Active Arts & Crafts Posts

How To: Edge a knitted piece with the crab stitch

In this video, we learn how to edge a knitted piece with a crab stitch. First, attach your yarn to the left edge of your work. After this, work one chain stitch, then go backwards with the hook. Insert it into the fabric and grab the yarn and pull it through the loop. Go around the yarn again and pull it through again. Keep going backwards and grabbing more yarn as you go in reverse. You are working with one loop on the needle while going into the fabric. Make sure you're consistent with the ...

How To: Make a Square Knot with Loops

This Square knot design feature picots, which are small loops at the sides of the knot. Picots are simply loops along the edges. Picot Designs are vintage Macrame techniques. They are often used to make the edges of craft items to look like as flower petals. This is a good project for children and beginners to learn one of the basic knots frequently used in Macrame. To this pattern you can add pearls and have an interesting look.

How To: Make a 3D paper flower

For origami lovers, watch this how-to video to learn how easy it is to make beautiful and colorful paper flowers. Follow along with the demonstrations, and give it a hand yourself. It's not traditional origami, because you'll need scissors. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a 3D paper flower.

News: Make a 471 piece origami swan

For the (anal) artist among us. This tutorial requires only 15 sheets of paper and scissors. Technically, because of the cutting of the paper, this swan is kirigami, not origami. That said, assembling 471 paper triangles into this beautiful swan is the work of angels.

How To: Hack the HTC DROID ERIS smartphone's cardboard box into the Android Bot logo

This is actually quite amazing. If you own an HTC DROID ERIS cell phone, then that cardboard container it came in can be turned into that tiny, but terrific Google Android Bot. The Android Bot logo is known across the world now, and it's odd that their box can be broken down perfectly to recreate it. Was this on purpose, or accident? Anyway, Nextraker found the secret, and he's going to show you how it's down. With just a few basic cuts, you too can have your own little green Bot.

How To: Do a double crochet decrease and increase

Improve you crocheting skills by learning decorative stitches. This how to video is a tutorial that will show you how to do double crochet decreases and increases. These stitches are commonly abbreviated as DC DEC or INC, double crochet decrease or increase. Crochet several rows of these stitches to create larger yarn projects.

How To: Make DRAGONFLY (DIY)

Good project for beginners and children. It can be an interesting camp craft for idle time to keep young hands busy. These dragonflies can be made into brooches, hairclips, keyrings, keychains, clothing decorations, and whatever else strikes your fancy. Here is used a square knot.

How To: Alternating Half Hitch

The Alternating Half Hitch is tied to form a chain, also called a sennit. Other name of this knot is the Chain Stitch or Zig-Zag braid. This knot can be used to make a simple bracelet or necklace and other items can also be made with this knot.

How To: Make Switch Knot

So this is a great beginner's knot. This Square Knot pattern is made by switching the fillers and working cords. I recommend you use two colors to get the best results. It's important to leave enough space between the knots so you can see the crisscrossed cords clearly. This knot can be used to make a simple belt or other items can also be made with this knot.