Macramé I Show You Something Neat?

I have a tutorial for you. I make and sell these headbands on etsy, but Imma teach you my secrets. The knot is my own creation, but it's basically a doubling of the currick bend knot (which I learned from a macrame book that I got from a garage sale at a pet cemetery. This pet cemetery also had a sign reading, "UFO Meeting-Tuesday" I know this is a major digression, but I think people need to know about this place. In case they lose a pet, or are abducted, or just have their Tuesdays free). If you'd like to just buy one and not muddle through my directions, here is my shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SallyToeBelly

I haven't been listing them as much lately, and as I usually give directions to anyone who asks through etsy, the trick is no grand secret. Also, I'm fairly sure that only my immediate family reads this blog, so I'm not too concerned some entrepreneur with suck up my knowledge and make a million bucks off it. But even if they do, it'll give me something good to complain about well into old age. "Come children, listen how one blog post made granny a poor old delusional lady with only animals obtained off craigslist for company, instead of a multimillionaire." Here's how to tie the knot (literally. this is a craft blog, not a relationship advise column.) 

So, while you can use any string material, (yarn, rope, your own hair*) I use t-shirt string. You just rotary blade off a 1 inch strip of shirt and pull. Makes this very nice roll-y string. 

*Alright, listen, I just learned about Victorian hair jewelry from the Antiques Road Show. You should check this stuff out--it's just the right mix of lovely and creepy. I also read a book about it, "Love Entwined" I digress again. How knot-y. Back to the knot..

Okay, here we go. Lay your first string down like so (above). Notice where it goes over and under. I'm only using one string for clarity, but you can use as many as you'd like. I usually use three. 

You're second string will come up from the bottom like so. Keep everything loose, at then end you will cinch it all up nice and tidy. 

Uh, do this. Seriously, pay attention to whats going under and whats going over. Remember that an individual string will alternate under/over with each movement. Think weaving. 

Also, do this. Word instructions are hard. Use eyeballs.

And one last pull through…

3...2..1..headband!

Look-y-lou what we've got. With a final squeeze on all ends, there's your finished project. I make headbands with it, but you could make a purse or guitar strap, sew it onto a top for a cute detail, or make it into a bracelet. Go forth and use this knot knowledge for good, my people. 

For baring with me through this tedious post, I reward you with a picture of Maple wearing sunglasses. 

Super Cool. 

Too Cool For Crewel

I used to think embroidery was all kitty cats and rocking chairs and nonsensical samplers and radiating angels, framed and hanging on your grandmother’s paneled wall.  I thought cross-stitch was crotchety. Embroidery was extinct.  I was just to cool for crewel.

Times have changed, children. There are many very modern, chic, and witty embroidery and cross-stitch patterns out there these days.  And your finished products need not be framed and hung up only, make a pillow, a tote bag, a sweater, anything really!  Today, I’m ganna share a few of my favorite (and very hip-and-with-it, I assure you) projects. Also, I’ll provide some links to some sites with great patterns and kits.

Photographed this outside in the yard. Very nearly placed pillow right on a pile of dog poop.

The first is from a pattern by Urban Stitches and is plain old DMC cotton thread. Nothing fancy here, mostly just split and satin stitches.

Sewing is Sexy. Except when your partner sits on stray pins left on the couch. No Sexy then. Just Angry. 

Appropriate text for the bathroom. 

This project literally spanned years. That’s actually a nice feature of counted cross stitch, you can just pick it up whenever and resume from your pattern. I purchased these patterns from an etsy seller (listed below). When I was done, I mounted the aida cloth on foam core and framed it myself; a process that is easier than it sounds and will save you a boat load—I’ll do a tut. on it sometime.

French knots sheep

How cute are those lambs? I received this pattern plus kit (thread and cloth) for my birthday and was absolutely delighted with it. This etsy seller (The Floss Box) sends you a pdf with detailed photo instructions on every stitch of the project.  I would recommend one of her kits for a beginner. Her instructions are really clear and she provides a photo catalogue of all stitches used. 

The pillow itself is made of just two fat quarters. The ball fringe is handmade with felted balls—using, yep sheep wool—poetic.

And Finally, this is the piece I'm currently working on:

Come back, Downton Abby, I miss you. 

Okay. Now you do it! Links below.

Embroidery

http://www.urbanthreads.com/

http://www.sublimestitching.com/collections/patterns

Cross-Stitch

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BookPilgrim?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sewingseed

Crewel

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Theflossbox?ref=seller_info