I exchanged the one that was totally non-functional and got another one. I can't say that fixed the issues, but this one works better.
One thing I discovered is that the little plastic guard behind the thread tension knob is NOT your friend. (It seems to be there to keep you from over-tensing the thread.) With my machine, I have to tense the thread WAY more than it allows. I basically just kept turning the knob until the guard bent down. You've literally got to turn that thing almost as far as it will go. (If the thread breaks, you've gone too far!)
Another thing is that I searched everything with an adapter in my house until I found one with specs similar to the ones imprinted on the adapter plug on the machine and which fit the plug. Huge difference when compared to batteries. A lot more power. It really should come with an adapter. (The only problem is that the power surge blew the machine's light.)
I managed to sew a Gothic/Victorian backpack with the thing, and I took it to Disneyland. That was in October, and it's still in one piece, so ultimately I did get functionality out of it.
Boards
Recent Posts by Vermin Jerky
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Dritz Lil' Stitch. What do you think?
Started over 1 year ago · Last post about 1 year ago ·
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California people where are you?
Started over 1 year ago · Last post 4 months ago ·
San Diego, here. S'up?
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crochet gift for boyfriend? O.o
Started over 1 year ago · Last post 11 months ago ·
I agree with Lacey. Something useful rather than something purely decorative. I don't know a lot of guys who are into plushies, you know? You might hit the nail on the head with an amigurumi, but it's not as likely, especially if you're really unsure.
Scarf, sweater, throw, blanket. Also, I wouldn't get too creative. I've seen things like football-themed throws for guys. The effect, in crochet, kind of misses cool. Stripes, checks, cables, and argyle, however, are classics. If he's more of a casual guy, stick with a simpler design and avoid clothes. If he's more of a classy guy, you can get a little fancier, but I'd stay really masculine.
You literally can't go wrong with a blanket, everyone needs them. (Although I realize it's too late to start on a project like that for Christmas.) If you want it to really be a surprise, base your color scheme on the colors he tends to wear.
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how to crochet an image....
Started over 1 year ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
Yes, if you're doing an image you should use single crochet. It's the only way to get any kind of image resolution. (A smallish hook might also be a good idea.) Think of each stitch as a pixel, like in a computer image.
However, you might run into trouble just overlaying a grid on an image. In all likelihood, your computer image will be much higher resolution than your blanket will be. A workable grid and the image won't match up, you'll have a lot of squares that are half one color and half another.
One thing you could do is resize your image to something quite small, then blow it back up, which will more or less turn the pixels into a grid with no outlines. If you're not good with photo editing software, you could take graph paper and color in individual squares based on your picture.
I'd think you'd want to use intarsia, which means switching colors as you work without cutting the yarn until the color switches are too far away from one another. Crochet over the color(s) you're not using with the color you are using. You can also strand the yarn across the back for short jumps you can't cover.
There's some videos on YouTube that might help you, just Google "single crochet intarsia."
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Crochet is driving me crazy..
Started over 1 year ago · Last post 11 months ago ·
Have you asked around, Anne? You might know others who crochet but you just don't know they crochet. I agree, it helps a lot in the beginning to have someone who knows what they're doing. I learned from a book (the same one you're using, if I recollect correctly) with the help of two aunts.
By the way, you might be being a little hard on yourself. I'm an advanced crocheter and I occasionally compete, but I sucked when I started, too. That's what being a beginner is, it means sucking. :P
I really need to post some of my crochet projects.
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vampire crafts
Started over 1 year ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
My favorite vampy projects here on CO+K are all chokers.
This one is directly vampire-related:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/bite-me-choker
These are both red and vampy. I did my own version of the second one but I haven't posted it yet.
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/vampire-red-choker
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/red-vampire-satin-neck-corset
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Morals and Beliefs?
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
If I were you, I would honestly be tempted to send her the most flowery, gushing, expensive, saccharine congratulatory card I could find, preferably religious. Not a very nice temptation, but a temptation none the less. May it be hoped she learned her lesson on her own.
On another note, I'm not personally testy about people hurting themselves with hypocrisy. To me, that's just poetic justice. But if she had issued me that self-righteous lecture, she wouldn't have known what hit her. I become downright unpleasant when someone tries to boss me, especially about something that's meaningless to me.
Here's a phrase I highly recommend: "Not on my time."
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California road trip advice
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
Well, if I could give you any advice it's that you're starting in the wrong place. You're missing a lot of the coast if you start in L.A. and go north. Specifically, you're missing San Diego. (Also such notables as San Juan Capistrano and Anaheim.)
You're not really doing California if you miss everything south of L.A. including the state's second largest city. (Our nickname is America's Finest City. Wouldn't you like to know why?)
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Dritz Lil' Stitch. What do you think?
Started over 1 year ago · Last post about 1 year ago ·
I just bought a Dritz Lil' Stitch sewing machine. It's small and very inexpensive. But I'm having issues with the thread constantly jamming; I'm following the instructions to the letter and making adjustments, but it still jams within a few inches of stitching every time.
Has anyone else had issues with Dritz Lil' Stitch machines, or are you happy with yours?
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RANT RANT RANT
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
Lovely. A double-whammy from the boss and the landlord. I'm guessing they know they can get away with it in this economy, but then again, the landlord at least should be a little more understanding for the same reason.
In any case, there's no excuse for verbal abuse. If I were you, I'd begin documenting what's going on in case this escalates and you wind up having to prove your side of the story.
Anybody who'd treat you the way these two men have isn't going to be trustworthy in the future.
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Craft Chat & Swaps » Gift Ideas?
Coraline Birthday party Ideas
Started over 3 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
There's a project right here on CO+K about how to make button skeleton keys. It uses a real key but I think it'd be easy to use key charms or something.
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/coraline-button-key-necklace
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Last-minute Harry Poter crafts for movie-goers.
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
Oh, I love those! I'm definitely trying to figure out how to work the Peverell/Deathly Hallows symbol into something, but I'm not sure what, yet. Maybe I'll do my nails, too.
ETA: I ended up using some of the wire and jump rings from the Felix Felicis necklace to make a pair of Deathly Hallows earrings. I posted the project and a how-to.
Doesn't anybody else have some suggestions?
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Last-minute Harry Poter crafts for movie-goers.
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
(ETA: How did I misspell "Potter" in the subject line? -__-)
The final Harry Potter movie comes out on the 15th and, obviously, opening day is going to be a monumental blowout.
I was hoping some people would like to share some Potter-themed crafts that can be done reasonably quickly for those of us enthused enough to be going to midnight showings and stuff.
Here's one I designed, a Felix Felicis necklace:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/felix-felicis-necklace
And here's a magnificent way to make a wand on the fly (I LOVE this one!):
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/wands-hp-style-again-2
An easy way to make a Golden Snitch:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/claymetal-golden-snitch
Featured not long ago, here's a Time Turner:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/harry-potter-inspired-hermiones-time-turner
A Marauder's Bag (this can't be made quickly, but you could embellish a bag this way):
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/marauders-messenger-bag
Lightning Bolt necklace from CD (not Potter-specific but still appropriate):
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/cd-lightning-bolt-necklace
Who else has some ideas?
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Just throwing this out there...
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
In 2001, scientists discovered a new species of... elephant. That's right. Elephant.
There are three living species of elephant: Asian elephants, African bush elephants (formerly called African elephants), and the previously unknown (as a separate species) African forest elephants.
Basically, scientists had thought all African elephants were the same, and the forest-dwelling ones were just runty. Genetic testing proved otherwise. Not just a separate breed, an entirely different species. Asian elephants are most closely related to extinct mammoths, and there is as big a genetic difference between Asian elephants and their closest mammoth relatives as there is between the two types of African elephant.
There are major physiological differences, too (like the number of toes; forest elephants have more), and while the African bush elephant is the largest living species, the African forest elephant is the smallest.
Furthermore, since 2000, no fewer than 25 species of primate have been discovered. Three primates were discovered in 2010. The most recently discovered primate in the world is the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey, which has a body length of over two feet (not including its enormous tail) and an estimated population of 260-330 individuals.
If science can discover a new species of elephant and 25 primates in the past decade, a deep-forest dwelling ape with a very small population (and which many people swear to have spotted) doesn't strike me as particularly outlandish.
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YIKES Eczema!
Started about 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
I also have chronic eczema on my hands. For me, emu oil (which is more like emu grease, truth be told) works as an intensive overnight treatment. I also have a prescription for an ointment that's too harsh for the face.
But it's the hydrocortisone cream that keeps it permanently at bay. I use it as a moisturizer anytime my hands begin to get dry, usually a few times a day. I use fragrance-free lotion in between and for body moisturizing, but that alone does not work for me. I have to use hydrocortisone daily or else my eczema comes back.
My doctor said hydrocortisone cream is the usual recommended treatment for mild eczema, but also told me about emu oil for the intensive treatment.
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Etsy name help
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
Does it need to be "purple" specifically, or could it be a synonym for purple? I was thinking "plum" since you seem to prefer alliteration.