As is the way with these types of events, I've had a couple of people withdraw for various reasons.
I've got three places available for the session that will be run on Saturday 18 July from 1-5pm.
We're meeting in Balwyn to make the multi tasker pictured above.
The multi tasker is a book like crafting tool:
-When open & flat the outside cover acts as an ironing board -The inside front cover is sandpaper to assist with tracing onto fabric -The inside back cover is the cutting mat & the middle "page" is a leatherette which protects table surfaces from scratching & also has a felt like surface which "grabs" the fabric to assist with piecing.
You can purchase a very similar item commercially for around $75.
We will be constructing the multi tasker from largely recycled materials (obviously the cutting mat & the sandpaper are new).
The cost for the session is $50 which includes all materials and something to eat & drink.
If you'd like to join us please visit the HAC shop here.
I've made a mini version of the spool holder & I think it's achievable in a HAC craft workshop.
You're invited to attend the pencil spool holder HAC* craft workshop.
Cost: $55 Date: 5 September 09 Time: 1-5pm Venue: Balwyn Community Centre Book: HERE 10 places available.
Included: Frame, pencils(6), backing fabric & all equipment & materials to make the spool holder (thread not included)
Note: I made both the spool holders using frames I already had. I've found that decent Op Shop frames are pretty hard to come by & I really think that the ikea frames look fabulous but if you would like your spool holder to be 100% recycled you will need to select that option when you make your booking.
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.
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.
The girls with their finished multi tasker booklets.
Cindy Karen Jeana Tina Leah Lara Melanie Eleanor
It turns out that 8 was absolutely the perfect number for the HAC craft workshop. The girls & I chatted & worked away making the multi tasker.
The session began with fabric selection. All vintage sheeting & table linen with a cameo Aunty Cookie (which was snapped up super fast). I think that they all turned out beautifully & best of all...totally functional crafting tool.
The multi tasker "how to" will appear in an upcoming issue of mixtapezine. If you'd like to make your own, you should subscribe.
If I can get away with the hack & sew I do, but some things need a pattern. I always use scrap fabric for pattern pieces. Actually, I prefer to call them "shapes". There's no grading or serious skill involved it's HAC pattern making. Always by eye & always without seam allowance added.
I fashioned this laptop stand out of bits & pieces I had lying around at home. The only things I had to buy for this project were two small hinges.
It's craft born out of necessity.
When we moved I cut an old table in half lengthways to make a slimline desk. Unfortunately my laptop & keyboard didn't fit properly on the desk so I was typing & reading at a really awkward (& uncomfortable) angle.
My brother has one of those store bought laptop stands so I rang him to find out where to buy one & went to the shop. I was horrified that this little piece of plastic was going to set me back around $80! In addition the sales person was extremely unhelpful so I huffed out of the shop determined to make one for myself.
I think practical things might as well also be beautiful. I've done a bit of embroidery to pretty things up & because I was unsure if my HAC would stand up to holding the laptop I didn't want my efforts to be in vain...
it's also a cookbook stand. Featuring the fabulous Minus the Boombah cookbook as recommended by Aunty Cookie.
Actually rushing out the door to enjoy someone elses creative space today. I'm off to curtain school to learn to make roman blinds properly.
So my offering this week is my creative preparation (for saturday afternoon's HAC session):
-Kit bags -Vintage basket filled with vintage & thrifted fabrics -Vintage milk caddy filled with glues & cutting tools
I forgot to update the favourite space for last week (I'll do it now). I think that last week was our best ever week...lots of lovely, fresh, inspiring spaces.
My very favourites were:
myrtle & eunice buttontreelane 74 lime lane
I'm looking forward to seeing what's in your space this week. Pop in & add your link if you're playing along.
The link man seems to be having a lie in...maybe try back a little later - sorry.
4:00pm: Still not working. I've tripped around from the comments so far so maybe that's the best bet for this week. You just need to make sure that your URL is included.
There have been a few questions about my giant circle drawing.
I just used the biggest circle we had in the house (which happened to be a footstool). This wasn't quite large enough so I extended it by taping a pencil to a glue bottle. Then as I moved the bottle around the footstool...hey presto greylead circle.
Thanks to my twitter mates who suggested I just sew through my headache.
I'm putting the little mini spool holder to good use. I've taken the red out for a spin & now I'm onto black.
The negative spacing is coming along pretty well & should be finished this afternoon.
There are still a few spots available for the HAC workshop to make the little spool holder. We've changed the date too...now to be held on 5 September. Visit this post for all the information. It's going to be fun.
Today I ran in the rain, had a terrible coffee, sewed a bit, shopped with the kids, cooked a bit & generally took things pretty easy.
There have been a few questions about the placemat covers so I've put together a HAC "how to".
Gather your supplies... Fabric Fold Over Elastic Pins Sewing machine Circular placemat
If you're planning on doing any embroidery (either traditional or machine), or maybe some other decorative application like gocco or applique - do that before you cut your circles.
Cut two circles approximately 1.5 inches larger than your placemat.
Pin with wrong sides together.
Set your machine to zig zag & stitch the fold over elastic to the outside of the circle shape. You need to stretch the elastic fully. Go slow & remember to keep your needle in your work as you stretch. If you're stumped now's the time to visit Amy Karol's FOE tute...it's a ripper.
Once you're finished the cover should look something like this.
Slip the cover onto your circular placemat & enjoy. Look Liesl it's a shower cap!
OK, so I didn't anticipate such a favourable reaction to yesterday's shelves...thank you so much.
Now I'm going to look like a big fat show off & for that I apologise.
On Saturday the HAC girls & I were chatting about making stuff & cool crafty tools & Justine & Cindy were talking about a lazy susan cutting mat that a friend (edit: ack...apparently it was Kate's - clearly my mind had already wandered) had. I think there may have been a casual "challenge" thrown in for good measure...red rag to a bull.
So on Sunday morning I made the lazy susan using bits & pieces we had lying around the house... old placemat, laminex top (I think from an elfa storage system), old container lids, my trusty baby bosch, a couple of screws, bearings & this divine fabric from the lovely Clutterpunk to give the whole thing a lovely crafty feel.
It measures 450mm x 300mm so it's big enough to hold the next size cutting mat as well & best of all you can use your multi tasker on the table top & then you have a lazy susan ironing board.
No more deep squat & turns for me...I prefer not to mix my craft & exercise.
Spool holder made by me using bits and pieces I had on hand.
Pretty shadows too.
I guess it qualifies as an Ikea hack.
I have a free standing spool holder which is excellent but what I like about this is the fact that it hangs (leaving valuable shelf/table space free for more clutter).
You can see the evolution of the idea if you like...
I admit that the space has been a little barren this week. The trip & school holidays have left me without much craft time.
I have managed to...
-neatly fold a pile of vintage aprons to be included in my little HAC craft session kits. *NOTE* it looks as though I may have a couple of spots free so if you're keen to come along drop me an email: kootoyoo {@} gmail {.} com -pretty things up a bit with the little "blue" shelves. -load up the thread rack with thread that was being sold for $2 at the little wool shop around the corner.
Pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.
