Sunday 27 November 2011

Hip and handmade carpet bag!

This carpet bag was made from a piece of carpet mat, lined and trimmed. Edging was knitted by casting on 6 stitches and knitting a lengthy piece using double knitting and size 6 needles. The strip was folded over and attaching to the edge like bias binding. Handles were made from covering sturdy plastic twine with knitted strips in a similar fashion. Overall the bag took about five hours to make. Magnetic fastenings were attached to secure the bag at the top. In all it cost about £6 to make but looks a million dollars! Why not give it a go? 

Thursday 24 November 2011

Knitted bag to make!

This lovely knitted bag was made by casting on 100 stitches, using size 6 needles and knitting to create a rectangle shape, sewing sides and stitching the top to each handle. Handles can be bought quite reasonably  for £1 or £1.50 from craft shops. This is a great way to use up scraps of wool as you can make up any pattern you wish.  This would make a great knitting bag to store all your wool , needles etc or would make a great present. Why not give it a go?

Sunday 20 November 2011

Another simple gift idea!

I decided to make some soap cupcakes for presents using the rebatching method mentioned in earlier posts. I used silicon cupcake moulds for the bases and added colour and essential for scent. For the tops I scoured shops until I found some cheap  plastic bubble bath containers and cut the bottoms off and melted the soap in the usual way. I left them to set and as the shapes are a bit complex I put them in the freezer to make them cool before gently pushing out the soaps. The tops shapes fit onto the bottoms by putting a teaspoon of warm water which melts the soap enough for you to place, they set as the soap hardens. So I made;
- chocolate and cinnamon (using real cocoa powder)
-strawberry and vanilla
- lemon and almond.
They smell beautiful and make a lovely gift. Why not give them a try?

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Lovely lavender soap and bath salts present!

I made some lavender bath salts by adding dried lavender to sea salt and placing in a small kilner jar. These can be purchased at 50p from large stores. This one has a lovely purple glass lid. The lavender soap was made using the rebatching method previously posted. Add some purple tissue paper and pink and purple flower for  decoration. All in all this makes a lovely gift with a total cost of about 80p and also smells delicious. Why not give it a go?

Friday 11 November 2011

This bag makes a great present!

Hi,
     Here's a photo of the latest thing I made. It's a bag from a pattern in the November issue of Craftseller designed by Cheryl Owen.  There's templates in the mag and very good instructions. I'd definitely recommend it. Happy sewing!

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Knit lovely head band with flower decoration!

This lovely pink headband was very easy to make. I used size 6 needles, 14 stitches and basic stocking stitch with garter stitch at each side  complete with a crotcheted flower decoration. The flower decoration was made by chaining 4 stitches, forming a circle with a slip stitch and making six hoops and firming up each hoop by completing a row of double knit around each hoop.This turned out really well and would make a great present for a teenager. Why not give it a try- this can be easily completed in a couple of hours!

Friday 4 November 2011

Another lace scarf to knit!

This is another lovely lace scarf. I used size 6 needles and 1/2 ball of cream double knitting so the cost is coming in at 75p. The pattern involves a repeating eight row pattern which is straightforward . The scarf grows easily and looks great. Yet another present idea or you might keep it for yourself.  Go to http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/freeKnittingPatternTwinLeafBeadedScarf.asp for more details and pattern. As you only have 22 stitches this scarf grows rapidly and is easily mastered comprising of lots of yarn overs for the delicate lace leaf effect. If you are thinking of making presents then you need to allow sufficient time and start soon!. Why not give it a go?