Category Archives: Tutorials

Double Loop Magic Ring

The double loop method of making a magic ring can be much more secure method of starting any work in the round .  However, for most people who don’t already use it, it can be a little confusing working out which loops to tighten to prevent a knotty mess.  I hope this short video will show you to master the double loop method quickly and easily.

Making Ribbon Bows

To make the ribbon bows used in the Halloween Princess Set, you will need:

  • 2 lengths of ribbon – one twice as long as the first
  • A 4 pronged kitchen fork – size not important….it’s only acting as an extra pair of hands
  • A piece of strong cotton for tying off
  • A pair of scissors
  • A lighter (optional – for sealing the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying)

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Take the piece of cotton and place it between the centre prongs of the fork.

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Next place the shorter of the two ribbons behind the fork.
Bring the ends loosely around the fork and thread through the centre as shown below:

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Bring the cotton up and tie firmly around the folded ribbon.

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Slide off the fork and trim the cotton.  Voila! A tiny bow!

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For the long bow, take the longer of the two pieces of ribbon and fold it over the cotton in the middle of the bow.

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Stitch or glue in place – I usually use a hot glue gun for this step and add a button or bead to the middle of the bow.

Finally, trim the ends (at an angle) to the desired length.

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If you are concerned about fraying, hold a lighter flame CLOSE to the ends of the ribbon…..not too close or you will burn the ends instead of melting them a little.

Now for the confession.  While a fork is a great little tool for making one or two bows, in reality, it’s not the most practical solution.

If you are making loads of bows in different shapes and sizes, why not make a bow blob!?

Copy the following onto card and use it in the same way as the fork!
Do let me know how your bows turn out :)

Bow Blob

(C) Thomasina Cummings Designs

 

Thomasina Cummings

December 15, 2012

Adding a crochet ruffle frill trim is not as scary as it looks.  It has so many uses – skirt, dress, frilly hems, borders and edgings or (for the really brave) as a fluffy blanket photo prop.

Better still, it’s the perfect way to get rid of all that ruffle yarn you bought to make scarves with but got bored of so quickly!!!

Contrasting colours used for clarity not cosmetic appearance ;)

Ruffle Yarn Frill

UK fdc – US fsc – Foundation Chain

UK Foundation Chain – double crochet (fdc)

US Foundation Chain – single crochet (fsc)

A chain-less foundation, such as foundation double crochet, is an alternative to creating a foundation chain and then working your first row of stitches into this chain.

Using this technique you create both your chain and your first row of stitches at the same time.

There are some advantages to this method:

  1. It is quicker to work
  2. No more struggling to get the hook into your chains
  3. The edge can look neater than a tradition chain edge (except ones where you work in the lower back bump to achieve a neater edge)
  4. It is sized similarly to a regular row.
  5. Your gauge is likely to be more in keeping with your normal working gauge
  6. It has a little more elasticity than a chain and traditional first row.

Be aware, that number 3 might be a downside if you don’t want that stretch ;)

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