Hot Arts & Crafts How-Tos

How To: Fold an origami crane like Scofield's on Prison Break

Some watch Prison Break for the nail-biting drama, others tune in for the origami cranes. This video tutorial presents a complete, step-by-step overview of how to make a paper crane à la Prison Break protagonist Michael Scofield using origami, the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding. For more information, and to get started making your own tough-guy paper birds, watch this arts-and-crafts guide.

How To: Knit a Spiral Ruffle Scarf

These lovely scarves have different names. I call it the Spiral Ruffle Scarf. It's easy to make and looks great in either a fine or a medium weight yarn. I made mine with softball cotton yarn and size 8 needles. Here are the videos and written directions:

How To: Make an origami birthday pop-up card

Enchant that special birthday boy or girl with a unique origami birthday pop-up card by following this well produced instructional video. 1. All you need is a two sided square piece of colorful wrapping paper to create your origami birthday pop-up card. As long as your paper is square, the finished card can be any size you wish. 2. Make a series of simple sharp folds on both sides, carefully following the video instructions. Pay particular attention to the final intricate folds which create t...

How To: Knit a Snowflake

For the holiday season, a great knitting project is a snowflake design. It's perfect for handmade Christmas gifts. You can knit just one, or a row of them, or use them as full pattern on a sweater or blanket—or whatever project you choose.

How To: Do the Kitchener Stitch (Grafting)

Here is how to join two sets of stitches without leaving a seam. This method is good for the toes of socks, the top of hoods, baby garments, or anywhere else you don't want a bulky seam.. It's NOT recommended for shoulder seams on heavy sweaters or other places where you need the stability of a bound-off edge to hold the shape of the garment.

How To: Knit a button loop

Berroco knit bits shows how to knit a button loop easily within minutes. 1) Thread a tapestry needle with a 18-24″ piece of yarn. 2) Knot the end of the yarn and insert the needle where you want your first button loop. 3) Make a second stitch an inch or so away from the first stitch. 4) Tighten up the thread, placing your fingers in between the yarn and the button band creating a loop. 5) Work blanket stitch around this loop, stacking each stitch on top of the previous one until the ent...

How To: Make a Military Bugle Cord Decorative Knot

Bugle cords are used as elaborate ornamental leashes on bugles and trumpets, but they are also used as snazzy ornamentation, called aiguillettes (a type of fourragère), on uniforms worn by certain members of the military. While you could buy one pre-made, you could also make one yourself. But this should not be confused with the infantry blue cord of the U.S. Army, which is another type of fourragère only with more elaborate knotting.

How To: Flatten a bottle cap in the Cuttlebug

In this video, we learn how to flatten a bottle cap in the Cuttlebug with Sara Sandberg. Before you do this, make sure you purchase bottle caps from a store, the ones from your home beer will not work with the Cuttlebug. Place your thick white A mat in the Cuttlebug, then place the bottle caps flat side down on top. Next, place a dye on top with the metal side down. After this, crank the lever and pull the papers through the machine. When you remove the top, your bottle caps will have flatten...

How To: Make a simple homemade journal from index cards, dental floss and a cereal box

Traditional bookbinding can be a complicated job requiring specific tools and crafts. But when you're making a personalized homemade journal or diary at home, anything goes. This video will show you the basics of making a simple, small book using easy methods with materials you likely have around the house, like index cards (for the folios), a cereal box (book cover), paper, duct tape, scissors, dental floss (binding), glue, Sharpie marker, and an awl or sewing needle.

How To: Thread a bobbin on the Brother LS 2125 sewing machine

Many habitual sewers like to sew by hand if possible for smaller projects, since all it requires is some finger dexterity, a needle, and some form of thread. Sewing machines can create stitches and embellishments of great beauty, but as with all electronic devices sometimes their constituent parts have complications. The bobbin, which holds the thread beneath the machine, is one of those pesky things sewers have to deal with.

How To: Fold a "Prison Break"-style paper swan

Want to make a tough-guy paper swan in the manner of Prison Break protag Michael Scofield? This video tutorial presents a complete, step-by-step overview of how to make a paper crane using origami, the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding. For more information, and to get started making your own paper birds, watch this arts-and-crafts guide.