Article by Richard Greenwood

Greeting cards have been a way of communicating with family and friends since early civilization. Both the ancient Chinese and the early Egyptians sent messages through greeting cards. From the 15th century until the late 1800′s, Europeans crafted handmade greeting cards from paper to deliver to loved ones. The cards made in this era were usually rather costly and ornate.

Card Making was much less common after technological advancements in printing allowed greeting cards to be manufactured in mass quantities for an affordable price. By the close of the 19th century, the greeting card industry had taken the place of most handmade cards. In 1980, scrapbooking, along with other paper crafts including cardmaking, begin to increase in popularity again.

Today, thousands of people enjoy the hobby of cardmaking. Handmade greeting cards are made using a variety of different methods and range in difficulty. Many of the same techniques used in scrapbooking can be applied to cardmaking. Stamping, foiling, and embossing are all popular techniques used in making greeting cards.

Rubber stamps are available in hundreds of different styles and designs. Most modern stamps are self-inking and can be used over and over again. Rubber stamps create beautiful images and calligraphic heartfelt wishes with no effort, producing original handmade cards.

The technique of embossing is a little more involved than stamping and generates gorgeous detailed images. With heat and a special embossing powder, a stamped image can be transformed into a vibrant, three-dimensional raised image. The picture can then be painted with gel pens for a colorful handmade card.

Foiling is an elegant technique using foil leaves to transfer classy foil images and designs to paper. Crafting foil is available in many colors and designs. Foiled cards can also be embossed for a raised, professional appearance.

Like the early days of cardmaking, today’s crafters use quality paper cardstock. Cardstock is available in various styles and colors and can be purchased in ready made card layouts. Pearlescent cards and envelopes are one of the most popular styles for cardmaking because the satin, shimmering effect of the paper gives handmade cards a rich look and feel.

Use less ribbon and get a pretty knot that lays flat every time. Watch all the “Brilliant Inkling” videos for quick tips that add sparkle to your paper crafts. Music from ccMixter.org ccmixter.org

Stamp collecting started in 1840 with the issue of the first proper stamp, the Penny Black, followed closely by the Twopenny Blue. Previous to this you had to rely on Hand stamps from each local area. What happened after was the biggest hobby in the world up until the 1990′s, for all age groups, only to be surpassed by the computer age. Most unfortunately these days, the backbone of the collectors – the Children of the world – have in general lost interest in this very time consuming hobby. The main stay of stamp collecting is now a much older generation and the numbers are getting less.

There are of course advantages and disadvantages of this, to the good side, in general, the prices of stamps have come down a lot, up to 2/3rds. In some cases on the down side it is becoming harder and harder to acquire the rarest of the stamps, and of course they are going up in price, so there is a lot of difference between a normal collection, a good collection and a superb collection.

To put it in prospective you can now go to an online auction and get a mixed selection of stamps from Victorian times for a few pennies, and somebody’s collection for a few hundred pounds, but finding the odd one that is rare is a completely different story.

I am very lucky as I have been collecting for over 50 years and my collection is quite reasonable especially the British, and from 1960 on I have all British issues.

The important things to remember when stamp collecting is to decide on what area you are interested in and then how complicated you want to make it.

I would suggest that you start with a specific area i.e. Australasia, South Africa, GB, or if your more ambitious try the Commonwealth or Europe. The best advice I can give here is to start your collection in a simple manner, don’t go looking for the special editions or errors, just concentrate on getting one of of each stamp, this will enable your finances to stretch further and help your collection grow faster. Then when you have got a reasonable amount for the area you are specializing in you can then decide on how complicated to make it. i.e. mint or used, singles or block, water marks, issue variations etc.

The other major consideration when starting to collect is where are you going to keep them and in what. The reason I say this is because a serious collection can take up a lot of space and be very heavy, in my case my collection consists of 3 large albums just for GB and another five for specialist countries, and a further seven for the rest of the commonwealth. I must say that there is a space for every stamp of the commonwealth weather or not I have them.

Unless you are quite well off I would suggest that you start your collection off with stock books, using the 32 or 64 leave varieties, then as your collection grows you can move them from leave to leave without having to use hinges or adding pages, making gaps, or other bits that will make it look untidy.

My last piece of advice is to get yourself a Stanley Gibbons stamp catalog of not more than 3 years old. You can not do it without one, luckily there is a individual catalog for most areas of the world and they are reasonable inexpensive to acquire.

Paul S Record

Article by Pinellas Rubber Stamp

Competition in the business apple is difficult and the majority of companies are now because options that would accommodate an alone character in the market. Promote your brand, runs as able-bodied as commercial campaigns with a custom logo can be achieved.

Another able way to highlight your attendance on the bazaar use custom stamps. This will accord you the achievability to actualize your own signature, logo or architecture on the stamp. You can acquisition the engravings of the allowance fabricated according to your requirement.

The best part of personalized rubber stamps is that these current tools will give a formal aspect to your stationary and look for maps of marriage. There are many choices available on the market. All you need to do is take a look and decide which matches your need.

You wish to add a blow of complication in your anchored appointment or wish an official actualization on letters? Custom stamps are the ideal band-aid for all your requirements. You can use the abode stamper custom to mark your character binder and accord them a able look. There are abounding Embossers abode on the bazaar which helps to accommodate an attitude that Show labels, anchored and envelopes.

If we allocution about custom stamps appear in altered shapes and sizes and absorption the aboriginal details. These seals abide primarily of absolute red rubber, application the laser engraver. This helps to bigger in detail including the stamp. You can use a brand alone for altered purposes, such as for archetype a map of adornment by authoritative claimed calls or to allowance important documents.

One of the lot of altered personalized rubber stamps and a brand is a handle of wood. They are altered from added bartering seals, because managers are custom bogus in an acceptable admeasurements of elastic dice. You can accomplish variations on these stamps, abacus images, logos, and claimed signatures.

Can create an eternal feeling of the eccentricity of the custom stamps. If we are talking about Embossers address, can be used to order forms, documents, and the packaging of products to provide a professional look to a standstill. But, you should receive the greatest care, the quality of the seal, so that the report is free of errors.The most excellent fraction of personalized rubber stamps is that these present tackle will give a formal feature to your motionless and look for maps of wedding. This wills agreement you the viability to actualize your own name, logo or structural design on the stamp.

Article by Pinellas Rubber Stamp

1. The first superiority

What time you select a rubber stamp always go for the better quality ones, especially if it is for commercial purposes. If the stamps are important documents and dear you do not want to be applied with paint or filled with text impress.

2 Company self-inking stamps

A kind of formality known as a seal of the company is self-inking and thus avoids the use of separate blocks of ink. This can make your life much easier because you won’t spend time cleaning a messed up reception and ink-stained fingers.

3. Production stamps: supple enough for long service

This allows you to change the text in your dish of stamp when it becomes obsolete; you avoid the costs of obtaining a new one.Rubber stamp is a type of formality that has text plates which are easily replaceable.

4. The rubber stamp: Self-inking or normal

Once the score of self-inking. You don’t need a separate ink pad. Not only do you avoid confusion to maintain a separate ink pad open on your desktop, but the very idea of keeping open makes empty more quickly, as well as create opportunities for it to spill everywhere in your Office! A cushion Self-inking remains closed which makes it last longer.

5. Spotless the check cover with single strip

Using single glue tape on the text of the stamp plate can remove ink from the plate, making wonderfully spotless once more prior to you put back in the drawer. This support to the card text is ready for use next time, without have to take away the hardest useless ink.

6. Amusing through rubber stamp

Rubber stamp is useful for not only the undertaking or business, but also for the manufacture of photo albums, books, notes and wrapping paper, greeting cards. You can unleash your creativity here and create your own greeting cards to friends and relatives, which are arguably more special for them as maps ready.

7. Apply dissimilar colors for different reason

Why not use the rubber stamps of a different color for different purposes in your Office? Purchase them in different colors can help you choose that is in use. Ask business stamps, as they are available in different colors. It allows you to save time and frustration of having to try each rubber stamp to ensure that it is really what you want only to discover that he is always the last to try what you really need!

Find More Stamping Articles

Some people believe that card making is already a thing of a past. It is already an obsolete recreational activity since no one in this world would spare some of their precious time to make a card. It is a pointless activity, for some, and these people would rather go to the nearest bookstore and buy a ready-made card instead. They believe that it is more practical and more convenient that way.

But, I beg to defer.

Card making is still alive and kicking these days. In fact, it is considered as a popular hobby which allows individuals to express their creativity in a simple paper craft medium. As long as people have a heart, card making would never be obsolete. They believe that card making is the best way to express their love and affection for someone.

It is through taking time to make a card that they could express how special the person is in their lives.

Contrary to popular belief, card making is actually easy to make especially if you already have some materials on hand. It is best if you would use an A4 card for your card making activity. An A4 card approximately measures 11 inches by 8 inches. All you have to do is to fold it into half and voila, you already have a card that you could readily design and decorate.

To fold the A4 card properly, it is best if you would use the base of spoon to make the crease. It would also be more beautiful if you would find a colored A4 card that compliments with the designs and ornaments that you would be using.

It is also better if you are to make a perfect card topper for your personalized greeting card.

A card topper is a ready-made design or image that you can add and place on your cards as the focal point. There are many card toppers sold in craft stores. But if you really have the time, it is best if you would make your own card topper. There are many royalty free images in the internet that you could use as a card topper. You just have to be more scrutinizing and keen in choosing the right website for you.

Also, the paper that you would use greatly matters in the overall appearance of a card topper. Again, we recommend A4 card for your card toppers. It is durable and presentable enough. You would never go wrong with an A4 card for your card topper. It would surely bring out the best in your personalized card.

Most of the handmade card making supplies mentioned here,you probably already have, either on hand or around the house. Don’t run out to the store and buy them before looking around…

I’m sure you’ll find card making supplies that you can use to create your very own creative cards…

Below are card making supplies I’ve listed that most people use to create cards…

Paper

Discover card making paper supplies.

Different types of paper you can use to be creative…

You can walk into any craft store and see that they have big varieties of all sorts of paper, from plain to glitter to decorative to extra thin rice paper. It’s an endless choice…

I sometimes can’t resist the temptation of buying all these different types of paper, but in the end they intend to be costly! You figure they range from 59 cents to 1.99 per single sheet! That’s crazy!

I like to be budget minded and get more for what I am spending.

It’s good to do bargain with different craft stores before making a purchase. But some of us, have to go out of our way to do so!…

Tip: Use what you have and wait for sales and discounts…

Card making paper supplies can be bought in bulk, stocks and kits. Sometimes we see the kits and we only want certain designs or textures. Then we turn to individual paper and you end up spending for 20 sheets when you can spend and get 200 sheets.

I learned that when you buy it by the pack you not only save, you find the use of all the other creative designs for future cards!

Tip: Always keep your scraps. They come in handy for decorative punches, collages and even your envelopes! Use your scraps to decorate your envelopes…So you’ll never waste or throw away paper!

After awhile paper can be costly, so try to make every use of it, by recycling them and reusing them for other projects!

Purchasing card making paper supplies…

Card Stocks

They are more ridged than paper.

They can be glossy, regular mats or adhesive mats, textured or glittered. You can buy them already cut or as a whole sheet. They offer card stocks by dark colors, pastel or by themes, school, baby and so fort and range from different sizes

Card Kits

Card kits are pre-folded card stocks. Same as basic blank cards. They come with matching envelopes.

Some Craft stores also offer kits with decorative paper and die-cuts for a flat price ranging from 3.99 to 5.99! These are good for gifts, beginners or even kids!

Card making paper supplies are everywhere…Get them at any craft stores near you or here online…

There are many creative projects you can create using different types of paper…

I hope you found this site helpful for your creative card ideas!

Remember, Many trees are being cut down to help us create our creations! Please Recycle!

Envelopes

Create homemade envelopes that match your creative cards… Instead of giving standard size envelopes that are plain. Why not use your left over scraps to decorate it… Turn your envelopes into a work of art!

Tip: If you are mailing your creative cards, be sure not to decorate over the places where we would write the address to and from and where the postal stamp goes. Be sure to weigh it before mailing it out as the postage may vary!

One day I had left over scraps from creating a birthday card. I said to myself, I don’t want the card to be very nice and the envelope will look very plain. So I decided to take all the scraps I had left over from that one birthday card and created my very own unique envelope!

You can do almost anything with your envelope, by using multiple handmade card making supplies.

Cutting Mat / Craft Knifes / Scissors / Trimmers

When creating cards, good cutting tools are important. Here are some basic card making tools you’ll need to get a neat professional look.

Cutting – Mat

Cutting Mats come in various sizes and are available at any craft stores. Choose one that is big enough for cutting big sized paper. I have a 23inches x 23inches blue mat with measurement squares that I have placed on my work table. It’s a perfect size!

Tip: You might consider purchasing a smaller one for travel or smaller pieces of paper

Craft Knife / Scissors

Craft knifes and scissors is a must for card cutting tools. Many crafters like myself like to use X-Acto craft knifes. It is great for detailed paper cutting or to cut big sheets of paper

For those who have difficulty handling sharp knifes, I would advise that you use an X-Acto knife that is safer than a surgical scalpel.

Tip: I found out that many crafters go to local medical suppliers and purchase KAI no. 3 surgical knife and blades, that intend to last quite some time

Scissors is another type of cutting tool that vary in fancy designs. It is use for basically all cutting purposes. Use a big pair for cutting big sheets and use a small sharp one for cutting small, detailed pieces of work…

Important: Please keep all sharp objects away from children!

Tip: If you don’t have any caps for your knifes use bottle corks. It will prevent any type of incident

Paper Trimmers / paper Cutters

A paper cutter is another one of my daily cutting tools. It is good for cutting photos, precision cutting and different sizes of paper. I use it to pre-cut big sheets of paper to direct sizes for all my card making.

I hope you find the right cutting tools you need to make neat professional cuts for all your creative cards!

Adhesives / Tapes / Glue sticks

Adhesives, tape and glue sticks are basic handmade card making supplies needed for most creative card projects. Whether you do a collage or just a simple creative photo card…More Info

Finding the right card making glue and adhesives is important. You want your creative cards to last as long as possible and with the right glue and adhesives, you will help ensure that!

Here is a guide to help you choose the right card making glue and adhesives that you can find in any craft store.

Understand the differences between types of glues, tapes and spray adhesives…I did not list any particular brand to use as everyone prefer different types.

Use this guide to experiment your own brand of one and use it to your budget needs and one that fits your type of project!

Let’s begin…

Double-sided Adhesive Tape

When we here tape most of us think Scotch tape. Double sided adhesive tape is great for photos and sticking paper to paper.

Many scrap bookers and myself like to use this type of tape. It can be costly. I prefer not to use to many double sided tape for card making. Only when creating creative photo cards.

Tip: Scotch tape can be used for all creative card making, if you prefer to use single sided tape!

Glue Sticks

Glue sticks are CHEAP and easy to use. It various in size that range from glue stick pens to wide dispenser type of glue sticks. There are also colored glue sticks that help, especially when working with kids.

I personally don’t like to use glues sticks when creating cards because it’s not permanent. It does not stick as well, neither does It bond very securely. I prefer, you use other types of card making glues and adhesives. But this is Great for kids!

Hot Glue

Hot glue comes in the form of solid sticks of glue that are put through a glue gun to be heated and used. I use hot glue guns for all my card making crafts. It is great for embellishments ( like buttons & flowers, etc…) and I save money comparing to buying tape…

Glue guns are relatively cheap, you could get a glue gun and glue sticks at most craft stores from – . Glue sticks usually comes in packages of 25 -100 for a few more dollars.

The glue will create spider like strings, but don’t worry it can be easily rubbed off. They also offer glitter glue sticks that can be used with your hot glue gun, otherwise it’s clear…

Rubber Cement

Rubber cement is thick and creamy glue that dries clear. It can form either a permanent or temporary bond depending on how it is applied

It comes in a dark brown jar and a cap with a attached brush applicator. It can be messy and is ideal for all paper crafting. I personally don’t use it for any creative cards as I’ve always been unlucky with it sticking permanently. Also the smell can be overwhelming after an extended period of time

Self Adhesive Foam Mounting Squares or Circles

Self adhesive foam are usually made of thick foam and are sticky on both sides. They come in various sizes. I don’t use any of these!

TIP:

For budget minded people: I buy regular foamies that are 2mm thick and cost me only .49 cents! For a sheet sized at 9 x 12. I cut them to however size or shape I need it, then I add some glue from my glue gun and it’s good to go! I buy 2 sheets of white or black and it lasts me for est. 30 cards

It’s great for 3-d effects and to make anything you want to pop! You can stack it on top of each other for additional height. Also great for lettering.

Spray Adhesive

Spray adhesive can be used for paper, photos even fabric. I’ve never used spray adhesive for any of my creative cards because I feel it is better to use it for larger projects such as posters, large photos, or creative boxes.

I have seen it done by other card lovers! And it turned out just fine. Hopefully I’ll get to feature a card using spray adhesive. So check back for that link and I can share all about it with you!

Tacky glue

Tacky glue is one of many card making glue used to create cards. It is durable then regular Elmer’s glue. It dries clear and creates a long lasting bond. Make sure to read the label to see what type of materials it is best used with.

Tip: If you are in a rush or hurry to get a card done. Do not use tacky glue. It takes a long process to dry and recommend it dry over night.

I don’t like to use it on my cards because when it dries, you can see the creation of the glue right through the paper.

Glue pens

Glue pens are great for precision gluing. It works well with glitter and for more detailed designs.

Glue Dots / Glue Roller

There are many different sizes of glue dots and many varieties of glue rollers. They are really great because they are not messy and are really sticky. I don’t like to use them because they become very costly. But it’s a great expensive glue for your creative card creations!

UHU Glue

UHU glue comes in both tube and stick. Many prefer to use this as their brand of one because it sticks better than others. All access glue can be rubbed off after it dries, using a clean pencil eraser. I’ve never tried it, but I’ve read very great reviews about it!

Ink and Ink pads

Ink and inkpads are mainly used for all rubber stamping and scrap booking purposes.

Now you can create different techniques just by knowing what type of ink and inkpads work best for you!

Use this guide to help you decide what type you should use best with your type of projects…

When I first started I used basic colors. I suggest for beginners, you might just like to use the following colors also:

* Black

* White

* Green

* Red

* And Blue

Below are 6 types of ink I am familiar with using…

Versa Color Ultimate Pigment Ink is a great cheap choice. It works really well and I like to use it for many of my creative cards.

Studio G Acid Free Pigment Ink can always be found on sale. I bought these for a and it works great with little design stamps. When times are hard this is the way to go for the cheapest inkpads

Versa Mark Watermark Stamp pad is a must own. I use this type of inkpad for all of my rubber stamping creations. With it you can create very cool looking watermarks on both cards and envelopes.

Brilliance Pigment Inkpad creates a unique look of stamped images. I hardly use this type of ink. But are often used by many card lovers.

Stazon Inkpads are solvent inkpads and will definitely stain the rubber. It can be used for any surface like stamping on plastic.

Tip: Use baby wipes to clean all your stamps.

You might also like Memories Acid Free Dye Ink pads. This type of ink pad is made especially for Hero Arts Shadow Stamps. I like to use soft vanilla and soft leaf. I don’t recommend the use for gold and silver because the finished look, intend to be awful. You can decide!

Decorative Punches

I hardly use any decorative card punches, but I know many creative card lovers that do and they love it!

Some have such intricate designs that many just love to use it to create handmade cards.

When you first begin making homemade cards, you will just have to get a few. I personally have never bought any because they just cost too expensive.

But these decorative designs can last you a lifetime and once you start to use them you’ll notice their so easy to use and fun to create designable cards with!

Here are some of the basic patterns you might like:

* Corner punches or corner rounder. There great to use if you like to round off your corners. I like to use them with photos.

* Basic Shape punches. Squares, diamonds, circles, triangles, rectangles, hearts etc… They also vary in size.

* Long reach punches. Allows youto punch deeper into the inside of a card or any craft project.

* Leaves and flowers: If you love floral designs. They have a great selection on leaves and flowers that you can use for any garden or floral card ideas you have in mind

* Punch Aid. This is a great tool especially for those that love to punch a lot. I have a friend who owns one and she loves this tool. It’s one of her favorites.

Card Making Embellishments

Use this guide below to see some of the many creative card making embellishments you can use on your creative cards…

There are many things we would like to consider using on our cards. Here are some card making embellishments that you can use to add glamor, and 3-d effects to your card creations.

Many of these embellishments are like stickers, eyelets, tassels, glitter, and many more.

Creative Card Making Embellishments:

* Eyelets: There are many ways you can use eyelets. It is great for attaching clear plastic, vellum, and tags to any homemade card. You can use it for your hole punches in your card and weave wire through it.

* Brads: They are similar to eyelets but brads don’t have a hole through them. There also great for attachments and tags. Some come in decorated designs like flowers, buttons and snowflakes. They also come in color coordinate with seasons.

* Buttons: Before throwing out any loose buttons. Keep them. They make great card embellishments for any card. I used them in a creative Christmas card idea, and strung them on the tree as ornaments. So don’t throw them out.

* Alphabet Beads: You can string names, words or sayings for example… “L-O-V-E” or “B-A-B-Y”, birthday, wedding or even personal names.

More creative card making embellishments…

* Fibers: Look for any fibers you might have laying around or just so happen to come across. They are great for hanging tags, lining envelopes, stringing letters like your alphabet beads and creating bows.

* Metallic Threads: They come in many different colors and are great for creating creative tassels. You can also use them to create embroidery cards.

* Ribbons: I love to use ribbons to line my envelopes with or make bows. You can attach ribbons to any of your creative homemade cards.

Tip: You can find many card embellishments to use, like in your closets, drawers, storage bins. Remember to look before you throw away everything. Even tell friends and family they might have some things you could recycle and use for your card making embellishments.

Rubber Stamping

All about rubber stamping supplies.

Below are some of the most common creative rubber stamping supplies and tools we’ve either used or are going to use when creating creative cards.

Rubber stamps comes in many variety ways: Clear stamps, wood stamps, felt stamps and even eraser pads that you can create stamps out of.

I personally don’t like to use stamps as much. I feel that stamps can only be used in so many ways and they only have so many designs before many will be using the same stamps.

Although rubber stamping can become addictive when you start creating creative cards. You’ll want to own every design out there and every image for every occasion.

Creative rubber stamping supplies come in shapes, images, alphabets and can be worked with for many different creative card ideas.

Here are techniques you can use with all your rubber stamps:

You can do:

* Embossing

* Wrapping paper

* Water Marking

* Simple stamping

* Decorating envelopes

* Backgrounds

* And many more!

Here are some of the basic creative rubber stamping supplies that will do with any card making.

Remember, you do not need all of them some can even be substitute with items around the house.

* Clear Stamps: Clear stamps can in deed be costly. Most of them don’t even come with clear blocks for you to put your stamp on and create clear images. So before buying clear stamps think of its costly price.

* Wooded Stamps: They are the most common stamps that has been around for many years. Their cheap and some come with out wooded blocks, but that is okay because some don’t need them. They have a wide range of variety selections to choose from. This is where you would like to start. Here is a guide on recommended ink and ink pads.

* Roller Stamps: I like to call them roller stamps, because they roll out beautiful borders on your cards. They are great for creating borders on tags, cards and envelopes.

Tip: Use baby wipes to clean all your rubber stamps. Rinse them and leave it to dry. Don’t buy expensive rubber stamp cleaners as they do not work as good as baby wipes. It gets it clean!

Creative Rubber stamping Tools…

* Heat Gun: The Milwaukee heat gun is one of the most favorable heat gun used for embossing. It is inexpensive and it does the job well. I’ve known of people who actually use hot plates which can be sufficient, but I wouldn’t want to take the chance of burning any cards.

* Brayer: They brayer is very useful when creating creative cards. It is create for creating background on any card or envelope or any creative project you have in mind. Roll it on any multicolor ink pad, get it evenly on the rubber and roll away! You probably would want to include this tool on your creative rubber stamping supplies list if you do not own one yet.

* Embossing Markers: You can apply them directly to your rubber stamps using different colors for the image. Let them dry and then add your embossing powder on them. Then use them and apply them to your cards. I’ve learned that clear embossing powder works best!

Tip: Be sure to store your markers in a cool place to avoid drying out.

Today there are many rubber stamping companies with their own in house artist that design such images. Check out all the different companies and see which type of rubber stamps will work best for you.

Once you make an investment in stamps there are many enjoyable projects you can do with them and they will last you a very long time.

I hope all these handmade card making tools were helpful to you!. Don’t think you have to go out of your way to purchase all of this. Start small and once you get into doing your very own favorite hobby rather it is card making or scrapbooking, slowly you’ll start to collect many of these supplies. And before you know it you’ll have quite a collection! Have fun and enjoy creating creative crafts.

Warp knitting is a family of knitting methods in which the yarn zigzags along the length of the fabric, i.e., following adjacent columns (“wales”) of knitting, rather than a single row (“course”). For comparison, knitting across the width of the fabric is called weft knitting.Since warp knitting requires that the number of separate strands of yarn (“ends”) equals the number of stitches in a row, warp knitting is almost always done by machine, not by hand.Basic pattern of warp knitting. Parallel white, red and green yarns zigzag lengthwise along the fabric, each loop securing a loop of an adjacent strand from the previous row. Thus, the two central wales in this picture are alternating white-red-white and red-green-red stitches. TypesWarp knitting comprises several types of knitted fabrics, including tricot, raschel knits, and milanese knits. All warp-knit fabrics are resistant to runs and relatively easy to sew.Tricot is very common in lingerie.Milanese is stronger, more stable, smoother and more expensive than tricot and, hence, is used in better lingerie. Milanese is now virtually obsolete.Raschel knits do not stretch significantly and are often bulky; consequently, they are often used as an unlined material for coats, jackets, straight skirts and dresses.The largest outlet for the Raschel Warp Knitting Machine is for Lace fabric and trimmings. ReferencesShaeffer, C. (1994) Claire Shaeffer’s Fabric Sewing Guide, updated ed., Chilton Book Co. ISBN 0-8019-7802-5 External linksWarp knit fabrics in Italyv  d  eKnittingTools and materialsBoucl  Eyelash yarn  Knitting needle  Needle gauge  Novelty yarn  Yarn  Variegated yarnStylesCircular  Combined knitting  Continental knitting  English knitting  Flat  Warp knitting  Weft knittingStitchesDecrease  Dip stitch  Elongated stitch  Increase  Plaited stitch  Yarn overTechniquesBasketweave  Bead knitting  Bias knitting  Binding off  Bobble  Brioche knitting  Buttonhole  Cables  Casting on  Double knitting  Drop-stitch knitting  Entrelac  Faggoting  Fair Isle  Finger knitting  Gather  Grafting  Hemming  Intarsia  Lace  Medallion knitting  Picking up stitches  Pleat  Ribbing  Shadow knitting  Short row  Slip-stitch knitting  Spool knitting  Tuck  Uneven knitting  Weaving  WeltingPatternsAran  ArgyleMachine knittingComplete garment knitting  Fully-fashioned knitting  Knitting machine  Stocking frameKnitters anddesignersNicky Epstein  Kaffe Fassett  Knitters in literature  Marianne Kinzel  William Lee  Gwen Matthewman  Shannon Okey  Stephanie Pearl-McPhee  Alice Starmore  Debbie Stoller  Meg Swansen  Barbara G. Walker  Elizabeth ZimmermannRelatedBasic knitted fabrics  Blocking  Dye lot  Gauge  History  Knitta  Knitted fabric  Knitting abbreviations  Selvage  Steek  Stitch ‘n BitchThis textile arts article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v  d  e Categories: Knitting | Textile arts stubs

Article by hi joiney

  Known as “knit town” reputation of the Miao Town, with foreign investment and the continuous influx of private capital, with the knitting industry matched cross-machine industry is also increasingly become stronger and bigger town for more than 15 annual flat knitting machine million units.    Miao Town start-up in the flat knitting machine industry, the early seventies of last century, over the years the price is only a thousand dollars a traditional hand loom, has long been a major producer of knitted garments tool. Hand knitting machine for the Miao people have gained rich bridge brings hope, gave birth to an annual output of hundreds of millions of pieces of knitted garments, “knit the town.” Over the years, Miao-bridge has long been a major supply base for flat knitting machine. Production of Xinyu Miao Bridge brand once horizontal knitting machine is the industry’s best brands. At present, the town more than 20,000 individual and private knitting hand-knitting machines, mostly to products. With the wonderful bridge knitting industry development and individual and private economic capital of the rolling snowball big, Miao Town knitting machinery enterprises are also rapidly emerging. Town the size of existing assets of more than 5 million yuan flat knitting machine manufacturer more than 20. Hong Kong pop singer, Sungari, Shenglong companies such as annual production in excess of 10,000 units.    Many years of flat knitting machine production of R & D technology and experience, in order to Miao Town train a large number of technical team. Back in the early nineties of last century, the world’s leading knitting machine manufacturer – Taiwan Sheng Machinery Group, the United States gain an advantage over their eyes Miao flat knitting machine production base of the bridge piece of domestic human resources and technological advantages, resolutely Investment 3 billion yuan in the United States founded Zhangjiagang Sheng Machinery Co., Ltd.. Today, the company’s annual production of the world famous “Flying Tiger” brand flat knitting machine up to 7 million units, becoming the region’s most influential knitting machinery manufacturing companies. Sheng Mei Knitting Machinery Co., Ltd. produced by knitting machine performance and quality are superior to the domestic production of traditional hand-knitting machine. The company settled the bridge to the wonderful challenges as well as the domestic flat knitting machine to promote the wonderful variety of bridges the traditional flat knitting machine, the performance improvements.    In order to meet the wonderful bridge knitwear guise, grade improvement requirements, Miao Town has been working flat knitting machine knitting enterprises improved, it has developed various types of fine needle-type flat knitting machine, electric knitting machine, knitting machines and other varieties of small-scale program-controlled, cross-machine family an ongoing basis. In recent years, Miao-Town has the capital strength of private enterprises from Japan Shima Seiki knitting, Germany’s large foreign companies such as Nestor’s introduction of several hundred thousand dollars a fully automatic computerized flat knitting machine, a modern knitting industry beautiful scenery. Knitting Garments Co., Ltd. in which up to the introduction of world-class automatic computer knitting machine up to 258 units, the town has a full-automatic computer knitting machine up to 1000 units. In the world’s most advanced weaving machinery under the influence of foreign-invested enterprises Miao Town began to automatic computer knitting machine generated interest, Sheng Mei Machinery Co., Ltd. developed the first “Flying Tiger” brand automatic computer knitting machine. This year, Miao-Town Industrial Development Zone, invested five million U.S. dollars of the Wei Xiang Machinery Co., Ltd. With the talent advantage, production of automatic computer knitting machines have entered the market, and a small amount of export. Is expected to become the nation’s largest computerized knitting machine manufacturers. This year, Miao-Town production of automatic computer knitting machine is expected to reach 300 units. At the same time, prices of 300 U.S. dollars per fine hand-knitting machine has not only become the domestic market, selling products, but also Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and other international markets sell go. 1 May, the town flat knitting machine export volume more than 2500 units, the value of more than 60 million yuan, an increase of the number and value of 20%. Miao bridge the cross-machine industry has a long history ushered in a brilliant period of development

Article by hi joiney

Early origins of knitting br Knitting is a technique of producing fabric from a strand of yarn or thread Unlike weaving knitting does not require a loom nor other large equipment making it a valuable technique for nomadic and non agrarian peoples br The oldest artifact with a knitted appearance is a type of sock It is believed that socks and stockings were the first pieces produced using techniques similar to knitting These socks were worked in Nlebinding a technique of making fabric by creating multiple knots or loops with a single needle and thread Many of these existing clothing items employed nlebinding techniques some of them look very similar to true knitting For example 3rd 5th century CE Romano Egyptian toe socks Several pieces done in now obscure techniques have been mistaken for knitting or crocheting br Most histories of knitting place its origin somewhere in the Middle East from where it spread to Europe by Mediterranean trade routes and then to the Americas with European colonization The earliest known examples of knitting have been found in Egypt and cover a range of items including complex colorful wool fragments and indigo blue and white cotton stockings which have been dated between the 11th and 14th centuries CE br Early European Knitting br The earliest known knitted items in Europe were made by Muslim knitters employed by Spanish Christian royal families Their high level of knitting skill can be seen in several items found in the tombs in the Abbey of Santa Mara la Real de Las Huelgas a royal monastery near Burgos Spain Among them are the knitted cushion covers and gloves found in the tomb of Prince Fernando de la Cerda who died in 1275 The silk cushion cover was knit at approximately 20 stitches per inch It included knit patterns reflecting the family armory as well as the word baraka blessings in Arabic in stylized Kufic script Numerous other knit garments and accessories also dating from the mid 13th century have been found in cathedral treasuries in Spain br Madonna Knitting by Bertram of Minden 1400 1410 br At this time the purl stitch the opposite action to the knit stitch was unknown and purely stockinette fabric was produced by knitting in the round on multiple knitting pins Sometimes the knitting was cut open a process now known as steeking citation needed br Several paintings from Europe portray the Virgin Mary knitting and date from the 14th century including Our Lady Knitting by Tommaso da Modena circa 1325 1375 and Visit of the Angel from the right wing of the Buxtehude Altar 1400 10 by Master Bertram of Minden br The first known purl stitches appear in the mid 16th century in the red silk stockings in which Eleanora de Toledo wife of Cosimo de Medici was buried and which also include the first lacy patterns made by yarn overs but the technique may have been developed slightly earlier The English Queen Elizabeth I herself favored silk stockings citation needed these were finer softer more decorative and much more expensive than those of wool Stockings reputed to have belonged to her still exist demonstrating the high quality of the items specifically knitted for her During this era the manufacture of stockings was of vast importance to many Britons who knitted with fine wool and exported their wares Knitting schools were established as a way of providing an income to the poor The fashion of the period requiring men to wear short trunks made fitted stockings a fashion necessity Stockings made in England were sent to the Netherlands Spain and Germany citation needed br Men were also the first to knit for an occupation citation needed br Importance in Scottish history br 1855 sketch of a shepherd knitting while watching his flock br Knitting was such a vast occupation among those living on the Scottish Isles during the 17th and 18th centuries that whole families were involved in making sweaters accessories socks stockings etc Fair Isle techniques were used to create elaborate colorful patterns Sweaters were essential garments for the fishermen of these islands because the natural oils within the wool provided some element of protection against the harsh weather encountered while out fishing br Many elaborate designs were developed such as the cable stitch used on Aran sweaters which was developed in the early 20th century in Ireland br Industrial revolution br Rudimentary knitting devices had been invented prior to this period but were one off creations With the advent of the Industrial Revolution wool spinning and cloth manufacture increasingly shifted to factories Women were employed to operate the machinery rather than spinning and knitting items at home The consistency of factory spun wool was better in that it was more uniform and its weight could be gauged better as a consequence br The city of Nottingham particularly the district known as Lace Market dominated the production of machine knitted lace during the Industrial Revolution and the following decades br 1920s the Russian Civil Wars and China br After the White Russians defeat in the Civil War many units retreated into China s Xinjiang and were interned there As China was about to descend into a civil war of its own the Russian internees were transported by camel caravans to Eastern China According to Owen Lattimore it was then that they passed on the art of knitting to the Chinese caravan men who had ready supply of camel hair from their animals In 1926 Lattimore was able to observe camel pullers knitting on the march if they ran out of yarn they would reach back to the first camel of the file they were leading pluck a handful of hair from the neck and roll it in their palms into the beginning of a length of yarn a weight was attached to this and given a twist to start it spinning and the man went on feeding wool into the thread until he had spun enough yarn to continue his knitting This way the camel men not only provided themselves with warm camel hair socks but were able to make knitwear for sale as well br 1939 1945 Knitting for Victory br A World War I poster encouraging people to knit socks for the troops br Make do and mend was the title of a booklet produced by the British wartime government department the Ministry of Information Wool was in very short supply and the booklet encouraged women to unpick old unwearable woollen items in order to re use the wool br Knitting patterns were issued so that people could make items for the Army and Navy to wear in winter such as balaclavas and gloves This not only produced the much needed items but also gave those on the home front a positive sense of contributing to the war effort br 1950s and 60s Haute Couture br After the war years knitting had a huge boost as greater colors and styles of yarn were introduced Many thousands of patterns fed a market hungry for fashionable designs in bright colors The twinset was an extremely popular combination for the home knitter It consisted of a short sleeved top with a long sleeved cardigan in the same color to be worn together br Girls were taught to knit in school as it was thought to be a useful skill not just a hobby Magazines such as Pins and needles in the UK carried patterns of varying difficulty including not just clothes but also blankets toys bags lace curtains and items that could be sold for profit br 1980s A Decline br The popularity of knitting showed a sharp decline during this period in the Western world Sales of patterns and yarns slumped as the craft was increasingly seen as old fashioned and children were rarely taught to knit in school br The increased availability and low cost of machine knitted items meant that consumers could have a sweater at the same cost of purchasing the wool and pattern themselves or often for far less br Early 21st Century Revival br The 21st century has seen a resurgence of knitting Natural fibers from animals such as alpaca angora and merino and plant fibers chiefly cotton have become easier and less costly to collect and process and therefore more widely available Exotic fibers such as silk bamboo and qiviut are growing in popularity as well The yarn industry has started to make novelty yarns which produce stunning results without years of knitting experience Designers have begun to create patterns which work up quickly on large needles a phenomenon known as instant gratification knitting br Celebrities including Julia Roberts Winona Ryder Dakota Fanning and Cameron Diaz have been seen knitting and have helped to popularize the revival of the craft The new millennium has also seen a return by men to the art of knitting br As time and technology change so does the art of knitting The Internet allows knitters to connect share interests and learn from each other whether across the street or across the globe Among the first Internet knitting phenomena was the popular KnitList with thousands of members In 1998 the first online knitting magazine KnitNet began publishing Blogging later added fuel the development of an international knitting community br Patterns from both print and online sources have inspired groups known as knit a long s or KAL s centered on knitting a specific pattern Knitting podcasts such as Cast On and Knit Cast have also emerged with much cross pollination of ideas from blogs zines and knitting books Traditional designs and techniques that had been preserved by a relatively small number of hand knitters are now finding a wider audience as well br In addition a type of graffiti called yarn bombing has spread worldwide br On January 14 2006 influential author and knit blogger Stephanie Pearl McPhee otherwise known as Yarn Harlot challenged the knitting world to participate in the 2006 Knitting Olympics To participate a knitter committed to casting on a challenging project during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino and to have that project finished by the time the Olympic flame was extinguished sixteen days later By the first day of the Olympics almost 4 000 knitters had risen to the challenge br As another sign of the popularity of knitting in the early 21st century a large international online community and social networking site for knitters and crocheters Ravelry was founded by Casey and Jessica Forbes in May 2007 At first available by invitation only the site connects knitting and crochet enthusiasts around the world and as of July 2009 had close to 400 000 members br References br Cornu Georgette Marielle Martiniani Reber et al Tissus d gypte tmoins du monde arabe VIIIe XVe sicles 1993 ISBN 2 908528 52 5 br Macdonald Anne L No Idle Hands The Social History of American Knitting 1988 ISBN 0 345 33906 1 br Rutt Richard A History of Hand Knitting Interweave Press 1987 ISBN 0 934026 35 1 br The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts br Notes br Games Alex 2007 Balderdash amp piffle 160 one sandwich short of a dog s dinner London BBC ISBN 9781846072352 160 br Zilboorg Anna Fancy Feet Traditional Knitting Patterns of Turkey Lark Books 1994 ISBN 160 978 0937274750 Paperback edition titled Simply Socks 45 Traditional Turkish Patterns to Knit Lark Books 2001 ISBN 160 978 1887374590 br Tissus d gypte tmoins du monde arabe VIIIe XVe sicles Collection Bouvier Exposition 1993 1994 Muse d art et d histoire Genve 1994 Institut du monde arabe Paris ISBN 160 978 2908528527 br Rutt Richard A History of Hand Knitting Batsford Ltd 1987 ISBN 160 9780713451184 br Gmez Moreno Manuel El Panten Real de las Huelgas de Burgos los enterramientos de los reyes de Len y de Castilla Madrid Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientficas Instituto Diego Velzquez 1946 br Rutt Richard A History of Hand Knitting Batsford Ltd 1987 ISBN 160 9780713451184 br Rutt Richard A History of Hand Knitting Batsford Ltd 1987 ISBN 160 978 0713451184 br Orsi Landini Roberta Moda a Firenze 1540 1580 160 lo stile di Eleonora di Toledo e la sua influenza Firenze Pagliai Polistampa 2005 ISBN 160 978 8883048678 br Owen Lattimore The Desert Road to Turkestan London Methuen 1928 Page 52 br The 2006 Knitting Olympics br http blog craftzine com archive 2008 04 knitting_and_crochet_online_wi html br http www ravelry com statistics users br See also br History of knitwear br External links br History 101 A history of knitting by Julie Theaker br History of knitting website with various helpful resources br Information on the Heritage of the East Midlands Knitting Industry in the UK br Needle Conversion Chart Shows conversion between current and past US and European knitting needle sizes br Victoria and Albert Museum provided 1940s knitting patterns br Free vintage knitting patterns and resources br v 160 160 d 160 160 e br Knitting br Tools and materials br Boucl 160 Eyelash yarn 160 Knitting needle 160 Needle gauge 160 Novelty yarn 160 Yarn 160 Variegated yarn br Styles br Circular 160 Combined knitting 160 Continental knitting 160 English knitting 160 Flat 160 Warp knitting 160 Weft knitting br Stitches br Decrease 160 Dip stitch 160 Elongated stitch 160 Increase 160 Plaited stitch 160 Yarn over br Techniques br Basketweave 160 Bead knitting 160 Bias knitting 160 Binding off 160 Bobble 160 Brioche knitting 160 Buttonhole 160 Cables 160 Casting on 160 Double knitting 160 Drop stitch knitting 160 Entrelac 160 Faggoting 160 Fair Isle 160 Finger knitting 160 Gather 160 Grafting 160 Hemming 160 Intarsia 160 Lace 160 Medallion knitting 160 Picking up stitches 160 Pleat 160 Ribbing 160 Shadow knitting 160 Short row 160 Slip stitch knitting 160 Spool knitting 160 Tuck 160 Uneven knitting 160 Weaving 160 Welting br Patterns br Aran 160 Argyle br Machine knitting br Complete garment knitting 160 Fully fashioned knitting 160 Knitting machine 160 Stocking frame br Knitters and br designers br Nicky Epstein 160 Kaffe Fassett 160 Knitters in literature 160 Marianne Kinzel 160 William Lee 160 Gwen Matthewman 160 Shannon Okey 160 Stephanie Pearl McPhee 160 Alice Starmore 160 Debbie Stoller 160 Meg Swansen 160 Barbara G Walker 160 Elizab

This video will show you the basics of knitting. Follow along and see how easy it is to actually do! Anyone can learn to knit and it’s a great craft to know if you want to give handmade gifts! A simple large knitted rectangle is essentially an afghan. So this simple stitch can go pretty far and will keep you warm for years to come! If you do not know how to make a Slip Knot, we have a separate video for that here: www.youtube.com With this video you will learn how to Cast On, knit rows, and Bind off to complete a simple project. To view the article “How to Knit – The Basics” click here: cyberseams.com To learn more, visit us at Cyberseams.com!
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Article by Jan Myers

Quilting is a very exciting craft that has an immensely rich history and is currently such a popular art that they are many different things that you can do to earn money from quilting. The world of quilting has always been popular and even more so today with rich patterns, quilting lessons online and more! The first step to making the money with quilting is to join a Quilting Bee or Quilting Guild and become involved in the quilting community.

Quilting Patterns

Quilting patterns are the rage today. Never before have so many different patterns been available to quilters. Instead of the traditional quilts for beds and wall hangings, quilters are finding all kinds of uses for quilting. Project sizes range from small table coverings to huge quilts for beds or wall hangings and from pieced quilts to copies of portraits.

Now, you can take advantage of your quilting skills and create beautiful new patterns. You can use a color wheel to suggest fabrics and color combinations. Patterns should be detailed and well written so that quilters can easily use them. You can even utilize the fabric calculator to let buyers know just how much fabric they will need for the patterns you design. Places to market quilting patterns include: online auctions, Ecommerce sites, local fabric stores, quilt shows and flea markets.

Instruct Quilting Classes

There is a large demand for quilting classes since the popularity of quilting is increasing so much. There can be a great deal of money to be made by offering quilting classes in your community. The first step would be to watch some quilting classes online such as with Lucy at the Quilting Resource Center. You will be able to see how to instruct a class to give your students helpful information but at the same time be entertaining.

Viewing quilting classes will give you an idea of what types of topics to teach in your community. You can contact your local library, community centers and quilting guilds to offer your teaching services. Quilting classes are a great way to make friends in the community while sharing the skills for this wonderful craft.

Quilting for Others

There is a huge market in the metropolitan areas for good longarmers who have the machine and are willing to quilt for others to earn income. If you’re able to do this, check with your local quilt shops and ask how much they pay for longarm quilters. Most shops complete the quilt tops and send them out to be quilted.

Quilting Product Reviews

There are many product review sites on the Internet. These sites ask that you review a product, rate it and tell how much you paid for the item. Quilting products such as threads, fabric brands, sewing machines, needles, footers and more can be reviewed. Once you write a review, you submit it to the product review sites to earn additional money.

Quilting Photography

Quilting photography is also on the rise. People love looking at photos of quilts. Additionally, quilt photos are a terrific way to pass down family heritage and create quilt portfolios for quilts that have been sold. If you have talent for photography and framing, there are many people that would pay for you to create a quilting portfolio for them. You should inquire with the Quilting Bees in your community.

Summing It Up

There are many ways for making money with quilting. To succeed in making money for quilting it is important to learn all that you can about quilting from the Quilting Resource Center or other places on the Internet and at your local Quilting Bees or Guilds. Connecting with others will develop a strong community and professional network and help provide the income you’re seeking through your quilting craft.