Craft Cove Blog: Australia
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Pdf's now available


I've decided to make my free patterns also available as printable pdfs


They are still available for free here, but if you want a nice easy way to print it, you will be able to download it for a small fee





Patterns take a very long time, and a lot of effort to create


It is a huge process, that includes many steps






Thinking of the design

Occasionally this step can be easy.

But most often it takes a lot of thought and ideas, and looking at a lot of inspiration


Creating the design

This is probably the hardest part.

What yarn, or thread would work best for this?

What stitch, or combination of stitches would work best for this?

How many stitches will I need?

Then it needs to be made, and undone, and made, and undone, many times, usually, until it's right, and it works the way I want it


Writing it up

This is another challenging part. I usually write notes as I go. But it's a completely different thing to have the pattern written with all the proper terms and wording in it.

It takes a lot of work going through the whole pattern to add all the words, terms and phrases in the proper crochet terms so that everyone can understand it


Testing

This is where other people come into it

I need a range of people who can read crochet patterns to look through the pattern, and crochet the item

They will see it through new eyes, being unfamiliar with the design, they will often see errors, or better ways with wording than I can

I'm often amazed at what I can miss. And how different testers can see different things


Final pattern

And finally we have the final pattern







All my patterns are pretty cheap, especially when you consider my most expensive pattern might only just buy me a coffee in Australia.

The pdf's are $2 Australian, which is half a coffee









Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Hexes Against Bullies












A couple of weeks ago I heard a terrible thing in the news.

An Australian girl committed suicide due to relentless online bullying.

I was shocked and horrified. So sad.


http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/police-investigation-under-way-ahead-of-dollys-funeral/news-story/ebcbee59a67306acf292ed05a150577e


Sticks and stones can break my bones
But names can never hurt me



This is so not true. I've always known this personally. Words CAN hurt!  And VERY much



Then I was asked to join a facebook group of crocheters to create a hexagon, and have it joined to many other people's hexagons to create a lovely blanket to give to their family.

I thought it was such a lovely gesture. I was honoured to help



Then there was another story that shocked me to the core.


A teenage girl was assaulted viciously, she was tortured for 2 and a half hours while it was filmed.


http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/disabled-teenager-bashed-and-tortured-by-three-girls-after-being-lured-into-a-park-20180117-p4yyl0.html



This affected me so much because, while I know what it's like to be bullied, it was never physical.

This beaten girl was disabled. I know many disabled people, and used to work with them

This happened at Moe, a town in Victoria, Australia. The same town where I grew up

The girls doing the attack were 12 and 15!


I know these things have been happening since time began. But usually they happen when no-one else is around, and we don't get to see it.  We see the poor kid who was beaten up at school, he is black and blue with bruises. And we think, "poor boy, that is terrible"  Or they get told "Just ignore them"

This time it was there for us to see. And it was awful!



I decided I wanted to do something.

I decided I would also create a facebook group, where many people would come together and make hexagons. The hexagons would then be sent to me, where I would join them together into the blanket. Hexagons are a great shape to join together. And so much nicer than squares



The group started as Crochet for Kim. Then we made another blanket, with squares, for her sister. After that we decided to keep the group open to all crafters. It's now called Crochet and Crafts






Then I decided I may as well create the pattern for it too.

Of course I get carried away with patterns, and made it pretty fancy. So I decided I need to make an easier version too.




This worked perfectly. It would balance the fancy version, and the beginners can make it easily

And then I think I better create a chart too, for the visual learners. I find these tricky, but I did it. Then for lots of photos.





I have never created a pattern so quickly before. And I have never organised anything like this before.

A little overwhelming, but I have got a few helpers now. So far, so good

I can't wait to see it finished and Kim snuggled up in it. I hope it gives her comfort






Finally she received the blanket, and loved it





You can find the patterns here




Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Gifts for Geeks




Who wants an interesting gift for a geeky friend or family member?

Why not help some Australian writers and artists at the same time.

And also help the Australian comic book industry






Most comic books are the floppy 32 page things you get from the newsagents.

Why don't you get an anthology instead.




Reverie is an anthology of many artists, many writers, many genres.




Lots of fun for the geek


It's a 112 page soft cover book




It contains some big names from DC comics, and Zooniverse. And some new names from Australia.




Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Cyclone Swirl

The latest pattern is here


Cyclone Swirl Mandala








Want this as a printable pdf? Get it here for a small fee




US terms

measures 25 cm (10 inches)

4 mm hook

8 ply wool in following colours:

black, or other dark colour - a
4 shades colour 1 - b, c, d, e (dark to light yellow)
4 shades colour 2 – f, g, h, I (dark to light blue)
2 opposite shades - j, k (purple and green)
4 shades colour 3 - l, m, n, o (dark to light red/pink)




Using e, magic circle

Rnd 1: Using e. 1 ch, 12 sc in circle. Join with slst (12 sts)

Rnd 2: Using a, 1 ch, *2 sc in each st. Rep from*. Join with slst (24 sts)

Rnd 3: Using b, 1 standing fpsc, *1 fpsc in each st, Rep from*. Join with slst (24 sts)

Rnd 4: Using b, 3 ch,* 1 sc and fpsc in next st, Rep from*. Join with slst (36 sts)

Rnd 5: Using c, 1 standing fpsc, *1 fpsc in each st, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 6: Using c, 3 ch, *1 ch, 1 fpsc in each st, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 7: Using d, 1 standing fpsc, *1 ch, 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 8: Using d, 3 ch, *1 ch, 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 9: Using e, 1 standing fpsc, *1 ch, 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 10: Using e, 1 ch, *1 sc in ch sp, 1 ch, 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 11: Using e, 1 ch, *1 sc in ch sp, 1 ch, 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 12: Using f, 1 ch, *1 sc, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 13: Using f, 1 ch, *2 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst







Rnd 14: Using g, 1 ch, *2 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 15: Using g, 1 ch, *2 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 16: Using h, 1 ch, *2 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 17 Using h, 1 ch, *3 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 18: Using i, 1 ch, *3 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 19: Using i, 1 ch, *3 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 20: Using j, 1 ch, *4 sc in ch space, 1 ch and 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 21: Using k, 1 ch, *5 sc in ch space, 1 fpsc in next fpsc, Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 22: Using l, 1 ch, *1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 1 sc in fpsc, fpsc in next fpsc. Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 23: Using m, 1 ch, *1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 1 fpsc in next fpsc. Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 24: Using n, 1 ch, *1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 1 fpsc in next fpsc. Rep from*. Join with slst

Rnd 25: Using o, 1 ch, *1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 1 fpsc in next fpsc. Rep from*. Join with slst



Please consider making a donation    



http://craftcove.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/donations.html



Created by Jenny Lawson








For any questions, email me at: craftcove@gmail.com

More tutorials can be found at: Jewellery from Craft Cove http://craftcove.blogspot.com/
Please do not distribute, lend or copy.
Do not mass produce.

Copyright 2016 Jenny Lawson

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Sale



http://www.ravelry.com/stores/craft-cove-designshttp://www.ravelry.com/stores/craft-cove-designs







Don't miss the sale on patterns





All my patterns are 25% off for this month only




Celebrate the start of winter




Just use the code "Winter"






http://www.ravelry.com/stores/craft-cove-designs













Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Spring Sale



Celebrate Spring in Australia!

Spring is my favourite season, today is the first day of spring and it's such a lovely sunny morning.

To celebrate I'm having a sale through all of the month.

Everything is half price in my Artfire shop.  This includes patterns.

In stock items only. Not including custom orders.

As you know there's a wide range of handcrafted items including wire wrapping and wire work, crochet, chainmail, beaded flowers, 3d ornaments, and much more.



Monday, April 13, 2015

Donations

Just a reminder to everyone.

Donations are always welcome, and really appreciated.

I have had free patterns downloaded over 7,000 times.  If some of you just donated a small amount for each free pattern, it would be really helpful.

Donations are very easy to do through Paypal, and you don't even have to sign up.


Updated to add: the free patterns are still always free on the blog whether you donate or not


Monday, June 10, 2013

Ear cuff displays

When I first saw ear cuffs, I didn't know what the heck they were.  It took me a while to find out.



Knowing a lot of people probably have the same problem, I decided to make an image of how they're used:




Then I thought a gif would be a great idea, so worked out how to make a gif (which took a while)  and I came up with this:


How to wear an ear cuff photo for-animation-1.gif


I also wrote some instructions and information about them:  http://craftcove.blogspot.com.au/2008/05/free-tutorials.html

But I wasn't totally happy.  I mean how does this look like something you can wear on your ear?



 My husband is better at sculpting than I am so I made up some cold porcelain and he had a go at making some ears.  The only problem is the sizes have to be pretty close to real size to have the cuff fit.  And of course cold porcelain shrinks, supposedly by 30%.  Of course the first try only shrunk a tiny bit.

Then one of the most amazing wire work artists posted this:

She asked what people thought of  her new displays.  They were skin colored silicon or plasticy ears!!  What a great idea!!

So of course I asked her where she got them.  But how annoying!  They don't post to Australia!!

So I looked around at how other people were displaying them.  There were some wonderful black display ears that some people used, others just displayed them on a table, as I did, others used their own ears.  And others used silicon-type ears.

I loved the black stone looking ones.  So I wrote to many different people asking where they got them from.

Damn!  again!  They don't make them any more.  I looked around on Ebay, and it looks like there's a type of silicon ear that's used to practice acupuncture.

Then I finally found a site that makes these ears for acupuncture!  And they post to Australia!  And the price isn't too bad!


And now for the next problem!  I was hoping to hang them by screwing a screw in the top, so that they would stand out at a market stall, and if it was a type with a chain, it would fall naturally.  But when I received it, I soon realized that wasn't going to be possible with this silicon, it would just break and fall out.

I played around with ways of framing it.  But to no avail.

Finally I made a stand!


And I'm pretty happy with it all!



Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Now on Artfire

I've decided to re-open my Artfire shop.

I'll be listing a large variety of things there.  Including beaded flowers: 












chainmail: 








3d charms: 






beadweaving: 







And much more

You can find them at: Craft Cove at Artfire

I also have the Artfire kiosk on my facebook page


With this app, you can buy directly from my facebook page without even leaving facebook, you can shop for items and checkout through ArtFire.com.  No account is needed  and you get an Encrypted Secure Checkout.

There is also a rapid cart option at the top of this blog, which works in much the same way.

There is currently a 15% discount on everything as I list them, until further notice.

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