The Boy Trifecta: Dino Spike Crochet Pattern I sort of think it does. Or at least it seems so to me. And I've definitely got the crochet bug these days. I've got a little monster running around my house these days, so I thought I'd create a hat to reflect his wild insane out-of-control hilariously adorable personality. Of course, this one modeling the hat, he's not a monster at all. He's just the only one who will sit long enough for me to take a picture. I mean seriously, how can you not love those eyes? In case you have any little monsters that you would like to make this hat for, here's the dino spike pattern. Hook: 5mm (H) Yarn: Any worsted weight is fine - I used Wool-Ease. Mark the first stitch in each round. Round 1: Make a magic loop/ring, and do 6 single crochets in the loop. Round 2: Single crochet around (6 sc) Round 3: 2 single crochet in first stitch, 1 sc in next stitch - repeat around (9 sc) Round 4: Single crochet in each stitch (9 sc) Round 5: 2 single crochet in first stitch, 1 sc in next stitch - repeat around (14 sc)
simple tote bag tutorial I needed to sew another tote bag so I could write up a tutorial. It was the perfect excuse to make a tote for myself, it's been a long time since I have sewn something just for me! I added a sweet little 'W' monogram. I will probably use the bag primarily for trips to the library, although I did use it for a solo trip to the fabric store last night. I used a lighter weight canvas for the body of the bag. This tutorial is very flexible. I hope my directions make sense. On with the tutorial: Cut out:main bag pieces- two 18"x18"lining pieces- two 18"x18"front pocket piece- 18"x9.5"contrasting trim- two 18"x4"contrasting pocket trim- 18"x3"1" cotton webbing- two 61" lengths Fold and press the pocket trim piece in half, open it up and fold & press each side to the center crease. Fold and press the bottom edge of each trim piece 1/2". For a tote with three front pockets, layer the strap piece over the pocket on top of the front main piece. The strap should be 5" in from each edge. Done and done!
DROPS Pattern Library: Textured patterns DROPS pattern library contains patterns, and it keeps growing every day! The DROPS designers want you to see how these different techniques will look when applied to a knitting or crochet project. This is a very useful tool when you are looking for inspiration for own designs. Remember that by switching between yarn quality thicknesses and by picking a different knitting tension you will be able to create a new aspect to the design. NOTE: Click on the flag/link under the picture to go to the full pattern. Back to the School of Handcraft Sort by: Yarn quality | DROPS number | Pattern type
Koala Bear Amigurumi | craftpassion.com I found a Koala Amigurumi Pattern in the Woman’s Day website and I have some off-white and gray organic cotton yarns on hand, so I made a pair of these small little stuffed koalas for my kids in reverse color. Some ideas to make it differently: 1. This adorable little koala is about 3-5″ tall only (depend on your yarn and the matching hook size), install a key ring on it’s head and turn it into a key chain, hang it to the bag’s zipper. 2. 4. Follow the crochet pattern at the above pattern link to crochet all the parts of the koala, which consist of: 1 head (stuff firmly and complete) 1 body 1 nose 2 ears 4 limbs Remember to leave a long yarn end (about 6-8″) for every part so that you will have enough yarn to sew. Find the appropriate positions for the ears, approx at the center of the vertical cross section of the head, middle of the height. Sew to attach the nose in the center between the 2 ears. Stuff the body firmly and sew it to the bottom of the head. Get all updates via email:
Simple Winter Sewing Project: Hot Rice Bags Warm face, warm ‘ands, warm feet Aow, wouldn’t it be loverly? –Eliza Doolittle Cloth bags of heated grain are great for warming the bed or soothing sore muscles–much cozier than hot water bottles, and a nicer quality of heat. I kept seeing them in boutique shops with shocking price tags, and whenever I asked what the bags were filled with, the shop proprietors would say it was a secret. But one day a few years ago I saw one that had a suspicious little pile of rice in its packaging, and as soon as I got home I whipped up a bag for myself using rice from the pantry, and added a fleece cover while I was about it (no wonder the filling was a secret–who would pay $30 for a little bag of rice?). With a piece of standard copy paper as your pattern, cut two 8 1/2 x 11″ pieces of cotton (muslin or calico works great). Clip corners, turn, and press. Add 5 cups of dry rice. Pin, and stitch 1/4″ from the edge. It’s nice to make the bag a cover–keeps it clean, and fleece feels so good.
guest blogger - Sasha from The Guilded Bee: Here's another DIY project from our sweet friend, Sasha - from the The Gilded Bee. Be sure to check out her awesome shop full of handmade packaging lovelies. Thanks for being here with us Sasha! I'm delighted to share my book tutorial with you today: Supplies you’ll need to make this project: • One—8.5 x 5.5 sheet of cardstock • One---1/2 x 3 inch piece of cardstock or paper • Two---2 5/8 x 3 1/8 inch pieces of cardboard, chipboard or matboard (not corrugated) • Hot glue gun and glue sticks • 25---3 x 5 inch ruled or blank index cards • Two---3 x 5 inch sheets cardstock • 2 rubber bands • Pencil • ¼ inch wide Ribbon: One-6 inch piece, plus two-1 inch pieces To make the page block: * 1. * 2. * 3. * 4. * 5. * 6. To make the cover: * 1. Make a little mark at the center of each side of your paper (4.25 inches on center). On each side of those center marks, draw three lines paralleling each other (6 lines total): 5/16”, 5/8”, 13/16” inch from the center mark. * 3. * 4. * 5. * 6. * 8. * 9. * 10.
Salvaged cupboard door = serving tray - Craftynest I noticed this stash of cupboard doors at my local salvage yard. The white one was the perfect size to make a serving tray. The old drawer pulls—also found at the salvage yard—made ideal handles. Their swirly shape gave me the inspiration for the pattern I painted. All it took was a little black paint. How to make a serving tray out of a salvaged cupboard door Supplies cupboard doorblack acrylic paint (I used Liquitex in Ivory Black)black spray paint (I used Rust-Oleum semi gloss)clear spray paint (I used Rust-Oleum lacquer)white house paint (I used leftover paint from my antique bookshelf makeover)4 machine screws2 drawer pulls (large enough to fit your hand)4 felt pads (I used 3/4-inch)wood fillersandpapernewspaperFloral swirl pattern Tools pencil and hi-polymer (white) eraserdrill and drill bitscrewdriversmall paintbrushesrulerpainter’s palette or paper plate 1. 2. UPDATE: You asked for the pattern, so you got it. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Easy Origami Box Instructions - How to make a Simple Origami Box The origami box is simple to make, and can be used to hold other origami pieces. Or important stuff, like candies. This origami box is also called Masu, which is Japanese for a square wooden box. Follow the step by step photos to make the origami box. If you prefer, we also have origami box video instructions. Made this origami? If you like this, you may also like the origami star box and origami pleated box. If you want a box with a cover, check out the origami box with cover page. Origami Box Start with a square 6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm) origami paper. Flip the sheet so that the colored side is face down. Using the mountain fold lines as guides, fold the four corners of the paper into its center. Then fold the right edge and the left edge into the centerline. Now fold the top edge down and the bottom edge up, as shown below. Then I'm going to ask you to undo the last two-and-a-half steps! The unfolded paper should like the one below. One side of the box will be formed as you do this.
How to Crochet with Pop-Tops Crochet a Flower With Pull Tabs For crafters who want to know how to crochet with pull tabs, we've come up with this free crochet pattern that will teach you how to crochet a flower. This is our first DIY project and it's a good introduction to recycled crafts. This crochet flower can be made into a Christmas tree ornament, a brooch or incorporated into a larger project. To download a printable version, click here » Step 1: Materials & Tools 6 pull tabs Crochet thread (1 or 2 colors). Step 2: Prepare Your Pull Tabs Choose tabs that are in good condition. Step 3: Start Crocheting Begin crocheting the center of the flower using a single stitch to cover the 'thin side' of the tab (top figure) (the side that's pulled when a can is opened). Step 4: Connect the Circle Pull the line of tabs into a circle and crochet them together (top figure). Step 5: Add Color to the 'Petals' Cover the outer ring of the pull-tab using a double stitch with different colored thread. Step 6: Cover and Connect
Paper Fortune Cookie Favors by La La Laurie Weblog Altered matchboxes are easy and fun to make! To view a step-by-step tutorial with photos for making these paper boxes, check out the Matchbox Valentines How Tuesday post on the Etsy Storque blog. These little boxes are approximately the size of standard, store-bought, 32-count matchboxes (1.5″ x 2″ x .5″). They make lovely mini gift boxes, and are also fun to swap! Here you can download the PDF template I created and use for creating these matchboxes from scratch using heavy card stock. (Make sure to download the full-size document using the link below. Download Rachel’s matchbox template. Instructions: Print out template on card stock at 100%. Optional: Want to include a little card or mini zine in your matchbox? Want even more matchbox fun?! Here is a newer Envelope-style matchbox template: The inner drawer of this matchbox is exactly the same as my original Matchbox Template above, but the outer wrap differs significantly. Download the Envelope-style Matchbox Template PDF here. Also…
DIY Faux Curled Rosewood Wreath {Made From Rolled Recycled Book Pages} I have seen various versions of Faux Rosewood Wreaths in just about every store and catalog for the upcoming season; most with a price tag running upwards of $40 or more. Some are crafted of paper and other of real wood shavings. Last year I made a few rolled flower gift toppers from recycled book pages and they remind me so much of the curled wood roses I thought they would make a good substitute. {with a much lower price tag} Materials Needed:Foam Wreath FormRecycled Book PagesLots of Hot GlueRibbon to Hang The full step by step tutorial I posted last year can be found {here}.Basically you layer three book pages together and draw a spiral circle. Starting with the outside of the spiral, roll the paper inward to create the flower shape. Give the wreath form a light coat of white {or light color} spray paint to help camouflage any see-through spaces. It seriously takes quite a few roses to fill the entire wreath, however I think the finished project has such a unique look. {Simply Lovely}
octopus amigurumi crochet doll by JennyDork on Etsy How to make gift bags from newspaper When I bought something at a store recently, the clerk handed me my purchase in a bag made from a newspaper. I liked it very much and had to make some more—thus today's DIY recycled newspaper project: gift bags made from the Wall Street Journal. You can vary the dimensions, of course, but here's what I used to create a bag that's 5" tall, 4.5" wide, and 3" deep. Stack two sheets of newspaper on top of each other. Cut out a rectangle that's 15.5" wide and 8.25" tall. Fold a flap 1.25" down from the top. Cut two pieces of cardstock or chipboard to 4.25" x 1", then glue them on the widest two panels just under the top fold. Put glue on the outside of the 0.5" tab and bring the left-most panel over to form the body of the bag, aligning the cut edge of the panel with the folded edge of the flap. Upend the bag so the 2" flap is now up. Put glue on both flaps and fold them inward to form the bottom of the bag.