Category: tutorial

Tassels, Fringes & other Dangly Bits Ebook…

Tassel title pageOver the years of Freeforming, crocheting & felting, I’ve always been on the lookout for interesting additions to my work & Tassels, Fringes & Other Dangly Bits fall easily into that space where a little variety and/or originality is required to complete a project.

This collection brings together a broad selection of 24 Tassels, Fringes & Other Dangly Bits that I’ve used many times over in my work.

Tassels, fringes & other dangly bits will bring some razzle-dazzle to your projects, whether it’s a freeform crochet piece, a scarf, shawl or hat, or even add some pizzazz to your rugs (afghans), throw pillows, bedspreads, lampshades & other soft furnishings.

A few beads, here and there, gives a touch of glitz and glamour plus adds weight to the tassel/fringe so it hangs better.

* Enjoy yourself with these patterns, suggestions & ideas. Experiment with yarns, colours & textures. I’ve tried to cover a broad range of creative ideas in this collection & I hope you find it useful & inspirational

This Ebook (21 pages) brings together a collection of 24 tassels, fringes & other dangly bits & where appropriate patterns are written in both UK & US terminology, with diagrams, charts & photos &, covers the following:

Crochet Abbreviations (page 2)Rainbow Lariat 2

1) Standard Single Tassel (page 3)

2) Standard Double Tassel (page 3)

3) Twisted Cord Tassel (page 4)

4) Crochet Chain Fringe (page 4)

5) Standard Clump Tassel (page 5)

Cherry Red beanie scarf set

6) Ponytail Clump Tassel (page 5)

7) Hooded Tassel (page 6)

8) Clone Tassel (page 7)

9) Off-set Clover Tassel (page 8)

10) Crochet Chain Link Tassel (page 9)

11) Joined Crochet Link Tassel (page 9-10)

12) Barrel Knots (page 10)

Carnival 2

13) Adding Beads (page 11)

14) Adding Single Beads (page 12)

15) Beaded Fringe (page 12)

16) What to do with tassel tail ends (page 13)

17) Hanging Crochet Ball Tassel (page 14)

18)Crochet Circular Medallion Tassel (page 15)

19) Crochet Square Medallion Tassel (page 16-17)Rasta (2)

20) Crochet Diamond Medallion Tassel (page 16-17)

21) Crochet Triangular Medallion Tassel (page 17)

22) Crochet Cork Screw Tassel (page 18)

23) Wet & needle Felting ideas (page 19)

24) How to make Twisted Cords (page 20)

25) How to make Rasta (4)Pompoms (page 21)

You can purchase the ‘Tassels, Fringes & other Dangly Bits Ebook’ from Etsy & Ravelry

& soon on Zibbet & Craftsy

… enjoy!

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

Filet Crochet Tutorial – The Basics

FIL-TITLE-1This Filet Crochet Tutorial has been a long time coming &, to those of you who have been waiting for it, please accept my apologies… I have to admit that writing the instructions in ‘plain speak’ for easy understanding proved to be a bit more challenging than working the actual technique itself…

Filet crochet lace is possibly one of the easiest techniques to master. Most of you will recognise Filet as fine lace like items such as: curtains, tablecloths & runners, or ground fabric for Irish lace motifs traditionally worked in cotton thread with a steel hook… it’s delicate, old-world & lovely.Book mark

However, if you take it a step further, Filet also makes a fabulous ground fabric for your Freeform motifs, or scarves & shawls, when worked in 8 ply (or your yarn of choice) with an appropriate hook – traditionalist may cringe at this but most of you know my approach by now… I like to mixed it up & give anything a try…

In any case, whether you want to work traditionally or venture out & experiment, the basics for Filet are the same… I hope this comprehensive tutorial gives you everything you need, from reading charts to working an armhole on a vest, & becomes a good reference point that leads the way into this age-old technique.

Patterns are presented to the reader as charts or grids instead of written patterns so with a bit of graph paper you can even create your own designs if you have a mind to.

You can purchase the pattern from here,

ScarfPurse

The Filet crochet tutorial (17 pages) takes you through the basics of Filet Crochet in both written (UK & US terminology) & diagram form & covers the following:

  • How to read charts (graphs) – (pg 2)
  • Determining the number of chains required for foundation chain – (pg 2)
  • What is a Space, Block, Lacet & Bar– (pg 3)
  • Stitch Abbreviations – (pg 3)
  • Stitch Guide (written & drawings): slip st, dc (US sc), tr (US dc) – (pg 4)
  • Stitch Guide continued: dtr (US tr), trtr (US dtr) – tr decrease (US dc decrease) – (pg 5)
  • Basic Filet Mesh Lace (written, diagram & drawing): spaces & blocks  – (pg 6)
  • Basic Filet mesh lace continued: Lacets & bars – (pg 7)
  • Shaping: increasing space at beginning & end of row – (pg 8)
  • Shaping continued: decreasing space at beginning & end of row, increasing block at beginning & end of row, decreasing block at beginning & end of row – (pg 9)
  • Shaping for Garments: increasing blocks at beginning & end of rows – (pg 10)
  • Shaping for garments continued: increasing spaces at beginning & end of rows – (pg 11)
  • Shaping for garments continued: decreasing & decreasing blocks at beginning & end of rows – (pg-12)
  •  Three super easy projects to get you started
  • Book Mark (chart & photo) – (pg 13)
  • Scarf (photo & chart) – (pg 14)
  • Purse – (chart, photo, written, diagrams, drawings) (pg 15 to 17)

filet purse

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!

Textured Crochet Lace…

Textured Crochet Lace: 127 pages

  • ISBN 978-1-86351-430-9
  • ARRP: $39.99 AUD

I know that many of you have been awaiting the release of my new book Textured Crochet Lace, so I’m very happy to be able to say that it’s now available world wide.

I’m particularly proud of this new publication, not only because Sally Milner has, once again, produced a another gorgeous book that showcases my work but many of these patterns are favourites & ones I use all the time…  often incorporating them into my freeform / freestyle / open weave work &, moreover, I’ve made many a scarf, beanie, wrap & shawl to delight family & friends.

Textured Crochet Lace has 64 patterns &, of course, you can complete them all & have a beautiful sampler rug (afghan) that I know you will treasure &, better still, feel the sheer joy of your accomplishment… however, that’s not to say you can’t just choose a couple of favourites & make a smaller rug…. or just choose one & repeat the pattern as many time as you like to make the size that you like.

Skill requirements range from basic beginners to the more experienced & I’m confident that there is something interesting, perhaps even a little challenging, for anyone who enjoys crochet.

Each pattern is in written & diagram (chart) form, with both UK & US terminology & has a clear colour photo – I have given yarn & hook requirements but as with all of my samplers I like to encourage you to work with the yarn, hook & colours that you feel comfortable with – for me, The Sampler is a teaching/learning tool; a practical way the gain confidence & knowledge in a pleasurable way with the added bonus of having a lovely piece to show off to one & all….

I hope you all enjoy this new collection of patterns & it brings many hours of creative pleasure to your crochet journey…. Renate

Textured Crochet Lace is available from Amazon ~ The Book Depository ~ Booktopia (Amazon Australia)

View more Textured Crochet Lace content here

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