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trackstar
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Joined: January 1st, 1970, 12:00 am

trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 1st, 2019, 6:22 pm

The folk arts trend around the world is stronger than ever and as financial markets surge and purge, it’s time to launch a new kind of options market, The Needle Exchange.

No opiates involved here – just fibers of all kinds needing to be pinned, basted, stitched, knitted, embroidered, and crocheted to make everything from fluffy angora hats, warm wool mittens, and alpaca sweaters to luxurious tapestries, braided rugs, and cozy down-filled patchwork quilts.
 
Do you have any idea how many kinds of needles and needle derivatives there are for knitting alone? From a diameter as small as a tiny pearl to one the size of a large blueberry and they come in metal, bamboo, plastic, and bone – straight, double-ended, circular, even special needles with a deep curve in the middle for holding cable stitches. Fishermen’s knits for the Celts among you!
 
And once we get into quilting – you would not believe how many types of pins and needles there are. Of course, for the men here, even thinking about such feminine arts is probably setting their nerves on pins and needles already.  :D
 
In any case, don’t be crewel, (we won’t tie you up in slip knots), watch for the Nice EuroNext big thing: trackstar’s Needle Exchange opening soon!
 
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Cuchulainn
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 1st, 2019, 8:57 pm

 
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Cuchulainn
Posts: 20252
Joined: July 16th, 2004, 7:38 am
Location: 20, 000

Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 1st, 2019, 9:01 pm

Bocchelinos, LOL 
Last edited by Cuchulainn on April 1st, 2019, 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 
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trackstar
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 1st, 2019, 9:13 pm

The Spaghetti Tree - Hehe.  

Yes, good that we did not forget this special day.  I noticed that no one celebrated Pi Day or *The Equinox* here this year.

What is the world coming to?

Anyway now I am thinking about spaghetti braids, which leads to Celtic braids - these are lovely.

Image

Image
My hair is long enough for this now.

and here is Christina Aguilera with spaghetti braids. I like such cornrows on others, but its all Celts for me. : )

Image
 
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Cuchulainn
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Location: 20, 000

Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 10:33 am

I'm in stirches.
 
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trackstar
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 11:52 am

I'm in stirches.
I knew this would catch on!

Soon they will jumping through hoops just for a seat here.
 
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Cuchulainn
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 1:34 pm

I used to make these crosses when at school and sell them coming up to St. Brigid's Day.
Sold like hot cakes. Captive audience.


Image
Last edited by Cuchulainn on April 4th, 2019, 1:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 
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Cuchulainn
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Location: 20, 000

Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 1:40 pm

 
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tw
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Joined: May 10th, 2002, 3:30 pm

Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 1:46 pm

That rabbit is in serious danger of getting Celtic braided.

The Spaghetti Tree - Hehe.  

Yes, good that we did not forget this special day.  I noticed that no one celebrated Pi Day or *The Equinox* here this year.

What is the world coming to?

Anyway now I am thinking about spaghetti braids, which leads to Celtic braids - these are lovely.

Image

Image
My hair is long enough for this now.

and here is Christina Aguilera with spaghetti braids. I like such cornrows on others, but its all Celts for me. : )

Image
 
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trackstar
Topic Author
Posts: 3420
Joined: January 1st, 1970, 12:00 am

Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 1:49 pm

Re: the rabbit - yes or if angora, sheared (gently) and spun into fluffy wool.

I have had two angora rabbits - wonderful but hard work in caring for that luxurious fur.
Last edited by trackstar on April 4th, 2019, 1:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 
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trackstar
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 1:51 pm

Nice knot work there!

I know you are deep into neural nets these days, but chantilly lace nets are nice too.

examples later...in wool and fine cotton.
 
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Cuchulainn
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 1:52 pm

Homotopic groups of knots
 
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trackstar
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 1:55 pm

Homotopic groups of knots
Excellent - I can work with those diagrams. I think work in two or three colors - then the complexity stands out even more.

Long drive now, but very happy with these new design ideas from the forum. : )
 
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Cuchulainn
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

April 4th, 2019, 4:17 pm

Image
 
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trackstar
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Re: trackstar's Needle Exchange

May 2nd, 2019, 11:57 pm

Hello Forum, 

It has been very refreshing to be away from cyberspace, but I have been thinking about you folks and lurking a little sometimes...

Aside from daily work and enjoying spring landscapes, I have indeed continued with needle arts; some embroidery, quilting, and knitting.

Here is the beginning of a scarf I started a few nights ago.  The stitch is a basketweave (cast on 40 stitches (or any multiple of 4 to achieve the width you would like), then knit 4, purl 4, repeat to end of row, reverse and knit up each block five rows then switch to purl 4, knit 4 for your next block.. etc.)

The yarn I am using is by Malabrigo in Uruguay and is called "Rastita". It's a hand-dyed 100 pure merino - soft, but with nice bulk, and vey smooth finish. This blue green hue is one of many tonal combinations.  

Number 8 circular needles, as shown here. You could also go with 6s or 7s for a smaller gauge mesh.

That's it for now, but enjoy the spring, everyone, and good luck with all of your own creative pursuits.

regina ex-machina/regina in absentia (nodding at you, Cuchulainn... ; )

TS
Last edited by trackstar on May 3rd, 2019, 12:30 am, edited 1 time in total.