Cuddle Party

[ysabetwordsmith]

Everyone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.

We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity.  Now there is a hammock too.  Come snuggle up!

Comments

[arthur_p_dent]

*APD arrives, and from the back of his Jeep unloads a rather large box. Using a hand-cart, he manoeuvres the heavy parcel into the yard. He begins unpacking piece after piece of oddly-shaped wood, and following the instruction manual, assembles them into a huge U-shaped frame. Reaching down into the bottom of the box he retrieves the final item - a package of fabric. He clips the corners to the wooden frame, and Voila! The Cuddle Party now has a hammock!

Being March it's still quite nippy, but APD is eager to try it out. He runs inside to grab a stack of the thickest blankets and plushest pillows. He arranges a triple-layer of blankets as a base, and two more layers as a top cover. Tossing aside his coat, he quickly climbs onto the hammock between the layers of blankets, and settles in to enjoy the afternoon sun.*


I've got the blankets warmed up and there's room for more snugglers - join me! =]

[fuzzyred]

*joins the hammock*

I could use a good cuddle.

[arthur_p_dent]

*draws Fuzzy J in close, and tucks in the blankets over her*

Fortunately for you, I'm pretty good at good cuddles. I'm really good at great cuddles too! =D

[fuzzyred]

:) Yay cuddles!

Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I love hammocks! :D

Re: Yay!

[arthur_p_dent]

Since you were nice enough to help build a blanket fort for me last time, I thought I'd bring a gift. I like hammocks too, and now there's one here that everyone can share. =]

Re: Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Do you have a picture in mind? I could add a link to the Cuddle Party description.

Re: Yay!

[arthur_p_dent]

https://arthur-p-dent.dreamwidth.org/file/200x200/8966.png

I'm bad with adding pics and links here in DW. If this doesn't work I could try sending you a PM.

Re: Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Added, thanks!

Hi!

[fuzzyred]

*Fuzzy J comes in and sets a plate of brownies on the table, then heads to the couch with her project bag.*

I definitely want to see if I can make any progress on these socks, but I'm up for cuddles too, if anyone cares to join me. :)

Re: Hi!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Mmm, brownies! *nom nom nom*

What socks?

Re: Hi!

[fuzzyred]

I have a "perfect pair" ball of yarn that I'm using to make a pair of socks for myself. The yarn is dyed to make a pattern and is white, grey, and copper-ish. It's my first time making socks though, and it's been slow going so far.

Re: Hi!

[ysabetwordsmith]

That sounds lovely. Socks can be a hardship, though, because of the shaping -- and tube socks aren't as comfy as shaped socks. Worth noting: historic patterns often had separable toe and heel sections so you didn't have to make a whole new sock when the high-use areas wore out.

Re: Hi!

[fuzzyred]

I'm still on the easy part (i.e. before the heel) but I'm not looking forward to the bits with shaping. I may need to look up some videos on YouTube for that bit. That's neat! I imagine the parts might be a little easier to make separately as well, and then just attach everything afterwards.

Re: Hi!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Some references:

https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting-feature/afterthought-peasant-sock-heels/

https://knitting.today/four-ways-knitting-sock-heels/

https://newleafdesigns.nl/2021/04/30/afterthought-heel/

https://freevintageknitting.com/socks-patterns/patons127/wear-forever-with-replacement-toe-and-heel-pattern

http://julesoneagleswings.blogspot.com/2018/06/re-sole-able-sock-pattern.html

Re: Hi!

[fuzzyred]

Thanks for the handy links! I shall bookmark them for future use and further perusal. :)

Re: Hi!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I'm happy I could help. Socks are interesting projects, and people have come up with creative ways to make them.

Re: Hi!

[fuzzyred]

The creativity of other people never ceases to amaze me. There is some pretty cool stuff out there.

Re: Hi!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I am most impressed by freestyle knitting and crochet, where people make random blobs of stuff stuck together in glorious bohemian chaos.

*ponder* It occurs to me that this would be a fabulous way to make socks. Start by mapping the dimensions of your lower leg and foot to get an idea of the size/shape you need to create. Then do freestyle work to cover approximately your lower leg and top of your foot. Lay the partial project over your leg periodically to see how much more you need to do. When it's mostly done, knit/crochet together the back of the leg part, then fill in the heel-sole-toe of the foot area. Advantages are that it's easier to fit precisely, and when the sole wears out, you just remove and replace that part. Or if you want to make houseshoes, you could attach a leather or rubber sole.

https://cypresstextiles.net/2019/05/29/freeform-crochet-basics-the-ultimate-beginners-guide-featuring-abstract-blocks-and-much-more/

https://rensfibreart.com/category/freestyle-knitting/

Re: Hi!

[fuzzyred]

>>I am most impressed by freestyle knitting and crochet, where people make random blobs of stuff stuck together in glorious bohemian chaos.<<

That does sound impressive. I'm not such a fan of chaos myself, and so I have a harder time doing freestyle things like that; patterns are more comfortable and safer for me.

>> It occurs to me that this would be a fabulous way to make socks.<<

It does sound like a very good way to make socks, if it's a method that works for the crafter. I can see how knitting or crocheting to fit would be easier that way than when following a set pattern.

Those are some fabulous links with very pretty pieces. I will definitely be saving them for further perusal later. :)

Re: Hi!

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I'm not such a fan of chaos myself, and so I have a harder time doing freestyle things like that; patterns are more comfortable and safer for me.<<

My grandmother would look at a pattern and then adapt it on the fly, and some things she made without patterns. Me, I can't even fibercraft with a pattern. But I can cook freestyle!

>>Those are some fabulous links with very pretty pieces. I will definitely be saving them for further perusal later. :)

I am happy I could help. I like looking at the images even if I can't make the things.

Re: Hi!

[fuzzyred]

>>My grandmother would look at a pattern and then adapt it on the fly, and some things she made without patterns.<<

My grandma can do this too. She can also look at a picture or an item and tell you what pattern was used to make it.

>>Me, I can't even fibercraft with a pattern. But I can cook freestyle!<<

I need a pattern or recipe for both still, but I have decent skills when I'm following instructions.