Here’s a neat way to let your guests help you trim the holiday tree. Create a tree shape and star topper from colorful construction paper or poster board; mount it on a wall or door with double-sided tape. On the star, include instructions for your guests (“Please sign in!”), and set baskets of colored-dot stickers and markers nearby. To give everyone the idea, have family members provide the first signatures.
These stellar but surprisingly easy party decorations (they come together with just a few cuts and twists) are made from all those odds and ends of holiday wrap you’d otherwise toss in the trash. Hang one or dozens to brighten up the house come party time.
Instructions:
1. Cut eight 5- by 5-inch squares from heavy wrapping paper (you can also use precut origami paper).
2. For each square: fold in half to form a triangle, pretty side out; fold in half again.
3. With scissors, cut into the first fold (now folded in half) about 3/4 inch down from the top, stopping about 1/4 inch from the end. Make a similar cut about 3/4 inch down from the first, as shown (A).
4. Open the square completely, plain side up, and bring up the 2 inside points to form a roll. Tape the points together with double-sided tape.
5. Flip the square over and tape together the middle points (B). Flip the square over again and tape the outer points (C).
6. Tape each of the 8 sections together, middle ring of one to outer ring of the next, to form a chain (D); tape the first and last sections together to form the star.
7. To secure the star, tape the tips together in the center. Punch a hole at the top of one of the points and pass a string through to hang (E).
Materials:
Felt Squares – Orchid, Yellow,
Blue, Pink, Neon Green
Pom poms – 10mm Bright
Big Bag Buttons – Carnival
Dance Self-Stick Gems
Colored Dowels
10″ Mirror
12″ Floral Craft Ring-Wood
Poly-fir
Craft Designer Cup Sequins
Felt Snowflakes
Star Buttons
Glitter Glue – Opal
Floss – Assorted Colors
Needle – Large Eye
Lara’s Crafts1 1/2″ Wood Flower Pot (3)
Scissors
Paintbrush
Craft Glue
Low Heat Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Flower Pots
Instructions
Step 1 Using printed patterns from the website, cut your trees from desired colors of felt (2 for each tree).
Step 2 Use desired colors of floss and stitch lines on trees.
Step 3 Cut assorted circles of felt and stitch to tree with buttons as toppers.
Step 4 Cut ‘A” of felt for line garland as shown on pink tree, stitch with pink floss as shown.
Step 5 Add sequins and buttons to embellish as desired.
Step 6 Stitch trees together using floss, place dowel in between felt and lightly stuff with Poly-fir.
Step 7 Turn flower pots upside down and insert dowel into hole and glue to mirror.
Step 8 Glue mirror to wood ring.
Step 9 Cover pots with pom poms adding colored ones as desired.
Step 10 Cut shirt pieces from felt, stitch together and glue to outside edge of mirror.
Step 11 Embellish skirt with felt snowflakes.
-Loops & Threads Impeccable (Solids 128g/4.5oz; 245m/268yds)
1 ball each of:
-Q Contrast A (01040 Black)
-Contrast B (01005 White or 01008 Aran)
-Contrast C (01436 Cherry)
-Contrast D (01630 Pumpkin)
-Set of four size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed knitting
needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
-Stuffing
Gauge
22 sts and 28 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in stocking st.
Instructions
With A, cast on 12 sts. Divide sts evenly onto 3 needles. Join in rnd, placing marker on first st. 1st rnd: ;inc 1. K2) 4 times. 16 sts. 2nd rnd: Knit. 3rd rnd: (Inc 1. K3) 4 times. 20 sts. 4th rnd: Knit. Inc 4 sts on next and follow alt rnd once more. 28 sts. Knit 14 rnds even.
Shape neck and head: 1 st rnd: (K2tog. K5) 4 times. 24 sts.
2nd rnd: (K2tog. K4) 4 times. 20 sts.
3rd rnd: (K2tog. K3) 4 times. 16 sts. 4th md: <K2tog. K2) 4 times.
12 sts. 5th rnd: Inc 1 st in each st around. 24 sts.
Knit 9 rnds even. Stuff Body.
1st rnd: ;K2tog. K4) 4 times. 20 sts. 2nd rnd: (K2tog. K3) 4 times.
16 sts. 3rd rnd: (K2tog. K2) 4 times. 12 sts.
4th rnd: (K2tog. Kl) 4 times. 8 sts.
Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw end tightly through rem sts
and fasten securely.
“Belly”: With B and pair of needles, cast on 5 sts.
**1 st row: (RS). Inc 1. Knit to last 2 sts. Inc 1. Kl. 7 sts. 2nd row:
Purl.
Rep last 2 rows twice more. 11 sts.**
Work 15 rows even in stocking st.
Shape “Face”: 1st row: (RS). (ssk) twice. K3. (K2tog) twice. 7 sts. 2nd row: Purl. 3rd row: (Inc 1. Kl) 3 times. Inc 1.11 sts. Beg with a purl row, work 5 rows stocking st.
Next row: K5 Turn. Leave rem sts on a spare needle.
Next row: P5 Next row: ssk. Kl. K2tog.
Next row: P3tog. Fasten off”
With RS facing, join B to rem sts. ssk. K4.5 sts.
Work from “” to *” as given above.
Sew “Belly/Face” in position.
Wings (make 2): With A and pair of needles, cast on 2 sts.
1strow:(RS).Kl.lnc 1 st in last St. 3 sts.
2nd row: Knit. 3rd row: Knit to last St. Inc 1 st in last St.
4th row: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows 5 times more. 9 sts.
Knit 9 rows even. Cast off. Sew cast off edge at neck,
placing shaped edge of Wing towards back.
Scarf: With C and pair of needles, cast on 40 sts.
Knit 3 rows (garter st). Cast off.
Knot 2 strands of C into fringe 2″ (5 cm) long.
Trim Fringe. With A, embroider eyes using French Knot.
With D, embroider beak using Bullion St.
Feet (make 2): With D and pair of needles, cast on 5 sts.
1 st row: (RS). Cast off 3 sts. K2 (including st on
needle after cast off). 2nd row: K2 3rd row: Cast on 3 sts. K5.
5th to 7th rows: As 1 st to 3rd rows.
Cast off (WS). Sew Feet to Body.
French Knot
Bullion Stitch
ABBREVIATIONS
alt = alternate(ing).
beg = beginning.
cont = continue(ity).
k = knit.
k2tog = knit next
2 stitches together.
inc 1 st = knit into front and back of next stitch.
p = purl.
p2(3)tog = purl next 2(3) stitches together.
rem = remaining.
rep = repeat.
rs = right side.
rnd(s) = round(s).
ssk = slip next 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit through back loops together.
st(s) = stitchfes).
ws = Wrong side.
Fragrant wreaths of lavender, eucalpytus, summer savory, and thyme disappear from our stand at the Saturday Farmers Market almost as quickly as we can make them. And when we are surrounded by crowds and our adrenaline is up, that’s darn fast—less than five minutes per wreath. What many of our customers really covet, however, is the neat little gizmo we use to make them. “Boy, could I use one of those,” said one gardener, with undisguised envy. “At the end of the season, I have all these herbs that need to be pruned, and it just kills me to toss them. With this, I could make wreaths for all my friends.”
We are an organic herb and flower grower and we understand that point of view. A desire not to let any harvest go to waste is what led us to design this tool, which is a simplified version of a commercial jig. So we are sharing instructions for making one, as well as providing suggestions for how to use the jig to create simple wreaths from end-of-the-season garden clippings.
Our jig, which is nothing more than a ring of evenly spaced dowels secured in a plywood base, frees our hands. The dowels hold the herb cuttings in place as we assemble them, then guide the twine when we are ready to bundle the lot together into a wreath. The directions are for a jig to make a wreath that is 10 inches in diameter. Our most popular size, but you can make a larger or smaller jig. Enjoy your wreath while the herbs retain their savor and color. Then toss it into the compost and make another.
How to make a wreath jig
You can make your own jig following the directions below.
TIME: 1/2 hours to make, plus several hours to dry
COST: $10 to $15
MATERIALS
•Two squares of 3/4-inch-thick plywood a few inches larger than the desired diameter of your wreath. For example, cut two 13-inch squares for a 10-inch wreath.
•Compass, pencil, drill with 1/2-inch bit, wood glue, clamps, mallet
•A dozen 1/2-inch-thick hardwood dowels, cut to 4 3/4-inch lengths
DIRECTIONS
1. Using the compass, draw a 10-inch circle in the center of one plywood square.
2. To place dowels, mark 12 equally spaced spots around the circle.
3. At each mark, drill a 1/2-inch-wide hole completely through the plywood.
4. Coat one side of the second plywood square with a generous amount of glue. Affix the first square on top. Use clamps to hold the two squares together while the glue dries (or weight them with heavy books).
5. Drip glue inside each dowel hole and pound dowels into place with a mallet.
Wipe off any excess glue. Allow glue to dry thoroughly—for at least several hours—before using the jig.
How to make a wreath
1. Use plants with sturdy but still pliable stems for your bottom layer. We favor baby blue eucalyptus rosemary, curly willow, cedar, and pine. One stem at a time, place the cuttings inside the dowel circle. Start with stem ends, tucking them under foliage. Alternate starting points on opposite sides of the jig. That way the wreath stays balanced.
2. Pile on herbs with a light texture— lavender, savory, thyme, and scented geraniums (whatever needs pruning). Save the most fragrant clippings (such as rosemary, right) and those with blossoms for the top layer.
3. Cut a 5-foot piece of twine (about two arm’s lengths). Starting at any point, tie the twine around all layers of the wreath. Hide the knot on the inside of the wreath; don’t trim the ends yet. Working from the inside out, loop the twine around the wreath, using the dowels to help guide the twine. Pull the twine taut with each wrap.
4. Tie the end of the twine to your original knot. Clip twine ends.
Country & Victorian Times 