Knitted Bunny

Here's the latest project that I have completed at Saint Michael's Playhouse.

Teacher Josie initially asked me to make a stuffed piglet but the pattern wasn't available. I started with a huge spool of beige yarn but because the bunny measurements are quite larger than expected I ran out of yarn (again). That explains the darker yarn color at the hind legs.  Anyway, I'm so proud of how this project turned out! I also didn't expect the process to be easy. Surprisingly, it is! You basically, start with a square piece that you sew, tie stuff and from for resemble a bunny.

This reminds me...will have make a leftie tutorial on the knit and purl stitch on one of my next posts. 

More on re-purposing Baby's Old Stuff

Hubby and I are in the process of a general house cleaning.

We started last weekend (taking advantage of the long weekend)and was back into it the whole day today. 

So far we have freed ourself of several bags of trash!

I am hoping that our de-cluttering would earn me an entire cabinet space for all my craft-related stuff.

Anyway, I cannot get over how I have been able to re-use and re-purpose Alonzo's old baby things. Most of them are being used to keep my crafting stuff organized.

I have shared a couple of articles on this topic at Yahoo! She before. Check it out, just in case you missed it. And here's another article that I forgot to post.

DIY Peter Pan Collar Chain Necklace

Of all the projects that I have made for myself this chain collar necklace is my favorite (I have already worn this several times). Check out my Yahoo! She article for the instructions and find out how unbelievably easy to make.

Styrofoam Stamped T-shirts

My toddler is going through a phase. 

He refuses to wear anything colored or anything that does not resemble his pambahay clothes. And when I say "pambahay" I mean his ratty, deformed, food-stained sandos and t-shirts! 

It has been extremely hard to convince him to wear his more decent looking "going out clothes". 

So when Mima went on a divi trip a few days ago and purchased several sandos and plain white t-shirts for the little guy I thought of making more of the stenciled t-shirt designs I made for him before but later decided to experiment with some styro stamping techniques.

Here's what I came up with:

For this project you'll need a piece of styrofoam, fabric paint and a plain white shirt. For instructions on how to make one check out Yahoo! She. 

 

Knitting for Lefties: Casting On

As promised here's a mini knitting tutorial that I'm hoping would be help to any leftie who wish to learn the basics of knitting. Before anything else though, here's a bit of disclaimer -- I'm not an expert knitter.

What I know is partly based on what I remember was taught to us in home-economics back in grade school

(a long, long, long time ago) and partly what I am still learning from my son's playhouse nurturer.

 

Based on experience learning (and teaching) how to knit is best done in person through an actual demonstration.

I'll try to explain the steps the simplest way I can.

Here we go...

The first thing to know is how to "cast on". This simply means preparing the first row of stitches on the needle.

Step 1: Measure approximately half a meter of yarn (this length depends on how many stitches you plan to knit) and make a simple loop, called a slip knot.  

This would be your "tail yarn". Make sure that the tail is long enough to make all the stitches you need before you start. The other strand would be your "working yarn" (the one attached to the ball of yarn)

Step 2: Insert knitting needle through loop.

Step 3: Separate the 2 strands of yard with thumb and index finger

Step 4: Move left hand down to form a loop around the thumb and index finger

Step 5: Insert needle through the loop around the thumb

 Step 6: Insert needle through the loop around the index finger

 Step 7: Then insert needle back again through the loop around the thumb

 Step 8: Release fingers

 

Step 9: Pull yarn
Don't pull too tightly or else your stitches will be hard to work with. Your loops should be tight enough to stay on the needle but loose enough for the needle to slide through. You now have 2 stitches.

Repeat steps 2 through 9 to cast on more stitches that you'll need.

Super Easy "Crown" Party Hat

I know I promised to do a tutorial on knitting. However, the heavy rains and floods have prevented me from going out and purchase some yarns. I am currently working on a knitted bunny (yes, another project at my son's toddler class)and I am excited about how it will turn out. I was hoping to finish the major portion of the "body" and start on the other bunny parts during class. Unfortunately, I ran out of yarn.

Anyway, here's something I made for the 70th birthday party my sisters and I surprised our parents with

a couple of weeks ago.

These are made of (you guessed it) toilet paper tubes!
To make simply cut a zigzag pattern on one end, spray paint to any colored desired, punch two holes, insert and tie a garter string.  Super easy.

In case you're wondering about the tiered container, it is something you could easily make out of old tin cans.