Crafting Is My Kinda Thing

Crafting is my kinda thing. Yours too?

There are so many fabulous craft ideas to be inspired by and only so many you can undertake, but that’s okay 🙂

When you do finish a craft project, it’s such a feeling of accomplishment and joy.

I am edging closer to finishing off a colorful crocheted blanket for my daughter, who can’t wait to use it.

Whatever work in progress you have going on, may it continue to bring happiness.

If you’ve recently finished one, relish that sense of achievement and by all means do a little happy dance!!

Hope you enjoy this week’s crafty goodness…

Crafty Tools – Making Your Everyday Better

For those of you with websites…

WPX Hosting makes my life so much easier.

Like crafting, I am certainly no expert in all things technology. I am continually learning.

Their amazing support team are quick to help out with any of my questions.

It makes having a website so much easier because I can focus on content rather than battling with tech.

Lace Knitting, A Learning Curve

I have attempted my first lace pattern to make a cowl.

The wool I used was Wool and The Gang’s Sugar Baby Alpaca in Curacao Blue.

The pattern is Stormy Lace Cowl, designed by Alyssa from Undeniable Glitter

First of all, I loved loved loved the yarn. So beautifully soft and squishy.

Having never knit with baby alpaca before, it was a delight.

The color is gorgeous, and it has tones of different blues and what I initially thought were white fibers but in another light look very pale turquoise.

I have learned so much while knitting this pattern.

It took me a while to get into the swing of the repeating stitch pattern.

I thought I would never get going at the beginning.

I made so many mistakes!!

Looking at my knitting (I wish the photo showed more of the pattern, hard being a darker color) on the towel after washing, I realized there was a section that looked completely different to the rest!!

Can you see it too?

It has a horseshoe shape rather than a zig-zag.

I have no idea how I did that, to be honest.

If I had only repeated this mistake at regular intervals, I could have called it a modified version of the pattern!!

I must admit there are a couple of sections when you look closely show up mistakes 🙂

I will sew the ends together when it is dry.

Overall I am pretty chuffed, and I am excited to wear it.

Trying this has given me the confidence to do another lace pattern in the future, perhaps a shawl 🙂

Crafty – Top 10

How Craft Can Help You Sail Out Of The Doldrums

I loved reading this post by Rebecca at Needle and Spindle.

I am sure some of you will resonate with how doing the craft you love, can pick up your spirits.

Read Rebecca’s post here.

Beekeeper Socks

Ellen’s newly released sock pattern is gorgeous as they look like honeycomb.

It is a unisex pattern and is available in her pattern store for $5. Suited to an intermediate knitter.

Ellen has created 4 video tutorials to help with the skills required to knit her Beekeeper Sock pattern.

Are These Really 5 Minute Crafts?

Wow, I am pretty sure the crafts shown in this Flower Craft video take more than 5 minutes to create.

I am posting this to hear your thoughts on the idea that some craft projects can seem frivolous.

That crafting is something to be squeezed into our lives (in 5 minutes).

Felicia from The Craft Sessions has an excellent article on Craft projects v’s craft practice.

A topic that I am extremely interested in.

Felicia discussed the simplification and dumbing down of craft projects in magazines, to make them more accessible.

In doing so, these crafts can lack meaning and can be viewed as trivial.

Something you do if you have a little bit of time on your hands.

What are your thoughts?

Easy Knitted Top You Can Dress Up Or Down

A summery top that would look lovely with your casual shorts or paired with your work attire.

Follow Jessica’s knitting pattern which uses simple techniques to create your own.

Meet Prickles and Petunia

Kali from The Friendly Red Fox has designed these adorable crocheted hedgehogs.

In her post she outlines what to do, the yarn and other materials required.

National Left Handers Day

On the 13th of August let’s give a big shout out to all the left-handed crafters!! Lion Brand Blog has a handy post outlining how to knit and crochet with your left hand.

Avoiding Yarn Mistakes

Some wise tips are given by Nicole from Knitting For Charity, on how to keep yarn free from tangles.

Keep your stash safe from yarn eating critters and what to do when you run out of yarn before finishing your project.

Clutch Purse Inspired By Woodland Mushrooms

As crochet designer Bethany from Whistle and Ivy said: “Isn’t this clutch purse just darling!”

In her post, she shares her free pattern and how she used Red Heart’s Chic Sheep by Marli Bird 100% Merino Wool.

A Felted Pillow Inspired By One Of My Favorite Artists

I love Frida Kahlo’s work. Color was an important part of her life.

Claire’s tutorial on Pillar Box Blue on how to make the pillow above is fabulous!

Featuring how to make different felt flowers for the headpiece on the Frida cushion.

An Adult Version Of Finger Painting?

What a simple yet effective way of using paint to jazz up craft projects.

Jennifer at The Craft Patch shows you some techniques and uses for paint scraping.

Editor’s note: Our readers have said, in their free time, they love going back over previous editions of our roundups.
– So we’ve kept the crafty goodness below from this time last year.

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

Some great tips on the use of tracing paper and carbon paper, to make transferring onto dark fabrics a breeze.

Take a look at Cintia’s Tutorial from My Poppet Makes.

11 FREE Perfect Crochet Hats for Fall

Crafting for the cooler seasons. Having the extra warmth on your head is what you will be seeking.

These gorgeous patterns and designs are just the thing to jazz up your wardrobe.

Here is Bethany from Whistle and Ivy’s suggestions for free crochet hat patterns.

Golden Hour – Pure Knitted Gorgeousness

Julie from Knitted Bliss has finished this gorgeous knit and is thrilled with the results.

Looks fantastic!

In her post, she shares the journey of knitting the Golden Hour sweater pattern.

Artistic Maps of India Show Hand-Woven Techniques of Each Region

A superb visual map of different hand-woven textiles used in different parts of India.

Craftsvilla shares about each respective textile, giving a little historical insight across the country.

A good reminder of how traditional textiles and textile art help shape culture across different countries.

Chevron Stitch Video Tutorial

Mary Corbet’s Needle and Thread video and post will make creating the Chevron Stitch a cinch!

If you adore embroidery, Mary has heaps of helpful tutorials.

See Better, Draw Better: Exercises for Beginners

Training your hands and your eyes to work together is essential for drawing.

Here’s a recommended online course for beginners for these skills, by Crafsty Instructor Kateri Ewing. (Affiliate link)

We’ve recently shared our Ultimate Guide Resource Guide For All Your Drawing Projects, which has been welcomed by many of our readers.

Great to hear that you’ve been enjoying your new found drawing confidence.

Crazy quilting: a 19th-century fad inspired by Japanese art and British embroidery

An interesting read on the history of ‘crazy quilts’ and how they were inspired by Japanese art and British Embroidery.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s craft inspiration roundup.

Please share any projects you have on the go, via the comment section below.

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Yours in Craftiness Jodie