Yarn & Craft Tutorials Archives

How to make an up-cycled Christmas Stocking with crochet top using left over yarn and an old plaid shirt

October 28, 2019October 28, 2019

This year, more than ever, I have focused on the reuse, recycle repurpose mantra. Inspired by my year of not buying new clothes, I look at what I already have and see how it may be used in a new way.

This simple Christmas stocking project is a great way to get festive without more consumption. It’s a fun project to get all the family involved with and create something that will be used and cherished for years to come.

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Craft

How to make a crochet twisted headband – Free Crochet Pattern

September 25, 2019October 16, 2019

I’ve been seeing lots of beautiful twisted / turban style headbands around recently (you know that thing when you realise you’re accidentally starring at someone because of their accessories… sorry… that’s me!!!) so I did a quick search to see if there was a simple crochet pattern for one but I couldn’t find what I was looking for so I turned to cut and sew patterns and decided to translate the fabric turban headband versions into a crochet pattern.

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Craft

How to Crochet the Loop Stitch – Single Crochet (UK Double Crochet) Loop Stitch tutorial

July 20, 2019July 20, 2019

The Crochet Loop Stitch is a fun way to add texture to your crochet and craft projects. It looks fantastic in a range of garments, accessories and home decor and you can either leave to loops looped or trim them to achieve a different effect.

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A Creative Life

Can you take crochet hooks on a plane? A guide to travelling with crochet

June 11, 2019June 21, 2019

How much is too much crochet to take away on holiday with you?

Holiday is a great time to spend some quality, uninterrupted time with your yarn and hook, whether that’s on a long flight or sat on a beach. I know that I spend just as much time (more probably!) planning which projects to take as I do shoes and outfits.

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A Creative Life

How to make a yarn tassel in 5 minutes: Step-by-step photo tutorial

May 25, 2019August 27, 2019

Tassels are a great way to quickly and easily embellish clothes accessories or home wears. Whether it’s a shawl, scarf, bag, cushion, key ring or curtain tie, they add an element of fun and are a fantastic way to use up left over yarn.

Below is a step-by-step 5 minute tassel tassel tutorial

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A Creative Life

How to hand dye yarn at home with everyday materials

May 8, 2019June 27, 2019

At the end of 2017 I went to a hand dying yarn workshop at Toft’s stunning alpaca farm and yarn sanctuary. It was so much fun and I’ve wanted to have another go ever since. Finally I got around to it and wanted to share the experience and give you some pitfalls to avoid if you want to give it a go!

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Craft

Why do I need to make a gauge swatch? An explanation of gauge & why it matters

April 3, 2019June 18, 2019

Should you make a gauge swatch?

Straight in there with the question you really want to know the answer to! Well the short answer to that is yes, except when you don’t need to…

Let me break that down a bit for you.

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A Creative Life

How to Make a Crochet Lavender Sachet: Beginners Crochet Project

September 21, 2018June 18, 2019

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I don’t have much of a garden, just a few flower beds, but with what I do have I try to make the most of. Having had my attempts at growing veggies thwarted by slugs and unpredictable British weather, I have turned to fragrant easy to maintain shrubs and lots of bee friendly plants, Lavendar being a favourite.

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A Creative Life

Rolling with the high fives & dyeing for fun!

December 4, 2017May 22, 2019

It’s been a busy month with a lot of stresses, ups and downs. No more than anyone elses I imagine, but in the last week I’ve had a few really good days. It reminded me, in a really positive way how your life can change in a moment.

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A Creative Life

The Pom Pom Tree

December 1, 2017September 1, 2019

I’m so joyful about this week’s Free Festive Friday project. It’s so simple but makes me so happy! I was looking at some beautiful weaving pictures on Instagram which use sticks to hang the weave off. At the same time, I was in the process of making a pom pom for another pattern I am working on and just put both together. One of my favourite podcasters, James Altucher would call it idea sex!

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A Creative Life

A Quick Upcycling Project

October 30, 2017May 22, 2019

One of my earliest blog posts was about my belief that trial and error is an essential part of life. I told the story of my disastrous attempt to cover an old footstool using t-shirt yarn. Remember these pictures?

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A Creative Life

Pin me Sunshine – crochet pin cushion

September 29, 2017December 6, 2019

As my regular readers will know, I am having some renovations done at home, which has been going on for a while (seems like since about 2013…).

My new kitchen arrived this week ready for installation to start on Monday. This is super exciting, but living in an obstacle course of boxes is less fun, except for the cat who is loving finding new hiding places amid the boxes.

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A Creative Life

My first Yarndale

September 25, 2017May 22, 2019

On it’s website, Yarndale it describes itself as a “Creative festival celebrating all things woolly and wonderful”.

I would say that pretty much sums it up!

I’m going to tell you now that I took a LOT of pictures. There was so much to see that I can’t possibly write about it all, so I put together this montage which gives you a much better idea…

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Category: Yarn & Craft Tutorials

How to make an up-cycled Christmas Stocking with crochet top using left over yarn and an old plaid shirt

How to make a crochet twisted headband – Free Crochet Pattern

How to Crochet the Loop Stitch – Single Crochet (UK Double Crochet) Loop Stitch tutorial

Can you take crochet hooks on a plane? A guide to travelling with crochet

How to make a yarn tassel in 5 minutes: Step-by-step photo tutorial

How to hand dye yarn at home with everyday materials

Why do I need to make a gauge swatch? An explanation of gauge & why it matters

How to Make a Crochet Lavender Sachet: Beginners Crochet Project

Rolling with the high fives & dyeing for fun!

The Pom Pom Tree

A Quick Upcycling Project

Pin me Sunshine – crochet pin cushion

My first Yarndale

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