» Tutorials

Willow Christmas Wreath tutorial

birdface — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:55:27 +0000

Here is a clever thing that my sister-in-law (outdoorsy type) showed me. Making wreaths is a quick and easy little craft which is EXCELLENT for making cheap-as-chips little crimbo presents – WOO-HOO!!

Here is an example that I made out of willow for my Mother-In-Law, who is what I would like to describe as a “wreath fan” if ever there was one.

Here’s a little tutorial for good measure too

These examples have been made out of dog wood:

Lovely.

Simple toddler leg warmers pattern

birdface — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:48:08 +0000

Brrrrrrrrrr, it’s been getting a bit chilly round here of late!
I knitted Jet these new leg warmers to go with her new winter cardi (which I didn’t even nearly knit and bought from John Lewis instead). They knitted up during three evening’s of loafing on the sofa watching Mad Men – what could be better?

I think knitting small people leg warmers might become addictive – it requires a good level of brainlessness for me and is quick enough for you to see the rewards before you get bored (my kind of knitting!).
Simple pattern below…

(Highly Basic) Pattern:

You will need:
4mm DPNS/circular needle or 4mm straight needles
Aran(ish) weight yarn in dark grey (MC), light grey (CC1) and pink (CC2)
Needle to weave in the ends.

Pattern fits someone small – maybe 18months-3years or something.

DPN/circular needle method:
CO 42 sts in MC and join to the round
Work in 1×1 rib for 10 rows
K 5 rows
Change to CC1 and K 2 rows
Change to MC and K 1 row
[K1 MC, K1 CC2] for 1 row
Change to MC and K 1 row
Change to CC1 and K 1 row
Change to MC and K 1 row
[K1 MC, K1 CC2] for 1 row
Change to MC and K 1 row
Change to CC1 and K 2 rows
Change to MC and work for a further 12cm
Work in 1×1 rib for 10 rows
BO
Make another, weave in ends and you’re done!

Straight needle method:
CO 42 sts in MC
Work in 1×1 rib for 10 rows
work in stocking stitch for 5 rows (and continue in St st until told otherwise!)
Change to CC1 and work 2 rows
Change to MC and work 1 row
[K1 MC, K1 CC2] for 1 row
Change to MC and P 1 row
Change to CC1 and K 1 row
Change to MC and P 1 row
[K1 MC, K1 CC2] for 1 row
Change to MC and P 1 row
Change to CC1 and work 2 rows
Change to MC and work for a further 12cm
Work in 1×1 rib for 10 rows
BO
Make another, sew up seams to make a tube, weave in ends and you’re done!

- Marvellous!

Cocktail umbrella wreath tutorial

birdface — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:10:22 +0000

Mmmmmm Pinterest…

I have been spending what is probably far more time than is healthy drooling over this site for the last few weeks. It was my friend Carolyn’s birthday last weekend and I had seen on her account that she liked these cocktail umbrella wreaths. Thinking I was the queen of genius, I proceeded to make said cocktail umbrella wreath as a gift for her. I rocked up to her party brandishing an enormous box with the wreath in it and gave it to her. Only then did I discover that she had already blummin’ made one to decorate her house for the party!
BAH! My wreath giving high promptly crashed down in flames.

Should I have asked if she had made herself one already?
Is this new Pinterest etiquette that I am not aware of?
AND…
Surely this situation begs the question (*Carrie Bradshaw voice*) – How many cocktail umbrella wreaths is enough?

I am hoping the answer to that is “At least two”!
Here’s a little tutorial for how I made it:

Jet’s Advent Calendar

birdface — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:20:45 +0000

Hurrah and huzzah and Merry Christmas!!
Not that I am cutting things a bit fine here with it being the day before Christmas Eve and all, but I have JUST finished Jet’s advent calendar!
The good thing is that there is still one day left this year in which it can legitimately be used – but the best bit is that Jet doesn’t really know what an advent calendar is, so she doesn’t even know how ridiculously late it is – YAY!

This is my first ever knitting pattern, so I am quite pleased with myself for actually having pulled it off. The idea was adapted from something I found a while back through Google Images. Each of the lights makes a little pocket for you to put choccies or other little treats for each day of advent – CUTE!
It has been a complete mission getting it finished off as I don’t have so much time for luxuries such as knitting little whatnots these days. I am really chuffed with the results though and I am hoping that if it goes down well with the small person, it can be one of those things that can come out year after year as a family tradition (not that I am getting slightly ahead of myself here or anything!).

Here’s some pics anyhoo:

Merry Christmas one and all – I hope you have an über-cool yule!

Much love from, Bird Face x x x

Paper Rosette Tutorial

birdface — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:42:45 +0000

Thought I’d just post up this little tutorial for how to make paper rosettes like the one I made for Jet’s birthday card.
It’s really simple to do and it looks CUTE! ^_^

Circular Scarf

birdface — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:19:30 +0000

I have had these couple of pieces of fabric hanging around the house for a few months. I had used them to tie around my “waist” when I was preggers, but hadn’t found anything to do with them since then (particularly as my sewing skills leave much to be desired!!)

Cue super-simple to make circular scarf!:

Instructions below:

Jersey Necklace :)

birdface — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:10:40 +0000

Hurrah for making things!!

I saw this great necklace in Urban Outfitters a few weeks back. It was a classic “I’m not paying that much when I could make one of those myself!!” moment – except this time I have followed through and actually made one – yay!

and here’s how I made it:

I have since had a scout about on the internet and have found a few different examples. Here are a couple of my favourites:

‘Ahoy’ necklace

Chictopia necklace