DIY and handmade craft ideas

The Summer Surprises are up on Knitty now, offering 3 fashionable freebies perfect for stitching in the sun! They’re all cool, lightweight, and lovely. Even though I designed one of them, I’m actually more smitten with another of the newbies, Sea Tangles, by Kie Zuraw. If I actually had a torso, I’d totally make that gossamer delight!…

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Winter Twilight Mitts

Interweave is currently offering a free, downloadable pattern for Laura Rintala’s AWESOME Twilight Mitts. I don’t usually like Fair Isle patterns, but this one is goth-y and gorgeous! Get yours now to prevent a winter of discontent. …

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Vinyl Record Headband

You’ve likely seen old vinyl LPs upcycled into fashionable cuffs and contemporary bowls. Now make a matching headband using the same melting-and-molding techniques. Head on over to Craftbits for an easy step-by-step tutorial.

[tags]headband, hair, vinyl, LP, record, Craftbits[/tags]…

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Steampunk Ring

Sylvia Anderson‘s steampunk ring is a hands-down portable conversation starter. Made with an antique watch movement — including interesting embedded jewels — this particular ring is adjustable to nearly any ring size. While the gears may not help tell time anymore, they certainly act as a beautiful stand-alone work of art.

[tags]steampunk, Etsy, ring, watch, gear, time, jewelry[/tags]…

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There comes a time……

by Stamping Editor

Hi Everyone:

When you are in a rush and need to create a quick card.. quick doesn’t have to be boring….

I created this card in less than 5 mtes, by stamping the sentiments and punching the butterflies..

There are times I’m looking for the perfect ribbon to go with my lay out and cards…Sometimes I omit them for lack …

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Postage Stamp Earrings

I love the idea of recycling postage stamps — artwork in miniature — into earrings. The fact that I’m a Frank Lloyd Wright fan doesn’t hurt, either. C.D. Childs offers a number of vintage postage stamp jewelry items, each encased in glass and finished with lead-free solder.

[tags]stamps, Frank Lloyd Wright, jewelry, Etsy, solder[/tags]…

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Call for Recycled Art: The Altered Toy Project

This just in from Mend …

Call to Artists!
Presenting the second Mend donation project, “The Altered Toy Project”. Mend is a non-profit educational arts organization, located in Boise, Idaho USA. As an organization, we are interested in exploring the potential of hand made objects. Through this project, we hope to expand awareness of the importance of craft, improve quality …

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Turban Legend

Fellow CGer Jennifer Perkins sent me this great spread from an Australian publication. Ok, I know that most of it’s technically crochet and not knitting, but since they’re wearing knitted sweaters I thought I’d post it anyway–it’s too awesome not to share! Check out the Oyster Magazine site for the full scoop!…

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Soap It Up !

Soap it up is a great online soap store filled with beautiful handmade soaps, the scents are so divine I can almost smell them wafting through my computer screen. Check out their scented goats milk soaps too.…

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I Spy A Couple of Knitters

What pop-culture infused fashion magazine unknowingly has two knitter’s featured in their current issue? Find out here!…

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Crayon Soaps

I think these crayon soaps are an all time favorite with mums and dads at bath time and are great for occupying little hands and getting them to use soap !!

Here is a free recipe on how to make your own crayon soaps.

…

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Upcycled Whistle

Bottlecaps are showing up everywhere in recycled crafts, as seen in Loran Scruggs‘ handcrafted whistles. Made from beautiful vintage bottlecaps and tin scraps, the working whistles are both stylish and functional.

[tags]bottlecap, bottle cap, vintage, whistle, Etsy[/tags]…

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Upcycled Piggy Bank

Save on materials while you save your pennies. From time to time I like to head over to Novica for some out-of-the-box thinking from artisans from around the world, like this piggy bank made from a used aluminum bottle that’s created by the artist Luitpol. While Novica doesn’t have a recycled goods category per se, simply search for “recycle” in …

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Patriotic Knits

In honor of Independence Day it seems only fitting to post 4 pictures of July 4th inspired knits (ok, Patriotism is a year-roung gig, but work with me here!).

1. Dave Cole’s American flag installation piece entitled “The Knitting Machine“, was knit on 20′ poles and has been exhibited in galleries worldwide.

2. Mary Jane Mucklestone’s “4th of …

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Soap Mitt Tutorial

Soggy soap and Gucky soap holders are a thing of the past with a soap mitt? They are also great for kids and the elderly as it makes gripping the soap easy.

You will need:

2 pieces of 5 1/2 inch (14cms) of cotton fabric
5 1/2 inch (14cm) of cotton webbing
Soap flakes
Sewing machine
Scissors
Needle and …

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Knitty Gritty Knitsters!

For all you Knitty Gritty fans out there who’ve been loyally watching re-runs of the show over the past year and a half, finally, there’s something new for you to watch. Tomorrow (July 3rd) at 12:30pmET/11:30amCT/9:30amPT, the one-hour special Knitty Gritty Knitsters airs on DIY Network!

Tune in to meet Knitsters across the nation including: Tori Spelling, Lisa Loeb, …

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Whip Me Baby !

Whipped Shea Butter Instructional Video…

Whipped shea butter is one of those things we want to “have a play” with and this video tutorial is a great visual guide on just how to get some whipping action.

You won’t need your leather whip for this one just a few materials and a whisk or beater.

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A Little Knitty Ditty