amberscu, you can learn how to crochet, it is easy.. I taught myself.. and that was before computers etc.. almost before TV but not quite. My aunt use to knit and so she tried to teach me how to knit.. only learn a little of knitting, enough to make a scarf or hat...but when I learned how to crochet.. I went wild.. I made afghans, hats, baby blankets, sold a ton of adult afghans and throws.. Lion Brand yarn has a 5 &1/2 hour throw that you make with three strands of yarn held together and a size Q hook.. I made a lot of them and sold for $45.00 to $60.00 each .. cost me about $15.00 dollars to make.. depending on where I found the yarn on sale.. and of course I make the smaller throws for the old folks in homes. I do not put the fringe on them as the older folks can get caught up in the fringe and fall. I just think making crafty things is good for the soul.. and also good for your nerves. A good cup of coffee or Tea and hooks and yarn .. good way to relax.. Huggy

Ditto, Gluecille!! Taking orders - having pressure to complete a certain number of items, perfectly, in a given time - sure takes the fun out of it. A few years back I was making those neck coolers with the water-absorbing crystals in them just to give to friends. Then a family member wanted me to make over 50 of them to take on a mission trip to Haiti in just a few weeks. I just hated figuring out how much the materials cost for one item, and then of course I didn't want to charge her for my time, not only the actual construction, but all the time spent shopping for the materials, and then the cost of the gas to drive all over buying the stuff, not to mention the cost of shipping them to her. I spent hours and hours making them (to perfection!), and disliked it more and more each hour I was bent over my sewing table! LOL!! Haven't made any since! One way I got around taking orders for painted shirts was to offer to teach a class (for free, of course - haha!) on how to do a given project. Each student paid a modest fee for supplies (usually paints), and brought her own shirt, but I ended up supplying lots of 'tools' for them to use... palette plates, brushes, rulers, patterns, cardboard inserts, wax paper, tape, etc. But we always had lots of fun, and I think they ended up with a much better sense of all the hours and concentration on the task that go into making something crafty. Then we'd all wear our almost-look-alike shirts on the same day and get lots of questions and compliments. Fun!

Robin, you have been given some great advice, especially checking your gauge, which none of us like to do! If a pattern calls for casting on more stitches, but has a pattern to it, especially a cable, try it anyway. Cables take up stitches, or pulls the stitches tighter, similar to ribbing, so it takes more stitches to fit the same. Also, measure your foot from the back of your heel to the tip of your toe. Subtract 2 inches. That is how long you need to knit the foot before you start your decreases for the toes. The decreases will take up about 2 inches. That is how you get the socks to fit your feet in length, no matter what the pattern says. As long as you get it to fit around with the right number cast on, you can make the foot as long or as short as you need to. I use Ann Norling's Basic Adult Sock pattern. It has multiple cast ons for different weights of yarn. I cast on 72 for my fluffy legs and decrease to 68 at the ankle so the foot fits right. For my DH, I cast on 72 and do that to the end with only decreases at the toe. All on size 2 needles. Cables are not hard as long as you mark your rows and pay attention. And the needle thingy you need is called cable needle! I have used a double point needle and a size 1 crochet hook in a pinch! Hmmmm, a tooth pick, too, once! Tami

I HATE HATE HATE Wal-mart! That being said, when I need fabric for something, it was the most convenient place to go so I would brave it every now and then. Our Super Wal-mart (or Mall of Wart as my DH likes to call it) recently remodeled and the fabric section is completely gone. They do have a small amount of yarn. I'm almost glad they got rid of fabric though. I don't sew much, just the occassional halloween costume or whatever, so now I really have no need to set foot in that horrible store. I'd rather shop at Super Target any day. And we have a Michael's in the same shopping center as Target. I just wish Target sold paint and Michael's sold fabric!