Tutorials, How To's & Free downloads

These felt birds are easy to make and only need a minimum amount of sewing. I have made one in white, like a dove. The instructions are for a coloured bird to make the parts easier to identify and assemble. This is a fiesta of a bird! To make the bird you will need

• felt
• small amount of wadding
• two small glass beads for eyes
• ribbon to hang the bird from
• beads and bell for embellishment

I have included a free pattern for you to download.

Different colour ways for the felt bird can be seen here  on a newer pom pom emporium post.

I found a really nice soft tree pattern on Little birds she has kindly made a pattern to download. For inspiration go here and see the variety and variation that can be achieved with this simple pattern. I had to add face and legs to some of mine! 

I have designed this Russian doll as a tree decoration. The pattern for the doll is included on the felt bird Christmas decoration pattern doll pattern.pdf . Just click on pdf attachment . I also made some dolls with a patterned cotton fabric and felt. Because I used a patterned material I had to make the face from a circle of flesh coloured felt.

This fairy I designed is based on an old fashioned clothes peg and a pom pom. First paint your peg like the photos below. I used acrylic paints, indelible pens, metallic marker pen (for laces on the ballet pumps) and glitter. Allow the peg to dry. Now make a pom pom following the instructions here Follow the tutorial to the point were the two cardboard rings are covered with wool. Take your peg and insert it into the centre of the wool covered circle. Take a pair of sharp scissors and cut through all layers of yarn between the two edges of cardboard. Ease the two discs of cardboard apart slightly, double a piece of yarn and tie between the two circles. Now gently pull away the two cardboard discs, one over the head the other over the legs of your fairy. Fluff up the pom pom, to make it secure you can glue in place on the peg. Next glue on wings, I used felt for mine sprinkled with glitter for extra sparkle. To display the fairy tie fishing line or invisible thread around the fairies neck.

My friend says she is sick of seeing the big hat (Knitting Faux pas) post. So lets rectify that. Besides the usual Christmas baking I have been cooking up some cupcakes! The free recipe is from Blah, Blah, Blahhhg  The beauty of the design is It is knitted in the round on 4 needles so it is seamless. I have taken the original pattern and tweaked it. Alice knitted some too but made up her own pattern. I think they could be an alternative to a birthday card if you attach a "Happy Birthday" tag. Also checkout my free knitting pattern for a MUG 

This is my 'tweaked' version of the pattern

With paper case colour, cast on 6 sts on dpns.

Row 1 (and all odd-numbered rows): k all sts

Row 2: kfb into each st (12 sts)

Row 4: [kfb, k1] across (18 sts)

Row 6: [kfb, k1] across (27 sts)

Row 8: [kfb, k2] across (36 sts)

Row 9: k all sts (36 sts)

Rows 10: p (36 sts)

Rows 11-19 k1, p1 (36 sts)

Row   20: p (36 sts)

Change to brown colour

Rows 21-24 k (36 sts)

Change to icing colour.

Rows 25-27 k (36 sts)

Row 28: decrease 6 sts evenly across

Row 29: k all sts (30 sts)

Row 30: decrease 6 sts evenly across (24 sts)

Row 31: k all sts (24 sts)

Place plastic cup, cut to size of paper case, into the base of the cupcake. Fill with stuffing.

Row 32: k2tog across (12 sts)

Row 33: k all sts (12 sts)

Row 34: k2tog across (6 sts)

At this point you may prefer not to have a cherry on top. Cut the yarn. Thread a needle with yarn and run it through the remaining stitches and fasten off. You could decorate with 'sprinklings' made from beads or contrasting yarn.

Change to cherry colour.

Row 38: k all sts (6 sts)

Row 39: kfb into each st (12 sts)

Row 40: k all sts (12 sts)

Row 41: k2tog across (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread needle with yarn, and run needle through remaining sts. Fasten tightly and knot. Pull knot through the centre of the cherry, with the needle emerging at the base of the cherry. Wind the yarn tightly around the base of the cherry, pass it through the cherry again. Fasten off