FaveCrafts

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

How to Knit a Bow

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When I saw this adorable bow headband tutorial by Stephanie from A Common Thread, I knew I had to try to make my own.  While I loved the idea of creating a stylish headband from yarn scraps, I also wanted my bow to be more versatile.  Wouldn’t it be great if I could transform my bow into a hairclip or a necklace at every fashionable whim?   I sure thought so,  and so I created my own bow with an open back where either a chain or hairclip can easily be inserted – depending on where my stylish whim takes me.

 

Here’s how I made my version of this fabulous idea!

Materials:

  • DK weight yarn from your stash
  • U.S. size 9 knitting needles
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle

Instructions:

  1. I happened to have some new DK weight yarn that I wanted to try out, so I used that instead of the recommended worsted weight yarn for this tutorial.  I also used larger sized needles so my bow would come out light and delicate.
  2. To begin, CO 13 stitches and knit the seed stitch for every row until you have a rectangular piece that’s six inches in length.  You can use any stitch you like – garter stitch, daisy stitch, stockinette stitch – I just love the texture of the seed stitch and thought it would make a stunning accessory:
  3. Once your rectangle is long enough, BO and weave in the ends.  Take some more yarn of the same color and CO 5 stitches.  Continue knitting the seed stitch (or whatever stitch you selected for step 2) for every row until your tiny rectangle is three to three and a half inches long.
  4. Take your smaller rectangle and wrap it around the middle of the larger rectangle and sew sides together.  I also attached the sides of the smaller rectangle to the top of  the larger rectangle to increase stability.
  5. You’re done!  If you want to wear your new bow as a necklace, simply thread a chain through the back of the bow.  Want to put it in your hair?  Slip a metal hairclip through the back and you’re ready to go.  I hope you enjoy!

 

How will you use your bow?  Tell us in the comments!

What Can You Make with Paper Scraps?

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If you do any kind of paper crafting (scrapbooking, card making, decoupaging, origami, etc…) you probably accumulate a ton of different shaped and sized paper scraps. If you’re like most of the world, these scraps and nothing more than garbage to you. But most crafters look at scraps as a creative challenge. So save your scraps (and save some cash while you’re at it) by using your paper scraps as materials for creating something fabulous.

I recently put together an article on 17 Scrap Paper Crafts & Paint Chips Crafts. I love the idea of crafting with paint chips–they’re free and they literally come in just about any color imaginable! I wouldn’t go so far as calling this a completely “green” recycling project, since no one accumulates that many paint chips when contemplating a color scheme (or do they?), but it’s still thrifty! Check out this mosaic you can make with paint chips:

We’ve also got a fun and thrifty wreath you can easily make from paint chips. The Paint Chip Valentine’s Wreath is made from red and pink paint chips, but you can customize it for any holiday or home decor style just by changing the color chips you use:

Paint Chip Valentine Wreath

I also really can’t get enough of these Colorful Paper Mobiles. I’m planning on using them as a decoration for my wedding. They’re the perfect way to add a pop of color without spending a lot of time or money. You can even reuse old magazine pages to get the same effect.

I found some other cool projects around the web for using up paper scraps. This paper scrap lamp is seriously awe-inspiring! If you click over to read the how-to, you’ll be amazed at the simplicity of it. Why didn’t I think of that??

Here’s an easy tutorial for making paper circle garlands, another cheap decor element for a party. All you need is a circle punch (or the patience to cut out all of those circles) and a sewing machine.

I also really loved this paper butterfly mobile, which also uses a paper punch (or a butterfly die cut, if you’ve got one). You can switch out the shape to personalize this mobile as well. I think it might be cute with hearts, or maybe the moon and stars? What do you think?

Which project was your favorite? Don’t forget to check out my article, 17 Scrap Paper Crafts & Paint Chip Crafts to see all of the cool ideas and projects to make with your paper scrap stash!

My Top 5 Stashbusters

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The bottom drawer of my yarn organizer, like the neglected shelf space at the back of the refrigerator, is reserved for leftovers.  It’s a multicolored cubic foot of tangled scraps of yarn. If I’m lucky, the socks I made last spring will wear through, and I can go straight to that drawer and find the exact same yarn for darning, justifying my hoard of leftovers. But most of the time, the tangle sits untouched. Even if I find a few amigurumi or knitted flower patterns to use up some of the scraps, these well-meaning knitting project plans inevitably give way to more exciting endeavors requiring miles upon miles of pristine yarn.

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself to work on stashbusters, this post is for you! My first bit of advice is to stop buying yarn until you really need it. You have a list of projects to do, you have an entire spare bedroom full of yarn, and it’s time to get knitting. This strategy will seem simple as you busily click your needles along for the first week or two and start burning through that stash. But when you get within a mile of your LYS, the closest Hobby Lobby, or eventually even the local Wal-Mart, you will begin to experience yarn-shopping withdrawal.  I’ve been doing this challenge since October, and I often find myself standing in front of yarn displays and dreaming of new projects, with no recollection of how I got to the store.

This brings us to my second piece of advice: find some stashbusting projects you are truly enthusiastic about. Don’t even try to knit knick-knacks you’ll never use. Find projects that make you smile or patterns that seem functional, and your stashbusting projects will become just as exciting as the lacy, cabled masterpiece you spent the past 3 months on. As an added bonus, you can often complete stashbusters in just an evening. They’ll provide a welcome break from time consuming or repetitive larger patterns. Here are just a few of the easy knitting projects I’m planning for leftover yarn:

1. Beaded Friendship Bracelet

Beaded Friendship Bracelet

This fashionable cuff can be made with different yarns or beads to vary the style and match with different outfits.

2. Easter Egg Ornaments

Easter Egg Ornaments

The stripes and polka dots make these especially useful for very small scraps of yarn. Hang them on an arrangement of pussy willow branches for a cheery Easter decoration.

3. Baby Mitts

Baby Mitts

These mitts are a fast and easy knitting project because you don’t have to deal with tricky thumbs. The adorable striping also lends itself to creative stashbusting.

4. Dragonfly Washcloth

Washcloths are a great way to use leftover yarn, especially if you have scraps of cotton. Plus, you’re guaranteed to use something as practical as a washcloth!

5. Boxes Full O’ Seeds Neck Warmer

Boxes Full O Seeds Neck Warmer

This knitting project is a little bigger than the others, so you might want to use a ball of nicer yarn leftover from a bigger project. The buttons let you fasten this neck warmer snugly without adding extra fabric.

Now it’s your turn! I’m challenging you to pull out your drawer of yarn scraps and get creative. What are your favorite patterns for stashbusting?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty

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