Once you learn this technique for making freezer paper stencils, you'll find a 101 ways to use them. It is a fast, inexpensive technique that allows you to make more detailed designs than traditional appliqueing will allow. Materials listed below are to go with our Snowflake Quilt. The pattern for that will be available later in the week. Note: The paint can bleed through your fabric, so if …
Blogs are like books in progress. Although, as the author, you are always on the last page, writing your heart out, at any point in time, someone else can pick up the book, and start reading, and it is all new and fresh to them. Yesterday, someone linked to our articles on basic quilting. Because of that, there's been renewed interest in those postings, with …
We have already learned the Backwards Loop Cast On method. That is a great technique to know if you need to cast on stitches in the middle of a project but it isn't generally the method you will want to use to start a project. It tends to create a loose cast on edge that …
To practice knitting and purling I have included 2 wash cloth patterns. These make a great gift when paired with a special bar of soap. When working in stockinette stitch (when you knit one side and purl the other) it helps if you can visualize how the knit side and the purl side should look. …
How would YOU like to become a Blanket Stitch Whiz? One of the most common questions I receive is, “How do you get your stitches so even?” Well, my normal reply is practice, practice, practice, and although that is true, over the years, I have developed some habits that have helped me improve my blanket …
Lesson Five: The Purl Stitch So now that you have been knitting for awhile, it is time to learn the purl stitch. You actually already know the mechanics… IN, AROUND, UNDER, OFF… but this time instead of working to the back, we will be working in the front. To get started cast on a bunch …
When I was working on the Paperclay Leaves last week, I was absent-mindedly rolling some of the cut-away clay in my hands. Before I knew it, the blob was shaped into a peg form. Well, it took me about 3 seconds to decide to make some gnomes. What a shocker, right? Anyway… I ran a …
Newbie Knitting Lesson Four : Making Pom-Poms If you are following along with our Newbie Knitting series you will need to make two pom-poms to complete your Block-Work Hat. There are a couple different ways you can make pom-poms. I’ve included a pattern and directions for using a cardboard homemade pom-pom maker or using the …
For one of our first projects in my Newbie Knitting class, I wanted something fairly simple, quick to finish and something the girls in my class could wear to show off their new skills. This Easy Headband fit the bill. Add the Easy Headband to your Ravelry Queue. Materials Size 8 needles About 30 yards …
To finish your Little Birdie that we started last week, you will need a yarn needle, scissors, and a softball size amount of batting. Fold your birdie in half diagonally to make a triangle. Have your corner with the smaller tail (probably the cast on tail) meet at the right angle and the longer tail (left from …
Lesson Three : Binding Off Binding off is how we get those live stitches off of our needles in a way that they will no longer unravel. Since it is one of those things that you only do occasionally it can be easy to forget… there is a good chance you will be back again …
Newbie Knitting: Project One Updates! I had some corrections to make and wanted to get some better photos up. Sorry for any confusion. We had out of town guests all week and Pixie’s birthday this weekend! I didn’t get a chance to edit like I normally do. This week’s assignment gets you started on your …
