Brick Stitch Dolphin Pattern

I was asked way back in January to make a dolphin charm using brick stitch bead weaving techniques. I  made the charm way back then and even posted a photo in Instagram, promising to make a tutorial "soon". Clearly to me, "soon", means 10 months later (or 44 weeks, according to Instagram.)

I know, I know... I'm clearly the worst kind of person. It's not my fault. I receive quite a few video requests, and I like to keep everyone happy. Also I don't want to just be a bead weaving channel, so I try to mix it up where I can. That is just an excuse... I just forgot to make the tutorial :D But hey, I'm only human

Enough waffling around... Here is the pattern:

As always, I used size 11 delica beads by the Japanese brand Miyuki. I also used beading thread by the company Nymo and a size 10 beading needle.

All items were purchased from http;//mailorder-beads.co.uk who were generous enough to give me a 10% discount code on full-items on orders over £5! It's valid until 31st Dec 2015 and the company do ship internationally! Just type TCOC10 in the promo code box at the checkout :D

How I Got into Bead Weaving

When many people think about "bead weaving", it conjures up images of intricate, but sometimes, garish pieces, usually done by middle-aged women. There is nothing wrong with this image, but my friends at the place where I work were amazed when I, as a 24 year-old with blue hair, discovered a love for brick stitch!

I work at a bead shop and hadn't done much jewellery making before I got the job. (I know... I don't know why they hired me either!) After hearing about bead weaving and the stigma attached, I didn't attempt it at all. It seemed unnecessarily complicated and fiddly, then I was browsing a magazine for ideas for another project, and came across a gorgeous bunting necklace that was made using brick stitch! I love bunting... There's something about it that's just so cute and makes me think of tea. Yum!

Now my first attempt was awful. At the time, I thought it was really good, but looking back, no. It was awful. I even made a pair of brick stitch triangle earrings that were for a magazine project (and were featured in the magazine!) and I'm so ashamed of them now! From that moment on, I developed a delica-addiction. It's not healthy the number of tubes of beads I now have! They are useful to have though.

Look at those terribly wobbly triangles!!

It took me a while before I started to create my own patterns. I used to copy other people's and give them to my friends and family members. I didn't realise how easy it is to  make your own pattern! With the help of Bead Tools, it's so easy! I tend to make them with a reference picture open next to the pattern page. It does take a lot of trial and error though, and I'm often not in a patient mood!

This panda is made using a pattern I made myself.

I heard about square stitch thanks to Pixelosis. She creates amazing pixelated pieces of jewellery using this technique. I knew that I wanted to give it a try! I'm still extremely new to this stitch and have only recently mastered the art of increasing! I really want to make tutorials on this stitch, but it takes a very long time to make charms with it. Definitely one for people with patience. With square stitch, it's possible to make things using Perler/Hama bead patterns, and there's lots of them all over the internet!

I need to master Peyote, then I will have three different stitches under my belt! There are so many bead weaving stitches out there! I'm excited to see what things I can create with them.

My favourite stitch is definitely brick stitch. Do you have a favourite? If so, which is it?

Deliciously Light and Fluffy Scones!

The boyfriend and I decided to show you all how to make really tasty scones, perfect for an English afternoon tea, in today's video! I suppose it's only fair that I actually share the recipe with you ;)

Ingredients:

250g self raising flour
pinch of salt
50g caster sugar
50g chilled unsalted butter
1 medium egg
100ml (approx) buttermilk/whole milk

You'll also need a pastry cutter and a baking tray, either lined with baking paper or lightly greased.

Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7.

Whisk or sift together the flour, salt and caster sugar. Dice the butter into the dry mixture and rub it in, using the tips of your fingers. Once the mixture resembles small breadcrumbs, beat the egg and the milk together in a bowl and add it, a bit at a time, to the mixture. Using a round-bladed knife (or just a table knife...), mix in the liquid. When it's all combined, bring the dough together with your hands. On a floured work surface, and shape into a flat, but tall, shape. Try not to handle to dough too much to avoid heavy scones.

Cut out your scones, then place them on your baking tray. Pop them into the oven for 10-12 minutes, until they're a nice golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Sprinkle on sugar (if you want to) while they're still warm.

These can be eaten both cool and warm. Best served with a tonne of jam and clotted cream and a delicious pot of good-quality tea!

Crochet for Beginners: UK Treble Crochet TR (US Double Crochet DC)

Are you starting to see where the US and UK terminology cross over? It gets very confusing when you first start, but try to just stick to just UK or US patterns when you first start so you don't have to try and "translate" them at all :)

So here is my next video, the UK treble crochet or US double crochet! I have had some lovely feedback on my videos and already have some subscribers so thank you so much for your support! Don't forget that you can subscribe too so you don't miss out on any future videos.

Crochet for Beginners: UK Double Crochet DC (or US Single Crochet!)

So the second video that I uploaded to my YouTube channel demonstrates how to do the basic double crochet stitch! For those of you who aren't aware, US and UK crochet terms are different, annoyingly, so where I can, I will try to list the alternative term :)

Crochet for beginners: Chain Stitch Ch (and my venture into YouTube...)

So I have set up a YouTube channel... I don't know if this is going to be a success or useful to anyone, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway! My first videos are a series of how to do basic crochet stitches! There's going to be 3 videos posted a week, although that may severely cut down in the future. I sound really awkward on camera at the moment, but I'm hoping that the more I do it, the more used to it I'll become and the more relaxed I'll be :)

If you'd like to check out my channel, visit http://youtube.com/thecornerofcraft

Here's the first video! How to do the basic chain stitch: