Ravelry Archives - Page 9 of 12 - Renate Kirkpatrick's Freeform Crochet~Knit~Fibre Designs

Amy – How A Felted Jumper Becomes A Handbag – E-book Tutorial

~ This E-book Tutorial (12 pages) is available as PDF downloads from this blog & on Ravelry, Etsy & Zibbet ~

Reclaim that old woollen jumper & turn it into a stylish handbag

It’s easy to become excited about this up-cycled, eco-friendly project & even easier to make. The tutorial takes you through the basics of washing machine felting, laying out pattern or template & embellishments – the step-by-step instructions are given in written form with clear photos & diagrams with some alternatives included

Requirements:

* Old woollen jumper

* Top-load washing machine

* Pure soap

* Template – 26 cm (10”) embroidery hoop or strong cardboard

* Sewing machine

* Crochet hooks of choice

* Eyelash yarn of choice

* Plain 8ply yarn of choice

* Sharp scissors

* Darning needle

* Sewing needle & strong cotton thread

* 2 buttons/beads

As a new year begins…

…. I wonder…. just where did the old one go? 2009 whizzed by but looking back I realise what full & productive a year it really was…

I started this website/blog with very little tech knowledge & bumbled though learning so much along the way – my aim to be informative & hopefully recruit more enthusiasts to the exciting world of Freeform can be gauged by the amount of hits, comments & emails I’ve received over the year so I’m certainly giving this goal the big tick of success…

‘Freeform Crochet & Beyond’, was published & wholeheartedly endorsed by those already immersed or just embarking on the Freeform journey. Many thanks for all the wonderful feedback I’ve received

Alice Springs Beanie Festival entry ~ ‘Australia in colour’ ~ won the Spirit of the Land Category & I now have this fabulous ‘Camel Trophy’….. my best prize ever!

Joined Ravelry & found all the fibre, crochet & knitting nutters in one place – I’ve met some truly remarkable people & what a joy this has been….

Encouraged by family I’m now on Facebook & even have a Fan Page – good grief!!! what next?

I bit the bullet & opened an Etsy Shop… where I’ve met a great bunch of Aussie Girls in the Dust Team & would probably still be foundering about had it not been for their help & support- it’s been huge learning curve (that is still going on) but I’ve enjoyed every minute.

There has also been a lot of creative participation throughout the year -‘ The Four Seasons’ challenge – National Gallery Pole knit – Sydney Hyperbolic Coral Reef Project – All great fun projects that wetted the creative juices….

Most importantly… I’ve made some new & very special friendships (you know who you are) – thank you to all of you for your love, support & encouragement – as I look back on 2009… yep…. it’s been a fabulous year indeed….

So what’s in store for 2010?

At the moment I’m having a real fair dinkum go at Knitting after discovering ‘Crazy Lace’ by Myra Wood – not really much of a knitter myself but this Crazy Lace has unleashed a whole new adventure – thanks Myra – I’m so enjoying it & posting my first pics of one of many projects I’m working on…. Here’s hoping everyone has a wonderful creative 2010…..

Cotton Rainbow: Crazy Lace knit …. enjoy!

what a good idea…Freeform Crochet camera/phone case

I have been wracking my brain for ages trying to come up with something different – a smallish item that is practical but still stylish & good to look at – I came up with this little Carry Safe – Freeform Crochet camera/phone case – it’s lined with a strong, dark grey commercial felt to withstand the hard knocks – the brain-wracking has been worth the effort, even if I do say so myself

More hyperbolics – just couldn’t help it

OK…. so call me obsessive but I just couldn’t help myself – I just had to make some more coral for the Sydney reef – this time I used ‘Fiesta Yarn’ by Arbee, a polypropylene ribbon & just love the results – However, the idea to use the ‘Fiesta Yarn’ was not mine – all credit for this great fun idea must go to Meg-an-jack – please check out her fabulous fibre art

Seeing her wonderful coral pieces reminded me that I had a whole bag of the stuff somewhere in my stash & so…. these new pieces will also be added to my contribution to the Sydney Hyperbolic Coral Reef Project