Craftside

A Great Tip for Knowing How to Care for a Shawl from the Book, First Time Knitting

Whether you are a beginner knitter or have been playing with 2 sticks and yarn for years, this great tip for caring for a knit shawl with a garter stitch center from the book First Time Knitting: The Absolute Beginner's Guide: Learn By Doing - Step-by-Step Basics + 9 Projects could be new to you as it was to me.

How to Care for a Shawl

The center of the portion of the shawl is worked in garter stitch, which has a tendency to stretch. Your shawl should not be stored hanging. Instead fold it and keep it on a shelf.

First Time Knitting: The Absolute Beginner's Guide: Learn By Doing - Step-by-Step Basics + 9 Projects

By Carri Hammett

Learning how to knit has never been simpler! Enjoy this beginner's guide that takes you by the hand like a personal instructor and teaches you how to knit. Filled with detailed descriptions of materials and tools, the easy step-by-step instructions for all the basic knitting techniques will have you creating projects like scarves, hats, and blankets in no time. Eight simple projects will introduce knitting skills like garter stitch, stockinette, knitted texture, and color techniques; skills you will use often as you continue to learn. With First Time Knitting, soon you will be knitting amazing gifts and projects with confidence.

Carri Hammett is the original owner of Coldwater Collaborative, a gem of a yarn shop in Excelsior, Minnesota. Carri loves to collaborate with both her customers and her readers as together they express their love of knitting and expand their knitting knowledge and skill. She is the author of four books for CPi: Mittens and Hats for Yarn Lovers; Scarves and Shawls for Yarn Lovers; Ready, Set, Knit Cables; and Knitting 101.

Kick Off the Week with Crafts and a Great Pillow Sewing Tip!

First up, congrats go out to Marybeth P. of Marshalltown, IA. She is the winner of our big Zentangle giveaway that included the soon to be released Tangle Stitches for Quilters and Fabric Artists: Relax, Meditate, and Create with Rhythmic Stitches by Jane Monk.

And now onto what some of my favorite bloggers are sharing:

Body Mind Beauty Health

5 eye make-up designs for summer from the book 500 Eye-Makeup Designs

Quarry SPOON

Recipe for Espresso Gelato

Whole Home News

How to make deck skirting in 5 easy steps

Rock Paper Ink

How to draw with erasers-Etrecissement

Walter Foster

How to Draw a dashboard Hula doll

 

And if you are planning on making some new pillow covers for the summer, or even looking ahead to fall check out this great tip for preventing "dog ears" on your pillow corners.

Knife-edge Pillows

The knife-edge pillow is the most basic of pillow styles. At its simplest, it is two matching fabric panels sewn together around their perimeters and slipstitched closed after the pillow form is inserted. But it can be so much more! Think of this basic style as a blank canvas for creativity—you can piece the panels with contrasting fabrics, add welting, a ruffle, or trim to the edges, add interesting closures, or tuft the finished pillow.

These pillows can be square, rectangular, round, or shaped in a creative design, and stuffed with purchased pillow forms or with polyester fiberfill.

Because the center of the pillow is thicker than the edges, square and rectangular knife-edge pillows tend to develop “dog ears” on the corners. You can stuff the corners lightly with fiberfill to minimize this look, or avoid it altogether with the corner tapering technique described in steps 2 to 4, as follows.

2. To taper the corners, fold the front panel into fourths. Mark a point halfway between the corner and the fold on each open side. At the corner, mark a point 1/2" (1.3 cm) from each edge. Draw a line connecting the points.

3. Cut along the marked lines, cutting through all four layers of fabric.

4. Unfold the front panel and use it as a pattern for trimming the back.

 

More about the the new CPi book that can give all the seating in your house a new look:

The Complete Photo Guide to Slipcovers, Pillows, and Bedding

by Karen Erickson and Carol Zentgraph

Learn how to make slipcovers to fit all different styles of furniture with The Complete Photo Guide to Slipcovers, Pillows, and Bedding. From making simple seat cushions for wooden chairs to complicated covers for sleeper sofas, this comprehensive, how-to reference covers all the options and teaches all the essential skills. Readers can easily access information with step-by-step directions and hundreds of color photos for clear understanding, and inspiring home interior photography shows slipcovered furniture pieces in real home settings.

Inside, you'll find:
—Duvets
—Pillows
—Shams
—And more!

Karen Erickson has been engaged in the home decor interior industry for more than 20 years. In 1986, she started Fine Finishing by Karen as a part-time home based business designing and fabricating draperies, slipcovers and other fabric accessories. In 1998, her company became a corporation with a name change to Slipcover America, Inc. (http://www.slipcoveramerica.com). She has worked with designers, decorators and retail customers throughout the United States, specializing in on-site fabrication (in customer’s homes). Karen instructs both in the U.S. and Canada doing seminars and workshops at fabric stores, for sewing guilds, in professional workrooms, and at numerous trade show and groups. In January of 2007, she partnered with Claudia Buchanan of Sew What! to start http://www.HomeFashionsU.com. She lives in Snohomish, WA.

Fabulous Fiber book and supply giveaway plus a crochet Daffodil pattern

Today's giveaway is all about fabric and fiber and all the great ways to knit, crochet, quilt, felt, weave and more with fabric and fiber. If you do one of these crafts but are considering trying a new one this great collection fiber craft books and supplies is one you will definitely want to get yourself in the running for. And be sure to scroll down to see the free crochet daffodil pattern from the book The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition.

This Craftside Fabulous Fiber Book and Supply giveaway includes:

A copy of the brand new book:

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition

Small Loom and Freeform Weaving: Five Ways to Weave

Knitting 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction

Quilting 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction

Felt Fashion: Couture Projects From Garments to Accessories

1 ball of Trendsetter Yarns Blossom

1 ball of Bernat Camouflage - Blue Frost

A varity of quilt fabrics

1 DMC Marbleized Scissors

1 DMC Scissor Case

1 DMC Punch Needle Embroidery Transfers

1 Crochet Dude Bloom Loom

1 Dritz Tape Measure

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Question: How often do you try a new craft? End date July 19th, 2014

D A F F O D I L

Skill Level: Intermediate

Note: Make cup of flower first; then, make petals.

Cup

Ch 5, join with a Sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in ring, join with a Sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as a dc), working in the back loops for this row only, 2 dc in next sc, *1 dc in next sc, 2 dc in next sc, rep from * around (15 dc), join with a Sl st to top of beg ch-2.

Rnd 3: Ch 2 (counts as dc), 1 dc in each dc around (15 dc), join with Sl to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 4: Rep Rnd 3.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, *skip next dc, [1 sc, 1 dc, 1 sc] in next st, rep from * around, join with Sl st to beg ch 1, end off.

Petals

Rnd 6: Join yarn in any free loop at back of Rnd 1, working in the remaining front loops, *ch 10, 4 tr in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, skip 1 st in Rnd 1, Sl st in next st, rep from * 4 times (5 petals), join with a Sl st to first Sl st, end off.

 

And in case you are also interested in crocheting up a 4-color spiral (like the one along the bottom of the cover) pop on over to this Craftside Crochet post.

 

More about the CPi book:

 

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition

*All You Need to Know to Crochet *The Essential Reference for Novice and Expert Crocheters *Comprehensive Guide to Crochet Tools and Techniques *Packed with Hundreds of Tips and Ideas *Step-by-Step Instructions for 220 Stitch Patterns

By Margaret Hubert

This is a comprehensive reference book on all aspects of crochet.

This book provides a reference for all methods, including Tunisian, intermeshing, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and freeform crochet.

Includes step-by-step instructions for all the basic stitches and swatches of 100s of stitch patterns with completeinstructions. Now with:

• 15 all new projects
• 20 new stitch patterns (220 in all)
• Expanded basics
• Hundreds of tips and ideas

Margaret Hubert designs for yarn companies and book and magazine publishers including Crochet, Interweave Press, Quick and Easy Crochet, Crochet Fantasy, and Belle Armoire. She teaches at yarn shops, retreats, and national gatherings and rarely misses a national conference in the needle arts field. Among her specialties, she is a master at freeform crochetand knitting. She is the author of many books and currently resides in Pawling, NY. Visit her online at http://www.margarethubertoriginals.com and http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com.

Streak o' Lightning Quilt Block in Red, White, and Blue from the book: The Quilter's Palette

Happy 4th of July! In honor of this auspicious holiday, I thought I'd share this Streak o' Lightning quilt block made in red, white and blue fabric from the new book, The Quilter's Palette: A Workbook of Color & Pattern, Ideas & Effects. 

This block showcases the complimentary colors and the tonal difference that the solid cream brings. If you want a less dramatic effect, substitute the solids for the patterned fabrics and the "zigzag" nature of the block will be a little less loud.

 

Psst! You can get this book for 35% off in honor of Independence Day if you use the code STARS14 on QBookshop.com! Offer good until July 13, 2014.

 

 

The Quilter's Palette: A Workbook of Color & Pattern, Ideas & Effects

by Katy Denny

It is an everyday challenge for crafters of all types to make choices about color, pattern and texture for their projects. 

The range of options makes this challenge nearly impossible and often the end result can be disappointing. Fear not! 

The Quilter's Palette offers readers more than 400 color swatches and a library of 60 different color palette combinations to help guidequilters in their choices for each project. 

The Quilter's Palette is a comprehensive guide to the myriad color and texture choices available and offers inspiration and instructions for getting the final results you want with each project. Each chapter tackles a new technique, along with palettes and swatches. 

Each palette illustrates variations on effects, patterns, and designs. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate quilter, this instructive guide helps you choose successful fabric combinations and define your unique project style. The Quilter's Palette is perfect for exploring color and texture combinations in a visually appealing and instantly understandable way. 

Each palette offers a specific theme that allows you to see what the result will be before jumping in. With over 150 fabric combinations arranged in 52 palettes and divided into easy-to-understand chapters, each revealing a different aspect of color or pattern, this book will provide you with eight full quilt designs with illustrated step-by-step instructions and 50 quilt block patterns with templates.

Katy Denny is an experiences craft editor and writer. She has been quilting and sewing since she was a teenager. Her work has appeared in bookazine Love Patchwork. She lives in the south of London.

How to Crochet a Crescent Braid: Free Pattern from The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition

I think it's fun to add little touches to garments and home decor items. This crescent braid pattern from The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition is just the kind of detail that would add just a little touch of fun to a t-shirt, tablecloth or just about anything! 

The crochet chart for the Crescent Braid:

CRESCENT BRAID PATTERN
Skill Level: Easy

Ch 5, join with a Sl st to form a ring.

Row 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, ch 4, 1 sc in ring, turn.

Row 2: [6 sc, ch 4, 1 sc] in next ch-4 space, turn.

Rep Row 2 for desired length of trim.

 ---------------------

This crochet pattern is from the Edgings and Trims section in the new CPi book:

Psst! You can get this book for 35% off in honor of Independence Day if you use the code STARS14 on QBookshop.com! Offer good until July 13, 2014.

 

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition

*All You Need to Know to Crochet *The Essential Reference for Novice and Expert Crocheters *Comprehensive Guide to Crochet Tools and Techniques *Packed with Hundreds of Tips and Ideas *Step-by-Step Instructions for 220 Stitch Patterns

By Margaret Hubert

This is a comprehensive reference book on all aspects of crochet.

This book provides a reference for all methods, including Tunisian, intermeshing, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and freeform crochet.

Includes step-by-step instructions for all the basic stitches and swatches of 100s of stitch patterns with completeinstructions. Now with:

• 15 all new projects
• 20 new stitch patterns (220 in all)
• Expanded basics
• Hundreds of tips and ideas

Margaret Hubert designs for yarn companies and book and magazine publishers including Crochet, Interweave Press, Quick and Easy Crochet, Crochet Fantasy, and Belle Armoire. She teaches at yarn shops, retreats, and national gatherings and rarely misses a national conference in the needle arts field. Among her specialties, she is a master at freeform crochetand knitting. She is the author of many books and currently resides in Pawling, NY. Visit her online at http://www.margarethubertoriginals.com and http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com.