Tara Miller: September 2011 Archives

I love new pattern downloads. Love making them and love launching them. I love today's especially because we have heeded your call and Fabric.com and I are proud to present our first Crochet Free Pattern Download: Ellis Square Cowl and Hat. This is a chunky but open cowl and hat project that is just right for fall. Made with Lion Brand's Wool Ease Thick n Quick; it is warm and cozy without added bulk. Plus when you thread a beautiful ribbon through the top and tie it in a chic bow you have a great hat too. You can work up two to give as the perfect gift. One to wear as a cowl and one as a hat or they can wear both as cowls should it get cooler.

My second Free Pattern Launch is the Tybee Island cover-up. This is the perfect cover-up over swimsuits or shoulders, depending on the season and the fiber used to work it up. This knitted pattern features a leaf pattern worked on each side. You can work it in a chunky wooly yarn for winter or a worsted cotton ( try it in Lion Brand Recycled Cotton ) for spring and summer. The ties at the top keep it secured around your hips or shoulders. This also makes a great gift coupled with a gift card for dinner out and a movie (restaurants and theatres are always chilly).   

 

1)      Turn your work to the wrong side. Three Needle Bind Off (TNB) creates a visible seam on one side, so turn your work to the side where you want to place the seam.

2)      With your 2 working needles holding all your stitches in your left hand, use a third, binding needle in your right.

3)      With the binding needle, knit the first stitch from each working needle together and slip to the right binding needle.

4)      Repeat so you will have 2 stitches on your right binding needle

5)      Slip the first stitch on your right binding needle over the second and off the needle (just like regular binding off).

6)      Repeat Steps 3 & 5 until all stitches save one are bound off. Cut your yarn leaving a 6-8 in. tail and pull it through your last stitch and pull tight. Weave it in and turn your work. You know have a perfect seam to finish off pillows, socks, toys and this bind off works great for joining 2 pieces such as a scarf or sweaters. 

Back to school time for me has always been synonymous with book covers. My brother and I would raid mom's paper bag stash and cut and color to our hearts content. Today, paper bags are a fond memory paired with remembering when we could eat Little Debbie's not gaining an ounce and run around outside for hours without even thinking of napping (not like to today when I yearn for naps). The reduced availability of paper bags means that we must turn to other mediums for our book cover materials and what else, but fabric, would be my first choice. It is also a better choice. It will last longer than paper, can be easily patched should it rip and can be easily coordinated to any book bag or jacket for the ULTIMATE back to school outfit.

My Fabulous Fabric Book cover is easy to make and here is what you will need to make one.

Materials:

½ yd of fabric (quilting cotton, linen, twill, etc) for exterior

¼ yd of fabric for lining

½ yd of fabric for bias tape binding or one package of prepared bias binding

Download your instruction sheet here. 

 

Blazers are back big time this fall and I am on the band wagon. I love a good blazer but find that they can be a little confining after a few hours. Don't get me wrong, I love the trim fit and smooth lines they provide to a regular jeans and blouse outfit but the trimness can be wearing at the end of the day. But if you make your blazer out of double knit fabric (like our great selection) you can get the trim, clean lines look of a blazer but the feel of a cozy sweater (like pajama jeans for the top half). Knit blazers are hitting the shelves hard this season but they also carry a hefty price tag. Most of the stores featuring knit blazers don't offer them in the colors or details I want. So I made my own, to fit me and my wardrobe.

I used the Kwik Sew Knit blazer pattern (available at Kwik Sew in Misses and at Fabric.com in Plus size). I cut view B but did a pin fitting to make the jacket less boxy and more fitted. The pin fitting took a while, I had to keep going back and adjusting each piece to get the fit right and recut a few pieces (like the back neck) to keep the drape and shape true. It was fun because I have not had the opportunity to fit front panel seams before or to adjust the fit of a project so much. I ended up taking in the jacket a significant amount because the original is so boxy but the stretch of the fabric and the soft hand still make this a comfy (almost loungy) jacket to wear.

I added an additional button (the original features one) and added a bold cream knit trim to just the pockets. I considered trimming the lapel but when I put on the jacket for a final fitting with just the pockets, I fell in love as is. Just the hint of trim, coupled with the cream buttons, was perfect so I decided to stay my trimming urges. Lastly I hemmed the sleeves a little bit longer than suggested because either I have long arms or I like my sleeves a little longer.

Overall I am very surprised by how structured and not knit-like this blazer looks. I am also surprised by how comfy it truly is. My wardrobe has really taken a step up since I introduced this. Now I can continue with my t-shirt and jeans but look like a million bucks and not feel any different.

Check out these other great fabrics perfect for knit blazers:

Interlock knit

Sweatshirt Fleece

French Terry

 

You all know the iconic Pumpkin Bucket that serves as a rite of passage for halloweeners everywhere. In my many years of trick or treating, I have abused several of these buckets (aside from the standard pillowcases and shopping bags that also dot my Halloween timeline). As much as I love the Pumpkin Bucket as is, it just "won't do" or go with my daughter's fleece lion costume. You had better believe that if I am going to cover her shoes then I am going to cover her bucket to match. Though I didn't want to go over board (What!? Did that just come from my keyboard? Over board me? Ha) with the lion motif so I paid homage to one of her other faves, a butterfly. Though I did stay in the same color family and use the remaining fleece from her Lion Costume from Part 2: The Costume. The bucket cover was the most fun of her whole costume because it was unstructured. I constructed the bucket cover much like a lampshade slip cover but with elastic gathers at bottom and top. I measured around the widest part of the pumpkin for the width of my fleece rectangle (Cut this from the darker fleece color) and added 1 in. for the seam allowance. Then I measure the height and added 2 in. for a 1 in. hem at top and bottom. With these 2 measurements you can cut out your fleece cover.

Next, I drew a butterfly (if you don't feel comfortable drawing you can download a free coloring page and use it as a stencil) and cut it out of my light colored fleece. I added some details cut from a quilting cotton and zigzag stitched them onto the wings for detail and color. Then I pinned my butterfly onto the fleece cover and zig zagged around the edges. I also added some decorative stitching to outline the body of the butterfly. Next, with right sides together, pin and stitch the short ends of your cover. Then, fold over and pin your top and bottom hems and stitch in place leaving a 2-3 gap for the ½ in. elastic. Use a safety pin or bodkin to run your elastic (which should match the circumference of the top opening of your bucket) through the top and bottom hem casings. Stitch the 2 ends of your elastic together and stitch your hem casing closed. Slip your cover on and enjoy your matching treat bucket! You can embroider your child's name on the side opposing the appliqué or add another appliqué. Go crazy with your bucket and having fun decorating to match your costume!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

P.S. Make sure your butterfly applique fit before cutting it out of your fleece. Don't get carried away with excitement like me and realize later that it is just a smidge too big. I am hand sewing those bits down as I write this. 

You all know the iconic Pumpkin Bucket that serves as a rite of passage for halloweeners everywhere. In my many years of trick or treating, I have abused several of these buckets (aside from the standard pillowcases and shopping bags that also dot my Halloween timeline). As much as I love the Pumpkin Bucket as is, it just "won't do" or go with my daughter's fleece lion costume. You had better believe that if I am going to cover her shoes then I am going to cover her bucket to match. Though I didn't want to go over board (What!? Did that just come from my keyboard? Over board me? Ha) with the lion motif so I paid homage to one of her other faves, a butterfly. Though I did stay in the same color family and use the remaining fleece from her Lion Costume from Part 2: The Costume. The bucket cover was the most fun of her whole costume because it was unstructured. I constructed the bucket cover much like a lampshade slip cover but with elastic gathers at bottom and top. I measured around the widest part of the pumpkin for the width of my fleece rectangle (Cut this from the darker fleece color) and added 1 in. for the seam allowance. Then I measure the height and added 2 in. for a 1 in. hem at top and bottom. With these 2 measurements you can cut out your fleece cover.

Next, I drew a butterfly (if you don't feel comfortable drawing you can download a free coloring page and use it as a stencil) and cut it out of my light colored fleece. I added some details cut from a quilting cotton and zigzag stitched them onto the wings for detail and color. Then I pinned my butterfly onto the fleece cover and zig zagged around the edges. I also added some decorative stitching to outline the body of the butterfly. Next, with right sides together, pin and stitch the short ends of your cover. Then, fold over and pin your top and bottom hems and stitch in place leaving a 2-3 gap for the ½ in. elastic. Use a safety pin or bodkin to run your elastic (which should match the circumference of the top opening of your bucket) through the top and bottom hem casings. Stitch the 2 ends of your elastic together and stitch your hem casing closed. Slip your cover on and enjoy your matching treat bucket! You can embroider your child's name on the side opposing the appliqué or add another appliqué. Go crazy with your bucket and having fun decorating to match your costume!

P.S. Make sure your butterfly applique fit before cutting it out of your fleece. Don't get carried away with excitement like me and realize later that it is just a smidge too big. I am hand sewing those bits down as I write this. 

Wow! HotPatterns Bijoux Baby Jewelry Roll is just plain cool. I have long wanted a jewelry roll but have never found one worth the money at any of the big box stores. The fabric was never bold enough and the insides just didn't fit my needs. Boutique stores had a great selection but the prices were budget busting. I was floored when this pattern hit my inbox. I could not wait to get started and the hardest part was picking the fabric. I ended up going with a medium weight patterned linen (like the Timeless Treasures collection) and a textured medium weight home dec solid all pulled together with a light weight cotton in a tonal pattern. I was very pleased with the color play but more pleased with the finish project overall.

#1) The ring holder is just NEAT-O! I love it and don't think I have seen anything like it. I also love the button closure because I am a big fan of buttons. I don't have many rings (Only the cocktail rings displayed here) but maybe I will get some more just to keep on my ring holder.

#2) I am also a big fan of colored zippers so I loved adding even more color by using different colored 7 in. zippers here. The pockets are very roomy and perfect for some of my bigger pieces (large hoop earring are no problem)

#3) Since I prefer 1/2 in. seams, that is what I used and when it came time to fit the lining to the exterior, I added opposing pleats to the center section of the lining. I use these pleats to keep my earring backings from disappearing. They are also good for general keeping stuff in place should you find the need to dress on the go (in the car, bus, subway or a quick change after class).

The HotPatterns Bijoux Baby Jewelry Roll is a fast project and a GREAT gift idea for any of the ladies in your life. You could even swap the ribbon tie for a snap and expand the ring holder to fit watches and give it to the guys in your life as well. 

I am really picking up crochet and with it my appetite increases for projects. I can't remember how I stumbled upon Olivia's Butterfly crochet hat pattern by Valerie Whitten but am I glad I did. I thought I loved knitting hats but crocheting them is right up there. I am still fascinated by the difference in construction between knitting and crochet that each project is even more fun than the previous. This hat was simple but with a detail that really sets it apart. The effortless butterfly detail placed as it is right above the final row takes this hat from basic to amazing. I love how the chains coupled with a single SC add a visual and textural facet that makes this hat just the thing for a precious little girl. It was quick to make as well as fun.

I used a smaller yarn and hook than recommended in the pattern. I have been jonesing to work with our Lion Brand Superwash Merino Cashmere (72% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Nylon, 13% Cashmere). This yarn was a dream. It was just as soft worked up as it was in the skein (this is not always the case with soft yarns). It did not irritate my fingers while working it up either (something else I have noticed with some blends, they are not so soft when rubbing your skin). The texture and stitch definition were excellent with just a bit of fuzz so you can see how soft it is. The color, Green Tea, is just right for my little one. It was light enough to allow the hat design to be the main focus, not the color, and will compliment many of her jackets since it is not loud. She has been wearing it all weekend and I haven't noticed any itching or irritation from the wool. She really loves it. With the pattern written as it, the hat can fit an adult just by adding more rows. But to fit a child smaller then 2-3, you will want to reduce the increases and rows and reduce the chains in the butterfly too if the child is very small. Since the hat is worked from the top down it is easy to see how big it is and adjust as you go instead of ripping back. This hat will make great gifts for your own children, friends and friends' children. It is a great pattern that can be worked up with ease and speed.

Raveled here

I remember when I was a wee thing planning my Halloween costume down to the last detail every year, except the shoes. I always forgot about my shoes till it was time for the big show. A little bit of disappointment was always there because those white sneakers just didn't work with my Punk Rocker outfit, or I just couldn't talk my mom into buying Pirate boots because my Mary Janes just didn't instill fear in the hearts of "land lubbers" everywhere. So this year I decided I could not have my little one ruining her Lion Costume with her Dora sneakers or Crocs. So I constructed a cute little tutorial to make matching shoes covers that can be easily embellished to match any costume with any fabric (just be sure to make a muslin of the cover if you are using a non-stretch fabric).

For each size covers you are making, I recommend using the biggest shoes in that size as your guide. Remember you can make the covers smaller if they are too big but not bigger if they are too small. You can add appliqués, bedazzle or paint these covers to blend in with any costume. Any fabric can be used but I recommend a fleece because it doesn't fray should you bypass hemming, it is warm and soft, it is easy to work with and stretches to fit different shoes. You can add other materials on top of the fleece if needed but fleece is a good base.

My little one loves her covers but we had some model/photographer difficulties during this photo shoot. Let's call it creative difficulties for the non-parents out there and for those with little ones of your own, I will say she is 2 and you will know what I mean.  For the fastest way to get the covers on, slip them onto your child's foot, slide them up the leg with elastic in back, put on the shoe and then slide the cover into place tucking the elastic under the shoe. Please share your shoe cover photos on our facebook page!

Download your tutorial here

You can find Parts 1 and 2 of our Child's Halloween Costume Series below:

Part 1: Sizing

Part 2: THE Costume

For a long time, I avoided any project with buttons holes for one reason: I could not make them neat. As hard as I tried buttonholes always threw off my projects. I could spend hours knitting something perfectly but when it came down to the buttonholes, it ruined the whole piece. Happily, I was not alone in my dislike for buttonholes and they have come a long way since I began knitting. Let me share with you some of my favorite methods to create great looking and hard working button holes.

 When I pick up a button band or I need to knit horizontal buttonholes into a project, I go with this method. It is fast, easy and secure. The finished look is very clean and symmetrical. I love that it is all done in one row since I have a past of forgetting to cast back on for 2 row button holes and so I spend lots of time unknitting.  One Row button hole:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY4vBzLo-Xs.
Amy, from Knittinghelp.com has helped me through many issues with her helpful videos and no less so with this one. She recommends you write down the instructions but I have found a printable version here http://www.knittingdaily.com/glossary/one-row-buttonhole.aspx

So our costume is complete and a huge hit but it was a tricky week of sewing, readjusting and hiding from curious eyes that once they have spotted a Lion Costume can't wait to wear said lion costume. I made my little girls Kwik Sew Lion Costume from dark and light purple fleece and it is so soft and delicious. The fleece was a pleasure to sew with my walking foot. Of course, I did have to stop every half hour of sewing and de-lint my machine but it was sooo worth it. Now for the breakdown:

The pattern went together very easily for the most part but I did have trouble with the paws. My work around was to trace the paw pattern piece onto another piece of paper and then cut out the paw pieces from the fleece, not using the sew-on method recommended in the pattern. Then cut out the paw pieces from the traced paper and use it as a stencil/placement guide and with fabric glue (or you can use a glue stick), tack down the pattern pieces. Then zig zag around the edges of paw pieces. This eliminated the paper mess with little bits of tear-able paper under every stitch and made it much easier to cut out the paw pieces since you are doing it before hand instead of afterward. I also hemmed the bottom of each leg so I could let them down further down the road instead of the elastic. This also makes it easier for my little one to get into the costume herself. I added a zipper in a contrasting color to make it easier for her to find and zip up. Lastly, I assembled the fringe on the tail and sewed it on after I sewed and turned the tail. The fringe was too bulky using the pattern assembly. I hand sewed it in place which made it much easier, no broken needles and the finish was just as neat as the original. I am going to go back and lightly stuff the tail and add some pipe cleaners so I can shape the tail for Trick or Treating so keep it off the ground and give it some life.

Some other modifications I considered were adding the bow from the bunny variation and some flat piping around the chest piece. The reason I decided against them was that the costume was so stinking cute that I didn't think it needed them and would have been lost on the costume.

Stay tuned for Parts 3 & 4 which will feature easy shoe covers to make your costume flawless and a great Pumpkin Pail Cover to match your costume and complete your Halloween Look. Find Part 1 of our Child Costume series here and check out our great Fleece section for your kid's color combination dreams-come-true!

Of the MANY, MANY techniques we are sure to cover here on the blog, none may be more important than changing colors (or joining in a new ball). Color work, simple or complicated is a key part of truly having fun with crochet. Stripes, chevrons or swirls, changing colors can take your work to the next level in style without changing your stitch. Adding colors can give an ordinary project just the right 'something' to make it shine. Or it can make a boring project interesting. Changing color (or adding a new ball) is simple but knowing the techniques can ease the learning.

I prefer to control my color changes, at the beginning of a row or round, or at the beginning of a repeat in your stitch count. This makes the join less obvious and more professional. Once you are at a good color change spot, drop your working yarn (A) and make a large loop with your new yarn (B), leaving a tail of 6-8 inches (enough to weave in later). Slip this loop onto your crochet hook (before if you are starting a DC, HDC or TC or after inserting your hook into a stitch for a SC). Continue holding the tail with B for 2-3 stitches (until you feel comfortable that the tail is snug) then drop the tail and continuing on with your pattern. When you come around to the color change again (either in the next row or round) be careful with the last stitch of A, it is loose and might pull. Snug it up as needed and continue on or you can weave in the tail of A right now so as not to worry about it.

You can change colors again as often as need be being sure to weave in the tails to the stitches of the same color. This technique also works for adding new balls of yarn of the same color except you do not need to be as careful where you start the yarn. Do take the stitch into consideration since the first and last stitches can be loose until you weave them in. You don't want the middle of a lace pattern to be loose so unless you are crocheting in SC, start a new ball at the beginning or end of a row or round to be safe. 

Check out my Rosewood Crochet Hook Review here

Last week, I set aside some time to sit down with one of our Rosewood Crochet Hooks so I could review it. But then I forgot and sat daydreaming for a few hours. It was only later when I looked down and saw that instead of relaxing and day dreaming (which I quite contentedly thought I was doing) I had actually been crocheting. My Rosewood Hook was that soft and warm in my hand that I was able to forget it for a little while, and at the same time, forget about everything else for a time as well. Since then I have consciously used the Rosewood Crochet Hook and it is just as fun, soft, smooth and warm as my previous Zen experience.

I would start off, first, by recommended it to advanced beginners for several reasons. 1) The wood is soft so the hard tension that beginners can adopt may snap the beautiful hook. 2) It is more slick and faster than the Aluminum and Soft Touch hooks which might be frustrating for a beginner. 3) The price while not a show stopper is something to consider if you are not sure crochet is for you. However, if Crochet is for you than so are the Rosewood Hooks. They are gorgeous to the point that I spent as much time looking at my hands as I did my work (I even gave myself a manicure because my hands were shaming the hook). A few hooks or even a full set would make a dream gift for the crocheter on your list. Even just one tucked in with a few balls of alpaca or cashmere would be a thoughtful and endearing gift. I love my one Rosewood hook but you can rest assured it will not be lonely for long. 

I remember when I first discovered I was pregnant with my now 2 yr old daughter and bragging to my husband that I would always make my daughter's Halloween Costume. 2 years in and I have stuck to my guns (though that is only 2 costumes so far- year 1 & year 2). This year, I am taking it to the next step and making a full costume using Kwik Sew's Babies and Toddler's Costume that features a Bunny, Bear, Dinosaur and Lion. My little one is crazy about all of these creatures but has a special fondness for lions so I am working on that one. As simple as it may look, making a costume for a toddler is not a 'jump-in' project. This needs some planning and consideration. First you need to know that this is not just a costume to your baby or toddler. Whether or not they understand the concept of Halloween and costumes, reason stands that all that will go out the window once they try it on for the first time. No, this is no costume to your kid, but an everyday outfit (fit even for the fanciest of places...the grocery store). FACT: this costume needs to last. Given that last bit, that means you need to bank on your baby or toddler growing so proper measuring is key.

You can clearly see my marks here with a bit of extra art thrown in for marketing. 

You will need to start by measure your kid now and then adding a year's growth to that (this takes into consideration that this costume will not fall out of favor until next year's new costume is unveiled). You don't want to just estimate here either because patterns take growth as a factor too. You need to make sure you start with the right measurements to end with the right size. To measure a wiggly kid is tough but with a door and a piece of chalk it can be easier (chalk can be cleaned right off). Stand your kid against the door and mark above their head for height and stretch out their arms and mark for arm length. These 2 indications are prime growth areas. You can measure the door while your kid is playing somewhere else with less wiggling. Measure from the ground to the height mark and from the end of the mark to just under the height mark (if you drew in the measurement lines it would make a cross). If you can, quickly measure the tummy, chest and head). I like to do this while she is drinking because her speed is greatly reduced at this time. These are not as critical but are helpful since the tummy is usually the widest area, you don't want the costume to be tight on the chest and this is a big growth area, and the head is a key complaint area for kids.

Better with the arms down but you work with what you've got!

Compare these key measurements to the back of the pattern envelope as your starting point and go with the next size up. If you are spot on with the size recommended for your size, great but not every kid grows at the same rate. You don't want a too small costume before it is time to make another and you don't want your child tripping to every house in the neighborhood. Start right to save yourself some trouble and make for one happy kid this October through October.

You can find more costume patterns here on Fabric.com

When a new holiday rolls around I don't really get in the mood until I have decorated my house. While I do love to decorate my home, making the decorations is even more fun. This year I decided my Funkins just were not FUN enough so I spiced them up a bit with Glitter after I saw this idea on Martha Stewart's Craft site.

While I love Martha's glitter color choice in the video, I felt it was too tonal for me so I spiced it up a bit with green, red and orange (yes, despite what I just said about tonal, but it is a bright orange). And I set to work. I had a blast, a glitter obsessed, pumpkin decorating, Halloween loving, blast. All you need to make your own are a few pumpkins, real or fake, some white glue, glitter in several colors (Martha makes the best- really branches out of the primary colors), a medium sized art brush (doesn't need to be fancy), some newspaper/craft paper, a cookie sheet and a place to work. You want to lay out the newspaper/ craft paper on the cookie sheet. This will be your main work area to catch all the extra glitter. Paint your pumpkin's skin with the glue and then cover it in glitter. You can do it a number of ways, roll it in the glitter, sprinkle it with glitter, brush it on, etc. Whichever works best for you. Once covered, set your Glitter Pumpkin aside to dry and get to work on the next with another color. This project is good for kids over the age of 6 because of potential for huge messes.

Since they were big pumpkins, it did take a while to get each covered but because I went with the fake pumpkins, I can use them each year. I am also branching out into other glitter covered objects for Christmas (apples), Chanukah (also apples but in blue or silver), Thanksgiving (Gourds), New Years (Pomegranate), or Easter (Eggs). I already have many of these items laying around just looking for a second life. My only real decision and purchase is lovely glitter. I think I need a stash of glitter as well as yarn and fabric!