How to make a face mask with ties

This list of DIY’s is for face masks that use ties. Why ties and not elastic? The elastics are becoming unpopular due to the tension it creates on the ears. Remember most people wearing masks in hospitals and on the frontline are wearing them for hours and hours.

This first face mask is for a pleated mask that has ties for comfort and also a pocket for a mask filter.

This next tutorial is for a basic design with cloth adjustable mask ties, which is perfect for anyone who is a straight stitcher and just learning to sew.

This free tutorial comes with lots of step by step images to guide you along.

This face mask with ties has adjustable ties that are made from knit fabric or an old t-shirt. This allows the mask ties to have a little bit of tension to keep it firmer through the day

This tutorial comes with a video to guide you along, perfect for anyone who is a visual learner and needs some help with making the cloth fabric masks.

Free printable pattern for the mask with ties ca be downloaded here. A great print version with minimal ink requirements.

The main aim of a fabric mask is to prevent YOUR bodily fluids from being expelled or you being splashed on by someone else’s bodily fluids. It is my (non-medical) understanding that air still flows through the masks. The best fabric for surgical face masks is cotton that can be easily washed and NON woven fabric as a filter that can be replaced several times during the day. You can purchase readymade carbon filters too. (for more info about filters read this article here)

Don’t want to make your own but buy a readymade mask? So why should you buy a handmade mask? Because obviously you can’t sew one or you would be making your own, so put a few dollars into someone else’s pocket and keep a handmade business alive.

Looking for a new sew version of the mask? Check this article out No Sew Bandana Mask and different styles of no sew masks using other fabric materials.

Need to make a lot of masks? Check out this amazing Mask Cutting Machine. It cuts 6 masks out at a time!

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

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