Posted By Kent Crafts on May 9, 2010
Late last year, just before the winter, I was looking for an elegant wrap that I could use in the evenings but also during the day for when it was a little milder. I didn’t manage to find one, but instead I found this beautiful pattern online, from Crafts Beautiful. This wrap is long, with lovely tassles and knitted using Sublime cashmere merino silk double knit wool. I’ve actually made two now, and the third is just about to be started – and they’re all different colours. As I was so pleased with the results, I’ve decided to add them to our store, even though they’ll be rather expensive with the price of cashmere being what it is. There are many people who won’t have the time to knit this for themselves I’m sure!
This particular wrap is knitted in a moss stitch – and as it’s so long and the wool is fine with small needles, this took absolutely ages – but I have to say this was well worth the effort and I’m really pleased with the results on each one. This is a very easy knit, with little to no pattern reading required and is sure to be a popular gift, even if it’s for yourself. I’ll be sure to update this post once the wraps become available on our main storefront.
To download and read the pattern you will need Adobe Reader. The pattern is available for free download by clicking on the link below.
Download Cashmere Wrap pattern
Category: Knitting patterns |
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Tags: beginners knitting, cashmere wrap, free pattern, Knitting, moss stitch
Posted By Kent Crafts on April 1, 2010
Candles have been used throughout human history to make light at night times. Though we use electrical lights now, people still keep candles for emergencies. Scented candles are lit or used as decoration, and some use candle for meditation or prayer as the peaceful, natural light often brings a spiritual feeling. In ancient times and candles would be used as timekeepers, and also in recent history in the coal mining industry.
Candles are made from wax and have a wick usually made from string. The wick is lit and draws the wax up. Many people make their own candle for personal use or for sale, and the process is relatively simple. People have been making candles as far back as the ancient Egyptians, and the materials used have changed a lot. Early candles used fish oils, insects and seeds to make the wax, and cultures all over the world have different methods of adding perfume.
Firstly a candle maker needs to melt wax. In modern times the wax is usually made from tallow, which is fat from cows or sheep, though in the past other materials have been used. The wax will liquefy at high temperatures but it must be monitored carefully as it will produce highly flammable vapours at temperatures around 300F
Moulds can be purchased with which to make the candles. These usually have a hole through which the wick is fed. The mould is turned upside down and the other end of the wick is tied to something such as a skewer. This is to keep it vertical so that it will run from one end of the candle to the other straight down the middle. The holes in the mould are sealed with special putty or metal tape, and the wax is poured in. As the wax dries it will shrink, so holes must be made in it to allow it to shrink without trapping air. These holes are filled in later with more wax.
These home made candles are often put into glass containers and become a centrepiece for a display or mood lighting for a special occasion.
Published Courtesy of Article City. Article by John Gibb
Category: Candles |
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