Wednesday 25 August 2010

That's Noice!

I know I have lots of yarn at the moment and I know I don't need more. But Lincraft have extended their 30% off yarn sale to the 29th of August. That's this Sunday! As Kath & Kim would say "That's noice, different, unusual". Oh, the temptation is so great.

Thursday 29 July 2010

DIY Amigurumi: Baby Octopus and Coffee Cup


My amigurumi adventure continues and over the last month I have been working on a few projects at the same time. These are two of them. Enjoy!

Amigurumi Baby Octopus Pattern:
What you will need:
1 Ball of yarn in the colour of your choice
1 4mm Crochet Hook
Needle for embroidery and to sew the legs to the body
1 pair of safety eyes
Some yarn for embroidering the mouth
Polyfill Stuffing or stuffing from an old cushion

Head/Body:
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring with 6 sc. Use a stitch marker so you know where the start of each round is, then move it up as you go along. Note: do not join rounds.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (Total of 12 sc in the round)
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around (Total of 18 scin the round)
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around  (Total of 24 sc in the round)
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * around  (Total of 30 sc in the round)
Rnd 6: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc; rep from * around  (Total of 36 sc in the round)
Rnd 7: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc; rep from * around (Total of 42 sc in the round)
Rnds 8-17: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 18: *Sc2tog, sc in next 5 sc; rep from * around  (Total of 36 sc in the round)
Rnd 19: *Sc2tog, sc in next 4 sc; rep from * around  (Total of 30 sc in the round)
Rnd 20: *Sc2tog, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * around  (Total of 24 sc in the round)
Now attach your safety eyes and embroider a mouth before adding stuffing.
Rnd 21: *Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around  (Total of 18 sc in the round)
Rnd 22: *Sc2tog, sc in next sc; rep from * around   (Total of 12 sc in the round)
Rnd 23: (Sc2tog) around  (Total of 6 sc in the round)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the legs on later. We'll sew on all 8 with it so make sure it's long. Weave the tail through to where you want to start attaching the legs.
 
Tentacles/Legs (make 8)
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring with 6 sc (use a stitch marker as before)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around   (Total of 12 sc in the round)
Rnds 3-10: Sc in each sc around.
Fasten off. Hide any tails inside each tentacle.

Assembly:
Stuff each tentacle and pin to body to work out the placement. Once you have the tentacles pinned, thread your needle with your long tail from the body and start sewing.
Make sure that when you sew, you are going through the tops of each tentacle (this automatically closes one so the stuffing won't come out). Once you have completed sewing around the tentacles and come back to the start, fasten off and weave in the end into the body.

Amigurumi Coffee Cup:


What you will need:
1 Ball of yarn in the colour of your choice for the cup
Brown yarn for the coffee
1 4mm Crochet Hook
Needle for assembly
Polyfill Stuffing or stuffing from an old cushion


Coffee Cup
Using your cup colour yarn:
Rnd 1: Magic ring with 6 sc. Do not join rounds, but use a stitch marker to mark the start of each round and move up as you go.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around (Total of 12 sts in the round)
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around  (Total of 18 sts in the round)
Rnd 4: Working through back loops only, sc in each st around  (Total of 18 sts in the round)
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around  (Total of 24 sts in the round)
Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around  (Total of 30 sts in the round)
Rnd 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around  (Total of 36 sts in the round)
Rnds 8 -14: Sc in each st around.
Fasten off.

Coffee
Using your brown yarn:
Rnd 1: Magic ring with 6 sc. Do not join rounds, but use a stitch marker to mark the start of each round and move up as you go.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around  (Total of 12 sts in the round)
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around  (Total of 18 sts in the round)
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around  (Total of 24 sts in the round)
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around  (Total of 30 sts in the round)
Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around  (Total of 36 sts in the round)
Fasten off.

Handle
Using your cup colour yarn:
Rnd 1: Make a mgic ring with 5 sc. Use a stitch marker as you go.
Rnd 2: Work 1 sc in each st around  (Total of 5 sts in the round)
Repeat Rnd 2, stuffing lightly as you go, until piece measures about 7cm  from beg. Fasten off.


Assembly
Fill the coffee cup with stuffing. Sew the coffee coloured top over the cup using the colour of the cup. Sew on the handle. Weave in ends.

Saturday 10 July 2010

DIY Amigurumi: Cupcakes

Ok, I'm on a little bit of a cupcake theme today. I've been feeling pretty crook lately so I've been doing lots of resting on the couch with my crochet to stop me going crazy. And since cupcakes and sweet things make me smile. I'm going to make some crochet cupcakes! Here's the pattern I'm going to use:


Crochet an Amigurumi Cupcake - More DIY How To Projects

Recipe: Cheeseburger Cupcakes

Here's an awesome recipe for today! Cupcakes that look like mini burgers! How cute are they!?


See Cheeseburger Cupcakes and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

Monday 5 July 2010

DIY Amigurumi: Bubble Leg Monster


There's something fascinating to me about amigurumi, perhaps it's the freedom you have with making creations and that you aren't bound by rules of what you can and can't make. I love this Bubble Leg Monster! I am having a go at it and am nearly finished. It isn't perfect, but I'm pretty happy with what I've achieved with it so far (it's a bit uneven but I think it adds to its charm :P) - I'll post up pics of my finished monster when it's done!

Edit: Thursday 29th July 2010

It's finished and looking marvellous! I used a fuschia and navy blue yarn combination for my monster, along with some pretty safety eyes. What a fun pattern to make!



Note: In the Monster pattern, you'll need to know how to do a treble crochet for the eye circle. Here's a video on how to do it:

Wednesday 30 June 2010

Crochet Basics: Starting out, SC, HDC and DC

The cold weather has made me into a knit and crochet freak lately. I've joined up to Ravelry and have been amazed by all the wonderful patterns and creations from it's members. I highly recommend signing up there.

All the yarn talk has made me want to try my hand at more crochet, but I need to practice more first. I'm still going to try the amigurumi poo, but before that I needed a refresher on all the crochet stitches you see written in patterns. It's been so long since I've crocheted that my set is all dusty :P

Abbreviations 
SC = Single Crochet
HDC = Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet

Here's a great video from Kim Werker that I think will help a lot of you that are starting out in crochet - It certaily helped me.


Friday 25 June 2010

DIY Amigurumi: Poo Toy


Here's a cute amigurumi pattern from Naida's Crochet - Crocheted 'Poo' - I'd like to try and make this one just because it's so cute.


Edit: Thursday 29th July 2010

I've finally taken a pic of my first attempt at a happy poo! I'll admit it's really dodgy looking (I should've used brown yarn but I only had the Pink at the time, plus the tension was all over the place, so you can see the stuffing too!), but I know it will be better next time I make it :P

Wednesday 23 June 2010

DIY Knit Project: Open Top Beanie


After getting my hands on some super bright yarn yesterday I got a bit crazy with my circular loom and made an open-top beanie. I don't know if there is a proper name for these - it's just what I have called it. The great thing about these beanies, is you can stick your hair out the top of it, or even roll the beanie if you want to use it more as earwarmers. Admittedly, my version with this yearn is a bit on the loud side - but I think it would work well in any colour you choose.

It's basically a tube - but it's nice and warm!

You'll need:

1 x Knitting Loom (I used 'Crafter's Choice' Yellow Loom with 36 pegs)

...and 50g 8ply yarn in a colour of your choice

Instructions:

  1. Cast on the first round: Create a slip knot and put it onto the first peg. Then continue to do e-wraps around till you get to the last peg.
  2. Circle the loom using Twisted Knit Stitch for 2 more Rounds. Making these first rounds like this will make your brim - I like it this way so it rolls up, but feel free to add some purl if you prefer it to sit flatter.
  3. Next, e-wrap the loom twice (i.e. e-wrap each loop on the loom, then go around again). You should now have 3 loops on each peg.
  4. Use your hook to lift the bottom 2 loops over the top loop. Repeat to complete the round.
  5. Repeat step 3 and 4 until you reach to desired length for your beanie. I have done 24 rounds. In the last 3 rounds, I tightened the tension a bit to make it a bit smaller at the top.
  6. You will notice that this technique will produce a less flexible, but more closely knit finish. There should be quite a thick texture to it (see pic below)
  7. Cast off the loom.
  8. Enjoy!

Tuesday 22 June 2010

Nikki's Hooded Scarf Pattern

With all this cold weather upon us, I have dug up my knitting bag (full of unfinished projects) and decided that I needed to make myself a hooded scarf. I found this free pattern from Nikki, In Stitches and it has inspired me to try making one. I would still consider myself as a beginner in the world of knitting, so the pattern looks a little intimidating to me - What I need is a plain pattern but I haven't found one yet. If anyone finds one let me know!

How cool is this? I want one!

Of course, the project gives me a good excuse to get more yarn, so I trekked down to my local kmart got some acrylic (I have several balls of beautiful wool, but I don't feel worthy of using it until my skills get better). I got:


3 x 100g 8ply Acrylic Yarn (Navy Blue, Fuschia and Red/Orange/Yellow Mix)


...and one massive 400g ball of Rainbow Mix - I couldn't resist the bright colours in it - reminds me of those rainbow paddle pops I used to eat when I was a kid (only, it's much brighter and you can wear it without getting in trouble!)

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Rainbow Cupcakes!



I came across this recipe today and it made me smile! I need to go and get me some food colouring - I can't wait to try it out! If you guys try it out let me know!

Saturday 12 June 2010

WWKIP @ A Coffee And A Yarn

I was able to sneak out of my shop for 5 minutes to check out WWKIP Day at A Coffee And A Yarn - Wow, I am impressed. These fabulous ladies were all decked out in fabulous knitted wigs out the front of the knitting cafe:

Ok - this was their zany pose for me. Here's a 'normal' shot for you:


Good on you ladies! It's great to see Knitting in Public! I love it!

I went inside and had a chat with the host of this wonderful KIP (Ellie, owner of A Coffee And A Yarn) to find out a bit more about her wonderful knitting cafe. The beautiful yarn she sells is mostly from Australia and mostly wool (no acrylic here!) or wool/cotton blends. And, it's the good stuff - No cheap crappy stuff.

You can find beautiful Alpaca wool too :D And if you're a fan of kits, she has them too! There are kits for knitting kids beanies, gorgeous tea cosies and much much more. You could spend ages in there looking and feeling the wool alone, and better yet, you can enjoy a great coffee at the same time!

And if you love knitting and crochet books they have a nice selection of them too, along with everything else you need for your project - such as crochet hooks and stitch holders.

Check out the massive vase of knitting needles by the window!! Ellie also sells some gorgeous wooden knitting needles from Tasmania that have little polka dot wooden mushrooms on the ends (I know, I should have taken a photo but with all the excitement I forgot!).
 
Well, there's my coverage of our local KIP - I wonder how the event is going in other parts of the world. I'd love to know. If you have any coverage, send me the link or add it to the comments!

Friday 11 June 2010

World Wide Knit in Public Day


During 12-20th June, the world will be celebrating World Wide Knit in Public Day! If you love knitting then you should join in the fun and go to your nearest KIP (Knit In Public) day or better yet, host your own!

Up the road from my shop, at 'A Coffee and a Yarn' (a new knitting cafe at 413 King St, Newtown) they will be hosting a KIP (Knit In Public) day tomorrow from 10.30am! Unfortunately I'll be working tomorrow but I'll take some knitting with me and knit in my shop. If you see me knitting you'll now know why :P

Check out the World Wide Knit in Public Day website for more details!
http://www.wwkipday.com

Thursday 3 June 2010

Welcome To Craft Salad


I've always loved anything crafty. And I know I'm not alone. There's a lot to be said for handmade items. There's something about the way it feels, the time, creativity and thought put into it, and sometimes even the little imperfections that make it just a little more special than something that's made in a factory.

This blog is dedicated to exploring the world of craft, and I hope to share my love of the handmade with you all. Subscribe and join me for the ride.

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