Category: how to

Wet Felt Flowers Pattern Tutorial…

DSCF0534I’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…

ff-felt-flower-groupAnyone 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 DSCF0553craft 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!

4xfelt-flower

Requirements: xxfelt-require-1

  1. coloured wool rovings (available from any good craft suppliers)
  2. polystyrene balls, egg shapes, golf balls,
  3. very sharp pointed scissors
  4. rubber gloves if you don’t like harsh soap on your hands
  5. old towels
  6. bamboo sushi mats – bubble wrap
  7. pure soap
  8. hot water
  9. old sheeting – chux wipes
  10. craft glue
  11. sewing machineDSCF0547
  12. 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

Surface Embellishments – Crochet Tips & Tricks Update….

Surface Embellishment: is an important component of freeform, it’s a great way of bringing your personality, your style & your skills to your work & putting your own stamp on your project. There are 1000’s of ways to embellish & I have covered but a few basics that I hope you find helpful & encourage you to experiment…

Rummage through your buttons & beads. Have another look at your embroidery threads & don’t forget those cords & braids that you’ve kept forever & haven’t had a use for; try to think outside of the box; if you’re anything like me & keep stuff simply because you love the colour, texture, sheen or whatever, you won’t have any trouble finding interesting ways to embellish your work.  And, it doesn’t only apply to freeform. A drab pullover, scarf or beanie can sometimes be redeemed with a little extra bling…

So, to everyone who has contacted me asking how to add that extra something to their work, I hope I’ve answered at least some of your questions…

You will find the Surface Embellishment page here – enjoy!

Getting started with crochet left handed

This is a short Getting Started with Crochet update for left handers… 

Because the techniques for holding your hook & yarn are exactly the same for left handed folk as for right handed (except of course that you will be holding the hook & yarn in opposite hands)… I haven’t repeated the text but I thought it might be helpful for you to see it in pictorial form – I hope it makes it a little easier for you  getting started with crochet….

You will find the left handed pictorial here – enjoy!

….&  you will find more Crochet Tips & Trick here

Getting Started with Crochet….

Some weeks ago  a group of mums  invited me to give their kiddies  a crochet lesson. I have to say, I’m always a tad apprehensive when teaching children because you never know what to expect… some will pick it up super quickly while others struggle. Nevertheless, I’m always up for a challenge & this was not different.

I decided the best way to begin was with a pictorial tutorial so that the children had a starting point & something they could refer to when the mood struck to try a bit of crochet…. it proved to be a great success… the afternoon was busy, fun, lovely.

I came home exhausted but very pleased with myself that, in some small way, I’ve helped young people (including quite a few boys) & their mums get started or rekindle their interest in crochet. I’d like to think that, some time down the track, they remember that Saturday afternoon, pick up their hook & yarn & continue…

And then, it occurred to me that I’m often asked what is the correct way to hold the hook/yarn? So, I thought… it wouldn’t hurt for me to post the Getting Started Pictorial Tutorial for everyone struggling with the dilemma of how to hold the hook/yarn…. I hope this little tutorial helps… enjoy & happy crocheting….

Remember there there are more Tips & Trick on this page just click on the links

Cheeky Freestyle Crochet Vest/Top….

The idea for this cheeky freestyle crochet vest/top has been mulling around in my head for months &  I’m overjoyed to have finally finished it but now that it’s in front of me, I’m not entirely sure if it’s a vest, a top or perhaps a half jumper (sweater).

In any case, I was so happy with the result that I made another one just to prove to myself that it wasn’t a fluke.

Here’s what I did for No 1….

Gathered together a collection of complementary yarns (10 in all) & chose a large crochet hook [12mm] then, on my dressmakers dummy, I measured from the centre front to under the arm across the hip, approx 32 cm [12 1/2″] & made a chain.

From here on I worked in rows of dc [US sc] & tr [US dc] (not necessarily in that order), alternating yarns at random & increasing on one side only until it measured approx 79 cm [31″] across the top (shoulders)

~ I made 2 of these sort of triangles ~

From there it’s just a matter of sewing or crocheting the 2 pieces together across the top leaving a space for the neck opening & doing the same along the straight seam from the bottom up & leaving a space for the arm hole… done… well almost…. I just couldn’t leave well enough alone & decided to add some interesting tassels on each end of the sleeves.

The Cheeky Vest/top No 1 is available for sale in my Etsy shop

For No 2… I worked in the same way but I used only one yarn, the beautiful Noro Silk Garden yarn & No 9 (M/N) hook, this one turned out a bit longer in length but that’s OK because I’m keeping it for myself…

So there you go… something new to try out for yourself… experiment with yarns, hook size & stitches… easy enough to do & lots of pleasure & creativity in the process.. have fun…