FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

19 Ingenious Uses for DIY Doilies

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I love learning how to crochet charming and stunning crochet doily patterns. They easily add texture to surfaces all over your home and can really protect your more expensive wooden surfaces from the bumps and bruises of glass tchotchkes or knick knacks. The problem is too many doilies on too many surfaces starts too look a bit like you’re living in an antique store. Now don’t get me wrong, I love some good doily on doily action, but there are even more exciting ways to use your crochet doily patterns and projects once you have finished them! For some ideas, the editors of FaveCrafts turned to our active Facebook audience for their suggestions. Check out what our friends had to say!

19 Ingenious Uses

19 Ingenious  Uses for Doilies

  1. Use doilies on mixed media projects like these stunning journals. –Johana Laskso

    Mixed Media Doily Idea

    Image courtesy of Nooti

  2. Frame them with a contrasting background and hang as art. –Deborah C. Harding
  3. Rugs in doll’s houses. – Melanie Rayner
  4. Transform your finished crochet and lace doily patterns into delicate and decorative bowls. – Tiffany from Cool2CraftLovely Lace Doily Dowls
  5. Put a doily at the center of a ring and hang it with feathers and beads to make a dream catcher. – Pamela Heath
  6. Use them on purses, towels, hats, and t-shirt! –Marie Rust
  7. I’ll put a doily half in and hanging out of a drawer. It’s a really pretty accent! Especially on dresser drawers. – Gloria Belanger Baker
  8. Attached to a piece of velvet and framed in an embroidery hoop makes a lovely wall hanging. – Waneta Snyder Miles
  9. String smaller crochet doily patterns onto a necklace for a soft and lacy accent for your wardrobe. – Maya Kuzman from thelittletreasures.blogspot.com
    Crocheted Doily DIY Necklace
  10. Add them to lampshades by sewing them onto singlets and tops. – Myshelle Cole
  11. Attach to the bottom of a skirt as trim.– Myshelle Cole
  12. Hang them as wallhangings. – Myshelle Cole
  13. Combine doilies to make curtains. – Myshelle Cole
  14. Molded with fabric stiffener to make a doily bowl or made into a cake plate cover. – Gloria Belanger Baker
  15. Use them to add interest while quilting.-Judy Lunsford
  16. Combine multiple doily patterns to make a table runner. – Bernat YarnsSea Glass Table Runner
  17. Use smaller doily patterns as coasters for your home! – Morgan (our newsletter editor!)
  18. Use crochet doily projects as bunting. – Dawn Gardner
  19. Wrap them around your wrist to make a lovely DIY bracelet! – Debby from Arty CraftyDoily Cuff Bracelet

Crochet Doily Patterns We Love

If you are dying to try out one of the ideas above, check out these free crochet doily patterns over on FaveCrafts and AllFreeCrochet for inspiration.

  1. Lacy Doily T-Shirt Yarn Rug
  2. Pretty Doily Crochet Pattern
  3. Tulip Mandala Crochet Pattern
  4. Elegant Crochet Doily
  5. Pansy Doily
  6. Crown of Pineapples Doily
  7. Pinwheel Doily Pattern

How do you like to display your crochet doily projects ?
(We’all add it to the list!)

Around the World with 80 Artists: An Interview with the Author

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Crafting traditions can be found across the world. No matter where you live there is sure to be a tradition of creating and crafting. Creativity and art have the ability to bring people together and inspire harmony. This very tradition was the driving force behind the upcoming collection, Around the World in 80 Artists.

This collection of projects from international artists and designers was compiled by Mahe Zehra Husain of the Creative Art Academy as a way to celebrate diversity in art as well as raise money for the Malala Fund to educate girls around the world. This book contains 80 projects from 80 artists from 22 different countries across the world. This project highlights a love for creativity as something that holds us together. To help fun this project, check out the kickstarter fund here.

Around the World in 80 Projects

Mahe Zehra HusainTell us a bit about your project (Around the World in 80 Artists) and what inspired you to create it.

I was so tired of seeing sad stories in my Facebook news feed, it seemed as if the world was falling apart over small differences in color, religion and lifestyle. The crafting community was so different in comparison. There was such a feeling of friendship and appreciation among the artists I knew, I felt it was super important to highlight that positive and show the world that creativity can hold us together.

Your book focuses on projects from around the world. What crafting traditions inspire you?

I am influenced by my South Asian heritage. I love bright colors and mixed media and am known to incorporate a lot of bright fabrics in my work.

Out of the 80 projects in your book, which projects are your favorites?

That’s a hard question! I am super into watercolors and coloring pages and so I really like the tutorial I am sharing with you and I also love the coloring pages included in the book.

Can you tell us a bit about your process for this project? What sort of challenges did you face?

It was hard to get 80 artists together but Facebook helped me a lot there. I set up a group and invited a few artists I knew and then they started inviting others they admired and so slowly we made our way to 80 artists from 22 countries.

If you could only craft with 3 materials for the rest of your life, what three would you choose?

Paper, Glue and Scissors

What country or region do you take crafting inspiration from?

24 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed

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Lately, the editorial staff here at FaveCrafts.com has been working hard on creating extensive how to articles to help our readers out with basic crafting projects and solve every day creative problems. These crafting tutorials not only come with charming DIY craft ideas, but allow you to make the best of crafting materials, your creative space and more. Whether you are brand new to crafts or just looking for some tips you may not know, the articles below are helpful and perfect for saving for later. This smart list will serve as a resource you return to time and time again.

Craft Tutorials You Missed

  1. How to Remove Hot Glue 
  2. How to Decouage on Wood
  3. Best Yarn for Dishcloths
  4. Coloring Book Therapy: Fact or Fad?
  5. How to Prevent Your Knitting from Bunching Up
  6. How to Remove Labels from Wine Bottles
  7. Coloring Therapy: Scribble Stress Away
  8. How to Wash Tie Dye Shirts and Projects
  9. How to Set Tie Dye in Fabric
  10. How to Paint Terra Cotta Pots
  11. How to Remove Tie Dye from Skin
  12. What to Do When Mod Podge Does Not Dry Clear
  13. How to Resize Crochet Afghan Patterns
  14. How to Tie Dye: The Full Step-by-Step Tutorial
  15. How to Make Natural Dyes for Fabric
  16. How to Print Coloring Book Pages
  17. How to Remove Mod Podge
  18. How to Paint Rocks
  19. How to Bring Knitting Needles on a Plane
  20. Bracelet Size Chart and Bracelet Sizing Chart
  21. How to Store Craft Supplies: Craft Room Storage Ideas
  22. How to Watercolor for Beginners
  23. How to Oxidize Silver
  24. How to Prepare Recyclables for Crafting

 

What crafting questions do you want us to answer?

11 Unexpectedly Simple Embroidery Hoop Crafts

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It is no small secret that I am absolutely obsessed with alternative ways to decorate your home. One of my favorite DIY décor ideas is populating gallery walls with new and exciting shapes, sizes, and textures. Hanging printable wall art, canvas art ideas and more can really add some visual appeal to your gallery wall, but to really add eye-popping ideas to your walls, embroidery hoop crafts are the way to go! These DIY cuties allow you to skip the all-square boredom of framed ideas and show off your well-rounded crafting know-how. Adding projects like the 11 Unexpectedly Simple Embroidery Hoop Crafts to your walls easily adds visual interest to your indoor world.

Embroidery Hoop Crafts

11 Unexpectedly Simple Embroidery Hoop Crafts

If you are looking for even more embroidery hoop ideas and crafts, check out our list of 18 Ways to Use Embroidery Hoops.

 

What is your fave wall decor piece you have in your home?

9 Succulent Crafts You Can’t Kill

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I know that succulents are supposed to be the easiest plant to keep alive. I have read over and over again that these low-water, low-maintenance, admittedly very cute plants are impossible to kill. This is supposed to be the case, but you know what? I have yet to meet a succulent I did not kill. My thumbs about as black as they come or maybe my apartment is a dead zone.  Whatever the reality is, the succulent struggle is real. This is why I have put together this charming selection of succulent craft ideas that don’t actually involve real succulents. This collection of pretty printable flower and plant crafts, paper craft ideas, and more succulent craft ideas is dedicated to my fellow black thumb sufferers. You absolutely cannot kill these cuties, because they are not alive.

9 Succulent Crafts You Can't Kill

9 No-Fuss, No-Water (Okay, Fake!) Succulent Crafts

 

Printable Flower Patterns

 

Find more lovely ways to add floral crafts to your home without worrying about keeping them alive and green with our collection of 81+ Printable Flower Patterns. This stunning collection of flower craft ideas includes paper crafts, crochet patterns, free sewing patterns, crazy easy DIY crafts, and more.

Faux and Fake Flower Crafts: Brilliant solution or a little bit tacky?

Hook Ahead: 12 Crochet Cardigans You’ll Want This Fall

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While it might seem like it is too early to start thinking about your fall wardrobe, every crocheter knows that a quality crochet cardigan pattern can take some time to crochet. Since cardigan patterns to crochet can be extra complicated and are much larger than smaller fall accessories like crochet scarves or mittens, you want to start them early. Plus, you can get some pretty awesome deals on thicker yarns right now. It is off-season! If you’re looking to add cardigans to your fall layers this year, consider these free crochet cardigan patterns from some of our favorite designs and companies! Check out Hook Ahead: 12 Crochet Cardigans You’re Going to Want This Fall for all your crochet pattern needs.

Crochet Cardigan Patterns

All of the crochet patterns below are totally free to download on either FaveCrafts.com or our sister site, AllFreeCrochet.com. Even if you do not want to start a project soon (we don’t blame you), you can easily pin or bookmark these pretty patterns for later!

Coldwater Creek Style Cardigan

1941 Crochet Shell Stitch Cardigan

Reading Room Crochet Sweater

Breezy Bamboo Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Do you prefer cuddling into cardigans or hoodies when the weather gets chilly?

2 Shark Coloring Pages for Shark Week

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Shark Week is still here, and we are still celebrating. We here at FaveCrafts love just about any animal out there. Sharks are no exception. There’s something so scary yet amazing about a shark. In addition to this crazy fun round-up we posted a few days ago, we wanted to provide some even more exciting shark craft ideas!Shark Coloring Pages

Look out below for some totally free to download free coloring book pages featuring your favorite toothy friends from the deep. The two pages below are completely free to download and keep forever and ever.

Floral Shark Coloring Page

Floral Shark Coloring Page

Flowers and sharks might seem like a strange combination, but this simple and elegant coloring book page really makes it work.
Download the Floral Shark Coloring Page.

Nautical Shark Coloring Page

Nautical Shark Coloring Page

 

Crafters who love nautical crafts and beach craft ideas will adore this free printable. Featuring one big shark and smaller nautical accents, you could easily frame this cutie as DIY wall art at your beach house or in your bathroom.
Download the Nautical Shark Coloring Page.

Find even more coloring pages to love over at FaveCrafts.com. We animal coloring pages, marvelous mandalas, and more!

What other animal do you think deserves its own “week”?

Charming Chompers: 19 DIY Crafts for Shark Week

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The first Shark Week aired on the Discovery Channel in July of 1988, making shark week nearly 30 years old to this date. This fact alone is a testament to our obsession as a culture with sharks. Sharks are the dinosaurs of the deep, inspiring fear and fascination in our hearts. I’ve always been a little in love with sharks and, because of this, am a huge fan of Shark Week. A whole week dedicated to those chomping, swimming fishes? Yes, please!

Shark Crafts

In order to celebrate Shark Week, we have collected a wide range of shark craft ideas. From shark crafts for kids to more adult ideas like shark tooth necklaces and crochet patterns, the Shark Week crafts below are sure to be adored by any friend of these fierce fishes. Just keep scrolling (or swimming) to see all the jaws-dropping Shark Week crafts we have to offer. They won’t bite. We promise!

19 DIY Crafts for Shark Week

Jaws-Dropping DIY Necklace

Sharky Free Pillow Pet Pattern

Shark Fingerprint Art

Super Cute Shark Afghan

Shark Week Sewing Patterns
Find even more sharky ideas over at our sister blog, SeamsandScissors.com! Jaws-Dropping Ideas: How to Make a Shark for Shark Week features 11 free sewing patterns and sewing project ideas you will definitely want to sink your teeth into.

 

 

What’s your favorite shark movie? I love Jaws.

15 Big-Impact Small Space Garden Crafts

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If you’re like me, you would love to have a huge green space where flowers bloom and bunnies visit hoping for a nibble to display all of your stunning garden crafts and outdoor DIY ideas. The spring and summer always makes me feel like running outside and immediately making garden projects. The problem is I live in an apartment and, while I may have a bright and beautiful sprawling backyard one day, right now I have a small little windowsill for my green friends. That does not stop me though! You can have a garden no matter where you live!

Small Space Garden Crafts

Scale down big garden ideas and create these small space solutions. Flowers can be an option in your life, no matter how big your backyard! The following garden craft ideas fit in little spots. Whether you live in a small apartment, an assisted living spot, a trailer, or just have a small house with a little yard, these 15 Big-Impact Small Space Garden Crafts are for you.

Super Easy Succulent Garden

Coffee Pot Terrarium

Bright DIY Hanging Planters

Rolling Pallet Planter

Summer Air Plant Ornaments

Plus, How to Make a Fairy Garden!

Check out our full video tutorial below on how to plan, plant, and take care of a fairy garden then head on over to FaveCrafts.com for the full tutorial, complete with even more fairy garden ideas.

 

DIY Garden Decor

 

Check out our favorite garden ideas from last year in DIY Garden Decor Ideas You’ll Totally Dig.

 

Which do you prefer: succulents, flowers, herbs, or indoor trees?

6 Knitting and Crochet Techniques for Aging Hands

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As you age, your body changes. This is especially true for your vision, hands, and overall coordination, some of the most essential parts of knitting and crocheting. While you may have learned how to crochet years ago, the truth is that sometimes with age you have to relearn how to crochet or how to knit in a more convenient and comfortable way. Aging does not mean you have to give up your favorite hobbies, but making some adjustments to your techniques can make the whole process much more enjoyable. Check out the 6 Knitting and Crochet Techniques for Aging Hands below to learn about some adjustments you can make to your crochet patterns and knitting projects to make them easier and more enjoyable.

One of the biggest gripes we hear from our audience when it comes to aging and crochet and knitting projects is that hand and wrist fatigue increasingly becomes an issue. Sore wrists and cramped hands can turn the cutest crochet project into a painful process. Look out below for our surprisingly simple solutions.

6 Knitting and Crochet Techniques for Aging Hands SAU(2)

6 Knitting and Crochet Techniques for Aging Hands

  1. Add light and a magnifier to your space.

    Adjust your crochet space to add more light and invest in a magnifier. While it may not seem like sore eyes are directly connected to wrist paint while crocheting, this extra issue can really affect your whole process. Crocheters and knitters who squint may be inadvertently adding tension to their hands as the struggle to see what they are doing. Plus, pausing in uncomfortable and unnatural positions due to poor lighting can easily cause over-exertion.

  2. Stretch, Stretch, Stretch

    Make sure to stretch your hands before, during, and after you work on your projects. No crochet technique in the world will make the project easier if you do not take care of yourself. Give your muscles a fighting chance by warming them up each time you crochet or knit. Stretching amidst a hooking or purling session can help too. Consider learning some new stretches or trying yoga for your wrists and hands if you are especially sore.

  3. Give Yourself More Time

    The reality is that the more wear and tear your hands receive, the more time they are going to need to recover. This means giving yourself more time to finish projects. Don’t plan on sitting down and crocheting that 2 Hour Pot Holders pattern all the way through in an afternoon. Break up the time you spend crocheting or knitting into smaller segments.

  4. Get (or Make) Hand-Friendly Hooks

    Basic and simple crochet hooks can be too small to grip for an extended period of time. Make sure you spend the money on crochet hooks and knitting needles that add some comfort to your crocheting. We recommend buying or making your own knitting needle or crochet hook polymer clay crafts. Adding a softer, bulkier handle to your tools can work wonders.Funky Polymer Clay Crochet Hook Handles

  5. Skip the super intricate projects.

    We all know that crochet patterns with thinner yarn and tinier needles are much harder to make. You should avoid these more intricate projects or, at least, work on them a lot less frequently. Bulky and chunky knitting patterns and crochet projects can be created a lot more quickly and require much less intricate, hand-hurting work.

  6. Be Kind to Yourself

    Aging can be a tricky process. It can be really hard to admit that sometimes you are just not capable of doing things as quickly or as precisely as you used to. Above all else, remember to be kind to yourself. While it might be a bummer to crochet a little less or work on easy knitting patterns instead of impressive intermediate endeavors, remember why you started creating in the first place. You can find as much joy in an hour of crocheting than you used two in three hours of hooking.

Easy Crochet Patterns and Beginner Knitting Patterns to Try

Check out these easy crochet patterns that make you crochet experience easy peasy and beginner knitting patterns that are gentle on your hands. Use the knitting and crochet techniques above with these free project patterns we love.

Did you learn to crochet when you were younger or later in life?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

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