It’s time to start making great, ‘green’, easy gifts.   I have just designed a fun, project that uses vintage buttons to make lovely bracelets. Yesterday, I posted about crocheting with wire and vintage and retro buttons.
Today,
I got out my
28 gauge copper wire
and fine steel crochet
hook,
and a wonderful
vintage button.
I love bracelets
and decided that
it was time to  turn
this button into a
bracelet.
I wrapped the
end of the wire
through the shank
of the button
and around the
end of the hook
to form a loop.
Then….
I crocheted and
crocheted
and crocheted, and frogged and frogged and frogged…. sheesh… for a simple bracelet, it took a heap of attempts to get it right! …read more

Sometimes, you create something and it’s so lovely that you don’t want to “ruin” it by using it. So you drape it over the back of the sofa or fold it and put it away, only to take it down every now and then to admire it. I made some dishcloths once for my aunt (dishcloths, people, dishcloths) and she admitted that she let them sit for months before she actually used them because “they were so nice.” She only broke down because she didn’t have any other dishcloths to use.
On one hand, I’m really touched that she thinks so …read more

If you’re knitting gifts for the holidays, have you finished yet? One of these years, I’m going to get into the Christmas knitting spirit, but I can see myself not meeting deadlines and then sitting up all Christmas Eve, frantically trying to finish! And that’s just not how I want to spend my holiday.
I’m going to re-examine how I feel next month (because I would need to start planning in January) because I’ve seen so many nice projects on so many blogs — they’re not all elaborate, either. Some are small and simple, like this poinsettia ornament.
So how are you …read more

When you take the time to make something for someone else, why not add the perfect little finishing touch? Gift tags are a great way to truly personalize a gift. You can find sew-on labels or simply attach these tags as a way to say “I care.”
They’re typically inexpensive and so worth putting your special stamp on a project you took time and effort to make. These are from Stitch Diva Studios: 

Don’t forget to add special care instructions if necessary, such as “wash in cool water”, “handwash only” or “line dry.” This way, your special gift lasts for years to …read more

If your cat or kitten is your best friend, you want to make something for her/him for Christmas, right? Fortunately, you can whip up a crochet gift rather quickly. Here are some ideas for the furry feline in your life — and all of these patterns are free: 
Crochet chicken (or other bird) – Perfect for stuffing with catnip
Kitty sweater – Because what cat doesn’t just love to wear clothes?
Catnip mouse – More catnip
Snuggle tubbie – Although meant to provide a safe and comfortable place for shelter animals, this is great for any pet  
Octo-puss toy – Great for using up scraps
Want more kitty? Be sure to hop over to …read more

Let’s say you waited until just now to knit and/or crochet gifts for the holidays. You need some ideas that you can work up fast. Usually, the smaller the project, the quicker you can whip it out (though yarn thickness and needle size also come into play). What types of projects can you dive into and finish before December 25? Here’s some ideas:
Crochet Christmas tree air freshener
Knit baby poncho
Crochet stocking
Knit Peter Rabbit
Crochet angel wreath
Knit squiPod iPod cozy
Crochet penguin ornament
Knit Anna of Green Cables hat
Crochet purse
Knit coffee cup cozy
Small projects are perfect for using up leftovers from other projects or for stashbusting, …read more

It’s that time of year again. It’s magical and cheerful and hopefully, spent with the people you love best. It’s also a time to buy or craft gifts for others, if that’s part of how you celebrate. Whether you buy presents for other crafty people in your life or you make a list so that your loved ones buy you exactly what you want, here’s a list of great gifts for knitters and crocheters, even if that someone is you:  
Notions & Accessories
Key ring
Stitch markers
Sheepy gauge
Soak wool wash
Shawl and scarf pins
Bags & Cases
Needle organizer
Accessory case
Tote
Needles & Hooks
Ergonomic
Unique
Rosewood
Hummingbird
Books
Cozy Crochet
Knit Noel
Crocheting on the Edge
Luxe
Spinning …read more

Christmas is about a month away, so anyone out there who’s knitting or crocheting or crafting gifts has probably already started. Every January, I ask myself if I’m going to knit gifts for that year’s Christmas. I have to start thinking about it in January because I’m a slow knitter. It’s been a couple of years since I knitted gifts and I don’t know when I’ll start up again.
There are few things as satisfying than working on a project for hours and then gifting it and seeing the recipient really appreciate it. On the other hand, there are few things as frustrating as …read more

What could be better than wrapping a friend in your loving thoughts and stitches?
Check out: Friendship Shawls

Happy Blogiversary to us!
Happy Blogiversary to us!
Happy happy to us!
My daughter, Chloë Findlay-Harder of (Tangled Threads and Her Accessories  among others!) and I are both celebrating our 2 year Blogiversary at b5media.
To celebrate, I have made us each 2 recycled wood bracelets that I call: Recycled Ruffle Cuffs: I guess you could call them a very special Friendship Bracelet!
Here’s how I make the Recycled Ruffle Cuff bracelets:
I cut freeform organic curvie shapes out of wood that I have reclaimed. In this case, it’s the bottom of drawers from a desk that gave up the ghost:

I had a flash that it …read more