The one with the knitting needles and the bracelets

It's a well known fact that the Mister thinks I'm bonkers.

So it's just as well he didn't see me boiling my knitting needles at lunchtime today.

Yep, you read it right. Boiling my needles.

See? Here's the proof.

No, I'm not THAT hungry. I just fancied trying something crafty.

I'd found the green and red plastic needles in a charity shop (10p per pair, I kid you not) and knew just what to do with them. 

And for once, it didn't involve yarn.

Here's what I made:

Bracelets! 

If you'd like to follow suit and confound your family and friends with your culinary madness, then here's what to do:

1. Find some plastic knitting needles (raid your stash for lonely ones, or keep your eyes peeled in the charity shops for cheapo ones).

2. Boil them for 20 mins or so -they need to be really soft for them to take shape. My first attempt didn't work as they weren't pliable enough.

Do be aware of nasty fumes which can be released- ventilate your kitchen and you'll be fine.

3. Remove them carefully from the water. Within a couple of seconds they'll be cool enough to handle.

4. Bend them quickly into shape and use something to hold them in position. (See my imaginative use of the elastic bands the postman insists on dropping along the street)

5. Allow to cool completely.

If you're not happy with your bracelet, then just pop the needle back in the boiling water to soften and start again.

Now adorn your wrists with your awesome creations and wait for the comments to come flooding in...

NB: not all plastic needles will bend. The grey one refused to comply and has been returned, sulking to my stash.

Enjoy your week!

Sarah x

Croch-shade

When I saw these little lampshades for the bargain price of 75p each, I knew what I wanted to do with them.
It mostly involved ripping off the ghastly material and recovering them with something infinitely better.



And there's nothing better than crochet.

Fancy a go?

I'll attempt to tell you how I did it, but i'll warn you know, this is a seriously-sort-of-winging-it project;
 I frogged mine many times through its making, but it was quite cathartic. No pattern to follow, so no right or wrong. I used a basic shell stitch around the shade with some rows of double crochet (UK treble) to make the decreases in.
You'll need to reduce your number of stitches right from the start, but don't worry about counting obsessively- just do what seems right. Spare stitches at the ends of your row can always be slip stitched into, or decreased together to help fit the shape of the shade.   



You'll need an old lampshade, stripped down to its frame and yarn and hook of choice. (I used dk cotton yarn and 4mm hook)  [And for good measure, a bit of peace and quiet, some patience and a few well-seasoned swear words.]

1. Put a slip knot on your hook and single crochet around the bottom rim, heading in a clockwise direction. Make sure the stitches fit quite snugly together to cover it well.

2. Start reducing your stitches in this row:  
  Chain 3, *Double crochet in next 3 stitches, dc2tog* rep around. 

3. This is the beginning of the shell stitch
  Chain 1, sc *skip 2 stitches, 5dcs into next st, sk 2 sts, sc* rep around



4. This is the other half of the shell pattern. You may need to slip stitch around to get yourself in the right place 
  Chain 1, sc in the 3rd dc (the middle stitch of a shell), *sk 2 sts, 5dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st* (middle of next shell again) repeat around.

5. More reducing of stitches in this row. -I found that I had the best result when decreasing using plain double crochet, rather than decreasing in a shell stitch row.
 Chain 3, dc2tog around.

6 onwards. Repeat the shell stitch pattern around.
When I reached the ends of my row, I sometimes reduced a few more stitches to help it fit. 



When you've done enough, finish off by single crocheting around the top rim. You may need to put two single crochets into some of the stitches to give a nice finish and cover the rim.





See what I mean about this being a winging-it project? Be brave- have a go.



I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a really big shade to try this on next...

Enjoy your week, all
Xx 

No knit knitted monster

I am in love with those cute little knitted monsters I've seen around cyber-world.
But I can't knit.
I could crochet one.
But I can't be bothered.
What to do?

Why, CHEAT, of course!

First steal find yourself a suitable knitted thing which you don't want anymore. I scored a charity-shop scarf (60 pence, I kid you not).



Next, draw a monster-ly template and cut out 2 pieces from your knitted thing.



With wrong sides together, sew around the edge, but not all the way - leave a small gap for stuffing later (remember, wonky sewing is very necessary- monsters are not pretty).
Now turn out the right way.



Experiment with different 'looks' for your monster with things from your stash.



Attach whatever to your monster. I stitched mine, but glue would be easier.
Stuff and sew closed the opening.



Admire your cleverness.
If you are truly naughty, tell people you knitted it yourself.
Bad girl.

Xx