Braided Crochet Scarf

*~*~Hi Crochet Pattern Central people!~*~*

For Christmas I got two beautiful skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn. A few nights later, around two in the morning, lying awake in bed, I figured out what to do with them. I came up with the idea for this scarf. The Homespun, like actual homespun yarn, is so soft and beautifully variegated; it lends itself to making scarves. But the thing you need to know is, it needs to be knit/crocheted somewhat loosely, or you'll end up with a big tangled mess. Also, it tears easily, so be careful when you rip out stitches.

Of course, you can use a completely different type of yarn if you like. You can also switch up the braid and the number of ropes. You can make every rope a different color, or the whole thing the same color. You can take the same idea and shrink it to make a headband. And you can expand on the idea to make a huge braided blanket (but if you do, you HAVE to send me pictures). So, yeah, you've got options.

~~I hate to say it, but please don't use this pattern or any other pattern I make for commercial gain, cause I might want to. I do occasionally sell things and I take care not to use anyone else's patterns. I wouldn't feel right making money off hard work that wasn't my own. And I'd be miffed if someone did the same to me (because I so rarely do hard work).~~

Pattern:

Lion Brand Homespun yarn, size j/10 6mm hook

Note: I would suggest crocheting in the tails as you go (see end of post)

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Base and rope one

Ch 13

1 dc into 3^rd ch from hook (2 ch count as first st) and each ch across. -12 st.

2 ch 2, turn, skip first st, dc into each st across and into ch 2. -still 12

3 ch 2, turn, skip first st, dc into next 3 st.

4 ch 2 turn skip first st, dc into next 3 st (including ch 2). -4

Repeat row 4 for about 100 rows. Bind off. *NOTE: bind off loosely, you might end up having to rip out a few rows.*

Rope two

1 on base, sl into 5^th st from rope one (aka skip 4), ch 2, dc into next 3 st (including ch 2). -4

2 ch 2 turn skip first st, dc into next 3 st (including ch 2).

repeat row 4 for about 100 rows. DO NOT BIND OFF. Instead, make a big loop so you don't rip out stitches while you are braiding.

**

-Set aside and repeat these steps with the second yarn.

-Braid (see below)

-Adjust length of ropes as needed, making sure the braid is even and as loose or tight as you want it.

**

Check to see that the rope you did not bind off (rope 2) has the loop on the side of rope 1 (if not, add or rip out a row). It's as if you started a row on rope 2 and are about to continue it on rope 1 (because you are).

1 ch 4 dc into each st on rope 2.

2 ch 2 turn, skip first st, dc into each st across (including the 4 ch). - 12

3 ch 2, turn, skip first st, dc into each st across and into ch 2. Bind off.

**

-Repeat with other color

Sew in any leftover threads, and you're done!

Braid Options

I'm giving you two braid options. With whichever braid you choose, it's important to arrange the two pieces, one on top of the other, so that it switches every other color (e.g. green, brown, green, brown). And make sure you begin braiding with the rope on top going under and vice versa. (refer to the picture to help my convoluted instructions make sense).

Braid 1

-take the rope on the far left and weave through to other side.

-Repeat.

Braid 2

-twist the two inner ropes.

-bring the outer rows in.

-Repeat

Note: Check every once in a while that you haven't accidentally switched braids (I write from experience).

Crocheting in your tails

I was working on some random project or other when I had a eureka moment. I realized that I could crochet in my tails as I worked and I wouldn't have to sew them all in at the end (which I can't STAND doing). Here's how you do it:

Hold your tail on the wrong side of your work and treat it like part of the next stitch. In other words, insert your hook into the next st, making sure it is under your tail. Yarn over and pull under your tail and through the stitch, continue on like normal. If you hold the tail with your left hand, you don't have to drape it over your hook every stitch.

Right side facing:

I made the tail red so you could see it more clearly

Wrong side facing:

This method is especially useful when you are switching colors, you can carry the yarn with you so you don't have those annoying strings in the back. However, you can see the thread through the stitches, especially if your work is loose. This won't be noticeable if either the row your working on or the row below is the same color as the tail.

Crafty Gift Card Wrapping

Everybody loves getting gift cards. They are as good as getting money, only slightly more personal. It's as if the giver is saying, "I know enough about you to know where you shop, but I don't know what the hell you'd buy there." And for that self-awareness, we thank them. But my problem with giving gift cards, is that they're not quite personal enough. So, the last time I was giving them as a gift I decided to dress them up a little and give them a touch of me. Here's how I did it:



Step one

One of my secrets for learning new crafty things is to do a video search of what I'm trying to do. I searched for things like origami envelope and DIY envelope. Eventually, I found this helpful tutorial:



Perfect DIY Envelope - Video Instruction - The funniest videos are a click away

I had to watch it several times. It was helpful to pause it as I made my envelope, watching the video step by step. I used card stock for durability. That and the pretty colors

Step 2

After that I found yarn from my stash that complemented the color of the paper and whipped up some flowers. I did these freehand. I like to see how the flowers develop, and it's fun to see what I can come up with. Unfortunately, working without a pattern leads to a lot of trial and error, which you should expect as part of the process. If you're under a time crunch or just don't feel comfortable flying by the seat of your pants, here is a great website with a mind-boggling variety of patterns to choose from:

Crochet Pattern Central.com flower page

Or you can try a few of the patterns I made. My sister chose a flower theme for the last burning man, so I went on a little crafty bender. By the time the smoke cleared, I realized I'd sent all my flowers off to the burn without taking decent pictures of them. Thank goodness I had the presence of mind to right a few patterns down, because those flowers were distributed throughout Black Rock City and are probably still covered in playa.

Daisy



Petals:

ch3, 12 hdc into 3rd ch from hook, sl st into 1st hdc.

1) *ch5 skip 2, sl st into next st. turn sl into next st.* repeat around, ending with sl into st after 1st ch.

2) a) sl into first ch. ch2. 2hdc, dc, htc, dc, 2hdc into ch.

b) ch2, turn, hdc, hdc, dc htc dc into next, dc, hdc, hdc.

c) ch2, turn, skip, hdc, hdc, dc, htc tc htc into next, dc, hdc, hdc.

d) sl st down side and into ch5.

Repeat around and bind off.

middle

sl st. into one of the 12hdc(*).

1) ch2 dc into each of the skipped hdc under the ch5's. sl st into first dc.

2) ch2 dc into each st sl st. inti first.

3) ch1 sc, hdc, sc into same st, *sl st into next, sc hdc sc into next*

(*) Sl st here:


Picture from Free Vintage Crochet (I tweaked it a little)

Purple six-petaled flower



With first color:

1.) ch3. 12hdc into 3rd ch from hook. sl into 1st hdc.

2.) ch4. sl into *3rd st from ch turn. sl into next st. ch4 turn.* repeat around. end by sl st into st after first ch4. Bind off.

With second color

1.) sl st. into ch. ch 2. 3hdc, dc, htc, dc, 3hdc.

2.) ch 2. hdc into next 4 st. 3dc into next st. hdc into next 4 st.

3.) ch 1. sc into next st. hdc into next 3 st. 2hdc into next st. hdc into next 3 st. sc into next st. ch 1. sl st. into ch2.

4.) Sl st down the side and into ch4.

*Repeat steps 1-4 around*

Step 3

The third and final step is to wrap it all together. Put your gift card (or money, or anything small, really) into the envelope. Then

1) take your yarn (it could be cute if you used a contrasting color to your flower), still attached to the ball, and thread it through part of the back of your flower. Pull a good length of it through.

2) Position your flower where you want it on the envelope, then flip the whole thing over.

3) Take both lengths of yarn, on either side of the envelope in your hands. Keeping them taught, twist them around each other once, so they are perpendicular to where they used to be. E.g. they were horizontal and now they're vertical.

4) Flip your package over. Now, pull the two lengths of yarn tight, but not too tight, tie them together in a knot and cut the excess yarn.

5) Slide the knot underneath the flower and admire your handiwork.




Eventually I plan to add a few more flower patterns to this post once I figure out what the heck I did originally, and how I made this lotus-y looking flower:

Birth Control Case Mini Wallet

I've always thought it was a complete waste that every box of birth control pills came with its own case, so I've been thinking of a way to recycle them. The answer came to me when I realized that my bus pass fit neatly inside of one. I started using it as a wallet, but the case is flimsy, and I kept getting amused, "I know what that thing is," looks from my bus drivers. Plus purple isn't really my color. So, I decided a retrofit would be just the thing to make it cuter and somewhat less conspicuous. Here's how I did it:

What You Need:



1. Birth control case.
2. Some fabric.
3. Thin cardboard.
4. Embroidery floss.
5. Embroidery needle.
6. Scissors.
7. Modge Podge, or some other glue.
8. A pen, but you probably don't want to use a sharpie (I just like the color).
9. Clear nail polish; after starting this project I realized that you'd either have to hem the fabric or coat the edges in nail polish. I went for the lazy way.

What To Do:

1. Place your case onto the cardboard and trace it. Draw a line straight down the middle and cut it into two pieces.



Make them a little smaller than the case itself.



You might find it helpful to cut one piece down to size first, then use it to trace the other.



2. Glue them on to either side and allow to dry.

3. Trace your case on the back of the fabric and cut the tracing out. Optional: hem fabric, but I don't know how, so you're on your own.



4. Optional: Cut your thread to an appropriate length, say ten inches. Grab three threads in each hand and pull apart. if you want your thread to be bulkier, don't do this step.

5. Sew your fabric to your case just inside where the two pockets are glued on. I sewed down the spine then worked my way around. I would start by pulling the thread through the back of the fabric to begin so that the knot is between the case and the fabric.



6. If you didn't hem your fabric, cut off excess and coat edges with clear nail polish. This should prevent the fabric from fraying, at least for a while.

Et voila! A cute little card case, to use as you please. And, considering how many you come by, you can make a bunch to match different outfits, or you can give them out as party favors.

Stuff I Never Made: Custom Playing Cards

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A while back I thought it would be fun to make some king's cup playing cards. I did all the research. I found all the equipment. And then I got distracted. That happens to me a lot, so I figured I'd share all that work I did so it wouldn't be in vain.

Even if you don't enjoy binge drinking, this could be a fun project for you. You could; make cards with your family crest on the back, make the King, Queen and Jack into family members or characters from your favorite tv show, make Old Maid cards, whatever you want. Anything you decide, here are a few ways to make your custom cards:

Your Options:

1. Buy Printable Playing Cards: This is a bit of an expensive option, but it's also the easiest. I would recommend it only if you wanted to make a one or two decks of cards. You can buy the blank sheets of cards here. They want you to buy and download their card-making software, but I figure it would be much cheaper to buy the cards, measure them, and use a paint program to make them. You just have to be careful to center the cards just right. I'd expect to waste a few sheets.

2. Buy Blank Cards I found a teaching website (here). That sells 50 blank cards for $1.75, way cheaper than the printable cards. I would recommend this option if you wanted to make a bunch of decks, maybe as party favors.

3. Recycle old cards This Instructables tutorial shows you how to blank out an old card and print out your custom one:




DIY Gaff Cards For Magic Tricks - video powered by Metacafe

The printing method would also work with the Teachers playing cards. It allows you to make your cards with much more detailed images. However, if you are making several decks, and you don't care as much about detail, it might be easier to make stamps.

Making Stamps:

What you'll need:

An image; you can find some clipart you like,
or a stencil, or draw your own image.
Carving Blocks OR Art Erasers (I haven't bought anything from any of these sites and can't vouch for them).
A Pencil
Lino Cutters
Stamp Pads

What To Do:

Here is an easy to follow image tutorial on flickr.

This video I found at ThreadBanger shows you how to carve:



I would make all the numbers and symbols into separate stamps, rather than making a stamp for every card, it should save some time.

After that it's a simple matter of stamping your cards.

Finishing

If you play cards, you know that a good deck of cards is easy to shuffle and deal. That's because the cards are covered in a special varnish that makes them slippery. It isn't necessary, but I would suggest it if you're actually intending to play with them.

Useful Links:

Craftster's forum on Image reproduction techniques.

The World of Playing Cards' Guidlines for Producing Small Editions of Hand-Made Playing Cards.

Laptop Wood Panelling

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So, by in a few days I meant a few hours...

Anyways, here is my Laptop Wood Panelling Tutorial:

Before:


After:



What you'll need:

Woodgrain contact paper (shelf-liner). You can buy it at most hardware stores and some supermarkets. Google shopping link.


Scissors or, prefferably, a paper cutter.


Soft tape measure. If you don't have one, you can flip the contact paper over and use the squares to measure your computer.

A laptop.

Steady Hands.

What to do

Step one: Measure the length and width of your laptop.

Step two: Cut that sized piece off of your roll. Make sure the woodgrain is going the way you want it to.

Step three: Cut the piece into strips. I did 2 inch pieces. This step would be infinitely easier if you had a paper cutter. I am jealous of everyone who does.


Step four: Apply to your computer, aligning the pieces along the bottom of your screen. Overlap them a little, so your screen doesn't show. It might be a good idea to check the stickiness of your contact paper before you do this step. If it's super sticky, you'll have be super careful.

Step five: Cut off any excess contact paper if necessary.

And Voila: Wood paneled computer!

It Has Begun!

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Hi all,

My name is Miara, AKA Cutty. I've been knitting, crocheting, and generally gluing things to other things for about 6 years now. Recently, I've decided to share my craftiness with others, so I started my own Etsy shop (with actual product soon to come) and this blog.

Here, I will share my crafty knowledge, inspiration, and ideas. I'll be posting tutorials, links to pages that have helped and inspired me, and my random ideas that will probably never come to fruition, unless I convince someone else to make them (and I would love to see the end results).

Within the next few days I'll post a tutorial, probably my Wood Paneling Laptop.

Thanks for checking out my blog!

www.Cuttys.etsy.com