This is a pattern that I have had on my to-do list for a few years. It has been requested many times so it's about time I got it completed. I know absolutely nothing about knitting. I remember seeing my wife's grandmother knitting but that's about the extent of my knowledge.
What I do know is that several readers have shown me yarn boxes and ask if I had a pattern for one. Now I can say yes I do.
The yarn box needs some weight so it won't move around but I thought 3/4" thick wood looked too thick. I chose to make the box from 1/2" soft maple. The ornamental birds and the lid retainer are 1/4" thick.
I am using hand-cut finger joints to assemble the box. I'll discuss the joints below.
This project lends itself to personalization. Cutting the owners name or personal ornamentation in place of the birds will really make it a special gift. You could also just skip the ornamentation completely if you like.
Here is my signature coin on the bottom of the box. I know this is self-serving but these personalized signature coins really add a nice touch to your finished projects. I would be happy to make a set for you. Just click this link to order one of four different designs. For just over $1 a coin you can add your signature to that special project.
You can cut fairly accurate finger joints with the scroll saw. When you cut the notches for the finger cut just to the outside of the line, trying to remove half of the line.
Cut both sides of the notch but do not turn the corner. Cut to the bottom of the notch and back the blade out.
We will now make a relief cut into one of the corners. This will give us room to start the blade straight across the bottom of the notch.
Place the blade in the corner and cut to the other line. This technique will give the nice sharp corners and a flat bottom.
I normally cit all the notches first trying to cut each one the same way.
Now it's time to cut the fingers. On the notch, we cut just slightly outside and on the line. For the finger, we will split the pattern line right down the middle. If you want to get a tighter fit then cut these cuts outside the line also. You may have to do some adjustment cuts if you get the fit too tight.
Using the technique above I got an accurate fit.
When you are cutting finger joints you want the fingers to be just a bit long. You will sand the fingers flush after glue up. If the fingers are short you will have more sanding to do. You can see that one side of my fingers was a little short. It was close though.
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever.
Products for your consideration:
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD
This DVD has over 2,600 patterns published from 2007 thru 2018.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
If you use the DVD on a Windows PC there is a simple viewer program to browse through the patterns.
The DVD also works fine on a MAC. The viewer program is not MAC compatible but there is an included PDF with all the patterns shown as thumbnails for easy viewing.
Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.
The DVD is $10 plus shipping. This is a data DVD that you will use on your computer to watch the video tutorial
Want to create beautiful wooden vases on the scroll saw?
My two "Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw" books make it easy.
The books are $12 each and available for instant download after purchase. Click for Video Demonstration.
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