Thursday 18 December 2014

Creative Cards

One of my clients was going through a difficult time during the year and she had little sticky notes everywhere around the house with the word "Love' written on them where she would see them and be reminded that the greatest thing is LOVE! I was inspired today to do something special for her Christmas gift when I see her on Monday.....here is the result. Depending where you want to put them you could either use blue tac or a small magnet on the back of the peg.




Instructions to make

Materials Needed

1 or 2 pages of Inkjet Business Card 
1 Packet of mini Christmas Card pegs
Laminated business card size pouches

The Use Of A....
laminator Machine
printer
Computer

Using Microsoft Word template for business cards.  Type the Word LOVE in a nice font.  Using a online photo editing site create a border or any decoration you want to add.  This was the site I used:-

http://www.pizap.com/pizap-app.php?initialstate=photo

Create your cards print allow a little time for the ink to dry.  Laminate each card. Add the peg.  That's all there is too it :)

I took my inspiration a little bit further with a Christmas theme  I really like these cute little pegs from the cheap shops I think they are meant to be used for hanging Christmas cards up. 

The ideas for creating different themes would be endless :)

Happy crafting   

Chrissie





Wednesday 26 November 2014

Toilet Roll Cover





Australian/English terms used check on the net to adapt to American terms.



Materials:-  Materials:- 100% 8 ply cotton yarn in 3 different colours.  I had some left over from the 

face washer and another ball of the main colour one ball of each but not all was used.


Crochet Hook  3.00mm


Top

Using main colour (blue)

Make 4 chain and join in a ring with a slip stitch.

Round 1 

Make 3 ch (to represent the first treble); 11 tr into the ring.
Join to the top of the 3rd chain with a slip stitch.

Round 2

3 chain ; 1tr in the same place as ss; 2tr into the top of each tr of first
round.  Join with a ss (24 trebles)

Round 3

3 ch; 1 tr in the same place; (1 tr in the next tr, 2 tr in the following tr) 11 times;
1 tr in the next tr. Join  with a ss. (36 trebles).

Round 4

3 chain; 1 tr in the same place. ( 1 tr in each on the next 2 tr,  2 tr in the following treble)
11 times; 1 tr in each of the next 2 tr.  Join with ss (48 trebles)

Round 5

3 chain; 1 tr in the same place; ( 1 tr in each on the next 3 tr, 2 tr in the following tr) 11 times.
1 tr in each of the next 3 tr.  Join with a ss.  (60 trebles)  
Fasten Off.

Sides

Chain 74 in main colour & work four rows in linen stitch.

Using the linen stitch tutorial    http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/crochet-tutorials/crochet-linen-stitch/



Work 2 rows in linen stitch using 2nd contrast colour (white)

Work 2 rows in linen stitch using 3rd contrast colour (variegated)

Work 2 rows in linen stitch using 2nd contrast colour (white)

Change to main colour

Work 12 rows in linen stitch

Fasten Off

Weave in any ends.  Sew the sides together I used a clear fine thread.

Turn inside out.  Using DC join the top and the sides working
around evenly.

Brim

Round 1

In the bottom edge using main colour make 1 chain. then work 1 DC into each tr.
Join with a slip stitch.

Round 2

Make 3 chain (to represent the first treble);  (2 tr in next tr, 1 tr into each of next
4 tr).  Repeat to end.  Join with a slip stitch.

Round 3

Make 3 chain (to represent the first treble); (2 tr in next tr, 1 tr into each of next
5 tr).  Repeat to end.  Join with a slip stitch.

Round 4

Work evenly around a shell border - 1 DC skip 1 
5 trebles in next stitch - skip 1, 1 DC in next stitch repeat to end.


Any questions email me chrissy.matthews@gmail.com






Face Washer/Cloth Pattern



Inspired by this tutorial http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/crochet-tutorials/crochet-linen-stitch/

Materials:- 100% 8 ply cotton yarn in 3 different colours.  I had one ball of each but not all was used.

Crochet Hook 3.00m

Using main colour Chain 58

Work 4 rows in linen stitch using main (I used blue)

*Change to second colour (I used white)

Work 2 rows linen stitch.

Change to third colour (I used a varigated colour)

work 2 rows linen stitch.

Change to second colour (white)

Work 2 rown linen stitch.*

Change to main colour (blue)

Work 28 rows linen stitch.

Repeat from * to *

Change to main colour (blue)

Work 4 rows in linen stitch.

Complete by weaving in any ends.  I did a DC (SC - American) border
with 3 DC's in each corner.



Any questions email me chrissy.matthews@gmail.com

Thursday 13 November 2014

My Shopping Bag

I used an eco-shopping bag like in this picture as a guide to the measurements of my bag.





Materials used:-
7 balls in main colour of Moda Vera Beetle Yarn (I used the Confetti variegated as pictured in the foreground)
1 ball of contrasting yarn (I used yellow which was one of the colours in the variegated yarn)


This is a 50% cotton 50% acrylic yarn very soft and nice to work with.
4 D-Link buckles
Piece of rope to the length you want for the handles
Piece of strong cardboard for the base lining
Yellow scrap material to cover the cardboard base
Fishing Line 0.28mm  I used this to sew on the buckles.

Abbreviations:-

DC (English/Australian)   SC American

INSTRUCTIONS

Front Panel
Using a 5.00 ml hook Chain 49
Change to 4.00 ml hook
1st row DC into 2nd chain from hook.  Continue DC to end of row.
2nd  row turn chain 1.  DC in first DC stitch continue DC to end of row.
Repeat until there is a total of 60 rows of DC.

Back Panel
Same as front panel above

Side 1
5.00ml hook
Chain 31
Change to 4.00ml hook
1st row DC into 2nd chain from hook.  Continue DC to end of row.
2nd row turn chain 1.  DC in first DC stitch continue DC to end of row.
Repeat until there is a total of 60 rows of DC.


Side 2
Same as 1st side as above

Base
Using a 5.00 ml hook Chain 49
Change to 4.00 ml hook
1st row DC into 2nd chain from hook.  Continue DC to end of row.
2nd  row turn chain 1.  DC in first DC stitch continue DC to end of row.
Repeat until there is a total of  30 rows.

Finshing Off
Weave in any ends on all the panels.  Pin seams together. 
Working with the contrasting yarn working on 2 pieces to be joined together
Joining together Using Double Crochet (Single Crochet American)
Wrong sides together for an outside seam.
Line up your pieces so the edges and patterns match.
Work seams just like a regular crochet row, from right to left.
Start by pushing your hook from front to back through both layers of the right hand corner chain space of your granny square (under the usual 'v' shape of the chains). Yarn over hook, then pull your hook back through to the front of your work. Make sure you don't lose the tail of yarn - hold onto it behind your work. Yarn over again and pull that new yarn over through both loops.
Now, holding your loose end along the top of your work push your hook through the next 2 stitches (under the 'v' of the square in front and the second square too). Yarn over and pull back through to the front of your work. Yarn over again and pull that new yarn over through both loops and you're making a single crochet seam. Your loose end will be hidden as you work your single crochet seam.
Continue working along the row until your 2 pieces are completely joined. Break your yarn and pull the end through the last loop to finish off.

Top edge
I used a bobble edging following the instructions here. However you could do a simple shell edging or whatever edging you prefer.

The Handles
I used these instructions to help make some nice strong handles for my bag.

Base Lining
Cover a piece of cardboard with some material using craft glue.

For a final finishing touch I did a crocheted butterfly but you could add a flower, owl or anything.  Lots of free appliqued patterns on the Internet.



I changed the butterfly as I thought it did not stand out much...so I used some black 4 ply cotton in  chain stitch to outlined it.



3rd May, 2015


As I sold my first bag.  I made a second bag with a couple of differences. 
In assembling the pieces together I used single crochet method as in the tutorial video clip here:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUe7rGpHXhc

I put the D Link buckles on the outside this time with some 4 tags I crocheted using left over Modra Vera Beetle coffetti yarn. 

As follows:-

Using 3.50 hook Chain 9

1 DC into second chain from hook to the end of the row.
Repeat until 12 rows finish off.

Make 4

Attach to the bag either with a running stitch or DC.

I did the cardboard base this time rather than material I crocheted 2 more base pieces the same as above.  Using DC to Join them together to cover the cardboard.



The second Bag



Any questions feel free to contact me. chrissy.matthews@gmail.com

Saturday 27 September 2014

Knitting Pattern - Reversible Tea Cosy



I really enjoy knitting or crocheting when relaxing.  I was looking to replace my rather well used tea cosy but could not find a pattern that I thought would be suitable so for the first time I created my own pattern.  I typed it up later so I hope it is all correct.  Any questions please feel free to comment. Thank you


REVERSIBLE SMALL TEA COSY PATTERN




Materials:-
1 ball of acrylic 8 ply yarn – main colour (Blue)
1 ball of acrylic 8 ply yarn – contrasting colour (Apricot)
1 pair of 5.00ml knitting needle
Contrasting ribbon

Note:- When I say 'wrong side' I am referring to the side in the first photo...right side the second photo.

Side 1
Bottom Edge
Cast on 36 stitches in main colour
Row 1 *knit 4 purl 4* repeat to end of row
Row 2 * purl 5 knit 4* repeat to end of row
Row 3 same as Row 1
Row 4 same as Row 2
Change to contrasting colour
With right side facing
Row 5 knit to end of row
Row 6 * purl 5 knit 4* repeat to end of row
Row 7 *knit 4 purl 4* repeat to end of row
Row 8 same as row 6
Row 9 same as row 7
Change to main colour
With wrong side facing
Row 10 Purl to end of row
Continuing following this sequence until there are 10 strips including the bottom edge - 5 of each colour having finished with contrasting colour.
Top Edge
Change to main colour
With wrong side facing
Row 1 Purl to end of row
Row 2 Knit to end of row
Row 3 Knit to end of row
Row 4 Knit 1 *Yarn over knit 2tog knit 1* repeat to last stitch knit 1
Row 5 knit to end of row
Row 6 knit to end of row
Row 7 Purl to end of row
Row 8 knit casting off

Side 2
Bottom Edge
Cast on 36 stitches in main colour
Row 1 *purl 4 knit 4* repeat to end of row
Row 2 * knit 4 purl 4* repeat to end of row
Row 3 same as Row 1
Row 4 same as Row 2
Change to contrasting colour
With right side facing
Row 5 knit to end of row
Row 6 *  knit 4 purl 4* repeat to end of row
Row 7 *purl 4 knit 4* repeat to end of row
Row 8 same as row 6
Row 9 same as row 7
Change to main colour
With wrong side facing
Row 10 Purl to end of row
Continuing following this sequence until there are 10 strips including bottom edge - 5 of each colour having finished with contrasting colour.
Top Edge
Change to main colour
With wrong side facing
Row 1 Purl to end of row
Row 2 Knit to end of row
Row 3 Knit to end of row
Row 4 Knit 1 *Yarn over knit 2tog knit 1* repeat to last stitch knit 1
Row 5 knit to end of row
Row 6 knit to end of row
Row 7 Purl to end of row
Row 8 knit casting off

Finish off weave in ends.  Sew together leaving gap for the handle and the spout.  Thread through ribbon or crochet chain in contrasting yarn.