Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Building Skills

... and vice versa. In this instance, theferrett describes learning how to build a cabinet.

Some of my practical skills include sewing, cooking, and gardening. I haven't gone fishing in years, but with the right equipment and motivation I could catch food again that way ... and my definition of "right equipment" runs from a pole and metal hook on down to "I can ravel a thread, make a choke, and flip over a log for grubs." I can hack a cleaned carcass into pieces small enough to fit into an oven. I can lay a fire that will burn down to a nice bed of coals. I can even ply a drop-spindle, not brilliantly, but well enough to make usable yarn. Oh, and bonus points: I know how to make the drop-spindle itself.

What kind of practical skills do you have?
Tags: crafts, life lessons
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  • 19 comments
seticat

seticat

September 29 2008, 06:38:52 UTC 12 years ago

Oh lord. Had a dad who started me camping and shooting, hunting and fishing before the age of 5. Both parents who were pharmacists [learned basic medicine there] and dad was a Navy corpman in WWII so there's stuff from there. I've been in a wide variety of healthcare fields myself for 30 years. Been in the Army for 20+. And have been in the SCA for 25+ with all the skills you find there. There's not much out there I can't muddle through doing.

And just the knowledge of that whole bundle of skills is scary in itself.
ysabetwordsmith

ysabetwordsmith

September 29 2008, 06:45:27 UTC 12 years ago

I am ... a library. Not just a hobby-librarian, keeper of books; but a living archive of knowledge. Beyond the things I can personally do, I know how to do a vast amount more. With access to books, I can figure out darn near anything, and explain it step-by-step if necessary. Even without the books at hand, though, I carry them in heart.

I am a Library.
seticat

seticat

12 years ago

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ysabetwordsmith

Thank you!

ysabetwordsmith

12 years ago

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zianuray

zianuray

September 29 2008, 08:08:08 UTC 12 years ago Edited:  September 29 2008, 08:37:05 UTC

I can (and have) built a funnel-trap for fish, rigged a shelter, built a fire, raveled string for sewing from tree bark, know several plants in the backyard that make a nutritious salad or poultice or -- waitaminnit, what sort of tools do I have available? That could really expand my options here! I've been assuming bare-hands or a rock at most.

With "proper" tools, I have done basic plumbing repairs (replaced parts already installed), rewired lamps and switches, patched drywall, sewn wearable garments (if not haute coture), built basic but usable furniture, repaired vehicles before everything went computerized -- that bit is no longer very useful :(

I have a fairly good library of "useful books" and tend to remember what interests me and where to find it. Even a recipe for onion wine!
ysabetwordsmith

*laugh*

ysabetwordsmith

September 29 2008, 15:34:30 UTC 12 years ago

If you know enough to think of the bare-hands option at all, you probably know enough to survive. Go you! I started out thinking of tool-based skills because "build a cabinet" was the inspiration for the post, but quickly got into "make a fishing kit" and "I could make a drop-spindle."
minor_architect

minor_architect

September 29 2008, 12:34:10 UTC 12 years ago

Hmm, let me think...

I can cook and clean and do very basic gardening. I can teach to a certain extent, simply because my job as a reference librarian requires it. I can do a little electrical work, such as rewiring a light switch or outlet box. I know how to use a few power tools, such as battery-operated drills and nail guns. I can repair ripped hems and replace buttons on clothing, but that's the extent of my sewing skills. (Simple cross-stitching and embroidery isn't beyond my abilities, but I also haven't done either in a long time and I don't know if they're really considered "practical skills.")

That's all I can think of off the top of my head!
dulcinbradbury

dulcinbradbury

September 29 2008, 13:56:33 UTC 12 years ago

Was the drop spindle line a deliberate pun or not? My first thought was "you don't ply a drop spindle... you ply WITH one."

Cooking! I cook and I do so pretty damn well.
Spinning -- I can spin you thread.
Weaving -- I even have the loom. Still becoming proficient.
Dyeing -- I know some of how to dye using natural dyes.
Sewing -- Simple stuff, but, it'll keep you warm enough.
glitteringlynx

glitteringlynx

September 29 2008, 17:56:20 UTC 12 years ago

What on Earth is a drop spindle? And a choke?
ysabetwordsmith

ysabetwordsmith

September 29 2008, 20:53:12 UTC 12 years ago

A drop spindle is a rod with a heavy disk on it for a weight, used to twist loose fiber into yarn. The ones I made were Sumerian style, with clay disks. They work better than those made with wooden disks, and much better than those made with a potato (gradeschool project FAIL).

Instructions for making a drop spindle:
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/make-dropspin.shtml

Instructions for using a drop spindle:
http://www.handspinning.com/lollipops/spininst.htm

A choke, also called a gorge, is an ancient style of fishing equipment that is very easy to make. It's a sharp sliver that is inserted into the bait, and when swallowed by the fish, will lodge securely across the fish's throat.

Pictures and a description of making a choke/gorge here:
http://livingprimitively.com/?p=103

reileen

reileen

September 29 2008, 23:21:25 UTC 12 years ago

I've led a very spoiled life - about the best I can do is rly rly rly simple sewing (mending small rips, putting on buttons) and rly rly rly simple cooking (...uh...I can make a pretty decent grilled cheese sandwich).

Other than that, I'm pretty useless in terms of practicality. ._.;;
ysabetwordsmith

Hmm...

ysabetwordsmith

September 29 2008, 23:27:58 UTC 12 years ago

You're lucky to have lived in a context that made that possible. Things can change, though -- you might consider exploring new hobbies and skills. Cooking, gardening, and sewing are all fun and can be started at a very simple level. Woodworking, home or car repair, and other skills are possible but more challenging. Most craft stores and many community centers offer classes, often free. Plus of course there's always the Internet.
reileen

Re: Hmm...

reileen

12 years ago

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ysabetwordsmith

Re: Hmm...

ysabetwordsmith

12 years ago

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oakwind

oakwind

September 30 2008, 21:22:42 UTC 12 years ago

My skills include sewing (don't like it though), cooking, gardening, knitting and crochet, tatting, canning, making jelly and jams. Having raised chickens I can take care of them, chop off the head, gut, and defeather them but if I have to touch something wriggly to fish or take the fish off the hook I am in trouble :) I know how to bring down a tree and cut it into usable pieces but no longer have the strength for it. I have never tried a drop spindle but with a little practice I have no doubt that I could produce usable yarn. I can lay a fire and cook over it. Hmm this was fun.
talithakalago

talithakalago

September 30 2008, 22:25:19 UTC 12 years ago

I worked training security and search and rescue dogs for a number of years. I'm also good with horses and other livestock and did two years of vet nursing. I'm a wizz with first aid skills too.
ideealisme

ideealisme

October 1 2008, 01:36:20 UTC 12 years ago

I am rubbish at anything practical. I did try to make mint tea out of some wild mint I picked on the side of the Sugarloaf mountain but it didn't taste all that strong, and I still used a kettle so that doesn't really count.

I can't boil an egg but I can make an "everything salad" (TM), I have made soup from stock and I've a couple of other recipes. I could probably knit and I'd like to try those tarot purses, once I get hold of a set of needles and a pattern guide I can follow.

And I killed a plant.

And I walked a boardwalk 700m above sea level on a mountain top with the wind BLASTING at me. I crouched all the way and I was shit scared but I made it. Not a skill as such but damn glad I made it down!
brendastarr

brendastarr

October 3 2008, 01:52:54 UTC 12 years ago

I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. My crafting resume includes:

writing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, drawing, embroidering, weaving, computering(?), and cooking.

Does feeling accomplished after putting together furniture count?

ysabetwordsmith

ysabetwordsmith

October 3 2008, 02:21:01 UTC 12 years ago

Sure, assembling furniture counts too. My partner and I can assemble furniture correctly about 3 out of 4 times.

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