Which Stitch Markers Are Best

When I first took up crochet I didn't have any stitch markers, I didn't even know stitch markers existed. It wasn't long before I knew about them and I learnt the value of using stitch markers, aka stitch savers. That first frustrating experience of when a project accidentally unravels because there's nothing holding onto the stitch to stop it coming undone or your crochet circle grows in ways it isn't supposed to and the worth of this tiny tool became obvious very quickly. But there are so many styles of stitch marker to choose from, locking, circle, coil-less, plastic, safety pins, thread, 3D printed... does it really make a difference which one you use? Is it just how pretty they are? I walk you through a dozen different stitch markers from items you have lying around your home to the fancy artisan styles. I share with you what features to look for and those that don't really hold up to the task.
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Deciding How To Declutter A Collection

How to make decluttering decisions when it comes to collections.
I've been trying to figure out how to make decluttering decisions when it comes to my collections.

It's not easy to make the keep or not decisions just by looking at a collection. After all, each item was selected with the collection in mind and so it fits in it's own way.

I'm starting with my goblet collection. 

Or more accurately I'm starting with my very tarnished, very neglected, goblet collection.
What? You don't have a goblet collection? I thought everyone did, it's never to late to start collecting you know. I could even spare a few from my collection to get you started!
I used to keep the goblets polished to a presentable level when they were all on display at our previous house. In that house there was a shelf at picture-rail height and my goal was to fill that shelf up with shiny things. Since we moved the goblets have stayed in storage the whole time and are definitely not looking their best.

It's good practice to wait as long as possible between polishes as over cleaning can harm the finish especially if it's silver plate. Now, I don't think I have anything particularly special or valuable in my collection so worrying about damaging them isn't really a problem but it's a good excuse to allow a 'patina' to form.

However at some point it stops being a patina and just becomes desperately in need of a clean and polish. I think these hit the desperate stage quite some time ago.

I think I'm ready to 'curate' the goblets into a more refined collection. But the first thing I need to do is to clean the whole collection.

I've been putting off figuring out what to do with this collection for a long time, just because of the amount of polishing and cleaning that needs to be done.

I finally had one of those moments where I realised that if I can be bothered cleaning it I get to keep it.

Now I have a starting place for how to make decisions about my goblets.

before and after cleaning and polishing

If I Clean It I Can Keep It
If I Stays Dirty I Have To Ditch It


This is a method I will be able to apply again and again to all of my collections. It's quite the relief to find out that the first step in decluttering a collection is easy after all.

It just takes one simple decision 'Can I be bothered to clean it?'


Deciding how to refine a collection is as simple as cleaning it or not.

Comments

  1. Agy14 September 2015 at 18:41

    OK, this has got me thinking about my wardrobe - If you haven't worn it, donate it, or perhaps upcycle it :-)

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    Replies
    1. Purfylle15 September 2015 at 08:53

      Great idea! And if it doesn't fit well or look good on perhaps it's time to pass it on to a new owner too, like at your clothing swap event.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous15 September 2015 at 12:20

    Ooooh, Stella, what a great breakthrough!
    If you don't like it well enough to polish, you're over it. I like that!
    And of course I have a goblet collection! Mine just happens to be a matching set og glass ones for drinking. Bonus points if you can guess the color!!! Bwahaha!
    Melinda

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    Replies
    1. Purfylle16 September 2015 at 18:39

      I want to see your collection! I don't have any purple ones, not even in the ceramics one.

      Delete

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