FaveCrafts

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

How FaveCrafts Celebrated Our 10 Year Anniversary

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2019 marks 10 years that FaveCrafts has been online, and what a joy it has been! Over the years we’ve worked with hundreds of bloggers to share wonderful crafts and inspiration for readers like you. To celebrate, we partnered with the Craft Yarn Council‘s charity Warm Up America! to collect gloves and mittens for those in need. Learn a bit more about our celebration below!

FaveCrafts turned 10 in 2019. To celebrate, we partnered with Warm Up America! to run a Gloves and Mittens Charity Drive. This pattern was created for the promotion by Alex Halsey from withalexofficial.com and can be found here.

We Asked the Craft Yarn Council What They Needed

The Craft Yarn Council is a nonprofit that sponsors a wide range of promotional and educational programs, including its highly acclaimed Certified Instructors Program, Discover Knit and Crochet classes, and its popular I Love YARN Day event (the second Friday in October). You can learn more about them at their website, craftyarncouncil.com. Their charity, Warm Up America!, accepts donations of knit and crocheted items year round for those in need. When asked, they said their biggest need at this time is for gloves and mittens!

Easy Peasy Crochet Fingerless Gloves pattern by Shawn Mosch of Crafty Chic's Blog
Easy Peasy Crochet Fingerless Gloves pattern by Shawn Mosch of Crafty Chic’s Blog. View the pattern here.

We opened up the charity drive to include crocheted and knit sections as well, suggesting that after fiber artists finished whipping up a pair of mittens, they could use the leftover yarn to create 7×9″ sections. These sections are later seamed together by WUA! volunteers to make warm afghans.

The FaveCrafts Afghan 7x9" Section by Sarah Zimmerman
This 7×9″ section pattern was designed by Sarah Zimmerman of Repeat Crafter Me.

Sarah Zimmerman of Repeat Crafter Me designed a new crochet pattern that donors could use to make the sections. Not only did she design individual sections, but she created…

The FaveCrafts Afghan

The FaveCrafts Afghan
The FaveCrafts Afghan, by Sarah Zimmerman. You can view this pattern at RepeatCrafterMe.com here, or at FaveCrafts.com here.

We were so fortunate to work with three designers for this promotion. Sarah Zimmerman from Repeat Crafter Me designed The FaveCrafts Afghan, comprised of crocheted 7×9″ sections that can be donated to Warm Up America! Alexandra Halsey of With Alex created a gorgeous beginner-friendly mittens pattern:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIFLOThJ8L/

And Shawn Mosch of Crafty Chic’s Blog created a lovely fingerless mitts pattern tied off with a ribbon:

Check out more of the lovely Instagram posts about our charity drive at https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/favecraftsturns10/

We Made Sections at the Office

Several of the editors at Prime Publishing crochet and knit, but many of us are beginners, so gloves are a bit beyond our skill level! In order to still participate in the charity drive, we organized an in-office event for editors to learn how to knit or crochet their own sections.

Toby Teaches Morgan How to Knit
AllFreeKnitting Editor Toby teaches FaveCrafts Editor Morgan how to begin the pattern.
RecipeLion Editor Kristin and AllFreeCrochet Editor Laura begin their sections.
Kristi, Rachel, Dana, and Leith Making Sections
AllFreeKnitting Editor Kristi, Managing Editor Rachel, FaveCrafts Editor Dana, and special guest Leith making sections.

You’ll notice the special guest in our photo above—Leith! The day we hosted our party happened to also be Bring Your Child to Work Day, so Leith had the opportunity to learn how to crochet with us.

FaveCrafts 10 Year Anniversary Charity Drive
FaveCrafts Editor Dana teaches Leith how to crochet.

Warm Up America! Collected Over 800 Knit and Crocheted Items

Our Gloves and Mittens Charity Drive ran from May 1-June 30, 2019. We are pleased to announce that Warm Up America! collected:
202 Pairs of Gloves and Mittens
606 Sections

It’s Not Too Late to Get Involved

Did you miss our charity drive? Warm Up America! accepts donations year round. Check out their current needs and follow them on Facebook to see their latest requests! And, if you don’t have time to make something, you can always make a financial donation to Warm Up America!

“Cowl” us Crazy! 12 Knit and Crochet Patterns

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Just “cowl” us crazy! It’s that time to start making your winter accessories. It’s never too early to start because you want to be prepared for the cold winter weather with all the cozy accessories to keep you warm. One of our favorite cold weather accessories is a warm cowl. Whether you knit or crochet (or both!), these are the latest free patterns you have to see.

“Cowl” us Crazy! 12 Knit and Crochet Patterns

Browse this collection of cowl patterns, and you might discover a new favorite crochet cowl pattern or knitting pattern. Long story short, after you make yourself one of these beautiful patterns, you’ll be wanting to make some more! Stitch up any of these patterns as the perfect DIY gifts for the holidays. They’re so much more special and unique than what you can buy in stores and everyone can always use a new cowl.

In the fall, pair these cowls with your favorite top or light sweater to fight off the chill. Then, when winter comes along, pair them with your most cozy sweater and stay warm all season long. Create one of these knit or easy crochet patterns in the color of the season: marsala. Whether it’s a rich plum or deep burgundy hue, it’s sure to make a statement!

 

“Cowl” us Crazy! 12 Knit and Crochet Patterns

 

Woodland Nightfall Knit SnoodFree Knitting Patterns

Winter Seeds Cowl

Woodland Nightfall Knit Snood

Lilac Dream Knit Cowl

Sparkle Lacy Knit Cowl

 

Back to Scotland Crochet CowlFree Crochet Patterns

Kiss Me At Midnight Cowl

Back to Scotland Crochet Cowl

Diamond Crochet Cowl

All Grown Up Crochet Cowl

 

Plum Easy Crochet CowlOne Skein Wonders

Purple Passion Knit Cowl Pattern

Crooked Creek Cowl

Plum Easy Crochet Cowl

Chunky Crochet Cowl

 

What color yarn will you use to make your cowl?

 

 

AllFreeChristmasCrafts.com Giveaway: The Knook, plus 3 Knook Project Books

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The Knook, plus 3 Knook Project BooksDo you love to knit and crochet? You can combine both of these yarny pastimes with a fabulous tool called the Knook. The Knook is half crochet hook, half yarn needle, and it makes knitting easier and more fun for everyone. We are giving away one copy of The Knook Beginner Set. Enter to win here.

Maybe you prefer to knit, but you can’t stand it when your yarn slips off those needles. Now you don’t have to worry about losing your work because the yarn is held in place with a 36″ (91cm) cord. This tool makes big knitting projects like blankets and infinity scarves that much easier to make. The beginner book even conveniently includes patterns for blankets and infinity scarves! With Knooks in three different sizes, three cords, and a beginner book with instructions and projects, you will be hooked on the Knook in no time!

As if this great beginning kit isn’t enough, Leisure Arts also has three more project books for the Knook. Dishcloths Made with the Knook is a how-to book written by author Starla Kramer that is composed of ten great dishcloth designs. Baby Beanies Made with the Knook is written by Dorothy E. Uhlir and contains seven hat projects your baby will love. Baby Blankets Made with the Knook was written by Melissa Leapman and includes six designs to swaddle your infant. All three of these books have a section at the back that gives general instructions on how to use the Knook as well. Ideas are abundant with all of these fabulous books. All you need is your yarn!

AllFreeChristmasCrafts.com is giving away one copy of The Knook, plus 3 Knook Project Books to one lucky winner. You could win!

Learn more and enter to win here.

Contest ends August 13, 2013. You can enter once daily, return often to improve your chances of winning!

 

Geek Crafts: DIY Dice Bag Roundup

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I’m Haley Pierson-Cox from The Zen of Making, and this is your weekly dose of geeky goodness!

Dungeon Masters, gamers, and RPGers, this week’s column is all about you. Isn’t it high time that you stepped up your dice bag game? Satisfy your urge to make—and keep your collection safe and organized—with a tutorial from my dice bag roundup!

1. Dice Bag of Doom! from Lara Breese on Ravelry

2. Pirate Dice from purly on LiveJoural

3. Dice bag with D6 pattern from Selana on Ravelry

4. Legend of Zelda Triforce Chainmaille Dice Bag from RabbitDance on Instructables

5. Elegant Dice Bag Tutorial from Be My Goth

6. Pattern for Fibonacci’s Dice Bag from I *heart* Stash

Looking for more game-related goodness? Check out my Rubik’s Cube Roundup right here on FaveCrafts!

100+ Craft Tutorials to Kick Off National Craft Month!

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If you’re looking for the perfect time to learn a new crafting hobby, now’s the time to do it!  March is National Craft Month and we’re gearing up for a month full of inspiration and creativity!  We’ve got new projects, awesome giveaways, new radio shows, and a few more surprises still to come!  So be sure to tune in every day and see what’s new!

We’re going to kick off National Craft Month the best way we know how:  with 100+ of our very best tutorials from all our craft sites!  From scarves to quilts, necklaces to afghans, we’ve got something for everyone on this list!

And if you think this is impressive, be sure to check back often for more new ideas, information on exciting giveaways, and helpful how-to’s to help you learn a new crafting hobby this month!

 

Easy Beaded Jewelry Ideas:

 

  1. Cobalt Blue Elegance Bracelet (shown)
  2. Evening Sparkle Bracelet
  3. Irish Linen easy Wrap Bracelet
  4. Glowing Garden Pearl Necklace
  5. Jeweled Dangle Earrings
  6. Pink Panther Beaded Ring
  7. Box Chain Bracelet
  8. Japanese 12 in 1 Bracelet and Ring
  9. Electric Yellow Glass Pendant
  10. Just Dreaming Pendant
  11. Asymmetrical Macrame Bracelet
  12. Easy Chiffon Cluster Necklace (shown)
  13. Washers and Macrame Bracelet
  14. Hidden Message Locket
  15. Easy Copper Circle Earrings (shown)

 

Christmas Craft Ideas:

   

  1. Beaded Ornaments
  2. Snowmen Rule (shown)
  3. Hanging Christmas Stars
  4. Wooden Snowman Snowflake (shown)
  5. 10-Minute Fabric Bracelet
  6. Little Standing Snowman
  7. DIY Hand Painted Candles
  8. Toilet Roll Flower Ornament
  9. Embossed Soda Can Snowsicles
  10. Musical Christmas Wreath
  11. Wax Dipped Pine Cone Ornaments
  12. Felt Peppermint Candy Star
  13. Fat Quarter Tree
  14. 16 Christmas Sewing Crafts to Decorate your Home
  15. 19 Fun Snowman Christmas Crafts (shown)

 

Best Free Crochet Patterns:

    

  1. Popular Zen Jacket (shown)
  2. Sushi Roll Scarf
  3. Soccasins
  4. Grocery Tote Bag
  5. Bumpy Popcorn Crochet Scarf (shown)
  6. Spiral Crochet Afghan
  7. 24 Beginner Crochet Hats
  8. Baby Cocoon and Hat
  9. Stashaholic’s Brain Dead Afghan
  10. Crocheted Snow Swirls
  11. Blue Boyfriend Blanket
  12. Little Starburst Dishcloth
  13. 5 1/2 Hour Throw
  14. Sensational Scarf
  15. Tea Light Flower (shown)

 

Crochet Afghan Patterns:

   

  1. Aunt Dot’s Afghan (shown)
  2. Day Dream Nursery Afghan (shown)
  3. Scrap of Beauty Afghan (shown)
  4. Love and Kisses Throw
  5. Cozy Man-ghan
  6. Crocheted Cuddly Kittens Afghan
  7. Diamonds In Pink Afghan
  8. Versatile Flower Granny Afghan
  9. Hearts Of Many Yarns Afghan
  10. 6 Hours or Less Throw
  11. Brain Dead Afghan
  12. Sugar Pop Baby’s First Afghan
  13. Ice Crystals Afghan
  14. Pink N Grey Blanket
  15. Scallop Afghan

 

Easy Holiday Crafts:

  1. Stunning Coffee Filter Wreath
  2. Junkmail Snowflake Lanterns
  3. Mini Cupcake Liner Topiaries
  4. Fabulous Wreath from Toilet Paper Rolls (shown)
  5. Dollar Store Santa Coasters
  6. Twinkle and Twine Dollar Store
  7. Santa Goes Splat Ornament
  8. The Grass is Greener Wreath
  9. Pretty Coffee Filter Roses (shown)
  10. Dangling Carrots Door Display
  11. Bunny Boo Amigurumi
  12. Fuzzy Hello Spring Wreath
  13. Coffee Filter Butterfly
  14. Ruffled Rainbow Door Hanger
  15. Adorable Embellished Easter Card (shown)

 

Easy Knitting Patterns:

   

  1. The Snowfall Scarf
  2. 22 Free Baby Knitting Patterns
  3. Dragon Scale Keyhole Scarf
  4. Lacy Zig Zag Scarf
  5. Peacock Jewel Scarf (shown)
  6. Goddess Lace Ladder Scarf (shown)
  7. April Showers Scarf
  8. Bamboo Wedding Shawl (shown)
  9. Easter Egg Ornaments
  10. Rick Rack Scarf
  11. Summer Shimmer Scarf
  12. Sunshine Scarf
  13. Waffle Cone Scarf
  14. Sparkle Glam Scarf
  15. Lacy Rambler Legwarmers

 

Easy Sewing Projects:

         

  1. How to Make a Gathered Fabric Flower
  2. Easiest Clothespin Bag
  3. Fabric Coffee Cozy
  4. 14 Quick and Easy Sewing Projects (shown)
  5. Enchanting Chai Sachet
  6. 15 Minute Mouse Pad Wrist Rest
  7. Easy Peasy Doorstop
  8. Baby Knot Hat Pattern and Tutorial
  9. Easy 10 Minute Garden Gloves (shown)
  10. Fabric Book Cover Tutorial
  11. iPod Key Chain Case
  12. All In One Picnic Tote
  13. Chevron Pillow
  14. Simple Beach Cover Up
  15. Last Minute Headwrap (shown)

DIY Craft Projects:

  1. 10 Minute Scrapbook Layout
  2. DIY Chandelier (shown)
  3. How to Make Yarn Fringe
  4. Doily Vintage Angel Card
  5. Pink Baby Onesie (shown)
  6. Japanese Afternoon Quilt
  7. Party Hat Tutorial (shown)
  8. Button Water Bottle Bracelets
  9. Plastic Spoon Roses
  10. Infinity Rug
  11. 10 Crafty Uses for Toothbrushes
  12. Coffee Cup Tool Carrier
  13. Seashells Scarf
  14. Sock Wreath
  15. Spa Bath Mat

 

Free Easy Quilt Patterns:

   

  1. I Spy Disappearing Nine Patch (shown)
  2. Star Flower Quilt Block
  3. Crazy Nine Patch (shown)
  4. Daisy Star Nine Patch Quilt (shown)
  5. Lattice Quilt Block
  6. Love Knot Anniversary Table Runner
  7. Crazy in Love Wedding Quilt
  8. Glorious Garden Floral Quilt
  9. Magic Disappearing 9 Patch Table Runner
  10. Magic Nine Patch Quilted Tote
  11. Buttons and Bows Throw
  12. No Fuss Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt
  13. Catch a Spinning Star Bed Quilt
  14. One Color Scrappy Baby Quilt
  15. Disappearing Nine Patch Wall Hanging

 

 

GIVEAWAY

We are giving away a prize a day every day here on our FaveCrafts blog for National Craft Month. It is so easy to enter. Just go to our Project of the Day post and comment to enter! You have 31 chances to win and a new special prize each day.

Knitting and Crochet a Proven Stress Reliever

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Most people knit or crochet for fun, but could there be a larger benefit? These two activities have been proven to be huge stress relievers and are encouraged hobbies. Studies show activities such as knitting and crochet have a calming effect on the mind, allowing people to reduce their anxiety.

christmas_crochet

As a result of the ability to reduce feelings of stress or worry, knitting and crochet can even help medical conditions such as asthma or panic attacks. Similarly, both activities can actually strengthen the body’s  immune system.

Crochet and knitting can help get your mind off of other problems while providing a stress-free activity to occupy your mind. It’s probably a good thing that mothers-to-be often take up knitting for their unborn babies–they need some distraction from their pregnancy!

Click here to read my personal story of how a Knitting and Crochet Tote became a stress reliever for me. If you want to try some easy knitting and crochet projects, try our Free Easy Crochet Patterns and Beginners Help or make your very own Crochet Tote Bag.

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Jewelry

Knitting

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Sewing

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