Perfect for fall, the crochet pattern for this super easy, stylish slouch will be coming your way soon...
kim.
Monday, October 22, 2012
sneak peek.
Perfect for fall, the crochet pattern for this super easy, stylish slouch will be coming your way soon...
Thursday, October 18, 2012
november 2012 issue of inspired crochet.
Kristi Simpson of RAKJpatterns has put together a digital crochet magazine featuring lots of your favorite online crochet designers and we are thrilled to announce that one of our crochet patterns, the Felted Mary Jane Booties, will be featured in the November 2012 issue of Inspired Crochet.
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| Felted Mary-Jane Booties by Kim Miller |
If you would like a chance to win the November, 2012 issue of Inspired Crochet Digital Magazine visit http://www.inspiredcrochet.com/Subscribe_c4.htm. All you have to do to enter is 'LIKE' Inspired Crochet on Facebook and leave a comment saying that you are entered and also who sent you! So hurry on over to enter!!!
The giveaway will end Friday October 19, 2012 at midnight and the November's issue of Inspired Crochet will be released on November 1st. Kristi will personally contact the winners via Facebook.
kim and tara.
Friday, October 12, 2012
can you felt items in a front loading washer?
I have found that items will felt in a front loading washer, but it may take a few washings. Remember that it is a combination of heat and friction that causes an item to felt, so throwing the item in the dryer will also speed up the felting process. Although these are the easiest methods for felting there are some downsides. The biggest being that with machine felting you don't have as much control over how much the item felts.
For example, I had one pair of slippers that I didn't love enough, and I just kept throwing them in the front loading washer. I probably washed them about 3 or 4 times and in between washing I didn't even so much as give them a second glance. Unfortunately, as you can see from the pictures, I found that they didn't felt evenly.
The machine scrunched up the fabric in such a way that wherever there was a fold, the fabric didn't felt completely.
In the end I was able to salvage the slippers by vigorously scrubbing them by hand, but tiny evidences of the wrinkles still showed.
Now, to eliminate this problem I will often do a combination of hand and machine felting. Also, because a front loading washer spins the fabric until it is almost dry I will always finish off with a quick hand felting. That way I am able to shape the item and allow it to dry naturally.
I would love t hear from others about their felting experiences.
Related Posts:
what is felting?
felting tutorial.
felting gone awry.
can you felt wool by boiling it?
For example, I had one pair of slippers that I didn't love enough, and I just kept throwing them in the front loading washer. I probably washed them about 3 or 4 times and in between washing I didn't even so much as give them a second glance. Unfortunately, as you can see from the pictures, I found that they didn't felt evenly.
In the end I was able to salvage the slippers by vigorously scrubbing them by hand, but tiny evidences of the wrinkles still showed.
I would love t hear from others about their felting experiences.
Related Posts:
what is felting?
felting tutorial.
felting gone awry.
can you felt wool by boiling it?
kim.
Monday, October 8, 2012
day at the office.
Have you ever wondered what an average work day for a crochet designer looks like? Drew Emborsky, AKA The Crochet Dude, posted this video on YouTube and I think that it is absolutely hilarious! Enjoy!!!
kim.
Monday, October 1, 2012
new pattern - midnight wrap by kim miller.
Skill Level: Intermediate
This beautiful crochet lace wrap was designed to be worn as a scarf or a light wrap and can be paired with jeans for an everyday look or worn as an elegant shawl on that special evening out.
The crochet pattern calls for 2 ¼ skeins of Knit Picks® GlossTM Lace (0) which is a gorgeous combination of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Silk.To show off the pretty lace pattern blocking is recommended. The blocked shawl measures approximately 195 cm/77” long and 38 cm/15” wide.
This rectangle shawl is crocheted from the center out and the pattern uses the following stitches: sc, dc, tr, dtr, clusters, and bobbles. To compliment the written pattern a chart has been added.
This beautiful crochet lace wrap was designed to be worn as a scarf or a light wrap and can be paired with jeans for an everyday look or worn as an elegant shawl on that special evening out.
The crochet pattern calls for 2 ¼ skeins of Knit Picks® GlossTM Lace (0) which is a gorgeous combination of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Silk.To show off the pretty lace pattern blocking is recommended. The blocked shawl measures approximately 195 cm/77” long and 38 cm/15” wide.
This rectangle shawl is crocheted from the center out and the pattern uses the following stitches: sc, dc, tr, dtr, clusters, and bobbles. To compliment the written pattern a chart has been added.
kim.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
getting organized - DIY dry erase board.
Because I have a large family, and work from home as an independent crochet designer, I am always looking for ways to get more organized. I saw some dry erase boards on pinterest made from picture frames and I thought what a great idea! I immediately went looking to see what I had lying around the house that could be repurposed. It just so happens that I had this old window in our basement that was all perfect and distressed looking. I should have taken pictures of the process but there really wasn't much to it...
I chose a light coloured, neutral material for the background so that the writing would really show up. I am forever changing my mind so I simply attached the material to the back of the window using Frog Tape. That way I can easily change up the look or colour whenever I get the urge.
I originally purchased the little bird that you see pictured at the bottom from a great little etsy shop called Single Stone Studios...and I think that he was nice touch.
Lastly, I added a couple of eyelets to the top corners so that I could string some twine across the top. I then added some miniature clothes pins so I now have a place to hang cards, invitations, notes and what have you.
The big thank-you note that I wrote across the front of the window was for my hubby for hanging it up for me. My youngest daughter laughed at the way I spelled "hon". She thinks that it should be spelled "hun", but I think that it should be "hon", short for "honey". I don't really think that it is a big deal though. It is not like I said, "Thanks Sweatie!"
I just lighted sanded up the wood, both to clean it and to expose the edges a bit more. To give it a more antique look I used SamaN Water Based Stain. For a nicer finish I then rubbed on a little Minwax Wipe-On Poly.
I chose a light coloured, neutral material for the background so that the writing would really show up. I am forever changing my mind so I simply attached the material to the back of the window using Frog Tape. That way I can easily change up the look or colour whenever I get the urge.
I originally purchased the little bird that you see pictured at the bottom from a great little etsy shop called Single Stone Studios...and I think that he was nice touch.
Lastly, I added a couple of eyelets to the top corners so that I could string some twine across the top. I then added some miniature clothes pins so I now have a place to hang cards, invitations, notes and what have you.
The big thank-you note that I wrote across the front of the window was for my hubby for hanging it up for me. My youngest daughter laughed at the way I spelled "hon". She thinks that it should be spelled "hun", but I think that it should be "hon", short for "honey". I don't really think that it is a big deal though. It is not like I said, "Thanks Sweatie!"
kim.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
sneak peek.
I've had this in the works for several months, so I'm happy that it is almost ready for publication!
kim.
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