fiber

A couple of years ago I thought I would have a go at making felt beads, how hard could that be? Well disappointingly it proved to be more tricky than I anticipated and I failed miserably. Recently my friend Sue gave me what I can only call a couple of 'master classes' in felt bead making. It became clear where I had gone wrong, with my initial beading attempt, I was too quick to form a 'ball' and it separated. The secret is to take the initial forming of the 'ball' slowly then gather momentum.

Tartan is every where this Autumn/Winter. The easiest way to wear it is as an accent, an accessory and the easiest accessory to make is a scarf, unisex too. Take a tartan/check fabric of your choice, measure a piece 2m 32cm x 45cm (2 1/2 yards x 18in). On the two long sides of the fabric turn in 1cm (3/8in) to one side, turn in same again and machine stitch. Fray the two short edges to form a fringe 10cm (4in) long. Knot the fringe at 1.5cm (1/2in) intervals. I was pleased to see that Top Shop were selling crochet flower brooches, similar to the flowers I made.

Sometimes it's frustrating when you can't find the right buttons for the garment you have knitted. This is a really easy way to make individual buttons for knitwear. For the buttons I used brass curtain rings, I think you can get plastic ones and these might be more practical when it comes to washing the garment. For the yarn i used wool and embroidery thread. I hope the photograph below showing the process is self-explanatory. First you cover a ring using what I would describe as a blanket stitch. Then create a spoke like framework.