Best New Craft Projects Ideas for July 2010

There are some really great new craft projects out there this summer, but if you're busy (and we all are), it's hard to keep up on all the blogs and newsletters to make sure you don't miss something. Fortunately, that's my job, so I'm here to make sure you don't miss out on some of the trendy, interesting craft projects that have come out recently. There's a little something here for almost everyone: seamstresses (do we call ourselves sewers now?), quilters, knitters, crocheters, embroiderers (hand), and just in case you Ravelry.com lovers missed it, the latest hot projects that everyone's signing up for.

I even had time to do one of them myself and I'm really excited about some of the other ones. With the independent crafting community being so creative, picking favorites is nearly impossible!

Sewing

Quick and easy sunglasses case

This one is the one I had time to do, and I really needed one. It only took me about 20 minutes start to finish and it's really cute. It can also be easily adapted to be a case for an ipod, wiimote, or something else you'd like to keep protected during travel.

Oopsie the Octopus

Adorable kid's toy. I love Moda Bake Shop. They have such cute projects. Most of them are for quilters, but sometimes you find something a little bit different. This is one of those times. Check it out, and see if you don't start eyeing your stash and coming up with people who will love it. It's almost unbearably cute.

Quilting

Hawaiian style felt floor pillows (applique)

Awesome! Floor pillows are great for so many things, and Hawaiian patterns are becoming really popular lately. If you're worried that applique is difficult, you should know that this one is done with felt, so you don't have to sweat it.

Faux piped binding tutorial

Really cute and useful information on a great way to add a nice touch to edgings for quilts, table linens, and more.

Charmed Living Table Runner

I love table runners. They make great focal points for a room and, with the right accent pieces (or by carrying the fabric onto chair covers, draperies, napkin rings, etc.) they can really bring a room together with little damage to your pocketbook. Especially if you choose traditional style fabrics that won't go out of date for a while. Of course, this project is so quick and easy, you could easily go with the trendy fabrics, too.

Knit

That Girl! Summer Jacket

Seriously cute summer jacket. Now with a knit-along! If you've been looking to try a sweater, cardigan, or knitted jacket, a knit-along is the time to do it because if you have questions, there are people that can help you. They have a flickr group AND a ravelry group so you can get the help you need with minimal stress, and you can share off your progress with other knitters.

Mythos Sweater

This lightweight, versatile sweater is from Knitty.com and it's cute AND stylish. Plus, there's a link to a contest you can enter to win free yarn for the sweater (or anything else you desire). I did just say free yarn. FREE YARN. There...now I've got your attention. You should definitely check it out. Right?

Crochet

Free cuddly Cthulhu amigurumi toy pattern

Crocheters often get overlooked. It's not fair, because there are some really interesting patterns out there. Of course there's amigurumi, like this H. P. Lovecraft Great Old One from the Cthulhu Crochet blog. Cthulhu patterns are really popular with the geek set. We love our books, after all.

Dublin Scarf, from Lion Brand
(Free) membership required to get the pattern.

This scarf is not your normal scarf. However, as people who've read Nicky Epstein's book, Crocheting on the Edge, know, this type of crochet work is definitely trending upward. I've seen throws, shawls, and sweaters in this style, with either large areas of design put together over something that would normally be without a lot of texture. Some contain many circles or squares. This one contains a lot of 3D flowers. It's also done in chunky yarn, so it's bound to come together really quickly.

Embroidery

Child's art turned softie

Really interesting idea! Take the artwork of a child you love, and turn it into a stuffed present for them or someone they love. If they're older, they can even help with some parts. Regardless, you'll have something to cherish forever that's far more durable than refrigerator art.

Embroidered pot holders

Practical gift idea and fairly easy to do. You can also easily take some creative license with this pattern...embroidering designs over a fairly plain fabric or using a brightly patterned fabric and embroidering in details.

New or Popular on Ravelry

For knitters

Summer Flies shawl

This new shawl pattern is great for many reasons. First, it's free. Second, it uses worsted weight yarn but still manages to look lacy and lightweight. Third, it's new and already has a high rating from other ravelry users (so you don't have to just trust me). Lots of people casting on, lots of comments and forum posts, so lots of places to get help if you need it.

Eiffel Tower shawl

So beautiful thatI want to make it myself. I probably will, but you'd likely finish first. This shawl pattern is also free, new, and popular, and the design is breathtaking. It uses laceweight yarn and when you see it, you'll have a hard time not adding it to your queue.

For crocheters

Derek bag

Check out this bag! Definitely a purse, but lined, roomy, trendy, and wow! Clearly some attention to detail going on here. Also, it's in worsted weight yarn, and it's a free pattern. I love free, don't you?

125-3 Crochet shawl in "Kid Silk"

Lightweight, delicate, and gorgeous. This shawl by Garnstudio (DROPS design) is another one of their oodles of patterns but it's definitely worth a look. It's done in laceweight yarn and it's a very open design. It's also free, so looking won't cost you a thing!

Tutorials from me

Space saving crafts: Make your own ironing pad
Awesome gift idea for just about anyone. Easy to customize, easy to store, lasts forever.

Custom organizers: Make your own knitting needle roll-ups
Probably most easily made by the person who owns the knitting needles, but they're not that hard. I promise. Plus, you'll be the envy of every knit night (also known as a stitch and b*tch).

Summer craft ideas: How to make chiffon flowers
For some reason, the picture didn't show up in the article It's here. It's also quick and easy for a cute summer project and the decorating possibilities are endless. You can even dress the flowers up with other colors and textures for wedding decorations.

Recycling t-shirts into craft yarn
Eco-friendly crafters, take note. If you didn't know how to properly turn a t-shirt into strips for some very versatile, stretchy cord/yarn, now you will.

Other content on AC

Knitting Patterns for Halloween
Might as well get started now, because it won't be long til the kids are placing orders for costumes!

Cable Knitting for Newbie Knitters (Part 1)
Intimidated by cables? Sick of doing faux cables but worried that real cables are too complicated? Read on!

New Books

Notice: These books are new. As I've not read these books, I can't say I'm recommending them. This is just to show you the new books that are available. I'm not saying they're BAD (I skipped bunches and chose these ones), but I can't say they're must-have additions to your crafting library, either.

Knitting Mochimochi: 20 Super-Cute Strange Designs for Knitted Amigurumi by Anna Hrachovec

This one's getting a lot of press in the craft communities. People love knitted or crocheted toys because they're quick projects that appeal to a wide range of people. They make excellent homemade gifts. It's always fun to see what really neat ideas the new books offer, and I'm glad to see one for knitting. There are so many for crochet.

DIY Art at Home: 28 Simple Projects for Chic décor on the Cheap by Lola Gavarry

Lots of painting ideas, but many of the ideas look really simple. Also, you can get a pretty good idea of the contents of the book to see if it's your style/skill level because amazon has quite a bit on the "look inside" preview. Check it out!

I'd love to tell you what will be available in August, but I can't, because the tutorials aren't out yet. However, you can be guaranteed I'll keep an eye out and I'll likely be doing one or two myself. Let me know which ones YOU choose to do, and if you want to link pictures, feel free!