Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Knit the Seed Stitch
There will be many times when you will want both sides of your work to look the same. One of those times, for instance, might be when you are making a scarf. Another time you might be making a shawl. Or it might be a baby blanket, an afghan or a throw. You'll see, as you're knitting, when you would want to use a "double sided" stitch. This is one of the best of those stitches and it is called THE SEED STITCH. It's very easy. All you need to know is the knit stitch and the purl stitch and you'...
How To: Knit a Lacey Eyelet Rib Pattern
There are not many stitches that are more beautiful than this LACEY EYELET RIB STITCH. And, there are few that are easier. Most knitters are apprehensive about knitting any lace patterns, and truthfully, many are difficult because of so many rows. This one, however, consists of only 4 rows. You can use either side of the work and it is a lovely stitch to know. You can use it for a beautiful scarf or for just about anything for a baby. I've made many baby sweaters and blankets using this stitc...
How To: Make Your Own Tweed Yarn
Here's a great way to make something that is truly one of a kind. You can do this by making your own tweed yarn. It's very easy to do. You can use 2, 3 or more yarns to do this. The yarns don't have to be the same weight at all. You can mix thick yarns with thin ones for a very interesting effect.
How To: Knit the Moss Stitch
There are certain stitches that work well when you want both sides of the work to look pretty much the same. These stitches are good for scarves, shawls baby blankets and throws. One of these stitches is called the MOSS STITCH. It's a pretty stitch and easy to do. Of course, you can use the stitch for sweaters or anything you want.
How To: Knit the Twisted Stockinette Stitch
Here is a good stitch to know, especially if your knitting tends to come out looser than you would like it. It works well for a nice cozy sweater when used with a thick wool. The twisted stockinette is just like basic stockinette stitch, except you put the needle in the BACK of the stitch when you knit. This twists the stitches and makes them tighter.
How To: Knit the Tunic Stitch
The tunic stitch is another one of those real easy patterns that looks more difficult than it is. It's a strikingly beautiful pattern. Although both sides are not the same, they are both attractive so you can use either side. The picture below is of the right side.
How To: Knit the Bamboo Stitch
The bamboo stitch is a beautiful, versatile stitch that can be used for lots of different kinds of projects. I especially love using it for baby blankets and scarves. It is an easy, reversible stitch. Both sides aren't the same, but both are very nice looking.
How To: Knit An I Cord
Knitting an I Cord seems like a mystery, but it's quite simple. There are lots of uses for an I CORD. Some ways to use an I Cord include using them for handles on a purse or bag. An I Cord can also be used for ties on hats or it can be used as a decorative add-on to embellish a garment.
How To: Knit Straight on a Circular Needle
I love circular needles! I use a circular most of the time, even when I am knitting straight. One of the reasons I love knitting on a circular is because with a circular needle, you don't have to worry about dropping a needle. You just have one. It's particularly good to knit straight on a circular needle when you're making a large project such as an afghan or blanket, but I use one even if I'm knitting a small project such as a scarf or wash rag. The photo below is of a scarf I'm making with...
How To: Sew a Victorian skirt
This video demonstrates how to sew a Victorian skirt. First take a cotton cloth and cut a rectangle piece twice the size of your waist. The length would be depending on your choice of height you require. Hem the top and the bottom of the cloth. Then use elastic thread to create 12 rows of shirring. Each row can be 1/4th inch apart. This is for sure a tedious task but it will look beautiful. Then take a chiffon cloth and cut the same size as your skirt. Hem one side of it and on the other side...
How To: Make a ninja star frisbee - the super shuriken!
Perhaps you've already learned how to make the standard origami ninja throwing star, and you want to take it to the next level. You want something that really flies, and has enough heft to knock over lamps in your living room and cause other sorts of property damage. Well, the ninja star frisbee - or super shuriken - is the project for you. Made of six small throwing stars folded together into one big flying lump, the super shuriken is origami with a bad attitude. It is also potentially dange...
How To: Sew a cute fleece beret for winter
Berets are as much of a staple as thick wool trenchcoats during the winter: they're soft, cozy, and look great no matter what you wear with them. And throwing one on your noggin' instantly injects you with a bit of French flavor.
News: Who Says Owning Fine Jewelry Means an Empty Wallet?
P.S.- I Made This offers resourceful, crafty tutorials that stretch the imagination. With projects ranging from jewelry to accessories to clothing, founder and creator, Erica Domesek has been featured in Teen Vogue, Glamour, Vogue Nippon, Domino, GQ, InStyle, and Marie Claire. Her brief tutorials also include collaborations with both Helmut Lang and Who What Wear.
How To: Crochet a lightweight skull cap beanie
This how-to crochet video offers a simple pattern and instruction for stitching your own cute and easy crocheted hat. Knitted hats don't have to be for winter. While a cozy hat will protect you from the cold, a lighter yarn can add some style in warmer months as well. Check out this video d.i.y. arts and crafts lesson and learn how to crochet your own lightweight beanie skull cap.
How To: Create a simple off the shoulder top by cutting off a t-shirt collar
Most people think that you have to be a whiz with the needle and thread as well as proficient on the sewing machine in order to make or tailor your own clothing. But the truth is that for easy modifications, like turning an old t-shirt into a modified, chic top, all you need is a pair of scissors and perhaps a stitch or two.
How To: Create a cute off the shoulder sweatshirt by cutting off the collar
Got a bunch of old, chunky sweaters accumulating in your closet? Of course you can donate them to Goodwill, but we're betting that you can get a lot more mileage out of those babies than you think.
How To: Bind Off Ribbing
Now that you have learned how to knit ribbing, you will have to know how to bind off ribbing. If you have knitted something that needs to have a stretch to it, such as socks or a neck, this is a very important technique to know.
How To: Make an awesome birds nest Easter hat for a boy
Why should women get all the pretty hats at Easter time? You can make a fun and seasonal Easter hat for a boy quite easily! This video shows you how to take a plain hat and turn it into a birds nest hat. You will need: a hat (a plastic party fedora will work just fine), a wide strip of ribbon for the brim, a pair of scissors, some raffia, artificial leaves, a stuffed or toy bird and some craft glue.
How To: Make a shoe lace key ring
Always losing your keys? A big bulky key chain might feel annoying in your pocket, but it's not likely to get lost in your purse or in all that trash you carry around. This video tutorial shows a real simple key chain ring you can make and keep those keys easy to find. All you need is the key ring, two shoelaces, a pair of scissors, and a lighter.
How To: Make an origami fox mask step by step
Ever since the weepy-nostalgic film "Where the Wild Things Are" came out, dressing up like your favorite friendly monster, especially for Halloween or birthday parties, has become extremely popular. If you're planning to have a costume birthday party for your little dude or girl, then prepare some pre-made masks for them by folding several of these fox masks.
How To: Make a ball gown out of trash bags and newspapers
The newest trend in couture? It's called 'trashion' - high fashion using trashy things. And we mean trashy! This tutorial shows you how to make a ball gown using trash bags, duct tape and newspapers. You'll also want a dressmaker's dummy to construct your dress around - or at least a model who's okay with standing still for a long period of time. Use the trash bags to form the dress, and then attack the newspapers over it layer by layer. You're ready for your debut!
How To: Make a mermaid wedding dress out of newspapers
Looking for something unique to do for your wedding? Hate the idea of going from store to store, looking for the perfect bridal dress? What if you could make your own wedding dress... out of newspapers? This tutorial shows you how to make a bridal gown with a mermaid silhouette (fitted bodice and upper skirt, flaring out at the bottom) using nothing more than a few stacks of newspapers and some clear tape. You'll need a few bridesmaids to help you out, but it's guaranteed to fit!
How To: Make a rhinesone stencil template
Like a rhinestone cowboy! Yahoo! Alright, time to get your arts and crafts on and create your very own rhinestone stencil template so you can dazzle and bedazzle your friends and family or whatever craft project you're currently working on. Follow the steps of this nice how-to and learn to make your very own rhinestone stencil template! You're going to need a program like MS Paint, Photoshop or some other image creation or design software to make your stencil.
How To: Sew knitted pieces together using a whip stitch and other stitches
Tie loose ends together - in the literal and original sense sense of the phrase - by sewing together the ends and/or hems of your knitting projects like a pro. Whether you're fusing together two pieces of wool-knitted cloth to form the back of a beautiful winter sweater or just want to join patchwork knits into a rasta-cool beanie, knowing how to stick pieces together is integral for a tidy project.
How To: Join knitted squares for sweaters or a hat
If you're an avid knitter, then you're probably making dozens of different pojects at the same time: scarves, Afghan quilts, hats, and wee slippers for your dog. So you need a video that doesn't waste your time (so you can finish that last row on your striped rugby scarf) by giving you an all-in-one tutorial.
How To: Makea cute origami robot out of paper
Because who wants to mess with all those wires, programming and power sources? You can make your own origami robot out of paper or cardboard! Though it probably won't do as much as a real robot would, it's nevertheless a fun project to do! All you need are a few sheets of paper (you can also used cardstock or a thin cardboard, depending on how sturdy you want your robot to be). Then just follow the steps in this tutorial!
How To: Crochet a baby cocoon on a crochet loom
A baby cocoon is a snug swaddling blanket that can be used to easily keep a new baby warm. This tutorial shows you a few techniques that you can use to crochet a baby cocoon for yourself or as a gift. This technique uses a crochet loom, so you'll want access to one of those in order to complete this project. You will also need to use a few basic hand sewing techniques to join the different pieces together when you're done.
How To: Make an extra large crochet fan for right handers
Fanning things out always seems to add a flirty, attractive effect: fanned out, lush eyelashes make cartoon cayotes' hearts leap out of their chests and their eyes get as big as saucers, while fanned out, cut pieces of paper make pretty snowflakes.
How To: Knit on Double Pointed Needles
Knitting on double pointed needles (abbr: DPN or DP) is scary to most knitters. That being said, there will be times that you will want to, or need to use them, so you might as well learn now. You'll need to use DP needles for small projects when there are too few stitches for a circular needle (as for socks or mittens). Once you cast on and get into a rhythm, it's easy. Don't be afraid to try it.
How To: Make a present-embellished Happy Birthday invitation using Cricut
Let's face it: When it comes to the main Hallmark holidays - Christmas, Valentine's Day, and birthdays - we tend to take the easy way out. Party invitations are usually purchased in bulk at the drugstore, balloons purchased in a value sized bundle, and food catered or also purchased at the store.
How To: Make a handsome cowboy birthday invitation with Cricut
Why ever would you want to throw a cowboy-themed party for your little cowboy? Two words: John Wayne. The epitome of wild West cool and the exemplar of the "strong and silent" type, John Wayne made the cowboy badass. So give your boy the coolest party in the world by creating a cowboy theme.
How To: Make a frog birthday invitation using Cricut
Have a little kiddo obsessed with slimy, swamp-dwelling amphibians? Then throwing a frog-themed birthday bash is perfect for the little fellow. Make sure your frog theme stays unified all the way through from the beginning to the candle blowout by creating these frog invitations.
How To: Craft a cute monster party invitation with Cricut
Treat your little monster and his friends to a monster-themed birthday party this year for fun thrills. Make sure to have plenty of monster-shaped cupcakes, pin-the-eyes-on-the-monster blindfold games, and icky looking - though delicious - candy on hand. And, of course you can't forget the perfect party invitation.
How To: Craft a block party/BBQ hamburger invitation with Cricut
Some things are too good to keep bottled up. Give your guests a taste of what's to come at your Fourth of July party, BBQ, or slammin' block party by making your invitation look like a hamburger. Who can resists free food, right?
How To: Make the Afghan or Tunisian crochet stitch - entrelac
If you're someone who enjoys crochet, you may want to watch this video and check out this technique. It's called the Afghan or Tunisian crochet stitch, or 'entrelac'. This is not quick stitch to do, but the results can be truly wonderful. This video is very detailed, with excellent descriptions and will help you get on the path to a new and exciting crochet creation. You will want a larger and smaller crochet needle for this project, so be sure to have both on hand.
How To: Paint custom Vans, Converse, and other canvas shoes better
Canvas shoes like Vans and Converse are the most popular casual shoes in the world, and have become high-style items over the years as well. They are easy to paint, cheap, and make perfect canvases for custom shoe art. Watch this video for three great tips that will improve you custom canvas shoe painting projects and ensure your kicks come out as fly as possible.
How To: Make a spiral rope beaded bracelet
Watch this two part video series to learn how to make a spiral rope beaded bracelet. Part 1 of 2 - How to Make a spiral rope beaded bracelet.
How To: Make a paper rose in a restaurant
Watch this video's explanation on how to make a paper rose from a napkin in a very simple manner. Use a paper napkin which is quite large to enable you to make a better looking rose. Turn the napkin around your finger a number of times to form the rose bud. Fasten tightly the lower end of the rose bud by turning the paper a number of times and open up the rose bud in shape. Use the loose end of the paper napkin to make the leaf. In order to do this attach it to the lower end of the rose bud a...
How To: Knit the Rice Stitch
The rice stitch is another easy and versatile stitch. Both sides are different, however they both look nice. This means the work can be used on either side. Pictured in the thumbnail image above is side one of the rice stitch. Pictured below is side two of the rice stitch.
How To: Sew a zippered vinyl pouch
This video shows how to make a bus pass holder, coin purse, or belt pouch. Nicole Tirona of Its Your Life demonstrates building this useful pouch. The pouch features a zippered closure, a clear window and no seam in the bottom. You will need vinyl, zipper, clear plastic that you can sew, and a sewing machine. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to make a zippered vinyl pouch.