Laura Bees christmas holly and leaves

So to get into the Christmassy spirit this year (I'm not usually one for Christmas) I've decided to knit and crochet a wreath. 

I'm crocheting holly- I found a great you tube video that was easy to follow and I'm knitting leaves. I still need to do some berries and flowers maybe some show flakes :) and lots more leaves! 

Keep crafting 

Laura Bee xxx

Gauge it!

If you're like me then you HATE knitting a gauge and despite all the books and patterns telling you, you MUST knit a gauge; you don't and then wonder why your knitting piece doesn't look how it should. 

So I'm actually making a gauge probably for the first time. I'm designing my own Filofax cases and I'm starting off simple. Another habit of mine is to make something complicated that I can't do then get depressed because it hasn't worked out... The Creative Lull. 

So I've read my knitting for dummies book (the gauge section) and it tells me you have to block it like your finished piece!! What? Not only do I have to make the gauge when I could just be making my final product but I have to wait to wash it AND dry it! Creativity takes time!

I've knitted a few swatches

I cast on 31 sts so the swatch is big enough and continue to knit till the swatch is 12 or so cm. The Moss stitch probably took the longest, it's the toughest too. This is the first time I've knitted honeycomb too, it's a little tricky although once you get into the flow it's easy. I darned the ends in and put them all in my washing machine; with a little fabric conditioner (I'm too cheap to use a washing tab). Now it's just  a waiting game...

In meantime I'm making embellishments for the cases, I'm thinking bunting to wrap around or quirky letters? I've made some flowers before too. I always lean towards the colour pink and flowers, I've tried to change but I'm set in my ways. 

Ta Dah! 

Next divide the numbers of rows and stitches by 4, this will give you the number for 1 inch.

19 / 4 = 4.75 stitches per inch

27 / 4 = 6.75 rows per inch

My Filofax measures:

height 8.3 inches

width 11.4 inches

8.3 x 6.75 = 56 rows

11.4 x 4.75 = 54 stitches

I cast on 54 stitches and start knitting!

Ta Dah!  

And it's the right gauge!! Don't forget to block it like your swatch! (The stitches look tidy and neat once washed).

Keep Crafting 

Laura Bee x x x 

Washi Wednesday

I think every week I'm going to show you a cool way to use Washi tape. That is, until I run out of ideas! You should help me! Instagram your favourite ways to use washi and used the hashtag #washiweds You could be featured on next weeks Washi Wednesday!

This week I decided to pretty up my phone case which was boring me a little bit! Super simple, just find washi you like, they don't even have to match and then stick it on. I was so lazy, I didn't even use scissors to cut it. You can't even tell!!

How To: Simple Party Decorations

Today I went to Hobby Craft and the craft punches were half price! HALF PRICE! If ever there was a reason to buy them, this is it. I've been after a 1" and 2" circular punch for a while. I aimed to buy it at The Knitting and Stitching Show but had no luck so I was going to wait until Sept when I went to The Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show, but who can pass up a bargain like this! They actually work very well and I've been trying to think of more ways to use them. I'll obviously be using them in future Scrapbook layouts, but here's a different, fun and easy way to use them.

Hanging Party Decorations!

You will need:

It's all very simple! You're going to need bits of string or twine either in varying lengths or all the same, it's totally up to you. Then you're going to need to cut out an even number of big circles or small circles. You can use any shape you like and any size. You just have to remember to cut out an even number of them.

Once all your circles are cut, you're going to stick one of them to the string using the sticky tape. I did this for all the circles first before moving onto the next step. I used washi tape because it's easy to tear and makes the whole thing even faster!

For the next step, I used my glue ruler to add a bit of glue to the circles I just taped. Then I stuck the other circle on top so they were patterned on both sides.

After they're all stuck down, and you've made however many you think you'll need, use some extra tape to stick them up where you'd like the party to be!

Easy peasy!

(I stuck mine on my cupboard because my clothes are obviously having a party in there. That must be why it's so messy everytime I open it! Lol!)