But, this one I love! I was futzing around thinking about making a nice tassel. So, I did! I also beaded up a little strand of lime green seed beads and tied them around for extra embellishment. It was the perfect finishing touch. Use these to tie back curtains tie around a pillow. Make a smaller one and use it as a pull on a light or a fan. Or you can make a mini one with a long tail and turn it into a bookmark. What a great gift?!

I came up with a super quick no knit, no crochet Cowl/Scarf. This quick craft project is also easy and fun to do with a child as it requires just the skill of braiding and having fun with the textures.  I find there is such beauty in yarns that it’s sometimes nice to just display that fact on it’s own and that’s where the inspiration came from for this scarf. All you need are three lengths of about 5 feet of Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon . I used my arms length to measure this. You may want more or less depending on how many loops you’d like around your neck or how long you’d like it to drape.

I first knotted the three ends together. I then loosely braided the Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon together for about 7 inches, then knotted it off. I then jumped about 4 inches and put another knot in the ribbon, braided the remainder and tied to the end to make a loop. You don’t have to loop it. You can just knot both ends and where it as a long slinky scarf that’s perfect for summer. And that’s it! This yarn is so darn rustic and funky and artsy, I wanted to make a simple items that shows it off and I think this does a lovely job doing it.

A variation I did with the ribbon was cut my favorite sections from the Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon and then tie them back together so that way I could make sure I got all of my favorite colors in the piece. I can’t wait to wear it out! you Buy the Sari Ribbon By Clicking HERE!

What do you think?

Nicole at the Recycling Center!

OK, I admit it. I’m addicted to free patterns. I love printing them out and thinking oh I’m going to do this one and that one (and yes, one day I will…girl scouts honor). But my great friend Beth just reminded me that I need to tell everyone my favorite sites to get some cool free patterns from.

If you don’ t know, I’m a knitter, so my crochet list might be limited but if you have a favorite LEAVE A COMMENT! If it’s good I’ll put in the post with “props” to you.

Let’s all work together to make this an awesome resource for us cheepies/budgeters/thrifties/savers!

Knitting

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/index.php (My fav!)

http://www.knitty.com/

http://ravelry.com (OMG!)

Crochet

http://theartofzencrochet.blogspot.com/ Super Creativity Going On Here!

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/

http://ravelry.com (OMG!)

www.allfreecrochet.com (Thanks Tweeter: @AllFreeCrochet)

Now it’s your turn… Help Me Help US!

I wanted to share with you how a gift I recently gave looked when I wrapped it in simple tissue paper and then used the Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon. You can check out the whole category of my Recycled Sari Ribbons by clicking here

Do you want to see some more pictures of her creation and others? Check out the new section of our webpage that features fellow Darn Good Yarny’ creations!

I got to thinking and you can also take the Solomon’s Knot and make a bed spread too. Wouldn’t that look amazing over a bed in a little girl’s room or your room? Want more info on how to make the Solomon’s Knot? Click Here or watch this video below:

OK give it a second… there is a video you should watch that will load right here.

Click here to get the Premium Recycled Silk Sari Yarn

This cool headband is super easy to make and it only takes a 1/2 a ball of Darn Good Yarn’s Premium Recycled Silk Yarn.

So, you can use size 5 needles and it will make a nice tight stitch.

On DPNs or circulars, CO 3 and make an i-cord for about 4 inches (or however long you want the tie tails to be and how you’re going to tie it in the back). Remember, as you break the silk in and wash it, it will stretch a little so if you’re not sure, go shorter.
After you have the first side of the tie done, you’ll start some very simple increases by making one at the first stitch and last stitch of the row for every row until you have the desired width. I brought mine out to 11 stitches. You can increase in your favorite fashion. Your hair will cover it up probably so don’t worry too much. I like KFB (knit front and back).
Now, here is where you get to be creative and you should think about how many stitches you should have on your needles now. You can go straight garter (all knit stitches) or you can really play around with the stitch pattern. Remember to account for the number of stitches you have on your needle. For example, double moss stitch (which is fun and easy and doesn’t allow for too much stretching) is created in multiples of 4’s so you would only want 12 stitches on your needles.

If you started on DPN’s and you haven’t moved your work onto straight needles you can do that now. If you’re on circulars, you can keep the work on there. You’re not joining the work in any way but working back and forth as you would on straight needles.

Put your work down for a second and measure your head. Where are you going to wear your headband toward the front of your hairline, behind your bangs? Measure it from the middle of your left ear, over your head, the the middle of your right ear.  This is a great approximation of how long the body of your work should be. Again, remember, there will be some breaking in over time so while it seems short, it’s not.

About 12-13 inches will do though in case you don’t have a tape measure handy.

So after you’ve knitted the body up, start decreasing one the first and last stitch  of the row down to where you have three stitches. Straight needles users, put your work onto DPN’s and circular needle. Make up that i-cord for the same length you made the first one. Bind off and weave in any ends of course.

You’re done… that was easy yes?

Recycled Silk Sari Yarn Headband Free Knit Pattern

Recycled Silk Sari Yarn Headband Free Knit Pattern

She wanted to share an easy basketweave baby blanket pattern with you for free. She makes these blankets and sends them to Romania.

And if you know me, you know I’m a knitter that needs pretty, easy and quick patterns!

It is an easy basketweave pattern with an eyelet border that can be easily enlarged to make an afghan or larger blanket. Here is the link: http://www.forgive490.com/EasyBasketweaveBabyBlanket.php

Click here to get the Free Pattern!

You could totally use our banana fiber yarns to make a beautiful and colorful blanket!

Nicole's Recipe a la Banana Fiber Yarn in Tokyo Billboard

Click here to get our solid colored Banana Fiber Yarn

Check out this video!

We now have our EXCLUSIVE YOGA MAT BAG available for you knitters and crocheters!

Come and check it out by clicking on one of the pictures:

Click Me For the Pattern!

Designed and Crocheted by Chriss Smith (in cahoots with Nicole, of course!)

This fun and colorful project is worked all in the round. The bag is designed to fit yoga mats up to 26″ high and 5 1/2″across when rolled up. This pattern is rated at advanced beginner.

Materials Needed:

3 Balls of Darn Good Yarn Premium Sari Silk
size 5.5 crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Darning needle
1 coconut button
6 yards of sari ribbon (you can substitute this with a solid colored recycled silk. We tried black and it looked stunning!)

Click Here For the Pattern!