I would like to say a huge welcome
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Title: Upcycled Crocheted Candy Pincushion
Supplies:
Yarn (moderate size ball of whatever you have around)
1, clean, rolled up elastic bandage, any size, (preferably well used)
Measuring tape
Hook size to match your yarn size
Scissors
Sewing pins
Darning Needle
How to make your Pincushion:
Step 1 | After you gather your supplies measure your rolled up elastic bandage. You need to lay the elastic bandage on its side on a table and measure the length and then the circumference. Write these numbers down so you do not forget them.
Step 2 | Using your crochet hook and yarn make your base chain. Using the chain stitch make it the same length as the circumference of your elastic bandage. (Remember you wrote that down before, told you, you would need it). Then using either a slip stitch or a single crochet stitch, start creating your rows. – you’ll need to form a square shape to wrap around your elastic bandage….eventually.
Step 3 | Next, as you start to see your crocheted item shaping into a square, hold it against the elastic bandage and see if it overlaps just a little (say .75 inches or 1.905 cm on each end) – it does not need to be perfect, but some overhang is necessary for the end pieces. Once you have your overhand, fasten off at the end of the row and weave in any loose ends and trim where necessary. At this time you should have a square looking piece.
Step 4 | Using your crochet hook again, make another base chain, except, you are going to make this one much shorter. So, if you used a 6 in/15.24cm elastic bandage, you will make a chain 10 slip stitches long, if you use a 4 in/10.16 cm elastic bandage, you will make a chain 6 stitches long. And so on…
Then you will use the “ribbon” technique to create the candy’s ties. Here is how you do it with a base chain of 10 slip stitches
1. At the end of your chain of 10 slip stitches, then add 3 double crochet to each top loop of your base chain. This creates a wide, flat row, and it will spiral a bit.
2. Then on the second row, continue with double crochet, except only do 2 stitches per top loop
3. When you reach the end of the second row, fasten off your stitch.
Step 5 | Now you should have all the pieces you need to assemble your candy pincushion. Next, tread your darning needle with a long piece of yarn. Place your crocheted square around your elastic bandage and secure the seam edges with a whip stitch. Leave a long tail piece at the start of your whip stitch, you’ll need that in a minute.
Note: Your ends should still be open at this time!
Step 6 | You’ve reached the end of your seam, now you should still have some yarn left. Do not take your needle off. Next weave your needle through the loops until you come full circle. Do not synch down yet, one more step.
Step 7 | Doing the same weaving in and out, go through the bottom loops of the ends you made or the “candy ties” as I call them. Once you have woven through to the end, synch down everything so it is tight. Then tack your loose corner with the remaining yarn you have and then tie off. Finally trim any extra yarn that is peeking out.
Note: To attach the other side, simply cut a shorter piece of yarn and follow steps 6 and 7 for the other ‘candy tie’.
Step 8 | Put your sewing pins in your new Candy Pincushion and Enjoy!
About The Author
Martiel is the founder and fiber artist of the online shop and blog, Sewmantra; which is where modern, funky and tradition meet upcycled, recycled, and reclaimed materials – the outcome is a tried and true collection of designs… reinvented. She is the writer behind the “Confessions of A Capricious Crafter”, “Crafty Stuff from A to Zymosan”, and Sewmantra’s “Monthly Artists Features” as well as a founder of the South Potomac Arts League of Central and Southern, Maryland. She has appeared as a guest blogger on several craft sites where she has published her creative ideas on how to use things you already have to make something with utility. As a social media expert, she uses her talent in writing, savvy techy skills and unique perspective to challenge the status quo. Her goals are to introduce the world to sewing their mantra, and in doing so, bring back tradition wrapped in recycled bits. As she approaches the close of her first year in business, she is excited to share her ideas, funny tales, and untold eco-art project ideas with you. Martiel works out of her home art studio in Shady Side, Maryland. (Pssst! To say Martiel’s name simply say “Mart” and “Teal” together quickly, and you’ve got it!)
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Please spend some time and visit her sites.
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