My dear Doublewinky asked me to do a bit of a tutorial for the boxes. So here's a start: The pattern: I have used the pictures from 'Diki' and they're not symmetrical, therefore my box is slightly off kilter. Doesn't bother me, but I redrew the pattern piece for you because I'm just like that. Here's the link to the pictures again. I must add that I tweaked them in Picasa a bit to brighten them up.
Finished!
Can you see that I have made two hinges in Buttonhole stitch?
Above: Crocheting through all loops. 
Base. Stitching through only three loops, leaving the outside (visible) loop free.
See it's a bit skewed because the pictures were not symmetrical. The pattern here is though.
These pattern pieses are on A4, so that when you print them out, they ought to come to the correct size (I haven't cropped the images).
Sew the base on.
Crochet all other 'seams'. - So, cut out two pictures for each pattern, outside and inside, and two pieces of plastic. I collaged the Lip piece from parts of the story. NOTE: The plastic I use is available at Officeworks. It's some kind of Project Cover stuff. I just had a look on the website but can't find it. Ask. It comes in packets of 25 or 100 I think. Stiffish plastic.
- Clamp them together and pop the holes all around... hmmm... maybe 8mm apart and into the edge... ish. With 3mm" hole puncher. Good luck finding a hole-punch. I've just ordered one from the old US of A and can't finish my Diki Box until it gets here (actually today I found one at Riot Art).
- Using a single crochet stitch, work 2-4 in each hole, depending on how thick your thread is. I usually do 3. Do all of the pieces. Tuck/sew in the ends.
- Do the same stitch to join the sides, taking in all of the loops. All right... look at this picture and you can see the edge of the crochet has a chain, yeah? On the sides, go through all 4 loops. Join the four sides together in the order you want them. Finish the ends in.
- Next, pin the base in position and HAND STITCH it on, using a Buttonhole (i.e. Blanket) stitch, leaving the outside loop free to make it prettier. Look at the detail photo and the diagram.
- Having already crocheted both edges of the Lip, pin it in position and crochet around the outside edge. It's a bit fiddly but you'll be right.
- Now, position the lid. It will only be joined in two sections (look at the pictures above). I did a Buttonhole stitch to join it, leaving the top-most loop free so you can crochet the Picot stitch around lid after it's sewn on, as in the bottom bit of the diagram.
- RIGHT, you're up to the finishing touch! I want to say that I avoided doing these boxes etc. for ages because I thought it was hard and I didn't know how to do Picot... but it's EASY!!! Youtube is a beautiful thing! Here is a link to Picot stitch, however, I tend to do it a little differently so I'll have a hunt... this is fine though don't worry...
- So... work a row of Picot around the whole of the lid. Start at the back somewhere, maybe on a corner, and when you come to the hinges, work into the top loop that you have left.
CAUTION: Originally I messed up the lid!! I had the pictures the same way up... I'd crocheted around it and everything, then realised (as I prepared to put it on) that when you lift the lid up, the inside picture would be up the wrong way. OUCH! - Now, go and buy yourself a beautifully scented soap and put it in your box with all of your inherited handkerchiefs or special treasures. I've put mine away for a few weeks because I can't see its beauty at the moment. Familiarity and all that. But I am happy.
- xxx
- Oh, and I want photo's of yours please.
P.S. Let me know if something is not clear, huh?
13 comments:
Wow, just love it!!
that is fantastic..i just look on and enjoy just love it happy week
What a find!
I love these boxes and the few that I have sit proudly in my studio keeping all manner of sewing paraphenalia safely stored under their lids.
I have often wondered how they were made and now I know will give it a go myself - thankyou so much for sharing!
Thank you for this very fine tutorial. From a Flickr contact - Birthine
So glad to have found this tutorial and the wonderful makes on your blog!
I have linked this post to one of mine here http://jeanieb-makeitup.blogspot.com/
with photos of the box I made ..
Thankyou!
Hi there, I've been looking for these boxes for ages and wanted to make some. Can you tell me what sort of punch you used to do the holes, and did you use acetate to cover the cards. Any held would be much appreciated, thank you. Sue
Hello there....!!
Are you in Melbourne perhaps....I'd LOVE to get together with you for a lesson....I'm afraid I'm no good with diagrams....Perhaps we could do a swap....A lesson for some Treasure you're in need of....??
Hope you're having a WONDERFUL week....!
Cheers,
Tamarah :o)
If I could point to where to buy hole punches that work, I'd have a class. That's the problem. They used to make them and sell through Spotlight etc, but now they're too weak and fall apart (collapse). It's a real problem. I have so much more to do... I'll get onto it again, and try. I bought one from the States, but it's painful to use. Truthfully painful.
Hmmm... What to do?
Exquisite! I've been eyeing this post for several months now and I wanted to share with you the box I made for my friend. I've posted it on Craftster at this link:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=378078.0
I linked to your tutorial, of course. Thanks for this. I'll definitely be making more!
Oh my goodness, I have been googling these boxes over the years to no avail! I remember my friends mum had one when I was a kid and I was fascinated by it. Enter adulthood, google, and the thought 'I could make that!' only I have NEVER been able to find it by typing in searches like 'card box thingy' etc hehehe THANK YOU!!! I am going to make one with cards that have been given to me over the years but I haven't wanted to part with, how strange to find this tutorial randomly on a crochet pinterest board and you live in Victoria, Australia as do I! So funny! :)
Great work and great tutorial! Thank you very much!!! :)
Thanks for this tutorial! My daughter and I had a go with some cardstock we had and because we had no plastic used a laminator. We used only one sheet of card for the sides which seemed OK but two for the lid and base for more strength. We can't crochet :( so used blanket stitch (no holes punched just used the needle) and with the laminated edge it ended up a bit like a picot stitch. Not as pro or beautiful as yours but cute enough for a couple of craft noobs!
Go Noobs! And thanks for showing me! Good to see your daughter's one of us too! xx
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