10/22/2013

Where to Find Help in Learning How to Crochet

By Rhelena R.

Although crochet is picking up among the younger generations, many new crocheters often find themselves alone while trying to learn how to crochet. There is a lot involved when it comes to learning how to crochet and it can be very confusing and even frustrating for those who do not have the luxury of watching over someone else's shoulder.

This is where the internet comes in handy. YouTube alone has thousands of free crochet tutorials, not to mention all the crochet pattern websites. In addition to all the great video tutorials, many designers have gone the extra mile and even put many of their patterns into a video, allowing new beginners to follow along throughout the entire project. Read more.....

10/19/2013

Reasons to Crochet For Children



By Rhelena R.

Crocheting for children is not only a great way to save money, but it is also a fun way to dress them up in unique clothes and accessories. For boys it might not be so much fun as you are pretty much limited to hats, scarves, sweaters and socks. But for girls you can crochet up pretty dresses and all types of fancy tops, bags and purses, belts and other fun accessories. 

One great reason to crochet for children is that they can sit and and watch as you make them something special. Who knows, it might even inspire them to learn how to crochet as well. And in return they might even make something special for you too. Read more....

Christmas Crafts for the Festive Season

By Kate Web 


Christmas is a great time to get crafty. You have the cold weather which stops you from wanting to leave the house, especially when it involves several layers and thick boots. You have the need for Christmas decorations and the need for finding great personal gifts for your nearest and dearest. 

There are a million and one crafty things you can do to get you through the winter and a few million items that you can create with crafts to serve as great presents for your loved ones. Below I have listed just a few of these crafts and items for you to get stuck into this Christmas. 
Read  more...

DIY Holiday Crafts

By Veronica Rodriguez


The holiday season is upon us! October means the beginning to the holiday marathon that is Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I've never really realized how close those 3 holidays are to each other. They really do just come one straight after the other. Giving you no time at all to prepare for each, but then again that's why people start preparing months and months in advance. 

The holiday season is a cheerful one... well at least for most. I know there are plenty of Scrooges out there who are humbugging everything left and right. But for us with that holiday glow and glee, we are always so excited for the holiday season to come! I know I'm very excited for the fun and warmth that comes with the holiday season. For me the holidays also mean arts and crafts. The holiday season is a perfect time for crafting! Perfect for creating homemade gifts or just making your own holiday décor, holiday crafts, or holiday cards. 
Read more...

10/16/2013

Having Fun With Crochet



By Rhelena R.

Believe it or not, but having fun with crochet is a good way to save money. Not only does crochet keep you at home where you can't spend money, but it's fun and relaxing at the same time.

Crochet may seem like it's a hobby of the past mainly associated with the older generations. However, it is becoming more popular among the younger generations as well, and you'd be surprised at some of the fun ideas that today's crocheters have come up with.

Yarn Bombing: To yarn bomb something means to cover it with crochet. I've seen trees, fences and even bikes and cars covered in crochet. Not only can you yarn-bomb outside, but inside as well. It's really neat on chairs, hall-way tables, lamps and staircases. It's definitely an art that requires skill and patience depending on what you want to cover.


Depending on what you want to "yarn bomb", yarn bombing might be a fun way to use up your yarn stash.
Read more.....

How to Make the Puff Stitch

By Rhelena R.


The puff stitch is excellent for creating a bit of texture in crocheted fabric. The stitch is visible on both sides of the fabric and can be used in a wide variety of crochet projects. Although the puff stitch is fairly simple to make, it is not recommended for beginners. Rather, it is more suitable for someone who has already mastered the basics of crocheting.

As with many other crochet stitches, the puff stitch can be used in conjunction with just about any crochetstitch. It looks great when worked into a single chain or stitch, but it can also be worked into a loop. And even though the puffiness takes up a bit more space, it can still be worked into every stitch of the round or row.

10/07/2013

The Knitting Effect



By Rebecca N Morgan

Yesterday, while surfing the net, I bumped into a posting about a knitting group, hosted by Panera Bread in Woburn. Being a knitter myself, and certainly a bread lover, I found the combination if not odd, well, a bit interesting….Bread and yarn, sweaters and yeast, waft and draft…It certainly is a stretch…

But then, maybe not. Knitting for me is a profoundly satisfying activity. So too, is eating bread. Moreover, knitting is universal, kind of like bread. Certainly grandmothers knit, and nowadays, younger women do it. Even men knit sometimes, although mostly your metro sexual kind of guy, I suppose. One could say that the effect of knitting is to bring together the masses into a unified activity with a benefit for all. Everyone can use a sweater or a scarf, or a pair of mittens. And everyone can learn how to do it.

I learned when I was about six years of age. My mother taught me on a pair of green metal size nines. I made my first scarf on those nines. And I gave it to my doll who used it as a blanket. Over the years I have made many more scarves and then I branched into sweaters, with colorful patterns and complicated cables. Once I even knitted a whole dress.

The beauty of knitting is that it is portable, and repetitive and relaxing. Like a mantra, knit, purl—it is even possible to meditate and knit. You can do it watching TV, in the car, listening to music. You can take it to a concert, maybe even church, and now, with the invention of Knit Lite Knitting Needles by Clover Needlecraft, you can knit at the movies, or anywhere else that is dark. The glowing LED tips also make it easy to knit with “dark, fuzzy, or otherwise hard to see yarns”.

So, back to the bread part. It all makes sense to me now. Sit in a bakery and knit while the bread bakes. Smell the delicious aroma and delight the senses. Knit and meditate, exercise those fingers, savor the bread, stay warm in a scarf.

I get it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_N_Morgan

What Every Beginner Wants - Beginners Crochet Patterns

By Jenna M. Gilmore

If you're just learning how to crochet, then you know how badly you need beginners crochet patterns. Obviously, you, like me, cannot do advanced patterns, but more importantly, we need beginners crochet patterns to better our skills, while creating.

Patterns are numerous but, boy oh boy, do they take a lot of work to find. I should know, since I spent a lot of time researching and finding them. In the end, I realized most offline places, like libraries, had limited information on patterns for beginners, and instead had a lot of advanced stuff.

Once you find some templates for beginners, you find that they either have incomplete instructions, directions, and examples or worse - they aren't really patterns for beginners; they are for advanced skill sets. What a bummer!

Take heart though, I found a way to save time and avoid disappointment while searching for easy patterns, and shall I add, ones that I actually liked?

That is a drawback of some simple patterns, as taste and style might suffer for lack of ease. I guess, as beginners who must use beginners crochet patterns, I have no choice to forego creative flair, but it is still a little disappointing. At least it keeps me motivated; whenever I want to make more difficult items, I look at my collection of templates and remind myself, I'm on my way!

Chances are, you too are also well on your way. If you weren't' then you wouldn't be taking the time to read about beginners patterns, and how to find ones you love. If you're willing to take the time and research patterns you can easily do, then I suggest you take it a step further and purchase a collection of beginners patterns you love. You'll be glad you did, trust me, I know.


Jenna M. Gilmore is an arts and crafts hobbyist, a crochet expert, and director of ArtsAndCraftOnline.Com. Jenna provides reliable tips, techniques, and advice on things like Crocheting Patterns and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenna_M._Gilmore 

Sell Handmade Crafts on Etsy



By Christian Scott

Many people enjoy making a variety of types of crafts. The good news is that people can now make a substantial sum from their hobbies by selling their goods through Etsy, an online retailer. From handmade cards to origami, paintings, and even soap, there is a different type of craft for every person who wants to make some extra cash selling them online.

Etsy is an online company that allows people to sell their goods through their marketplace. You can create your own online store, upload photos of your crafts, and set your own prices. It is a very cost effective way to get your online retail business going.

You need to keep in mind that you can only sell handmade crafts on the site. The great news is that you can sell products in a variety of categories. Clothing, cards, ceramics, toys, jewelry, and more are all popular items that you can find when you peruse the site.

If you have a hobby and a passion for creating handmade crafts, you can sell online through Etsy.com and make money. With the right marketing strategies, as well as a good product of course, you can make a substantial income. I personally know two people who sell their handmade crafts on the site (a card maker and a soap maker) that make more than a thousand dollars a month on average.

Making good money with a hobby is something that most people dream about doing. Thanks to services like Etsy, it has become far easier to make that dream a reality.

If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.

Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.

Quickest-way-to-make-money-on-earth.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Scott 

10/06/2013

Reusing Yarn - Getting the Kinks of Out Yarn That Has Already Been Knit

By Laura Zander

I don't know about you, but every once in awhile I get about halfway through a project and then decide that I just don't like it anymore... In my early knitting career, I used to just keep plugging along - striving to live by my father's words of "you need to finish what you've started." Somewhere along the way, I had an epiphany and decided that my time (and yours!) is just too valuable to be spent on knitting things I don't like. As painful as it is to rip out my hard work, I've accepted those first few hours as a sunk cost (refer back to Econ 101 for more on sunk costs!). More often than not, I delay the 'ripping' for as long as I can stand it. When I finally get around to it, I've noticed that the yarn looks 'frogged' - it's bumpy and curvy - and not very appealing (like a frog). The last time this happened, I consulted with our retail store manager Jeanne and this is what she told me to do:

    First, put the yarn back into a hank by winding it loosely around your arm; just like you would a long electrical cord. The "winding it loosely around your arm" part is important.
    Take it off of your arm carefully and lay it on a table.
    Tie it with some waste yarn in 2-3 places (not too tightly) just to hold the strands together.
    Set it in cool water with just a bit of gentle soap for about 20 minutes.
    Rinse it and squeeze the water out, being careful not to tangle the strands.
    Set it on a towel and roll the yarn up to get the excess water out of the yarn.
    Hang it over a hanger (plastic is preferable, but if you don't have a plastic hanger you can use a rag around the neck of the hanger, so it won't rust on your yarn) and hang it in the shower to drip. It is sometimes helpful to hang a weight on the bottom of the yarn - I find that a heavy wooden suit hanger is perfect for the job. Again, you will want to protect the yarn from rust by placing a rag between the hanger and the yarn.
    Once it dries, wind that beautiful yarn back into a ball, and use it to knit something else!

P.S. Did you know that back in the 'old' days when money was scarce and buying new yarn wasn't in the budget, garments would be 'frogged' making the yarn available for a new and useful piece. In fact, my friend Sandy often scours the thrift stores - looking for sweaters made from luxurious fibers... she unravels them, washes the yarn and then uses them for one of her own creations! She loves the adventure and excitement of finding a hidden treasure!

About the Author:
Founded in 2002 by Laura Zander, aka "Jimmy," Jimmy Beans Wool is both a bricks and mortar and Internet knitting superstore, offering knitters worldwide a comprehensive selection of the finest yarns and knitting supplies along with the latest fashion trends. Jimmy Beans Wool has successfully created an international knitting community comparable to that of the local yarn store, and is the resource for knitters looking for inspiration, instructions and project help. Headquartered in Reno, NV, the store was recently the subject of a small business profile in Fortune Small Business (July/August 2007) and has been cited in magazines from Vogue Australia to Family Circle.

For details, visit http://www.JimmyBeansWool.com

Jimmy Beans Wool offers a wide variety of discount and sale yarn as well as a huge variety of Blue Sky Alpacas, Lorna's Laces and Rowan Yarns.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Zander 

How To Crochet A Simple Afghan - Patterns Of Crochet Afghan For Beginners



By Jennifer Walter

Tricot Crochet, Tunisian crochet,Railroad Knitting, Shepherd's Knitting and Hook Knitting are the various names for Afghan Crochet. The day you start learning this art you will be faced with different free crochet designs rather intriguing patterns for instance crochet apple afghan, simple afghan or then instructions for crafting a dual crochet ripple baby afghan, still all this could be useless if your basic knowledge of embroidery and stitching techniques is incomplete.

Gaining knowledge of any art be it painting or crochet craft will always come in handy and this is a universally accepted that there is no substitute for knowledge. Start with basic and easy to learn stitching techniques and then gradually as you grow in confidence you can upgrade for more difficult and intricate types of embroidery.

Once you have learnt these stitching types you will see for yourself that how many different designs you would be able to create without having to consult others for your own creativity.

There are in access of a dozen different stitching methods, for instance cluster, cross over, Tunisian, cheek, crossed, knot, fence, mahogany, diagonal rib, star, stocking, rib, treble, fan, eyelet, braid and four sided stitch are the stitch you can learn, while knowledge of some of these stitch is a prerequisite before you start.

To help you begin here below are instructions for 2 stitches, this should allow you to begin a project.

TRADITIONAL AFGHAN STITCH:

1. Build a sequence that has equal quantity of stitches.

2. Base Stitch: Place a hook within a second chain, add wool next to the hook and pull one ring through the chain, wool besides hook and pull against one loop, Keep doing till finish. In the end quantity of loops should match quantity of chains we began with.

3. Second row: Twisting the wool should be prohibited round the hook and pull a ring from the 1st loop on hook, Keeping doing this till there remains a single loop remains. The motion of arm would not be left to right side of chain.

4. Third row: Take the first chain, place a hook from right side to left side from 1st standing thread of earlier row, put wool besides hook and next pull from one loop, replicate from 1st into each standing thread that is there on row to the left. In the end quantity of loops should match quantity of chains we began with

5. Forth row: In line with the second, third and forth rows process is replicated as per requirement. For a more elegant appearance you are free to make use of a dual crochet in the final row.

KNOT STITCH:

The backdrop of classic afghan stitch is suited here. Do the 1st row in a simple manner. On coming back, do the work where knots are necessary, do five chains, place a hook on chain number one, wool besides the hook and pull three loops on that hook.

For instance the first chain, the in use loop on the hook and the to be used stitch running with the row.

By: Jennifer Walter

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Uncover the simple tips and instructions to your how to design my own crochet pattern questions as well as getting the best beginner crochet kit at www.beginnercrocheting.com. You can also get the report on the secrets of crocheting by Jennifer Walter when you join the mailing list on the site

Knitting Yarns

By JoAnn Freeman

There are many kinds of yarns, different textures and colors. The other difference between yarns is the price. High quality yarns carry a higher price tag than do synthetic yarns. Using the exact yarn called for in a pattern usually creates the best results but there will be times that you may choose a different yarn than the pattern suggests. When you do this, you should choose a yarn that is as close in weight to the one recommended by the pattern as possible. Choosing a yarn that is similar in fiber will give you a result that will closely match the pattern.

Yarns are different in weight and thickness. There are two-ply, three-ply and four-ply yarns. Ply is the number of strands that have been woven together to form the final thickness and weight of the finished yarn. When you do purchase yarn for a particular project, you should purchase exactly the amount you will need at that time, paying careful attention to the dye lot number that is on the yarn label. If you just purchase the yarn by looking at the color rather than by dye lots, you might not realize how yarns may look the same in the store but have a slightly different shade that becomes apparent when the yarns are later joined together while you are knitting your project. These subtle differences will affect the outcome of your project, unless of course, you are deliberately choosing these shades. If you don’t buy all of the yarn you might need at once, you may find that you are unable to find that dye lot number later when you need it. It is a good idea to keep the label from each skein of yarn until your knitting project is finished because it contains not only information about dye lots and color number but also has washing instructions. As well, there is often a pattern on the reverse side that you may wish to knit sometime in the future.

Lightweight yarns are best when knitting lacy shawls, infant and baby wear and fine socks or gloves knit on fine needles. It is best to choose smooth washable treated wool or yarn for these items. Medium weight yarns are better suited for adult sweaters, socks and scarves and for articles that will stand more rugged wear like mittens and gloves. Heavy or bulky yarns are great for making outdoor jackets or ski sweaters where you need a warmer, heavier fabric.

Wool ��" yarn that is spun from the fleece of sheep. Wool is very durable and wool sweaters offer warmth against winter’s chill. Some people prefer knitting with wool because of the quality of the finished project. You must remember, however, that wool has different textures and some will be rough textured whereas some will be soft. If you plan on wearing wool next to the skin, I recommend as soft a yarn as possible. Some people find the rougher wools will make them feel a little itchy. When cleaning anything knit with wool, you need to use only very mild soap and cold or lukewarm water because wool will shrink and mat.

Cotton ��" this yarn is made from natural plant fibers. Cotton is warm in winter and cool in summer. Cotton is easy to wash and wear and can be used for almost any garment that you wish to knit.

About the Author

JoAnn has been knitting since she was a child and has recently started a knitting blog at http://www.my-knitting-site.com. She intends to use her blog to provide general information regarding knitting to people who are learning to knit or need to know where to find knitting patterns and books. 

Knitting With Alpaca - A Few Handy Tips



By Kerry Bettinson


Choosing Your Yarn...

Weights

If you're a newbie to knitting alpaca, and desperate to get some yarn on your needles it's important to decide on how you would like your final object to be before choosing a pattern. 2ply, 4ply, Double Knit and Aran weight knitting yarns all vary in nature and texture. As alpaca is a very warm natural fibre, be aware that less is more with regards to the weight of the fabric, and you'll benefit little in warmth from making a garment very heavy. Be careful to choose a yarn weight appropriate to the object you're knitting.

As some rough guidelines I would recommend:

2ply
Fine Lace Knit Scarves
Fine Shawls
Baby Garments

4ply Scarves- lace and rib knit
Baby Garments
Ladies Cardigans
Gloves

Double Knit EVERYTHING!
Hats
Scarves
Wristwarmers
Cardigans, Sweaters, Baby wear
Teddy bears

Aran
Handbags
Teddy Bears
Tea Cozies
Mittens

These are just rough suggestions of how to use the yarn. I have seen some amazing knitwear produced by knitters purchasing our yarn who have used it in ways that we don't. A lady recently completed a stunning aran weight sweater- an amazing piece of work in a yarn worthy of the hours of time put into the piece. I have also seen wonderful hats done in 4ply and 2ply ladies sweaters (not for the faint hearted knitter).

Colour

One of the greatest features of the alpaca is that is comes in such a wide spectrum of natural colours. From white through to black with greys, browns and fawns in between. If you are going for natural undyed yarns you should be aware that although all coming off the same breed of animal, the texture and handle of the different colours can sometimes vary greatly. The white and cream yarns are usually the softest due to far more years selective breeding in South America. However, there are exceptions to this, and the UK is now producing top quality brown animals (check out our credentials in the BAS National Show Ring 2006/2007). 'Baby Alpaca' blends are guaranteed to be incredibly soft and slippy, as these batches only contain the softest and youngest fleeces regardless of whether they are grey, black or cream.

Tension

Due to the softness and soapy texture of alpaca, some knitters find that in order to get the correct gauge they move onto a smaller needle size than recommended for the weight. If you are aware that you generally are quite a loose knitter then I would advise doing so. ALWAYS check your tension before you begin a project because you are using a new natural material and it will not always respond in as unformed way as mass produced and computer-spun acrylic.

Needles

I have known people recommend using wooden needles to knit alpaca with. The 'give' in the natural needle, in comparison to the steel or plastic needle, seems to give you greater control and pleasure over knitting with the yarn. This is in no way essential, it's just a nice thing to have when 'knitting natural'- in fact most of my knitters choose to use steel needles.

Washing

As you're knitting with a natural fibre it is important to handwash your knitting after you've finished. I would recommend using a delicate/natural detergent, something as easy to get hold of as Woolite (which can be bought at all supermarkets) is fine. Fill your sink with tepid water and allow your item to soak for 10-15 mins. After you have rinsed you can gently spin the item in the washing machine to remove excess water. Dry flat to avoid any misshaping. I would recommend allowing your item to dry slowly- don't force dry on top of an aga or boiler. The handle of alpaca seems to alter when it is dried out too fast- it almost goes brittle to touch. Patience is the key to retaining the buttery soft feeling.

Voila- easy alpaca!

The Toft Alpaca Shop

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kerry_Bettinson 

A Knitting Afghan Sampler 101

By Alice Seidel

To be knitting. That, is one of the things which I cherish most. And it has such a long history, too.
Known today as typically a woman's craft, knitting was originally done by men, shepherds, to be exact, way back when. Even in literature, there are knitters scattered around; the most famous has to be Madame DeFarge in Dicken's 'A Tale of Two Cities'.

Most knitters begin with simpler pieces, such as a scarf, or one-color vest. Usually, they keep to a few well-liked patterns, or stitch types, and seldom venture very far from these.
In this mid-winter time, what with Christmas behind us, and much snow and ice around us, my favorite project of all, comes to mind.

Whether you have a real fireplace, or just one playing on your TV, (ala Channel 11, all you New York people know what I mean), nothing goes with your hot chocolate or steaming tea, and that good book, like an afghan. Lap blanket, bed throw, any way you say it, afghans make rooms come alive with personality. Yours.

Of course, you can never have enough good afghans around. Eventually they all begin to get 'old', or become the dog's favorite blanket, or the cat's place to perch, so you can always use a new afghan!

Before beginning an afghan project, though, there are considerations that you need to decide on.

Just what kind of an afghan are you going to knit?

Will you use block patterns or knit in the round?

How about yarn color and amount?

Do you need to learn new stitches or ways of advancing what you already know about your knitting?

Other thoughts aside, these fundamental questions should be answered before going forward with a larger project such as knitting an afghan.

You know, afghan patterns are all over the place. Not just on the Web, either. Pick up a knitting magazine or book, and ideas will start to fly at you. How cute this one is, or oh, I just love this color, I think I'll knit this one.

A few good pointers when considering knitting an afghan are:

A. Decide on a pattern. Simple, right? Wrong! Be sure to check out the "skill level" listed with each pattern; if it says advanced, and you are still a newbie, don't attempt it! They really do mean what they say, and you will soon find yourself lost in knitting terms and instructions you never knew existed.

B. Will you use regular needles or circular ones? I find either/or is fine by me. Some of you have never used circular; they take some getting used to, but hold a large number of stitches. So, if you are planning a pattern that calls for anything over, say, 75 stitches, use a circular needle.

C. Which yarn will you use? That's a biggie! Usually with afghans, I find that the emphasis is on the pattern stitch(es), and by utilizing color, you can turn out a masterpiece with some of the more traditional yarns. I don't recommend the fun furs, or eyelash yarns for afghans, nor should you use super-bulky either. Unless you don't mind stiff fingers all the next day!

D. What about joining yarns? How does that go again? Incorporating lots of different colors, or just three or four, means knowing the correct way of joining yarns, so as not to make your work look amateurish.

So, you see, deciding on knitting an afghan, requires some planning ahead. Next article, we will pick out needles and yarn, and choose some pretty patterns to get us going! In the meantime, finish up those post-holiday projects now. Afghans take some time, but, when they're done, they are beautiful!

About the Author:
Keep YOUR knitting on the "Cutting Edge" with FREE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resources and share stories.
FREE Details ==>http://www.theknitstitch.com   

Crochet Tips



by Stan Naylor

Crochet is not only the skill, it is an art also. There are some very skilled people who can crochet the wool closing their eyes or looking at the TV and talking to someone. Anyone can attain this type of mastery with practice and talent. But there are people who are misguided, so they even can not crochet a simplest rope with their eyes wide open. in this article you will find some basic tips which will make learning of crochet easy and fun.

Beginners get frustrated when they try to learn the various stitches. You won't find much information for the stitches that are trade marked for example camel stitch. You will find so many references of this type of stitch under different headings, since it is patented. The best practice is take up any one stitch; understand it, practice it and when you attain a certain speed you can move on to the other stitch. This way you will not only learn quickly but you will learn the crochet methodically.

Now let's talk about the crochet hook. Many people start with the hook. That is they will first select the hook then look for the pattern with that hook. This is not right. Actually if you pick up the hook which is used very rarely then finding the pattern for that hook may take days or months. The best practice is first select a pattern and find out the hook for it. If the pattern is common finding the hook for it won't be a problem.

Choosing the right material for crochet is equally important. If you have not selected the right material for your crochet then your entire project will be screw up. While selecting the material for crochet, consider the weight and thickness of the material, fiber types and your budget. All these things are consider together for example if certain type of fiber is suitable for your project but it is costly and your project require lots of it then you should not select that fiber considering your budget. You may reduce the cost of fiber by visiting wholesaler or 'sales' where you may get the bargaining like if you buy 3 rolls then you will get one roll free. This type of small things makes much difference. 

About the Author:
Finally when you are ready for the crocheting, you must know different styles and stitches so you can do some experiments. If you want to learn the different styles and stitches of crochet then visit. http://learncrocheting.info

10/05/2013

How To Learn The Secrets Of Crochet Flowers Making

By Muna Wa Wanjiru

Both a skill and a hobby, crocheting is the joy of many women who get to spend their time in the most pleasant of ways: embroidering, knitting, decorating and more. Varied colors, diverse materials, different objects, sometimes they all get to have a little thing in common: the beautiful crochet flowers used for embellishment. Watch crochet flowers for just a second and you will see that they look perfectly inspired from a joyful child's drawing: the colors and the shapes are a lot bolder than you'd expect Mother nature to have made them: this is actually the art of “flowery transfiguration”.

You can make crochet flowers of almost any type of yarn, and then apply them as decorations on a variety of objects such as hats, pillow dresses, tables cloths, bags and so on. According to the season you may toy with models and colors to match holidays in a variety of motifs; variations also result from the choice of rejecting a repetitive pattern. For instance, not all crochet flowers on a table cloth should look the same; you can always improvise in terms of petal and flower center sizes. Even the same flower can have smaller and larger petals in a perfectly artistic combination.

In case you use pointed crochet flowers to decorate a specific house item, you could easily scatter some smaller round ones too in between the larger decorations. As for models, colors and materials, the Internet is probably the richest source to find new challenges and tips for improving skills of the kind. Magazines also provide good sources of inspiration for someone who's trying to find new ideas for crochet flowers making. Presently, there are even companies that supply you with all the yarn types you may need; simply place your order and have them delivered at home.

You could choose to even attend some craft classes and learn the secrets of crochet flowers making, but many people think they could more easily succeed by trial and error than otherwise. If you are a beginner it is probably a good idea that you start by crocheting simple models, using just one type of yarn. Color variation and more exquisite patterns can only be achieved when you have developed your skills to a certain level already, and you are actually ready to move to the next difficulty level. Many women even discover that they get to improvise various models on their own, without having to check in a magazine or ask for advice. Enjoy it!

About the Author

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Flowers for Years. For More Information on Crochet flowers, Visit His Site at CROCHET FLOWERS

Knitting Patterns for Beginners



by Mary Amos

How knitting began

Knitters were first believed to have begun their craft in the first few centuries AD. Egyptian artifacts and art have led many historians to credit the creation of knitting as a way to design clothing to the Egyptians. Since the craft is quite simple, it caught on and spread to other cultures rather quickly. By the middle of the 1500s, the first knitting groups had been established in France.

Patterns for knitting: garter stitch scarf

First-time knitters and those new to the craft often start with a pattern like the garter stitch scarf. This simple pattern is quite basic in that is requires only the knit stitch. The end result, however, has a more complicated looking ribbed design and is an attractive fashion accessory that makes an ideal gift for loved ones.

Patterns for knitting: stockinet stitch scarf

The stockinet stitch scarf pattern is one that is simple for even the most novice knitters to learn, and is a good transition pattern for those hoping to graduate from basic to more intermediate patterns. The finished scarves are quite attractive, but tend to curl up on the edges. This can be used as the fashion and design in which these scarves are designed, or try knitting the stockinet stitch scarf with fuzzy yarn.

Patterns for knitting: baby blankets

Many knitters first become interested in the craft so that they can create blankets for their friends and family. Baby blanket knitting patterns are available, and because of the square design, are quite simple for beginners. The baby blanket pattern is highly customizable in both size and design. A baby blanket is the perfect place to practice more complex pattern stitches. And if you decide to go larger, be sure to try to the square afghan patterns. The stitches are much the same as the baby blanket design, but the final product is nearly twice as large.

Patterns for knitting: party wrap patterns

Ready for a knitting challenge? When it's time to move on to a more difficult stitch, try out the party wrap pattern. This design is circular and requires a few more advanced stitches to make it the end product come out correctly. However, the design is especially good for beginners because it helps to hide and camouflage any minor mistakes that are made in the creation of the party wrap.

Patterns for knitting: washcloths

When you want to create some products that offer more functionality and usability, consider checking out a washcloth pattern. These usually utilize the basic stockinet stitch, which makes them ideal for beginners. And with their small size, it will take even a newcomer very little time to complete the project and enjoy that rush of accomplishment and success.

The basics of knitting

Learning the art of knitting is relatively simple, and is enjoying a surge in popularity among new generations. Although machines do much of the commercial knitting necessary in the production of clothing, knitting by hand still has a very important role in modern culture. When knitting by hand, the artist also controls the colors, needles, and overall design of the final product.

There are two kinds of knitting - weft knitting and warp knitting. With warp knitting, only one string of yarn is necessary for each stitch. This type of knitting is most often done by hand. However, weft knitting involves multiple yarn strands and is commonly done by machine as part of commercial knitting.

Why use knitting patterns

Patterns for knitting provide a strong outline and foundation for starting any new knitting project. While knitting patterns can offer suggestions for design and color ideas, it is ultimately up to the artist to decide what the final product what look like.

Most new knitters should start with some of the basic patterns listed above and work on mastering basic stitches. Once you learn the basics of knitting, you will want to continue progressing to more advanced stitches and knitting patterns. You may also want to consider finding a local knitting group or meeting online others who share your hobby. Not only will this provide a nice social outlet, but your new knitting friends may also be able to help you locate and use new knitting patterns and new ideas for knitting projects.

Be sure to try using other available resources, such as local craft and hobby stores. There are often professionals and enthusiasts who can help you find great knitting patterns to start with. You can also find great information about patterns for knitting at online message boards, chat rooms, and knitting Web sites.

Mary Amos loves arts and crafts and has been knitting for years. See her favorite knit patterns at Knits and Knitting Patterns, and be sure to visit Knitting for more knitting fun!

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Fall Crafts For Kids

By Michael Russell

Paper Scarecrow: For this craft project you will need paper, a pencil, glue, scissors, googly eyes, raffia or straw and markers, crayons, colored pencils, or craft paint. Draw and cut out an outline of a scarecrow. Draw and cut out clothes for the scarecrow, such as a straw hat, overalls, shoes and a shirt. Color the clothes with the markers, crayons, colored pencils, or craft paint. Attach the clothes to the scarecrow with glue. Glue the straw or raffia on the scarecrow so it looks like it is coming out of the clothing. Make a face for the scarecrow using googly eyes and colored paper for the nose and mouth.

Leaf Rubbing: Gather a real leaf, a piece of white paper and crayons to do this craft project. Go outside and get a nice looking leaf. Make sure the leaf is dry. Place it on a tabletop and cover it with the white paper. Take the paper off a crayon and lay the crayon flat on the piece of paper. Rub the crayon across the surface of the paper and the leaf will come through onto the page. Sticks, moss and other outdoor items can also be used to make interesting rubbings.

Leaf Garland: To make this craft you will need colored paper, scissors, glue, tape, or a stapler, yarn and crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Draw and cut out leafs in many shapes and colors. Draw veins on the leaves. The leaves should all have long, thick stems. Fold the stems in half. Cut a long piece of yarn. Put folded edge of stem over the yarn. Attach leaves to yarn with glue, tape, or a stapler.

Leaf Picture Frame Magnet: Supplies needed for this craft project are a pencil, colored card stock, scissors, tape, a picture and a magnet sheet. Draw and cut of a large leaf out of your card stock. Cut a circle in the center of the leaf. Place the picture behind the leaf so that it is centered in the circle. Attach the picture with tape once it is properly aligned. Cut a small piece of magnet off the magnet sheet and glue on the back of the leaf.

Fall Leaf Painting: For this craft project you will need a real leaf, a piece of paper, paint brushes and craft paint or watercolors. Making sure the leaf is dry, lay it down on the piece of paper. Use craft paint or watercolors to paint around the border of the leaf. Pull leaf off the paper. The leaf can be filled in with paint or can be kept as an outline.

Fall Leaf Place Mat: To make these decorative place mats you will need a roll of clear contact paper, scissors, real fall leaves, waxed paper and a large book. Find some nice fall leaves outside. Make sure the leaves are dry. Put the leaves between two sheets of waxed paper and place them in the large book to be flattened. After the leaves are completely flattened, take them out of the book. Cut two place mat sized sheets out of the contact paper. Peel the backing off one of the sheets and place it sticky side up on the table. Place the leaves on the contact paper. Peel the backing off the other piece of contact paper and carefully place it on the other piece of contact paper so that the sticky sides are together. Trim any edges that are not lined up perfectly.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Crafts

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Halloween Crafts For Kids



By Michael Russell

Balloon Ghost: To make this fun Halloween decoration you will need a white balloon, scissors, white plastic grocery or garbage bags, tape, string and a black marker. Cut the plastic bags into strips leaving an uncut edge to hold the strips together. Blow up the balloon. Tape the cut up bags around the balloon to make the ghost's body. Make sure the balloon is upside down when you tape the bags on so that you have something to hang the ghost from. Draw a face on the balloon to make the ghost's head. Tie a string to the balloon and hang the ghost up.

Egg Carton Spider: For this craft project you will need an egg carton, googly eyes, scissors, pipe cleaners and crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Cut one section out of the egg carton. Poke four holes in each side of the cup with scissors. Put a pipe cleaner into each of the holes and bend them to look like spider legs. Draw a face on the spider with crayons, markers, or colored pencils.

Pompom Spider: Supplies needed for this craft are yarn, scissors, pipe cleaners, cardboard, glue and googly eyes. Cut yarn into a 2 foot long piece and a yard long piece. Cut a piece of cardboard into a 3 inch by 2 inch rectangle. Loosely wrap the yard of yarn around the cardboard piece. Take the yarn off the cardboard, being careful to make sure the loops stay together. Put 4 pipe cleaners on the yarn loops. Tie the yarn loops and pipe cleaners together tightly with the 2 foot piece of yarn. Cut the loops in half to make a pompom shape. Bend the pipe cleaners in the shape of spider legs. Glue googly eyes onto the spider.

Pasta and Beans Skeleton: This craft project is made with a piece of black construction paper, glue, dried beans and several types of pasta (small shells, wagon wheels, ziti, elbow macaroni, salad macaroni, spaghetti, spirals, etc.). Lay out the pasta and beans in the shape of a skeleton. Elbow macaroni is good for ribs. Spaghetti can be used as toes and fingers. Small shells or small beans make good joints. Lima beans are perfect for hips. After you are satisfied with the layout of your skeleton, glue it down.

Ghost Necklace: For this craft project you will need Elmer's glue, a small paper clip, googly eyes, wax paper and string. On wax paper, make a ghost shape out of your glue. Unbend the paper clip and reform it into a V. Stick the ends of the V into the glue at top of the ghost's head. Put googly eyes on the ghost's head. After a few days, the glue will turn completely clear. Peel it off the wax paper and thread your string through the paper clip to turn it into a necklace.

Jack-o-lantern Pinata: Make a perfect Halloween party item by gathering a balloon, newspaper, flour, water, a bowl, a pot, a wooden spoon, scissors, orange craft paint, a paintbrush and a black marker. Make papier-mâché glue by mixing 1/2 cup of flour into 1/2 cup of water. Then stir the flour and water mix into 2 cups of boiling water. Simmer for a few minutes. Let it cool. Take newspaper and tear into 1 inch wide strips. Dip strips of paper in the glue and wrap around the balloon. Repeat process, covering the entire balloon. Let a layer dry and then add another layer. It dry completely, then pop the balloon, and remove it. Cut a small hole in the top to put in the candy. Decorate with the orange craft paint and black marker, making a jack-o-lantern face. Hang the pinata and have a party!

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Crafts

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Scary Halloween Crafts

By Angela Maroevich

Looking for some great Halloween crafts for your Halloween party, haunted house, or just for trick-or-treaters?

A fun craft is something that can keep you occupied for hours on end especially if you enjoy it. Here are some ideas that will hopefully set you on your way in preparation for your next Halloween...

Halloween Crafts Part 1:

If you live in a house that has a wood-burning fireplace, then chances are that you have access to tree stumps or large blocks of wood. These are great for making stands for your Jack O'Lanterns. You could use a chisel to slightly hollow out the middle of the stump so that the lantern can sit stably or simply use some Blu-Tack or Velcro.

Get some small or mini pumpkins and hollow them out to use as candle holders. If open flames are out of the question, you can put glow sticks instead of candles for a different effect. You can carve, draw or paint faces on the pumpkins too. Instead of pumpkins, you could use apples as well. Ensure that you choose apples that sit well and flat or cut off the bottom to make a flat surface. Remove the stem and cut around it deep enough for the candle. It is best to use taper candles for a better fit.

Get a large pumpkin and hollow it out to use as a salad bowl or to serve fresh vegetables. Cut off the top, hollow and clean it out and let it dry in the sun. You could carve a jagged edge design on the top. Do the same with some smaller or mini pumpkins to use for dips or salad dressings.

Make a scarecrow in your front yard. You need two pieces of wood, one put into the ground and the other nailed across for the arms. Use old jeans and a shirt and stuff them with newspaper. Add some straw for effect. You can use a plastic pumpkin for the head and draw a face on it. This makes a great Halloween craft for the whole family.

Tie glow sticks to helium balloons and let them float around the house. Ensure that some string extends below so that people can easily reach them if they get stuck somewhere or simply to play with them.

Use publicly available Halloween fonts on your computer to make banners or invitations for your party. It's a fast, easy Halloween craft you can use instantly to enhance your party theme. Print them onto inkjet iron-on transfer paper and put them onto your favourite t-shirt or Halloween outfit.

Halloween Crafts Part 2. OK, Now We Are Getting Scary...

A visit to your local hardware store for some basic items and you could make your own tombstones transforming your garden into an instant graveyard. Paint them grey to resemble stone. Do not worry about the details as it will be dark, but do put on some exciting or scary wordings. By the way, your local hardware store is loaded with Halloween craft ideas.

Going trick or treating? Why not make a special jug to collect candies? Cut off the top two inches of a gallon milk jug. Soak to remove any labels. Paint orange. Once dry, paint or stick on eyes nose and mouth resembling a Jack O'Lantern. Use fluorescent paint for a nice effect. The jug can be kept for future reuse.

Using six pipe cleaners, you can make your own skeleton. Bend one pipe cleaner into two for the backbone. Twist another around the bottom of the backbone to make into the legs. Do the same for the arms. Join two pipe cleaners and twist them around the backbone leaving some space forming a ribcage. Twist the last pipe cleaner for a head and glue on some eyes. Hang with a rubber band for a bouncing effect. Your kids will love making halloween crafts with pipe cleaners. But be careful when cutting and keep them out of their mouth.

Using glue and food coloring, you can make a see through painting. Paint a Halloween image onto a piece of plastic wrap. Before the mixture dries, put another piece of plastic wrap on. Cut it out and hang it in front of a light source for a see through effect. You could also frame the plastic pictures using wood or cardboard if you want them to be longer lasting.

Halloween Crafts Part 3. The Real Scary Stuff...

Make some hand printed spiders. Apply black paint to your palm and 4 fingers leaving out the thumb. Place palm onto a piece of paper. Turn the paper 180 degrees and print again making sure the palm overlaps. Add some wiggly eyes using either paint or sticks. This is suitable for even 2 or 3 year olds.

Make your own blood. It is less expensive than buying ready made blood from the Halloween shops. It's not difficult; all you need is Karo syrup and food coloring. While you're at it, why not make some slime using glue, water and borax powder. This is an advanced Hallween craft, so take your time and be careful.

Using apples, you can make dried, shrunken heads. Peel the apples and coat with a mixture of lemon juice and salt to prevent browning. Carve out a face of eyes, nose and mouth. Do not worry about the finer details as they will probably be lost when the apple dries. You can use whole cloves for the eyes and rice grains for the teeth. Let the apples sit out in a warm place for about 2 weeks. If you don't have 2 weeks, you can speed up the drying by putting them into an oven on the lowest temperature for about 45 minutes and then to dry out naturally for the next 2 days or so. Once dried, they shrink and deform into weird and scary looking faces.

Says Angie Maroevich, "You don't have to spend a fortune on commercial Halloween supplies to have a great party. There are many inexpensive alternatives laying around the house or at your local store you can use to create a Halloween theme that will impress all your friends."

About The Author:
Angie Maroevich is an arts and crafts enthusiast, business owner, and athlete. Her arts and crafts articles and be found at http://www.craft-ideas-guide.com.
© 2004-2005 All rights reserved.
angie@craft-ideas-guide.com

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Selling Your Crafts or Projects



By Juanita D MoenGautney

The idea of selling your crafts seem appealing to you? It did me. I bought book after book on selling your crafts online, selling at craft fairs, selling via mail order, you name it and I bought it. I started to think I must be a dunce. Here I have all of this information and I feel like I am in information overload and still don't know where or how to start selling my crafts.

I took a step back and decided to write down what I thought was important from all of these books. Here is my list:

1. Check out the competition, see what they are selling and at what price.
2. Decide on where I want to sell, online, craft fairs, mail order
3. Do I need a business license, checking account, credit cards?
4. Are there resources that can help me with questions or be a mentor?

I knew that I wanted to sell fabric and my crafty things that I make. I also knew that I wanted to reach as many people as I could, so that meant online selling. I took my list and started at number 1. "The Competition".

I looked at several online fabric websites, such as eQuilter.com, quiltinaday.com, and some local fabric shop websites as well. I looked at the type of fabric, the price per yard, shipping time, refund policies, what other offerings they had and I also read how they got started (some great insight there). I wanted to know what made each site standout. Was it the font, the colors, ease of use, the variety of items, the information given about each item? After gathering all of this information I was ready to move on to the next item on the list.

Number 2. "Where to Sell" - I knew online would work with what I wanted to do, but how about the Craft Fairs? I went to our local Quilt A Fair and walked around, checked out what was selling and what wasn't. I also talked to the proprietors to get some insight on their business. I talked to the sponsors of this event to find out what size the booths are, what the price was for a booth, what percentage the sponsors wanted out of the gross sales for the weekend, when they hold the fairs and if they had an online presences as well. After gathering this information I decided this would be something that I would check into doing after I got my online business up and running first.

I needed to find out more about selling online. I checked out several online hosting services. I chose Yahoo Small Business. It looked like a good fit for me to start with. Now all I needed was fabric and handmade items to sell. But first I needed to tackle Number 3 "Business License".

In our local college they were offering a course on how to start your own business. I called and got registered. This was being offered by a lawyer who works mostly with setting up new companies. I actually got to work with her one on one. I told her what I wanted to do and she handed me a paper asking questions about my business, like Business name, sole proprietor or LLC, start date, things like that. She said I would need to get a Business license and she could help me get all of that setup. She would also put together the necessary information so I could open up a bank account for my business. There would be a small fee for all of this, but I was willing to pay.

After I got my Business License and State Sales Tax License, I was all set to get my bank account set up. Once that was completed I realized I needed a credit card so I could purchase the fabric at wholesale. After the business license was created, I started getting credit card advertisements. I chose one, filled it out and sent it in. In about two weeks I received my card.

I was on my way. I contacted some fabric suppliers and they sent over their representatives. I got to see hundreds of fabric samples. I picked out the ones I wanted and the yardage amounts. They setup my accounts and sent me fabric. Once the fabric arrived I was able to start building my website. I have also sold some of my stuff out on eBay. My next step will be to get an account setup on Etsy.

It took a little while, about a month, to get everything setup so I could start selling, but it was worth it. Then I started to think what is next. Ah yes, Number 4 " Other Resources or Mentoring". I started to search the internet and found the Small Business Administration website. Here they offer all sorts of help. They even have videos.

So, if your interested in selling your crafts, just take a page out of my helpful hints and get started. It can be as easy as 1-2-3.

About the Author:

My name is Juanita Moen-Gautney and I have been sewing since 1968 and quilting since 1977. I gained my passion for quilitng and sewing from my grandmother.

My website is http://www.needles-n-quilts.com Come see all of the Unique Fabrics for Your Creative Projects.

Follow me at http://needles-n-quilts.blogspot.com/

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How to Crochet and Get Paid for It

By Sara Duggan

Can you wake up in the morning and honestly say you love what you do? If not, maybe you should turn your love for crochet into a business.

Many crochet business owners stumbled upon profiting from their hobby quite accidentally. You, however, have the advantage of researching the niche you would like to focus on. Whether that is making baby crochet items or crocheting heirloom blankets.

Are people willing to buy your hats, sweaters, scarves and blankets? If they are, where do they buy them? To find the answers to these questions just go to Google search. You'll find that people shop online at specialty shops like Etsy or Artfire. Some shop on Amazon and still others shop locally at boutiques and craft fairs.

When you enter crochet into the search bar you'll receive all sorts of results. Take a look at the advertisements on the right side of the screen. What type of businesses do you see advertised? Are they brick and mortar shops or are they online shops?

If you click on those ads you'll start to get an idea of how other "crocheters" are profiting. Some sell supplies like yarn and hooks. Others sell photography props and winter hats. Still others sell their knowledge through newsletters, magazines, and membership sites.

Do you notice the multiple ads for suppliers to the crochet industry? This tells you it is a winner financially. You can sell roving to spinners or dyes to those who enjoy dyeing their own yarn. You can also sell specialty yarns or crochet appliques to dress up garments.

Patterns are always on the top of a "crocheters" shopping list. If you design your own products you might consider selling your patterns and tutorials on Kindle.

Another way you can research your business idea is through keyword research. Google has a free tool for that. What are people searching for? Find something that matches your interest and develop your business around it.

Each month there are thousands of searches for books, lessons, patterns, supplies and tutorials. Pick one or all of these to center your business on.

Getting paid to crochet isn't difficult if you do your research and start a business that caters to those willing to pay for what you offer.

Before you know it you'll be waking up with a smile on your face and joy in your heart because you are doing what you love.

Learn more Crochet Business and Blogging Tips at http://crochetbusinessblog.blogspot.com Plus receive 365 crochet blog post ideas when you sign up for my newsletter.

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