10 Easy Friendship Bracelet Patterns for Kids

May 22, 2017 by AllFreeKidsCrafts Leave a Comment

When I was a kid, friendship bracelets were the “go-to” craft when you wanted to get even the littlest bit creative. My friends and I would get together to show each other the new ways we learned how to braid our bracelets. Of course, we didn’t know how to do the nifty friendship bracelet designs like the Trendy Simple Stick Bracelet or the Hand-Crocheted Knit Bracelet, but we perfected the art of crafting the Classic Friendship Bracelets and the Tightly Woven Friendship Bracelet. I taught my kids how to make the classic braided bracelet first, but then I found all of these cool new ways to make a bracelet! They absolutely loved these cool friendship bracelet design ideas that I found.

Your kids will have a blast with all of these new friendship bracelet patterns! They can get super creative by adding beads to “bling-up” the bracelet, or they can make their friendship bracelets out of felt. There are just so many new and fun ways that they can create bracelets for their friends to let them know that they’re thinking about them. The great thing about these bracelet design ideas is that they’re super easy! Most of them take no time at all, so your kids will have plenty of time to make a lot. They’ll also love being able to share the new ways they learned to make a friendship bracelet with their friends.

Classic Friendship Bracelet Patterns

Classic friendship bracelets are always super fun to make, and they’re a great way to start teaching your kids how to weave a simple friendship bracelet.

Tightly Woven Friendship Bracelet

Classic Friendship Bracelets

How to Make a Braid Round

Easy Bejeweled Bracelets

If you want to give your friend a little something extra on her bracelet, then put some bling on it! You can never go wrong with a little extra sparkle. There are so many fun ways that you can add something else to a friendship bracelet. Your kids will love being able to add colored beads or gems to their hand-woven creations. My little girl loves putting jewels on the bracelets that she makes.

Stretchy Jewelry Gems

Giant Jewel Bracelet

Easy Beaded Bracelet

Other Friendship Bracelet Designs

If you want to make your friendship bracelet design even more unique, then why not make it out of something other than just string? You can make it out of felt, or you can put your favorite buttons on it! There are just an endless amount of cute and fun ways to make your friendship bracelet a one-of-a-kind.

No Sew Flower Power Bracelet

Trendy Simple Stick Bracelet

Whimsical Button Bracelet

Hand-Crocheted Knit Bracelet

What fun kinds of friendship bracelets do your kids know how to make?

22 Beach Wedding Jewelry Ideas

May 15, 2017 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 1 Comment

The summer season is fast approaching! Where do your thoughts go when you are day-dreaming about summer? Mine go straight to the beach. There a very few sights that are as breathtaking and calming as an ocean view. With gorgeous scenery, light weight fabrics, tan skin, and sand between your feet, there is only one more thing you could possibly need, and that is a stunning piece of beach-worthy jewelry. Since wedding season is in full swing, we here at AllFreeJewelryMaking have designed a collection just for you of some fabulous beach-worthy wedding jewelry projects. Whether you are a bride, bridesmaid, or a simply a wedding guest at a beach wedding, there is something for everyone in the collection of beach jewelry ideas.

Seashells, nautical knots, and sea glass pieces are all fabulous elements to incorporate into a wedding them in creative ways. From braided bracelets to colorful bauble rings, everyone will be able to find the piece needed to complete their beach wedding look in this collection.

Seashell Jewelry Pieces

There is no way to better represent a beach wedding then to include elements in your ensemble that are actually from the ocean. Stunning seashell projects like this Seashell Wire Necklace are prefect for a beach wedding theme. Find more seashell jewelry projects amongst these beach wedding jewelry ideas.

Ocean-Inspired Jewelry

Whether you are looking for your something blue, or are simply inspired by ocean hues, these ocean-inspired projects are for you. This Super Easy Sea Glass Stretch Bracelet is the ideal beading project both for beginners and for veteran beaders looking for an easy, stress-free DIY jewelry design. Find more alluring sea glass jewelry pieces and more in the Ocean-Inspired section of our beach wedding jewelry ideas collection page.

Even More Beachy Jewelry Ideas

Are you looking for more cute beach-inspired patterns? Try this lovely ring pattern. The beads on the Under the Sea Bauble Ring resemble seas urchins, making it the perfect accessory for a summer beach wedding getaway. Still haven’t found the right beach wedding jewelry piece for you? There are even more beachy jewelry ideas for you to choose from on this fun collection page. Also, be sure to visit AllFreeJewelryMaking.com for the latest summer DIY projects and wedding jewelry designs.

What is your favorite piece of beach jewelry?

Teacher’s Pet: 19 Incredibly Easy Teacher Appreciation Gifts

May 9, 2017 by AllFreeKidsCrafts 2 Comments

Everyone has that one teacher that we’ll never forget, who inspired us in some way and helped us grow as a person. For me, that was my high school art teacher, who encouraged me to experiment with all kinds of art and to push my creative boundaries. I’ll admit, I am terrible at drawing and art in general, but her encouragement definitely inspired me to push myself creatively and for that, I thank her deeply. Being a teacher is certainly an under appreciated field, given how extremely important their jobs are, so as this school year ends, let your little ones show their teacher just how special they are with this collection of incredibly easy teacher appreciation gifts.

From classroom-inspired gifts to one-of-a-kind crafts that your kids can personalize, there’s a perfect gift for any and every teacher. I’ve made sure to include gifts in a jar and other budget-friendly crafts that go a long way, so that your kids can shower their teachers in awesome gifts without breaking the bank. Your kids will love showing their teacher they love them with this list of fantastic end of year ways to say thank you.

If you have any other great teacher appreciation ideas, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading and be sure to celebrate your child’s teacher with these wonderful DIY teacher appreciation gifts!

Teacher’s Pet: 19 Incredibly Easy Teacher Appreciation Gifts

An Apple for the Teacher: Cute Apple Gifts

Fun Fact: Did you know the tradition of giving teachers apples started in Denmark?

Adorable Apple Jar
Tiny Apple Refrigerator Magnets – Love This!
Plastic Bottle Apple Gift
Teacher Appreciation Book and Cookies – Yummy!
Wooden Apple Name Plates

Write to It: Pencil-Inspired Gifts

This DIY craft would look perfect on any teacher’s desk!

Crayon Vase Gift for Teachers – So Colorful!
Teacher’s Pencil Vase
Back to School Pencil Magnets
Succulent Pen Teacher Gift – Literally Mind-Blowing!

Gifts in a Jar and Other DIY Ideas

A great gift idea with tons of wonderful surprises!

Teacher Appreciation Day Goodie Jar
Teacher’s Pencil Cup – Budget-Friendly!
Teacher’s Favorite Mug
School Supplies Tower – Teachers Will Love This!

One-of-Kind Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Your kids can show their teacher just how much they rule!

Thanks a Bunch Flower Pot – Perfect for Spring!
Adorable Candy Bar Wrapper Template
School Teacher Clock – Great in Any Classroom!
Handprint Art Butterfly Keepsakes
School Rules Homemade Chalkboard – Must-Have!
Notebook Paper Tote

How will your kids’ show their teachers some appreciation this school year? Leave a comment below!

Jewelry Tools 101: Comparing Pliers And Tweezers

April 20, 2017 by FaveCraftsBlog 2 Comments

Having the right tools for jewelry making is key to your success. The right tools and jewelry making techniques will help you get the results you want while also saving you time and a whole lot of frustration. You can also avoid wasting materials that get broken or lost because the tools you are using don’t have the right grip or strength.

Jewelry tweezers are relatively straightforward. Jewelry tweezers have a very fine tip that comes to a sharp point. They are used to pick up tiny gems and beads, as well as to get into tight spaces when you are positioning beads, threading wire, or wrapping wire.

Tweezers come in different material types to offer different strength and longevity. They can also be magnetized so that it is easier to pick up and hold onto certain jewelry findings.

Jewelry pliers, on the other hand, come in a much wider variety of options. They are larger and stronger, allowing you to grip beads tighter or to twist and manipulate thick wire. Here’s a look at some of the different types of jewelry pliers that you might need:

1) Round Nose Pliers

Round nose pliers are some of the most commonly used jewelry pliers. They have round tips all the way around, including inside the jaws. You can use them to make perfectly rounded pieces of wire, such as for closing head pins, jump rings, or other closures. You can also use them to create beautiful wire creations.

Round nose pliers can be purchased in different sizes and different materials to accommodate the type of project you are working on. For example, you might need stronger pliers if you are working with a heavier weight of wire.

2) Chain Nose Pliers

Chain nose pliers are the standard pliers. You will find these in any handy man’s toolbox, and they are a basic tool for jewelry makers.

Chain nose pliers typically have a serrated jaw, which makes it easier for them to grip things. You can also get them with a smooth jaw. You can use them for all-purpose work, but they are typically not small enough for fine details. You can buy smaller sizes for more detailed work, but you’ll need a pair of tweezers or other specialty pliers to get into really tight spaces.

3) Bent Nose Pliers

You can’t always tackle your project head on. Sometimes, there are beads, wire or other findings blocking your way, or sometimes the area you are trying to reach is so recessed that even holding the pliers in your hand can block it.

Bent nose pliers allow you to get into spaces at any angle, giving you a clear view and letting you access hard-to-reach places on your design. You’ll need to get a few sizes to make sure you can get into the smallest spaces when needed. The finer the tip, the more delicate the work you can do.

4) Flat Nose Pliers

Most pliers have a relatively narrow nose or even a round nose. Flat nose pliers have a wider nose that works almost like a clamp. The flat nose allows for a wider grip, and it can be used to create some interesting shapes when bending wire.

Guest post from Nina Blaicher of Tronex Tools

What tools do you like to work with?

Best Yarn for Baby Patterns: 3 Tips for Your Next Project

March 28, 2017 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

Has this ever happened to you? Your sister or best friend has announced that she’s expecting, so one of your first thoughts is that you should knit or crochet an adorable baby blanket. If you’re a crafter, it’s only natural that you want to welcome the newest addition to your family by giving a handmade item. From baby blankets to wee little booties, the possibilities for making handmade items are almost endless. Need a little helping finding the best yarn for baby patterns? Then you’re in the right place.

Machine-Washable Yarn? Yes, Please!

What is the best type of yarn to use in your next project?

You’ve selected the perfect baby pattern to knit or crochet, so now it’s time to think yarn! When selecting the best yarn for baby patterns, some types of yarn would be better choices than others for your project than others. Because let’s be honest. While babies are cute and cuddly, they can also be messy. Really messy. And for many bleary-eyed new parents, trying to figure out the best way to launder a beautiful knit blanket or hat is low on the to-do list. With that in mind, consider acrylic yarn for your project. This type of yarn is typically machine-washable and easy to clean. If you’d like, you can also print care instructions on pretty paper, then attach the paper to your handmade item. The new parents will appreciate having instructions on how to clean the beautiful baby blanket you made right at their fingertips.

Select Yarn That Is As Soft As Can Be

For many people, the thought of wearing a wool sweater right against the skin sounds, to put it politely, uncomfortable. Babies will feel the same way. Their skin is sensitive, so putting a baby in an itchy wool blanket or sweater will make them feel annoyed. And an uncomfortable baby is a baby who will probably cry a lot. What’s a knitter or crocheter to do? Use yarn that feels soft to you for use in your pattern. If that yarn feels itchy, then The Spruce suggests putting it back and selecting another type of yarn. If you’re purchasing your yarn online, then consider opting for yarn that is specifically for use in baby patterns. For example, Red Heart Baby Hugs Yarn is warm, soft, and colorful. It is also free from harmful levels of substances (you can check out a review of this time via AllFreeCrochet.com). Other brands, including Lion Brand and Bernat, offer a selection of yarns that are just for babies, too.

Bulky Yarn Is Your Friend For Last-Minute Gifts

Let’s face it: Babies are born on their own schedules, and they’re almost never on time. If you’re looking for a baby item that can be made in a tight time frame due to a little one’s early arrival, then turn your attention to beautiful bulky yarn patterns. These baby patterns are typically quick and easy to make. This type of yarn is best for baby patterns that are no-frills, but are still beautiful and warm and will make a wonderful keepsake. You’ll love how quick and easy it is to crochet or knit a baby blanket with this yarn if time is of the essence.

Best Yarn for Baby Patterns: 3 Tips for Your Next Project

Do you know the best yarn to use for a baby pattern? Let this guide help you! Clockwise from top left: Baby Crochet Monkey Hat, Franny Crochet Baby Blanket, Easy Top-Down Sweater Free Crochet Pattern, Beehive Baby Crocheted Beanie Hat, Yellow Bow Easy Crochet Baby Booties, Little Prince Afghan, Quick and Easy Preemie Hat, and One Piece Baby Sweater.

These Super Easy Knit Baby Booties are easy to make and super cute!

Now it’s time to grab your knitting needles or crochet hooks and get to work on a baby pattern found on FaveCrafts! You’ll feel inspired when you see this list of baby patterns.

The Coziest Crocheted Baby Blanket Ever — The name says it all!
Beehive Baby Crocheted Beanie Hat
Baby Pullover Sweater
Little Prince Afghan
Quick and Easy Preemie Hat — Perfect for a last-minute gift idea!
One Piece Baby Sweater
Easy Top-Down Sweater Free Crochet Pattern
Franny Crochet Baby Blanket
Easy to Knit Sweet Baby Hat —This hat is as adorable as can be!
Baby Crochet Monkey Hat
Yellow Bow Easy Crochet Baby Booties — So unbelievably cute!
Mary Jane Baby Bootie Crochet Pattern
Precious Pink Baby Afghan
Baby Pea Pod Snuggly
Super Easy Knit Baby Booties
Day of the Week Bibs and Booties — Take coordination to the next level with this adorable pattern!
BONUS: Types of Yarn for Knitting or Crochet — Check out this guide before you start your next project!

What is your favorite yarn to use for baby patterns?

Babypalooza! 13 Pastel Baby Blankets

March 6, 2017 by FaveCrafts 1 Comment

Spring is fast approaching, which means one big thing in the world of crochet: it’s time to start making your baby gifts! Spring is a really popular time of year for baby showers, baby birthday parties, and other celebrations (such as Easter) where giving a gift could be appropriate. There’s no better gift for this time of year than pastel baby blankets – new parents could always use a high-quality baby blanket, and this time of year there’s usually still a bit of a chill in the air that makes it a little too cold for a new baby unless they’re bundled up in a soft baby blanket!

To get inspired, I’ve rounded up 13 of our cutest pastel afghan patterns just for you! Pastels are always a big trend for spring (just think of the colors that come to mind when you think about Easter!) and whether it’s a gift for a boy or a girl, you can’t go wrong with working up one of these adorable crochet afghan patterns in a baby-friendly pastel hue. We’re ga-ga for some of these incredible color combinations, and whether you prefer a granny square afghan pattern or something a little larger, these unique designs are sure to please! (And remember that the Pantone colors of the year are Rose Quartz and Serenity, a pastel pink and blue respectively, so you don’t have to feel guilty about working up a pretty pastel afghan for yourself, as well – it’s totally on trend for 2016!)

Babypalooza! 13 Pastel Baby Blankets

Sweet Pastel Waves Baby Blanket

Popcorn Pastel Crochet Baby Blanket

Pastel Wind Chime Lace Afghan

Rockabye Baby Granny Square

Pastel Ripple Baby Afghan

Pastel Shell Blanket

Pastel Granny Afghan

Crocheted Pastel Baby Blanket

Pastel Rainbow Baby Blanket

Pastel Roses Baby Blanket

Heavenly Pastel Baby Blanket

Rainbow of Pastels Baby Blanket

Lacy Shells Afghan

Find more fantastic crochet afghan patterns and craft ideas in the FaveCrafts Quick and Crafty newsletter.

What is your favorite spring color?

Creative Craft Supply Storage with Printers’ Trays

February 27, 2017 by Marjie Kemper 16 Comments

Several years ago one of my sisters gave me a wonderful birthday present – five different printer’s trays. Score! I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to start filling the trays with all sorts of craft materials. The trays are segmented in different ways, with a great variety in the number and size of individual craft supply storage slots.

Creative Craft Supply Storage with Printers’ Trays

The trays are perfect for the storage I had in mind, but they quickly became heavy. It was a nuisance to lift and move all of the stacked trays to get to the ones I wanted. Plus I was always afraid they might get knocked over and I’d have to do all that sorting again.

The solution was to build a box to frame them, and to put each individual tray onto rollers so they slide out like drawers. I am not very handy with carpentry, so I hired a handyman and he did an awesome job. He also built two drawers that were the same width and depth, and just a bit higher/deeper, to use for other purposes.

What Gets Stored in Each Drawer

Four of the trays are different, and I have two that are the same. I love the variety of drawer designs as they can accommodate so many different sizes of items. Most of the items I store here are metal bits and bobs, and scrapbooking embellishments.

This entire tray is filled with Tim Holtz’s Idea-ology. I love having it all in one place.

The tray with the largest openings is perfect for storing manila and other tags.

More bits and bobs.

I reserved the space at the top of the cabinet for two rolling drawers. One is used to store pieces in progress. These are small pieces I’ve made while working on other things, that I hope to use in another project down the road.

The top drawer currently holds all my deli trays and lids. These are the perfect size for laying out small projects that are in various stages of drying. I usually have quite a few laying on the counter at various times.

I am so glad I added those two plain drawers to my printer tray storage, as they can easily be changed up for whatever my needs may be as time passes. I’ve been crafting a long time and as my interests have changed over the years, I’ve come to appreciate craft supply storage that can change with the times.

Find more fantastic storage solutions and craft ideas in the FaveCrafts Quick and Crafty newsletter.

What are some creative ways you store your craft supplies?

Our Favorite Crochet Bag Patterns

February 13, 2017 by FaveCraftsBlog Leave a Comment

Bags are an ever-popular crochet accessory and a way to elevate your look to the next level. With so many different style options, there’s a bag or purse style for every outfit and occasion: a sturdy messenger bag or backpack for work or school, a large and roomy tote bag for shopping trips or the beach, even simple little handbags big enough for your phone, keys and some money. Sure, you can buy a bag or purse that’s perfectly suited to your tastes and needs, but there’s something about working up that crochet bag yourself. And with so many different types of crochet bag patterns to choose from, you’re bound to find just the perfect bag for you.

Crochet purses or crochet tote bags – you’ll find all sorts of great bag options here. My favorite, listed below, is the Autumn Day Tote – it’s a simple and roomy tote bag that’s worked up with solid-colored crochet granny squares and features sturdy pre-purchased straps and a chic lining for long-lasting durability. It’s so simple, but it looks so classic and timeless. If that just isn’t your style, there are many other crochet bags, big and small, worked in rounds or in granny squares, to choose from in this collection of 22 crochet handbags from our friends at AllFreeCrochet.

22 Crochet Handbags to Make

For even more crochet handbags, check out this little pattern collection!

What’s your favorite style of bag?

Our Favorite 15 Cozy Crochet Afghan Patterns

February 8, 2017 by FaveCraftsBlog 1 Comment

I don’t know about all of you, but now that we’re deep in the middle of winter and it’s so cold outside, I simply never want to leave my apartment. If I could just be lazy all day and stay in my bed or on the couch and stay covered with a cozy blanket, I’d be so happy. If you’re like me, and the thought of cozy blankets is all that’s on your mind this winter, I’ve got such a treat for you! I’ve dug around on AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns to find some of the best and most cozy crochet blankets, just for you.

These cozy crochet blanket patterns are plush and snuggly and will keep you warm once you work them up. They’ll even keep you warm as you work them up since the cozy yarn will be draped over your lap the whole time. Grab your hooks and favorites colors of yarn and start crocheting! Bulky or super bulky yarn will make the coziest blankets, if you ask us, but you can still get comfy with some worsted weight yarn. If you’re confident enough, try crocheting two skeins of yarn at the same time for an extra plush design.

Our Favorite 15 Cozy Crochet Afghan Patterns

Crochet Cable Throw
Thick Twist Basketweave – The basketweave stitch is so easy to make and produces a squishy fabric
Unbelievably Easy Crochet Blanket
Redwood Waffle-ghan
Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket
Cozy Feather and Fan Afghan – This one’s a little more lacy and light than the others, but the bulky weight yarn adds layers of comfort.
Snowy Faux Knit Baby Blanket
Super Cozy Crochet Puff Stitch Blanket
Faux Shearling Throw – Faux shearing – the ultimate in comfort and warmth
Irresistibly Cozy Double Woven Throw – Use two skeins of yarn at once for a plushy design
Cuddly Sleeved Afghan
Ridiculously Cozy Crochet Blanket Pattern
Cozy “Man Ghan”
Cozy Yuletide Squares Afghan – Switch up the colors for a cozy design you can use all year!
Cozy Cabin Afghan

Plus – check out even MORE cozy crochet afghans!

What’s your favorite winter activity?

The 13 Best Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns EVER

February 6, 2017 by FaveCraftsBlog 1 Comment

If there’s one type of quilt pattern that our readers love, it’s a jelly roll pattern. In case you’re new to quilting, Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns are type of precut fabric that typically contain about 40 strips of fabric. These budget-friendly strips are excellent for larger quilt projects, especially strip quilts, and help speed up the quilting process since you don’t have to worry about spending a ton of time measuring and cutting. Jelly roll quilts tend to include quick and easy patterns, which is why they’re such a hit with quilters! FaveQuilts knows how much our readers love this precut, which is why we’ve decided to combine all of our top jelly roll patterns into one convenient list.

From baby quilts for your new grandbaby to bed-sized quilts that you won’t be able to stop showing off, these free quilt patterns take the beloved jelly roll and turn them into something completely new. Pick your favorite and have a blast with your next quilting project!

If you’re new to working with precut fabric, then be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Precut Fabric. You can find a huge selection of free jelly roll patterns on this collection page, 45 Free Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns + New Jelly Roll Quilts.

13 of the Best Jelly Roll Patterns EVER!

Magic Jelly Roll Quilt – Our Readers Love It!

Golden Autumn Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern

Ice Fractals Jelly Roll Pattern – NEW!

Jelly Roll Braid Quilt – #1

Cozy Posy Triangle Quilt