Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet - Braiding Ideas

Image | Benissimo Magazine

Large image | Chainlink braid, free tutorial here
Top and middle inset images | Interweave Rapunzel scarf pattern for purchase here
Bottom image | Youtube video - crochet weaving see video after jump.

One of the easiest ways to add interest to any garment is to add trim.
Trims can be opulent and glitzy or simple and humble. It depends on your own preference and the look you are trying to achieve.
Braid trims have always attracted my eye, from child-like prints to ornate velvet ones.
What better way to trim out a simple toque, sweater front bands, v neckline, boat neck or just to make a cowl neck scarf than with knitted or crocheted bands.
Working strips into braids is not only easy but also versatile and cost effective.
In everyone's stash, at least in mine, there are oddballs of expensive, lovely yarns that really need to be used and shown off.
Even if they are different weights, you can compensate by making the thicker or bulky strip first, measure the finished strip and then work the finer yarns accordingly by working more stitches and rows.

Read further to be inspired by different ways braids can be used and free tutorials for different braid projects.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Cowl Neck Shrug

Image | Pinterest

Happiness is another shrug! They're like shoes, you can never resist another style that calls to you.
Not only is this shrug simple, it's knit in one piece and is adaptable to many weights of yarn.
You can knit one of these for any season and best of all this design is not size conscious.
Accessories are fast and fun to make, great accent pieces to lift any outfit.
Equally versatile in bulky to go over a lighter jacket or in a lightweight cotton to cover up a summer top.
An I-cord gathers the neck so that pulled together closely fashions a true cowl or left slightly loose, a capelet.
The style lends itself to stripes, color blocking and also colorwork on the back. Think roses or a Nordic design.

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DIY Arts & Crafts - Button Up

In a previous post I wrote about my obsession with buttons, bakelite in particular.
If truth be known, I love any button with interesting colour, shape or texture.
Whenever I purchase a blouse or jacket, vintage or contemporary, I will inevitably change out any hohum buttons that are serviceable but not exciting.
On my usual hunt for any new ideas, I ran across an article about melting plastic beads, cheap pony beads into suncatchers.
Reading further, I found some jewelry and other simple home décor ideas which, in my mind, opened up possibilities for buttons.
There are an incredible variety of plastic beads, clear and opaque, big and small.
What was interesting was the combination of clear and opaque, baking thoroughly or less baking for some texture. Read further for more inspiration, ideas and tutorials on how to make your own buttons and shawl pins.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Slant on Raglans

Image and free pattern | free pattern available here

Images | Pinterest

Raglan shaping generally refers to a set of decreases, the same number on each side in order to shape a garment knit from the bottom up with the sleeves shaped in a slant.
The 50's swing coats always appealed to me, the raglan shaped sleeves always fit so well across the chest and looked chic and modern.
To this day I prefer that sleeve shape over the traditional set in sleeve and always hunt for the perfect vintage jacket or coat.
Raglan seams can be deep in length almost like a poncho and would be ideal for a fuller figure.
Other styles have shorter seams and are quite fitted, which are well suited to a more petite frame.
Decorative enhancements can be added to the seams such as eyelets or cables, small details which perk up an otherwise simple design.
Read further for more free patterns that feature both deep and more fitted styling.

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DIY Fashion - Faux Fur Projects

Image | Michael Kors

The shrug design featured above in faux fur has been a popular style with knitters and crocheters alike for some time. A large rectangle folded in half and seams sewn at each edge to form sleeves is as easy as it sounds. Read further for pointers, tips and a video showing how to work and sew with faux fur.

Image | Pinterest

An easy project to begin with is the neckwarmer, cowl or neck ring.

Image | Pinterest

When faux fur blankets first hit the stores, I loved them. Unfortunately, I couldn't justify the three hundred dollar hefty price at the time.
I had to have one, so I scoured the fabric stores, found a fabulous deal and proceeded to make one.
The front was the faux fur with a thin fleece backing and bordered in a silky upholstery fabric I had in my fabric stash.
A lot of work due to the size, but worth it. Three years later, it sits at the end of my bed and serves part-time as a cat bed for Ziggy and Zoe.
The blanket moves with me into the den keeping me toasty while watching movies and knitting or crocheting.
After seeing the Michael Kors shrug, I think it's time to bring out the faux and let the fur fly.

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