Streamer Bow

Well I am back from cheer camp, and we had a great time!  Besides the zebra bows, we wore two different sets of streamer bows.  These are fun, easy, and quick to make.  Consider them the next time you are making bows.

Supplies

• 3 sizes of ribbon (you can use whatever kind and size you want, but I recommend using at least some grosgrain ribbon for body and structure).  For the pink one, I used a 2.5", 7/8" and 3/8" ribbon, and for the camouflage, I used 7/8", 5/8" and 3/8" ribbon.
• Scissors
• Hot glue and gun
• Measuring tape
• Hair tie
• Fray Check

Directions

1. Cut the ribbons down to size.  Cut the largest width ribbon 1/4" longer than the medium width ribbon, and the medium width ribbon 1/4 " longer than the thinnest ribbon.  I cut the pink bow ribbons 13", 12.75" and 12.5", but the camouflage I cut 14", 13.75", and 13".

2. Trim the ends so that they have the double point.  Fold the ribbon in half length-wise, then clip at an angle.  Dab Fray Check on the end of each ribbon to prevent fraying.

3. Cut about 4-5" of the medium and small ribbons to create your center knot.  Stack one on top of the other, and tie in a knot.  Fray check the ends.  (If you are making multiple bows, cut a longer length of ribbon and tie all the knots at once--it is easier)

4. Place a dot of glue on the center of the widest ribbon, then stack the medium ribbon on top of it.  Repeat with the smallest ribbon.  Glue the center of the knot to the center of your stacked ribbons.

5. Place a dot of glue on the back of your ribbons in the center.  Stick the hair tie in the glue dot.  Glue and fold the sides of the ribbon so that both ends of the ribbon knot meet.

Wired-Edge Ribbon Rose - Super Easy!



Sorry for the blurry picture...it's a little difficult to take a steady picture of the top of my own head.

This will take all of a couple minutes to make, and is so easy, it makes a great kid project to adorn hair, clothes, or accessories.

Supplies

• Wire-edge ribbon (I used 2.25 inch wide ribbon and about 30")
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Fabric, cardboard, or paper to glue flower down on

Directions

1. Begin by cutting ribbon to length, then poke wire out of the edge.  Pull one side of the wire completely free from the ribbon.  Poke the other side out and begin pulling.

2. Fold one edge under, pinch in your fingers and glue down.  This creates the center of your rose.

3. Scootch the ribbon along the wire until it is completely gathered.  It will naturally spiral around the center.

4. Glue down on scrap of fabric, cardboard, or paper.  Be sure to glue down each layer of the ribbon to ensure rose doesn't bobble.

Simple Hair Bow

Cheer camp is next week, so we are gearing up for what's to come.  This week, I am making bows; this zebra bow is a simple bow and takes only minutes to make.

Supplies

• Ribbon - I used 1.5 inch wide satin zebra print, and 7/8 inch wide black satin.
• Glue gun
• Scissors
• Hair elastic
• Fray Check

Directions

1. Cut a 3 inch length of the black ribbon and tie into a knot.

2. Cut a 21 inch length of the zebra ribbon and fold like pictured.

3. Pinch center of the bow and glue the black ribbon to the front.
4. Place the elastic against the back of the bow and glue the black ribbon ends around the elastic.

5. Dab fray check in a line along the cut ends of the bow to keep from fraying.

Knitted Berry Hats

This is an easy pattern to knit for a premature baby, or a full-term baby.  I use bulky weight yarn for the full-term baby hats, and sport weight yarn for the premature baby hats.  You could also increase or decrease the number of stitches in multiples of six.

Supplies

• One skein green yarn
• One skein berry color yarn
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Row marker
• Size 6, 12" circular knitting needle
• Size 6 double pointed needles

Hat Pattern:

1. Cast on 54 stitches.
2. Add row marker, and knit in the round until your project measures 6 inches tall.
3. Decrease (change to double-pointed knitting needles when you feel the need to switch)

1. Knit 7, knit two together, repeat all the way around (48 stitches remain)
2. Knit 6, knit two together, repeat all the way around (42 stitches remain)
3. Knit 5, knit two together, repeat all the way around (36 stitches remain)
4. Knit 4, knit two together, repeat all the way around (30 stitches remain)
5. Knit 3, knit two together, repeat all the way around (24 stitches remain)
6. Knit 2, knit two together, repeat all the way around (18 stitches remain)
7. Knit 1, knit two together, repeat all the way around ( 12 stitches remain)
8. Knit two together, repeat all the way around, (6 stitches remain)

4. Snip the thread several inches long, then pull through all six stitches.

At this point, you could simply weave in the ends and finish the hat, or add a poof ball.  If you want to make a berry hat, continue with the greenery pattern below.  I found this star pattern here, and thought I could adjust it to fit my needs.  Her original pattern was a bit small, so I added an extra row.  I also added a braid in a loop at the middle for the stem.

Before you are completely confused, here is what I mean when I write (rsd):

And what I mean when I write (wsd):

Berry Greenery

1. Cast on 65 stitches.
2. Row 1:  knit 5, *rsd, knit 10, repeat from * 4 times, rsd, knit 5 (55 stitches remain)
3. Row 2:  purl 4, *wsd, purl 8, repeat from * 4 times, wsd, purl 4 (45 stitches remain)
4. Row 3:  knit 3, *rsd, knit 6, repeat from * 4 times, rsd, knit 3 (35 stitches remain)
5. Row 4:  purl 2, *wsd, purl 4, repeat from * 4 times, wsd, purl 2 (25 stitches remain)
6. Row 5:  knit 1, *rsd, knit 2, repeat from * 4 times, rsd, knit 1 (15 stitches remain)
7. Row 6:  wsd, repeat across entire row (5 stitches remain)
8. Sew the one side shut, and add a braid for a stem.

When you are finished, use the ends to attach the greenery to the hat.

Jessie's Fabric Flowers Head Band

My sister does not share my love of crafts.  Throughout our lives, when we've said, "let's craft," what we really meant was "why don't I [Malory] craft, while you [Brooke] keep me company."  When Brooke came home on Thanksgiving and showed me the headband she made, I knew this was a craft for everyone.  She shared with me that her boyfriend's sister, Jessie, taught her how to make these simple and cute headbands.  You can make them yourself, but it is much easier with a friend.  They are so easy to make, you will want to make a variety of colors and styles to complement your wardrobe, and give as gifts.

Materials/Supplies

• 1 stretch headband (I like the ones with non-stick backing)
• Felt (only enough for 3 small circles)
• Fabric (3 colors, each needs one small circle and one strip about 22"x2")
• Scissors
• Iron & board
• Low-melt glue gun

Directions

1. Plug in the glue gun to begin heating
2. Cut your fabric into three strips that are about 22"x2" (they do not have to be exact)
3. Cut a circle out of each color of fabric--the circle should be about 1.75" in diameter
4. Cut 3 circles of felt about 1.5" in diameter

5. Using the iron, fold each strip of fabric into thirds "hot dog" style--right side out

6. Begin twisting the end of one fabric strip
7. At this point, you will want to grab your friend if you brought one (one person can coil, and one person can glue)
8. Coil the end of fabric and glue down to the center of one fabric circle--right side down

9. Continue to twist and coil--glue as you go

10. If you coil all the way to the edge of the fabric circle and you still have more strip left, make sure the fabric circle is covered, then cut the rest of the strip and glue end down

11. If you coil all of the strip, and you have not covered the entire fabric circle, trim the circle smaller
12. Repeat with each color of fabric
13. You should now have 3 complete fabric flowers
14. Put a strip of glue on the back of one flower (center the strip, and make it only as wide as the felt circles)

15. Glue the headband to the flower (make sure you put the outside of the headband into the glue)

16. Smear glue all over one of the felt circles

17. Glue the circle to the back of the flower sandwiching the headband between the felt and flower

18. Repeat for each flower placing the flowers close together (the felt backs should touch one another, and the flowers should overlap slightly--when you wear the headband, it will stretch and flatten)

19. Make more!