Hot Arts & Crafts How-Tos
How To: Make a Voodoo Pincushion Doll for Valentine's Day Angst
Searching for a Valentine's Day gift? Great. That means you have someone to share V-Day with this coming Monday. And you want to get the best gift to show your love. But c'mon—no matter what you get, it's probably enough to woo your lover over, even if it's as simple as a battery and magnet.
How To: Knit a Decorative Flower
This beautiful flower can be used as decoration on a hat, scarf, headband or purse. You name it. There are many uses. On the photo above, I added it to a hat. I have also used it as a decoration on a napkin ring. The flower is knit in three parts. Check out the instructions below. And see the closeup photo of the finished flower at the bottom of the page.
How To: Make the Nutcracker's hat from "The Nutcracker"
If you've ever watched "The Nutcracker" before, then you know that one of the most whimsical and (physically) memorable characters of the ballet production is the King himself, the Nutcracker.
How To: Fold a very easy origami heart for Valentine's Day
This short animated tutorial will show you how to assemble an origami heart that even the clumsiest butterfingers among us can perfect. Since Valentine's Day is coming up, you best hone your skills at this heart so you can give a few to your amor.
How To: Fold a fun intermediate origami cat
Unlike a real cat, this origami cat won't paw at you incessantely demanding a massage or jump out suddenly from atop the refrigerator to say hello. But like a real cat, this origami version is very cute and chubby.
How To: Fold a simple origami globe shaped like a box
Before we realized that the world was round, there were lots of theories otherwise. One popular idea was that the world was flat, kind of like a box, and that you'd fall off if you walked to far to any one side.
How To: Sew a connection to an arduino on your clothing
Make your clothing really light up! This tutorial shows you how to properly and carefully sew a connection to an arduino to some fabric, so you can incorporate some lightweight electronics into your next fashion project or battery operated costume piece.
How To: Fold a cool origami hedgehog
We never thought it was even possible to fold a hedgehog out of paper. After all, a hedgehog is very round in shape and has spikes that jut out all over its body, making it hard to translate into paper.
How To: Create an origami infinite flipper with the cut & paste metod
Origami infinite flippers are super cool creations, but some methods can require up to 24 sheets of paper. This method uses only 4 sheets of paper, but does require some cutting and pasting. You'll need 4 sheets of paper, scissors and glue. Glue, snip, fold and flip!
How To: Create an infinite flipping origami square
Flip, flip, flip, flip to infinity! This crafty how-to shows you how to create a super cool, origami square that can flip over and over again! A clear, concise video, teaching you how to make this little project that's sure to keep your hands busy for ages!
How To: Fold a rounded, realistic origami mushroom
When you think of origami, you probably imagine very abstract, geometric interpretations of real-life animals and plant life, and sometimes even people and architectural monuments. But origami need not be abstract, nor does it need to be angular.
How To: Crochet a pot holder with a ring corner
This is a great gift for anyone in your life who enjoys cooking. Crochet them a pot holder. This tutorial shows you how to incorporate a ring into the pattern so it can be easily hung from a hook or an oven door.
How To: Fold an origami heart with a message for Valentine's Day
Whisper sweet nothings to your Valentine this Valentine's Day by making him or her this adorable origami heart. You can tuck a message like "Happy Valentine's Day" or "I Love You" inside for a personalized and sentimental touch.
How To: Knit a Triangle with Yarn Over Edge
The Yarn Over (YO) edge is a nice way to increase. Here's how to do it for a Triangle Scarf. WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE HOW TO DO THE YO BIND OFF.
How To: Make Homemade Microwaveable Foot Warmers
Well, Ol' Man Winter is upon us yet again, blasting us with his icy breath. When I was a kid, I loved wintertime because it meant the prospect of sledding, snowball fights & missed school days in which to enjoy both. Now that I'm 45, however, my attitude toward the season has taken a complete 180-degree turn: I find myself dreading it because of the likelihood of being snowed-in for days on end, and the certainty of being forced to endure the frigid temperatures.
How To: Craft a pretty origami butterfly mobile
Origami butterflies are truly beautiful, but what exactly do you do with them once you've made them? While individually they look pretty on your desk, once you have several they become more of a clutter inducer and dust collector than a piece of art.
How To: Fold a simple origami lampshade fairy light cover
You know those pretty twinkle light covers you can buy at Urban Outfitters or Home Goods? You can actually make them cheaply - i.e., with almost no money involved - at home.
How To: Make an elegant four leaf clover pendant ring
Part 1 of beading video showing how to make a four leaf clover ring and pendant. Part 1 of 3 - How to Make an elegant four leaf clover pendant ring.
How To: Fold a Christmas ornament out of origami paper
This isn't quite origami, since you will need some kind of tape or glue to hold it together, but this will still make a lovely Christmas star ornament you can hang on the tree! Better yet, Post It Notes are perfect for making these origami stars.
How To: Fold a fun origami treasure chest
Hone your origami folding skills - as well as craft a pirate-chic treasure chest that can actually store your precious plunder - by checking out this origami video. Your finger dexterity will be challenged by the curved fold, an advanced origami fold that leaves the leagues of angular folds behind in the dust.
How To: Fold a small iambic icosahedron origami star for Christmas
Love folding origami? Then what better shape to fold for Christmas and the New Year than a star? A symbol of divinity as well as light and life during the dark days of winter, a star also makes great decor for Christmas trees and garlands.
How To: Fold origami love knots/crane eggs
You've heard about origami cranes before - they are, after all, the primer for all other origami projects. But what about crane eggs? That's right, crane (pre) babies! Sort of. Check out this video to learn how to fold crane eggs/love knots that are cute for putting in jars and gifting to friends.
How To: Knit The Raspberry Stitch
There are many beautiful stitches to learn in knitting. Some are harder than others. Some look hard, but really aren't. The RASPBERRY STITCH (shown in the header) is a quite easy. Once you get into the rhythm of doing it and practice for awhile you'll agree.
How To: Make a tsuno-kabuto samurai helmet out of origami
This is a very easy tutorial showing you how to fold your own tsuno kabuto, or samurai helmet, out of origami paper. This makes a great decoration or gift for a samurai lover, and can be folded with any size square paper.
How To: Quilt a Thanksgiving turkey wall hanging or throw
Looking for a good quilting idea for a wall hanging? This tutorial shows you how to quilt together a turkey, using a layer cake (or collection of fall-colored fabrics) and a Dresden ruler. End up with a lovely piece you can use as a wall hanging or other decoration.
How To: Make a loom-knitted snowy sparkle scarf (aka Crystal scarf)
Join Mikey from the Crochet Crowd as he walks you through knitting a sparkle scarf, also called the Crystal scarf. If you want to learn how to make this fabulous scarf using a loom, just watch! It looks like a feather boa, and it can be made in virtually no time at all. You can design it anyway you want by mixing up your colors. Eyelash or boa yarn will really make this magnificent!
How To: Make DIY Bohemian/Hippie Headbands
Need a fun getup for Earth Day, or want to make an inexpensive but highly fashionable costume piece for Halloween? Then you've stumbled upon the right video.
How To: Fold an origami magic rose cube
As the procedure is lengthy and a bit complicated, this is the first in the two part series that explains the method of creating a paper rose cube.
How To: Manage two different colors of yarn
In this video, we learn how to manage two different colors of yarn with Eunny Jang. You can do this all on your left hand, right hand, or with both of your hands. It's all about what is most comfortable for your, even if it's something different. Start out with all your yarn in your right hand then knit with one yard at a time. This means to just knit as usual by dropping the yarn and picking up the next color. This can be a bit tedious because you will be constantly stopping and starting. Yo...
How To: Knit Portuguese style
In this tutorial, Andrea Wong teaches us how to knit Portuguese style. This is one of the oldest ways of knitting that started in the Middle East. The holding of the needles are the same but the working yarn should come from the left needle. The yarn should be placed around the neck for your tension or through a pin on the shirt. Next, the yarn should go through the middle finger on the left hand. Then, sit in a comfortable position while you insert the right hand needle under the yarn. Then,...
How To: Create a ribbon necklace to string a pendant on
Don't have a matching chain to string your favorite pendant on? Looking for a good gift idea? This tutorial shows you how to weave a ribbon, scarf or extra cloth into a lovely chain. You can make this chain as long as you want!
How To: Make Katy Perry's cupcake boobs from "California Gurls" for Halloween
Katy Perry wears some seriously outrageous costumes in her music video for "California Gurls," but one of our favorite and funnest costumes were the cupcake boobs and rhinestone-encrusted Daisy Dukes she wore during the last dance sequence.
How To: Tailor your chain mail armor for the best fit
Tailoring isn't just for fabric! To have the best chainmail shirt, that doesn't pull or hang too losely, you'll want to tailor it. Tailor your shirt around curves by slightly altering the pattern of your weave, and this video demonstrates how.
How To: Do the Two Needle Cast On Knitting
There are so many different ways to cast on knitting. I have my own favorite. It's the way I learned when I first started knitting. My way is called TWO NEEDLE CAST ON. I like this 2 needle method because you don't have to guess how much you need to measure out a length of yarn at the beginning. I also think it makes a tighter and straighter edge.
How To: Tie a pretzel knot for hemp jewelry
In this video we learn how to tie a pretzel knot for hemp jewelry. First, making a loop with the chords in your right hand and place them over the left chords. Hold the loose ends on the right side and take the chords from the left hand. Go over the right chords and then up through the top. Then go over the loop under the left side of the loop pulling the chords up. What you get here will look kind of like a mouse, so you will need to get the first color on the outside. Then, slide this up an...
How To: Craft a paper football
In this video we learn how to craft a paper football. First, take a sheet of paper and cut it into a strip. After this, take the strip and fold down the top into a triangle. Then, continue to fold the triangle down until you reach the end of the strip. You will have an extra flap of paper left at the bottom of the strip. Tuck this into the pocket that you have made when you were folding the triangles. Then, use this to place underneath your finger and shoot with your other for a fun paper foo...
How To: Create a paper football
In this video we learn how to create a paper football. First, take a piece of paper and fold it in half vertically. After this, create a crease and cut this in half with scissors. From here, fold the bottom of the paper into a triangle after folding the paper in half once more. Continue to fold the triangle until you reach the end of the strip of paper. Take the end tab of the piece of paper and tuck it into the pocket that you created when you folded up the paper. Then hold this with one fin...
How To: Join two granny squares together using a single crochet stitch
The single stitch is a very simple stitch, easy for beginners to master, which can be used to join two granny squares together. This is a useful technique for joining any two crochet pieces together of any size or shape, not just granny squares!
How To: Crochet a rib cuff baby bootie
In this tutorial, we learn how to crochet a rib cuff baby bootie. Start off by creating 8 foundation half double crochets. After this, work 4 half double crochets in the bottom of the last stitch that was completed. Then, work a half double crochet in each of the next 6 stitches. Work 4 half double crochets in the last stitch, then join with the beginning stitch. This will give you 22 half double crochets total. Next, chain 1 and work 2 half double crochets in the same stitch. Then, work 1 ha...
How To: Take Your Measurements
These measurments should be taken and recorded before drawing up you clothing design pattern. Wear the bra and panties you will be wearing with the final garment. Another option, especially if you are going to be selling a series of the garments, is to follow a size chart. While sizing is not very standardized in the clothing industry, I like the charts on the Burdastyle website which are in both inches and centimeters. When measuring, the tape measure should be neither too tight nor too loos...