Free Pattern - Lace Shawl

Lace from Naturally Yarns is a 60% Merino & 40% Dehaired Angora lace ply yarn that is lightweight but warm and very soft to the touch, thus excellent for accessory items like gloves, hats, scarves and shawls.  Lace comes in 11 fashion-friendly shades, and is supported by some amazing patterns / designs (be sure and click on the "Design Books" and "Patterns" tab to view the range).  For an elite yarn, Lace is extremely reasonably priced.  By purchasing this yarn you are also helping donate to the Child Cancer Foundation which is such a worth while cause.

Today's free pattern is for a stylish shawl that will have your friends asking "where did you buy that???"  Imagine the pride you'll feel when you tell them you created it yourself - please click here to view / print off your free Lace shawl pattern! 

And of course Crafty Frog has Lace in stock.

Free Pattern - Haven Sweater with Lace Panels.

NEXT FREE PATTERN

On Tuesday December 11 Naturally Yarns will be sending out a free pattern for a lovely sweater designed and knitted in Haven from Naturally Yarns.

If you are interested in this pattern then visit Naturally Yarns home page and sign up before next Tuesday! You will see this picture. Click on the picture and you will be taken to the sign up page.  Very quick and easy.

Click on the words Naturally Yarns anywhere in this post to be taken to their home page.

Cheers

Laura

How to Make Vintage Fascinator Hats

An article from favecrafts.  With the Melbourne Cup fast approaching I thought that I would share this with you.  Written instructions are below the video or can be read at favecrafts.


With this How to Make Vintage Fascinator Hats tutorial from Maureen Wilson, you'll learn how to embellish a Fascinator hat of your very own.

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Wearable-Crafts/How-to-Make-Vintage-Fascinator-Hats/ml/1#xZ4UW3p25fH4FFRz.99

Materials:

• Felt
• Netting or tulle
• Interfacing (med weight)
• Trims
• Pipe cleaners
• Feathers
• Hot glue gun

Supply Tips:

• You’ll need felt. You can make do with the 8 x 10 sheets you buy at the craft store, but I prefer felt off the bolt because it tends to be a little stiffer.
• You’ll also need netting. I prefer the coarser netting with larger holes, but it doesn’t matter too much.
• You’ll need trim. Rhinestones, pearl strands, or sequins will work. Feathers are fun too. (I buy my feathers at Sportsman’s Warehouse, in the fly fishing section.)
• Finally, you’ll need some medium-weight interfacing. This is sold in the sewing section on a bolt and is very inexpensive. It will stiffen your fabric and keep the pipe cleaners’ outline from showing beneath the hat.

Instructions:

1. Begin by hot gluing a piece of interfacing to a piece of felt.You want the surface to be smooth, not lumpy, so hold the tip of the glue gun directly to the interfacing and spread the glue thinly. Adhere together.
    
2. Draw your hat shape on the interfacing. For this hat, I’m doing a half-sun shape. So I’m tracing half of a small plate, then tracing the corners of a square scrap to make pointed ray shapes. Cut out your shape and make sure that the interfacing and felt are adhered well.
    
3. Next add your trim. Trace the outline of your shape with trim.
    
4. Now comes the netting. Fold the netting in half so it’s of double thickness. Round off the corners to make a large circle shape. For this fascinator, I’m folding the circle in half and pulling the straight edge together, like a fortune cookie. Adhere to the center of the hat.
    
5. I’m making a little bow from velvet ribbon and adhering that over the spot where I glued the netting.
    
6. Next glue pipe cleaners to the underside of the hat, following the outline of the shape. This will make the hat stiff but flexible, so you can bend it to the curve of your head for a flattering fit.
    
7. You can use a blowdryer to get rid of any visible hot glue strands. Add some feathers if you’d like.
    
8. This second hat will be a simple circle shape.
    
9. Follow the steps of gluing the interfacing, tracing, and cutting out.
    
10. Again, cut out a double-layered circle from netting. This time, pinch the circle in the middle, and adhere to the center of the hat.
     
11. Add trim around the edge of the hat, and a little in the center over the netting.
     
12. Add pipe cleaners to the back and feathers if you’d like.
     
13. For the last fascinator, I cut out a rounded rectangle and added rows of pearls.
     
14. To wear, bend the fascinator gently so that it fits the curve of your head. Secure with small bobby pins.

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Wearable-Crafts/How-to-Make-Vintage-Fascinator-Hats/ml/1#xZ4UW3p25fH4FFRz.99

Misti Alapaca Wools are now in Canberra

Misti Alpaca Yarns - more colours in the store.
At the base of the Misti Volcano in Arequipa, Peru lies the beginning of Misti International's alpaca family legacy.  Misti International was founded by the grandson of one of Peru's first exporters of alpaca fiber. Four generations later, they proudly carry on the family tradition, designing the highest quality alpaca and alpaca blend yarns. Misti Alpaca yarns are known for luxury, quality, and color. Their yarns evoke superlatives such as "Softest yarn ever"; "Warmth without weight" . Misti Alpaca's studio creations set them apart, as they offer Four generations of alpaca expertise. Drop into The Crafty Frog in Kambah and see for yourself these beautiful  wools.
1086 Floating Lace Top Designed by:  Karen Joan Raz The Floating Lace Top is knit in the softest yarn ever, Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Lace, 100% baby alpaca. Optional glass beading compliments Misti’s colorway “Blues in the Night”. A dramatic work of art, ready to float over your head to enjoy!