Some time ago I came across pjoning and my interest was instantly piqued.
Slip stitch crochet looks remarkably like knitting and creates a fabric that is very similar. It avoids the feel of having a bunch of knots which is essentially what crochet is. Slip stitch crochet fabric ends up being thicker because you are laying the slip stitches (basically chain after chain after chain) on top of each other rather than next to each other as in knitting.
Think of laying bricks. Small chain stitch bricks.
So when I saw these little knitted cork pine trees, I decided to try my hand at making them using slip stitch
crochet. Because I am not a knitter. I am a "Grrrr-The-yarn-keeps-sliding-off-the-needle" kind of girl.
Download the pdf pattern here. All of the trees follow the pattern although the dark green tree had some rounds skipped because I was running out of the yarn which is why it is shorter.
The taller trees were made with a variegated thick and thin yarn so they create a nice wave within the stitching.The little pink one is the same pattern but different yarn so it came out smaller. The lime green tree had some color changes which are noted in the pattern.
The first project I used slip stitch crochet for was this wool rag rug made from strips of wool suiting fabric. It's about one yard square. Makes a great zabuton, which is the mat under the meditation cushion, because it's thick and springy and warm. Slip stitch is so easy, it's ridonkulous!
Reminiscent of the yo-yo clown, this little floppy doll is made from wool felt disks instead. Often used in Americana penny rugs, felt circles can create a lovely rustic or retro style to any craft.
I made this one from blue and white felted wool blankets and a prepainted wooden bead. Once the circles are cut, the doll is quick and easy to assemble. Make them with your children. Invite your friends over for a crafternoon tea and make dolls of all sizes as ornaments and gifts.
Download the tutorial with instructions here.
Wouldn't you like to
answer the door to a smiling man in uniform whose greeting is: "Good
morning, Ma'am. Dollygram!" Oh, I surely would.
Make and send your own stitched notepaper Dollygrams and send a message that will be treasured forever.
I'm so excited to have this project included in the December 2015 issue of Homespun Magazine. You can find it at Australian newsagents or order your own digital copy.
The patterns are for the gingerbread-shaped dolly and fabric envelopes and the article provides step-by-step instructions for creating the notepaper surface and embroidering your own message (or just write a message with a marker). There's also a smaller size pattern for a dolly ornament.
And just for fun, there are a couple of favorite Christmas quotes to get you started. Merry Messaging!
Who can resist the retro charm of yo-yo crafts?
Yo-yos are so easy to make and are great for using up scraps of all sizes. I used scraps in rainbow colors and scraps of soft linen to make these two stuffed yo-yo trees.
The pattern for these trees makes a 4" (10cm) tall tree - great for ornaments, dollhouse play, pincushions, or small trinkets to brighten up an office desk or windowsill.
Enlarge the pattern to make larger trees suitable for a mantle or tabletop display.
Download the templates and instructions to make your own sweet little trees.
To stay in touch about free tutorials, sewing articles and links, and product discounts, sign up for a little Irony in your Inbox, a weekly newsletter digest. Sign up above to the right.
I love a tree skirt piled up with kraft paper presents.
"Brown paper packages tied up with string" (oh, Maria Von Trapp, will you be my mother?) become a neutral canvas against which you can choose a stunning palette of decorative colors each year.
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Maybe gold to honor the gifts of the Three Wise Men. Perhaps you'll just go traditional with candy can striped ribbons and garland. I hope you're not having a blue Christmas without them.
One of the ways I like to dress up those packages is with unique gift tags in my chosen colors of the year. This year, I'm going with bright reds, greens and blues. And the theme is "Ugly Christmas Sweater".
With this in mind, I created some cross-stitched gift tags and would love to share them with you. Not so ugly after all!
Download this PDF of instructions and pattern to make your own cross-stitched gift tags this year.
And to give you a little extra creative inspiration, I thought I'd share these gift tags I bought at the thrift store. I got two sheets and have added some embroidered elements to two so far.
Happy Stitching and Merry Christmas!
The recipe for Libby's pumpkin pie has been on their canned pumpkin labels since 1950. It's the only one I've ever used that has consistently proven itself year after year. I make only a small change in spices since cinnamon is not my favorite.
If you have no canned pumpkin, make the pie using 2 cups of cooked mashed pumpkin. In the US, use sugar pie pumpkins. The look just like jack-o-lantern pumpkins but are smaller. In Australia, I successfully used Jarradale pumpkin to make a pumpkin pie that tasted as American as.....well, pumpkin pie.
This is a great tutorial for making your own pumpkin puree.
Here's the classic recipe with my tiny change. Oh, and if you don't have one deep dish pie crust, this recipe makes two regular pies. Please note that evaporated milk is not the same as condensed milk and it should never be pre-sweetened.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree or 2 cups cooked mashed pumpkin
- 1 can (12 fl. oz.) evaporated milk
- 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell OR 2 regular pie crusts
MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat
eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture.
Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
POUR into pie shell.
BAKE
in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F;
bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out
clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Top with whipped cream before serving.
Whether you're headed over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house or down to Margaritaville to a hammock with your name on it, what do you do to keep the little one occupied on the long trip?
Make a
stuffed airplane plush. It's soft and cuddly and the pattern is
available in my Etsy shop. Just in time to whip up before the holiday
journeys begin.
Get it here in my Etsy shop.
But it's a double whammy of travel goodness for you today.
Travel in handmade style with these hand-embroidered luggage tags on your bags.
These tags use a small piece of linen, cotton, or lightweight wool and a bit of embroidery floss. Once you make the little pocket of a tag, slip a cardboard identity tag inside, wrap it around your bag handle and you're ready to go.
Download the pdf for instructions and pattern!
See you on the other side!
