordinary items. For example, I make stitch stoppers for my knitting needles from a simple foam door hanger, sold in packs of four at the Dollar Store. I snip off about an inch, cut that strip into three sections and poke a hole in the middle with a sturdy tapestry needle. One door hanger produces a dozen of these handy squares - more if you cut them smaller. These were especially helpful when I was knitting traveling blankets for the Oddball Baby Blanket group. They work better than tip protectors because they do not fall off easily. I usually toss some in my knitting bag, and I don't mind sharing the protectors with friends because they are so inexpensive to "make."

Quilter's Calculator About ten years ago, Brenda gave me this quilter's calculator for Christmas. At the time, I wasn't making that many quilts and didn't think I've ever use it. Fast forward a few years, and the calculator has become invaluable, as I am constantly using it to determine yardage and the required number of strips to cut for borders. Thanks again, Brenda for this useful gift.

The OverDrive App on my iPad is a great knitting/sewing companion. It is easy to download audio books, and the time I spend knitting and sewing flies by. I'm able to get more done when my mind and my hands are occupied.  OverDrive is associated with my local library, and my library card allows me to check out the books for 14 days.  The App works on my phone and my iPad and the two devices sync to keep my place in the recording. I can checkout ebooks, audio books and videos with the OverDrive App. Recently, I've "read" the following books:     "C" is for Corpse - Sue Grafton     Don't Go - Lisa Scottoline     If I Stay - Gayle Forman     Bullseye - David Baldacci     The Devil Wins - Reed Farrel Coleman     "G" is for Gumshoe - Sue Grafton     Goodbye Things - Fumio Sasaki     The Dead Will Tell - Linda Castillo Does your public library give you access to audio books via an App?

baby hat with removable stitch marker January 2018 Removable stitch markers are very helpful. I use them in many ways: to indicate the right side of my knitting, to mark my progress in the knitting session, to show measurements (the green marker on this baby hat is at the 3 inch mark - I begin decreases at 4 inches), and to hold a dropped stitch until it can be repaired. Over the years, I've used various stitch markers , but the removable ones are my favorite because they are so versatile.

pressor foot with quarter-inch guide Sewing machines are sold with several standard presser feet, but specialized feet can also be purchased for many brands of machines. I purchased a Quarter-Inch foot with a seam guide soon after I obtained my machine. The foot allows me to have consistent quarter-inch seams for quilting. I'd guess that nearly 90% of my sewing is done with this presser foot.

two well used leaders and enders December 2017 Some of the most helpful items I use for sewing are merely scraps of fabric that I use for leaders and enders. Using a leader helps to prevent a needle becoming unthreaded, it also helps to prevent a thread "bird's nest" on the bottom of a project. Personally, I also think it saves thread. I know that some quilters prefer to sew on "Leader and Ender" projects instead of using a scrap like mine. I tried doing that, but got sidetracked and had to finish the project. I tend to switch-out my presser feet often, so using the scrap ender works best for me. This photo shows a ender/leader being used, which allows chain-piecing. More information on these items can be found here  and here . If you sew, do you work on a Leader/Ender project or use a single header/ender scrap?

seven completed baby hats and four hats on circular needles December 2017 While I have a full set (sizes 1-17) of straight knitting needles both in ten and fourteen inch lengths, I knit almost exclusively with circular needles. I use them for knitting big and small items. I use two circulars when knitting socks and even hats. The baby hats shown in the photo were knit with some of the scrap sock yarn bonanza from the Senior Center. What type of knitting needle do you use the most?

bread tab used aa a yarn bobbin I often use bread tabs for yarn bobbins, especially when I need to have yarn to sew knit pieces together or when simply changing yarn. Most of the bread I buy has twist ties, so my sister saves them for me: thanks, Marilyn. Bread tabs are free and helpful tools. Have you utilized bread tabs in your crafting?

Knitting row counters Row counters are handy tools. I use one to count the heel flap rows: for adult socks, I knit 27 rows for the heel flap. I also use the counters when working with a more complicated pattern. I've been known to use paper and pencil to keep track of repeats, but the counter is by far more accurate. Both row counters are Clover products. I like the green one the best because it has a "lock" on the clicker. Sometimes, the row counters are just too hard for others to resist clicking before they realize what they've done. A "lock" makes that a bit harder to do. I've seen row counter bracelets, but I've never used one. I also have row counter that slips on straight needles, but I don't use straight needles very much. Do you use a row counter?

Friday posts for the next few weeks will feature ordinary or unique items that I consider helpful and/or essential to my crafting (quilting, sewing, knitting, etc.). I am not compensated for this or any other post: I'm just a satisfied customer.  pressing tools November 2017 Accurate sewing requires a good iron and sometimes a spritz of starch. Even though the Rowenta is capable of pressing with steam, I never put water in it. This model does not shut off automatically (my older Rowenta did) which I like because it is hot when I need to press a seam or a block. Before I discovered Rowenta irons, I used Black and Decker models. I liked the Black and Decker irons at the time, but newer models do not get hot enough for my needs. I purchase Best Press (a starch) by the gallon, and use it often: it's an essential product for my sewing room. I like my quilt blocks to be flat and seams smooth because it makes measuring easier and creates a better surface for the longarm quil...