craft

Illusion Knitting or Shadow Knitting

Anjie Davison — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:28:28 -0600

I had to have a go at this knitting technique. It's simple but gives an impressive effect. From the front it looks like a simple striped pattern. But tilted to the right angle a hidden image appears. This is Wikipedia's explanation of the technique. "The knitter alternates between two colors. Colors with good contrast are preferred, but not needed. The knitter knits two rows of color A, then two rows of color B, then two rows of color A, etc.

Claire Moynihan

Anjie Davison — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:30:47 -0500

I enjoyed the Knitting and Stitching show for lots of reasons, and seeing textile artists work is one of them. There was an area at the exhibition showcasing the best creative talent from this year's textile and applied arts degree courses. All the work was interesting but the artist that stood out for me was Claire Moynihan. She studied at the University of Hertfordshire, a local connection. Claire said , " I am primarily a three dimensional felt designer, working with locally sourced, un-dyed Alpaca wool.

Selvedge Magazine

Anjie Davison — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:25:22 -0500

One of my favourite magazines I subscribe to is Selvedge. A beautifully produced magazine for serious designer/makers. It's more than a magazine, It's a soft backed book I keep going back to for reference and inspiration. "Open a copy of Selvedge and you sense there is a philosophy that Selvedge readers subscribe to. A belief system based on a cerebral and sensual addiction to textiles in all forms.

How to Make a Bat and Spider Decoration for Halloween

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

How to Make a Lantern for Halloween

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

Japanese Shop

Anjie Davison — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:48:04 -0500

I found this amazing Japanese website. It has the most adorable print-and-build models. It's called the Paper Museum and the downloads are free. The website is full of cute shops, vehicles, food, decorations, packaging, cards and lots more. All are ingeniously made from card. After some indecision because of the choice, I plumped for the toy shop it was easy to make. Its construction was very precise. When it's completed it stands 23cm in height.

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.