| How to Paint Stucco Posted: 15 Jan 2022 12:00 AM PST If you want your home to be the envy of the neighborhood, few exterior finishes stand out quite like painted stucco. The unique texture of stucco combined with the uniform finish of your paint is sure to raise some eyebrows. Unfortunately, stucco tends to absorb and hold on to moisture, and it needs time to breathe and dry out after heavy rains. This means that you're probably better off leaving your stucco unpainted if you live in an area with a lot of precipitation, since paint can make it even harder for stucco to dry out. Just keep that in mind before you start breaking out the painting supplies! [Edit]Can you paint stucco? - Yes, but make sure you don't have moisture problems first. The biggest problem with stucco is that it doesn't breathe very well, so it tends to break down over time as it absorbs more and more water. Before you go ahead with painting, wait for it to rain. Then, 24-48 hours after it rains, inspect your stucco. If you see any darker patches, that's water in your wall that still hasn't dried out yet. It's not a good idea to paint stucco if it's already struggling to release moisture.[1]
- A lot of professional contractors believe that painting stucco will make moisture-related problems worse over time, since another layer of material on top of the stucco can lock water in for longer.[2]
- Painting your stucco is more likely to be a good idea if you live in a hot, dry area. If you live in a more temperate climate with frequent rain, this is not a recommended route.
[Edit]How do I repair cracks before painting? - Use masonry caulk to fill in cracks smaller than . For really minor cracks and gaps, buy a tube of masonry caulk. Insert it into your caulk gun and clip the tip off with a pair of scissors. Apply a bead of the masonry caulk over the crack, and smooth it over with a gloved finger (you don't need to press hard). Wait at least 24 hours before doing anything else.[3]
- It's natural for a crack or two to develop over time, but if you've got dozens of cracks to fill, it may be time to replace your stucco and you probably shouldn't paint it.[4]
- Fill larger cracks with a patching compound and wait for it to dry. If you have some smaller chunks missing, chip away any loose material around the area with a putty knife. Then, rinse the area with water and use a wire brush to clean away any dust. Use a putty knife to mix a stucco patching compound with water until it's a thick paste. Scoop a chunk of compound up in your putty knife and rub it into the gap you're repairing. Drag your putty knife back and forth over the compound in random directions to replicate the texture of stucco. Keep adding and spreading more compound to the area until it matches the wall around it. Wait for the compound to fully cure.[5]
- This is strictly for small damaged areas that were hit with an object, or bumped against one too many times. If you have big sections of stucco just falling out on their own though, it's time to hire a stucco specialist to redo your exterior.
[Edit]Should I clean stucco before painting? - Yes, start by pressure washing the stucco if it's especially dirty. If your wall is exceptionally dirty, power wash it first. Set your pressure washer to the lowest pressure setting and use a wide-spray tip. Spray down each section of the stucco to remove any dust, dirt, and debris. Keep the wand moving to avoid putting too much pressure in any one location. Wait for the stucco to dry out completely[6]
- If you use a higher pressure setting or a thinner nozzle, you may damage the stucco. You may also damage the stucco if just hold the wand in one spot for too long.
- If you see any chalky, white dust on the stucco, that's efflorescence. Scrub all of that stuff off with a wire brush or mix a masonry soap into your pressure washer's tank before using it. If you paint over efflorescence, it's going to reappear over time.[7]
- Finish with a stiff brush or broom to clean the wall thoroughly. Grab a large, stiff brush or broom. Working in sections, brush the surface of the stucco to remove any dust or dirt that's built up in the texture of the wall. Cover each section in a combination of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal strokes to ensure you brush the wall from every angle. If your wall extends up to a second floor, use a ladder to get up there and enlist help to hold it steady from the ground while you work.
[Edit]Do I need to prime stucco before painting? - Yes, use a high-quality acrylic masonry primer to help you paint. Do not skimp out by buying the cheap stuff. Stucco's texture makes it hard to fully cover with paint, so take your time priming. Use a synthetic brush to coat the trim in a thick layer of primer. Then, use a large-napped roller to coat the wall by working in vertical strokes. Cover each layer multiple times and drag the roller slowly to ensure that you fully cover every bit of the stucco.
- If the stucco surrounds any windows, doors, gutters, or porches, tape off any areas you want to keep dry and lay down a drop cloth before you get to work.
- It may help to get an extension rod for your roller if part of your stucco extends up to a second floor.
[Edit]What kind of paint do you use on stucco? - Go for high-quality, 100% exterior acrylic paint. Look at your paint here as investment, not an expense. High quality paint is extremely important for stucco. Regardless of how you plan on applying it, purchase a high-end exterior acrylic paint in the color of your choice.[8]
- Use flat acrylic if you want the stucco's texture to stand out, or satin acrylic to give the surface a bit of shine.[9]
- You don't need any special kind of "stucco" paint if you're curious. Regular exterior acrylic should be fine. Just don't go cheap!
- If you have stucco indoors, you can use interior acrylic. Unless you installed the stucco yourself though, it's extremely unlikely that indoor textured wall is actually stucco. The odds are much higher that it's drywall compound.[10]
[Edit]Is it better to spray or roll paint on stucco? - A roller is probably easier for smaller surfaces. If you're just painting a single wall or your home is only one story, it's probably easier to just roll the paint on. Use a synthetic brush to paint the trim, and a thick-nap roller to cover the wider sections. It may take 2 coats to fully cover the surface and achieve a uniform look. Wait at least 24 hours between coats if you necessary.[11]
- You really don't want to use a brush for the entire job. It's just going to take forever and it will be really hard to cover the wall entirely.
- Use a sprayer for larger walls and "backroll" it. For larger walls, buy or rent a paint sprayer. Use a wide nozzle setting and cover each wall using long, vertical strokes. Once you've covered a roughly section with your sprayer, set it down and grab a thick-nap roller. Roll over the section you've just painted to smooth the paint out and spread it around. Keep working like this until you've covered the entire wall in paint.[12]
- You can cut the trim with a synthetic brush if you'd like, or lay down a drop cloth on the floor and hold flat lengths of cardboard against edges you want to keep dry while you paint.
- Cover each area you've painted with a second coat of random strokes after you backroll it. This sounds weird, but stucco has a bunch of different little angles in the texture, so pick the sprayer back up and just sort of randomly spray around the wall in a bunch of different directions. This will fill in any minor spots you missed.[13]
[Edit]How long does painted stucco last? - It really depends on the weather and the quality of your paint. The paint is very unlikely to fade or chip, so the main thing you want to look out for is water damage. If it ever rains and you spot a leak, or moisture starts sweating through your drywall, the paint is locking in too much moisture. If this happens, you need to hire a contractor to remove the stucco, repair the problem, and reapply it. If this happens, you'll need to paint the stucco again.[14]
- This is the main reason most people don't paint stucco outside of hot and dry areas. It can be extremely expensive to repair this kind of issue, and the repaired stucco may not match the rest of your home all that well.
- If you know the brand of stucco that was used on your home, contact the manufacturer to see if there is an ideal type of paint to use based on how they design their product.[15]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Color Resin for Jewelry Posted: 14 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST There are lots of different ways to color resin, so you're bound to find a method that creates just the effect you're looking for. In this article, we'll walk you through the coloring options so you can pick the right one for your project, and we'll teach you how to mix a batch of colored resin. Whenever you work with resin, make sure to wear goggles, a mask, and gloves to protect yourself from the fumes and chemicals. [Edit]Color Options - Use epoxy resin pigments for solid, vibrant, easy-to-mix colors. This type of dye is formulated specifically for use with epoxy resin only (the most common type of resin for jewelry-making). You can mix batches quickly and get a beautifully bright result.[1]
- Find a variety of colors online or at your local craft store.
- It's hard to say exactly how much pigment to add to how much resin because there's no set formula for achieving certain shades or colors. Your best bet is to practice adding a small amount (a single drop or a similarly-sized amount of powdered pigment) to resin and adding more until you get the right shade.[2]
- Create an opaque, matte effect with powdered color pigments. This is a budget-friendly option since you need a super tiny amount of pigment to color a batch of resin. You might also see this powder marketed as "mica powder."[3] Pigment powder works well with epoxy resin, and you can use it with UV resin, too.[4]
- A resin expert recommends making a "stock solution" with powdered pigments: take a small amount of resin and add the powdered pigment to it. Stir it up so it's completely dissolved. Then, add that small batch back into the rest of the resin and mix it up. It's easier to dissolve the powder this way.[5]
- While you should always wear a mask when working with resin, it's especially important when using a powdered pigment—you don't want to inhale any of the powder.
- Make vividly-bright pieces of jewelry with high-quality airbrush paint. If you decide to use airbrush paint, don't skimp on quality for a less-expensive product. Quality paints have a higher color concentration, which is especially important for resin jewelry. Airbrush paint works best with epoxy resin.[6]
- A great rule to follow is to add 1 part paint to every 10 parts resin.[7]
- Add highly-pigmented alcohol ink to pieces that won't be worn often. Alcohol ink isn't very light-resistant, so it's not great for jewelry that will be worn frequently and get a lot of UV exposure. But, it can create a gorgeous piece that you save for special occasions. Plus, it takes just 2-3 drops of ink to color resin with bright, vibrant shades.[8] This method works well with epoxy resin.[9]
- Make sure you're wearing gloves while you use alcohol ink! It will absolutely stain your hands and anything else it gets on.
- Opt for luminous pigments to create cool glow-in-the-dark jewelry. These are also marketed as "glow powders." The shades normally look pretty opaque in the daytime but then glow bright when it gets dark.[10] These types of pigments work with all kinds of resin, though epoxy is generally the best for jewelry.[11]
- Your best bet to find this type of pigment is online. Some craft stores might carry it, but call ahead to check that it'll be in stock.
- Mix 1 part pigment to 10 parts resin to start, and add more if you want a deeper color. Adding too much pigment can make your resin clumpy.[12]
- Mix glitter powder with resin to create jewelry that sparkles. Glitter doesn't color the resin by itself, but you can combine it with a coloring option. For evenly-distributed sparkles, opt for super-fine glitter. Use larger pieces of glitter for a more exaggerated effect. Or, carefully place individual pieces of glitter to create a specific pattern. Glitter works with all kinds of resin.[13]
- Since making jewelry is an art, the best way to find out what works best is to experiment. You'll get different effects from simple adjustments to ratios and kinds of color.
- With glitter, you can add as much as you want, as long as its total volume doesn't make up more than 6% of the mixed resin. Adding too much will mess up the finish.[14]
[Edit]The Jewelry-Making Process - Gather all your materials so you don't have to stop mid-project. Resin hardens and cures very quickly, so you won't have a ton of time to mix colors and grab equipment once you start working. Here are some things you might want to have nearby:[15]
- Molds
- Resin and hardener
- Coloring options
- Disposable cups and spoons
- Toothpicks
- Lay down a plastic sheet to protect your workstation. Resin and dyes can make a big mess! Take a moment to spread a sheet over the area where you'll be working to keep it safe.[16]
- Foil or cardboard also works well to protect your workspace.[17]
- Keep yourself safe by wearing goggles, a mask, and gloves. You don't want to breathe in the fumes from the resin, and you don't want to risk something splashing in your eyes. You might feel like you look a little silly all geared up, but it's better to be safe than sorry.[18]
- By gloves, we mean rubber or disposable gloves, not the kind you wear in the winter.
- Mix the resin and hardener according to the instructions. Some products have a 1:1 ratio, while others have a 2:1 ratio, and others might have something slightly different.[19]
- Using the wrong proportions creates a resin that is either sticky or too soft.[20]
- Test your coloring option on a small amount of resin. Pour a little bit of resin into a disposable cup or paper plate, then mix in a tiny amount of the color you want to use. Stir them together, and check that the effect is what you want. This step can save you a lot of time and frustration![21]
- This can be especially helpful if you're not sure of the color of a particular pigment or if you want to try mixing multiple colors.
- Mix a batch of colored resin, adding a single drop of color at a time. The key is to mix each drop in thoroughly before adding another to get the perfect shade.[22]
- Check out the last section of this article for techniques on making different patterns in your jewelry.
- Make as many batches of colored resin as you need. Use a separate disposable cup for each color. Follow the drop-at-a-time mixing process and combine the elements with a toothpick or small wooden stick.[23]
- Remember to use a new toothpick for each color.
- Pour and cure your resin molds to create beautiful pieces of jewelry. Use multiple colors of resin to create lovely swirls and designs, or create stunning minimalistic pieces out of stand-alone shades. Always consult the resin instructions to confirm how long the resin needs to cure.[24]
- If you're not using silicone molds, spray them with a mold-release product. With it, your jewelry will pop right out of the container once it has cured.[25]
- It usually takes 24 hours before a piece is cured.
- Consider covering your molds with a domed lid while they cure to protect them from dust.[26]
[Edit]Fun Patterns - Create a beautiful marbled effect by swirling multiple colors. For this pattern, use clear resin and colored resins. Let the clear resin sit for 10-15 minutes until it has a syrup-like consistency. Pour a layer of clear resin into a mold, then add various-sized drops of colored resin. Use a toothpick to swirl the colors together for the marbled look.[27]
- The syrup-like consistency is very important! If the clear resin is really thin, the colored resin will bleed into it and won't retain any shape.
- Make a fun cloud effect by dripping color directly into clear resin. For this method, you need clear resin and colored resins. Pour a layer of clear resin into a mold, then add multiple drops of colored resin. Use several different colors so the effect is really visible.[28]
- For example, use white resin and 2 shades of blue resin to create a realistic-looking cloud in your jewelry.
- Or, use different colors for a more vibrant, eclectic approach.
- Work in layers to create a stunning camouflage pattern. Mix 2-3 colors for the first layer, and choose a single color for the second layer. For the first layer, add multiple drops and streaks of color to the mold, leaving some space uncovered. Let that layer cure, then add the second layer of a contrasting color to finish the piece. For example:[29]
- Use black, brown, and white on the first layer to make the drops and streaks.
- Try not to let the first layer completely cover the bottom of the mold.
- Use green resin for the second layer after the first one cures. It'll look lovely peeking through the other colors and will give your piece that traditional camouflage look.
- In general, the amount of pigment you use shouldn't make up more than 2%-6% of the total volume of epoxy. Try using a digital scale as you mix to keep track of the amounts you're using.[30]
- Avoid using coloring options that contain water. Water won't mix well with the resin.[31]
- Steer clear of coloring options like acrylic paint, watercolors, oil paint, and food coloring. They tend not to mix well with resin, and the result might not be what you hoped for.[32]
- If you notice a lot of air bubbles in the resin after you pour it into the molds, lightly run a blow-dryer over it. This should get rid of the bubbles.[33]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Mixing Resin and Color - Molds
- Mold release
- Resin
- Hardener
- Coloring options
- Disposable cups and spoons
- Toothpicks
- Domed lid
- Plastic sheet
- Goggles
- Mask
- Gloves
[Edit]References |
| How to Wear a Scrunchie Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST You might have seen your fav celeb or social media influencer rocking a scrunchie in their hair. The fun colors, the silky material, and the interesting patterns all make for cool accessories to any outfit! If you've got a scrunchie you want to wear, try adding it to different looks and styles for a fun way to pull your hair up. [Edit]High Ponytail - Throw it back to the 80s with this fun and flirty look. Use your hands to pull all of your hair up to the crown of your head, then secure your ponytail with a scrunchie.[1]
- This style works great with a summery outfit, like a crop top and a skirt.
- Or, you can use it to spice up a winter look, like a fall sweater and a plaid skirt.
[Edit]Messy Bun - This everyday hairstyle can be worn almost anywhere. Pull your hair up into a ponytail, then wrap your scrunchie around it twice. Pull your ponytail through the scrunchie one more time, but stop about halfway through for a simple messy bun.[2]
- If you have pretty thick or long hair, a scrunchie might not be tight enough to hold your bun in place. Try using a normal hair tie first, then add a scrunchie on top.
- For an even messier look, try pulling a few flyaways down near your face.
- You can secure your bun with bobby pins if it feels too loose.
[Edit]Half-up - You can wear this sweet look out to brunch. Start pulling the hair from the top of your ears upwards into a ponytail. Wrap the scrunchie tightly around your hair to keep your half-up look in place all day long.[3]
- This style looks super cute with scrunchies that have a ribbon attached to them!
- Try pairing this hairstyle with a flowy dress or a maxi skirt.
[Edit]Low Ponytail - Keep your hair out of your face while still looking cute. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and secure your scrunchie around your ponytail. Pull out a few face-framing layers to make this style a bit sweeter.[4]
- You can let your ponytail trail down your back or pull it over one shoulder.
- Try pairing this look with a cozy sweater or a cardigan.
[Edit]Slick Bun - This high-fashion look is sure to turn heads. Brush your hair back into a low bun and secure it with bobby pins. Wrap a scrunchie around the bun for a fun pop of color.[5]
- If you have curly hair, don't worry about brushing it! Instead, add a thin layer of hairspray or gel to keep your flyaways in place.
- This is the perfect style to wear with a more designer outfit, like an oversized pantsuit or a flashy dress.
- Try using a large scrunchie with lots of material for a show-stopping accessory.
[Edit]Pigtails - Complete a nostalgic outfit with this hairstyle. Split your hair down the middle and pull a scrunchie over each pigtail.[6]
- This is a fun way to complement a whimsical outfit like overalls or a jumpsuit.
- You can match both of your scrunchies for a more cohesive look, or you can try mixing and matching colors or patterns!
[Edit]Classic Braid - This simple style goes well with almost any outfit. Brush your hair out and split it into 3 even sections. Do a classic braid by crossing over the right side, then the left side, then the right side again, alternating all the way down. Secure your braid with a scrunchie to keep it in place.[7]
- You can pull your hair to the side to show off your braid, or you can leave it trailing down your back to get it out of the way.
- This style works best with a smaller, thinner scrunchie so it actually stays in place at the end of your hair.
[Edit]Bubble Ponytail - A twist on the classic ponytail is sure to spice up your look. Pull your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a scrunchie. Add 2 to 3 more scrunchies down the length of your ponytail for a multi-colored rainbow of accessories![8]
- This look isn't for the faint of heart—you'll definitely turn some heads in this one.
- Try using this style to dress up a plain or monochromatic outfit.
[Edit]Space Buns - Add some feminine fun to any look. Split your hair down the middle and pull each side up into a bun at the nape of your neck. Secure your buns with a scrunchie to keep them in place all day.[9]
- You can try low space buns for a more chic and sophisticated look, or put the space buns high on the crown of your head for a more modern style.
[Edit]Bracelet - Scrunchies can be an alternative form of jewelry, too! Wrap your scrunchie around your wrist as a fun pop of color to save it for later.[10]
- For an extra bit of whimsy, try matching the color of your scrunchie to your top.
- If you're looking for a way to carry extra scrunchies around, try wrapping them around your water bottle.
[Edit]Bright Scrunchies - You can draw attention to your scrunchie with a fun color. Neons, patterns, and bold solid colors all look great on any color and type of hair.[11]
- This is a great way to add a pop of color to a monochromatic or plain outfit.
[Edit]Pastel or Neutral Scrunchies - Blend your accessory into your outfit with a more muted color. Baby pinks, blues, and earth tones won't pop against your hair, so they'll fit seamlessly with any look.[12]
- You can use scrunchies like this with almost any outfit, so they're super versatile.
- You could even look for a scrunchie that matches your hair color if you really want it to blend in.
- Start out with smaller, thinner scrunchies and work your way up to larger, thicker ones.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Write a Professional Email Posted: 14 Jan 2022 12:00 AM PST Email is an important part of business communication, so it's critical to get it right. While emails aren't usually as formal as letters, they should still be professional and present a good image of you and your business, community, or position. Follow the steps in this tutorial to create business emails that are true to etiquette and ensure professionalism. [Edit]Addressing the Email - Address your email. Type the email address of your recipient into the To field. Use the To field if you want to email contacts while encouraging their response.[1]
- This field is for people that the message directly affects. If you are expecting someone to do something in reaction to your email, they should be in the To field.
- It's a good idea to include all of the people in your To field in the opening line of your email. This way, you engage everyone in the conversation from the start and inform everyone of who else is involved in the conversation.
- If you have included more than four people in the To field, address the group as a whole by starting your email with something like, "Hi Team, or "Good Morning All,"
- The To field can be used for as many addresses as you'd like. Remember, everyone who is directly involved and needs to take action should be included in the To field.
- Use the Cc field (optional). The Cc (or Carbon Copy) field is used as a way to keep others "in the loop" without an obligation or requirement to reply or take action on the matter.[2] Think of the Cc field as an FYI to distribute relevant information or updates to a number of associates who need only look through them. To add addresses to the Cc field, simply click on the Cc field and type as many addresses inside as you'd like.
- When Cc-ing multiple associates, each recipient will have access to the list of email Cc's.
- Use the Bcc field (optional). The main purpose of the Bcc field is to send an email to a group of contacts that don't know each other. The Bcc field (Blind Carbon Copy)[3] allows you to send a message to several contacts without them knowing who else got the message. To add addresses to the Bcc field, just click on the field and type in each email you need to include.
- Use the Bcc field to send an email to multiple associates who don't know each other. This protects the privacy of each recipient by keeping the list of recipients visible only to the sender and not to each recipient.
- Use the Bcc field when sending an e-mail to hundreds of people.
- Your contacts will be able to see anyone who the email was sent to in the To or Cc fields but not in the Bcc field.[4]
- Respond to an email Cc. If you are included in a Cc email, you are likely part of a handful of other associates all included in the conversation as well, and the sender may not be looking for or expecting a reply from any of you. If you do need to reply, think about the nature of your response and who it applies to. You can chose to "Reply to Sender" if you just have a note for the original writer of the email, or you can "Reply to All" only if the information is relevant to all involved in the conversation.
- Only when your comments are important to the entire group would you use the "Reply to All" field.
- Be careful when choosing to reply to all recipients on the email. You should avoid flooding other people's inboxes with irrelevant information whenever possible.[5]
- Respond to an email Bcc. If you have been included on an email Bcc you will only have the option to reply to the sender of the email and will be unable to see the list of other recipients who also received a Bcc. Simply click on the Reply button to compose an email to the sender.
- Use a short and accurate subject header. Use as few words as possible to describe the topic or nature of your email. Rather than filling the subject with one or two vague terms, let the recipient know up front what they can expect from your email. Otherwise, it might fail to make the impact that it's supposed to. Be as specific as possible when supplying a subject for the email without becoming overly wordy.[6] Try things like:
- "Leadership Meeting Update"
- "Issue Regarding Lunch Breaks"
- "Meeting Overview for March 12th"
[Edit]Composing the Email - Stick to a standard structure. When approaching a professional email, it's important to keep it clean, short, and clear. Say what needs to be said and keep it at that. You can develop your own structure that works best for you. Here is a basic structure to consider:
- Your greeting
- A pleasantry
- Your purpose
- A call to action
- A closing message
- Your signature
- Write your greeting.[7] To keep things professional and sophisticated, always open your email with a formal greeting, like "Dear Mr. Lu". Depending on your relationship with the recipient, you can address them as expected, either with their entire name and title, or just their first name. If you're not on a first name basis with the person, stick with their last name to avoid potentially offending them.
 - If your relationship is very casual, you can even say, "Hi Gabe". In most cases, it's perfectly fine to open with a simple "Dear Marie." If the nature of your correspondence calls for something a little more formal, it's safest to use the recipient's name alone as the greeting to keep things short and sweet.[8]
- If you don't know the name of the recipient, you can use: "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam".
- If you are composing an email to a group of recipients who you have included in the To field and require a response from, greet them as a group (if the number of recipients is four or greater) or include each of their names in the greeting.
- If you are sending an email with Cc's, simply address the group as a whole if you have a great number of recipients, otherwise include each recipient's name in the greeting.
- If you are sending an email with BCC's, address the group as a whole by opening with something like, "Hi all".
- If you are emailing someone for the first time, keep introductions brief and let them know who you are in one sentence. For example: "It was great to meet you at [X event]."
- If you are not sure if an introduction is necessary and you've contacted the recipient before, but you're not sure if they remember you, you can leave your credentials in your email signature.
- Identify yourself right away. Stating your name and formal title or position will help the recipient tell who the message is from without the need for guesswork. This is especially important if you're writing to someone you've never met. Even if your name is contained in your work email address, letting the other person know who you are is a common courtesy.[9]
- Pique your recipient's interest by highlighting a common connection or shared experience ("We met at the annual Women as Leaders conference in Toronto last year").[10]
- It's alright to skip the introduction if you're already acquainted with the person you're writing.
- Thank the recipient briefly. Your reader is a busy person, so acknowledging them for taking the time to read your email is a gracious gesture. Additionally, this will be your first opportunity to inform them of your reason for writing. "Thank you for considering my research grant proposal" sets a friendly tone while telling the recipient what they need to know.[11]
- Beginning an email by expressing your appreciation also demonstrates respect, which can keep the message from coming across as cold or impersonal.
- State the reason for your email. If you are initiating the line of communication, you are responsible for telling your recipients what the email is regarding. It is important to state your purpose early. Business associates will want to be able to read your email quickly and get to the point. Take a minute to ask yourself why you are writing it and why you need your recipient to see it. This will help you avoid idle chitchat and cut right to the chase for a more professional email. This is also a good time to ask yourself: "Is this email really necessary?" Again, only sending emails that are absolutely necessary shows respect for the person you're emailing. Once you are ready to compose your email, try starting with something like:
- "I am writing to inquire about …"
- "I am writing in reference to …"
- "Please take the time to look over these changes and offer me your feedback..."
- Thank the recipient (optional). If you are replying to a client's inquiry, or if someone has replied to one of your emails, you should begin with a line of thanks.[12] For example:
- "Thank you for getting back to me..."
- "Thank you for your attention on this matter..."
- "Thank you for contacting Ocean Safari Scuba..."
- Thanking the reader is a great way to remain polite, professional, and on good terms with your recipient.
- Keep the body of your email brief. With business emails, the less you include the better. Make each email you send out just about one thing. If you need to communicate about another project, compose another email.
- Try communicating everything you need to in just five sentences. Say everything you need to say, and no more. Sometimes it will be impossible to limit your email to just five sentences. Don't worry if you need to include more information.
- In the body of your email, include all relevant information and anything you may require from your recipients.
- Include a call to action (optional). If you need your recipient to do something, don't just assume they will know what to do or when. Help them out by clearly outline what you need. Say something like:
- "Could you send me those files by Thursday?"
- "Could you write that up in the next two weeks?"
- "Please write to Thomas about this, and let me know when you've done so."
- Structuring your request as a question encourages a reply. You can say, "Let me know when you have done that."
- Tell the recipient how you expect them to follow up. Now that you've offered a call to action, give your reader a nudge in the right direction. A request to look over a financial report, for instance, might be accompanied by an entreaty like "let me know what you think of these numbers." That way, the other party won't be left wondering what to do with the information they've been given.[13]
- Offering a definite time frame in which you'd like to hear back ("it would be ideal if we could have these documents organized before the meeting on Thursday") may ensure a swifter response.
- Try to reply to important emails within 24 hours.[14]
- Add your closing. To keep your emails professional, end your email with another thank you to your reader or a formal goodbye such as:
- "Thank you for your patience and cooperation"
- "Thank you for your consideration"
- "If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to let me know"
- "I look forward to hearing from you"
- End your email with a proper closing before your name, like "Best regards" or "Sincerely"
- Avoid casual closings like "Cheers" unless you are good friends with the reader, as these types of closings are less professional.
- Sign your name. In a professional email, your signature should include the following:[15]
- Your name.
- Your job title.
- A link to your website.
- Links to social media accounts (optional).
- Necessary contact information.
- Sign off with a custom signature. The signature at the bottom of the email should offer the recipient all the information they need about who you are so that there's no need to introduce yourself at length within the message. Be sure to include your full name, the name of your company, your title or position, your preferred email address and a phone number at which you can be reached directly.
- To save yourself some trouble, save your custom signature in whatever email platform you use so that it will be displayed automatically in future messages.[16]
- Providing links to your social media accounts will give unfamiliar contacts a more complete picture of you.[17]
- Don't bog down your signature with unnecessary details, quotes or graphics.[18]
[Edit]Delivering Email Professionality - Maintain a professional tone. When sending business emails, it's important to be especially mindful of the language you employ to avoid confusion or misinterpretation. In general, you shouldn't say anything in an email to your boss or coworkers that you wouldn't say to them in person. Your words should always be calm, polite and congenial, even in situations where you don't feel that way yourself.[19]
- Once you've written your email, read it back to yourself to determine whether you've captured the right tone.
- Though it should go without saying, refrain from using any type of slang or profanity.
- While humor is often a valuable quality in the workplace, work-related emails are usually not the right vehicle for it.[20]
- Present the most important information first. As previously mentioned, you should assume that your recipient has a lot on their plate and make an effort not to take up too much of their time. After thanking them for their attention, get straight to the point. Don't mince words or feel the need to come up with an overly detailed introduction. Unlike more casual methods of correspondence, professional emails should be polite yet direct.[21]
- Try an introductory sentence like "I'm writing to inform you that your membership has expired and needs to be renewed in person before you can continue receiving member benefits." You can then follow up with whatever pertinent details the recipient needs in order to take action.
- Most people tend to scan emails rather than reading each and every word. The nearer your main objective is to the beginning, the more likely your recipient is to pick up on it.[22]
- Keep the rest of the message concise. There's no sense in rambling aimlessly once you've stated your purpose. With the space you have remaining, provide any other details that you think are worth mentioning. Always use short, simple words and phrases to take as much of the work out of interpreting your meaning as possible.[23]
- Observe the "five sentence rule"—messages shorter than five sentences may come off as brisk or rude, whereas anything longer than five sentences puts you in danger of losing your reader's attention.[24]
- If for some reason you have to include a large amount of information, do it as a separate attachment.
- Convey a clear idea or request. Once you've stated your reason for writing, articulate to your reader exactly how you'd like for them to respond. If there's something they need to know, tell them; if there's something they need to do, ask them. By the time they finish reading your message, your recipient should be ready to formulate a response.[25]
- Experienced communicators refer to this as a "call to action," and it's a good way to ensure that your dialogue maintains a distinct sense of purpose.[26]
- A call to action in a professional email might say something like "it's important that you memorize the security clearance number provided with this email" or "please update your summer availability by the end of the month."
- Limit your email to a single topic. Confronting your recipient with too much information at once can leave them feeling overwhelmed. It's best to limit the scope of your email to one or two relevant subjects. Not only will this allow the reader to understand what's going on much faster, it will also help you keep your message succinct.[27]
- Multiple topics or requests should be reserved for multiple emails.
[Edit]Sending the Email - Proofread your email before sending it. Go back over your message thoroughly to make sure it's free of any typos, misspellings or unclear sentences. Careless mistakes can reflect poorly on you and the company you represent.[28]
- Use your email platform's spell-checker feature to avoid accidental oversights.
- You can also take this time to make any last minute changes to the formatting that you think may make your email easier to digest.[29]
- Simplify your email if possible. Remember, your recipients are busy and they want to get to the meat of the email quick.[30] Take a step back and evaluate your email. Here are some things to consider:
- Use short sentences, words, and paragraphs. This helps make the email quick and easy to read and understand.
- If it's possible to cut a word out, cut it out. Trim your sentences down to as short as possible.
- Give your email a thorough proofreading. Professional emails require careful proofreading. Read your email aloud to yourself. This can help you catch a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes. Ask yourself:
- Is my email clear?
- Could my email be misunderstood?
- How would it sound if I were the recipient?
- Keep it professional. You don't need to show your personality in your professional email. If you'd like, you can let it show subtly through your writing style, but stay away from emoticons, chat abbreviations (such as LOL), or colorful fonts and backgrounds.[31]
- The only time it is appropriate to use emoticons or chat abbreviations is when you're mirroring the email language of the person you're writing to.
- Write like you speak. This can help you keep your email short, friendly, and personable.
- Don't say anything in an email that you wouldn't say to your recipient in person.
- Send your email. Once you have proofread you email and have included all the necessary information and added each recipient to the appropriate field, click the send button.
- Remember, people want to read emails quickly, so keep your sentences short and clear.
- If you can say something positive about your recipient or their work, do so. Your words won't be wasted.
- Set up a signature. It's a shorthand way of sharing information that you should include in every email. By putting this information in your signature, you keep the body of your emails short.
- If the recipient has helped you in any way, remember to thank them. You should do this even when it's their job to help you.
- Want to get better at writing emails? Try writing your message as if it will be forwarded to the CEO. This helps you keep your tone and language consistent and professional.
- Pay careful attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation so that you present a professional image of yourself and your company.
- Keep introductions brief by writing them as if you were speaking face-to-face.
- Take a moment to determine whether an email is even necessary before you set about writing one. In many cases, the same information can be relayed with a simple phone call or a short walk to another department.
- Don't forget to say "please" and "thank you." Manners go a long way in forging good professional relationships.
- Wait until after you've finished proofreading to put in the recipient's address. This will prevent you from accidentally sending the email before it's completed.
- Writing effective emails is like anything else. The more you practice, the better at it you'll get.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful with the Cc field. If you are emailing tons of contacts who don't know each other but all need to know the information, make sure to use the Bcc field to protect their privacy.
- Use the Reply to All option sparingly. Only send your response to those who need to know.
- Avoid using informal text slang or abbreviations ("LOL," "ICYMI," "TTYL," etc.). These can be confusing to readers to and have no place in a work-related email.
- Don't type your message in all caps or lowercase letters.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Restart a Conversation with a Girl Posted: 13 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST You've been texting back and forth with the girl you like when the conversation either dries up, or she just stops responding. If you're not sure how to reach out again and re-energize the conversation, we've got a whole list of messages to send. No matter how long ago the texts fizzled out, relax and read on for foolproof ways to restart a conversation with the girl you like. [Edit]Acknowledge the lull in conversation. - Break the ice by mentioning that it's been a while since you talked. It might seem counterintuitive, but when you acknowledge that you two haven't talked, you take some of the pressure off. You're essentially saying, "It's cool that we haven't texted lately, but I'm still interested in picking up where we left off."[1]
- "It's been a minute. What have you been up to?"
- "Haven't heard from you in a bit. What's new with you?"
- "Hey, stranger! How've you been?"
[Edit]Bring up a past conversation topic. - Use a follow-up question as a natural, easy way to start talking again. Think about the last time you two had a good back-and-forth going. What were you talking about? Try and jumpstart your text conversation by returning to that topic. Go one level deeper into the conversation by asking questions.[2]
- "What was the name of the song you said you liked? Going to check it out rn."
- "Tell me more about your coffee obsession. Where's the best cafe in town?"
- "I was just thinking about what you said last night… How'd you learn so much about that?"
[Edit]Send a random question to start a new conversation. - Switch up the conversation topic to pique her interest. This approach is great for texting a girl who seems slow to respond in general, which can be a sign she's not super into the conversation. No worries, you can just shake up your texting strategy to add a bit of energy. She might not be that interested in talking about how her day went, but she might want to answer a fun hypothetical or "would you rather" question.[3]
- "Would you rather stay home in your PJs or dress up and go out on a Friday night?"
- "If you could get dinner with any 4 famous people, who would you pick?"
- "What's your dream vacation destination?"
[Edit]Bring up shared interests and experiences. - It's easy to restart a conversation when you two can find common ground. Start mentioning hobbies or topics you both find interesting. If you're not sure what she's interested in, you can just ask what she likes to do and start a fun conversation that way. Alternatively, do a little recon to figure out what she likes by checking out her social media page. When you find interests you share, you're bound to have lots to talk about.[4]
- Try bringing up a common experience or quirk to see if she can relate. You can use a line like, "Please tell me I'm not the only one who listens to songs on repeat" to start a lively debate.
- Talk about a hobby you both enjoy in your free time. For example, "Have you checked out the kickboxing studio downtown yet?"
- If you know each other IRL, mention something you have in common like a shared class or favorite restaurant. For example, "How're you feeling about the final coming up in Dr. Joan's class?"
[Edit]Ask for her opinion. - People like giving their input and feeling like their thoughts matter. Show her you care about what she thinks and get her to respond at the same time. Reference a popular show or movie and ask for her opinion on it. If you don't know her super well, ask her for a recommendation of a great place to check out in town. Here are a few ways to play this text:[5]
- See if she'll help you pick a great place to eat with a text like, "Can you help me out? Pretend you're a food blogger. Where should I go to get the best brunch around here?"
- Get her thoughts on pop culture with something like, "Just finished the season finale of that show you recommended. Can you believe they killed off Margo?"
- Send photos of 2 outfits and ask her to help you pick which one to wear with a playful text like, "It's up to you. Which one should I wear to class tomorrow?"
[Edit]Check in with her about an event or activity. - Ask how her latest project, party, or trip went to make her feel special. She'll appreciate that you remembered her talking about the big presentation at work or that you liked the cool concert pics she posted. This type of text is also convenient because it gives you a natural excuse to reach out.
- "Hi! How'd your big test go?"
- "Still at your aunt's for the weekend? How's it going so far?"
- "I want to hear about the wild surfing vacation you went on! See any sharks?"
[Edit]Share a funny, wild story. - Get her interested by texting an exciting cliffhanger. Talk about something funny you saw while out and about, or bring up a past, mildly embarrassing story about yourself.[6] Humor is the way to go here, since keeping things lighthearted will set up a positive vibe for your conversation.
- "You won't believe who I just ran into…"
- "Just saw the weirdest thing outside!"
- "Guess what I just overheard 😂"
- "Have I told you about the time I..."
[Edit]Tell a story through emojis. - Pique her interest with an emoji-coded message she'll have to decipher. You can send a bunch of random emojis, but just be prepared that she might end up sending random emojis back. Instead, try and send a cryptic message through emojis and challenge her to figure it out.[7]
- Send emojis that summarize a fun first date with a text like, "Guess what I'm thinking about? Here's a hint 🎥🍿😊✨"
- Get a little sassy with a message like, "👻👻👻👻👻 If I send you a bunch of ghosts, is that considered ghosting?"
- Ask her to guess how you spent your evening and give an emoji clue like, "💰🦹♂️💥👊🦸."
[Edit]Send a GIF, a meme, or a cute photo. - Bring in visuals for a great way to re-ignite your conversation. When texts get dry, adding a bit of media can give you two something else to talk about. Play it safe by sticking to popular memes and topics she'll relate to.[8] Or, if she has a specific sense of humor and you know her well, go for a weirder message.
- For a cute approach, pair a sweet GIF or photo with the message, "This reminded me of you."
- For a funny approach, pair a GIF of a random animal with the message, "Scale of 1 to 10, how much do you think this looks like me?"
- When in doubt, send a funny meme and just ask, "Have you seen this one? 🤣"
[Edit]Share a song or video she might like. - Send a link to catch her attention and bring in a new conversation topic. Ask for her opinions on whatever you've sent, and she'll feel like you really value her input. If she likes what you've sent, she'll feel like you get her and care about her. If she doesn't like whatever you've sent, you can start a playful debate.
- "Did you check out the new album yet?!"
- "Saw this vid and thought of you."
- "Just checking to see if you have good taste. Let me know what you think about this song. No pressure 😉"
[Edit]Give her a flirty compliment. - Flattery is a kind, easy way to get the conversation going.[9] Not to mention, a flirty compliment is a great way to test the waters. If you're able to restart your conversation with a cute compliment, she's probably into you. In fact, it's a great sign if she responds right away or faster than usual. However, if she doesn't respond, it might be time to move on, and it's her loss.
- Send a blank-looking message like "..." Then send, "You're so beautiful, I forgot what I was going to text."
- "I'm sure you get this all the time, but you have gorgeous eyes."
- "If you were a vegetable, you'd be a 'cute-cumber.'"[10]
[Edit]Tell her you miss talking to her. - Go for the "I miss you" approach if you used to talk regularly. When you bring up how talking to her (and not talking to her) makes you feel, she might feel more invested in responding. Telling her you miss her also can make her feel important, so it's a solid flirty approach. Just saying "I miss you," might feel a little intense, but you can dial up or down the emotional level like this:[11]
- For a less intense approach, try something like, "My dog misses you" or "I miss our post-game recaps. Did you see the game tonight?"
- For a more intense approach, try a line like, "Missing you a little more than usual today."
- For a super flirty, confident approach, try "Miss me yet?"[12]
[Edit]Try a little sarcasm or a dramatic text. - Gently tease her for ghosting you to encourage her to respond. Mix in some funny emojis with your message so she doesn't feel too called out, and send a text that asks "Are you alive?"[13] Be careful with sarcasm that's a little too harsh. Since it's hard to interpret tone over text, lean towards the humorous, playful side. That way, she won't think you're being rude.
- "You are the world's fastest texter 🐌😂."
- "This is me waiting for your next message 👀." You can soften this comment by sending another message like "It's worth it, though!"
- To get really meta, send the song "Don't You (Forget About Me)."
[Edit]Ask her to hang out IRL. - Move the conversation away from texting and into real life by asking her out. If you really like her, it's okay to be direct—and it's even a bold move that shows confidence. Since texting doesn't seem to be her thing, she might even appreciate that you're taking your conversation offline.[14]
- "Do you want to hang out sometime? I'm free Saturday afternoon!"
- "You + me + ice cream tomorrow night?"
- "Hey! Want to grab drinks with me on Friday?"
[Edit]Move on if she doesn't text back. - Wait 2-4 days to give her time to respond. It's possible she's not texting you back because she's busy or out of town. Still, there's a difference between being busy and being inconsiderate. If she ghosts you for more than 4 days, she might not be interested, and that's a sign it's time to move on.[15] The good news is, you'll eventually find someone else who'll be thrilled to get a text from you!
[Edit]References |
| How to Improve Your Grades Posted: 13 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST It's disappointing when your grades are lower than you want them to be, but don't get discouraged! It happens to almost everyone at some point. If it's early enough in the term, you may even be able to get a better grade in the classes you're struggling in now, but even if not, you can apply these tips to help you do better in your next course. Just keep trying—when you find the study habits that work best for you, you're almost certain to see it reflected in your grades! [Edit]Change up your study space. - Your grades might be suffering because of your study style. Everybody has their own way to study—some people like some music in the background while some need it to be totally quiet, for instance. If you're having trouble retaining what you're learning, switch up your study area and see if that makes a difference! Try studying in a different room, for instance, or head to the library and see if you prefer that.[1]
- Pay attention to what distracts you while you're studying. Do you find yourself shifting in your chair a lot? It might help if you move to the couch. Does your sister always try to talk to you while you're doing your homework? You might ask your mom if you can lock your door while you study.
- You need to have a productive environment to study in. Your study environment should be free of distractions, so turn off your cell phone, clear your desk, and ask your friends or family member to respect your space.[2]
- In general, it's best to keep your study area consistent from day-to-day, but it's okay to change things up while you're figuring out what works best for you.
[Edit]Try new learning strategies. - Mix up how you see, hear, and process what you're studying. When you're tackling something new, for instance, you might start by reading the chapter to yourself, then read it again out loud. Then, you might follow that by writing a summary of the text or creating flash cards. That way, your brain can process the information in a variety of different ways, and it might be easier for you to remember it.[3][4]
- Educators used to think that people tend to have one learning style that works best for them—that you might be more of an auditory, visual, or kinetic learner, for instances. However, we now know that most students learn best by seeing information in a variety of different ways!
[Edit]Rewrite your notes each night. - Copying them again will help you remember what you learned. Take some time after school to read through the notes you took that day. Write them out again, expanding any shorthand and filling in any concepts you might need to remember later. Keep your expanded notes in a separate notebook, then use this notebook as a detailed study guide when you're studying for your exams.[5]
- Try to connect what you learned that day to things you've already learned. Making these connections will help you really understand the topic on a deeper level.
- If you have any questions, write them in your notes as well. Then, go back and try to find the answers in your textbook. If you can't find them, bring them to class the next day and ask your teacher.
[Edit]Don't cram for tests. - Study a little at a time throughout the semester, instead. It can be hard to motivate yourself to study for a test way in advance—especially if you feel nervous about the material. However, procrastinating is only going to make it worse. Once you've finished rewriting your notes and doing your homework each evening, spend a little extra time reviewing what you've already learned during the school term. That way, you'll keep everything fresh in your mind, and preparing for exams won't be so overwhelming.[6]
- Try making your study time interactive by making flash cards, taking practice quizzes, or using mnemonic devices to help you memorize tricky lists.
[Edit]Take breaks while you're studying. - Get up and move around at least once an hour. When you're studying, at some point all that information can start to feel like it's running together. You might feel like you need to push through instead of taking a break, but in fact, your brain needs a little bit of time to process what you've learned! Set a timer or keep an eye on the clock, and every 50 minutes or so, get up and move around for about 10 minutes.[7]
- This is a great time to get a snack and do some stretching!
[Edit]Take your time during exams. - Read through each question carefully. Take a few deep breaths to steady your nerves before you get started.[8] Then, read through the test. If you aren't sure you'll have time to finish the whole thing, go through and answer the questions you're most confident about first. Then, go back and take your time answering as many of the remaining questions as possible.[9]
- Don't let nerves get the best of you when it comes to exam time—you've been preparing for this!
- If any of the questions seem confusing, ask your teacher for help!
[Edit]Practice writing organized essays. - This can help if exams are bringing your grade down. If you find it easy to recall things like dates and definitions but you really struggle with essay questions, you may need to think more about how to organize them. Spend about 5 minutes sketching out a quick outline—focus on 2-3 main points, and include a few details to support each of those points. Then, stick closely to your outline as you answer the question so you don't go off-topic.[10]
- Essay questions can account for a huge part of your exam score in some classes, so it's worth taking the time to improve them!
- Try finding a few sample essay questions online or in your textbook and answer them on your own time to get comfortable with them before your test starts.
[Edit]Always do your homework and turn it in on time. - Make time every night for homework, even if you're busy. Homework can make up a big part of your grade—and that's not the only reason it's important. Doing your homework helps reinforce what you learned during class, so it can actually help you improve your grades on things like quizzes and tests.[11]
- In some classes, you can actually end up with a failing grade for not turning in your homework, even if you get good grades on your exams.
- Make sure to do any assigned reading, as well. That can make it a lot easier to understand what your teacher is talking about in class.
[Edit]Keep your schoolwork organized. - It's hard to learn when you're surrounded by clutter. Use folders and binders to keep all of your schoolwork organized, and place them in the same spot every day. That way, you'll never lose points because you lost your homework. Also, use a calendar or planner to keep track of due dates and exams.[12]
- Staying organized extends to your work space as well. Keep your desk clear so you won't be surrounded by distracting clutter.
[Edit]Pay attention in class. - Do your best not to get distracted when your teacher is talking. This can be tough sometimes, but listening during class is one of the very best ways to really learn the material. Be engaged, too—take good notes, participate in discussions, and ask questions if you don't understand something.[13]
- When you're taking notes, don't just write down everything the teacher says. Instead, you might jot down things like key concepts, vocab words and their definitions, and a few examples. And be sure to write neatly so you can re-read what you wrote![14]
- Especially pay attention to anything your teacher mentions more than once—there's a good chance that's something important, and you might be tested on it later![15]
- Try not to miss any classes, either—you probably won't get good grades if you skip class a lot. If you take online classes, log in at least once a day. In some classes, attendance is actually part of your grade![16]
[Edit]Snack throughout the day. - Keep your physical and mental energy high. You might have noticed that it's harder to concentrate when you're hungry—and that's not just your imagination! In fact, simply skipping breakfast can make you less alert, affect your attention span, and make it harder to process complex subjects. To make sure you're performing at your best, eat regular meals and healthy snacks throughout the day.[17]
- For instance, you might have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, an apple for a mid-morning snack, a sandwich and carrots for lunch, and cheese crackers in the afternoon.
- Most teachers won't let you eat in the classroom, but you may be able to keep snacks in your backpack or locker so you can fuel up between classes.
[Edit]Get enough sleep at night. - Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, if you can. Sleep might not seem like that big of a deal, but it can actually have a huge impact on your grades. If you're tired in class, it's almost impossible to pay attention to what your teacher is saying. And if you're studying while you're sleepy, you won't retain nearly as much of the information, so it will be harder to recall it when you start taking tests.[18]
- Sometimes it's hard to get enough sleep at night, especially if you have to work after school or your family makes a lot of noise. Sticking to a regular schedule will help you fall asleep quickly at bedtime, and the consistency will lead to better sleep overall.
[Edit]Start a study group with your friends. - Some people learn best in small groups. Pick a time when everyone can meet up, then go over your notes together. This can be really helpful, because it gives you a chance to see what everyone thought was important—if you all wrote down the same thing, it's probably really important. However, someone might have picked up on a detail that you missed, which can help make your study notes even stronger.[19]
- Work together to come up with ways to remember key concepts, definitions, and other information that might be on your tests.
- You can even quiz each other to see how well you remember what you've learned!
- Just make sure you pick friends who have the same goals as you—a study group only works if you're willing to actually spend the time reviewing the course material.
[Edit]Talk to your teacher about your grades. - Reach out as soon as you feel like you're falling behind. Be honest with your teacher about why you think you're not doing well in their class—maybe something outside of school is affecting your focus, or maybe you've been struggling with the material. Whatever the reason, take full responsibility for it. Then, ask your teacher if there's anything you can do to bring up your grade, like retaking a test or turning in extra credit or missed assignments.[20]
- Try asking your teacher if they have any suggestions for how you might do better in their class—they might be able to recommend some study guides or extra homework that will help you understand the material better.
- Even if your teacher won't allow you to do any extra work to improve the grade you've already gotten, assure them that you're going to make an extra effort to do better for the rest of the term. Then, follow through with that promise!
[Edit]Get a tutor if you're really struggling. - A tutor can help if you just don't understand the material. If you're trying your hardest to pay attention in class, turn in all of your assignments, and study, but your grades still aren't what you want them to be, you might need a little extra support. Don't feel bad about this! Everyone has certain topics that are more difficult for them, and it's actually a really important life skill to know when to ask for help.[21]
- Ask your teacher or counselor if they can recommend a tutor, or look online for tutors in your area.
[Edit]ReIated wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Decorate Your Cell Phone Posted: 13 Jan 2022 12:00 AM PST Decorating your cell phone is a great way to make it more personal. While you can always buy a fancy case for your phone, you can create a more unique look by decorating your phone yourself. While it would be better to decorate a separate case, you can still attach non-permanent decorations directly onto the back of your phone, such as stickers. [Edit]Doing Temporary Designs - Cover a clear or colored plastic cell phone case with washi tape. Cut strips of washi tape and lay them across the case. Leave small gaps between each strip of tape so that the color of the case shows through. Flip the case over and cut out the camera and flash holes with a craft blade. Use scissors to trim off any excess tape hanging over the edges as well.[1]
- You can create horizontal, vertical, or diagonal stripes. You can even create a herringbone pattern!
- Washi tape comes in all sorts of widths, colors, and patterns. Feel free to mix-and-match!
- For a retro look, try holographic duct tape trim. It is cut thinner than regular duct tape and does not have the woven texture.[2]
- Decorate your phone with stickers if you prefer something simple. You can do this directly on the back of your phone, or you can decorate a separate plastic case instead. Stickers with a clear background will work the best, because they will look like actual designs. Stickers with a white background won't work as well, because the white border will stand out too much.[3]
- Rather than using random stickers, use different stickers that come from the same strip. This way, you'll have a theme.
- Choose stickers that go well together. For example, you could do unicorns, rainbows, clouds, and stars.
- Don't get too carried away! You only want 3 to 5 stickers at the most. If you cover the entire case, it will look tacky.
- This might add unwanted texture though, which you may not like the feel of.
- Try self-adhesive rhinestones if you want non-permanent bling. Unlike regular rhinestones, which you have to glue on, these come on a sheet, just like stickers. You can find them in the sticker or scrapbooking aisle in a craft store. The downside to this, however, is that they can fall off if you are not careful.
- If you want to create your own design, buy a sheet of individual rhinestones.
- If you want a design, like a flourish, buy a sheet of pre-arranged rhinestones instead.
- For an all-over look, buy a full sheet of rhinestones, where the gems are arranged side-by-side. Cut the sheet to the size of your phone case, and stick it on.
- Use a clear case and printed images for an interchangeable design. Print off a high-quality image that is a little bigger than your phone. Set a clear cell phone case face-down onto the picture and trace around it, including the camera and flash holes. Cut the picture out, including the holes, and place it face-down into the case. Snap the case onto your phone, and you are done![4]
- The case must be clear, otherwise you won't see the picture. The clear plastic will cover the picture and protect it from getting dirty.
- You can use scissors to cut the main shape out, but you should use a craft blade for the holes. This will make them more precise.
- To replace the image, simply pull the case off and take the paper out. Put a new image into the case and snap it back onto your phone.
- Stylize your phone with themes and wallpapers. How you get to these on your phone depends on the type of phone you have. For example, if you have an Android, press and hold the home screen to bring up a menu; "Wallpapers and Themes" should be 1 of the options. An app store, such as the Google Play store, may also have themes.
- A wallpaper only changes the background of your phone, while a theme will change the background, font, icons, and overall color scheme.
- Be wary when installing themes from an app store. Many come with ads.
- The themes available directly through your phone's wallpaper and theme app are ad-free and designed specifically for the phone you are using.
- Add charms to your phone for something cute and simple. There are 2 types of charms that you can use: the type that dangle from a piece of string, and the type that plug into the audio jack. The dangly charms need to be secured to a hook with a slip knot. The plug-in charms are usually just a small figurine with an audio plug at the bottom.
- You can find these charms in mall kiosks and online.
[Edit]Adding Permanent Decorations - Use temporary tattoos and decoupage for a simple project. Cut out 1 to 3 temporary tattoos, then apply them to your case following the instructions on the package. After removing the paper, let the tattoos dry, then apply a coat of clear, glossy decoupage glue. Wait about 30 minutes for the decoupage to dry, then apply a second coat.[5]
- Wipe your case down with rubbing alcohol first for better adhesion.
- Let the decoupage dry and cure completely before you use your case. This may take anywhere from a couple of hours to an entire day.
- Use strips of tape to mask off designs when painting your case. Take the case off of your phone and wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Next, apply strips of masking tape to create your desired pattern. Apply 1 to 2 coats of spray paint, allowing each coat to dry. Wait for the paint to dry completely, then peel the masking tape off. The color of the case will show between the sections of paint.[6]
- Choose 1 color for the case and a different color for the paint. This will make the masked-off lines stand out better. For example, you could do a white case and gold paint.
- Lay the strips of tape down on a cutting mat, then cut them into thinner strips with a craft blade. This will create a more unique pattern.
- You can seal your case with a clear, acrylic sealer afterwards. Do this after you remove the tape.
- Apply lace behind a clear case with decoupage for an elegant touch. Paint the inside of a clear cell phone case with decoupage glue (e.g.: Mod Podge). Cut a sheet of lace fabric a little larger than the case, then press it into the glue, making sure to get it into the corners. Let everything dry, then trim off the excess fabric. Cut out the camera and flash holes with a craft blade before putting the case on your phone.[7]
- The color of your phone will show through the lace. If you don't like the color of your phone, repeat the process with an additional layer of solid-colored fabric.
- You can seal the lace in with a second coat of decoupage glue, but this is not necessary since it will be on the inside of your phone.
- Depending on the weave of the lace, you may have to cut other holes for the headphones and charger.
- Decorate a case with extra-fine glitter if you like sparkly things. Apply a coat of decoupage glue to the outside of your case. Shake extra-fine glitter onto the case, then tap off the excess. Let it dry for about 30 minutes, then apply a second layer of decoupage and glitter. Wait for everything to dry, then seal it with a clear, acrylic sealer.
- Extra-fine glitter is not the same thing as craft glitter. It is cut much finer and is typically sold in the scrapbooking section of a craft store.
- Apply a sticker after your first coat of glitter, then use glitter in a contrasting color for the second coat. Peel the sticker off before sealing the case to reveal a neat silhouette.
- Bling up your case with rhinestones, studs, and cabochons. Wipe down your case with rubbing alcohol first. Lay out your desired items on top of the case. Once you are happy with the design, secure them with a strong adhesive, such as E6000 or Gem Tac.[8]
- You can combine this with the lace look, but don't get too carried away.
- Decorate your case with white silicone fitted with a star-shaped piping tip. This will make it look like a cupcake!
- Apply extra-fine glitter to your embellishments to make them sparkle.
- Choose items that go well together. Try a theme, such as decora, cute, girly, gothic, or punk.
- Paint your phone case with nail polish if you want a durable finish. Unlike acrylic paint, nail polish is enamel-based, so it is less-likely to chip off. Clean the inside of a clear cellphone case with rubbing alcohol, then do a reverse glass painting with nail polish. Let the nail polish dry completely, then snap the case onto your phone.
- Simple designs, such as marble or an all-over color will look the best.
- You can paint the outside of your case, or even the back of your phone, but you will need to seal it with clear top coat.
- Let the nail polish dry for at least 1 to 2 hours. Do not use gel polish.
[Edit]Decorating the Cables and Chargers - Cover the cables with perler beads. Use scissors or a craft blade to slice open a bunch of perler beads. Pry open the beads, then pop them onto the cable of your cellphone's charger or ear buds. Use enough beads to cover the cable from end-to-end.
- Perler beads are sometimes called melty beads. They're the ones that you create designs with on a pegboard, then melt with an iron. They're not the same as pony beads.
- You can use beads that are all the same color, or different ones to create a pattern.
- Wind embroidery thread around a cable for a colorful look. Tie the end of your embroidery floss to the end of your cable. Hold the tail end against the cable, then wrap the floss around the cable once to make a loop. Pull the floss through the loop to tighten the knot, then repeat the process until the band is long. Cut the floss then hold it against the rest of the cable. Add a second color of floss, and repeat the process until you reach the end of the cable.[9]
- You can use as many colors as you want, or you can alternate 2 colors.
- The bands don't have to be . They can be , or you can make the entire cable 1 color.
- This will work the best on charger cables, but it may work on earbuds too.
- If the cable is damaged, repair it with electrical tape first.
- Bling up your cellphone charger instead of the cable. Cover 1 side of your cellphone charger with a strong glue, such as E6000 or Gem Tac. Apply tiny rhinestones to the charger, and let it dry. Repeat this step for each side, except for the side with the prongs.
- Stagger each row of rhinestones like bricks. This will prevent gaps from showing through.
- If rhinestones aren't your thing, use decoupage glue and extra-fine glitter instead. Seal the glitter with more decoupage glue so that it doesn't shed.
- Wrap washi tape around chargers instead. Take some patterned washi tape, and wrap it around the sides of your charger. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top. Trim off any excess tape from the top and bottom edges with a craft blade.[10]
- Complete the look by wrapping solid-colored washi tape around the cable part as well. You can cover the entire cable or just bands for a striped look.
- Don't get too carried away with the decorations. Do 1 or the other. Don't try to do washi tape, stickers, rhinestones, and paper inserts.
- In same cases, you can combine multiple methods. For example, you can combine charms and themes with any of the decorations in these methods.
- Wipe the surface of your cell phone case with rubbing alcohol to remove any residue and oils that will prevent the glue and stickers from adhering.
[Edit]Warnings - Always read the reviews before downloading a theme. Some themes come with issues, like too many ads or viruses.
- When downloading themes, be aware that some cost money.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Doing Temporary Designs - Washi tape
- Stickers
- Paper
- Clear cell phone case
[Edit]Adding Permanent Decorations - Rhinestones
- Spray paint
- Glitter
- Decoupage
- Strong adhesive
- Clear cell phone case
[Edit]Decorating the Cables and Chargers - Perler beads
- Embroidery floss
- Glitter
- Decoupage
- Washi tape
- Cell phone charger
- Cell phone cable
- Cell phone ear buds
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References |
| How to Hang String Lights from the Ceiling Posted: 12 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST String lights are useful for decorating around the holidays, but you can also use them to add soft light to any room in your home. Hanging the lights from your ceiling can add a fun design element and help brighten up your space. There are many different patterns you can try when you put up your lights, such as a zig-zag, a simple outline, or a wall design. When you're finished putting up your lights, your space will feel comfortable and cozy! [Edit]Making a Zig-Zag Pattern - Measure your room and choose how far apart to space your lights. Use a tape measure to find the length and width of the room where you want to hang your lights. Once you know the dimensions, choose the distance you want to have between your anchor points on the ceiling. If you put them closer together, you'll need to use more lights but your room will be brighter.[1]
- For example, if you want a soft light throughout your entire room, choose to space your lights apart from one another.
- String lights can be purchased from hardware and home design stores.
- Hang the first hook from your ceiling near the outlet you're using. Look for small removable adhesive clips or hooks that you can put onto your ceiling without damaging it. Place your first hook directly above your power outlet so you have an easy place to plug it in. Remove the adhesive backing from your clip and press it onto the ceiling for 30 seconds.[2]
- If you don't want a portion of your string lights hanging down your wall to the outlet, try running the lights down a corner of your room or using an extension cord.
- If you want a more permanent lighting solution or if you have a popcorn ceiling, get clips that you can easily nail into your ceiling instead.
- If you have a drop ceiling, place the hook on one of the supports instead of on the tiles.
- Space the hooks along the edge of your ceiling. Install the rest of your hooks across the length of the wall at the distance you chose earlier. Press the adhesive backing onto your ceiling and hold it in place for at least 30 seconds so it's secure. Work out from your first hook towards the edges of your room so you have even spacing between them.[3]
- Offset the hooks on the other wall by half the distance between your hooks. Find the point on the opposite side of your room that lines up with your first hook. Instead of placing your hook directly in line with the one on the other side of the room, move it over by half of the distance you're using. That way, your lights will make the zig-zag pattern on your ceiling. Install the rest of the hooks along the ceiling, working towards the edges of your room.[4]
- For example, if you spaced your hooks on the first wall, offset the hooks on the other side of your room by .
- String the lights tightly between the hooks. Start from the hook closest to your outlet. Run the lights across your ceiling to the other side across the length of your ceiling. When you reach a hook, pull the lights tight and coil the string once around the hook. Continue working in a zig-zag pattern until you've covered your entire ceiling.[5]
- If you want a more relaxed look to your lights, let them hang down slightly from the ceiling instead of pulling them tight.
[Edit]Outlining Your Ceiling with String Lights - Place hooks around the edge of your ceiling every . Use adhesive-backed cable hooks so you don't damage your ceiling while hanging your lights. Remove the backing from the hook and press it onto the ceiling for 30 seconds until it's secure. Keep adding hooks around your room at intervals.[6]
- If you have a popcorn ceiling, you can also use clips that nail into your ceiling instead.
- Start hanging your lights above an outlet or at a corner. Plug your lights into the outlet so you know how much of the string needs to hang down your wall. If you want to keep your lights more discrete, run the lights down a corner of your room and to the outlet. Once they're plugged in, coil the string lights once around the first hook to hold them in place.[7]
- Some of your string lights will hang down your wall into the outlet. Choose an outlet behind a dresser or piece of furniture if you want to hide them.
- Run the lights between the hooks. Work around the perimeter of your room, hanging the string lights between each of the hooks. As you reach each of the hooks, coil the string around the hook once so your lights don't fall down.[8]
- If you want a more relaxed look to your room, let your string lights dangle from the hooks loosely rather than pulling them tight.
[Edit]Creating a String Light Headboard - Put hooks along the edge of your ceiling every behind your bed. Remove the strip from adhesive-backed cable hooks and press it onto your ceiling for at least 30 seconds. This way, you won't damage your ceiling while hanging your lights. Space the clips apart from one another.[9]
- If you have a popcorn ceiling or want a permanent solution, use clips that nail into the rafters.
- Place clips below the hooks on your ceiling. Measure down from the clips on your ceiling and attach adhesive hooks to the wall. This way, the lights are pulled tight instead of hanging loosely against the wall.[10]
- Use pushpins in your wall if you don't mind making small holes in your paint.
- Plug in the string lights and drape them over the first 2 top hooks. Plug your lights into the nearest outlet and run them up your wall to one of the top clips on either side. Hold the string lights tight so they make a straight line up your wall. Loop the light string around the hook once to keep it securely in place. Run the lights horizontally to another top hook and wrap it in place.[11]
- If there isn't an outlet close to the edge, use an extension cord to get them closer.
- Wrap the lights around the bottom of 2 of the lower clips. Run your string lights down from the second top hook to the clip on your wall directly underneath it. Pull the lights tight before wrapping them around the clip once before running it to the next clip over. Loop the lights around the clip.[12]
- Work in an up and down pattern across your wall. String the lights from the lower clips back up to the ceiling hook. Try to end the lights so they're hanging down so you don't have to pin any lights to your ceiling.[13]
- Get white or warm yellow lights instead of colored lights so your room looks cohesive.
- Drape curtains or a sheer fabric over the lights to soften them even more.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Making a Zig-Zag Pattern - Tape measure
- Light hooks or clips
- Hammer
- String lights
[Edit]Outlining Your Ceiling with String Lights - Light hooks or clips
- String lights
[Edit]Creating a String Light Headboard - Light hooks or clips
- String lights
[Edit]References |
| How to Write Faster Posted: 12 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST If you want to improve your writing speed, there are several steps that you can take to improve your efficiency and get assignments done faster. First, you'll want to do all of your research and organize your thoughts in an outline form. From there, you can set realistic goals for yourself and continue to practice until you improve. If you're struggling with the act of writing with a pen and paper, you should make sure that you're comfortable and have the right writing tools. With the right amount of practice and repetition, you can improve your writing speed. [Edit]Improving Your Handwriting Speed - Use a pen or pencil that doesn't require you to press down hard. If you have to press down hard as you write, your hand will get fatigued faster. Find a pen that isn't so thin that it's hard to grip, but that isn't so thick that writing is uncomfortable.[1]
- A mechanical pencil requires less force to write with than a traditional pencil.
- You can purchase a pencil or pen grip to make your writing tool thicker.
- Hold the pen or pencil in a way that's comfortable for you. The way that you grip your pencil doesn't have as much of an impact on your writing speed as your comfort does. When writing, make sure that your hand is in a comfortable position and doesn't cramp or get fatigued as you write. If it does, consider switching the way that you're holding the pencil or pen to improve your writing speed.[2]
- The traditional way to hold a pen or pencil is to support the pen in between your index finger and thumb while the pen rests on your middle finger.
- Angling the paper in a different way may also feel more comfortable for you.
- Maintain good posture. Straighten your back and make sure that your feet are resting flat on the floor. Your lower back and hips should be fully supported by the chair that you're sitting in. Both your knees and your elbows should be bent and you should feel comfortable while you sit. Maintain this posture to reduce fatigue and improve stamina as you write.[3]
- Whenever you feel yourself slouching, adjust your posture so you're sitting correctly.
- If your chair is too low or your desk is too high, you may need to purchase new furniture.
- Use shorthand if you aren't writing for an assignment. Methods like Pitman Shorthand and Gregg Shorthand use symbols to represent words, letters, and punctuation. Most of these symbols are quicker and easier to write than letters and words in English and could vastly improve your writing speed. Research and learn how to use either of these shorthand methods online or at a library.[4]
- Keep in mind that these shorthand methods aren't known by everyone and can't be used for assignments or on tests.
- It may take several weeks or even months to master these shorthand methods.
- Keep practicing. Practice every day to improve the speed and the appearance of your handwriting. The more that you do it, the quicker and neater your handwriting will become. You can try writing at home, or transcribing notes quickly in the middle of class. Use the things that work and avoid things that slow you down.[5]
- If you still aren't improving after trying everything, just talk to a teacher and see if they have any techniques that may help you.
[Edit]Finishing Writing Assignments Quicker - Determine the time of day that you're most productive. Some people write faster and more efficiently in the morning, while others excel at night. Try writing in both settings and determine which time feels best for you. Then, try to get as much writing done as you can during the times of day when you're most productive.[6]
- Even if you're a night owl, you may still be more productive in the morning. Write during different parts of the day to see what works best for you.
- Write an outline for your assignment. Read the prompt or assignment so you know what you have to write. Perform research and plot out the main points in your essay, paper, or story in an outline form. Determine what you want to include in your writing, and then write 2-3 sentences, or subpoints, within those main points. This will keep your writing precise and on topic, which will reduce the amount you need to delete or edit later.[7]
- For example, the main points of your article could be something like, "Describing circuits" and "Powering Electronics." "Describing circuits" could include points like "Explaining a simple circuit" and "Completing a circuit."
- Researching things in the middle of writing wastes valuable time.
- Include your sources in your outline to save time, especially if you have to make citations later. If you're using electronic sources, bookmark them on your computer. Include notes in your outline about how you're going to use your sources and what information you hope to take from them.
- Write your first draft quickly and revisit it for edits. If the words are too complex, jot down an approximation of what you think you're hearing and do your research afterwards."Write your first draft and then come back and edit and review the writing later. This will allow you to get the bulk of the work out of the way and enable you to concentrate on grammar and spelling the second time around.[8]
- Wasting time on smaller details can drain time and make the entire writing process much longer.
- If you find yourself stuck in a section, move past it and revisit it later with a fresh mind.
- Minimize the distractions around you. Distractions like surfing the web, TV, or open chat programs can hinder your efficiency and slow down your writing speed. Find a solitary space where you can write and won't be distracted by the things going on around you.[9]
- Clearing the clutter off your writing desk may also minimize distractions and improve your efficiency.
- If you can, put away your phone, tablet, or other devices you might be tempted to use to check social media or browse the web. You can also use productivity apps or extensions (like StayFocused) that temporarily cut off your access to time-wasting websites.
- Set realistic goals and deadlines for yourself. If you are newer at writing or aren't used to writing on a deadline, there's a good possibility you'll be slower at writing than someone with more experience. Set goals that make sense for you and are within your ability. If you set a goal and you are stressed or feel like meeting the goal is impossible, set lighter goals for yourself.[10]
- Set incrementally higher goals for yourself rather than taking on too much too fast.
- If you haven't written a lot in the past, you won't be able to write quickly without practice. However, once you practice writing a lot, you will be able to write at a quicker pace.
- For instance, you can set a goal that you'll have a certain number of pages or words completed within a day. If you're still working on building speed, daily goals can feel more manageable than more short-term ones (such as hourly goals).
- Use a timer to help meet your goals. In order to improve your writing speed, you'll need a way to measure if you're improving. Set a timer to the goal that you set for yourself earlier and try to meet your goal within the allotted time. If you don't have a stopwatch or timer, there are apps that were created specifically for that purpose.[11]
- Don't let the timer stress you out. It's merely there to remind you of how much time you're spending on an assignment.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Knit a Patchwork Blanket Posted: 12 Jan 2022 12:00 AM PST If you're overwhelmed by knitting, start by choosing a simple project that comes together quickly. A patchwork blanket creates an impressive blanket. But, it's easy to do since it's made by knitting individual squares and sewing them together. Choosing chunky yarn and large needles will also make the blanket come together quickly and can hide any beginner's mistakes. [Edit]Casting On - Gather your yarn and knitting needles. There aren't any hard and fast rules when it comes to knitting needle requirements for working with certain types of yarn. Choose a yarn that you enjoy and realize that chunkier yarns will knit up faster than thin or fine yarn. The same is true of your needles. If you'd like a larger looser blanket, work on larger needles.
- Consider using size 19 US or 15.0 mm needles and super chunky yarn to create a large blanket that comes together quickly.[1]
- Make a slip knot. Find the end of your yarn which is usually tucked into the middle of the ball of yarn. Make a loop near the end of the yarn as though you're going to tie a knot. The long end should be on top of the short end. Fold the top loop over to the inside of the loop. Pick up the loop and pull it through tightly. Slip this loop onto one of your knitting needles and pull the end to tighten it.
- You'll know you've correctly made a slip knot if you can can simply continue pulling the loop and it comes apart.
- Cast on a stitch. Hold the needle with the slip knot in your right hand. Drape the working yarn over the palm of your left hand so your fingers can close into a loose fist and grab it. Wrap your thumb around the yarn so that it threads behind your thumb (if your palm is facing you). Use the point of your needle to thread underneath your thumb. Pull the needle through so that the yarn is lifted off your your thumb and onto your needle.[2]
- Continue casting on. Cast on until you have 14 stitches on your needle. This will eventually be an edge of one of your patchwork squares. Each square will measure about 20cm (7.5 inches). Transfer the needle with the stitches to your left hand so you can begin knitting.[3]
- Continue grasping the yarn in your palm with your fingertips, this will keep it out of the way and create tension so that you can quickly cast on.
[Edit]Doing the Knit Stitch - Insert the right needle. Hold the needle that doesn't have any stitches on it in your right hand. Insert the tip of this needle into the stitch closest to the tip of the other needle.
- You should insert it under the stitch so that the needle goes from front to back and forms an "X".
- Wrap the yarn around the needle. Grab the working yarn with your right hand and wrap it around the right needle so that it's in between the needles. Slowly pull the right needle down and through the yarn on the left needle.
- You should keep the working yarn between the needles while you do this.
- Complete the stitch. Your right needle should now be on top of the left needle. Pull this stitch off the left needle by lifting the right needle up and away from the left needle. This will transfer the stitch from the left needle to the right needle.[4]
- Try to work near the end of the needles so that the stitches don't become tight on the middle of the needles. But, make sure that they're not so close to the ends of the needles that the stitches fall off.
- Continue knitting. Knit each of the stitches that you cast on until you come to the end. This makes a complete row of garter stitches. Transfer the needle with the stitches to your left hand and continue knitting them to make another row. Knit rows until your square measures 20cm (7.5 inches).[5]
- Make sure you knit into the stitches that are looped onto the left needle, not the stitches of the row you just completed.
[Edit]Casting Off - Knit. Keep the needle that has your knitted square in your left hand. Knit two stitches onto the empty needle in your right hand. You'll use these stitches to cast off the rest of the square that's on the other needle. You should always have two stitches on the right needle.[6]
- Casting off or binding off will work the square off of the needles. This means you'll be able to take it off the needles without worrying that it will come undone. You'll be able to sew this square to another completed square when you assemble the blanket.
- Insert the left needle onto the right needle. Push the tip of the left needle into the first stitch on your right needle. This should be the first stitch that you knit on this needle.[7]
- Lift the stitch over. Use the tip of the left needle to lift the first stitch over the second stitch. This means you'll be lifting the stitch and sliding it off of the right needle. You should now have only one stitch on the right needle.[8]
- Knit another stitch and cast it off. You'll always need two stitches on the right needle so that you can lift up and over a stitch to cast it off. Continue casting off the stitches until you reach the end of the row.[9]
- You should have a completely empty needle and only one stitch still on the other needle.
- Tie off the square. Remove the needle from the last stitch. You should see a big loop. Hold onto this so that it doesn't come unraveled and use scissors to cut the working yarn. Leave about an arm's length of yarn when you cut it. Take the yarn and tie it through the loop, pulling it tightly.[10]
- You'll still have extra yarn tailing from the end of your square after you've tied it off. You'll use this to sew the squares together.
[Edit]Sewing the Squares Together - Knit more squares. You can make the blanket as large as you like, keeping in mind that you'll need to knit more squares. For a large square blanket, you might want to use seven squares across by seven squares down.[11]
- Consider laying out your squares on a large surface so you can arrange them, especially if you used different colored yarn. Alternate the squares so that the rows are vertical next to a square where the rows are turned horizontal.
- Thread the yarn. Select the squares you'll be sewing together. Take a large sewing needle and thread the yarn from a square's tail. Adjust the square so that the square you're sewing it to is turned opposite.[12]
- For example, if the square with the sewing tail has rows arranged horizontally, the square you're sewing it to should be arranged vertically.
- Sew the edges of two squares together. Take the threaded sewing needle and insert it into the stitch of the square that's laying next to it. Pull the needle so the yarn tightens. Insert the needle back into the square with the tail you're using. You should be stitching the two squares together by going back and forth with the yarn.[13]
- Continue doing this till you reach the end of the squares. The two squares should be completely sewn together now.
- Weave in the ends. You'll be left with tails of yarn on your squares that you won't need to sew into other squares. Take your tail and thread it onto the needle. But, instead of using it to connect to another square, simply weave it in between the knots on one square's edge. Make a knot in the yarn and cut it off so that it doesn't come undone.[14]
- Weaving in the end can prevent a loose end from unraveling and can make your knitting look more polished.
- Assemble your blanket. Continue sewing together squares until you have seven squares in a row. Create seven of these rows total so you can stitch together every row and make a large blanket. Or, make a smaller blanket by using fewer squares. You can also make a rectangular blanket by making the rows shorter than the blanket is long.[15]
- Consider adding beads and other decorative objects to your knitting. You could also just sew on the beads afterwards. Also consider adding knit flowers, leaves, or decorative edging.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - 15 mm or US size 19 knitting needles
- 14 skeins of super chunky wool or your preferred wool
- Sewing needle
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References
[Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Paint Chevron Stripes Posted: 11 Jan 2022 04:00 PM PST From home décor to ladies' fashion to graphic design, chevron stripes seem to be all the rage these days. While seemingly straightforward, creating your own chevron pattern can get confusing, especially when working on a large surface like a painter's canvas or wall. However, with a little bit of preparation and planning, the process can be much simplified. [Edit]Creating a Template on Paper - Plan out your chevron pattern. Before you start painting, it's best to decide how you want your stripes to look. For example, do you want them to be vertical or horizontal? You can also decide on their thickness, number, and shape. The thinner your stripes, the more of them you will be able to put on the wall.
- Draw a grid on a blank sheet of paper. To get the cleanest and most accurate lines, draw a graph to plot out your design before your start. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw a straight vertical line down the center of the sheet of paper. Then, draw two additional vertical lines on either side of the first line. Each line should be halfway from the middle line to the outer edge of the paper.
- You should now have three equidistant vertical lines going down the sheet of paper.
- Do the same thing with horizontal lines. Using the ruler, draw a horizontal line in the middle of the sheet of paper. Then draw two additional horizontal lines above and below it to create 16 equal-sized squares on your sheet of paper. You will use these as points of reference for your stripes.
- Begin creating an outline for the stripes. Starting on the square at the upper left-hand corner of the page, draw a diagonal line from the upper left-hand corner of the square to the lower right-hand corner of the square. Repeat this on each of the three squares directly below it.
- Then, move onto the next column and draw a diagonal line from the upper right-hand corner to the lower left-hand corner.
- Continue alternating directions and columns until you have completed filling in the remaining squares. You will then have the outline for your chevron stripes.
[Edit]Painting on Your Template Paper - Use a base coat. An easy way to paint in your stripes is to apply a base color to the entirety of the paper (retrace lines afterward, if necessary). Then, once your base coat has dried, you can paint different colored stripes over it.
- To keep your lines clean when painting the stripes, try using painters tape on the borders.[1]
- Keep in mind that you should mark which stripe gets which color as it can get confusing. You can do this by dotting each line with the color it will take, or by marking them with bits of tape.
- Paint each stripe separately. This is a good method if you plan to paint each line a different color - or at least more than two. For example, if you want to alternate shades of blue, you could start with a light blue at the top and then paint each stripe a darker blue until the bottom. This would give you an ombré look.
- Make sure your lines are clearly marked so your colors don't run over and into each other.
- Wait for the paint to thoroughly dry. Depending on the thickness of your paint, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a half hour. Once it has dried, gently pull up the tape if you used any. You can also take the time to erase any remaining pencil marks from your original grid.
[Edit]Painting Stripes on a Wall - Plan out your chevron pattern. Before you start painting, it's best to figure out the size and style of your design. To do this, first, measure the height and width of the wall you want to paint with a measuring tape. Once you've made note of both numbers, decide how many stripes you want to paint and in what fashion. For example, let's say you want 5 stripes on your wall with 5 peaks on each line.
- This will help you graph the pattern of your design in the future.
- Use a blank sheet of paper to lay out your design. This drawing doesn't have to be exact, but it will help you figure out where and how to space out your stripes. Simply draw a mini-version of your wall with the height and width clearly marked along the side and bottom. Then, draw in the horizontal and vertical lines of your grid and make sure they are relatively even.
- If you are concerned about getting an exact number for the spacing between your horizontal stripes, try using this simple formula - ceiling height/2x. For example, take the height of your ceiling divided by 2x to get the number of inches between each line. The 'x' in this equation would be the number of chevron stripes you'd like on your wall. So, if your ceiling is 90 inches and you want to paint three stripes, then the formula would follow 90/2(3), and you would get between each stripe.
- Paint the wall a base color. Keep in mind that this base color will be the color of one of your stripes. You also need to make sure you cover the wall in at least a coat or two and let it dry overnight. Depending on the condition of the wall, you may also need to first use a primer before applying a coat of color.
- Be sure to follow the directions on whatever paint you choose.
- Mark off a grid on your wall. Use measuring tape, a yardstick, and a pencil to draw horizontal and vertical lines in a grid pattern across the surface of your wall. Then, use painters tape to mark the boundaries for each chevron stripe. You may also want to use any extra bits of tape to label which stripe gets colored in.
- Refer to your drawing to make sure you are spacing correctly.
- Paint in your chevron stripes. Once the base coat has dried and you've set up your grid, simply paint in the areas between the painter's tape. These should be the lines you've marked with bits of tape. Go over each area with a thick paintbrush or thick roller, and then let it dry.[2]
- Once all the paint has dried, carefully pull off the painter's tape and voila!
- Using a ruler will ensure that your stripes look clean and even.
- Draw very light lines in pencil so that you can easily go back and erase them later.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - A sheet of blank paper
- A pencil
- Paint
- A paintbrush
- A ruler
[Edit]References |
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