tutorial

Crocheted Flowers - Roses

Anjie Davison — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:13:59 -0600

I crocheted these roses from a pattern featured on The Dark Knit It was very easy to follow even though I have never crocheted from a pattern before. I found out what the abbreviations in the pattern meant. I then found tutorials on how the stitches were formed. It all made sense eventually and it was easy.

Christmas Lanterns

Anjie Davison — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:13:02 -0500

When I was at the Knit and Stitch Show I couldn't resist buying a very delicate sheet of Japanese lace paper. This weekend I made lanterns with it. To get the cool effect I layered two blue bands of torn mulberry paper on to the glass. I put a finishing layer of the lace paper on top. I incorporated into one of the designs some snowflake tissue paper.

How to Make Big Wooden Knitting Needles

Anjie Davison — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:30:08 -0500

I made my big knitting needles from a wooden broom handle, it was only a £1 from Wilkinsons. First I sawed the handle in half. It's made from a soft wood so it was easy to shape. A very big pencil sharpener would have been handy but with a Swiss army knife I roughly shaped the end of the needle. Then with my Dremel power tool I sanded it. Finally I smoothed it off by hand with fine sand paper. For the stoppers at the end I used wooden knobs. These needles are a fraction of the cost of the bought ones and just as good.

How to Make a Bat and Spider Decoration for Halloween

Anjie Davison — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:37:36 -0500

How to Make a Tartan Scarf

Anjie Davison — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:52:39 -0500

Tartan is every where this Autumn/Winter. The easiest way to wear it is as an accent, an accessory and the easiest accessory to make is a scarf, unisex too. Take a tartan/check fabric of your choice, measure a piece 2m 32cm x 45cm (2 1/2 yards x 18in). On the two long sides of the fabric turn in 1cm (3/8in) to one side, turn in same again and machine stitch. Fray the two short edges to form a fringe 10cm (4in) long. Knot the fringe at 1.5cm (1/2in) intervals. I was pleased to see that Top Shop were selling crochet flower brooches, similar to the flowers I made.

How to Make a Lantern for Halloween

Anjie Davison — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:22:30 -0500

Handmade Buttons (Dorset Buttons)

Anjie Davison — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:16:13 -0500

Sometimes it's frustrating when you can't find the right buttons for the garment you have knitted. This is a really easy way to make individual buttons for knitwear. For the buttons I used brass curtain rings, I think you can get plastic ones and these might be more practical when it comes to washing the garment. For the yarn i used wool and embroidery thread. I hope the photograph below showing the process is self-explanatory. First you cover a ring using what I would describe as a blanket stitch. Then create a spoke like framework.

How To Make A Pinata

Anjie Davison — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:35:38 -0500

A pinata is a brightly-coloured paper container filled with sweets and or toys. It is generally suspended on a rope from a tree branch or ceiling and is used during celebrations. A succession of blindfolded, stick-wielding children try to break the piñata in order to collect the sweets and or toys inside of it. It has been used for hundreds of years to celebrate special occasions. A pinata is really easy to make, but my advice is give yourself a week to make one as you need to give it time to dry!

A Little Bit Wrist Key!

Anjie Davison — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:04:02 -0500

I had this idea for an easy to make practical and useful key ring, one that you can just slide over your wrist to keep both hands free. A piece of personal safety advice from the police is " Always have your keys out and ready as you approach your house or your car. Fumbling through your handbag for keys after you've reached your car provides criminals an excellent opportunity to sneak up on you." Not wanting to create paranoia but this key ring solves that particular problem!

Lisa Ancarrow-Maltby's Slipper Design

Anjie Davison — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:51:13 -0500

I love these slippers designed by Lisa. The inspiration came from one of her favourite movie stars - Doris Day. Designed to wear on those lazy days of summer sipping chilled ice tea. I also think they would be perfect to pop in your suitcase for holidays, when you have to walk on dubious hotel carpets! You can find the free pattern and instructions on how to make a pair here. Tissuepapers is Lisa's blog it is well worth a visit she has some stylish ideas.