DIY: Making It Work
Image Source: We Heart It
Over the holiday break, I decided to start taking up DIY projects again. Although I would love to fancy myself as such, I’m honestly not a very crafty person. Although I might approach projects with a lot of gusto, they always end up looking…quite different from was intended. This goes for scrapbooks, jewelry-making, knitting, collages, sewing, painting, gluing and …anything that requires the use of the left and right brain.
However, during my Christmas break, I decided to give a few DIY projects a try. First, I decided to take up knitting again. Keep in mind, I only know how to do a knit stitch and that knit stitch will output a scarf. That is, if I hang around long enough to complete the scarf. What kept me going is the fact that I needed something to keep me occupied while watching trashy reality television shows (Bad Girls Club? Eek!). Plus, I couldn’t find a scarf to satisfy my taste in stores, so a light bulb went off and urged me to make my own scarf if I didn’t like what was out there. Simple, eh?
I have decided that I do want to start more DIY projects in the future. Along with the fact that I’d have my own unique creation, I’ve also realized that my shopping practices have changed over time. I’m more apt to support small businesses and indie designers now before going to a larger retail chain. To sum up my reasoning perfectly, I would direct you to Ms. Birdie’s blog to read her post about retail hell, which perfectly sums up my frustration with retail chains right now. With DIY, if I can, I’d like to try and make something myself and have it come out the way I want it. As stated above, my entire reason for starting knitting again was because I just wasn’t satisfied with what was in retail chains. So I thought, “I have yarn and needles at home, so I’ll make my own damn scarf!”*
Do you DIY? What are some of your favorite DIY projects?
*Please note: scarf is not yet finished. I am working on having it done before winter season officially ends.
DIY: Making It Work
Thanks for the link love! I'm so into DIY – I've got a couple sewing projects that need to be done, and a few knit/crochet projects to finish before winter is over.
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Of course! You really summed everything up perfectly! And good luck on finishing up your projects! I hope to see them once they are done
Oh, I swears by DIY but do fall victim to laziness…which sucks. That reminds me…I have a dress that I need to put together. =D
And if you can knit, you can purl, too! I promise.
I read Birdie's (HI birdie!) blog, too and felt the same way. 39th & Broadway has a good one, too. Retail is crazy and I'd rather spend money locally or just make something myself. Good luck finishing the scarf!
I can't wait to see your dress! And I think I've almost got the purling method down from YouTube vids, but every time I try, I always hesitate. Silly, I know, but I never want to mess it up! I'm looking at joining a local knitting group, though, and hopefully I can learn in real time. Thank you for the good luck!
I'm so not crafty. The only thing I can knit is holes!
I'm almost there with ya! You DO have an excellent eye for vintage though! That is a very valuable skill!
I wish I knew how to knit! I love the color you picked for that scarf! And I'm with you, I'd love to DIY more this year too!
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Thanks Ashley! Learning to knit is easy, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time! There are so many DIY projects out there to try!
making your own stuff can often be so much more rewarding than just buying something. i have yet to take up knitting again but a major project last winter just knitted me out… i love your post, we're on the same page, xx
I agree that it's much more rewarding than buying something. It makes you proud. I hope you take up knitting again soon!
My favourite DIY projects are making gifts for people. I'm thinking about doing a round of homemade soap to give as valentines.
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I think that would be a perfect gift for Valentines!