How to make stitch and crochet markers

Crochet Stitch Markers

Tutorial: How to make crochet stitch markers

It seems like my recent post about stitch markers have generated quite a bit of views, I guess I’m not the only one that finds them adorable. In case you don't know which post I’m referring to, go here: http://charmingbeadz.blogspot.com/2012/10/stitch-markers-what-they-are-how-to-use.html.

So since so many are interested in stitch markers I have decided to make a tutorial on how to make them, cause I know readers just simply love tutorials! They are really fun to make cause you don't need a lot of materials, and they are super easy to make too!

Here are the things that you will need to make a simple beaded stitch marker (the one that we are making today will be an open marker which means they are perfect for crocheting):

·        Beads

·        Headpin

·        Lobster clasp

·        Round nose pliers

·        Chain nose pliers

·        Cutter

1. Slide your bead/beads through a headpin.  Here I’m using 2 pearls and some spacers.

2. Holding the bead firmly in one hand, use the other hand to bend the headpin 90 degree downward, just above the last bed. Push your nail at spot where you will be making the bend with the hand holding the bead so that you get a neat bend.

3. Leave about 7-8mm of the pin and use your cutter to cut away the rest. The length of the headpin will determine the size of your loop. If you want a smaller/bigger loop, the length of the pin should be adjusted accordingly. 7-8mm should give you a medium size loop, the way I like it.

4: Time to make a loop.

Take your round nose pliers and grip the tip of the wire firmly, leaving just a tiny little bit of wire peeking through the barrels of your pliers. 

5. Now rotate your wrist to twist the wire into a semi-loop.

6. Release the wire and rotate your wrist back to its start position, grip the wire one more time and rotate again till you get a complete loop.

(If you are having trouble with this, you can check out the many video tutorials available on Youtube, just search for Jewelry Making Simple Loop, you should find all the help you need).

7. Now we will need to open the loop to insert the lobster clasp. To do this, firmly hold the neck of the loop with your round-nose pliers.  

 

8. Using your chain-nose pliers, grip the tail of the wire where the opening. With both hands gripping on the pliers firmly, gently twist one pliers up and the other down. Now there will be an opening in the loop.

(Again, if you struggle with this step, those Youtube videos should be able to help)

9. Insert the lobster clasp through the loop.

10. Using the same method above, close the loop.

So there you go! Easy peasy steps to making your own stitch marker and/or crochet markers.
 

If you do not wish to use lobster clasp and prefer to have a set of closed markers, you can use any suitable sized ring-type findings you can find at your craft store instead. 

Have fun crafting!

Selina

Stitch Markers – Aren't They Fun

Stitch Markers – what they are, how to use them and why are they so much fun?!!

When I was younger I loved to try new things, fun and creative things (hmm maybe not much has changed). For instance, I tried sewing – I sewed little dresses and shawls for my Barbie doll; I tried patchworking – made a little quilt for my nephew when he was just a tiny little baby, I wonder if my sister-in-law still kept it; I also tried knitting and got one sweater out of it, it was pink with purple stripes and very comfortable (Im sure mom still kept it somewhere, I should try and look for it and post a picture)! I still find these things that I learned then interesting and wish one day I would be able to pick them up again.

I think all knitters would agree with me that one of the fun things about knitting is having all these cool looking supplies, knitting tools and notions to play with. From the thousands of beautiful and colourful balls of yarns to various types and sizes of needles, from fancy row counters to cute little markers!

When I was learning how to knit, collecting these tools and supplies was the best part about knitting. Every other day when I went for my lesson I would bring home something new, usually yarns cause they were so irresistibly adorable (which I end up never using). Other times needles, cause I absolutely had to have all the sizes available. Im sure all you knitters out there can relate!

One thing I didn’t find back then were stitch markers like the ones we have today. Those days stitch markers we had were these colorful little plastic ones, they were cute back then but nothing compared to what’s available today.

So what are stitch markers?

Stitch markers are usually little round rings (or you can also find fancy square ones these days) that are slipped onto a needle to mark a spot in a row. Stitch markers are very crucial especially to free-crocheting and are often used to count rounds. They are also used to mark certain number of stitches and where blocks of different stitches to be placed. There are generally 2 types of stitch markers, closed stitch markers and open ones. When crocheting, only open stitch-markers are used.

How to use stitch markers?

For close stitch-markers all you need to do is slip the ring onto your needle to mark a spot (for whatever reason) in a row and continue knitting as normal. When you reach the marker again, simply slip it from one needle to another and continue again. For crocheting however, you will need open markers. Instead of slipping them onto your needle, you place them on your stitches. They can be added, adjusted and removed anytime.

So why are they so much fun?

Because they are so cute!! These days, stitch markers are like little accessories for your stitches, they come in all sorts of designs and made from all sorts of materials. Some of course prefer plain plastic rings as they are light and practical. I simple love the colorful beaded ones (not that I use them but they are still very pretty to look at) but that is probably because I love little pretty beads.

I started making them for fun a couple of years back and I even sold a few here and there. There are too many to choose from and you can easily get them from the internet. These are some of the ones I've made. They are just like your jewelry except you don’t get to put them on you! 

Jump to my Etsy store to see more stitch markers!

Stained Glass : A Forgotten Art Form

Stained Glass Wonders : A Forgotten Art Form

Image by : Ish Maelo

 Stained glass windows have long been associated with religion, but as we have embraced other forms of art such as oil painting and sculpture, stained glass is still very much inaccessible to the general public.
So why have we not embraced this beautiful craft in other walks of life?

A Religious Upbringing
In Europe, the art of stained glass reached its height between 1150 and 1500 when it was a popular addition to many buildings and, adorned with important religious iconography, it often acted as a focus point for prayer and worship.
In religious based stained glass, inspirational images depict disciples and other important cultural figures. The iconography of light as a binary opposition of evil has helped cement the stained glass window firmly in the culture of many strands of Christianity.
“I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay their foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.”
Isaiah 54:11-12
To theologians in the medieval ages, the images of saints amongst others depicted in the windows were brought to life by God’s presence, light itself.
Sainte Chapelle, or the ‘Holy Chapel’ in France was commissioned by King Louis IX of France and houses one of Christianities most important relics, the crown of thorns.  It is fitting that such a beautiful monument encompasses this important symbol of Christianity and shows the stature and cultural significance that stained glass still has in modern religion.

A Tradition and an Art
The process of making stained glass is a complex one, powdered metals are added to molten glass, giving them distinct colouring. This method of adding powdered metals to create colour is also one used in fireworks displays. For example, copper compounds are used to create the colour blue.

Making a Comeback
The Glass Windows of the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the Netherlands are actually constructed from hundreds of screen shots from Dutch television programmes. The pictures have been blended in an abstract style to give its unique aesthetic and it is one of the best examples of modern stained glass design.

Image by: Lauren Manning

A Degree of Respect

Stained-Glass Window Studies at the Swansea Institute was mocked in the Daily Mail, ironically the same newspaper berating students for choosing to go to university instead of taking more practical avenues into employment.
Other arts are regarded as great works of craftsmanship, why is stain glass production anything less than an art form? It’s one we must remember and one that we can treasure by exploring both its past and its future, hopefully in an abundance of new architecture.
We should be celebrating the passing on of an ancient art form from one generation to the next, not mocking it.

 

Dan Izzard writes articles for Eurocell, who provide an extensive range of windows and composite doors for your home.

Top 5 Summer Activities for Children

 Top 5 Summer Activities for Children

Keeping your children active over the summer can be challenging. You still have to work, but they no longer have to go to school and this can cause some issues. They need activities that can keep them busy or at least give you some type of break if they are usually home all day during the summer. There are many activities for children of all ages that can help keep them busy for at least a portion of the summer months.
Your children will benefit greatly if they stay busy during the summer. They will be happier, more active, and can make new friends. Here are five of the best activities your children can enjoy this summer.

Summer Activities :

 1.  Summer Camp
 A great way to get a week to yourself and allow your children to have fun is to send them to summer camp. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts offer summer camp programs, if they are already involved with one of these organizations. You can also find camps from the YMCA, churches, and many other organizations in your area.

2.  Sports Leagues
Another great way to keep your children active is signing them up for different sports. Usually you can find baseball, golf, softball, basketball, soccer and even volleyball leagues for your children over the summer. Who knows, they may end up on a team sponsored by CJ Pony Mustang and end up with a really cool uniform shirt.

3.  Fun Summer Classes
Some areas offer summer classes that have very little to do with traditional school. These classes range from cooking classes to outdoor wilderness classes—there is something for every child. They just need to pick something they are interested in. Older kids might even get to work on cars and do things like change the calipers or learn how to do their own oil change.

4.  Day Camps
Another great way to get your kids out of the house and keep them busy is to send them to day camps. Some of these offer different field trips, swimming activities, and more. They can attend a few days a week giving you a little time to yourself, while they have fun enjoying new activities.

5.  Fairs and Carnivals
If you are looking for a summer activity you can enjoy with your children, look for a local fair or carnival to attend. You can find plenty of fun activities for everybody at a carnival or a state fair.
Regardless of what you choose for your children, it is important to get them out of the house and away from the television and video games. They need to stay active and many children would rather be active than lazy anyway. Choose a few good activities for your children and help them find something they will enjoy.