Friends of the bride & groom shared their talents and helped out with cake decorating, invitations, photography & personalised chocolates as place settings!
I had a hand in the centrepieces for the tables. They looked beautiful and created a lovely romantic ambient glow. These are just perfect if you're planning a DIY wedding because they can be made well ahead of time.
The glasses were picked up for 50 cents a piece at local op shops. We chose to wrap in bamboo which had a lovely sheen & looked very pretty in the daylight.
wrapped tea lightView more presentations from kootoyoo.
Obviously these can be used and reused for different events & as either tealights or vases.
It's totally faker crochet! If you are a purist...power to you. Hook yourself some little caps for soap.
I confess I find the gifting of handmade items something of a challenge. It's one thing to give something you've painstakingly hooked, or stitched, or knitted, or sewn to someone else who makes things & appreciates them. It's quite another to gift the same items to folk who've no idea of the time involved. Faker or not - it's all the same to them. So...at this time of year when you're crafting to give I heartily recommend the faker route.
I got lucky at the oppy a couple of weeks ago & picked up a set of 6 crochet coasters which were a bit stained & yick. I slung them in the washing machine & stared at them for a while & wondered if a soap cosy might be just the ticket? Loofah & soap in one...yep! Time to have a crack folks.
Five minutes flat per soap...maybe less.
How to make faker crochet covered soap View more presentations from kootoyoo.
A little while ago I picked up these beautiful crochet cushion cover/cosy pieces at the Op Shop for the princely sum of $2 a piece!
They are stunning & the work that has gone into making them...incredible. If you're all about the hook & proving your eye straining worth then go for it I say. You'll earn my respect.
BUT I'm all about the smoke & mirrors & figured I'd have a go at a bit of fakery based on the original.
I love the combination of natural & white. I've used a thrifted/opped table cloth & a hotel grade (also opped) sheet. The sheet further adds to the fakeness of the whole deal as I didn't even have to hem the envelope closure.
I ripped the sheeting to size & whipped a pair of these up in under 20 minutes. I figured this bit of magic might be something you guys would like to have a crack at. I think that they would make excellent Christmas gifts.
The Date hates the pretty girly lights, hates the TV cabinet & chair but surprisingly doesn't mind the cushions! He still thinks the room's too girly but I'm not convinced. I prefer fresh. Faker crochet cushion View more presentations from kootoyoo.
I had no end of trouble with the making of my own video. There was much swearing & carry on I can tell you.
It's three strikes & you're out around here. The Flip has been benched! So...I've ended up with a how to make up the cuff.
There are a swag of videos on youtube demonstrating broomstick lace & you can check those out right here.
How to make a contortionist cuff View more presentations from kootoyoo.
I've had a number of "can I buy" requests. Historically, the making for money thing hasn't been kind to me...it's taken the joy away.
BUT the requests got me thinking & then I came up with the "more than one & less than a few" idea. I was so enormously chuffed with myself that I decided to actually make a couple for sale.
The Sometimes Shop will be stocked for one week only & then they go to the present cupboard (more affectionately termed the craft-skeleton-hiding-cupboard). Free Postage within Australia.
The jar lights I made created quite a bit of interest.
The benefit of using LED lights over tealights is safety & if you're having an outdoor party you don't need to worry about weather as the light would of course be protected by the lid of the jar.
Edit: I used large jars which were purchased very cheaply from a homewares store but used kitchen jars would work too. If you want uniformity with the the lids then perhaps a coat of paint?
The LED battery operated lights that I used were purchased from Bunnings. They are OSRAM brand "Dot-it" lights. They are around the $10 mark but they do just go on & on & on. I've also seen them at lighting shops.
I'm seriously considering setting up something in the garden similar to this brilliant piece of garden art...
freshly installed & 3 months later
which was inspired by Margie's project here.
Of course, you don't really need a how to...it's a speed demon type project. Forge ahead, have a crack & you can't really go wrong. How to contain the light View more presentations from kootoyoo.
& because I wanted to try out the embed feature through Google Docs...
you just need to click the little icon in the top right (open in new window) if you want to print the pdf.
If you liked this idea you might also like the wrapped tealights.
It doesn't rely on tension, hook size, type of yarn blah de blah.
You just need to worry about making sure the rectangle of fabric measures...
circumference x head height = super cute 'x' stitch beanie
I was lucky enough to have recipients easily lassoed by the measuring tape but if you're making for a gift you might like to refer to this excellent size chart found via google this afternoon. Thanks Bev.
How to make a crochet & cross stitch beanieView more presentations from kootoyoo.
I knew the heart wasn't going to fly so The Big Girl & I went for something très sophistiqué. The kid hasn't taken the beanie off since it was gifted. Both The Little Guy & The Date think it's fabulous (& those fellas are a tough craft audience).
There's a pdf here if that helps you out.
It goes without saying that you don't have to be able to crochet to make this beanie. You could follow the same formula & use some lovely wool jersey & the machine. That'd make it super quick.
How It seems that the mulberry granny shrug has inspired a few of you to have a crack yourself. That's super exciting & exactly why this patch of web space exists. Over the weekend Lara & I have worked together to present to you the whole box & dice for the granny shrug enthusiast.
There's something for everyone. This is the master class...for lovely folk who like to follow a pattern, or maybe you need the visual (like me) or perhaps you'd like to watch a dinky video.
If you know how to make a granny square then you know how to make this shrug. Just crochet yourself a couple of lovely granny hexagons.
You can just skip over the "instructions" & make the granny exactly as you always do. Maybe you slip across to the next chain space...ripper knock yourself out. There is no "right" way to make it.
You'll just end up with a lovely curly hexagon...good, that's great...exactly what we want. Just keep checking your sizing after each round to decide when you're done.
Mine have been 9 rounds (in the Wilderness) but depending on your tension & hook size yours might be 8 or 10 or more. Keep folding the curly hex in on itself until you're confident that the fit will be right for you.
the pattern My very favourite crocheter is Lara. She's one of the reasons I picked up the hook in the first place. She likes to be good at stuff & works hard to make sure she gets things right. Well, guess what? She's written a fabulous, fabulous pattern (it might not have posted yet...be patient) for you to print & keep. And spared you all from my effort at a written explanation. Thank you Lara, you're the very best & it was lovely to share the making of the how to with you.
& the video Just so you know it was really hard to crochet standing up stradling a tripod & keeping (or trying) the crochet in the frame.
Australian/UK terminology
Yarn You've got a HUGE amount of flexibility here. You want to achieve a good deal of chunkiness & you'll just adjust your number of rounds accordingly so pick something that suits your style. I did make the suggestion the other day to use stash yarns crocheted together to make up the chunky style yourself.
I used Patons "Wilderness" 14ply. I like it...A LOT. It's a blend so purists might like to check out other options but I think it's just the perfect yarn for the job. Here's why... (& where to buy too).
OR you can have a go with 2 balls of 8 ply held together or whatever else takes your fancy. You'll just adjust your number of rounds according to tension & fit. Go nuts. Lara's using two strands of 12ply & is very happy with the result.
Hook I'd say 15mm. I'm really happy with the result I'm getting with the 15mm hook. You need it to be loose so that you get a nice drape with the finished "fabric". We're not going for sturdy here folks...we want the pretty drape.
Making Up I switched to a 2.65mm hook & just used double crochet up the centre back seam.
Then I doubled along the top sleeve seams & single crocheted along the back of the neck opening to give extra strength.
Again if you know how to do it your own way...do that. It will be great.
What, haven't had enough? Here's the steak knife! A round by round for the visual learner. How to make a granny shrugView more presentations from kootoyoo.
Other Stuff There's a flickr group. If you make a shrug we'd love to have it added to the group.
HAC class? There have been a couple of requests for a HAC class for the shrug. If you still think you need it or would like to make it up with a bunch of other girls over tea & biscuits, I'd be happy to run it over two evenings. If you're keen please email me kootoyooATgmailDOTcom & if we get enough interest we'll go ahead.
Here's the how to for my wrist cuff. This cuff makes an excellent gift & is a fairly quick & easy project.
You should be able to pick up vinyl off cuts from your local hardware or flooring shop.
Obviously you could stitch text or basic images using the same technique. Just be careful not to make your design too detailed...you'll drive yourself crazy.
How To Make a Wrist Cuff - faux wood & embroidered.View more presentations from kootoyoo.
- You can pick up the print friendly PDF tutorial here... how to make a wrist cuff
I'm planning on doing more "how to" posts this year. I've made myself a rule ... but it's a bit early to say if I'll stick to it. I really enjoy making them & it's all about keeping me motivated.
OR maybe you'd like to come to a HAC workshop to make it with me? If I get enough interest I'll go ahead.
Date: Saturday 6th February 1-5pm Venue: Balwyn TBC Cost: $55 includes all materials & refreshments Email: to register your interest kootoyooATgmailDOTcom with HAC 6th February in the subject line.
Since I posted the granny square necklace I've had a few emails & comments asking for a little how to.
If you know how to make a granny square you can easily make one of these sweet necklaces. You don't need to follow a pattern at all. Just have a go. I think that all you really need to know is that I used embroidery floss, & a 3mm hook (but I'm super tight - so maybe choose something smaller).
If you are a rule follower (like me), it's all there in the slide show.
I've chosen a traditional granny square because in my opinion if it ain't broke...don't fix it. I love everything about a granny square. You can read about all about it here.
How To Make A Granny NecklaceView more presentations from kootoyoo.
I'm not trying to teach anyone how to make a granny square. There are plenty of tutes around for that. My "pattern" uses Australian/UK terminology so if you're in the US you'll need to double where I say treble.
There's a PDF tutorial here if you'd like to "print & keep".
You might like to try
Purl Bee (US terminology) Sarah London on Flickr (Aus/UK terminology) & Pip has put together a few posts on granny squaring too.
These are fun to make & best of all super handy. They make great presents too.
You can download the how to PDF tutorial from here.
All the embroidery templates are located on my make & do page too. You can choose from: Chick O Roll, Blog Roll, Rock & Roll & Stitching Roll.
How To Make An Embroidered Carry AllView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: craft handmade)
Just click on the screen icon in the bottom right corner to view at full screen.
I've noticed some of the Brown Owls girls have already finished their embroidery panels which is really exciting. I'd love to see the rolls complete so let me know if you click & stitch to make it up.
I've put together another little click & stitch slideshow. The toadstool pincushion is a great afternoon/evening project (especially with football finals looming).
If you're a grown up it's a cute & functional pincushion but I imagine this little guy would be a welcome addition to any little people or dolls housey type games. I had to rescue mine from a couple of smurfs the other day. How To Make A Toadstool PincushionView SlideShare presentation (tags: craft handmade pincushion tutorial)
The how to is best viewed at full screen (just click the screen icon in the bottom right corner).
If you're like me & thinking "maybe later" there is also a PDF tutorial to print & keep.
See all my click & stitch make a pincushion projects.
We made these hand pieced hexagon shaped pincushions a few weeks ago at Brown Owls. They are a great way to use up scraps or tiny samples of favourite fabrics. Not surprisingly, I've used vintage pillowcase fabric for this.
The original project came from a vintage children's craft book, "How to make and do 100 new things". If you ever spot a copy in an Op Shop or second hand bookshop buy it - it's pure gold!
| View | Upload your own
Tutorial as a slide show (best viewed at full screen via my Slideshare). You can just click & stitch, click & stitch.
It's been a while since I've used powerpoint & I can tell you there was much swearing. But I think well worth the effort in the end.
Download this kootoyoo how to... as a PDF (including templates).
Thank you to my crafty kick in the pants. You're ace!
See all my click & stitch make a pincushion projects. .
