The beginning of school is a great time for ice breakers and learning about the other kids in class, but doing the same old activities can get pretty boring as you get older. Here are some ideas for older elementary … Read More...
How to Weave a Short End in Cross Stitch
I know we all know better than trying to stitch with what’s obviously a too-short piece of embroidery floss, but that’s also never stopped up from trying to stitch up every last inch of thread.
If you’ve played thread chicken, … Read More...
A Simple Hat with a Handful of Purls
I am not generally a person who minds doing a bit of ribbing at the beginning of a project. Whether it’s a cuff up hat or top down socks, a little bit of ribbing sets the stage and often plays … Read More...
Short Sock Knitting Patterns
If you’re the sort of person who wants to knit summer things when it’s hot out (if you live where it’s hot now) but you’ve knit all the tank tops and T-shirts you want, might I suggest stitching up some … Read More...
An Easy Game to Keep Kids Entertained
As I write this, we’re getting to the part of summer that I think is hardest for kids and parents alike. It’s too hot to want to be outside, you’ve probably already had your big vacation or trips to various … Read More...
Beach Gnome Cross Stitch Pattern
I don’t know if it’s possible to get enough gnomes in any crafting genre. We love gnomes in knitting and crochet, too, and gnomes are also fun to cross stitch. They’re an easy starting point for just about any holiday … Read More...
Cat Knitting Patterns
I almost titled this “knitting patterns for cats” but the projects shared here make cats, they aren’t strictly for your cats. Unless you turn them into cat toys, which is entirely your business.
If you have a tiny bit of … Read More...
Play Idea: Kinetic Sand and Legos
When my daughter was younger, one of her favorite sensory things to play with was kinetic sand. This is a special kind of sand that has a soft and squishy texture, and it’s moldable and holds its shape until … Read More...
Knit a Headband Inlaid with Diamonds
Little projects like headbands are the perfect way to learn new knitting techniques or refresh your memory if it’s been a while sine you’ve worked with a particular knitting technique. If you’re new to stranded knitting, or you just want … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: TAM Stitch Designs
If you love pastels (and cross-stitched houses), TAM Stitch Designs has patterns for you. This collection of contemporary cross stitch patterns from the UK is heavy on cool colors, with calming designs involving flowers, beach scenes, little cottages and more.… Read More...
Review: Wild Languages of Mother Nature
Humans are the only species that talks in the way we do, but plenty of other animals have their own ways of communicating, whether through singing, whistling, barking, thumping or smelling each other’s poop.
Why Not Knit Yourself a Pigeon?
When it comes to adding whimsy to your knitting, nothing quite does it like knit amigurumi or otherwise knitting animals. And I haven’t seen anything (well, knitting patterns anyway) that made me smile recently like Bill the Pigeon did.
This … Read More...
How to Move Around a Cross Stitch Pattern
As with so many things in crafting and in life, there’s no right way to cross stitch. You can work all of one color in a project, skipping around the fabric as you do, or you can work stitch by … Read More...
Learning about Trees
Trees are a great topic any time of year, but I like to talk about trees in the summer because if you have to be outside, at least you can be in the shade. But of course you can learn … Read More...
Summer Shawl and Scarf Knitting Patterns
If you’re a fan of scarves and shawls (or of lace knitting more generally), you might feel like you need to give up your accessories when the weather gets warm. But the good news is there are plenty of projects … Read More...
Tropical Bird Cross Stitch Patterns
The weather is hot where I live as I write this, which has me thinking of the beach and more tropical climates, because if you’re going to be hot at least you should be somewhere pretty, right?
If a tropical … Read More...
A Cabled Sweater to Span the Seasons
I know it’s only July as I write this, and there is a lot more summer to come in the Northern Hemisphere, but I’m already starting to think about knitting for fall. For one thing, it takes a little while … Read More...
Harry Potter Crafts and Activities
True Harry Potter fans know that the boy wizard’s birthday is celebrated on July 31, so if you want to get in the spirit here are some fun Harry Potter-themed crafts and activities. Stage a reading of one of the … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Needleshaped Ltd
If you like your cross stitch patterns with a gothic twist, you’re going to love the collection of patterns offered by UK-based Etsy shop Needleshaped Ltd. I don’t know if they’re really from a town called Gravesend like their bio … Read More...
Modern Wedding Cross Stitch Patterns
Lots of people seem to get married in the summer and fall, so if you’ve got a wedding on your list of social engagements soon, you might want to stitch up a wedding cross stitch pattern.
There are so many … Read More...