Tutorials, How To's & Free downloads

Looking through a box of cards I found one I designed in 2006 and thought it would make an easy tutorial.

First make a cardboard template. To do this just print out the pattern (attachment at the bottom of this post) and glue the sheet of paper to cardboard. When the glue is dry cut-out the sole and thong template.

The flip-flops are made from craft fun-foam, this comes in lots of colours.

The flip-flop's thong can be made from either ribbon or fun foam for the latter use the pattern.

Place your template on the foam and draw round it, mark the position of the holes. Cut out the sole. Make holes, where marked, with scissors.

The pattern for the thong is extra long so it can be adjusted and positioned to look like a real flip-flop. Excess thong can be cut-off once it is pushed through the holes in the sole.To secure and hold down the ends of the thong I used Sellotape on the underside of the sole

Decorate the flip-flop with flowers, sequins, bows, jewels etc. Glue in place with PVA.

I used sand coloured paper for the background on the card.

I used sticky foam pads to attached the flip-flops to the card.

One flip-flop or two? The choice is yours. 

I think I am finally happy with my pattern, I hope I have explained it clearly enough for anyone to try! 

This is what I used for my necklace but you could use any oddments of yarn and size of needle, it would be nice in a cotton yarn too

Needles: one set of four double pointed needles (DPNs) size 2.0mm (14 UK / 0 US)

Yarn: Double knitting wool oddments

Necklace cord

Using two of the DPNs and your chosen colour for the necklace 'cord' cast on 3 sts. Knit these 3 sts using the i-cord method until work measures 15cm (6"). Join yarn colour for the bead

Shape the bead

rnd 1 Working on the 3 i-cord sts, using 4 DPNs *K1, M1* Repeat from *to* (6 sts)

The 6 sts should be arranged on three needles to knit in the round

Place a marker at the beginning of the round (I do this by attaching a piece of contrasting yarn to the first stitch)

rnd 2 K all 6 sts

rnd 3 *K1, M1* Repeat from *to* (12 sts)

rnd 4 K all 12 sts

rnd 5 *K2, M1* Repeat from *to* (18 sts)

rnd 6  K all 18 sts

rnd 7 *K3, M1* Repeat from *to* (24 sts) 

rnd 8 - rnd 12 K all 24 sts

rnd 13 *K 2, k2tog* Repeat from *to* (18 sts)

rnd 14 K all 18 sts

rnd 15 *K1, k2tog* Repeat from *to* (12 sts)

fill the 'bead' with stuffing (I used polyester stuffing)

rnd 16 *K2tog* (6 sts)

rnd 17 join yarn for 'cord' and with this *K2tog* Repeat from *to* (3 sts)

Knit i-cord on these 3 sts to form the 'cord' between the beads, I knitted 7 rows before I started my next bead

From this basic pattern you can knit four more beads.

Necklace cord and loop fastening

Change yarn and on the 3 sts K i-cord to the same length as the cord at the beginning of the necklace.

With a tail measuring about 65cm (25") cut the yarn and thread it through a crewel needle. Pass the needle through the 3 stitches left on the needle and pull tight. With the tail of yarn, your finger being at the end nearest to the cord, wind the yarn 5 times around your left hand's forefinger. With the needle and yarn work around the loop using a buttonhole stitch.

Secure loop to 'cord'. (take a look at the relevant photograph in it might make sense!)

Add a button to the other end for the fastening.

Abbreviations

DPNs   double pointed needle(s). A short needle with points at both ends, used in sets or 4 or 5, for knitting in the round.

K  knit

K2tog  knit 2 stitches together

M1    Make 1 stitch - From the front, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into back of loop

rnd   Round

Sts   stitches

I decided to make the seventies tiles I bought into something practical instead of just letting them gather dust in the shed. It would be a shame to keep that retro pattern hidden.  The tiles are all corner tiles so I decided four placed together would make a useful trivet.

This is how to make a trivet

1. Cut a piece of MDF to size, taking into acount space needed for grout. 
2. Prepare the MDF by first sanding, then seal it with a PVA and water mix (1 part PVA to 4 parts water) leave to dry. 
3. Choose one side for the underside of the trivet. Give this side and the edges a couple of coats of kitchen/bathroom grade emulsion, let this dry thoroughly. 
4. Give the underside and edges a coat of varnish once again let this dry thoroughly. 
5. Prepare the top of the trivet by scoring it with a craft knife, this will help the tiles to adhere better. 
6. Stick the tiles on with tile adhesive, leave to dry for at least 24 hours. 
7. Grout.   

 Now I just need to find a fondue pot to stand on it!

After making the trivet my next object of delight is a coaster. I like doing mosaics but instead of using ceramic tesserae I used beer bottle caps. This would make a great gift for a husband, dad, brother or any other beer loving person!

This is my tutorial

1. I decided to make a large coaster 4x4 bottle tops. I measured them and cut a piece of plywood to size. 
2. I prepared the plywood by first sandpapering it, then sealing it with a PVA and water mix (1 part PVA to 4 parts water) I left it to dry. 
3. One side I painted with a coat of black acrylic paint, I left this to dry. 
4. I then gave it a coat of varnish and let that dry over night.
5. The tile adhesive and grout I bought in powder form. I followed the instructions on the packet but added some black acrylic paint to achieve a dark grey colour. 
6. I covered my prepared plywood with a generous layer of tile adhesive. 
7. I arranged the beer bottle caps on to the plywood and pushed them into the adhesive making sure I wiped off any excess from the edges. I left this to dry (24 - 48 hours approx.) 
8. When the tile adhesive was thoroughly dry I mixed up the grout in the same way as the adhesive. I applied the grout thickly with my fingers pushing it between the caps. I wiped the excess off with a slightly damp sponge. Make sure all excess grout is removed because once it's dry it's difficult to remove and you might damage the caps.

To make these lanterns follow the instructions for the Lantern Tutorial   I used four umbrellas for each of my lanterns. First take apart the umbrellas by removing their sticks and cutting off the cardboard struts. The umbrellas are still quite 'springy' so when you apply them wrap cling film tightly around the glass or jar to keep them in place. I think I left them for about 30 minutes then removed the cling film and left them to dry.