Learn how to bead a necklace with this jewelry making tutorial. This lesson teaches you which tools you'll need, how to create your own necklace design, and how to successfully complete your beading project. Take what you've learned here to design your own handmade bracelet and necklace set!
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You can do a lot with a single crochet stitch, but you can do more if you add in a double crochet, too! This short lesson walks you through the steps for creating the vital double crochet stitch - also known as a treble crochet stitch. You’ll learn two styles so that you can follow different patterns that involve this stitch. You’ll be glad to have learned this classic technique!
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Rag rugs are attractive, hard-wearing & incredibly cheap, easy and great fun to make, especially using a Salish Loom. Lynne Milsom from Fibre Arts Bootcamp guides you every step of the way from where to find rags, how to cut the strips, warp the loom, weave, splice and everything else you need to know, in order to complete your first rag project.
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Want to make an elegant, unique piece of jewelry? Learn how to make a wrap-around macramé charm bracelet! Follow along with designer Brittany Ketcham as she teaches you the macramé bollywood and ladder stitches to weave seed beads and C-Lon around leather cord. Find out how to craft a button clasp for the bracelet, and see how to change out your C-Lon cord so that your bracelet can change color as it progresses. Use the bracelet as a perfect homemade gift for a friend, or keep it for yourself!
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This lesson will teach the budding painter how to add dimension to an acrylic painting of the ocean by using the wet-on-wet technique. By layering and blending colors of wet paint, artists can create a realistic painting of ocean waves crashing, complete with variations in tone and color. This lesson teaches how to mix paint to achieve a richer picture, as well as how to add reflection to water and give sea foam the illusion of volume by using highlights and shadows.
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Paint like the masters! Before you start compiling you oeuvre, build an arsenal of brushstrokes to use in any situation. These will come in handy as your paintings become more detailed and complex. This tutorial by Lorraine Watry—the first in a series—demonstrates solid wash, graded wash, masking fluid and tape, wet on wet, drop color on wet color, and more. See the attachment of the Techniques page and supply list by clicking the attachments button at the top right.
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Knowing your way around a sewing machine opens up a whole new world of creativity! From clothing to home décor to customized gifts, sewing provides you with a range of opportunities to use your skills, save money, and bring your artistic designs to life. In this sewing lesson, Mimi G shows you around a sewing machine, explaining the most basic functions that most machines are equipped to do, describes the most necessary tools you’ll need to begin, and teaches you how to read a pattern.
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Learn how to make homemade soap! Homemade soaps are especially great for party favors or hostess gifts. In this lesson from The O’Neil Sisters, discover all the basics of soapmaking at home. You’ll learn how to select and prepare the soap, colorant, and scents, as well as how to package your finished products for cute party gifts.
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Learn how to make homemade glowing slime for a 4th and 5th grade science lesson. This experiment can be completed using only a highlighter, borax, water, Elmers glue, and a popsicle stick. Once all the ingredients have been combined (with the popsicle stick), you will have a “slime ball” that fluoresces under a UV light. Kids will love this interesting and hands on science project.
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Want to learn how to crochet? First, you'll want to buy some yarn and a hook. Then you'll need to learn these two steps: how to make a slip knot and how to chain stitch (the foundation chain). In this beginners crochet lesson, crocheting and knitting expert Gilly shows you these simple crochet fundamentals, as well as how to choose the size of your hook. Once you get this down--and learn how to crochet rows --you'll be ready to crochet that purse, baby's hat, or scarf you've been dreaming about.
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You've bought a bouquet of flowers at the store, but how do you take that jumble of stems and turn them into a beautiful flower arrangement? In this lesson, uBloom teaches a very literal shortcut: cutting the stems short to fit in a low vase, bunching all the blooms together and inserting stems at angles to support one another. This technique makes it easy and fun to arrange flowers nicely, and the lesson includes tips on tools you'll need and how to prepare the the water and flower food.
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Show us a photo of your flower arrangement! Prefer not to purchase a fresh bouquet? Try faux-flowers or flowers plucked from your garden.
Have you knitted to a point where you need to decrease? Learn the slip slip knit in this lesson: a decrease that’s used especially for making socks. Raquel from Knit It Out demonstrates in just two minutes how to knit the slip slip knit (also known as “SSK”). You can use this stitch pattern for any project that calls for a decrease!
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Inspired to knit in a cable pattern but don’t own cable needles? Not to worry! Professional knitter Nancy from Wynn Knit teaches you how to knit cables with straight needles. Learn how to knit a right-leaning cable, followed by a left-leaning cable. With your new skill, you'll be able to create cute hats, scarves, sweaters, leg warmers, and more for winter.
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Are you a quilting enthusiast looking for a practical, DIY kitchen accessory? In this lesson, learn how to make an insulated pot holder that doubles as a trivet. Crafty Gemini demonstrates each simple step, from gathering your materials to setting the final stitch. Customize your piece with decorative stitching, colorful fabric, and/or extra insulation; the final product will be one-of-a-kind.
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How do you get started with any knitting project? By casting on. It’s a little tricky because you’re not knitting or purling the way you would for most of the project, but it’s fun and simple once you get the hang of it. This lesson includes an easy-to-follow demonstration and a word to the wise: it’s much easier for beginning knitters to use large yarn and large knitting needles.
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Casting on is one of the first skills that you should add to your knitting toolkit. This method allows you to attach the yarn to the needle and knit the first row of stitches. Casting on is a different stitch than when you’re adding other roles, so it’s one of those skills you may have to review again when you start your second or third project. It’s easy to get so swept up in the knit and purl stitch that you forget how to get started! This lesson will set you straight in five minutes.
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Want to make the perfect gift for a toddler? In this lesson, part one of a three-part series, learn how to crochet the first few rounds of an adorable baby sun hat with swirl accents. To complete this project, you’ll only need a ball of heavy cotton yarn and a crochet hook. A written version of the pattern with in-depth instructions is attached.
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Are you looking for a fun, vibrant art project for both children and adults? In this lesson, Creative & Curious demonstrates how a hairdryer can help create a crayon melting masterpiece in a matter of minutes! This DIY project can easily evolve into tie dye art, using the hairdryer to form attractive blends and flow between colors.
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If you scrapbook, chances are you have a pretty good stash of paper. Don’t let those resources go to waste—instead, learn how to make a paper kit. In this lesson from Kiwi Lane Designs, Susan shows you how to sort your paper by color and pattern, and how to assemble a kit that contains paper for a background, photo mats, borders, and accessories. Not only will making these paper kits save you money, you’ll also save time by utilizing and organizing the materials you already have.
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Granny squares are great beginner crochet patterns, but also give advanced crocheters plenty of opportunities to experiment with variations. Learn how to crochet a granny square in this lesson! Tamara from Moogly explains the crochet stitches needed to start the pattern, and shows how to add new rows and corners and complete a pattern you can be proud of.
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