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

Rainbow Crochet Granny Square Pattern…

rainbow-rugHere’s a new crochet pattern for you to try… a very easy scrap yarn crochet rug (afghan) pattern, ideal for the less experienced but also great fun for the more advanced.

The finished rug (afghan) as featured in the photo measures approx 117cm (46”) x 117cm (46”) & each individual square measures approx 18 cm (7”) x 18 cm (7”). This, of course, may vary depending on your choice of yarn & hook.

Requirements for rainbow rug (afghan) pattern as featured in photo: 200g of each: yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green – 400g grey – Hook size: 4.50 (US: G)

Make as many squares as you need depending on your project – a little cot cover, a medium TV knee rug or a king size bedspread.

Although I’ve given yarn & hook requirements, this is your project – work with your own preferred yarn, colours & appropriate hook.

pink rainbow2pink rainbow1blue rainbow1blue rainbow22 tone rainbow12 toned rainbow2rainbow1rainbow2rainbow3rainbow4rainbow5rainbow6

 This pattern is available for sale on Etsy & Ravelry

Freeform Crochet Headband, Ear warmer or Cowl, Neck warmer….

rainbow 2 headband/cowl Here are 3 new women’s freeform ear warmer/headbands, or.. are they cowl/neck warmers,  that I finished this week & are now available for sale on Etsy. I used beautiful Artisan rainbow yarns with long variegations & just love working with them… for their colour combinations, durability & softness. These are always popular pieces, which is just as well because I really enjoy making them… blue purple cowl headbandrainbow headband cowl

Aussie Inspired… A women’s handbag

red gum bag 1This piece is one that I finished recently where I’ve attempted to impart the colours of Australia into a woman’s handbag…. the purple blues of the sky, blue greens of the ocean & the vibrancy of our  fascinating bush in its winter glory. red gum bag 2         Freeform crochet Gum leaf motifs, red bullion gum blossoms, metallic buttons, an assortment of beads & Vilene patches were melded together to create this  Australian inspired piece… a medium size women’s handbag lined in a Royal Blue satin, with sturdy twisted cane recycled/repurposed handles – you can find this bag in my Etsy Shop

Crochet Felt Cloche Hats with flowers… another collection

olive green crochet felt hatHello everyone, this is my new collection of crochet felt cloche hats with flowers that I finished a couple of months ago with only the photos needing to be taken before I could post about them & list them in my shops. There were 10 in all originally, but 3 have sold before I even had time to photographed them, so thought I better get a move on, otherwise, I’ll have no record that I ever made them at all.

I’m so pleased that his crochet felt cloche design is proving to be so popular. They were created in the usual way as I’ve written about in previous posts… using 100% pure wool I crocheted the crowns, which are then felted in the washing machine. I crochet the band directly to the felted crown. The flowers are first crocheted, again with 100% pure wool, & then embellished with crochet, embroidery & beads before being attached to the hat. For this collection I also came up with a plaited crochet braid that I’ve attached to each cloche between the band & crown… I think it adds a nice touch…

It always amazes me… I use the same technique… crochet, felt, embellish… yet, no 2 are ever the same…

Over the coming days, I’ll be listing these cloche hats in my Etsy shop

pink olive crochet felt hatlilac crochet felt hatblue crochet felt hatblack & white crochet felt hatpink crochet felt hatpurple blue crochet felt hat