Easy Tassel

Here is an easy way to make a tassel using embroidery floss. Unfortunately I cant take credit for this idea - I was watching a craft show on my local PBS channel and they showed how to make this. I thought it was a clever idea - and with all the beautiful colors of embroidery floss, you can make an array of tassels!





Remove wrapper from floss and separate.
















Cut in half












Take one full strand from bunch
and tie in center, secure with a
knot. Make one end slightly
longer.







Take the longer strand and
wrap around top 2 times -
thread the strand through
needle and bring through
top. Secure with a knot.

And you have a tassel!







Enjoy!

TUTORIAL - THREAD JOINTING

I had several requests on how to do Thread Jointing. I use thread jointing alot on my amigurumi. The end result is a flexible toy - able to stand or sit and movable arms.

You can get the tutorial here:

http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2009/03/tutorial-thread-jointing.html

As always, if you want the PDF for this tutorial, send me an email and I will be more than happy to send it to you.

Happy Crocheting!

Tutorial - Felting Needles

USING THE FELTING NEEDLE

I recently started needle felting with wool roving and found it to be extremely rewarding creating miniature dogs, bears and other animals. I also found the felting needle quite useful in my amigurumi. I use the felting needle to incorporate felt pieces to my amigurumi. For example, if you want a little red felt tongue for an amigurumi dog, you can use the felting needle to weave that felt piece into your amigurumi. Here’s how:

1. Cut the felt piece the exact size you need.
2. Position felt piece.
3. Use felting needle to adhere by using fast poking strokes.

The end result is clean, no stitch or glue marks.

Here are some examples:

Felt Mouse Ears:
1. Cut the felt ears exact size.
2. Position ears on mouse.
3. With felting needle, use quick strokes to poke the felt into the crocheted mouse.
The ears are attached and has a clean finish.

Doggie Tongue:
1. Cut the felt tongue exact size.
2. Position tongue on dog just below the nose.
3. With felting needle, use quick strokes to poke the felt into the crocheted dog.
The tongue is attached and has a clean finish.

Bear Foot Pads:
1. Cut two pieces of felt to fit the bottom of the foot.
2. Position felt piece on bottom of foot,
3. With felting needle, use quick strokes to poke the felt into the bottom of foot.
The felt is attached to the bottom of the bear’s foot and has a clean finish.

Position the felt piece on the bottom of the foot. With the felting needle, poke the felt into the bottom of the foot around the edges only. Use caution – needle is very, very sharp.

Continue “poking” the needle through the felt into the foot along the edges.
Follow same procedure for the other foot.

Felted pads complete.

Rag Doll Nose – The felt piece here was cut in a triangle and “felted” onto the head utilizing the felting needle. The finish is clean with no stitch marks or glue residue.

Try incorporating other uses for this remarkable little tool. You can purchase this tool anywhere they sell needle felting supplies. I purchased mine from:

http://www.crscrafts.com/lobby.asp.

Do a search under “needle felting” and you can see the felting needles and other accessories. They also sell protective plastic tubes to store your needles in. It is a small investment to give your amigurumi that special finish.


Felting Needle
CAUTION: The felting needle is a super sharp barbed needle. Use with caution.

Felting Needle Tubes - Protective cases for your felting needles

Happy Crocheting (And Crafting)!!

I have this tutorial on PDF - if you would like, contact me and I will be more than happy to email you these instructions in PDF.

COPYRIGHT © CRAFTS BY AP
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008

Gown Turtorial

I had several requests for a tutorial on crocheting the gown directly on to the body. I prepared a tutorial with step by step directions. If you are interested, click here: http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2008/10/gown-tutorial_2946.html

This tutorial is based on a 5" to 5-1/2" doll. If your doll is bigger, your stitches will increase to accomodate the size of the body.

I use this technique on alot of my Amigurumi, for example, all of my Kitty Ami uses this technique. I like this technique becuase the finished doll looks better and you dont run the risk of your filling showing through your stitches. I hope you enjoy this tutorial and incorporate it in your Amigurumi.

Happy Crocheting!

Amigurumi Tutorial

Part 2, Amigurumi Tutorial

An informative tutorial on how to make Amigurumi by WireMySoul, Part 1