April 29, 2010
April 28, 2010
How to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
Steps
- Place two ends of satin cord (1-3mm diameter, depending on your project) facing opposite directions, with the strands roughly parallel.
- Fold end "a" to meet with and face the same direction as "b". This should create a hole/loop between the two strands.
- Hold the loop created in the previous step with your thumb. Wrap the loose end of strand "a" around your index finger, the standing part of strand "a", and strand "b" about three times.
- Pull your finger out carefully, making sure that you preserve the coil. It's slippery stuff, and will want to uncoil! While still holding on to the top of the loop/coil with your thumb and forefinger, thread the loose end of strand "a" back up through the coil (and through the loop).
- Gently pull the loose end of strand "a", and the other end of strand "a" away from each other. You will need to do this carefully to make sure the coil doesn't unravel, and to keep the coil tightening evenly.
- Pull the ends tightly, then clip off the extra, overhanging part of strand "a". You can burn it with a lighter or candle flame to "melt" the end of the strand; however, this shouldn't be necessary when the knot is tied securely.
Tips
- Give yourself plenty of cord to work with until you are more experienced at estimating how much you need.
- This will take some practice to get right reliably.
April 27, 2010
How-Tuesday: How to Make Plarn & Crochet an Eco-Friendly Tote Bag
The gears in my brain are constantly turning and trying to come up with ways to save discarded materials from a quick trip to a long life in a landfill by transforming said trash into something new and useful. In this week's edition of How-Tuesday, Etsy seller Claire Baker shares one solution for extending the useful life of the commonplace plastic grocery bag. Read on for tips for making your own yarn (or "plarn") from plastic bags and a pattern for crocheting a tote bag.
Claire Baker grew up and lives in Montclair, NJ, where she creates repurposed products for her Etsy shop, Montclair Made. Combining the skills she learned as a weaving and textile design major at Rochester
Institute of Technology with her desire to repurpose familiar items like cardboard packaging, grocery bags, vintage fabric, and sewing patterns, her products fuse nostalgia and sustainability in an effort to green our lives in a creative and colorful way.
About the Project:
Crocheting with plastic yarn, or "plarn," is a fun way to repurpose plastic bags and create a reusable alternative that is durable and even recyclable! This sweet tote is a great project for beginning and experienced crocheters alike, and a perfect complement to our Earth Day celebrations! Once you're comfortable with chaining, single crochet stitch, slip stitch, half double, and double crochet stitches, you're ready to get started!
1. Flatten out your clean grocery bags and fold them in half. Cut off the handles.
2. Cut off the bottom of the bags. Place these cut off pieces into a pile for the recycling bin.
5. Pull the other end of the loop through the end you just put through the first loop. They should now be connected.
7. Wind your plarn into a ball that feeds out of the center.
9. Chain 20 stitches.
16. Now you're ready to make the first handle. Chain 20 stitches. Hold it up to the bag and see how you like that length. Want longer/shorter handles? Simply chain more/less stitches. Be careful not to twist your handle as you're chaining. Count 8 stitches from where the chain started on your work and attach your chain to the bag with a single crochet stitch.
18. Now you'll make the other handle. Chain 20, count 8 stitches along on your work, and attach the chain with a single crochet stitch, just like you did on the other side for the first handle. Make sure they look even. If not, find the place where they are even by holding the chain up to your bag and attach it there.
20. Continue stitching into your chain stitches, widening your handle.
22. Stitch a few more single crochet stitches until you're at the fold of the bag and the top looks even. Slip stitch and finish the ends off by hiding them in the stitches on the inside of the bag.
Instructions for Flower
ch 4.
ss into first stitch to make circle.
work 10 sc around circle, crochet tail in as you work.
join by ss into first sc.
first petal: into first stitch do sc, 3 dc, sc. ss into next stitch.
repeat petal stitches 4 more times to make five petals.
ss into last stitch and finish by hiding ends in the back.
Claire Baker grew up and lives in Montclair, NJ, where she creates repurposed products for her Etsy shop, Montclair Made. Combining the skills she learned as a weaving and textile design major at Rochester
Institute of Technology with her desire to repurpose familiar items like cardboard packaging, grocery bags, vintage fabric, and sewing patterns, her products fuse nostalgia and sustainability in an effort to green our lives in a creative and colorful way.About the Project:
Crocheting with plastic yarn, or "plarn," is a fun way to repurpose plastic bags and create a reusable alternative that is durable and even recyclable! This sweet tote is a great project for beginning and experienced crocheters alike, and a perfect complement to our Earth Day celebrations! Once you're comfortable with chaining, single crochet stitch, slip stitch, half double, and double crochet stitches, you're ready to get started!
Supplies you'll need:
20-25 clean grocery bags*
Plastic crochet hook, size 6.50mm K**
Scissors
Plastic crochet hook, size 6.50mm K**
Scissors
*Tip 1: When choosing bags for your plarn, consider color and texture. Try to keep all the bags for the project the same density: some bags are stretchy, some are crunchy. It's best to keep your plarn consistent to achieve a good overall effect. When considering color, think about combining different color plastic bags to create a pattern of color, random color changes, or even create a look that doesn't reflect plastic at all. For example, brown plastic bags can look like raffia and not at all like the original material when crocheted.
**Tip 2: While the pattern calls for a certain size crochet hook and a specific number of rows to stitch, there may be variation in your project due to the tightness of your stitches or the density of your plarn. Don't feel like you have to follow the pattern to the letter. The number of rows in your project can differ from the pattern. The goal is to create a tote that is almost a perfect square, but not quite. You'll know when you've stitched enough rows when the height of your project measures slightly less than the width before you've started crocheting the handles. This way you can use whatever size hook you're comfortable with, stitch as many rows as you need to make your tote look nice, and have fun doing it!
**Tip 2: While the pattern calls for a certain size crochet hook and a specific number of rows to stitch, there may be variation in your project due to the tightness of your stitches or the density of your plarn. Don't feel like you have to follow the pattern to the letter. The number of rows in your project can differ from the pattern. The goal is to create a tote that is almost a perfect square, but not quite. You'll know when you've stitched enough rows when the height of your project measures slightly less than the width before you've started crocheting the handles. This way you can use whatever size hook you're comfortable with, stitch as many rows as you need to make your tote look nice, and have fun doing it!
Directions:
1. Flatten out your clean grocery bags and fold them in half. Cut off the handles.
2. Cut off the bottom of the bags. Place these cut off pieces into a pile for the recycling bin.
3. Flatten out the round piece of plastic you now have and fold it in half. Fold that into thirds. Fold that in half again. Cut this folded piece into 1 inch pieces, discarding the pieces from both ends. I often layer 3 of the flat pieces and fold and cut them up together to save time, since we have so many bags to do. You can also cut them quickly on a cutting board with a rotary cutter and metal t-square.
4. Now we have created plastic loops that can be connected to create the plarn. Bring one loop through another.
5. Pull the other end of the loop through the end you just put through the first loop. They should now be connected.
6. Slowly and with finesse, pull the loops tight. You want that connection to be as flat and smooth as possible. If your loop is weak and breaks simply put it in your recycling pile and go on to the next piece.
7. Wind your plarn into a ball that feeds out of the center.
8. Create a slip knot and place it on your crochet hook.
9. Chain 20 stitches.
10. Stitch half double crochet for the body of the bag.
Tip: Make your stitches loose! You will become frustrated if your stitches are too tight. Do yourself a favor and keep it loose.
11. Crochet the tail in as you work.
12. Work in the round. No need to chain and turn, simply continue into the next stitch for the entire project.
13. After 4 rows of half double turn your work. It's now right-side-out and you will continue working to left instead of to the right like before you turned it.
14. Complete 14 rows of half double crochet. If your stitches are tighter or looser you may need to do more or less rows. The goal is to have your bag slightly wider than it is tall at this point.
15. Now you will use single crochet. Do 6 stitches of single crochet.
16. Now you're ready to make the first handle. Chain 20 stitches. Hold it up to the bag and see how you like that length. Want longer/shorter handles? Simply chain more/less stitches. Be careful not to twist your handle as you're chaining. Count 8 stitches from where the chain started on your work and attach your chain to the bag with a single crochet stitch.
17. Stitch 12 single crochet stitches around to the other side.
Tip: Feel free to alter the pattern. Make the handles longer, the bag wider, more flowers. Be creative!
18. Now you'll make the other handle. Chain 20, count 8 stitches along on your work, and attach the chain with a single crochet stitch, just like you did on the other side for the first handle. Make sure they look even. If not, find the place where they are even by holding the chain up to your bag and attach it there.
19. Now simply stitch single crochet all the way around and onto the handle, stitching into your chain stitches.
20. Continue stitching into your chain stitches, widening your handle.
21. Continue using single crochet and stitch along the other handle.
22. Stitch a few more single crochet stitches until you're at the fold of the bag and the top looks even. Slip stitch and finish the ends off by hiding them in the stitches on the inside of the bag.
23. Attach the flower. Enjoy!
Pattern:
Abbreviation Key:
ch = chain stitch
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet stitch
hdc = half double crochet stitch
dc = double crochet stitch
ch = chain stitch
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet stitch
hdc = half double crochet stitch
dc = double crochet stitch
Instructions for the Plarn Tote, for the crochet-inclined
ch 20.
Stitch hdc in the round. Crochet the tail into your work.
After 4 rows hdc turn your work right side out. Continue working hdc to the left now.
Complete 14 rows hdc.
Stich 6 sc.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches on your work and attach your chain with sc.
Stitch 12 sc.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches on your work and attach your chain with sc just like you did on the first side.
Stitch sc around and onto the first handle.
Stitch sc along the handle.
Continue sc around to the other handle.
Stitch sc to edge. ss and finish ends off by hiding them in the stitches on the inside of the bag.
ch 20.
Stitch hdc in the round. Crochet the tail into your work.
After 4 rows hdc turn your work right side out. Continue working hdc to the left now.
Complete 14 rows hdc.
Stich 6 sc.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches on your work and attach your chain with sc.
Stitch 12 sc.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches on your work and attach your chain with sc just like you did on the first side.
Stitch sc around and onto the first handle.
Stitch sc along the handle.
Continue sc around to the other handle.
Stitch sc to edge. ss and finish ends off by hiding them in the stitches on the inside of the bag.
Attach the flower.
Instructions for Flower
ch 4.
ss into first stitch to make circle.
work 10 sc around circle, crochet tail in as you work.
join by ss into first sc.
first petal: into first stitch do sc, 3 dc, sc. ss into next stitch.
repeat petal stitches 4 more times to make five petals.
ss into last stitch and finish by hiding ends in the back.
Thank you to Claire Baker from Montclair Made for sharing this project with us.
April 26, 2010
35 unusually creative pillows: Which one would you pick?
Gone are the days when pillows were only considered as a tool for resting the head while catching a wink. Today, fashion vistas are concerned about the comfort plus pomp. Now a days, there are innumerable creative and unique pillow designs available...so much so that you actually get bewildered while picking one for your den. If you want to enjoy yourself when you sleep, then see if these creative pillows help you! Pinned below are some unusually creative, geeky, cool, comfy pillows. Check out these 35 strange and unique pillows and keeping in mind how important pillows can be in enhancing your home decor, pick one for yourself. Why one, you can chose more for each room can have different pillows, right?
Boombox Pillow: How about going back in time with this uber 80's boombox pillow?
Bob storage pillows by Sandy Wang!
Thomas Dabner CMYK pillows: Cool low ink alert pillows: Graphic designers/photographers pick!
Android pillows: The lil' green bot lulla you to sleep
Fruit iPod Speaker Pillows that play your tunes and let you take a nap on while enjoy your tunes.
The Analog Nights Pillows by Aimee Wilder: Each pillow will cost you mere $50.
Subscribe to RSS pillow: RSS Icon Pillow can be yours for just $15.
Take Me Anywhere Suitcase Pillows by Olive
NES Controller Pillows: The home furnishing inspired by the famous NES controller. Gaming freaks will love it.
Animal Pillows by Aaron Stewart and Hornet Toys PillowPillowPillow. The cute little bow-wow-beautiful doggies and snuggle-worthy kitties make you feel like playing with them.
Breakfast pillows: Pancake pillows, toast pillows, fried egg pillows, coffee bean pillows and lots many for your breakfast.
Laptop Pillow is for web freaks!
Covered in spicy chocolate sea salt, these pillows are 100% hand-made! Available in two versions these Tweetie for Mac or Tweetie 2 pillows can be yours for $15 a piece or $25 for a pair.
Cool flexible pillows from Mike and Maaike.
Log Laptop Pillow.
dlight Huggable Pillows: Pillows that glow!
Twitter Icon Pillow: This one is for Twitter heads.
Book Pillow by Ranch Box: It looks like a book but is comfortably cool to lay down your head and take a nap.
Tetris Pillows: The cuddly puzzle bricks inspired by a the wonderful game loved by all.
Adobe Icons Pillows: These are for web designers that while working for long on a design can rest their heads on Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Flash, InDesign or Dreamweaver pillows.
Get crispy Pizza Pillow for $29.95.
Morning Message Pillow: Good morning sweetheart!
Comfy Wooden logs: Available at Etsy for $69.
Ctrl Alt Del Pillows: Reboot your living room with the control, alt delete pillow set.
Dinosaur Bones Pillows: The life-sized replicas of real dinosaur bones made from soft rubber-coated foam.
Booklifier (book + amplifier): Designed by Noa Dvoskin, it's a pillow that creates extreme reaction towards the text, thereby enhancing your feelings while reading.
Pebble Pillow!
Comfy ball pillow
Creative iDream pillows by Studio Psycho from Ukraine.
Pill-o Pillow from CarteBlanche.
Alarm Clock Pillow!
DOS Pillow: Dosugus pillow looks like a black screen with good old DOS directories embroidered on it.
iPhone icon pillows: The SMS icon, the Mail icon, the Photos icon, the iPod icon, and the Phone icon. These handmade pillows are available for $14.99 each.
Nintendo Wii Controller Pillow: Yet another pillow for geeky nerds.
Decorate your home with these social networking sites icon pillows and show off your geeky side! You can check out these geeky pillows and lots more at Craftsquatch Etsy. Take these home for just $14.99-19.99 each.
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