I generally think of adding color as a way to add interest to a sweater. You can easily throw in stripes or a bit of Fair Isle patterning, even on a sweater that’s meant to be plain, to make it … Read More...
How to Rip Out Cross Stitch Mistakes
I’ve recently been doing more embroidery than usual, and while I do tend to be rather intuitive when I stitch rather than planning it out too much or caring if all the stitches are perfect, there was a particular section … Read More...
Learning to Knit? Try a Garter Stitch Washcloth
I used to always teach people how to knit by giving them bulky yarn, teach the knit cast on and have them knit a scarf (like this garter stitch scarf). That’s still a great first project, but I acknowledge … Read More...
St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids
It’s just about time to get out all your green (and rainbow colored!) craft supplies and start making St. Patrick’s Day crafts. Here are a few ideas to get you started, whether you’re making with one kid or a classroom.… Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Needle Treasures Nook
If you like your cross stitch with a bit of a rustic look, you’ll want to check out the Etsy shop Needle Treasures Nook. This shop is based in Bulgaria and does a lot of projects shown as pillows, though … Read More...
Book Review: Two Needles, Many Knits
When I first picked up Quayln Stark’s Two Needles, Many Knits I assumed it was a book that was all patterns using straight knitting needles. It’s not, but it is full of easy to follow knitting instructions and simple patterns … Read More...
Weather Observation in the Classroom
Whenever the weather would get even a tiny bit warmer in the spring, my daughter and I used to start looking for signs of spring like buds on the trees, grass turning green, the first bugs and little wildflowers.
One … Read More...
Small St. Patrick’s Day Cross Stitch Patterns
There are cross stitch patterns of all sizes and for all skill levels of most kinds of motifs you’d want to make, and while there are plenty of detailed projects to make for St. Patrick’s Day, sometimes you don’t have … Read More...
Book Review: Shining Bright, Shining Black
Kids and adults alike need more stories of Black excellence all year long, but especially during Black History Month it’s a great time to focus on current and historical figures whose stories should be shared.
Hexagon Knitting Patterns
Knitting squares, rectangles and triangles can get boring after a while, so why not throw in some different shapes, like hexagons?
I started thinking about hexagons because of Amy Gunderson’s Rainbow Remnants cowl (see it on Ravelry), which uses … Read More...
St. Patrick’s Day Math Activities
I have written a lot of St. Patrick’s Day posts over the years (see for example, St. Patrick’s Day STEM, leprechaun traps, class party games, shamrock learning activities and printables, just to name a few) but it … Read More...
Joann Bankruptcy Updates
The filings have been flying in the Joann bankruptcy case, and I’ve got another update for you. Earlier this week I told you about the company asking the bankruptcy court for permission to close around 500 of their 800 retail … Read More...
How to Dye Cross Stitch Fabric
When I was learning to cross stitch as a kid, there were not a lot of options when it came to the color of cross stitch fabric. Other things may have been available, but in that age before the Internet … Read More...
Knit a Simple Scarf with Knits and Purls
The other day I was talking about how much I love knitting because you can do so much with a few basic techniques, and how it can be used to make things dramatically detailed or basic but ever so useful.… Read More...
Ramadan Crafts for Kids
Making crafts for Ramadan is a lot of fun for kids, because it gives them something to focus on and a way to think about the observance at a time when they might not actually be participating in the fast. … Read More...
Designer Spotlight: Sawanita
Sawanita is an Etsy shop with a heavy focus on Christmas and winter designs, folk art and projects that look like quilt blocks.
The project that first caught my eye from this shop was this set of Scandinavian style … Read More...
Joann Seeks to Close 500 of 800 Stores
Last month we told you about Joann filing for bankruptcy for a second time in less than a year with plans for a possible auction or sale to liquidator Gordon Brothers happening this month.
Today (Feb. 12, 2025) Joann filed … Read More...
Bowling Set Knitting Pattern
A thing that I love about knitting is that you can make just about anything you want out of the same basic stitches. You can make the most intricate lace shawl, complicated Aran sweater, amazing colorwork, fun toys, simple things, … Read More...
Learn about Cambodia for Kids
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand. Known for the 1970s genocide that took place there, its also home to the largest lake in Southeast … Read More...
Hood Knitting Patterns
Knit hoods and bonnets are trending this winter, both because of cuteness and because they are a great way to keep your head (and sometimes your neck, too) warm without as much of a risk of hat head or the … Read More...