Download pdf - Fiber Craft (Middle Adulthood)

8/3/2019 Fiber Craft (Middle Adulthood)

1/23

0DFUDP

Macrame Donut Necklace

To make a similar necklace, you will need the following supplies and tools:

1 - 40mm donut (either stone or ceramic)32 feet of waxed linen cord4 bone beads about 1 inch long2 bone beads about 2 1/2 inches long

2 - 8mm bone beadsScissorsBulletin board and pinsRubber bands or twist ties

1. First, cut two pieces of cord 4 feet long and two pieces of cord 12 feet long.

2. Put the 4 cords together and find the middle.

3. Slip the middle of the cords through the donut. This will make a loop.

4. Slip the cords through this loop. This will anchor the cords to the donut.

5. You will work on one side at a time to begin with. So, use a rubber band or twist tie and wrap upone side of the cords. Move these out of your way.

6. Use 4 rubber bands or twist ties to individually wrap up each cord leaving enough cord for you towork with.


2/23

7. Now youre ready to start making knots. Start by making 2 inches ofsquare knots, then slip on onebead.

8. Repeat step 7 two times (square knots, bead, square knots, bead, square knots, bead).

9. Now make 4 1/4 inches ofsquare knots.

10. For now, you are finished working on one side. Wrap the four cords together and set aside.

11. Repeat steps 6-9 for the other side of the necklace.

12. At this point, you are ready to connect the ends of the necklace using a Josephine knot. Unwrapall the cords from their twist ties. You have four cords on one side and four on the other. However,from now hold them together as if you have two cords on either side of the necklace as you tie aJosephine knot with them.

13. After making the Josephine knot to connect both ends of the necklace, slip on your 6mm bonebead through four of the cords which are on one side of the necklace.

14. Push the bead up until it is approximately 1 1/4 inches away from the Josephine Knot and tie andover-hand knot.

15. Leave about 1/2 inch of cord and trim off excess.

16. Repeat steps 13 - 15 to complete your necklace.

Though this is a long necklace that can slip easily over your head, it works up fairly quickly. Thehardest part is the Josephine Knot. I recommend practicing with hemp or wax cord before trying thisknot with anything silky like rat tail.

How to Tie a Josephine Knot

1. Take one side, form it into a loop, and set the loop on top of the other cord (pictured in red). Fromnow on, you only need to move the red cord.

2. Now take the red cord and bring it up and over the first end (bottom) of the looped cord.

3. Continue to move the red cord up and bring it under the second end (top).

4. Now bring the red cord down and over the looped cord.


3/23

5. Continue to move the red cord down so it crossed under itself (notice youre forming a loop with the

red cord now.)

6. Then bring the red cord over the looped cord. You should have a loop inside a loop.

7. Pull both cords with an even tension to form your Josephine Knot.

How to Make a Lark's Head Knot

To get started, you'll need at least two piece of cording such as hemp, waxed linen, or rat tail.

1. Start by positioning one cord on a work surface such as a bulletin board (red cord) and fold

the other cord in half (purple cord) and set on top of the stationary cord.

2. 2. Bring the folded part of the cord (purple) down and behind the stationary cord, which formsa type of loop over the stationary cord (red).

3. Pull both ends of the working cord down through the loop.4. 4. Tighten working cords to finish the Lark's Head Knot.


4/23

Wood Chain and Purple Hemp Necklace

You will need the following tools and supplies:

*1 Wood chain 36x32x4.5mm12 feet of 20 lb. purple hempScissorsTacky glueBulletin boardQuilting pins

1. Cut three strands of hemp 24 inches long each. 2. Holding them together, fold them all in half, andattach them to one end of the chain using a lark's head knot.

3. Use pins to secure the hemp to a bulletin board.

4. Separate the strands of hemp so that you have two strands on the left side, two in the middle, and

two on the right side.

5. Then make seven square knots.

6.Take the center two hemp strands, and pull them around to form a loop.


5/23

7. Take the other two sections of hemp on either side of the center loop and tie them in a

knot. This will help secure the center section of hemp.8. Take the end of the center hemp section and start wrapping both strands around itself (the

hemp loop formed in step 6). After wrapping all around, tie a knot with that strand around the

loop, and dab a little glue on the knot. (Don't cut off excess hemp yet).9. Now separate the hemp strands so that you have three on one side and two on the other, and tie a these knots, whatever small piece of hemp left over from wrapping can either be knotted with these si10. Trim off excess hemp, and add a small amount of tacky glue on the knot. Allow the glue to dry bef11. Repeat step 1 through 5 on the other end of the wood chain.12. Separate strands so that you have three strands on one side and three on the other.13. Tie a knot with these two sections of hemp.14. Holding three strands of hemp together, tie an overhand knot about 3 inches down, and trim off ex15. Repeat the above step for the other section of hemp.

Fiber Weaving

This vintage pattern for a round reed, base mat first appeared in an antique basketweavingbook that I have in my private collection by George Wharton James. It can be used as atable mat when finished with the looped border. The same instructions can be used to makethe start for other round bottomed, round reed baskets using a 12 spoke basket base.


6/23

Practical Basket Making. 124, [2] pp. Illus. & plates from photographs. New Edition,Enlarged and Revised. Pasadena: George Wharton James, no date, no copyright notation.Though not stated, it is apparently the second edition; the third edition was published in1903 and totaled 136, [20] pp.

BASKET BASE OR TABLE MAT

All baskets must have a base and all round bases are made more or less alike, therefore,remember when once you can "open a good center" and make a good mat, the question ofthe basket base will take care of itself. This is the first requisite to good basketry so do notgive up at trifles. If the first attempt is not satisfactory, try again and you will be repaid foryour effort.

First Step --- Cut twelve piece of number three reed sixteen inches long, moisten well andstraighten; find the center of six reeds, pierce and slip on the awl. Move the awl to the rightand left a few times making an incision about half an inch long in the six punctured reeds.Point one end of each of the remaining six reeds and slip through the incision in thepunctured reeds withdrawing the awl after slipping through three or four reeds which will

make space for the remaining two reeds. Be sure the reeds are all the same length from thecenter. The cross pieces are now held firmly in place and you are ready for weaving. Noteyou now have four sets or quarters of six reeds which are to form the stakes of the mat.The punctured reeds should be held in a horizontal position while the inserted reeds will bea vertical position.

Second Step---- Select a very pliable number one (fine) weaver, moisten well and doubleso as to form a loop nearly in the middle. Hold one end of the loop firmly in the left handand twist or roll the other end to keep the reed from breaking. Place the twisted loop overthe set of six inserted stakes. Here, again, we must name our weavers, namely, face-weaver being the weaver toward you and the back-weaver the underneath weaver. Bringthe face-weaver to the right across the front of the six vertical stakes and down betweenthe first and second quarter UNDER the back-weaver, bring the back-weaver to the rightback of the vertical set of six stakes and upward crossing the the face-weaver in the samespace. The cross-pieces or quarters are now revolved from right to left bringing the lefthand forward to the right, one space or to the next quarter of six stakes. Note you haveencircled one set of six stakes and repeat this process of weaving until you have encircledthe four sets or quarters of six stakes twice around taking extreme care that the weaverscross each other on the down and up strokes in the SAME space.

Third Step---- Moisten the work and repeat the same method of weaving working overtwo stakes once around the mat.

Fourth Step---- Continue exactly the same method of weaving, separating each stakecarefully. Care also should be taken that the stakes radiate at equal angles, the weaving be

close and strokes lay parallel. Continue in this method of weaving (which is called pairing)until the woven diameter of the mat is four and one-quarter inches.

Moisten the work well and bring the two weavers to the front in each of two consecutivespaces. Introduce another weaver to the front in each of two consecutive spaces. Introduceanother weaver in the next space and weave four rows of triple twist by bringing the left-hand weaver to the right in front of two stakes, back of one stake and out in the next space.The second weaver now becomes the left-hand weaver and is treated exactly the same asthe former weavers. After weaving four rows of triple twist, bring all of the weavers to the


7/23

front of the mat and cut them off, leaving ends about three inches long and fasten asfollows. Take the left-hand end, bring to the right over two stakes and tuck under one rowof weaving, leaving end at back of mat. Repeat this process with the remaining two ends.

Fifth Step ---- Moisten mat and lay on flat surface. Even the spaces by slipping the awlcarefully beside each stake changing the position to the right or left as necessary. Point the

ends of the stakes sharply, leaving ends five inches long. For the border, which is tocomplete the mat, take any given stake, bring it to the right, back of two stakes and overone stake and slip down by the side of the third stake until the arch of the scallop is one andone-quarter inches deep from the top of the triple twist. Repeat this operation with eachstake. If you find difficulty in slipping the stakes down, open the spaces by slipping the awlbeside each stake. When the mat is finished, it should form a true circle. Clip all endsclosely at the back of the mat. This model will be found useful by all housekeepers as atable mat, etc. A Whisk Broom Holder may be made by making two mats having one slightlylarger than the other. The smaller one should be curved slightly outward and placed in frontof the larger mat and tied together firmly with bits of raffia or ribbon through the scallop atthe right and left sides. Make a hanger about twenty inches long by braiding strands ofraffia and fasten by tying through the scallop on both sides.

Finish ---- The mat may be left in its natural color by giving it a coat of shellac with woodalcohol or it may be stained with wood stains to any desired color.

How to Weave a Wicker Basket

This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both

qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorialprocess that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other stepsin an effort to provide reliable information.

Wicker is one of the more forgiving mediums a crafter works with, though practice is always

beneficial. Mastering basket weaving is a good beginning for learning how to do larger repairs.Reed twisting and bending is the skill necessary to weave wicker baskets. Read on to learn how

to weave a wicker basket.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

y Warp rodsy Wefts/Reeds

y Watery


8/23

o 1

Learn the four basic techniques to weave a basket-plaiting, twining, coiling andwicker.

o

2

Decide which technique to use for the basket pattern chosen. Each pattern willcall for a different weave.

o 3

Find a pattern that uses twining. This weave starts with a foundation of warped

rods.

o 4

Grab two to four weft elements and wrap them around the warp rods to create a

base for the basket.

o 5

Twist and separate the wefts around the stationary warp rods.

o 6

Thread repeatedly the weft through the warp rods to create the sides of the basket.

Make sure you twist them lightly together.

o 7

Complete the basket. Be sure to check for a missed warp rod. If there is none, the

basket is finished

How to Make Wicker Furniture

Wicker furniture makes a beautiful addition to a home or patio, but the price can often be adeterrent. However, you can make your own wicker furniture to not only beautifully decorate

your home, but also have the satisfaction of creating it yourself. Follow these steps to make asimple coffee table, then adapt the instructions to fit any furniture design of your choice.


9/23

Things You'll Need

y Weaving materialy Wood, bamboo or rattan for frame

y Nails and hammery

Wax

o 1

Choose a material to use for weaving. The four main materials used to makewicker furniture are rattan, reed, willow and bamboo. Reed and willow are the

cheapest materials to use, bamboo is the most pliable to work with and rattan isthe most popular for wicker furniture. Willow and reed are the easiest materials to

find, but you should find rattan and bamboo for sale as well if you're willing toshop around.

o

2

Gather materials for the wicker furniture's frame. You can use pieces of either

wood, bamboo or rattan that are at least 2 inches in diameter. You need materialsfor four coffee table legs and at least four pieces to create a brace for the top of

the table.

o 3

Cut the frame pieces to the desired sizes and bevel the ends of each piece so they

easily fit together. Nail the pieces together to create your frame. Start with the top

of the coffee table, then add the legs.

o 4

Weave the chosen material onto the frame both horizontally and vertically inorder to create a crisscross pattern on the furniture. Start the weaving in the

middle and work your way to the outsides and down the legs. The crisscrosspattern not only adds to the look of the piece, but also gives it more strength.

Wrap the piece of weave back into itself when you have finished weaving,otherwise all your hard work may come undone.

o

5

Apply a thin coat of wax to the wicker project. This helps keep the furniture from

being destroyed by the elements and gives it a beautiful shine.


10/23

Handycraft from Water hyacinth

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one type of floating aquatic plants. In addition known as waterhyacinth, in some areas in Indonesia, water hyacinth has another name, such as in the area known as theRawapening Swamp, AMbarawa Semarang.

Water hyacinth has a high growth rate so that the plant is considered a weed that can damage theaquatic environment.

Making handicraft from water hyacinth material is required a fairly long process. Water hyacinth should be

dried in advance about two weeks. After the dried water hyacinth braid formed long ago by citizens and

groups of artisans. After a long braid-shaped, water-hyacinth is woven into the desired goods. Ranging

from flower pots, garbage cans, tissue boxes, bags, hats, perlengakapan kitchen to furniture. To further

improve the attractiveness of the buyer, the webbing is ditambahakan paint varnish. So, it looks more

shiny and attractive.

Average crafts are sold in the market with prices ranging from Rp 15 thousand to 5 million. Depending onthe size and level of difficulty woven goods.

Here are the steps in the manufacture of handicraft works with water hyacinth material:

* Collection of water hyacinth

* Separation of the base of the stalk

* Drying base of the stalk

* Revolves* Establishment / weaving finished works of art (Tas, wall hangings, purses, chairs etc.)

How to Make a Throne Back Wicker Chair

This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both

qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorialprocess that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps

in an effort to provide reliable information.


11/23

Wicker chairs are elegant and long-lasting pieces of furniture that can add an old-fashioned touchto a living room or patio. They require a lot of time to make, but the rewards may well be worth

it.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

y Wicking material

y Two 5-foot 8-inch lengths of rattan (for legs)y Rattan pole (for chair back)

y Tape measurey Wrench or clamp

y Drilly 4-inch wood screws

y 3-inch wood screwsy Hammery Finishing nailsy Paint, sealant or stain

y Industrial scissorsy Wax

y Paint brush

Prepare the Throne Back Wicker Chair Materials

o 1

Select the wicking material. Rattan is usually the material most craftspeoplechoose when making wicker chairs, as it is one of the strongest types of wood that

is still pliable. Other types of material exist, however, including reed, bamboo andwillow.

o 2

Decide on the shape of the wicking material. Round reeds are the most popular.

However, oval and flat materials also exist. For your first wicker chair, choose abasic type of wicking material, such as Round Reed #3, available at Jo-Annhobby stores (see Resources below).

o 3

Select the material for the frame of your throne back wicker chair. Originally, 2-

inch-thick branches of rattan, willow, reed or bamboo were used. Currently, other


12/23

options exist, such as plastic and steel, which may last longer and are easier toobtain.

o 4

Immerse the rattan thread in water and let it sit until the material is flexible. Theamount of time needed to soak the rattan depends on the thickness of the material,but keep in mind that at least 2 hours will be needed. Sometimes up to 12 hours

will be required.

o 5

Soak the 2-inch-diameter rattan frame pieces for2 hours to make them flexible.

Immerse the rattan and keep it out of the sunlight.

Assemble the Legs

o 1

Select two 5-foot 8-inch lengths of the 2-inch-diameter rattan sections. These will

make the legs of the throne back wicker chair.

o 2

Use a tape measure to mark off2 feet at each end of the rattan sections, then mark

off at least 1 inch on either side of the first mark.

o 3

Bend the rattan, using your hands, at the marks made on each end of the sections.

Try to make the bends as tight as possible, and keep the bends within the 2 inchesspecified. If you need more force, use a pipe wrench (with thick cloth inserted

between the rattan and the wrench's jaws to avoid leaving marks on the wood).

o 4

Use a stationary clamp, such as one found on a workbench, if you need more

force. Keep the jaws of the clamp covered in a thick cloth, then close it tightly

around the section of rattan. Push or pull on the section until it bends into thedesired shape.

o 5

Repeat the procedure with the second section of rattan.

o 6


13/23

Let the rattan legs dry.

Assemble the Seat

o 1

Make a square seat for the throne back wicker chair with a piece of rattan

measuring 82 inches (6 feet 10 inches). Mark off four sections that are 20 incheseach, and mark off at least 1 inch on either side of the dividing marks. A 2-inch

section should be left over.

o 2

Bend the rattan using your hands. Again, keep the bends within the 2-inch limit

created when you divided the section, and use the pipe wrench or stationary clampfor added torque.

o 3

Align the start of the rattan pole with the 2-inch section left over. Then take a drill

with an 11/32-inch drill bit attached and drill exactly halfway down the 2-inchsection. Do not drill into the face of the rattan pole.

o 4

Use the same drill bit to drill into the face of the rattan pole that presses againstthe 2-inch section. Make sure the hole is exactly in the center.

o 5

Take a 4-inch wood screw and screw it through the 2-inch section of the rattanpole and into the face of the rattan pole's opposite end. Let the seat frame dry.

o 6

Mark the thickest point of the rattan pole on the left and right side of the seatframe.

Complete the Frame of the Throne Back Wicker Chair

o 1

Make the chair back using a rattan pole that is 5 feet 8 inches in length. Mark offtwo 24-inch sections at each end of the pole, and gradually bend the rattan pole

using your hands until the pole is U-shaped.


14/23

o 2

Take one of the legs for the throne back wicker chair and locate its center. Maketwo marks at either end of the central section of the legs to drill in screws, then

measure the distance between the two marks and make two more marks. Make

sure all the marks are equidistant from each other.

o 3

Use an 11/32-inch drill bit at each mark. Drill through the rattan pole at itsthickest point.

o 4

Repeat the process on the other leg.

o

5

Drill 3-inch wood screws into all the leg holes until the screws are just pokingthrough the other side. Then take one of the legs and press the seat frame against

it. Hold the seat frame with one hand and use an electric screwdriver to screw thetwo pieces of wood together, making sure the screw does not go in at an angle.

o 6

Screw the other chair leg onto the seat frame.

o

7

Mark the center of both faces of the rattan pole that will be the chair back. Use the11/32-inch drill bit to drill two holes into the marks.

o 8

Measure where the seat back will touch the seat frame. Drill a hole with the11/32-inch drill bit on both sides, then screw the seat back onto the seat frame.

Begin Weaving the Wicker Chair

o 1

Stretch at least 20 pieces of rattan across the space of the throne back wicker

chair's seat frame. Use one long piece of thread, looping it around the sides of thethrone back wicker chair's seat frame, and nail the loops to the frame with small

finishing nails to keep them from sliding.


15/23

o 2

Knot a piece of rattan to one of the threads stretched across the seat frame, using abowline knot. Then weave the rattan perpendicular to the pieces that are stretched

out, going over and under until the other side of the seat is reached. Loop the

thread of rattan around the other side of the seat frame and repeat the process,making sure the second line is pressed tight against the first. Gaps can weaken thestructural integrity of the throne back wicker chair's seat and back.

o 3

Add a new rattan thread to the seat frame by measuring the old one so that the endof it lies on top of the frame, and then nail the end of the thread to the frame with

a tiny finishing nail. Use another finishing nail to anchor the new thread of rattanright next to the old one, and then continue weaving.

o

4

Nail the rattan thread to the inner part of the seat frame once the seat has been

finished.

o 5

Nail a piece of rattan to the inside corner of the seat frame using a small finishing

nail. Begin to wrap it around the leg of the chair. Make sure the rattan is tightlywound and check that no gaps in the material are showing.

o

6

Hammer in another finishing nail to act as a checkpoint for the rattan. In case youmake a mistake, the nail will provide a spot where you can begin again.

o 7

Splice in another piece of rattan to your first piece if you are unable to complete

the leg. Use another finishing nail to hammer in the rattan just before the end ofthe previous piece to avoid a gap, then continue wrapping.

o

8

Finish off the leg by nailing the rattan to the bottom of the leg. Wind the rattanaround the leg's bottom to provide thickness, and then use an industrial pair of

scissors to cut off the excess rattan. Weaving the rattan into a knot is consideredthe most aesthetic way to finish the leg. However, hammering in another finishing

nail is acceptable for beginners.


16/23

o 9

Repeat the procedure for the other three wicker chair legs.

Complete Weaving and Finish the Chair

o 1

Stretch 20 to 30 threads of rattan across the throne back of the wicker chair. Make

sure the threads are equally spaced. The best way to do this is to use one longthread of rattan, tying it off at both ends, and use finishing nails to make sure the

thread stays where it should.

o 2

Weave rattan thread across the throne back frame. Thread it through the stretched

pieces of rattan. When you get to the other side of the frame, loop the threadaround and weave the rattan in the other direction.

o 3

Take another piece of rattan thread and wrap it around the seat back frame. Treatthis the same way as wrapping the throne back wicker chair's legs, using a

finishing nail to attach the rattan thread to the junction of the throne back and theseat frame. Tightly wrap the thread around the rattan pole until the other side is

reached. Attach the end of the rattan thread to the other junction between thethrone back and the seat frame.

o 4

Coat the throne back wicker chair with a thin film of wax. Melt some wax, andthen use a paint brush to apply it to the chair, making sure to get in the cracks.

Since the wax will dry fast, err on the side of caution and apply too little, ratherthan too much, on the first coat.

o 5

Add paint, sealant or stain instead of the wax if you want to take a more modern

approach. Spray paint works best for both protection and color, and it willeliminate any gaps in the paint job. Stain may work, but it tends to flake off if the

throne back wicker chair is left outside.


17/23

Latch hook

How to Finish a Latch HookPillow

Latch hooking is a relaxing and enjoyable craft that involves attaching pieces of yarn onto a

canvas with a metal tool. It is a simple skill that even children can learn. Once children learn theart of latch hooking, they may even become proficient enough to complete small latch hook

projects. When a latch hook creation is finished, there are several options for finishing. Oneoption is to make a latch hook pillow. With a few materials, you can easily finish a latch hook

design into a small throw pillow to adorn a child's bed.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

y Completed latch hook project (approximately 12-by-12-inch finished canvas size)y Fabric (same dimensions as the latch hook)

y Fiberfilly Yarn (coordinating color to the fabric)

y Yarn needley Scissors

y Pinsy Iron

y Tape measure

1.o 1

Cut off any excess canvas from the borders of the latch hook project, leaving only

three empty rows of canvas.

o 2

Measure the length and width of the latch hook canvas and add 4 inches to each

measurement. Cut the fabric to these dimensions.

o 3

Fold under3/4 of an inch around the edges of the fabric, and iron this fold.

o 4


18/23

Place the latch hook canvas on a work surface with right side facing up. Place thefabric on top of the latch hook canvas with wrong side facing up. Match up edges

and corners. There will be excess fabric to allow for stuffing; just make sure theedges and corners are aligned. Pin to secure.

o

5

Hand stitch the latch hook canvas and the fabric piece together along three sides

with a whip stitch. Sew one stitch in every square of the canvas to create a pillowfrom the latch hook canvas and fabric.

o 6

Turn the pillow right side out.

o 7

Fill the pillow with fiberfill until it is the desired size and plumpness.

o 8

Hand stitch the opening closed with a whip stitch. Knot the yarn with a small

overhand knot; insert the needle into the pillow an inch away from the endingpoint, and bring the needle up through the latch hook canvas to bury the knot.

Clip the excess yarn to finish the pillow.

How to Sew a Pillow With a Latch Hook Front

A latch hook rug feels warm and cozy to bare feet and a latch hook wall hanging can be an

artistic room accessory, but the potential for a latch hooked canvas does not need to stop there.Sew a pillow with a latch hook front. The plush softness of the pillow will be a favorite resting

spot. You can transform a repurposed hooked canvas of any size that was originally made foryour floor or wall into a comfy cushion.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

y Seam ripper

y Measuring tape

y Fabric

y Masking tape

y Straight pins

y Sewing machine

y Stuffing

y Hand-sewing needleand thread


19/23

o 1

Cut the sewing stitches of the hem on the back of your hooked canvas wall

hanging using a seam ripper. If your hooked canvas is a rug, you may need to alsoremove a binding trim. Unfold the hem. This hem will not have hooked yarn in itand is usually 1 inch wide. If the unfolded hem is wider than an inch, trim it to 1

inch. This width will be the seam allowance for your pillow. You can also use acanvas that was hooked specifically for a pillow.

o 2

Measure the dimensions of the hooked canvas, including the unhooked excess

around the edge. Cut a piece of fabric for the pillow back using the samedimensions.

o 3

Lay the hooked canvas on your work surface with the front side facing up.

Smooth the cut yarn ends on one edge of the canvas toward the center. Place alength of masking tape over the smoothed yarn. This will keep the yarn ends from

catching in the seam of the pillow. Smooth and tape the yarn ends on theremaining edges of the canvas.

o 4

Place the fabric for the pillow's back on the canvas with the wrong side facing up.

Pin the edges together.

o 5

Sew the pinned edges as closely to the first row of hooked yarn as possible. Leavea 5-inch opening in the center of one edge. If the hooked canvas has a directional

design, the opening will be on the bottom edge. Clip the sewn corners to eliminatebulk. Turn the pillowcase right side out.

o 6

Fill the pillowcase with stuffing. Pin the opening closed and sew it using a hand-sewing needle and thread.

o 7

Remove the masking tape. Use a straight pin to pick out any yarn ends that may

have gotten caught in the seam.


20/23

How to Sew a Latch Hook Dart

Latch hooking involves plastic or woven canvases, short pieces of yarn in assorted colors and thelatch hook. A typical latch hook resembles a crochet hook, but it has an additional latch or flap

which covers the hooked area. This enables you to control the short piece of yarn when threadingit through the canvas.

Many kits are available that contain all of the necessary yarns, the latch hook and designed

canvas. Rugs and pillows are typical projects. You can also latch hook3-D items, such asanimals. The latch hook dart may be required in constructing the 3-D item, as a dart enables you

to manipulate the fabric or canvas into curved or shaped forms. Traditionally, a dart is marked ina wedge shape on the pattern with a broken line dividing it in half from tip to the wide area of the

wedge.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

y Latch hookkit

y Canvas

y Yarns

y Latch hook

y Scissors

y Needlewith largeeye

y Sewing thread

y Marker

o 1

Locate the area where dart is marked on the canvas. Mark a line from the tip of

the dart to the widest part of the wedge marking

o 2

Cut from the widest part of the tart to the tip, using scissors. Double thread theneedle and knot at the thread at the end.

o 3

Match the markings of dart---wrong sides together. Stitch along stitching line of

the dart. Turn inside out. You will now have dimension to the latch hookcanvas/cloth.


21/23

o 4

Proceed with the process of hooking the thread through the canvas. Repeat for any

others indicated darts on the canvas.

How to Finish a Latch Hook Rug

Finishing a latch hook rug can be done by hand or with a sewing machine. Binding the rug with

fabric tape is necessary to prevent damage to the edges, whether you plan to use your rug on thefloor or as a wall hanging.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

y Latch hook rug

y 1 to 2 inch widefabric rug tape

y Large-eyed needle

y Button-weight thread

y Sewing machine, ifdesired

y Scissors

How to finish a latch hook rug

o 1

Trim rug canvas to within 1/2 inch of finished work; this will leave at least two

empty canvas squares between hooked squares and the edge. This gives you aborder of empty canvas squares all the way around the edges of your finishedwork, providing the area to attach the rug binding tape.

o 2

Place rug tape with one edge against the outermost row of hooking on top of thecanvas. Pin the tape in place. Using needle, thread and an overcast stitch, secure

the edge of the rug tape to the canvas thread closest to the hooked work. This canalso be machine-stitched, for greater durability.

o 3

Cut the tape at each corner of the rug and begin with a new strip of tape, until all

four edges are secured with tape. If your rug is round, hexagonal or octagonal, use


22/23

a single strip of tape all the way around the rug. Again, machine-stitch if youprefer.

o 4

Fold the tape borders to the back side of the rug. Secure them to the canvas withneedle, thread and an overcast stitch. Use the same stitch to finish corners. On a

round or other shaped rug, make small folds in the tape and stitch them down toallow for the difference in size between the outermost edge of the rug and the area

where you are attaching the turned-in tape edge.

o 5

Finish overlapping corners or the ends of the rug tape with further overcastingstitches

How to Finish a Hooked Rug

Latch hooking is a simple technique using a tool, yarn and a design printed onto latch hooking

canvas. A simple latch hook design can be finished in only 1 to 2 hours.

A latch hooking project can be a variety of sizes. Smaller designs can be made into pillows. Ifyou have a larger design, you can easily make your creation into an accent rug or a wall hanging.

All that is necessary is to finish the edges of the latch hook canvas; this can be a delightful way

to show off your latch hook projects.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

y Finished latch hook canvas

y Yarn

y Yarn needle

y Scissors

y Rod for hanging (optional) (longer than thewidth ofthe latch hook canvas)

Make a Latch Hook Rug

o 1


23/23

Trim the canvas around the latch hook design so that there are three empty rowsof canvas.

o 2

Fold the edges of the latch hook canvas under to the back side of the canvas.

o 3

Thread the yarn into the yarn needle and knot the edge with a simple overhandknot.

o 4

Stitch around all four edges to secure the fold. Sew a simple running stitch by

bringing the needle up and down in each hole of the canvas until you have sewn

around the entire edge. Tie a double overhand knot and trim the yarn to finish therug.

Make a Latch Hook Wall Hanging

o 1

Repeat steps 1 through 3 above.

o 2

Place the rod along the top of the latch hook rug and fold the top of the canvasover the rod.

o 3

Stitch along the top edge right under the rod to secure the rod in place at the top ofthe latch hook canvas. Continue sewing a simple running stitch by bringing the

needle up and down in each hole of the canvas until you have sewn around theentire edge within the fold. Tie a double overhand knot and trim the yarn to finish

the wall hanging.