Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Turn Your Home into a Solar Powerhouse with These Easy DIY Projects – No Experience Needed

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If you’re curious about harnessing the power of the sun and want to dive into solar energy without the intimidation factor, DIY Solar Projects for Beginners: Small and Easy Projects to Whole-Home Systems That Use the Sun by Eric Smith is the perfect guide to get you started. Whether you’re a total beginner or someone with a bit of DIY experience, this book walks you through solar projects that are both achievable and rewarding.

The beauty of this book lies in its simplicity. Smith provides clear, step-by-step instructions for a variety of solar projects, from smaller endeavors like building a solar oven and installing a solar-powered security light, to larger undertakings like setting up a solar water heater or solar hot-air collector window mount. Each project is accompanied by color photos and tips that break down the process in a way that anyone can follow. This makes solar energy accessible, even if you have minimal DIY skills.

For those ready to take on a bigger challenge, the updated edition also includes information on outfitting your home with a solar electricity system, making it a great starting point for anyone looking to reduce their reliance on grid power. The book doesn’t stop at instructions; it also includes an extensive resource guide with links to tax incentives, subsidies, and support programs that can help make your solar projects even more affordable.

With energy costs on the rise and a growing desire for environmentally-friendly solutions, this book is a timely and valuable resource for homeowners looking to cut costs and make their homes more sustainable. Whether you’re starting small or dreaming big, DIY Solar Projects for Beginners offers a practical and approachable way to bring solar power into your life.

 

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Stitch Your Favorite Fruit on a Sweater

The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.” 

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them. 

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits. 

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves. 

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit. 

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy. 

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]