DIY Life

I don't know about you, but I don't look particularly good in hats. Unfortunately, I live in a climate that requires them for at least six months out of every year.

I have a large head (hey, don't take that and run with it! I mean it in the literal, spatial sense! It's hard to find hats that fit me), and long, fine hair. I usually wear my hair up. Braids look fine with most hats, but it's hard to fit a hat over double buns, and close-fitting hats just look weird over those styles, so much so that I often choose earmuffs. I'm down to one winter hat that I like: a black angora cloche that's cozy, but boring. I want something new. Warm and feminine, but not fussy.

That's why I was totally thrilled to see this Pretty Puffs Slouchy Hat pattern, designed by CraftyPants! It's fashionable, and detailed, but not tight or odd-looking. It's made in worsted weight yarn, so you have lots of fiber choices; it would be perfect for a fancy yarn, since it doesn't use much. (Make sure the yarn you choose has some elasticity.) The pattern itself is not difficult, but as with anything that has a detailed stitch and shaping, you need to pay attention to what's going on while you're making it. It looks like it would work up pretty quickly, and be a nice hat for all but the windiest of days.

All these factors mean that it would be a nice gift. But when I make one, I'm keeping it for myself.

(And hey, if you're as unsure about hats as I am, check out Anna Sattler's recent article: Choose the right hat for you!)

[via CraftyCrafty, but it has since also been featured on CRAFT.]

Feeling like summer's almost over and you haven't made the most of it? If you're hankering for project that's uniquely "summer", you've still got about 2 weeks to try your hand at a making and wearing (though perhaps not swimming in) a DIY bathing suit. (I guess you could also think about it as getting a jump start on next summer).

Sew
Blueprint magazine's website has a template and instructions for a sewing bandeau-type bikini made from spandex. If DIY and strapless is a little too adventurous for you, you could add straps to the top. There are probably a few options you could try but I'd go with a strap that's anchored at the front center where the bandeau twists and ties behind your neck.

Knit
If you don't sew or want a more unique suit, try out this pattern for a knitted bathing suit from Knitty. The pattern calls for 100% cotton but a cotton/elastic blend like Cascade Fixation would probably result in a better fitting suit.

Crochet
If you like one needle better than two, Drops Design has a free pattern for a crochet bikini. Please, please, whatever you do, line this sucker – unless your goal is to show off more than your crafting skillz. FYI Drops Design's website has tons of free knitting and crochet patterns in English, French and several Scandinavian languages – you know, in case you want to practice your Swedish while you knit.Feeling like summer's almost over and you haven't made the most of it? If you're hankering for project that's uniquely "summer", you've still got about 2 weeks to try your hand at a making and wearing (though perhaps not swimming in) a DIY bathing suit. (I guess you could also think about it as getting a jump start on next summer).

I really like The AntiCraft: even when the projects aren't something I want to make, the site's cheeky attitude entertains me. Maybe you will like it too? It's a free online craft-zine with lots of projects, but instead of being sunny and trendy, it's goth all the way, with a lot of mordant humor and projects with skulls on them. Their slogan is "Macabre Craft Snobbery."

This is a cool site, but it's definitely not for everyone: adult language is often in full effect (man, check out that breakfast tray project -- or don't, if swearing offends you); some people just won't be into the vibe, which is both punky and pagan. From one point of view, there's something there to offend almost anyone, so I think many of our more conservative readers will probably prefer to skip this one. But other people might be pleasantly surprised by some of the nifty stuff that qualifies as "goth, punk, or pagan" in the minds of the site's contributors.

They have many interesting projects, and if you don't like the "theme" of a project, you can almost always use it as a starting point for something more mainstream... i.e., you can make the Skull Lariat without skull beads, if they aren't something you'd wear. Many of the projects have no particular theme at all, like the Painted Lady mini-sweater from the current issue. Projects from past issues that may have a wider appeal include Seven-Ten Split, a knit bowling bag (which also includes photos of a green-and-white version), the beautiful Vinnland knit socks, an intricate crocheted lace choker called Asphyxiation, a beaded necklace called Henry VIII's Wedding Gift, and A Maiden's Glory, a lovely knitted leafy crown.

The Anti-Craft has been around for a while: there have been eight issues so far. The current issue, Lughnasadh 2007, has a bunch of late-summer projects. The site publishes seasonally, according to the old Irish calendar: Samhain (winter), Imbolc (spring), Beltane (summer), and Lughnasadh (autumn). A book, titled Anticraft: Knitting, Beading, and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister, will be released in November.

I've already mentioned that Interweave Press publishes some of the best magazines out there for people who are interested in working with yarn, fabric, or beads, and I've posted about their new-ish sites, Knitting Daily and Beading Daily (the latter is now open).

But I've also been talking about knitted and crocheted toys a lot this month, and on that note, Interweave sent out a press release last week that bears further discussion: they are releasing nine free toy patterns for Knitting Daily readers. Pattern designers include Louisa Harding and Kristin Nicholas, among others, so you know the patterns will be cool. Although not all have been featured on Knitting Daily yet, all the patterns seem to be listed in the toy category.

The press release ties these patterns into the general concern raised by the recent toy recall, but whether the toys on the shelf at the store are toxic or not, something handmade is always wonderful. (I know I'm thinking of making the crocheted lamb as a Christmas present for my mother-in-law, who collects sheep.) If you don't have someone to make these for, why not consider making one for charity? They'd make such a nice present for a sick or orphaned child.

Over at her Sucka SC knitblog, Arlette Thibodeau offers this awesome "Dead Kitty" chart to use in knitting and crochet projects.

The chart features a cat's head with crossbones, a play on the traditional skull and crossbones motif. Think of the irony of it, a cat, normally cute and cuddly, now the symbol of death, evil, or pirates. It is pretty funny if you think about it.

She designed it for a double-knit scarf (shown in photo), but you can use it for just about anything! Stuff made with this chart would make a great present for the punky teen girl in your life... even if that girl is you.

Last week, we talked all about amigurumi, crocheted and knitted toys and dolls. Anything goes in amigurumi, as long as it's as cute as humanly possible.

This week, I've written an exclusive free pattern for our DIY Life readers: it's a Bomb Pop Amigurumi! (PDF download, 250K.) This pattern is written as an easy knit/crochet combo, though it can be knitted all the way through. I hope you like it!

What's a Bomb Pop? It's a delicious frozen treat that looks like a rocket with grooves on the side. The bottom is blue raspberry, the middle is white and lime-flavored, and the top is cherry red! It represents instant summertime nostalgia for millions of people.

(If you link to this pattern, please link to this post rather than to the PDF itself. Thanks!)

Gallery: Bomb Pop Amigurumi

Over the last few days, we've talked a lot about amigurumi, cute crocheted or knitted dolls.

Soon after American crafters were introduced to the amigurumi concept, they started making amigurumi inspired by their favorite characters in pop culture. For obvious reasons, this leaned heavily towards SF fandom, anime, and manga, but don't be surprised to find a couple of real people in the mix.

• Star Wars: This detailed amigurumi version of Wicket the Ewok is done in two parts (tutorial here). Not everyone likes the Ewoks, but who can say no to Yoda? Both are for crocheters.
• Futurama: Bender Bending Rodriguez! He likes beer! Like a jerkier version of Homer Simpson, in robot form, in the future.
• Card Captor Sakura: Kerochan, above, the suspiciously cute guardian of a magical deck of cards. The creator of this pattern also crocheted the "studious Amineko" that has been our amigurumi mascot for the last few days.

Click through for pirates, Daleks, and more... oh my!

In the last couple of days, we've taken a long look at amigurumi and discovered some darling patterns for animals to crochet or knit. Today, it's all about food.

Amigurumi food tends to skew cute, childish, and sugary: for several reasons, you're more likely to find a pattern for anthropomorphized vegetables or frosted cupcakes than for a juicy steak, though steak wouldn't be out of the question if it had big eyes and a tiny smile.

• Hannah at BitterSweet has done many free patterns for food, always accompanied by evocative stories, like One Bad Egg and Two Peas in a Pod. She designs for both knitters and crocheters. (I neglected her in the animal pattern roundup yesterday: please check out her other patterns!)
• Ana Paula Rimoli has a frilly cupcake and a happy fried egg to crochet.
• Peachcake Knits has designed a whole bowl of knitted fruit people: apple, banana, peach, lemon/lime, and pear.

More after the break! And join us tomorrow for the wrap-up of my Amigurumi-o-rama: pop culture amigurumi.