moniqueraedesigns: 2015

Sunday, November 15, 2015

New* FREE Button Cowl Knit Pattern

Great Pattern for Beginners!

Now available! FREE Button Cowl Knit Pattern at my

Etsy * Ravelry * Craftsy * Love of Knitting Stores!

Created with Cloudborn Fibers Yarn

* superwash merino bulky wool

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

DIY Halloween Decorations

To create old leather books, use glue to create a design on the cover.

Let them dry and paint them first with acrylic brown paint, then dry brush them with a metallic paint. Remember to paint the edges of the pages brown to create worn look.

Use flea market finds, such as candle stick holders and vases, spray paint them black.

To create fun bottles, use wine and beer bottles, drip hot glue down the sides and let dry. Once dry spray paint with white, add free clip art designs, then dry brush with brown paint to age.

To create candle, use soup/bean cans wrap with paper to hide ridges, drip hot glue down sides and let dry. Spray paint white, dry brush brown to add details.

Save old jars and print off free clip art, glue to bottles and dry brush brown.

Use only battery operated candles and tealights. Never use real open flames around your creations!

For boarded up rooms or windows use cardboard and cut into strips, paint with brown paint to look like old wood, add keep out or other sayings on them.

Cheese cloth is a great way to create creepy, smokey affect around jars and bottles and for add fun put glow sticks in jars for lighting.

Use black construction paper to cut out bats, birds, spiders.

Have fun creating your Halloween decorations, I know I did!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

It's In The Bag!

Felted Hanging Bag Pattern is just too cute! But don't know what you'd use it for? Here are just a few reasons to use the felted hanging bag. Hang it on the inside of your front door and fill it with the things you need or are always forgetting to take with you in the morning. Never leave the house without the items you need the most.......yes, your knitting!

Friday, September 4, 2015

Choosing the Right Yarn for Felting

It is a time consuming lesson to learn: not all yarns labeled 100% wool, felt.

Unfortunately, you learn the hard way - at the very end

and you can not undo what has been done

bottom too big - top correct size

Left - 4 washes - Right 1.5 washes

Not all yarns labeled 100% wool felt - sad but true. Why? I am not 100% sure, but I do have an idea. I believe it may depend on the process that it takes to create the yarn. If chemicals where added to whiten or color added, this could possibly change the natural process of felting the wool. Or it may not be 100% wool but a blend of other fibers. As consumers, we only have the label to go by and need to trust the product.

I have always had success with Lion Brand Fisherman's Yarn. It is my top pick. My second choice is, Patons Classic Wool Yarn. My favorite colors to use are Dark Gray Mix, Red, and Plum Heather. I have also used successfully, Cascade 220 and Ella Rae. There is always a "good" yarn for each project and I hope that your next felting project is a success.

Please feel free to share your favorite yarn to use for felting!

Left floppy - Right firm

Monday, August 24, 2015

New! Ladies Ballet Slipper Pattern

Ladies Ballet Slipper

Felted Wool Knitting Pattern!

Now Available at my

Etsy * Craftsy * Ravelry * loveofknitting stores

Friday, July 10, 2015

New Felted Hanging Bag Pattern!!!

3 sizes to create: Small * Medium * Large

hang from a doorknob or hook

Now Available at my Etsy * Ravelry * Craftsy * Loveknitting

Pattern includes 3 sizes and sewing instructions for lining.

Have fun creating your own personalized bag! Great for kids stuff, dog stuff and your stuff * find your stuff before you leave the house, right at the front door! Create Holiday bags!!