Saturday, February 26, 2011

Bows and Coffee Cozies

Just a quick shop update! :)

♥ Bows ♥

♥ Coffee Cozies ♥

I've added two new things to Nuckin' Futs Knitter on Etsy!  Bows and Coffee Cozies!  I just started knitting these and I love it.  They are so quick and easy, I can't wait to make more!  I have some up now and will be posting more later this week. :)

See ya later!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Alternative Yarn: Plarn


I love to find new and different ways to spice up my knitting, one of those ways is to use alternative yarns.  Today's alternative yarn is Plarn: plastic yarn.  Using plarn is a great way to use up all those plastic shopping bags you get.


How to make Plarn:
1. Start with one bag, make sure there aren't any tears.
2. Fold the bag in half, then fold it in half again.
3. Cute off the top part with the handles and cut off the bottom part.
4. Cut the bag into strips.  I cut one inch strips when I'm knitting on U.S. size 8 needles and I cut three inch strips when I'm knitting on U.S. size 13 needles.


To link the strips together follow the pictorial above.
Tips: 
*Be sure not to cut your strips too thin so they don't break when you tighten the knot (pic #8).
*Don't knit with aluminum knitting needles if you want to preserve their color.  I tried knitting with aluminum knitting needles and the plarn rubbed off some of the color.
*I found that knitting plarn on wooden needles is much easier.  Be sure to wax your needles it makes the whole project much smoother.  I just use a piece of Reynolds wrap wax paper.


Different plarns:
1. Rose scented plastic bags.  I found these bags at a dollar store and I love them, they smell like roses!  I knit them into a coin pouch.
2. Garbage bags.  The garbage bags create a slight vinyl look, I made some into wristlets.
3. And of course, shopping bags.  I knit some into a wristlet.
4. In this pic you can see the difference between the one inch strips and the three inch strips.  The purse was done with three inch strips on U.S. size 13 needles.  The coin purse was done with one inch strips on U.S. size 8 needles. 

Happy knitting!
♥♥♥

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Yarn Vase



I save my yarn scraps, pieces of yarn too small to knit with but so long I don't like to throw them away.  I've been saving them for a while not knowing what I would make with them, now I have the perfect thing.  Yarn Vase! 
What I used: yarn, glue, buttons, and one tall can.


I painted on a thin layer of glue as I wrapped the yarn around the can stringing on buttons here and there.  I read double stick tape or a spray adhesive both work well too.


Need a full tutorial?  There's a nice one on DesignSpongeOnline.com or try using a drinking glass for your vase like at AllYou.com 

Happy Crafting!
♥♥♥