A scrappy vest

So, what do you think of my latest make?

This is a scrappy, no pattern vest using up the remnants of yarn from when I finished my blanket (this one).

I made it for my son Joe, who absolutely adores it. He happily exclaimed that it was a blanket that he could wear! 

His enthusiasm is contagious and I like it because he likes it so much!

The yarn was from the lovely people over at American Yarns.

I've now used the remaining yarn up with exception of a few smaller pieces that the kids have taken from me.

I'm not sure I'd wear a vest like this, would you?

Big Butt Undies

 

I just finished sewing something for me, a stack of undies.

I call then Big Butt Undies because I like the coverage but the pattern that I use has many variations to suit your own needs. I also like that pattern because it uses smaller pattern pieces, in fact that watermelon pair was actually a fat quarter.

I was going to make a YouTube tutorial for them using both a sewing machine and also a serger/overlocker. What do you think, is that something that would appeal to you? I promise, they are super easy to make and much, much cheaper than buying a pair. I even tried to turn one into 'period undies' and it worked out fine too!

Undies sewing pattern here.....

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here.... 

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. 
If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. 
So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links!Many thanks, Rie

Handmade gift guide

 Ok, so the festive season is fast approaching and you're stressing about making all the gifts to give.

Well, you can still give handmade without makers anxiety.. you give handmade items from other makers instead!

Here's some great suggestions for you, you can start here at this Gift Guide but if you need some more inspiration then check out this gorgeous cockatoo that would look awesome on any fence or in any garden, Find more like it in the Gifts for Home & Garden collection.

Or perhaps you're after something to decorate a person rather than a fence, then check out this super cute cat in a box necklace that I added to the Gifts to Wear collection.

Or if you have some Maker's in your life or wannabe Maker's then what about this cute DIY Rainbow kit that I've included in the Gifts for DIY'ers collection.

These are just a few suggestions, if you hit the collections links then it'll lead you to a bunch more.

Happy web browsing & buying!

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. 
If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. 
So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links!Many thanks, Rie

Quick Pants!

 

This has to be my most quickest clothing make ever. I bought the pattern, printed it, cut it & sewed it all within 24 hours. World record for me. These things normally take months, well, to be honest, sometimes years!  I've been home sick for 2 weeks, my 10yo son has been home sick from school this week with me and I'm bored. 

I stumbled across this designer somehow and fell in love with the Capris. I honestly bought the pattern for the Capris but I wanted to 'test' the pattern out first before committing 'good fabric'. I found this large remnant of blue knit fabric in the back of my cupboard and it's enough for joggers, so I decided to test the jogger size out and then later I can make Capris.

I love them. They fit perfectly. 

Pattern is this one. Go buy it, it was easy and it's super size inclusive up to a 70" hip. The world needs more size inclusive designers like this.

The pattern comes with these Joggers and Capris, lots of options for pockets AND then the pattern shows you all the way to adjust them, so you get the perfect fit for you.

Ok, so now I'm tired, less bored but still sick. I'm going to curl up with a good book now. 

Please excuse the daggy photos!

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here.... 

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. 
If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. 
So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links!Many thanks, Rie

What are these?

Something a little different today, can you guess what these (above) are?

I hadn't made them before today, this was my first time sewing them. They looked harder to sew than they were.

They are the best ever scraps stash busting thing ever, one piece of the pattern was super small, perfect for those itty bitty scraps.

Yes, I used knit/stretch fabric, it's a 95/5 blend for extra stretch & recovery. 

The picture looks like I made 4 things but in fact I made 2. 

I made 2 pairs. ...worked it out yet?

My kids were super excited to try them on, they've now asked for more in every colour available. My son says they are more comfortable than shop bought ones. My daughter asked for ones with pompoms.

The pattern is this one. Go grab it and use your scraps. 

Aren't they the cutest things ever!  These were the first test ones, so I just used the first scraps I came too. The heels & toes were optional, I really liked the heels as they turn a 'tube sock' into a 'proper sock't that doesn't slip off the foot easily. The cuffs were also optional, I liked the pop of colour at the top.

They come in heaps of sizes, lengths and options, they even come in tights and adult sizes. 

The pattern was well written with heaps of instructions, making them easy to sew.

Now that I've mastered these, I'm tempted to make more and to also make these ones because I know my son would just love them and he's getting harder to buy & make for as he gets older (he turns 11 soon).

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here.... 

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. 
If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. 
So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links!Many thanks, Rie

The Rainbow Swing Dress

 

This dress was so easy to make, a great stash buster. I sewed it up for Delaney's birthday, so I had to wait before I could get a photo of her in it!

The sewing pattern is this one: https://lddy.no/10n66 

My fabric (from my stash) wasn't quite wide enough, so I fudged the shape whilst cutting and there wasn't enough stretch in the fabric for the neckband, so after sewing it 90% on, I ripped it out & just folded the neckline down instead and it still managed to look good when I'd finished it! 

You can see how I sewed the dress here: https://youtu.be/Xp16vZxHOCE

If you need ideas on where to source knit/stretchy fabric from then head over here to see the list I've compiled: http://www.craftyrie.com/2017/09/where-to-buy-knit-jersey-stretch-fabric.html

Here's what the dress looks like on, not the best photos but she was so excited and wouldn't stand still. She also was amazed that I'd actually sewn the dress not bought it, so that was kind of heart warming, especially when she told me it was so pretty and kept spinning circles in it!

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here.... 

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. 
If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. 
So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links!Many thanks, Rie

Knitting Needle review

 

I'm showcasing & reviewing these gorgeous knitting needles, the KnitPro Zing Interchangeable Needle Set.

The set includes 8 different sized knitting needles that are interchangeable with the cables that are included in the handy pouch. 

There are 4 cables included; 2 x 80cm (I'm using 1 in these photos), 1 x 60cm & 1 x 100cm.  Also included within the kit, are 8 end caps, 4 cable keys, 1 set of cable connectors, 1 set of wool needles & 1 set of stitch holders.  

The cable end caps are handy when you want to try on your knitting for size & fit, you can unscrew the needles & screw on the end caps as it stops the knitting from coming off (& coming undone). 

The cable keys are what you use to screw on & unscrew the knitting needles to the cables so they're not too loose when you're knitting.

The cable connectors are used when you need to add extra length to your cable, so you can join two cables together. They're fantastic for those wider projects like blankets and other types of projects.

The wool needles are super handy to have to weave in those ends and I really like these type as the 'eye of the needle' is easy to thread and doesn't snag on the yarn or project.

The stitch holders are always useful and I love the colours that these ones come in.

Things I really love about these KnitPro Zing Interchangeable Needles:

~ they have a lovely smooth firm grip, not slippery at all

~ they are evenly balanced 

~ the cables are easy to use & change (& join) 

~ the cable doesn't kink at all

~ the gorgeous range of colours 

~ the handy box & notions that come with this kit

~ and best of all, there is just something joyous & magical about matching your needle to your yarn!

I love using these Zing interchangeable needles rather than 'straight needles' as the cables are soft & flexible and don't whack my boobs when I'm knitting. 

They are also handy when you pop your knitting down, the needles are NOT sittings straight up in the air and therefore won't get snapped or broken.

To be honest, I switched to interchangeable knitting needles when I had my second baby as I was knitting whilst breastfeeding and the straight needles would constantly tap,tap,tap the baby on the head whereas when I switched to interchangeables, they didn't tap the baby as they were no where near the babies head! 

I also love using these interchangeable knitting needles for projects when I'm knitting in the car as they aren't wide or pointy at all, so they are un-obtrusive and the knitting can easily be pushed to the centre of the cable & the needles stuck into the balls so they don't get in the way when I'm getting in & out of the car.

Overall, I recommend these needles, they would make a great present as they're boxed up so prettily or they'd be the perfect gift for yourself as everything is stored neatly inside the box. 

I'm so glad to know have this full colourful kit as owning a clickety clack rainbow makes my heart sing!

Head over to and check out the KnitPro Zing Interchangeable Needle Set now, you won't be disappointed! 

This has been a collaborative blog post, all images, thoughts & comments are my own.