I can never seem to make it smooth or uniform when using fiberfill, no matter how tightly I pack it.
Especially when the material being packed is knitted yarn.
Posts Tagged ‘Yarn’
How can I make a craft project (such as a pillow) look less bumpy when using fiberfill?
Friday, July 16th, 2010Anyone have an idea for an easy, relatively mess free art / craft project for kindergarteners and first grader?
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010I’ll have between 5 and 10 kids and about an hour to do the project in. The supplies I have access to include construction paper, glue, markers, crayons, scissors, paper plates, tape, yarn, and a few other things that I may be forgetting but really not much else and I can’t really go buy anything so please nothing that requires anything that I would have to buy. Any ideas will help, need something for this afternoon!
Arts and Crafts Ideas: Foam Sheet Glasses Case
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010To make the glasses case, you will need the following simple materials: a square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick yarn. Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 3-1/2 inches (9 cm.) by 6 inches (15 cm.). With a hole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle, leaving one short side unpunched. Make the holes 1/2 inch apart and allow at least 1/4 inch between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If you are preparing the craft for small children, you should make the holes yourself. Otherwise, the crafters can do this step if you have enough pairs of hole punches.
At this point the crafters can cut decorative shapes from other colors of craft foam, or you can buy sets of ready-cut foam shapes. If you are doing the craft at a special event, like vacation Bible school, choose shapes that echo the theme of the event. For instance, if the Bible school or camp has a cowboy theme, find shapes that fit well, such as boots, cowboy hats, and stars. Let the kids choose the shapes they like and glue on as desired. You might also like to provide beads or sequins to glue on as well, especially if the crafters are a little older.
The next step in this arts and crafts idea is to thread the plastic needle with the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard lace is shiny and attractive. In a pinch, some teachers of small children use a bobby pin as a needle. It is certainly a safe alternative. Simply loop the yarn through the opening and use the open end of the bobby pin as if it were the point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of the glasses case together.
To turn this arts and crafts idea into a necklace purse, simply attach a piece of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using this case as a place to store secret notes and small objects. If they’d rather, they can give the glasses case to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears glasses. Either way, this arts and crafts idea will be interesting for all.
http://www.rankland.com/default.asp
Arts and Crafts: Make Foam Sheet Glasses Case
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010Are you a camp director, teacher, or homeschool mom looking for a new arts and crafts idea for your kids? Or maybe you are a recreation director at a senior center or nursing home and could use a new project. Either way, this arts and crafts idea will be interesting and fun for all. This glass case can be used, given as a gift, or converted into a necklace purse.
To make the glasses case, you will need the following simple materials: a square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick yarn. Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 3-1/2 inches (9 cm.) by 6 inches (15 cm.). With a whole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle, for more details visit to www.101-save-money.com leaving one short side unpunched. Make the holes 1/2 inch apart and allow at least 1/4 inch between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If you are preparing the craft for small children, you should make the holes yourself. Otherwise, the crafters can do this step if you have enough pairs of whole punches.
At this point the crafters can cut decorative shapes from other colors of craft foam, or you can buy sets of ready-cut foam shapes. If you are doing the craft at a special event, like vacation Bible school, for more details visit to www.art-of-astrology.com choose shapes that echo the theme of the event. For instance, if the Bible school or camp has a cowboy theme, find shapes that fit well, such as boots, cowboy hats, and stars. Let the kids choose the shapes they like and glue on as desired. You might also like to provide beads or sequins to glue on as well, especially if the crafters are a little older.
The next step in this arts and crafts idea is to thread the plastic needle with the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard lace is shiny and attractive. In a pinch, some teachers of small children use a bobby pin as a needle. It is certainly a safe alternative. Simply loop the yarn through the opening and use the open end of the bobby pin as if it were the point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of the glasses case together.
To turn this arts and crafts idea into a necklace purse, simply attach a piece of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using this case as a place to store secret notes and small objects. If they’d rather, they can give the glasses case to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears glasses. Either way, this arts and crafts idea will be interesting for all.
Knit and Crochet with Yarn – Fiber, Texture, Weight, How to substitute in patterns
Saturday, June 5th, 2010Please be sure to subscribe to Naztazia’s channel! This video shows the basics of yarn, including fiber content, textures, sizes, standards, weights and substituting yarn in knitting and crocheting patterns. Yarn label guides such as weight classification and gauge are covered. Also discussed are tools to measure WPI or Wraps per Inch for mystery yarns. I purchased my WPI Tool and Knit Card from Knit Picks at www.knitpicks.com
Toddler Crafts, Fun Toddlers Activity
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Many women enjoy the hobbies of arts and crafts. When there are children running around the house, it can make it difficult to continue the enjoyment of arts and crafts. There is only one solution for this problem, and that is to get your toddlers involved with you on some simple arts and crafts tasks.
A great, safe way to get your kids involved with your crafts projects it to make things with popsicle sticks. You can have your kids decorate the popsicle sticks with markers to their liking. Make sure you purchase washable markers. Also, go for quantity, not quality, because more often than not your toddlers will forget to put the lids back on the markers.
After they finish putting color on the sticks, find some pictures. You can use photographs, pictures out of magazines, or use a picture of them. Use the popsicle sticks as a frame for the picture. After this, tie a string to each side of the picture, so you can hang it anywhere.
I am sure you have heard of macaroni necklaces. Every toddler should get the thrill of making their first macaroni necklace. Just put some macaroni in a jar, add some food coloring, and shake them around until you get the color you are looking for. Repeated this process until you get a satisfactory amount of color. Let the macaroni dry on paper towels.
After you get all of the macaroni colored and dry, provide your toddler with a piece of shoestring or yarn. Make sure to tape one end, so the macaroni does not fall off. Once you show them how to put the macaroni on the string, it will be easy for them. Let them pick the colors and design.
Then there is the always famous sock puppet. If you haven’t heard of the sock puppet, this one is simple. All you need to do is decorate a sock with a mouth, eyes, and nose. A sock puppet can provide hours of entertainment for toddlers and can be made within minutes.
Another entertaining (and slightly messy) crafts idea is making art out of fruitloops. First, open the box of fruitloops and sort them by color. After you get all of the colors sorted, put them in a zip-lock baggy. Crush them in the baggy until they get a sand-like appearance. After you have all of the colors crushed in baggies, you can put them in layers in a baby food jar. All of the fun of sand, without the risk of worrying about your toddler eating it.
Your toddler will certainly enjoy making binoculars. All you need is two paper towel rolls, a hole punch, glue, and yarn. First, glue the two paper towel rolls together so they look like binoculars. Next, punch a whole in each side and tied the yarn to each side. Do this so they can wear the binoculars around their neck like a necklace. Let them look through the binoculars and describe what they see. It is always fun to give them the impression that they are able to see things that you can’t. Like they have special powers with their binoculars.
Tlc08
Article contributed by Theresea Hughes, creator of
http://free-toddlers-activity-and-discipline-guide.com
a site dedicated to providing parenting resource articles for toddlers activity & child discipline with positive parenting tips, free kids games, recipes, arts & crafts, including articles about potty training, temper tantrums, kids sleep problems, parent tips for fussy eaters, including free child development toddlers activity and toddlers discipline parenting resources.
Granny Square Crochet
Thursday, March 4th, 2010
With the renewed interest in crochet, brought about because of its use in fashionable ready-to-wear, and the evergreen interest in anything antique, vintage, or nostalgic, – most commonly seen in the patchwork quilting phenomenon – there has also come a growing interest in crochet in general, and the making of rugs, shawls, throws, etc. in the style commonly called ‘Granny Square Crochet’.
This much-loved style of crochet is arguably the most universally recognized crochet motif around the world. Its popularity stems from the facts that it is made from basic stitches and is therefore quick and easy, it is small, easily portable, fast, and uses up bits of yarn left over from other projects. When the motifs are joined the end result is a very useful, colorful and cosy article which looks and feels very special and yet was both easy and very cost effective to produce.
Adapted from the much finer and more complex crochet patterns brought by the early European settlers to the new world, which of course were also time-consuming, granny square crochet became the more practical and useful expression of crochet at a time when practicality and usefulness were much more necessary to everyday life, and indeed survival, than fine and intricate beauty was.
Now don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying that granny square crochet is not beautiful, because it most certainly does have a beauty all its own. With its wonderful colors, patterns and textures it has aesthetic beauty, but it also has an ethereal beauty, too, or ‘soul’ – the ability to touch our hearts, perhaps because it connects us with the ‘humanness’ of the ones who made it, and also because it is so practical. Granny square rugs, shawls and throws are ‘comfort’ articles. They are also very satisfying to make.
If you have not yet tackled a crochet project – maybe because you aren’t sure what to do – then granny square crochet can be the very best way to start, once you know your first basic stitches. The fabulous thing about granny square crochet for a beginner is that each square is quite small and therefore easy to get done, so that you can just crochet one here and there whenever you have any odd bits of time. It really won’t take long at all before you have enough to put together to make something. I have seen them used to make cushion covers, doll’s blankets, and even pot holders, so you see there are useful and pretty things you can do with only a very small number of squares, or even just two!
For more ideas, patterns and equipment, take a look on my blog, Crochet Life, where I have selected some of the best resources for you, plus hints and tips on Learning How To Crochet and Easy Crochet Projects. You will also find there, access to a fabulous book with everything you need to know, plus some fabulous bonuses that go with it. Enjoy your craft!
Tambia Jackson
I am the mother of 4 children and have always been interested in textile crafts ever since my mother taught me to knit when I was very young. I am also interested in natural health remedies, cooking, gardening, and Bible studies. Visit my blog, Crochet Life, at http://www.crochetlife.com
About Knitting Yarn
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Knitting is very interested thing that any woman like to do as man don’t much prefer to do ladies work and also because of woman can be easily used to handy-craft work. Generally, knitting work is more seen in housewives. Knitting requires essentials like Yarn, Pattern and Needles to complete the task perfectly. The work does not get complete just by shopping for right knitting needles or best quality of knitting yarn. Although, their significance is not to be ignored but one should always remember if someone wants to carry out an experiment then the person should be ready with apparatus & material to make it successful.
If you are an intermediate or a beginner then you are on the phase to learn knitting. Of course, it is rightly said anything learnt never becomes squander. After some period of time, a learner with some innovative changes and creative ideas is always going to be rewarded. The first step for a beginner is to use both knitting needles and knitting machines with simplicity. To become a good or professional knitter, a learner with a good knitting kit should work out properly with sincerity. When equipped with knitting materials, the first step to walk on is to practice with basic knitting patterns. You can get knitting patterns either paid or free on internet. Primarily knitting books can be your guideline to work on. A beginner’s mind can be conceptually clear to start with knitting patterns.
Beginner’s knitting kit is easily available in the market. Initially, a learner should opt for using needles according to the type of yarn. Using acrylic yarn will solve your purpose.
But it is quite seen in many cases that the people lose all their zeal and passion, when they start facing hurdles or problems and feels to quit learning knitting. A dynamic beginner should not step back from the work and with the keen interest move ahead. Just keep on practicing and learn to get your hands into the rhythm of this hobby. Basic knitting patterns will help you to a great extent instead of trying out the difficult one. Knitting pattern then done is sure to produce some finest work of yours and possibly a learner may start his knitting business too.
The best teacher for a beginner can be any one from your family members, relative or friends. If not, then you can even get free knitting patterns from the internet. All the way is to keep practicing seriously with hard-work. In beginning, don’t try to make complicated knitting patterns as unnecessarily confusing yourself. Making simple knitting pattern will serve the best to achieve your goal.
Thus, a beginner should learn knitting skills also if want to reap sweet fruits. The work done with personal efforts along with using application of mind in a right way will surely make you an expert or a professional that you are worthy of.
Bella Mclaine
Bella Mclaine loves writing on Knitting, one of the website she has written extensively about Knitting Patterns is www.knittingall.com
All Natural Hemp Yarn / String Darn Good Yarn Project Idea
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010Darn Good Yarn (www.darngoodyarn.com) owner, Nicole, reviews “All Natural” (100g balls with 205 yard of hemp) off of her website. They are $8 for US orders and $11.50 for international orders and that includes shipping too! It’s a great price. I also talk about a project and gift idea you can make. The project is a simple knit washcloth on size 5 needles (US) CO 36sts and work until you have a square. Make up stitches, go crazy and be creative! This washcloth will be great for exfoliation! For a great gift idea (and it’s inexpensive too!) make a washcloth, purchase a notions bag from Darn Good Yarn and add a little soap. Too cute. You can order both from this direct link: darngoodyarn.com
