It's hip to Crochet!

Crochet is on my list of crafts to learn, I have had a play but haven't quite mastered the fine art of crochet - despite borrowing the "learn to crochet in day' book from the library!! I'm now on the look out for a lovely person in my little coastal town to teach me and I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to tackle a couple of these projects as they are just gorgeous. Stay tuned...

Modern & Colourful Crochet
I came across Sarah London's work on twitter last night and it was love at first sight. Sarah has a great ability to match colours and her creations are creative and modern. I do hope I'm a quick learner as I can't wait to try one of Sarah's patterns.








Crochet Candy
I love these patterns by Hook Candy, they have a variety of patterns not just cute shoes and if you buy more 3 you receive a discount. These are also on my very long to-do list.






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Here are a collection of madeit.com.au sellers who think
'It's hip to Crochet!'
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If you have found a crochet pattern you would like to share, please leave a comment below with the link. Let's all be hip together!
Please note that some patterns are only for personal use and made items may not be able to be sold.

Bec xxx

new seller quick five! :: Vanilla Knits and Bits

New seller : Vanilla Knits and Bits
madeit.com.au/Vanillaknitsandbits

How did you find about madeit?
I have been selling online through another venue for about 6 months and have been toying with the idea of giving the markets and craft fairs a go. While sifting through my search responses I found a reference to 'madeit.com.au' and followed the links and here I am, very excited to be able to sell locally online!!

Explain your style?
I like to make bright, colourful and pretty hats and accessories. I'm a perfectionist so I tend to rip out more than I stitch sometimes!. I enjoy using different designs and playing around with unusual, eye catching colour combinations. The challenge is finding styles for boys that aren't dull or boring or too babyish, I have a ways to go in that department but I think I'm on the right track now!

What makes you happy?
Spending time with family and friends is the obvious one. Chocolate is at the top of my food pyramid - although some days there just isn't enough in the world. I also love to wander through Stationery stores and look at all the pretty notebooks and pens. I get very excited when the Post van pulls up with my new order of wool, I rip open the bag on my bed and watching all those balls of wool tumble out makes me want to run for my hooks and start crocheting straight away.

What makes you sad?
When my children are sad. I'm a sucker for sad movies, although I have to watch them at home where I can sob in peace. The last movie I watched was a half a roll of toilet paper one (we had no tissues) - it was great! Hearing about news of tragic events around the world and here at home are too much sometimes.

What can't you live without?
My hubby, my children, my friends, chocolate, my patterns, wool and hooks, books, my camera and laptop.......and diet coke (tragic but true!)

Free Postage!!

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PROJECT: Free Bunting Template & Tutorial

Bunting tutorial is brought to you by madeit seller Grace Designs
visit madeit.com.au/GraceDesigns


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The bunting template I made is ridiculously easy I know but now you have an extra 5-10 minutes to enjoy a coffee or flick through your favourite magazine instead of deciding on what measurements to use! Of course, do whatever works for you but I liked the dimensions of the smaller triangle shown.

Materials

• 5m of 1 inch wide bias tape (buying off the roll is cheaper)
• 1m fabric (I used 3 different types of cotton)
• cotton thread
• Cardboard for template
• Download template PDF

Instruments

• Tailors chalk
• Rotary cutter
• cutting mat
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pins

Step 1

Cut out preferred triangle/flag size, trace and transfer to heavy cardboard, cut out.

Step 2

Mark 36 single triangles or 18 double sided triangles with tailors chalk onto your fabric.

Step 3

Cut out triangles with rotary cutter on your mat (there are plenty of video's on U-Tube re: using a rotary cutter if you are a virgin user).

Step 4

Lay out your triangles, working out your pattern if you are using more than one pattern / colour material.

Step 5

Match wrong sides together and sew down both left and right sides of your triangles (making them double-sided). I did a simple zig zag down both 26cm sides and left the 19cm top-stitched. (You could also cut them out with pinking shears at step 3 and straight stitch down the sides instead).

Step 6

Lay out your 5m of bias tape, finding the middle and marking it with tailors chalk or a pin.

Step 7

Working from the middle of the bias tape out to the ends, space your triangles approx 4.5cm apart folding the bias tape in half to secure the 19cm edge of the triangle in the tape and pin (the point of the triangle being opposite to the bias tape). I left 45cm at both ends for ties.

Step 8

Sew the triangles into the folded bias tape using a simple straight stitch. FINISHED - hang and admire your handiwork!

Variations - sew/applique letters onto your triangles for kids door signs or happy birthday banners etc..

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This tutorial was first published on April 8, 2009 on Grace Designs blog

♥♥ Felt LOVE ♥♥

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Bec from madeit :: What inspires you?

The Ocean: Every morning I walk to the break wall and pass a number of beaches in my little coastal town. There is nothing better than looking out to the ocean and not seeing a single person or house - just a couple of boats on the horizon.


Patterns & Colour: From when I was a little girl I have always loved colour and would often dress myself in the most colourful outfit I could find. While I'm not as adventurous as that now I do love to be around a burst of colour to keep the creativity flowing.

















Creative Homes: Seeing how other creative people decorate their homes has given me the decorators bug! While I can't go too crazy (still renting) I have found so many great and simple ideas to make a house a home, like using these old tea boxes for herbs thanks to Allison from Lark. Photo by Rohan Anderson.



Minimalist Living: Yes, please!! I love this How to Create a Minimalist Home guide - it inspires me to declutter and keep my house clean (well try!! I just need more storage).






Japan: What's not to love and be inspired by Japan. I love the food, people, culture, old and new products and the snow. Hope to see you again soon!

dress to impress

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new seller quick five! :: Little Viking Girl

New seller : Little Viking Girl
madeit.com.au/LittleVikingGirl

How did you find out about madeit?
Late last year I contacted a Melburnian artist to pay her a compliment on her striking handmade totes. I slipped it in to our conversation that I was an artist seeking new and exciting avenues to sell my wares. In her email response, she highly recommended madeit to me... and so here I am today telling you my story!

Explain your style?
Uncomplicated, contemporary and a little tomboyish at times.

What makes you happy?
At the moment, a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand with a little light dancing afterwards. A newly acquired dishwasher also makes me happy as it frees up my time each day to be creative – bliss!

What makes you sad?
This is a little silly: seeing someone else’s recycling placed in their regular wheelie bin and knowing it could have been put to better use! Still on the same subject, I’m a little sad (perhaps dazed is more the word I am looking for) when the garbage truck visits us a little before 6am and I am left with two bright-eyed and bushy-tailed kids! But on a more serious note, I get a little tear in my eye when I think about my immediate family members who have already said ‘goodbye’ to this world.

What can't you live without?
A conscience - a must for everybody. Plus a strong coffee in the morning.