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Giveaway: Simple Chic Knits: 35 Stylish Patterns to Knit in No Time

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Giveaway-Simple Chic Knits: 35 Stylish Patterns to Knit in No Time

Leave a comment in today’s post by Feb 19, 2016 and you are in the running for this beautiful new knitting book filled with a wide variety of patterns knit in some of the prettiest color combinations I have seen.

From the publisher:

35 beautifully simple designs to knit in natural yarns. Karen Miller and Susan Ritchie, of online yarn store Mrs. Moon, bring you stitch-by-stitch proof that it can be super-simple to create modern-casual knitted clothes, accessories, and homeware. There are quick-to-knit pieces that you can make in a day, through to more ambitious projects that will take longer, and will introduce novice knitters to techniques such as cables, colorwork, and chunky lace. From an easy-knit Sloppy Joe sweater that will become a favorite wardrobe staple to a brioche-stitch scarf that uses a beautifully simple stitch pattern, from a zigzag-stripe throw in delicious colors to a textured bolster, from a delightfully droopy bunny to a cute baby beanie, there are projects here for you, your home, and your family, whatever your level of knitting knowledge. Karen and Susan’s successful business and constant interaction with knitters of all levels of skill and all kinds of tastes, have given them a wonderful insight in to the types of projects knitters crave, and Simple Chic Knits is filled with items that will have fingers itching to knit.

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Comments

  46. I have recently begun knitting a blanket and thus became interested in knitting items for my home. The home knits are the most interesting to me, and also the ‘Sloppy Joe’ sweater.

  49. I fell in love with the afghan on the cover, and know that I’m going to love the rest of the patterns on the inside as well. Thank You for the great giveaway!! This should be a very useful book, that I’ll be referring to, time and again, for patterns!!

Have you read?

How to Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.