I have to confess that, over the years of working with yarn, I’ve been a bit of a Tea Cosy snob & had little inclination to create, what I thought were rather outdated items. Who would even want them?
However, after being asked to make some, winning a few of competitions, gifting some & even selling a few, I have come to realise that creating Tea Pot Cosies are as creative as anything else I could create: from lovely, traditional ones to more outlandish freeform pieces. I’ve been told that Tea cosies are not only practical but add decorative joy to any table or kitchen sideboard… & so, I stand corrected… thanks to those who put me right…. – enjoy!
Hi everyone, it’s been quite a while since my last post… time is just flying…
So, it’s that time of year again… The Alice Springs Beanie Festival… & all the excitement that it generates across Australia… I did find the theme ‘Opposites Attract’ a bit challenging this year but, as it so often happens, in a quiet moment the ideas slowly emerged… These are my 2 entries that I know have safely arrived in Alice Springs, thanks to Aussie Post’s tracking system…
I’d like to wish all contestants much success &, all those lucky enough to be at the festival, a fabulous time…
1) Fire & Flood ~ Wet Felted & beaded Beanie.
2) From Coral Reefs…to Tropical Beaches…to Forest Hinterlands ~ Hand-spun beanie, embellished with freeform crochet & wet felted motifs.
I’ve had this tutorial in my mind for a very long time, but knowing how much time & work was involved putting it together: taking photos & editing, writing step by step instructions & keeping them clear & precise…
Like many of us, I procrastinated, allowing other things to occupy my time… even though that little voice in my head kept reminding me of what I had intended to.
So, a few weeks ago, I decided I couldn’t put it off any longer (that little voice was beginning to chatter & become annoying) – I got my act together…
Writing the tutorial was as I thought – time consuming – but I had forgotten just how much fun making these felt flowers is & how satisfying it is completing & reaching another goal…
Anyone can make these flowers, no felting experience necessary as the tutorial takes you through the steps &, apart from the wool roving, which can be purchased at any good craft suppliers, most of the requirements are items you’ll already have in your home.
The tutorial covers 2 wet felted flower methods ~ (1) using polystyrene moulds ~ (2) free formed & it also covers making leaves, centre balls & stamen/pistils
Have fun with these wet felted flowers… experiment with colour combos, textures & sizes… turn them into brooch pins or jazz up an old hat, they even look great in a vase… they’re such a joyful gift for family & friends… enjoy!
Requirements:
coloured wool rovings (available from any good craft suppliers)
polystyrene balls, egg shapes, golf balls,
very sharp pointed scissors
rubber gloves if you don’t like harsh soap on your hands
old towels
bamboo sushi mats – bubble wrap
pure soap
hot water
old sheeting – chux wipes
craft glue
sewing machine
sewing cotton
The tutorial includes:
requirements (page 2)
making flowers using the polystyrene method (page 3-6)
making centre balls (page 7)
making pistils/stamens – page 7-8
making leaves (page 9-11)
making freeform flowers (page 12-15)
The Wet Felt Flower Pattern Tutorial is available for sale in my Etsy Shop & Zibbet shop
Anyone can make these flowers, no felting experience necessary as the tutorial takes you through the steps &, apart from the wool roving, which can be purchased at any good 
craft suppliers, most of the requirements are items you’ll already have in your home.
