To Do: Weave

Guess what I found at the local op shop a few weeks ago? A toy weaving loom!!! WOW, this is the next best thing to a seed bead loom that I wanted to get last year. And the best thing is, it was only 3AUD! Sweet.

This is how the things inside looked when I first took it out. Then I turned the box upside down, waiting for the instruction booklet to drop out of the box. But oh horrors! There was no instruction booklet to be found! Woe is me. 

Fortunately, mankind has invented something called the internet and I have already found a couple of good websites here and here that give instructions on weaving on a loom. There was no comb in the box either. But that is fine because I think I can simply get another plastic comb (as in the one used on hair) quite easily.


I can't wait to start weaving. Perhaps I should bring this back home for my summer holidays instead of my sewing machine...

DIY: A paler shade of blue (Bleaching your own denim)

Gosh I am so tired. I just handed in another 2000 word essay today. Now I still have one more assignment to go. But I am giving myself a mini-break tonight by writing this post.

Faded denim looks so much better than dark ones. But dark ones are cheap and easy to find at op shops here in Sydney. So, the best way to deal with this tricky situation is to get the dark denim from op shops and then get a cheap bleach and DIY. I got an entire litre of bleach for just 1.20AUD.


Materials:
Denim jacket
Bleach
Water


Steps:
(Ok these are not exactly the steps to bleaching, but more of what I did and some tips on bleaching)
1. Soak your denim in a bucket of water, just enough for your entire piece of clothing to be covered. Also, get a bucket that is big enough to spread your denim out for a more even bleaching
2. Start by adding about 1/4 cup of bleach. See how your denim reacts. I soaked mine in the bucket for the entire night and it only got slightly lighter. When I say 'slight', I mean almost unobservable.
3. Then the next day I changed the water and repeated step 1 again. But this time, I added about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of bleach. I left it in the water, assuming that I have to leave it in the water for the night again.
4. I was in my room doing my assignment for about 2-3 hours. Then I had to use the bathroom. The moment I walked into the bathroom, I almost shrieked out loud because it has turned into the perfect shade!
5. Rinse the denim with water until the funky smell of bleach is gone. Leave to dry. If you really hate the smell of bleach, I suggest that you put it to wash with your other clothes in the washing machine.

Like what I have said, a spacious bucket is quite important for this DIY. The pail that I used was only just big enough, so there are some parts that were not bleached to the same extent as the others. Fortunately it isn't too obvious. Also, make sure that your entire piece of denim is always under the water when you leave it in to bleach! 

I just bought another denim jacket from an op shop again today for just a dollar. Lucky~ I think this time I will be doing some bleaching AND cutting. Hmmm...

DIY: Ripped Stockings

I am currently in the second last week of my academic semester. Then I will have a break week during which I will study like there is not tomorrow in preparation for the end of semester exams. After all that, I will be burning my notes in the woods, dancing around the huge bonfire while chanting in a tribal language. 


But let's just get back to reality for a second here. The reason for the lack of posts is obvious and I am terribly sorry about it. This is something that I created on a very stressful night in the midst of writing an essay and thinking of the other assignments that I have do.


It doesn't look fantastic (you will see better DIY ripped stocking if you Google), but damn, it's a great way to de-stress. This is also way healthier than eating chocolates.


Materials:
Razor/Penknife
Stockings (I used one that already had a hole in it)
Stress (optional)


Steps:
1. Wear your stockings. 
2. Just slit (very gently), pull and let it rip. 

Warning: Don't be overzealous! Don't create too many holes or holes that are too big because of a big slit. Most importantly, do not cut your own skin. Also, do not wear this to school because people will STARE. (T_T)

Cheap Stainless Steel Circular Knitting Needles

Ok everyone, this is just a quick one before I get back to my assignment. Here are a set of stainless steel circular knitting needles that I bought on eBay a while ago. The parcel has just arrived! :)

It's about 24 inches long and the set includes sizes from UK 6-16. The best thing about the needles is that each packet comes with a tapestry needle and what looks like a needle gauge. So now, I have 10 extra tapestry needles and 10 new needle gauges. Sweet.

I am so glad that I persisted in the bidding on eBay. The shipping was free and I won the bidding at 10.50AUD, which I thought was really cheap for circular needles! Lucky~


I have opened it up and the needles didn't feel too smooth, which is good because I wouldn't wish for the yarn to slip off the needles too easily. Ahh!!! Right now I am so excited about knitting a bag with one of these. But first, I need to get back to my school work. 


P.S.: If anyone is interested in knowing the buyer/store that I got these babies from, just tell me about it under the comments section and I will get back to you. 

i heart knitwear

I haven't been doing much lately. I mean, I haven't been doing much crafting or knitting. School assignments are practically sucking the life out of me. I bought 4 balls of yarn a week ago and was planning on knitting an oversized jumper using a vintage pattern that I bought from Vinnies. But I haven't got the chance. :(


So right now, I have no tutorials to show. Fortunately, I have this picture of the greatest vintage knitted oversized cardigan that I thrifted. It looks warm, but it isn't. Anyway, pretty things don't have to be functional.