tutorial

How To: Make A Pom Pom

hookstitchsewLeave a comment

I often get asked how to make a Pom Pom when you don’t have a Pom Pom maker, or if you don’t have a Pom Pom maker for the size you are wanting so I have put together a how to make pom poms in any size.

How to: Make a pom pom

Materials:

  • Wool in your chosen colour(s).
  • Cardboard.
  • Compass/something circular that is the size pom pom you are wanting, and a smaller circular item to draw a smaller circle.
  • Scissors.
  • Darning needle.
  • Pencil.

Step 1: Making the cardboard circles.

  • If using your compass: set it to span half the diameter of the circle you are wanting, then draw 2 circles onto the cardboard. Next make the span of the compass smaller and draw a smaller circle in the middle of the larger circle.
  • If using a circular object, draw around this object to get your circle, then draw around the smaller object for the middle circle.
  • Cut out the two circles and then cut out the smaller middle circle.
  • Stack the two circles together.

Step 2: Wrapping the wool.

  • Using your chosen wool colour: cut a long strand of wool and thread it onto the darning needle, hold the tail end of the wool and wrap the wool around the card board template.
  • Continue to wrap the wool all the way around the cardboard circle – using the darning needle will make it easier towards the end when the middle circle starts to fill up. If you run out of wool, cut another strand and continue, holding the tail of the wool and wrapping around the cardboard.
  • Keep wrapping the wool around until the circle is completely covered and the middle smaller circle is full of wool.

Step 3: Cutting the wool.

  • Cut around the edge of the circle, lining the scissors up in the gap between the two pieces of cardboard.

Step 4: Securing the wool.

  • Cut a piece of wool 20cm long and tie it around the middle of the pom pom in between the two cardboard circles. Tie a knot to secure it, then cut the longer length so it is the same length as the wool in the pom pom.
  • Remove the 2 cardboard circles (you may need to cut them off).

Finished!

Notes:

  • You can make a multicoloured pom pom just by using different wool colours while wrapping the wool around.
  • You can make pumpkin themed pom poms by wrapping green wool only around the top middle section of the cardboard circle, and wrapping orange wool around the rest of the circle.
  • If you want to display some pom poms you can make a ew in different sizes, attach them to fabric and display them in an embroidery hoop.

Crochet How To: The Granny Square, Step By Step Guide

hookstitchsewLeave a comment

How To Make The Granny Square

Definitely one of my favourite things to make, a Granny square can be used for all sorts of crochet projects, from blankets to cushions to table mats. I often use these on my Minecraft makes as they are perfect for creating the block effect needed.

A giant granny square is a perfect ‘quick make’ blanket – to make one just keep continuing the rounds, change the colour each round or every couple of rounds to add a bit of detail.

How To Make A Basic Granny Square:

To Start:

  • ch5, then slip stitch into the first ch to make a round.

Round 1:

  • ch3, then complete 2 trb into the round, *ch2, then complete 3trb into the round, repeat from * twice more, ch2 then slip stitch into the top of the ch3 at the start.

Round 2:

  • ch3, then complete 2 trb into the corner space, * ch2, then complete 3trb into the corner space, ch2 then 3trb into the same corner space. Repeat from * twice more.
  • Then ch2, 3trb into the corner space, ch2 then slip stitch to the top of the 3ch at the start.

Round 3:

  • ch3, then complete 2trb into the corner space.
  • *ch2, then complete 3trb into the ch2 space, ch2, then complete 3trb into the corner space, ch2 then complete 3trb into the same corner space. Repeat from *twice more.
  • Then ch2 3trb into the 2ch space, ch2 then complete 3trb into the corner space, ch2 then slip stitch into the top of the 3ch at the start.

Round 4:

  • ch3, then complete 2trb into the corner space.
  • *ch2, then complete 3trb into the ch2 space, ch2, then complete 3trb into the next ch2 space, then complete 3trb into the corner space, ch2 then complete 3trb into the same corner space. Repeat from *twice more.
  • Then ch2 3trb into the 2ch space, ch2, 3trb into next 2ch space, ch2 then complete 3trb into the corner space, ch2 then slip stitch into the top of the 3ch at the start.

Crochet How To: Solid Granny Square, Step By Step Guide

hookstitchsewLeave a comment

A Bit Of Variation On A Traditional Granny Square: A Solid Granny Square

With a little bit of a twist on a traditional Granny square, these solid squares and perfect for when your wanting a more solid block of colour on a blanket/cushion. I find them perfect for my Minecraft makes as they really help each of the blocks stand out.

How To Make A Solid Granny Square:

To Start:

  • ch4 and slip stitch into first dc to make a round.

Round 1:

  • ch5, then 3trb into the round.
  • ch2 3trb into the round twice. ch2, 2trb into the round then slip stitch into the 3rd dc of the ch5 you started with.

Round 2:

  • ch5, 2trb into 2ch space, 3trb, 2trb into 2ch space.
  • *ch2, 2trb into 2ch space, 3trb 2trb into 2ch space, repeat from * once more.
  • ch2 2trb into 2ch space, 3trb, trb into 2ch space, then slip stitch into 3rd ch of the starting 5ch.

Round 3:

  • ch5, 2trb into 2ch space, 7trb, 2trb into 2ch space.
  • *ch2, 2trb into 2ch space, 7trb 2trb into 2ch space, repeat from * once more.
  • ch2 2trb into 2ch space, 7trb, trb into 2ch space, then slip stitch into 3rd ch of the starting 5ch.

Round 4:

  • ch5, 2trb into 2ch space, 7trb, 2trb into 2ch space.
  • *ch2, 2trb into 2ch space, 7trb 2trb into 2ch space, repeat from * once more.
  • ch2 2trb into 2ch space, 7trb, trb into 2ch space, then slip stitch into 3rd ch of the starting 5ch.
  • Fasten off

Sewing Tutorial: Quick And Easy Harry Potter Drawstring Bag

hookstitchsewLeave a comment

Making bags seems to have taken over at bit here at the moment and following on from my last minute quick make drawstring bag I focussed on making this quick and easy drawstring bag using some amazing Harry Potter fabric which was gifted to me by The Craft Cotton Company.

I wanted to add a little detail to the bag and knew I had to add a little golden snitch to the front of the bag. Luckily I had some golden and white felt in my stash and some matching embroidery threads – isn’t often I manage to have the right shades and normally have to rush out and by some to match!.

I love how this bag has turned out – I will definitely be making some more for gifting this Christmas.

The tutorial to make one is available over on The Craft Cotton Company’s blog.

Quick Sewing Project: Sewing A Fabric Drawstring Gift Bag

hookstitchsewLeave a comment

I had a gift ready to be gifted and had it mind to make a fabric drawstring bag to pop it in before gifting, but then the problems started….. I forgot about the making part until the day before I needed to pass the gift over!

Slight panic stations occurred and I rapidly looked through my fabric stash to see if I had anything suitable. I’ve been on a bit of a fabric scraps use up mission lately so wanted to try and keep this going and luckily I had some fabric pieces that were perfect.

This fabric was from the Craft Cotton Company’s London Town fat quarter set which was gifted by The Craft Cotton Company.

Tutorial to make the bag

  • For the front and back of the bag you will need two pieces of fabric that measure 26x30cm. They can be made up from patchwork pieces or be a single piece.
  • For the top drawstring parts of the bag you need two pieces of fabric 28×10. This gives you a front and back piece.
  • Take the two top drawstring parts of the bag and fold in the edges by 1cm and then fold in half (wrong sides together) so you have two pieces 26x5cm.
  • Take one of the top drawstring parts of the bag and the front piece of the bag and place right sides together with the top raw edge of the front piece and the bottom raw edge of the drawstring part aligned. Sew along the top edge to secure. Repeat with the remaining top drawstring part and back piece of the bag.
  • Take the front and back piece and place right sides together, sew down both the sides starting 3cm from the top edge and sewing diagonally inwards for 1cm and then down the rest of the side. Sew along the bottom edge. Turn out the right way.
  • Take a piece of ribbon 50cm long and thread through the top drawstring part of the bag, tie the two ends together to secure.

Sewing Tutorial: Cute And Cosy Whale Shark And Narwhal Teddy Soft Toys

hookstitchsewLeave a comment

I received some gorgeous blue themed fabrics from The Craft Cotton Company and the different shades of blues reminded me of the ocean so I decided to make something sea themed!

The first two sea creatures that came to mind where a whale shark and a narwhal, and so that is what I went with! very glad I stuck with them as I love how they have turned out.

The tutorials to make these cute little sea creatures are available over on The Craft Cotton Company blog, along with loads of other amazing tutorials.