Shark Week generally happens in July, but any time is a good time to learn more about sharks.
First, start with some fun whale facts like these from Kids Craft Room. Here I learned about the dwarf lantern shark… Read More...
Knit Summer Tops with Fun Necklines
I mentioned the other day that there are, or at least it feels like there are, a lot more options for knitting garments to wear in the summer, and I want to share as many of them as I can, … Read More...
Book Review: The Book Book of Beginner Amigurumi
If you’re new to crochet or just want to make some easy and cute dolls and toys, The Big Book of Beginner Amigurumi is a great place to start.
The book is by Maggy and Pippa Woodley; you may know … Read More...
Using Pizza and Pretend Play to Learn about Fractions
When my daughter was young she loved the PBS show “Peg + Cat,” and if you’ve got a fan of that show in your house this activity will be even better, but it doesn’t matter if your kids don’t already … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Non Stop Stitch
Non Stop Stitch is an Etsy shop based in Ukraine with a dizzying quantity and variety of cross stitch patterns.
They tend to the cute/whimsical and colorful, with lots of flowers, animals, fantasy designs and some classic Ukraine inspired motifs. … Read More...
Knit a Little Scarf Full of Luxury
I guess the trend of little scarves and bandanas isn’t going away, and there’s a good reason for that. These little projects are fast, and they’re good for beginners because of the low commitment and they make something that doesn’t … Read More...
Learning about France for Kids
France is a country in Europe that’s officially the French Republic, but it also has overseas regions and territories include French Guiana, the French West Indies and islands in the North Atlantic, Oceania and the Indian Ocean. Let’s learn more … Read More...
Get into the Details with the Sashiko Tee Knitting Pattern
Sashiko is a traditional Japanese embroidery technique that uses running stitches to make lines (straight or otherwise) that reinforce and insulate fabric. It can be used as a mending technique or for decorative purposes, and it has become popular in … Read More...
Cross Stitch Project Bags: Storage Ideas to Keep Your WIPs Organized
Cross stitch project bags aren’t a necessity, but if you’re traveling with a work-in-progress, or just want to keep your fabric, floss and notions clean and corralled away from kids or pets, the right project bag makes a real difference.… Read More...
Tropical Bird Crafts and Learning Activities
I don’t know why tropical animals feel like something you should learn about in the summer, because these tropical bird crafts and activities are great to do any time of year. Let’s take a look.
Homeschool Giveaways has a printable … Read More...
Pretty Tank Top Knitting Patterns to Keep You Cool
I’ve been writing about knitting online for a long time, and a lot of things have changed. But one good thing I think has changed over the years is that fewer people see knitting as a seasonal activity. Most people … Read More...
Seagull Cross Stitch Patterns
Summertime is beach time, and that means it’s the perfect season to stitch up some seagull cross stitch patterns — those favorite scavengers of the shore, in chart form
This little seagull stamp from Easy Patterns Only is super cute … Read More...
Silverberry Designs: Cross Stitch Patterns for Game Nights, Pride & More
I was directed to a cross stitch pattern from Silverberry Designs for a recent post I was working on, and I knew that I needed to share them with you for one reason: cross stitch Clue.
Silverberry Designs is an … Read More...
Try This Fun Bake Off Drawing Challenge with a Group of Kids
My daughter is 16 and one of her favorite things to do on school breaks is watch The Great British Bake Off. It’s such a soothing show, as well as being creative and fun, and it’s low stakes enough … Read More...
Knit a Swirly Square in Any Size You Like
This swirly square stitch knitting pattern from Studio Knit is a lot of fun, and it looks kind of complicated without being difficult at all.
The swirly nature of the block comes from regularly placed increases, as the pattern is … Read More...
How to Travel with Cross Stitch: Airport Rules, Packing Tips & What to Bring
Cross stitch isn’t a craft I usually travel with myself, but plenty of stitchers want to bring a project on a plane or road trip — here’s what you need to know about packing needles, scissors and thread so security … Read More...
Book Review: Wild Your World
Most kids go through a phase where they want to learn more about animals, and it’s fun for them to learn about the diversity of the natural world and what humans can do to protect other creatures we share the … Read More...
Knit a Stunning Bestiary Scarf
I don’t even know what to say about this amazing knitting pattern. The Bestiary Scarf from Monstra & Mirabilia is so full of details it’s a little intimidating to talk about.
It features, as the designer describes it, an “artistic … Read More...
Fourth of July Cross Stitch Sampler Patterns
Looking for Fourth of July cross stitch sampler patterns? These patriotic, sampler-style charts are a great place to start if you want something more general than my America 250 picks.
Stitch up some classic July 4th symbols, from the Statue … Read More...
America 250 Fourth of July Activities for Kids
A lot of kids aren’t in school for the Fourth of July, but whether you’re in a classroom or at home, you’ll probably want to mark July 4, 2026, in a special way because it is America’s 250th birthday. And … Read More...