Wyoming Breezes

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?

120 inch measuring tape 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.) A long measuring tape (120 inches) is an extremely helpful tool for quilting. It makes measuring the quilt for borders much easier and more accurate than a traditional 60 inch tape measure. While this tape is convenient for measuring large quilts, I can't find a good way to keep it contained when I'm not using it. Do you have a favorite measuring tool? P.S. I didn't realize the link to the Stars over Scott (yesterday's QOV) pattern was not correct. It's been fixed.

wool yarn reclaimed from thrift shop sweaters before washing 2007 Since I'm presenting a program at the March Fiber Guild meeting on reclaiming yarn from wool sweaters, I thought it would be a good idea to start gathering the items I'd need and deconstruct a sweater to refresh my mind. I started reclaiming the wool in 2007 from wool sweaters that were purchased ( some shown in this earlier post ) in Denver thrift shops. Once washed, the reclaimed wool could not be distinguished from that purchased in a yarn shop. Some of the wool I reclaimed can be seen in  this post . The reclaimed wool has been used in a variety of projects for charities and for gifts. Projects I made using reclaimed wool:      Vests for children in cold climates - here ,  here,   here , here     Cowls -  here and here     Hats and helmet liners for the military -  here ,  here  and here     Mittens    ...