A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
 

When I was young I would see someone doing some kind of needlework that interested me and immediately I would look for someone who knew how to do that and ask them to teach me. I was initially attracted to knitting. Our neighbor knew how to knit and so I hounded and pestered her until she told me to go buy some yarn and knitting needles and she would show me. Of course, I had to ask my mom since I was only nine years old at the time. Mom finally agreed and took me to get the needed supplies. My first attempts were so tight that I couldn't get the stitches to move on the knitting needle! But with time they improved and I was happy that I had learned. My mother was quite amused with my new "hobby" because she didn't think I would stick to it. Within a few months, however, she was requesting that I make some things for her.
Another needlework craft that captured my imagination was crocheting. I saw crochet all my life but never saw a completed article. When I was in Nurse's training our Housemother crocheted all the time. Once again, I asked her so many questions about it that she finally decided to teach me just to shut me up. I loved it. With crochet, the article grew so fast and I soon had a completed item. But, I still preferred knitting.

While we were in our psychiatric affiliation I had a class on what they called Physiotherapy and we learned basket weaving and loom weaving. I loved doing those.

As a student nurse, when we weren't studying or working we had lots of spare time. One day while I was working up on the Women's Acute ward I saw a patient tatting and yes, you guessed it, I wanted to learn how to do it and so I asked her to teach me. I was very eager, and she said I would have to get the supplies, which I did. As soon as I could I went to her and we set up a time for a lesson. But, the nuns in charge of the hospital thought that the patients and students shouldn't fraternize so closely and so I had to stop. I only learned how to make the stitches! I returned to it when a lady offered it in our adult education center and the stitches I learned back in 1953 were finally put to work in a pattern for the first time- in about 1989. I was so excited that I could finally make things! I love tatting as it is about the most portable type of needlework I've ever learned.
In 1969 I bought my first Knitting Machine, a 'Studio' brand, the only one I could find at the time.  Later on I found a 'Brothers' and at the same time the Garter Carriage which sold me on that type of machine.  Presently, I also own a ribber, a disk drive, a PPD, a Double Bed hook up and of course a lace carriage.

I learned to do bobbin lace about five years ago and I enjoy doing it from time to time. But I never had an insatiable desire to learn it as I did with the other types of needlework. Guess I am simply too interested in the other things right now. I have become proficient in most of these things and have tried them more than once.  I make afghans, sweaters and things for the home such as Dish cloths and face cloths.  I can weave placemats and am interested in weaving rugs which can also be done on the Knitting machine.  I have box after box of patterns so if anyone is looking for something in particular I can probably help them.
I would be happy to help anyone with any questions that you have. Don't forget, I know the stitches, the patterns and most of all, the techniques that are involved with each type of needlework. So feel free to ask me for help, ok? Clara

 

Christmas Candle Pattern

If you are here looking for tatting patterns you've come to the right place. I have been tatting since around 1953 but I only really learned to make anything about 10 years ago. Ever since then I've been tatting endless projects.!

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