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What we sell...
Knit and Crocheted Items
All the knit or crocheted merchandise offered for sale on Crafty Sue's Handcrafts website
are genuinely hand knit or hand crocheted.
What does this mean?...
It means that each item is knit or crocheted one at a time by one handcrafter who uses only their own two hands using regular straight knitting needles or hand crocheting hooks to make that item. There is no mass production of knit items by the use of knitting machines. Nor is any type of so called 'hand knitting' machine ever employed. The same holds true for crocheted items.
We offer genuinely handcrafted one at a time items for sale. Each item crafted on our premises really is crafted individually for the customer who has ordered it! Sometimes this may mean a bit of a wait when it comes to delivery time for hand knit or crocheted items as we do not keep large quantities of such items in stock.
Why don't we?...
It would be impossible to second guess what combination of yarns and yarn colors our customers may order at any given time. Wanting to offer a greater selection of hand knit and crocheted items, the best way is usually to wait until the customer orders before beginning knitting or crocheting that item. That way the customer gets exactly what they want and we are not left with any 'unwanted' inventory. A win win situation for both the hand knitters, crocheters, and the customers. No wasted labor and material on our part resulting in very reasonable prices for our customers.
Knitting Info Links:
- Knitting Videos
- Lionbrand Yarn Company - Learn To Knit Site
- Learn to knit! Online knitting instruction
- Learn to Knit and Crochet - Craft Yarn Council of America
- Learn to Knit - Bernat yarn website
- Learn to Knit - Vogue web site
Felted Yarn Items
All the felted items offered for sale on this site are created by hand felting 100% wool yarn with the hot water / friction technique:
The item to be felted is first very loosely knit or crocheted using 100% wool yarns (not treated to prevent shrinkage). At this point the item is much larger than the actual finished measurements of the item after it has been felted.
After the item is knit or crocheted, it is then placed in a sink basin filled with very very hot water. A very small amount liquid dish soap is then added to the water. The dish soap causes the scales on the wool fibers to open.
The hand felting process begins:
Wearing rubber gloves to protect the hands from the hot water, the felter squishes and squeezes the hot water through the item over and over again.This squishing and squeezing process causes the opened scales on the wool yarn fibers to interlock with each other. This in turn causes the wool fibers to shorten in length.This interlocking of the scales on wool fibers causing the fibers to shorten and thicken in turn makes the item being felted become smaller and thicker as the felting process proceeds.
When the desired degree of felting is reached, the item is next rinsed in plain cold water and then rolled up in a thick terrycloth towel to absorb excess water. While still damp, the felter then hand shapes the item.The item is then left to air dry. After which any finishing touches are applied.
Felting knit or crocheted items made with 100% wool yarn (not treated to prevent shrinkage) results in very strong, durable items that will last for a very long time.
Sewn Items
All the sewn items for sale on our site are individually constructed from the first step to the last by one handcrafter. This means that the entire construction of each item sewn from the pinning and cutting out of the pattern to the stitching of the last seam is under control of one person only. The result is superior quality construction.
There is no huge pile of layered fabrics being cutout at en mass nor is the item passed from one worker to the next in assembly line fashion.
It might seem 'inefficient' in regards to time spent in production, but the resulting quality of items sewn in this manner is far superior to any mass produced hurry up and get it out the door products. Each item is in effect 'custom made'. So if you are looking for quality, you have come to the right place.
Why Buy Hand Made?
Visit our Handcrafted Items Photo Gallery
If you need any help visit our Contact Page
Enjoy your visit come back soon!