Category Archives: Hand Crafts

Veritable V-Stitch 12″ Block

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We’ve been undergoing a test of mettle in our household the last few days. Our a/c unit has stopped functioning…and it’s been hovering around 105F, making it approximately 90F in parts of our house.

We’ve been seeking shelter of cooler places, which has, for the most part not included anywhere near a computer or sewing machine. While we wait for Sears to come perform the warrantied services they’ve promised, I’ve been working on small things to try and stay cool and keep my mind off of bigger stresses.

Combine the above with a 12″ knit/crochet block swap that I’m participating in, and the Veritable V-Stitch 12″ Block was born. It’s easy to work up and was made (intentionally!) in icy colors to remind me of cooler days.

You’ll need:

Worsted Weight Yarn in colors A (main), B (accent) & C (coordinating)
H/I hook to obtain gauge (1.5″ across first round)

Special Stitches:

v-stitch = dc, ch 1, dc
beg v-stitch = ch 4, dc
v-st corner = v-stitch, ch 2, v-stitch

With color A, ch 4, sl st in beg ch to form ring

Round 1: ch 3, 2 dc, (ch 2, 3 dc) three times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch 3. Check gauge.

Round 2: sl st to center dc, beg v-stitch in center dc, v-st corner, (sk 1 dc, v-stitch, v-st corner) three times, join with sl st at third ch in beg v-stitch.

Rounds 3&4: sl st to first ch sp, beg v-stitch, (v-stitch in ch sp of each v-stitch, v-st corner) repeat ( )around. Join with sl st at third ch in beg v-stitch. At the end of round 4, join color B at the sl st.

Round 5: ch 1, sc in same st, ch 1, sk ch sp, sc in next 2 dc [(ch 1, sk ch sp, sc in next dc) to corner (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner] repeat [ ] around. Join with a sl st at beg sc. Finish off.

Round 6: join color A in any ch 1 sp. Ch 5, sk next 2 sc, [(dc in ch sp, ch 2, sk next 2 sc) to corner (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner], repeat [ ] around. Join with sl st in third ch in beg ch 5, finish off.

Round 7: join color B in any ch sp. Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, sc in ch sp [(2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in corner (sc in ch sp, ch 2, sc in ch sp)] around. Join with a sl st to first sc. Finish off.

Round 8: join color C in any ch sp. Beg v-stitch, (v-stitch in each ch sp, corner v-stitch in corners), rep ( ) around, finish off.

Round 9: join color A, rep row 8.

Round 10: join color B in any ch 1 sp. Ch 5, [(dc in next ch sp, ch 2, dc in next ch sp) (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in corners], rep [ ] around, join with sl st to third ch of beg ch 5.

Round 11: sl st to ch sp, (ch 1, 3 sc in each ch sp) around. Join with sl st to first sc. Finish off.

Version 1 of Veritable V-stitch had slightly different corners

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vlog: TTMT – When Harry Met Data

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If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

Crochet: Motif Blocking Template

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I’m a bit surprised at myself for not sharing this before!

When I’m working on a crochet project that requires blocking, which, let’s face it, if I’m working on it, it’s most likely a blanket of some sort or another, I like to keep a size template handy to check my motif by. I discovered that using foam core for my template also gives me a super easy way to block my motifs so they come out perfectly!

I’m currently working on some 12″ blocks for a swap I’m participating in. I’m using the pattern Supernova by Chris Simon in my example.

You’ll need:

piece of foam core board larger than your motif
ruler (quilting rulers work great!)
cutting surface
box cutter or Exacto

Measure the size you need on the foam core board (12″ board shown). If you have a quilter’s square ruler, now is a great time to break it out. If not, just measure carefully, being sure to mark the measurement you need several times to get the right size.

Use the box cutter to cut the foam core board to the right size.

That’s it! Now you have the perfect size template that you can both check your size against and block the motif (shown above) if needed!

Supernova, pattern by Chris Simon

If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

DIY: Mirror of Erised Mural

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Mirror of Erised Mural
edited to maintain my daughter’s privacy

This could really be called a Way Back Craft, but I’ve done so much updating, I’m going to stick with DIY.

Six years ago, when my daughter was turning 8 years old, she wanted a Harry Potter room. All those years ago, we created the most magical room we could manage for her, and she’s loved it ever since.

On the back of her door, I created a Mirror of Erised just for her using a basic 4′ wall mirror. It’s been one of the highlights of her the HP theme, and what girl doesn’t need a mirror in her room?

Way back then, I never imagined she’d someday be taller than me. As she grew, it was clear that the Mirror of Erised mural I created for her was going to have to be adjusted for her lengthening height. Just last week, I did what I needed to do to so she could see herself in her mirror.

The original tutorial has been on every variation of my website for six years now. It’s posted on The Leaky Cauldron’s Crafts section and was mentioned, uncredited, in Entertainment Weekly in reference to Leaky Crafts. That original tutorial is below, with edits for the updated version of the mirror.

What You’ll Need

Basic rectangular wall mirror, with or without frame
Mirror Clips, if not included with the mirror
Pencil or chalk
Masking tape
Newspaper
Fine sand paper
Soft cloth
Spray paint (primer & gold)
Gold acrylic craft paint
Gold or silver paint pen or metallic Sharpies
paint brush of your choice (to paint mirror body)
Level (optional)
Measuring tape

Instructions

Measure the mirror. Save the dimensions for later.

The Mirror

for frame-less mirror, skip to the mural instructions

Lightly sand the frame of the mirror. Wipe clean with a soft cloth. Cover mirror with newspaper, taping carefully around the edges of the mirror without covering the frame.

In a well-ventilated area, use spray primer to prime the frame. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Follow up with 2 coats of gold spray paint.

The Mural

While the mirror is drying, determine where it will hang.

Using the dimensions taken earlier, mark a space 1” smaller than the mirror dimensions on each side.

Use masking tape to tape the area where the frame will be.

Use pencil or chalk to draw the outside edge of the mirror.

This can be done freehand, or using the mirror from the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone movie as a reference. Add clawed feet to the legs. The mirror shown was drawn freehand, as were the updates.

Paint with gold craft paint.

After the mirror is completely dry, remove newspaper and masking tape. Mount to painted mural frame.

Using a paint pen or metallic Sharpie, write Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi across the top
of the mirror.

Using a paint pen or metallic Sharpie, ad details like swirls and stars.

Touch up if needed.

the original mirror, before enlarging

For more Harry Potter DIY, check out the HP Bookcase Mural, the Fat Lady Mural (pdf), and the Hogwarts House Canopies!

If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

Recon: No Sew Swim Shirt

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My 14 year old heads off for a week of orchestra camp on Saturday. During the week, they get the chance of swimming in the river near the college where the camp takes place. My kiddo is pale and freckled, the worse kind of complexion to spend a day in the sun.

Well, what’s a Gen X mom to do? How about we rock this party 80s style?!

Enter the No Sew Swim Shirt.

This is the second version of this shirt I’ve made, the first having done it’s duty honorably for several summers now. The sides are nice and open so the water will flow through your shirt and not weigh you down. A must for any super-sun-sensitive human.

There really is no sewing and you only need a couple of supplies and you’ll have your own No Sew Swim Shirt in about 10 minutes!

You’ll need:

1 t-shirt, at least 2 sizes too big, in a light color to reflect the sun
a pair of scissors
a large ruler OR yardstick
cutting mat OR masking tape with 1″ intervals marked to about 20″

spread the t-shirt out, making sure the top and bottom are nicely aligned

cut off sleeve just inside the seam line, save for another project

repeat for second sleeve

slice up sides of t-shirt

remove bottom hem

smooth out the side of the t-shirt, using either the cutting mat and a ruler (shown) OR a yardstick and masking tape, measure 3″ from the cut edge along the shirt sides, cutting up those 3″ at 1″ interval

repeat on both sides, stopping before the sleeve area

snip off the bottom curve of the sleeve

starting at the top of one side, tie together front and back 3″ pieces

repeat for all 3″ pieces

repeat on the second side of the shirt

Finished side

And Done!

Because this was a blank shirt, I added an iron-on dragon to jazz it up a bit.

side close up

And older tee that was well-loved before being retired! This one was stenciled using acrylic paint and a pirate stencil I made myself.

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

crochet: Oh What A Mystery!

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They mystery has been solved at last! Caitirin’s Mystery Crochet Along is done and revealed Romi-Yo (ravelry link), a super cute pattern by Joyce Noverr.

Thanks for hosting, caitirin! I had a lot of fun with this and now I just need to think of a name for my wee wiggly friend!

vlog: TTMT A Whole Lot of Harry

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Check out some of my fun flickr craft-related groups!

If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

crochet: crocheting along

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I mentioned a few days ago that I’m participating in caitirin’s Mystery Crochet Along. I just finished part two and I’m still as clueless as to what we’re making! She’s promised fun, easy and short.

One more step and the mystery will be solved. Can’t wait!

stencil: Bite Me

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True Blood season 2, it approacheth.

To honor the awesomeness of the show based on Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris, how about a new stencil with the name of everyone’s favorite vamp bar emblazoned across it?

Thanks to the fabulous Pren for trying out the stencil sharing her photo. She added the cute fang marks and the gem to dot the “i”. Love it!

Get it here!

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Fangtasia – the bar with the bite

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my version, made for my sister