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Wonder Knitter
What is it? – As children, most of us can remember having an old wooden spool with four rounded metal pegs protruding from one end. By threading yarn up through the center and then wrapping the yarn around the pegs we could maneuver bottom loops over top loops. As a result we were able to form some very cool woven strands or, as known to some, i-cords. The resulting knitted braids, or i-cords, were very attractive and actually had many applications. These cords were used as fashion accessories and embellishments,…
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Mini Beading Loom
What is it? – As children, many of us went to scout camp or attended other summer activities where beading was a staple activity. It was fun, fast, creative and we were left with something that was uniquely ours. Unknowingly that was our introduction to an art form that was thousands of years old. From the earliest of times our ancestors were accessorizing their clothes, their tools and even themselves with beads. They were worn, traded and valued by the owner. Happily bead weaving is alive and well today and…
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Easter Felted Pincushion
Designed by Jennifer Greenwald Easter is a few days away and we, at Clover, used our felting tools and Create-a-Pincushion to make an Easter themed pincushion. Learn about our tools and how this project came about.
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Felting
What is it? – Needle felting is an age old art form that has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity and is being enthusiastically embraced by an increasingly wide spectrum of creative expression. Art, jewelry, fashion embellishment, home decor, toys . . . it does them all. Needle felting techniques are applied globally but are adapted locally in the expression of unique traditions, cultures or other expressive preferences. In its most basic form the process of felting employs a felting needle to interlock carded wool or synthetic fibers into a more…
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Tool School: Felting Tools
By Steve Butler What is it? – Needle felting is an age old art form that has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity and is being enthusiastically embraced by an increasingly wide spectrum of creative expression.
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New to January 2016
What is it? – It’s the new stuff. No one ever asks us if Clover has any new products. People just ask, “What’s new?” That’s because everyone knows that the creative folks at Clover are always developing something new. Where do we get the ideas? From you of course. And sometimes designers, educators or authors. But mainly you. Some of these new sewing and knitting tools can take several months to design and develop while others are completed more quickly. Regardless of the time required, however, there’s always an intriguing…
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Needle Felted Tree Ornaments
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Quick Yo-Yo Maker
What is it? – Chances are either you or someone you know has a box full of fabric yo-yo’s under the bed or in a closet. And chances are either you made them or they were given to you by your grandmother or an aunt. It’s surprising how many people tell the same story. But why do so many people make fabric yo-yo’s? The answer is actually very simple. It’s FUN! Sit down in a comfy chair, grab a handful of fabric scraps and get your creativity flowing. Colors, patterns,…
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Kanzashi Flower Maker
What is it? – How do you make a Kanzashi flower? First you get some fabric that’s cut into perfect squares, a lighter, a hot glue gun, pair of sharp scissors and a couple of hair pins to hold the individual pieces together. Then you fold each one of those perfect fabric squares in what is nothing less than an origami obstacle course. Each of those pieces now have to be trimmed individually for shape and by the way, they all have to be identical when you’re done. The…
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Clover Vision
What is it? – Time. Space. Cash flow. Rare commodities. One of the most important functions of any shop owner is to select and maintain a profitable product line. Knitting, sewing and, crafts there are thousands of variations and combinations for store owners. You only have so much floor space, shelf space, counter space and wall space. Every inch must be maximized for sales. So what is the solution? Clover Vision. Working with sewing and knitting luminaries, current and former shop owners and our own staff of experts, Clover has…
