New here? I’m blogging through 31 days of craft show preparation with Molly. Last year she did her first holiday fair and did a series of 31 blog posts so I get a sneak peek into the process.
Today Molly shares her thrifting finds and how she’ll be using them for items in her show. Tomorrow (I’ve merged the two days) she shares how she is still shopping for the perfect additions to her pieces. This time she shops in her mom’s studio for buttons. You have got to visit her post to see her mom’s button collection.
Shopping Adventures at Thrift Stores
When money is tight and I have a need to crochet I will go to the local thrift shops searching for yarn I can use. Usually the yarn is old from the seventies in some vintage (old) colors. Sometimes though I’ll get lucky and find some great wool or cotton yarn.
Locally there are three shops I go to. Most sell crafting supplies in bundled bags. I can usually buy a bundle of yarn for $2 – $5. One trip I found some mohair yarn 3 balls. I don’t care for it as it is a bit scratchy. It is thin so you need a smaller hook and it can be a pain to work with as it can be easily tangled.
Back when hubby had a job I probably went thrifting each weekend. It was a fun outing for the boys as they were able to choose a toy or two. Now, I’m lucky to go once a month. When thrifting become a necessity and not a past-time the experience loses it’s Wow factor.
Before using reclaimed yarn whether you are unraveling a sweater or buying skeins of yarn you need to wash it. This is how I do it.
Washing Reclaimed Yarn
- Take the label off the yarn
- Place in a washing sleeve
- Wash and dry as you normally would
- Pay special attention to the fiber content of your yarn as the above only works for cotton and acrylic
- Wool and animal fibers need special care (you don’t want them to felt)
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