1. bark obama doggie sweater [at etsy]
2. C Jane Knit obama mittens [free pattern]
3. Obama sweater [ravelry download]
[disclaimer: I don't live in the US and therefore will not be voting in the upcoming elections. I did look for knitting patterns for the other candidates but didn't find any - if you know of any please leave a comment]
Ha! Cute. Link.
Sweet idea. Link.
love these cute creatures from craft blog via feeling stitchy.
lovely tutorial for this yoyo bag from craftstylish [via sharonB]
Are you looking for a fast first project in needlepoint? Do you want to make a charming handmade gift in a few hours without getting your hands dirty? The Amish Quilt bookmark uses a simple needlepoint design, which can be done in any color you choose, uses simple materials to make a great design.
Materials: 4″ square of 14 mesh needlepoint canvas : 5 colors of #3 pearl cotton or other thread to coordinate with bookmark : (model uses brown paper packages Silk & Ivory in 125 (salmon), 12 (black), 14 (burgundy, and 65 (iris)) : one square of foam adhesive : bookmark 2″ x 6″ : alphabet stamps
Following the needlepoint chart (pictured), stitch the quilt in the center of your square of canvas.
Needlepoint stitches cover one intersection of the canvas and slant from lower left to upper right.
Once the needlepoint is stitched cut the canvas three threads from each side and unravel two of the threads. Place the foam square in the middle of the bookmark, near the top. Place the needlepoint onto the foam square and weigh down with a book. Attach letter stickers spelling “read” (or another appropriate word) down the bookmark below the needlepoint. If you like, embellish the bookmark with a tassel.
About the designer: Janet Perry is a leading expert on needlepoint. She’s known for her innovative approach to the craft, making it “fast, fun, and affordable.” She writes books, develops stitch guides, needlepoint projects and on-line classes. She blogs daily, and is developing a comprehensive needlepoint site. This is her first project for Whip Up. All images copyright 2008, Janet Perry
More amigurumi how-to goodness from Diana at MyGurumi. Link.
Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn
By Maggie Casey. Interweave Press (April 1, 2008)
If you are a fibre fiend, or you feel that buying yarn for your crochet or knitting just isn’t enough, or you just love the feel of raw wool running through your fingers, or even if you have a Sleeping Beauty fixation, you will have thought of spinning your own yarn.
Start Spinning is a great resource for the beginning spinner, or for a spinner that has been spinning for a while, but might only really only know one way to do it. And like other pleasurable pursuits, there are so many ways to do it!
Maggie Casey holds the hand of anyone wanting to learn about spinning, and includes information on wool, spinning on a spindle and a wheel, using and maintaining all sorts of spinning wheels, plying and finishing yarn, drafting and wool preparation, and using your hand spun yarn. Maggie Casey is a spinning teacher, and I think that she must be a quite a gifted teacher by the way she explains concepts and skills so wonderfully.
I would imagine that all of the information included in Start Spinning would be available online, but it is such a pleasure to have so much useful information in one volume. This book has tons of clear photographs explaining exactly what to do, and a great troubleshooting section.
It was really refreshing to read a crafting how-to book that doesn’t include projects that get in the way of the instruction and information, and that can date the book so quickly.
So dust of your niddy noddy and get your lazy kate twirling, and Start Spinning.
About the author: Kate is a busy mother of four and has far too many craft projects on the go at any one time. These could include, but are not limited to, crochet, sewing, dyeing, paper making, spinning, felting and bookbinding. Kate has challenges in the areas of finishing things, saying no and craft supplies storage. She also has a very very patient and tolerant husband.
Fabulous how-to, thanks for sharing the techniques Diana! Link.
The awesomeness that is Maritza at Soto Softies has shared a tutorial for a bat finger puppet for Halloween or if you just want a bat in your life! Link.
