Crafters are not wasteful people. Everything we use to create our favorite craft gives us ideas about how we might use the scraps left over. It especially breaks my heart to dispose of scraps of monk' cloth so I've done a few things with them, depending on size. I've used them for toilet tank runners and for plant or ornament doilies but I'm sure there are tons of other uses I haven't thought about.
My dear friend who passed away last summer left me some potato colored monk's cloth which is not my favorite color but I'd never throw it away. It might be some of the last I work on but I did make a couple of doilies out of them while on corona virus quarantine. Thank heavens I didn't have the virus but had to self quarantine when I got home from Florida in March.
I used some unloved yarn that I could cut small, pretty sections from and just did a simple border pattern. Sometimes it's quite pleasant to pick up a scrap of monk's cloth to work on after spending days on a more demanding project.
I happen to live in a mainly senior apartment building and we have a bench at the rear door where we can leave clothing, books, etc. for anyone to have for free. This is where I've put craft items I no longer need and they disappear immediately so I know I've made someone's day a brighter one.
This is my first attempt with beads and I'm not sure I like what I've done...it isn't what I had in mind so I'll try something different next time.
I used a lovely lilac monk's cloth for Christine Allan's pattern "Spring Fling" and "I Love This Yarn" in sweet serenade...I like this yarn color a lot.
I'd wanted to try putting beads on the ends but discovered that the beads I had in mind weren't in my craft room any more. I'd given them away in one of my purges last year. The beads I used had the teensy tiny holes that would only accommodate fine wire or plastic thread so I had to use a fabric glue to apply them to the yarn. I had planned to use beads I could insert the yarn through and knot on the bottom so this doesn't look anything like I'd envisioned. I'm also a little nervous about how well they'll hold up in the wash so I'll have to warn whoever buys this runner.
One good thing is that I pulled out all the beads and supplies I had and will now get rid of some and store the rest in hopefully one case instead of 4 or 5. I'll also have to buy some more beads with larger holes. Maybe I'd better save one of the empty cases. LOL!
The first table runner is called "Wheat Fields" and comes from the booklet, "Learn To Make Monk's Cloth Afghans". I used the "I Love This Yarn" in ivory with an intertwined gold thread on beige monk's cloth. I like tone on tone table runners because they just have an elegant look for me.
I'm sorry but I don't know the name of the pattern on the second one but I did use "I Love This Yarn" in wild carnation. You can't really tell by the photo but the yarn is 4 different colors twisted into one strand and makes a really nice effect. I really do love this particular one.
Just a note: The reason why I don't know the pattern name is because I usually make 3-4 table runners before doing the final hemming/fringe and occasionally I neglect to make note of the pattern before moving on to the next project.
I didn't realize until I selected the photos that I'd taken pictures of 2 different colored yarns but both are the same, just different colors. I wanted to show how interesting this yarn is...4 different colors wound together to make one strand. I love the look of this in a Swedish weaving pattern. It's called "I Love This Yarn" and I found it at Hobby Lobby in Kissimmee, Florida. Whenever I find something different like this I buy it. I bought 4 different shades and there is one I don't like because it has yards of one shade before another shade turns up. The one I don't like is called "Brights". I did use it on the following table runner but I'm not pleased with it.
I've been writing this blog and posting photos of Swedish weaving for a few years. It has all been to inform others of the lovely patterns and projects available to us. I always credit the designer of any pattern I use but a couple of years ago I made the mistake of crediting the wrong person...honest mistake! I spoke to the lady today who was the actual designer of that particular pattern and was so horribly verbally abused when I apologized for my mistake that I had to hang up on her. Needless to say, I won't ever buy or use her patterns again.
I won't mention the name of the person but it wasn't Christine Allan whose patterns I adore and use often and will continue to use.
Anyway, the lady I spoke to said that I wasn't allowed to post any photos of my table runners if they showed her patterns because that was an infringement of her copy rights. I had no idea! I always thought that my work was my work and I'd paid for the pattern so why shouldn't I be allowed to show photos of it?
Just a note: No-one has the right to abuse you verbally. I'm an old lady and my time is too precious to argue with unreasonable people and I sure as heck won't take abuse of any kind. I made a mistake, I apologized, and I removed the photo.
