August 5, 2011
by Tammy
2 Comments
One of the issues with the Knifty Knitter looms is that you have to use chunk yarn, #5. Or you can also double your yarn, which works well too. However, I really like Lion Brand’s Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. As the name suggests, it works up quickly, and when you add in the loom, you are cranking out the stitches.
Here is some pumpkin colored yarn on the adult-size loom, and it took just a few hours to finish the hat.
August 2, 2011
by Tammy
2 Comments
Despite getting a lot of help from Coco, who swears she just wants to learn how to crochet and is not trying to drive me insane, I finished what turned out to be a really simple baby afghan that is perfect for a little boy.
I used 3 skeins of yarn for this, two of Bernat’s “I’m a Boy” and one of Bernat’s “Pale Blue.” The hook size I used was a G, so this ends up making the gauge a little on the small side. The finished afghan is 36 inches. Basically, to make this, just use the “I’m a Boy” and make the granny square, using up the entire skein. Then attach the blue skein and use that up, and finish with another skein of “I’m a Boy.”
Very no brainer – but it turned out great and is so soft! Of course, as my luck would have it, I have to make two baby afghans right now, one for a girl and another for someone who won’t know if it’s a boy or girl until have she has it. So this baby gan is going in the donation collection. However, considering that it was fast and only used 3 skeins of yarn, this little baby blanket is a perfect donation type of project.
August 1, 2011
by Tammy
0 comments
Admittedly, I have not done much with my Crafty Princess Etsy Shop in some time. With summer school here and fall semester looming and everything else I’ve got going on, the store will have to continue to limp along for awhile. However, I still get email from Etsy, and one recently jumped out at me, not because I could actually participate in this event but because if I could I totally would!
In September 17 and 18, 2011, Hello Etsy will hit the Internet via streaming video and, of course, be conducted in the real world at the same time. In fact, “world” is a good location to give it because while the main event will be in Berlin, Germany, there will be similar ones all over the world. The website describes Hello Etsy as “A Summit on Small Business and Sustainability is a hands-on gathering for small business owners who want to connect with their peers, learn the skills to find success and independence, and be part of the movement to build human-scale economies.”
I am always amazed at the cool events and ideas that continue to come from Etsy. This is just another one to add to the list. I’d love to hear from anyone who plans to attending one of these events.
July 31, 2011
by Tammy
0 comments
Take some advice form Coco and Chanel! Relax! Enjoy! Get crafting with some ideas from my fellow craft bloggers.
The Crochet Dude™
Drew reviews the Knook – a kit that teaches you how to knit with a crochet hook! (I have been super curious about this weird sounding concept!)
About Family Crafts
Now is the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday crafting, and Sherri will help you get a jump start on making your holiday gifts.
Aileen’s Musings
This week Aileen offers you a re-post of her Chunky Canvas Bird Cage Tutorial.
Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi has a Crafter Companion paper fairy idea to show off this week!
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to make recycled silverware journal handles, a chance to win a copy of 1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies & Cakes along with a recipe for fondant, an interview with the author of The Urban Biking Handbook and an inspirational quote and art from Camille Kuo.
Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Look at this cute coffee can recycling project. It also uses craft stash scraps, so it is both eco-nomical and eco-logical!
Mixed Media Artist
Continuing with her clothing obsession, Cyndi has taken out her acrylics to use on a summer dress!
Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
See bling Stef designed after she was inspired by Margot Potter’s latest book New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry and win a copy for yourself!
July 29, 2011
by Tammy
2 Comments
I finished up this star baby afghan last night. It is a variation on the Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket designed by Celeste Young, which is a free pattern on Ravelry.com.
My original idea was that this was going to be a gift for a couple we know who is having a baby in early October. I started out thinking I was going to do some kind of shell stitch variation, but when I started using the Bernat Berries and Cream variegated yarn for this, well, it looked weird. Since the color sections are pretty long, it ended up looking bloctchy, with a blotch of pink, then a blotch of yellow, etc. It just looked bad.
So I realized I needed to do some kind of pattern that started from the center and worked out from there. Granny square came to mind, but I wanted to try something a little different, and after looking through patterns on Ravelry, I found this star design.
Along with Berries and Cream, I used Bernat Lemon Citron in between. I’m not sure if I’m sold on this shade of yellow with the other yarn. When I hold it up to parts of the Berries and Cream, some of the yellow shade matches exactly, but then when you look at it at a distance, this is not as noticeable as the darker yellows.
As it turns out, I made a number of boo-boos on this, so it goes in the donation bag rather than a gift bag, and I will have to try this again, but I think it will work, and generally, I like the finished look to this afghan. This first attempt took 2 skeins and ended up to be 36 inches from star tip to tip. I plan to make the second one about 10 inches larger in diameter. Now I just need to figure out if I’m going to make it with all Berries and Cream yarn or use some yellow as well.
July 27, 2011
by Tammy
7 Comments
Of course, just when I find a good thing, it’s gone! Or at least, it will be soon. According to the Invisible Loom Craft blog, Knifty Knitters are no longer being made. She does mention a few other affordable sounding options, but some of them were you have removable pegs don’t sound that great to me. Removable could also be the same as pegs falling out.
Since getting my first round set of looms, I have done some searching to see what else is out there, and many looms I find are pretty pricey. Today, I went to my local Michael’s, which still has a fair number of them in stock, and purchased a set of 4 round looms for about $10, after my 40% off coupon. Considering that’s a little more than $2 each, that’s not too bad. These are for the craft club, and now I’m wondering if I should get a second set for it. I do have mine to share, but since having them, I just about always seem to have a project going on at least one of the looms. Share? Maybe not 😉
I’m sure the nicer looms are nicer, but when you are first learn a new craft, it doesn’t make sense (to me at least) to start with top of the line tools. For example, most people who start knitting or crocheting start with metal needles and hooks. An aluminum hook goes for less than $1 at Walmart versus a fancy rosewood hook that can go for about $12 each.
It will be interesting to see if other brands come in and take the place of Knifty Knitter, but I’m just glad I managed to discover these before it was too late!
July 26, 2011
by Tammy
17 Comments
Margot Potter, famed jewelry designer, weblogger, TV personality, etc., has another new book out. This one takes a unique and contemporary approach to making bead and wire jewelry. It’s called New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry: Unexpected Combinations and Unique Designs, and you can read the full book review that I wrote about it over at my About.com Jewelry Making site.
After you read the review, come back and leave a comment answering the following questions: Have you mainly used beading wire just for stringing up beaded jewelry, or have you ever used it in a more 3-D kind of way or any other unique method? If you haven’t, is there a reason you haven’t? If you have, then what did you do that is different than the usual straight bead stringing?
I will have a random drawing for a copy of Margot’s newest book after the deadline for this give-a-way, August 26, 2011. So basically, you have a month to enter. You can post as many times as you like, but I will just put in one entry per name. Make sure you include your email address so that you can be contacted in case you win. Winners will have 72 hours after they are contacted by me via email to reply. After that, I will draw another name if I don’t receive a reply back. This offer is good only in the US or Canada. The winner will receive the book through USPS media postage. Good luck!
July 25, 2011
by Tammy
0 comments
My summer is ebbing away, and while I did not read War and Peace, I did manage to get a fair amount of reading done over the past few months, and fingers crossed, I can keep it going in between all the paper grading and what-not I have to do when I get hit with fall classes full blast in late August.
I am loving my Kindle, and lucky me, there is a “big deal” Kindle book sale going on right now, which I’ve learned to take advantage of whenever possible. Here’s what I scored:
Knitting Craft Books)
Kindle edition $2.99
Contemporary Literature)
I think I’m going to hate it but for .99 cents what the heck
Literary Books)
The Glass Room
Literary Books)
Kindle price is $1.99
July 24, 2011
by Tammy
0 comments
Sewing, jewelry, knitting, recycled crafts, mixed-media, quilting, cross stitch, paper-crafts – We cover all these crafts and more with some weekend links from around the web. Relax and enjoy!
Craft Buds
Mary and Lindsay went to the CHA trade show in Chicago this week, and show off some crafting technology along with some pretty fabric flowers and stamped metal jewelry.
Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a vintage pattern for a knit sweater, an interview with Kate Bingaman-Burt featured in the 365 book, a Steampunk ring from 1,000 Steampunk Creations, and news about a new graphic design website-RockPaperInk.com, and call for entries.
Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Who doesn’t recycle cards and gift bags these days? This was a real simple recycling project. Look at the card Jackie gave Eileen for her birthday; and then how Jackie received it back on hers!
Lindsay Sews
Check out some highlights in craft booth design from the Craft and Hobby Association trade show in Chicago.
Mixed Media Artist
Make an easy-peasy summer breezy hair tie from a strip of lace, a button, a jump ring, and an elastic band!
Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
How to make digital camo quilt block inspired by the book Dare to be Square Quilting.
About Family Crafts
Bored kids? Browse through this craft kit guide, all listed by age, with your kids and let them pick out one or more that appeals to them!
Aileen’s Musings
Aileen took the inchie challenge this week creating a 1 inch book, and shows you how you can make one too!
Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi has a week of posts about the Chicago Craft and Hobby show.
Connie Gee’s Designs
Quilts are Connie’s favorite subject to stitch and she’s got a comfy one for you to stitch this week.
July 23, 2011
by Tammy
0 comments
Using the smallest loom, I have made a number of baby hats. These work up wicked fast, but you have to use either bulky yarn or double strands. That’s one draw back with the loom. You can’t use thin yarn unless you double or triple it. Just for the heck of it, I tried using one strand of Bernat, which is I think considered 3ply, and it was a mess, loose, falling all over the place. Luckily, since I use so much baby yarn like this, I have lots of left overs in fairly good sized balls, and I was able to use two strands at once with some success.
Here’s one of the finished hats where I used one strand of Pale Blue yarn and one of Denim Marl:
